That is probably the clearest & most professional instructional video I have ever seen. After seeing that I’d love to join one of your courses someday soon. Thank you for the video.
Did you ever go Neil? If not, you must. I just got back from a course from these exact guys last weekend and it was absolutely superb!!! Can't recommend them enough
Chris, you were my instructor for Level 1 and also on the GS Trophy in 2016 as team Captain, Chandlers BMW. I actually used the very first skill Chris taught me in the real world, when my R1200RT was in the middle of the road on its side after a very slow spill. Calm, not panicked or embarrassed. Without the need for any help, the bike came up in one go and safe on the side stand. I live and ride in Spain and the skills they taught me i use everyday on the RT. As an advanced instructor now i even teach some of these skills to my pupils. Thank you for two days in the pouring rain that had me screaming like a schoolgirl for the most fun i had ever had on two wheels. I admit i was teachers pet and i don't mind admitting it. I have fantastic memories and skills. Wishing you all the love and respect to all at ORS. Regards Micky.
My first reaction was like - "Well I knew GS is well balanced..." Then Neil started doing some super tight turns - "Well, my driving instructor showcased this to me too..." And then the fun part started - "What sorcery is that?!"
Beginner here with a crf300 rally. Coming from many years of street riding one big thing for me is to get over my ego that I know what I’m doing. Fantastic lessons here. Going out to practice right now! I’m based in the US but I would love to take this course. Thanks for posting! 🤙🤙
If you were unsure about booking a course with ORS, just do it. I’ve done Level 1 and 2 with the team in Wales and I had so much fun and learned so much! It is such a buzz. Can’t wait for Level 3 :)
I did a level 2 course followed by a 5 day adventure ride with these guys in Tasmania 2019. They are awesome instructors & I highly recommend doing the course on whatever adventure bike you own. BTW Neil the indicator switch on the Africa Twin is still working fine!
I did Level 1 and 2 as well as the Maintenance course in Wales a few years back. It is brilliant. Made me a much more safer and confident rider. Will do level 3 when things are a bit more normal post covid. This course should be actually done by any motorbike rider regardless whether they do off road or not, you learn so much about motorbike handling. And also, it is a hell of a weekend. So much fun!!!
I've had three of the best weekends of my life with ORS in Wales. I thought I was pretty good on a bike but man did I learn some skills, tricks and more importantly confidence on the amazing BMW GS. Its also true what the boys say you do it on their bikes so just go and play. Oh and I did park a bike on its dash after a big mishap off a fire road. It took 5 of us to get the bike back on the trail, but the mighty GS just fired up and off I went for the rest of the day.
I did this course about 6 years ago with the team in Wales . One of the best weekends of fun and learning. It also improves your road riding skills and bike confidence. Time for a re-fresh I think
That was my first "How to...." for the off road experience I am about to get stuck into. Ordering my new GSA this week so now looking for good off road training courses here in Sydney Australia. Done 30+ years of touring on my K100RS now it's time to learn some new riding skills. Enjoyed your video, thanks for doing it.
I did this in August this year (Friday 13th!!) and it was even more fun than it looks here. A fantastic couple of days which ended with me doing things with the bike I would not have believed possible 48 hrs earlier. Brilliant instructors and well worth every penny.
I miss this so much. Had brilliant level 1&2 training with Neil and Chris. The whole school worth every penny! Now i dont live in the UK anymore but will def come back for brecon beacons trip or level 3 when we can travel freely! Great vid and congrats on Neil's great success in Dakar!!!
John Deacon. Nice guy. Came to Allan Jefferies (I worked there) with his bikes (R900RR?) and huge vehicle for an evening talking BMW Paris Dakar stuff. RIP that man!
I know this in an old comment but I had to say it. When reading this I said "man, 20 years ago. Did bikes even have abs back then?" I then realized 20 years ago was 2003
Well! I'm blown away! When you let go of the bike and it stayed balanced! What a machine, and what great artists of the saddle! I have held wrong views regarding this behemoth of a motorcycle!! Thank you! Now where is my piggy bank?
Absolute GOLD !!! very new to ADV riding and into the deep end with a GS… but no regrets .. slow and steady and grin from ear to ear … love the tutorials and keen to get out and enjoy !!! Thanks Lads … Steve (Adelaide Aust) 🙏
Chris Northover... such a good bloke ! Talented but humble. Witty and smart, but also a good listener. I absolutely love Simon and Lel Pavey’s team ....compelling fun. Ignore the price, it’s actually pretty cheap for what they deliver over the two days. (But that won’t be apparent till you’ve completed the experience and training with them)
Thanks for the instructive teaser for the class. A friend who owns a dozen different BMW motorcycles took this class and said it was excellent. It's definitely on my To Do list.
Excellent presentation. I'm brand new to motorcycles (at age 64), athletic and just got the cycle bug. I'll be taking the Harley safety course (2 day training).....which seams like a good foundation to have. I know little to nothing about motorcycles....but I've found the idea of owning something that goes off road, or on road equally well, would be suit mel. As an aside, for those that still believe they are getting the truth from the media and public servants, read "Virus Mania" by Engelbrecht and learn the history of science fraud and big pharma. Now....back to watching this informative video.
Another good thing I like about video's like this, is that we also that get to know the instructor's. For me that is a big thing if I am going to put my money into them. So please keep these video's coming! I'd like to see stage 2 and 3 video's!
I don't go off-road but think I'll sign up for this. Got my GS Rallye 2 weeks ago and still sh*tting myself manhandling it around car parks etc. This course should do the trick :) Cheers!
We'd love to have you with us Gary. Our courses also help your bike skills on tarmac, so even if you don't fancy any more off-road after your course, you'll still feel the benefits :)
Gary, can only echo what ORS responded to, I did level 1 and 2 and maintenance, getting back on bikes after a 20 year break. Apart from the fantastic fun you have on the weekend, it really makes you a much more confident rider. No question in my mind 100% wort it. I'll do level 3 when this whole covid stuff is over, just for the fun of it, with the added advantage that it makes me a better rider. Best, John
Starting with how to pick the bike up reminds me of our welding instructor's favorite saying: "The world's best welding instructor is a 40 pound grinder".
Amazingly nerdish! Thanks a lot for this. I am currently trying to buy myself my first motorcycle for traveling around Europe. Watching this is gold, and what a great presentation team you two are!
Loved this...though I ride a 250cc sports bike, but these skills gonna help me somewhere down the line, for sure. Thanks again and a Happy New Year to all of You.
On the strength of this great video, I'm booked-in for the Level 2 course. If it's half as much fun as it looks and I make it through unscathed, might just do the next level in 2022.
Wow this is a great demonstration and thank you neil for your effort to share your off road skills... great video...new subscriber from philippines boss
I can hardly wait to get out there and practice!! The more we practice the smoother the skills! ✌️It would be nice if you talked about preload a little more beyond saying just use it. Not everyone will understand otherwise.
Neil is like 7’ tall lol sure easy for him ha Well that was an excellent video - they should charge for it ha. I’m new to the GS Welt but it is definitely fun and exciting! 🏁
Would love to do this, but unsure I have the right temperament as I tend to put myself under pressure in group situations if I struggle to pick things up.
Nice vid! Just curious. I was always thought to stand on the left side whilst walking the bike, puts your hand in a better position for throttle control. What do you think?
Excellent taster, thanks so much guys. I have had my GS 2 years now and have only ever ridden off road when I got lost a couple of times. I am nearly seventy and my inside leg is only 29”,so I ride a factory lowered bike. Add to that, I have a tunnelman tail bag to support my ageing back, and I am worried about the mounting and dismounting without falling foul off the higher tail bag. Any advice would be greatly received. Once again, thanks for a great video. 🏍🏍👍👍
Hi Henry! Difficult to say without being able to see your setup, but the key things with getting on are; 1. Making sure you and the bike are balanced. 2. Opening up the bars by turning them away from you. 3. Leaning forward as much as you can, which allows you to get your leg as high as possible. We'd love to see you on a course with us so we can run through it in detail :)
Overall there are two simple keys for riding adventure motorcycles off-road - get lots of experience and swap street tires for serious dual-sport tires. (Get Continental TKC-80s. Their traction on the street and their longevity are uncompromised by their badass treads). Here are some basic off-road skills… • Favor the rear brake except in emergencies, in which case try your best to straighten the front wheel first before using the front brake and rear brake together. Using the front brake tends to make the front tire knife into the dirt surface and trip the bike up. • Similarly, keep the wheels straight when turning from asphalt to dirt, ideally making the turn completely on the asphalt part and entering the dirt surface at a 90° angle. If you enter the dirt at a shallower angle, treat it like a curve and counterbalance (see below). • Know when to be aggressive on the throttle and when to be gentle on it (sometimes the best defense is a good offense, other times overconfidence will hurt). Speed and momentum are crucial on the softer stuff, but too much will backfire and destabilize the bike. You have to develop a feel for exactly how much throttle by practicing on different surfaces. • Ride standing up in rougher terrain. That makes all the difference because it lowers the bike's center of gravity and makes it more maneuverable. Remember to keep your knees slightly bent to allow your legs to flex, and lean slightly forward on straight sections, more forward the steeper any climbs get. On downhills, reverse that and keep your butt rearwards. • When encountering a road with ruts, either stay inside the ruts or outside the ruts. The problem is continually going back and forth in and out of a rut, making it an edge trap, which can throw the bike down. If the rut is so narrow that your tires are continually hitting against the sides of the rut, that's an edge trap, so only ride outside of that rut. • When riding on softer stuff, shift your weight rearwards to give the rear tire more bite - that also has the advantage of making the front tire "ski" more, creating less drag and making it less likely to trip you. • Counterbalance generously on curves, getting your hips outside the lean and weight on the outside pegs. You should be one gear lower for the speed - that discourages swinging wide and gives you more engine braking if you encounter a surprise around the bend. Your outside leg will be mostly bent, the inside leg mostly straight. Know that you can always make your turn sharper by leaning further (I usually like to just straighten out my lower side arm for that). • When going over mounds, you need to use finesse on the throttle, going from aggressive to gentle at just the right moment heading up, then be relaxed and confident while finessing the rear brake as you go down the other side. Like with everything else, you get better at it with practice. • When encountering hard obstacles you can't maneuver around, (with your butt off the seat and legs flexed), as the front tire gets to the obstacle, hit the throttle a little as you pull up on the handlebars while leaning slightly rearwards (as if to wheelie but not actually doing so) then pogo-stick the rear suspension as the obstacle reaches your rear tire. Practice that in an empty parking lot with a piece of two-by-four. And here's a good video if you ever get seriously stuck... ua-cam.com/video/kYf2iUY4jZ8/v-deo.html
yeah you guys rock... you could do 10 more of these videos more technical level 1-9 and they would be a massive internet hit. I mean really use and abuse the machine the way it was designed for. Many of us are not interested in preserving the paint... We have an appreciation for the engineering and want to see it overcome highly difficult / technical obstacles.
Seriously one of the best video on UA-cam you can find regarding level 1 off road riding.
Cannot count the times I have watched it.
This particular instructor is outstanding. Thanks Niel!
That is probably the clearest & most professional instructional video I have ever seen. After seeing that I’d love to join one of your courses someday soon. Thank you for the video.
That's very kind of you to say so! We'd love to have you with us, our instructors are even better in real life :)
Same here! Very neat. How fast can you move from a level 1 to 3? (it seems so much fun)
Sad to see there haven't been any more videos since this one though!
Did you ever go Neil? If not, you must. I just got back from a course from these exact guys last weekend and it was absolutely superb!!! Can't recommend them enough
Would love to join in from Belgium :) @@offroadSkills
This might be the best UA-cam video ever seen, about off road skills. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
that synchronized power sliding made me smile like a child
Glad you liked it!
Chris, you were my instructor for Level 1 and also on the GS Trophy in 2016 as team Captain, Chandlers BMW.
I actually used the very first skill Chris taught me in the real world, when my R1200RT was in the middle of the road on its side after a very slow spill.
Calm, not panicked or embarrassed.
Without the need for any help, the bike came up in one go and safe on the side stand.
I live and ride in Spain and the skills they taught me i use everyday on the RT.
As an advanced instructor now i even teach some of these skills to my pupils.
Thank you for two days in the pouring rain that had me screaming like a schoolgirl for the most fun i had ever had on two wheels. I admit i was teachers pet and i don't mind admitting it.
I have fantastic memories and skills.
Wishing you all the love and respect to all at ORS.
Regards
Micky.
Just done this course and can’t believe how you progress over two days. Brilliant instructions and instructors.
I know it's a while since you posted this but is accommodation included in the price
My first reaction was like - "Well I knew GS is well balanced..."
Then Neil started doing some super tight turns - "Well, my driving instructor showcased this to me too..."
And then the fun part started - "What sorcery is that?!"
Hope you liked it :)
@@offroadSkills Yes indeed I've liked it :3
Love this! I’ve been riding for 50 years. I learned from your video. Thank you.
Beginner here with a crf300 rally. Coming from many years of street riding one big thing for me is to get over my ego that I know what I’m doing. Fantastic lessons here. Going out to practice right now! I’m based in the US but I would love to take this course. Thanks for posting! 🤙🤙
If you were unsure about booking a course with ORS, just do it. I’ve done Level 1 and 2 with the team in Wales and I had so much fun and learned so much! It is such a buzz. Can’t wait for Level 3 :)
I did a level 2 course followed by a 5 day adventure ride with these guys in Tasmania 2019. They are awesome instructors & I highly recommend doing the course on whatever adventure bike you own. BTW Neil the indicator switch on the Africa Twin is still working fine!
Cheers David!
I did Level 1 and 2 as well as the Maintenance course in Wales a few years back. It is brilliant. Made me a much more safer and confident rider. Will do level 3 when things are a bit more normal post covid. This course should be actually done by any motorbike rider regardless whether they do off road or not, you learn so much about motorbike handling. And also, it is a hell of a weekend. So much fun!!!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it so much, see you soon :)
Mr. Neil is AMAZING... Any amount of money you pay for safety is money well spend!! Cheers from across the pond
We agree! Bike skills are for life.
I've had three of the best weekends of my life with ORS in Wales. I thought I was pretty good on a bike but man did I learn some skills, tricks and more importantly confidence on the amazing BMW GS.
Its also true what the boys say you do it on their bikes so just go and play. Oh and I did park a bike on its dash after a big mishap off a fire road. It took 5 of us to get the bike back on the trail, but the mighty GS just fired up and off I went for the rest of the day.
I did this course about 6 years ago with the team in Wales . One of the best weekends of fun and learning. It also improves your road riding skills and bike confidence. Time for a re-fresh I think
That was my first "How to...." for the off road experience I am about to get stuck into. Ordering my new GSA this week so now looking for good off road training courses here in Sydney Australia. Done 30+ years of touring on my K100RS now it's time to learn some new riding skills. Enjoyed your video, thanks for doing it.
A brilliant series of training courses that help you to confidently build skills.
Thanks so much :)
We should all follow Neil Hawker who is number 84 in the Dakar as we speak.
I did this in August this year (Friday 13th!!) and it was even more fun than it looks here. A fantastic couple of days which ended with me doing things with the bike I would not have believed possible 48 hrs earlier. Brilliant instructors and well worth every penny.
Absolutely brilliant👍 Makes the GS looks so light !
It's so light when you're riding it. Such a well balanced machine.
@@offroadSkills do you think the same about the 310gs?
I miss this so much. Had brilliant level 1&2 training with Neil and Chris. The whole school worth every penny! Now i dont live in the UK anymore but will def come back for brecon beacons trip or level 3 when we can travel freely! Great vid and congrats on Neil's great success in Dakar!!!
See you soon!
Those bikes are absolute beauty. Hope to ride this one day. Nice class.
I remember doing the same course 20 years ago with John Deacon and Simon Pavey, worth every penny
Thanks Tim, come back soon!
John Deacon. Nice guy. Came to Allan Jefferies (I worked there) with his bikes (R900RR?) and huge vehicle for an evening talking BMW Paris Dakar stuff. RIP that man!
I know this in an old comment but I had to say it. When reading this I said "man, 20 years ago. Did bikes even have abs back then?" I then realized 20 years ago was 2003
You make it seem so easy! Starting from basics, gaining confidence, it is possible to build advanced skills. You just need to want to do it.
I did the Level 1 course a couple of years ago, gives you great confidence in bike handling. And first-class instructors!
Thanks so much :)
Well! I'm blown away! When you let go of the bike and it stayed balanced! What a machine, and what great artists of the saddle! I have held wrong views regarding this behemoth of a motorcycle!! Thank you! Now where is my piggy bank?
You are awesome guys , thanks everyone .
Absolute GOLD !!! very new to ADV riding and into the deep end with a GS… but no regrets .. slow and steady and grin from ear to ear … love the tutorials and keen to get out and enjoy !!! Thanks Lads … Steve (Adelaide Aust) 🙏
Looks like a glorious British summer day.
Chris Northover... such a good bloke ! Talented but humble. Witty and smart, but also a good listener.
I absolutely love Simon and Lel Pavey’s team ....compelling fun. Ignore the price, it’s actually pretty cheap for what they deliver over the two days. (But that won’t be apparent till you’ve completed the experience and training with them)
Thanks so much for the kind words :)
Neil is an excellent teacher. What a great video.
I totally agree with you to engage the bike as a part of our body.
A big thank you from a KTM driver, this was GREAT to watch!
Excellent presentation, great work guys, hope to get on this course one day. Hope to see the demonstration again at this year's NEC Motorcycle Live 🤞.
Thanks for the instructive teaser for the class. A friend who owns a dozen different BMW motorcycles took this class and said it was excellent. It's definitely on my To Do list.
Thanks for watching! It's great to hear that people are sharing their positive experiences with friends. We'd love to have you along for a course :)
Excellent presentation. I'm brand new to motorcycles (at age 64), athletic and just got the cycle bug. I'll be taking the Harley safety course (2 day training).....which seams like a good foundation to have. I know little to nothing about motorcycles....but I've found the idea of owning something that goes off road, or on road equally well, would be suit mel. As an aside, for those that still believe they are getting the truth from the media and public servants, read "Virus Mania" by Engelbrecht and learn the history of science fraud and big pharma. Now....back to watching this informative video.
Brilliant guidance of off-road skills. I wouldn't expect anything less from Bmw. Thank you for sharing. I hope there's more to come 👍
Thanks David! We plan on doing more of this in future :)
You Guys are great. As for me, after going down, I always scramble to get back up on the bike Before the Dust Clears!
Chris Nothover - what a pleasant surprise!
You bloody ripper.
thanks I'm off to buy a 1200 GS , great confidence inspiring instruction
Wow!
Bloody Brilliant!
Can't wait to emulate on my new G 310 GS when I take delivery...
Thank you. 😉
Good stuff!
Thank you.. Thank you!!.. As a track rider and daily commuter, this is soooo cool and makes sense!!
Glad you liked :)
Really nice video. I would love to attend one of these schools.
Another good thing I like about video's like this, is that we also that get to know the instructor's. For me that is a big thing if I am going to put my money into them. So please keep these video's coming! I'd like to see stage 2 and 3 video's!
Thanks so much! We'll do more for sure :)
Absolutely amazing class mates and confidence skills. That's how we need to approach and take action in any situation. Thanks brothers and keep it up.
I don't go off-road but think I'll sign up for this. Got my GS Rallye 2 weeks ago and still sh*tting myself manhandling it around car parks etc. This course should do the trick :) Cheers!
We'd love to have you with us Gary. Our courses also help your bike skills on tarmac, so even if you don't fancy any more off-road after your course, you'll still feel the benefits :)
Go for it Gary .... you won’t regret it
Gary, can only echo what ORS responded to, I did level 1 and 2 and maintenance, getting back on bikes after a 20 year break. Apart from the fantastic fun you have on the weekend, it really makes you a much more confident rider. No question in my mind 100% wort it. I'll do level 3 when this whole covid stuff is over, just for the fun of it, with the added advantage that it makes me a better rider. Best, John
EXCELENTES consejos, muy bien explicados , gracias. saludos desde México.
That ending part was lit 🔥
We agree, thanks so much!
Thanks guys.
Looking forward to doing level 2 in August. Just hope the weather will be as good as this years.
We'll order in the sunshine!
Brilliant video ... going to look at what courses are available now the world is going back to some normality
Fantastic video. Will try this on my tdm 900
Such incredibly helpful riding advice! Thanks so much for posting this segment.
Love the video,how about with the bike full loaded??i wold love to see same exercises but with bike full loaded..thanks
Thanks for this vid. Excellent, very informative. Especially bike pickup & balance. Well done!
Cheers Don!
Starting with how to pick the bike up reminds me of our welding instructor's favorite saying: "The world's best welding instructor is a 40 pound grinder".
Skillnya muantap!!! Juoshh!!!
Soooo much fun while improving your skills and learning from the pro’s! Thanks for the effort making this video, guys!
Thanks for watching it Peter!
I swear that bike could not have been heavier than 150 kilos, the way that dude rode it...
All it takes is good technique :)
Or lifted it!!!!!
About 285 Kg for BMW RS 1250 GSA.
I have the adventure and it feels nimble. It looks like a huge bike, but it is so well balanced.
Totally agree...i have a GSA 1250 as well..as much as the looks are intimidating....it is all about technique and weight balancing...@thatguy8005
Nice ! I’m an older rider (76) with a just purchased R1150 GS-A…this may help me learn how to tame the beast! Wish they were local !
Thanks!!! Need to sign up for several of these.
Any time!
That was an amazing demonstration! Thank You for posting (greetings from Canada)
Great Job ....guys...it was a pleasure to see you on the bike....Greetings from Germany...well done 👍
Thank you!
I wonder how many acres of land they have to ride on there... ;-)
Looks like a great course. See you there soon. 👌
4000
Wow! Really nice video. Thank you boys
Wow! I really learned a lot. Looking forward to the next, keep it up!
Amazingly nerdish! Thanks a lot for this. I am currently trying to buy myself my first motorcycle for traveling around Europe. Watching this is gold, and what a great presentation team you two are!
Thanks so much Stefan! Come see us for a course some day :)
@@offroadSkills I might, I just might. :)
Loved this...though I ride a 250cc sports bike, but these skills gonna help me somewhere down the line, for sure. Thanks again and a Happy New Year to all of You.
Thanks so much! Glad we could be of some help :)
A great course and a great team to do this with. Cant wait to do my level 2
More instruction in this 30min video than in 2 days of Honda adventure riding course.
On the strength of this great video, I'm booked-in for the Level 2 course. If it's half as much fun as it looks and I make it through unscathed, might just do the next level in 2022.
Best team ever...congrats. And hope to meet you soon.
Glad you liked it! You too!
A lot of thanks to you guys... I've learned a lot on how to properly drive off road on my bike
Level one and two were great fun. Not sure if I can remember much of it now.
Sounds like you need to come back for a bit of a refresher... :D
Can't wait to see you guys in June!
Wish power sliding was part of level 1 after seeing this ha.
Hom many days is this and how much?
Seen Neil at the nec show for the past 2 or 3 years. Always amazes me with his bike control. Atleast your in the perfect environment this time round.
True, we can't wait to get back to the NEC though!
Masterpiece photography.
Thank you!
great vid guys, i did the portugal trip last year and was booked in for this year..... :-( ... maybe next year now
Wow this is a great demonstration and thank you neil for your effort to share your off road skills... great video...new subscriber from philippines boss
I can hardly wait to get out there and practice!! The more we practice the smoother the skills! ✌️It would be nice if you talked about preload a little more beyond saying just use it. Not everyone will understand otherwise.
Neil is like 7’ tall lol sure easy for him ha
Well that was an excellent video - they should charge for it ha. I’m new to the GS Welt but it is definitely fun and exciting! 🏁
😂 5’9 👍🏻
Would love to do this, but unsure I have the right temperament as I tend to put myself under pressure in group situations if I struggle to pick things up.
Simple, necessary and understandable. Thanks
Call me weird but this just makes me want to do Level 1 again. All the best for 2021!
Well come and do it! You'll be surprised what you learn second time around.
@@offroadSkills sdd
You guys are awesome. I hope one day I can afford an adventure bike. It’s really the only type that makes sense.
Look brilliant , stuff you always want to learn , can you do lessons after Dakar rally in KSA ?
Unfortunately not in 2021, we would love to come to KSA in the future though!
Nice vid! Just curious. I was always thought to stand on the left side whilst walking the bike, puts your hand in a better position for throttle control. What do you think?
Excellent taster, thanks so much guys. I have had my GS 2 years now and have only ever ridden off road when I got lost a couple of times. I am nearly seventy and my inside leg is only 29”,so I ride a factory lowered bike. Add to that, I have a tunnelman tail bag to support my ageing back, and I am worried about the mounting and dismounting without falling foul off the higher tail bag. Any advice would be greatly received. Once again, thanks for a great video. 🏍🏍👍👍
Hi Henry! Difficult to say without being able to see your setup, but the key things with getting on are;
1. Making sure you and the bike are balanced.
2. Opening up the bars by turning them away from you.
3. Leaning forward as much as you can, which allows you to get your leg as high as possible.
We'd love to see you on a course with us so we can run through it in detail :)
Request for video on how pillion should get in and off the bike with top box, panniers.
Thank you guys. I now understand more and more.. really appreciate it.. thumbs up!
Thanks for the tips. Helps a lot. Cheers!
Our pleasure :)
Great video , thank you for taking time time to do this
No problem, thank you for watching :)
Overall there are two simple keys for riding adventure motorcycles off-road - get lots of experience and swap street tires for serious dual-sport tires. (Get Continental TKC-80s. Their traction on the street and their longevity are uncompromised by their badass treads).
Here are some basic off-road skills…
• Favor the rear brake except in emergencies, in which case try your best to straighten the front wheel first before using the front brake and rear brake together. Using the front brake tends to make the front tire knife into the dirt surface and trip the bike up.
• Similarly, keep the wheels straight when turning from asphalt to dirt, ideally making the turn completely on the asphalt part and entering the dirt surface at a 90° angle. If you enter the dirt at a shallower angle, treat it like a curve and counterbalance (see below).
• Know when to be aggressive on the throttle and when to be gentle on it (sometimes the best defense is a good offense, other times overconfidence will hurt). Speed and momentum are crucial on the softer stuff, but too much will backfire and destabilize the bike. You have to develop a feel for exactly how much throttle by practicing on different surfaces.
• Ride standing up in rougher terrain. That makes all the difference because it lowers the bike's center of gravity and makes it more maneuverable. Remember to keep your knees slightly bent to allow your legs to flex, and lean slightly forward on straight sections, more forward the steeper any climbs get. On downhills, reverse that and keep your butt rearwards.
• When encountering a road with ruts, either stay inside the ruts or outside the ruts. The problem is continually going back and forth in and out of a rut, making it an edge trap, which can throw the bike down. If the rut is so narrow that your tires are continually hitting against the sides of the rut, that's an edge trap, so only ride outside of that rut.
• When riding on softer stuff, shift your weight rearwards to give the rear tire more bite - that also has the advantage of making the front tire "ski" more, creating less drag and making it less likely to trip you.
• Counterbalance generously on curves, getting your hips outside the lean and weight on the outside pegs. You should be one gear lower for the speed - that discourages swinging wide and gives you more engine braking if you encounter a surprise around the bend. Your outside leg will be mostly bent, the inside leg mostly straight. Know that you can always make your turn sharper by leaning further (I usually like to just straighten out my lower side arm for that).
• When going over mounds, you need to use finesse on the throttle, going from aggressive to gentle at just the right moment heading up, then be relaxed and confident while finessing the rear brake as you go down the other side. Like with everything else, you get better at it with practice.
• When encountering hard obstacles you can't maneuver around, (with your butt off the seat and legs flexed), as the front tire gets to the obstacle, hit the throttle a little as you pull up on the handlebars while leaning slightly rearwards (as if to wheelie but not actually doing so) then pogo-stick the rear suspension as the obstacle reaches your rear tire. Practice that in an empty parking lot with a piece of two-by-four.
And here's a good video if you ever get seriously stuck...
ua-cam.com/video/kYf2iUY4jZ8/v-deo.html
yeah you guys rock... you could do 10 more of these videos more technical level 1-9 and they would be a massive internet hit. I mean really use and abuse the machine the way it was designed for. Many of us are not interested in preserving the paint... We have an appreciation for the engineering and want to see it overcome highly difficult / technical obstacles.
Great job guys! Will be coming back to do Level 3!!
Great stuff, looking forward to it :)
Fantastic presentation.
Well done Chris! I hope you managed to sellotape those £20 notes together 😂😂😂. You had to be there!
I would love to ride some day. The place is beautiful and nature
It really is!
Looks so much fun. What is the course price for the 2 day programme?
Does this work on bikes without crash bars? I could imagine that the crash bars help roll it back upright