Sierra Nevada Adventures Rating System
SNA on-road and OFF-ROAD guided ADVENTURE tours are designed for middleweight (650cc-950cc) to heavyweight (1000cc-1250cc+) dual sport ADVENTURE motorcycles. Although rides are designed for middleweight to heavyweight ADVENTURE motorcycles, less than (650cc) lightweight dual sport motorcycles are welcome on SNA rides and training classes. Please review Event Details per ride for fuel range requirements.
OFF-ROAD Dirt Roads - two-track remote dirt roads (no single-track trails)
Easy Dirt Roads: Maintained remote dirt/gravel roads with loose marble size gravel to golf ball size rocks, minimal potholes, minimal mudholes, pinecones, pine needles, and minimal forest debris, and roughly 3" to 6" deep creek crossings with sweeping turns and gradual grade change.
Mild Dirt Roads: Occasionally maintained remote dirt roads with occasional scattered golf ball to baseball size rocks, rocky stair steps roughly 1" to 3" in height, mild potholes, mild mudholes, sticks, mild forest debris, and roughly 6” to 9” deep creek crossings with curvy turns and mild grade change.
Moderate Dirt Roads: Rarely maintained remote dirt roads with scattered baseball to softball size rocks, rocky stair steps roughly 3" to 6" in height, moderate potholes, moderate mudholes, branches, moderate forest debris, and roughly 9” to 12” deep creek crossings with curvy-twisty turns and moderate grade change.
Challenging Dirt Roads: Unmaintained remote dirt roads with baby-head to soccer ball size rocks, rocky stair steps roughly 6" to 9" in height, large potholes, large mudholes, large branches, scattered forest debris, and roughly 12” to 16” deep creek crossings with tight-twisty turns and steep grade change. Desert rides encounter passable sections with fine silty-sand conditions. (No deep dune-type sand)
Difficult Rocky / Dirt Roads: Unmaintained remote rocky / dirt roads with soccer ball to basketball size rocks, rocky stair steps roughly 9" to 12" in height, large potholes, large mudholes, large branches, scattered forest debris, and roughly 16” to 20” deep creek crossings with tight-twisty turns and steep grade change. Desert rides encounter passable sections with silty soft-sand conditions. (No deep dune-type sand)
ON-ROAD Paved Roads - two-lane and single-lane roads (no freeways)
Highway Roads: Desert roads and Eastern Sierra roads, typically two-lane straight roads and occasionally sweeping curves including roller-coaster style whoops with scenic wide-open scenery.
Scenic Byways: Mountain passes and Coast roads, typically two-lane curvy roads and occasionally single-lane curvy roads with spectacular alpine scenery or coastal scenery.
Curvy Back Roads: Foothill roads and Forest roads, typically two-lane curvy roads occasionally single-lane curvy roads with scenic rolling hills and wooded forest land.
Twisty Back Roads: Canyon roads and Forest roads, typically two-lane twisty roads occasionally single-lane twisty roads through steep river canyons and deep forest land.
Goat Roads: Forest roads and Foothill roads, single-lane twisty-curvy roads with patched pavement, potholes, pinecones, and pine needles, through remote forest and foothills.
Note:
- Wet muddy conditions will add another level of challenge to each category.
- Less than (650cc) lightweight dual sport motorcycles are welcome.
- Two-up passengers are Not allowed.
- Rides listed as Difficult are not for beginners.
Adventure On-Road / Off-Road Tires: (650cc-950cc) to (1000cc-1250cc+)
- 90/10 - 80/20 adventure tires for rides rated easy to mild off-road terrain.
- 70/30 - 60/40 adventure tires for rides rated moderate to challenging off-road terrain.
- 60/40 - 50/50 adventure tires for rides rated challenging to difficult off-road terrain.
