4 stroke? You mean that thing the guys keep bugging me to buy with electric start that weighs twice what my KTM does? Yea, it would be nice, but I'll ride what I can pick up and drag out of ditches when I find myself in such situations (frequently).
Tank: make sure you can do at least 50, if not 60 miles to a tank of gas. Some friends of mine carry the SIGG 1.5 litre bottle with pre-mixed gas and have had to use it. There is a gas stop (where your gas can will be waiting for you. Before the race, mark your can with duct tape and your 'minute number' Name etc. and put on the trailer set aside for that purpose)
Bark Buster's could be a good idea, protects your hands and levers, also if you find yourself picking the bike up somehow it's easier since the bike is off the ground an extra inch or so.
MX-Enduro conversion:
* Softening the suspension may be a good idea since you won't have the knarly jumps and landings as in MX (unless you find yourself Reeaally off course).
*Also consider changing the gearing. This summer I changed from a 14-46 to a 13-48 for tough, tight Idaho single track. HUGE difference, the taller gearing made the bike more controllable on the trail and kept me in a more usable powerband. I have yet to try it in California, but I'll probably keep it. Moral of the digression: taller gearing is better for trails.
*Powervalves. On some bikes minor adjustments to powervalves (if you have them) can make the bike seem like a whole different bike. I know of one TX KTMer who changes from a MX bike to a Enduro bike with a 1/4 turn of the powervalve. If this is of interest, look for someone who knows your bike and has done this before.
Additional mods/Equipment:
*Camelback (water supply and snackbar)
*Roll Chart holder (moose makes a very nice one) mounts to your handlebars.
*Digital wristwatch w/ relativly large numbers 'Installed' on the handlebars
I did reasonably well at the last family Enduro with the above components. I'm rarely fast enough to blow a check for being to early, except at a family enduro. Search the internet for 'Enduro Timekeeping' and you'll pick up the basics. If I find it, I'll post the link for a great article on timekeeping.
1st time Enduro Rider:
CERA puts on the Training Wheels event on October 13, at Foresthill(
http://www.cera.org/tw2002.htm)
This is a great event to learn how an Enduro works, it's shorter and easier than a typical Enduro and has a great turnout in the Women's class. If you go up on Saturday night and camp, there is usually a timekeeping training course, plus you get to meet a lot of great chicks who ride.
Of note: an Enduro isn't a 'how fast can I go' race. It's a timed/thinking game. So, unlike MX or Harescrambles there aren't 100+ riders going for the same line. Every minute 4 people leave the startline and attempt to stick to the average speeds, what this means is, there isn't the need to protect your line, block, or worry so much about passing since everyone is racing their own clock time.