The Concept of MotoGymkhana

MotoGymkhana, or motorcycle gymkhana, can be understood from different perspectives: that of a participant or an organizer. It also provides answers for first-time attendees and experienced riders, known as marshals, while explaining its overall purpose.

What is MotoGymkhana?

Gymkhana is a type of motorsport involving a timed series of skill-based exercises. MotoGymkhana is the equivalent for motorcycles, though naturally without reverse driving or boxing maneuvers. This is the general definition you’ll find if you search for it online. For brevity, we will refer to it simply as “gymkhana”, but we mean “MotoGymkhana”. However, there’s another side to gymkhana that isn’t obvious from the definition.

The purpose of the training version of gymkhana, regularly organized by enthusiasts, is not to teach riders how to complete the track as fast as possible. In both auto and motorcycle gymkhana, memorizing the track beforehand is crucial for achieving the best time. However, in weekly MotoGymkhana sessions, the track is different each time. Why? Because the goal of non-competitive gymkhana is to help riders develop maneuvering and braking skills to an automatic level, react faster to required trajectories, understand their motorcycle’s limits, and improve their overall safety margin.

A reckless rider pushing their limits in city traffic risks an accident in any unexpected situation. In contrast, a skilled and responsible rider operating at 20% of their motorcycle’s potential while knowing how to manage an additional 60% will avoid most accidents. MotoGymkhana should be seen as an advanced and challenging training ground. Even experienced riders who have been riding for years may struggle with a simple 180-degree turn. Why? Because they don’t fully understand their bike’s capabilities or how to control it under these conditions. That’s precisely why they come — to learn. After just 3-4 days of riding on the track, you will gain a significantly better understanding of your motorcycle’s handling, which will be noticeable both in daily riding and critical situations.

There’s another, less obvious benefit. Riders who regularly participate in MotoGymkhana tend to behave more calmly on the road. First, they have a much better understanding of what their motorcycle can do. Second, they satisfy their competitive drive in a safe and controlled environment.

MotoGymkhana Training and Competitions

MotoGymkhana competitions are usually organized events held away from residential areas, often in designated parking lots. Different marshals design the tracks in unique ways, making each event interesting.

Most gymkhana venues follow similar rules, which are simple and logical:

Always wear a helmet. This rule is non-negotiable, even if you’re just moving your motorcycle a short distance. Safety is paramount, and since the event takes place in a parking area, all local regulations must be followed.
The slower rider always has the right of way. Remember, this is a training environment. If someone is riding slower, they likely need more time to learn. Give them space.
Do not tailgate. A small following distance plus an unexpected obstacle can lead to an accident. The track consists of alternating turns and short straights, and sharp turns require significant lean angles. A motorcycle stays upright due to centrifugal force at speed, but stopping suddenly can cause a fall if the bike is not straightened out in time.
Help reset the cones. There are hundreds of cones on the track but only 1–3 marshals. Participants should assist in restoring the track if a cone is knocked over. Even a 20 cm shift can significantly alter a section’s difficulty.
Do not stop on the track. If you knock over a cone or feel something is wrong, pull off the track at the nearest available exit and resolve the issue there.
Overtake safely. If a slower rider is holding up traffic, it’s your problem, not theirs. You can cut across part of the track to pass them, but only if it doesn’t interfere with others or break the flow of movement. Conversely, if you’re the slower rider and have accumulated a “train” behind you, don’t stress — it’s part of the learning process.

Track and Participant Categories

Many MotoGymkhana venues have distinct track types. For example:

Cruise Track – designed to accommodate large, less maneuverable motorcycles like cruisers and luxury tourers.
Sunday Track – more technical and challenging, requiring greater skill, though not necessarily easier for smaller bikes.

If there are many participants, riders are often divided into “fast” and “slow” groups. This helps beginners feel comfortable without being intimidated by faster riders while giving skilled riders space to push their limits.

“Slow” riders – those struggling with certain elements or just riding for enjoyment without optimizing their trajectory or time.
“Fast” riders – those consistently outperforming most of the slow group and getting stuck behind others.

On tracks with “fast” motorcyclists, a rider who is too slow may be removed if he hinders the flow, as these tracks are designed for high-speed practice.

MotoGymkhana For Beginners

If it’s your first time and the track seems chaotic, don’t panic. It looks that way because you’re viewing it from the outside, where multiple sections are visible at once. The track is actually a labyrinth with a single correct path, which makes more sense once you’re on it. All motorcycles are riding along the “walls” made of cones of different colors, with lines drawn alongside them. That’s why everything inside the track is different — and simpler.

One side is always marked with orange cones, while the other is marked with green or blue cones. The track boundaries are either outlined with chalk or follow the parking lot markings. You can enter and exit the track at any point since it is a loop, but most people prefer to do so at the same spot near the parking lot.

Don’t be afraid of being too slow or that others might laugh at you. You came here to learn. If a particular maneuver isn’t working out or you can’t make a turn, just pull off the track and watch how riders on similar motorcycles tackle the same element. Or approach the organizers and ask for an explanation. Think your motorcycle isn’t suited for gymkhana? Here you can see all kinds: street bikes, sportbikes, enduros, adventure bikes, cruisers, luxury tourers, Urals and many others. However, always keep in mind that you’re here to train, and in training, mistakes happen — whether that’s going off the track or even falling.

“It’s my first time here, where should I go?” This is one of the most common questions. Remember, the track is designed in a way that you can navigate it as long as you understand how to build your trajectory. There’s also a special mini-track, though it’s not always set up. It has an official name “paddling pool” and it’s specifically made for beginners who are worried about slowing down others on the main track. It’s short but still helps practice some maneuvering elements. Want to try the main track? No problem, go ahead — that’s what we’re here for. If there’s a division between fast and slow riders, sessions usually last about 15 minutes. You can always ask who’s riding at the moment and when the next switch is.

What Does a MotoGymkhana Marshal Do?

Like any event, a motogymkhana has its organizers. Some manage the overall event, while others are specifically responsible for the track — these are called marshals. What are their responsibilities?

A marshal must arrive early, before the official start of the event. On an empty lot, they need to set up the track, making efficient use of the available space, surface features (such as markings), and the supply of cones. They also need to combine elements in a way that requires effort to navigate — challenging but manageable — while also leaving space for “calm” and tricky sections. After placing the cones, the track must be tested by riding through it, making adjustments where needed: narrowing or widening turns, adding or removing cones to make elements easier or harder. Once finalized, the track is marked with chalk. Participants who want an early look at the track can help with this process — it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the layout!

The event itself starts with a briefing, conducted either by an organizer or one of the marshals. This includes the standard “the slow rider is always right” rule and other key information. Marshals also manage track traffic — removing riders who knock over too many cones without resetting them or stopping the session to swap slow and fast riders or change the track’s direction.

In some cases, small adjustments are made to the track during the event, for example, moving the U-turn to prevent bikers from driving through the oil slick. Sometimes, miscalculations happen, and people end up riding an element differently than planned, or a section turns out too difficult and needs to be simplified.

The event concludes with a thank-you to those who stayed until the end to help collect the cones. Seriously, setting up the track can feel like a creative process, but gathering everything at the end all at once can be tedious.