Click here to know more about the torqR tyres
You know how our lives are usually constant. The changes are gradual. The graph is usually linear. But sometimes, even if for a short duration, there is a spike. I think many people might resonate with this but during those spikes, you feel like a superhero. To different people, it might happen differently but for me, it happened when I participated in SJOBA, a cross-country rally for the very first time. It was a long time coming and I had been working towards this day for a while but even when I saw it coming, it was a surprise. It was a feeling that blew me away!
I started my journey as an automotive photographer five years ago. I was working with a fellow offroad champion and as I was trying to capture him through my lens, something changed. I did not just want to be behind the camera for this one. I wanted to be a part of the action and not just record it. I had this urge to learn what he was doing. So along with the start of my journey with xBhp began my journey towards learning off-road riding.
The Sunday rides I used to go for turned into intense practice sessions on a dirt track. My singular focus was to sharpen my skills to an even finer point every time I hit the track. I would use my time on the track to gauge my progress, practice existing skills, and acquire new ones. As off-road riding started to become second nature, I secretly wished for a platform to put these skills to the test.
“The torqR tyres from brand Reise were a boon throughout the race. Regardless of the surface, the tyres are thoroughly communicative, letting you know everything that is going on both on the front and the rear.“
The idea of participating in a cross-country rally started to seem more and more logical. A rally like that and the performance of other riders in it would be the perfect yardstick, I thought. I had tried earlier but I was not sure if I was ready or not. In 2023, I decided to finally dip my toe in the water. I was not going to find out whether I was ready or not if I thought too much and did not just go for it. So with xBhp’s support, I signed up for SJOBA Rally 2024. This was the easy part. Now, the hard bits!
India already has different rallies happening every year in various parts of the country; from Raid de Himalaya in the cold lap of the Himalayas to the Ultimate Desert Challenge in the sands of Jaisalmer, in addition to a fair few more down South such as Dakshin Dare. SJOBA Rally takes place in the varied terrain of Punjab and Haryana. In addition to being one of the oldest, SJOBA Rally is also known to test riders thoroughly thanks to the length, the toughness, the format, and, of course, the wide variety of terrain.
My SJOBA journey started with bike preparation. I have an XPulse 200, a value-for-money motorcycle that is the perfect starting point if you are into off-road riding. It is extremely capable and yet easy to maintain. Since the parts are all affordable and I know a few people in the off-roading circle, it was fairly easy to get the motorcycle rally-ready. The tricky part was the tyres. In addition to your skills, tyres are the single most important factor when it comes to doing well in a rally.
For a cross-country rally such as SJOBA, you need tyres that can deal with all the different kinds of terrains; from rocks to gravel and from sand to slush. For that, Reise Moto came on board to support my endeavour and asked me to try their torqR tyres. Based on their Dakar-winning pedigree and my own experience, I could rest assured that the tyres were going to back me up regardless of whether I was in the air ready to land or sideways ready to throttle it out!
The torqR tyres from brand Reise were a revelation. Their Dakar-winning pedigree was on full display as we dealt with everything SJOBA could throw at us. From acceleration to braking and from slides to flat turns, the tyres provided our rider with the confidence they needed regardless of the surface they were riding on. In a competition scenario, the torqR tyres prove to be an advantage that is tough to surmount be it the track or the competing riders.
The torqR tyres from brand Reise were a boon throughout the race. Regardless of the surface, the tyres are thoroughly communicative, letting you know everything that is going on both on the front and the rear. This makes it easier to correct your mistakes and even if you do make one, the excellent grip more than makes up for it. Rallies are unpredictable so you have to have faith in the tyres and I am pleased to say that the torqR tyres stick to the intended line. In the initial part of the race, I took my time to understand my bike and the tyres. After I got through that bit, quite quickly, the real fun began.
Staying true to their commitment to being the frontrunners of the off-road scene in India, Reise Moto introduced the Acerbis protective gear range. Moreover, they were gracious enough to support me in that direction as well. I cannot thank them enough for going full monty and sending me the full attire. I got the Acerbis body armour that protects one’s chest, back, shoulders, and elbows from impacts, Acerbis Enduro gloves that provide abrasion resistance without hindering the grip on the handlebar, Rally Pants, and the JX Flex One jersey, a breathable solution perfect for long hauls such as SJOBA!
With all that out of the way, let us talk a bit about the procedure for participation. First, you need an FMSCI license. Depending on the rally or event type, you need a specific FMSCI license. But if you’re seriously planning a career in offroad riding, it’s better to go for a 1-year license. Then, you need a valid driving license along with valid documents for the bike. Another thing you need is a rally cover on top of your regular motorcycle insurance. Finally, the most important thing: You have to understand it is a competitive riding scene and therefore, anything can happen. So I suggest getting personal accident high-risk insurance. Normal health insurance does not cover such things as it is a risky sport so it is better to go in prepared in case of any eventualities.
Coming to the SJOBA Rally, you need to register as early as possible since two-wheeler seats are limited. Considering that you are ready to go, you are already practising hard. You must work on your stamina because you’ll find yourself riding for 10 or even 20 km in every stage. With soaring temperatures, your body has to be acclimated to the punishment. What is a stage? A particular route in a particular area that you have to cover in a certain amount of time.
The Acerbis protective gear from Reise Moto is a thorough solution for all kinds of off-roading, from practice sessions on a Sunday to a cross-country rally like SJOBA. The armour protects upper body vitals and the pants are an effective solution to keep the rider protected and ventilated. Topped off by the jersey and the gloves, Acerbis provides you with all you need to give off-roading your best shot safely.
The format of the SJOBA Rally includes two stages. The first one is TPT or the transport stage where you need to ride from Point A to Point B in a given amount of time. This stage includes normal roads with traffic, and you need to cover this part carefully within the time limit. The next stage is SS or Special Stage, where the actual race begins. Also, there are different categories of participation based on your motorcycle’s displacement. It ranges from 150cc to 400cc. The classes also vary based on the level of modifications that you have done on your motorcycle.
I participated in the 200cc category with my XPulse 200 with Reise torqR tyres. The rally starts with the scrutiny of your documents as well as a thorough checkup of your bike by the scrutineer. The point is to make sure that your motorcycle is eligible to race in the class you have signed up for. Once that is done, you are another step closer to getting to the actual race.
SJOBA Rally covers approximately 600 km in different parts of Punjab and Haryana. You find nearly everything here; dirt roads, sand, riverbeds, and so on. Everything you can imagine and then some, will be a part of this cross-country rally. Now, imagine 600 km of all that… There is a reason why SJOBA is considered to be one of the toughest rallies in the country. Another thing you have to be ready for is the uncertainty. You do not know what kind of surface you will be on in the next minute. According to me, faith in yourself and your motorcycle and thorough awareness are crucial.
“My race went without an incident and that’s all I can ask for. The only exception was a minor crash over a stone. But then, with the Acerbis protective gear, I got out unscathed and continued to finish the race with me and my motorcycle both in one piece.“
Around 51 riders participated and 14 had to bow out for various reasons. I saw people crashing, crying, and being broken over not being able to complete the race. So for me, just finishing the race was an achievement. And trust me when I say this, I am not shooting low here. I knew the rally was going to be tough but the real thing, the experience itself, was as terrifying as it was thrilling. If you’re planning to participate in the future, make sure you are well-prepared. Navigation is also important so that you do not get lost and have to forfeit.
I finished 6th in my group and for me, as a first-time participant, it is no less than a podium. I thought people were exaggerating when they were not so thrilled about my wish to participate. Now I know. My race went without an incident and that’s all I can ask for. The only exception was a minor crash over a stone. But then, with the Acerbis protective gear, I got out unscathed and continued to finish the race with me and my motorcycle both in one piece.
I would also like to take a little time to thank Reise Moto and not just for their support, starting with the tyres. In a straight line, I often found myself riding with the throttle wide open despite the change in the surface. In quick turns, the sidewalls and knobs were supremely supportive which allowed me to change direction without shedding too much speed.
There is a lot of acceleration, lots of sideways turning, lots of braking, and all of that happens on terrain that is far less forgiving than tarmac. The torqR tyres performed flawlessly throughout regardless of the terrain and as I covered more and more distance, my confidence grew along with it. I was able to push harder than I ever thought possible, all thanks to the faith instilled in me by the tyres.
There was a point where I made a mistake with the route and had to brake really hard. I was anticipating a crash but I was surprised by how well the tyres coped with the pressure of hard braking combined with an almost rocky surface. From rocky riverbeds to slick sand, I could bank, pun intended, on the torqR tyres to see me through and at a very decent speed too! I am super happy with the tyres and I believe that torqR tyres will be my go-to in future races as well.
The best kind of riding gear is what feels like an extension of your body. Acerbis from Reise Moto does just that; incredible comfort combined with confidence-inspiring protection. I used Acerbis’ Specktrum Body Armor which comes with CE Level 2 protection for the chest, back, elbows, and shoulders. The fitting was perfect, and the material was suitable for long-term use. The JX Flex jersey and MX pants from Acerbis were also very comfortable and breathable for extended use. Even with knee braces inside, the pants remained comfortable throughout all the stages.
Moreover, I also found the colour combination to be quite striking. I almost forgot the gloves, a crucial element when it comes to rallies. The Acerbis Enduro gloves are lightweight and the material keeps movement restriction to a minimum. The grip they provide on the handlebar is proper and you find yourself in control throughout. Thanks to the comfort and protection offered by the Acerbis riding gear, I could concentrate on what mattered in the rally… going fast!
“To know more about riding gear and accessories, do visit www.reisemoto.com to check out the wide variety of domestic and international brands as per your riding needs.“
The SJOBA Rally was a heck of an experience for me and as I said, it was terrifying too. But then, isn’t that the gist of life? In the gradual and linear graph of life, these spikes are what you live for. These spikes are what make you realize that the ceiling of your potential is higher and there is a possibility to push it even further up. So for me, the completion of this rally only marks the beginning of many more. And I have to be ready!
Click here to know more about the torqR tyres
