[Sudarshan]

Dear All,

Day by day its becoming very confusing for Me > [ ] when people use term as Hardcore off roading . I have seen this used N number of times and at N number of places .

I don't want Google for this ,I don't want Wikipedia. I want a definition / description / photos- to explain from US people here .

Lets do it , give your best shot

There can be few clues as follows

1) off roading that causes maximum damage to a vehicle ? ( or to vehicle A but not B )
2) tests & shakes & makes the driver sweat a lot ?
3) Impossible for particular vehicle to do ?
4) breaks chassis , punctures fuel tanks , rip lines , breaks axle/leafs/springs , vehicle doing see/saw on its belly ?( I have done this all except topple )

What is it ?

Sudarshan

Note : Dear BHP Support , as usual I am confused as to where to start this thread , or its title . Please take appropriate action If you feel necessary .

[Jaggu]

Let me give it a try, for me

1) Trail driving- Off the road driving where one needs a 4x4 vehicle (mostly for Ground Clearance), most of it can be done in 4x2 and only some part might require 4x4. Average speed might be 20km/hr.

2) Moderate offroading- Where one encounters obstacles, will require 4x4 to work. Can be done by stock vehicles without the need of pushing the vehicle too much. Average speed might be 10 km/hr

3) Hardcore offroading- Will require 4x4, stock vehicle might be able to do. But one has to be really careful or can damage the vehicle. Articulation, traction and engine power is very important. True blood offroad machines and modified vehicles might have an edge. Rocky terrains, super slippery slush with heavy climbs, terrain which is unexplored by vehicles and are really a challenge to even walk. Chances of getting stuck and need for winching is high etc. Average speed might be 2-5 km/hr at the most.

So am not sure your classification is true entirely, though parts of it are a possible reality under hardcore offroading.

[Samurai]

We use the term hardcore to separate it from trail driving.

In my opinion, hardcore offroading is:

• where one often needs spotters.
• where one can get stuck often and needs towing assistance.

Rest is all subjective...

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Samurai

where one can get stuck often and needs towing assistance.

This can happen to the best vehicle on the simplest trail if the driver is a novice or doesn't listen to the spotters.

Hardcore in my opinion as said earlier is subjective:

What person x may call hardcore offroading, person y may say: "rubbish, see google videos- that's hardcore"

What i would say: hardcore offroading is a trail or obstacle for which you would need a specialized or specially modded vehicle (mechanical and tyres), driven by an adept driver who can successfully and safely cross the said obstacle with least amount of fuss or damage to the vehicle and the trail.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

driven by an adept driver who can successfully and safely cross the said obstacle with least amount of fuss or damage to the vehicle and the trail.

I can do that in my Santro in many a trails! How can that define hardcore offroading?

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Hmmm...

let me try to rephrase:

hardcore offroading is a offroad trail or obstacle for which you would need a specialized or specially modded 4x4 vehicle (mechanical and tyres), driven by an adept driver who can successfully and safely cross the said obstacle with least amount of fuss or damage to the vehicle and the trail which would otherwise not be possible in a regular vehicle without substantially damaging it in the short or long term.

(changes in italics) What say?

[bblost]

a trail that cannot be crossed by a motorbike...any 150 cc bike.

reasons being rocks, traction, gradient.

[jeepster]

here are my definitions.

softcore/amateur offroading
softcore/amateur offroader

enthusiast who dose offroading as a part time hobby with standard 4x4 vehicles. (even 4x2)
Ex.
weekend OTR's with friends & family, Mahindra Great Escape
Thar/540/550, scorpio/pajero etc (all stock)

hardcore/professional offroading
hardcore/professional offroader

the enthusiast who is in offroading as a professional rather than part time hobby & are competitor rather than participant.
Ex.
Great Mountain Challenge, EXAMM, AKC, TPC.
4x4 vehicles with suspension lifts, tyre upgrades, drive train upgrades, etc

rgds,
Nikhil

[Samurai]

Too many conditions Tejas. Also, why so much stress damage or driver skill?

I have seen master class offroaders do crazy stuff with stock Jeeps, often damaging, and not so safely.

Hardcore should refer to terrain quality.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Damage: same reason why we are skeptical about the Thar (read IFS) and don't call it a hard core offroader.

Drivers: bad drivers can't soft road in a great vehicle and vis-a-versa.

The thing about terrain is that it's only as good as the vehicle that tries to conquer it.

So rephrasing again:

Hard core offroading is basically doing offroading in a terrain that can only be traversed by specially modded vehicles which can either be 4x4s or dirt bikes driven by skilled drivers with minimal damage that will not compromise safety of the driver/occupant.

[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

Hope this Helps

1) Expeditions West: Expeditions Handbook - OHV Trail Rating Guide

2) Expeditions West: Expedition Handbook - Vehicle Rating Guide

3) Ten Pt. Trail Rating

4) Off-Road Trip Reports & Trail Descriptions

Regards,

Arka

[Live To Jive]

Why break your head on the definition hardcore & softcore offroading? Off roading is meant to be fun. Just go out there and enjoy it. As you do more and more of it you'll get closer to the title of a hardcore off roader.

[musicmanaman]

Tejas, I'm loving the way you are trying to define offroading, I think by the time this thread reaches 3-4 pages (my guess), we'll have a well defined defination from your end on the word "offrading", subject to acceptability by members like Samurai.

[Spitfire]

I believe Hardcore off roading is one where one does not know whether its possible to complete it or not, given the best equipment and resources.

i.e. I might have the best, purposeful offroader, a skilled driver, a skilled backup team. But when I get going I don't know whether I will finish it.

[The Wolf]

Id like to define "Hardcore Offroading" as below;

In the hands of a driver with moderate exposure to a particular terrain that continues to offer a 50% or higher risk or vulnerability factor in causing damage to man, machine or both for a specific genre of vehicles that have similar or close physical/ mechanical limitations.

Hope that suffices. Close thread