WorkyTicket
Registered user
I quite fancy a few of those meself, I'll have to book mesel in for them.
S'my Birthday on June 7th as well so that'll be a nice treat to meself.
BMW Off Road Skills 5/6 March 09
- Thread starter zzrman
- Start date
I quite fancy a few of those meself, I'll have to book mesel in for them.
S'my Birthday on June 7th as well so that'll be a nice treat to meself.
GS_or_bust
Registered user
This is so good to read. John and I are booked on Level 1 on 26/27 April and it has to be said we're getting nervous. You guys obviously all had a blast!
I am booked on the same course with three friends, I went on the course last year and really enjoyed it, I rode a X Country, this year I am doing level 1 again but trying the 650gs.
One point to note: Last year I rented all the gear because they made a big thing about having the right offroad gear. However whilst they supplied knee pads and proper offroad boots, the jacket they supplied had no body armour and there wasn't any to rent. I raised this issue at the time so things may have changed now but this year I am bringing my own body armour just in case.
WorkyTicket
Registered user
I'm prolly never going to buy new anything again (apart from lid) as there's so much decent very cheap gear on Ebay.
You'll have a blast, we all did.
Deathiance
Registered user
A few people said the same thing this year about the lack of body armour supplied with clothing so I do not think it has changed, you had best check first guys.
I am still in two minds about my bike choice. Most sensible people seem to choose the 650, but I had one for a couple of years and now prefer the stability of the taller 1200. Not wanting to look a total fool, falling off and then trying to lift the heavier bike, I booked an 800, but that choice now looks a bit illogical, having never ridden one before ...
May be lack of upper body armour isn't seen as an issue with the school? I am sure if there were people getting injured because of some deficiency with the hired kit, they would have addressed the problem. It is probably a laundry issue. Anyone who has ever taken all the padding out of a textile jacket before washing will know what a pain it is to replace!
I suppose I could wear my own kit ... I'll have it with my anyway. I just didn't want to have to drive back to France with a whole load of mud-encrusted clothes for the wash.
Ahh, decisions, decisions ... roll on April! Looking forward to seeing you there.
Deathiance
Registered user
The 800 is an excellent bike but the throttle is a bit sticky, especially in 1st, it can catch you out! This is mainly because they are brand new, I have had my own one re-mapped and its fine.
There doesn't seem to be too much mud about, its more gravel and shale, should not get too dirty, I would definitely take the body armour bit seriously, and don't worry about falling off, you will, its as simple as that, but everyone will!
There doesn't seem to be too much mud about, its more gravel and shale, should not get too dirty, I would definitely take the body armour bit seriously, and don't worry about falling off, you will, its as simple as that, but everyone will!
I am still in two minds about my bike choice. Most sensible people seem to choose the 650, but I had one for a couple of years and now prefer the stability of the taller 1200. Not wanting to look a total fool, falling off and then trying to lift the heavier bike, I booked an 800, but that choice now looks a bit illogical, having never ridden one before ...
May be lack of upper body armour isn't seen as an issue with the school? I am sure if there were people getting injured because of some deficiency with the hired kit, they would have addressed the problem. It is probably a laundry issue. Anyone who has ever taken all the padding out of a textile jacket before washing will know what a pain it is to replace!
I suppose I could wear my own kit ... I'll have it with my anyway. I just didn't want to have to drive back to France with a whole load of mud-encrusted clothes for the wash.
Ahh, decisions, decisions ... roll on April! Looking forward to seeing you there.
WorkyTicket
Registered user
Apart from the ruts which are full of dirty, muddy water and mud.
Apart from me!! (But that was just because my legs are so long I straddled the 1200 without actually touching it. It felt like a kids toy in comparison to my GSA.) and I've fell off plenty on my own bike since, which kind of defeated the object of practising on their bikes first really. Good job the GS's are well built.
I am still in two minds about my bike choice. Most sensible people seem to choose the 650, but I had one for a couple of years and now prefer the stability of the taller 1200. Not wanting to look a total fool, falling off and then trying to lift the heavier bike, I booked an 800, but that choice now looks a bit illogical, having never ridden one before ...
May be lack of upper body armour isn't seen as an issue with the school? I am sure if there were people getting injured because of some deficiency with the hired kit, they would have addressed the problem. It is probably a laundry issue. Anyone who has ever taken all the padding out of a textile jacket before washing will know what a pain it is to replace!
I suppose I could wear my own kit ... I'll have it with my anyway. I just didn't want to have to drive back to France with a whole load of mud-encrusted clothes for the wash.
Ahh, decisions, decisions ... roll on April! Looking forward to seeing you there.
I chose the 650 X-Country, on the basis that I didn't want any bike-related issues (in terms of height or weight) to distract from learning new skills. I found it absolutely ideal, as it only weighs 148kg and has a low seat height; and it felt light, nimble, and sure footed throughout, with more than enough power for the things we were doing. Not everyone's choice though: Deathiance had a go on one and didn't like it much, so I guess it's down to personal opinion.
In terms of armour, I bought one of these: http://www.busters-accessories.co.u...thing-and-Helmets/Body-Armour/Dixon-GP-Racing and was well pleased with it.
Deathiance
Registered user
Yeah but the ruts were the only place, and if you sit and paddle through them they are fine.
Workyticket, I do remember one little off you had.........
Workyticket, I do remember one little off you had.........
Apart from the ruts which are full of dirty, muddy water and mud.
Apart from me!! (But that was just because my legs are so long I straddled the 1200 without actually touching it. It felt like a kids toy in comparison to my GSA.) and I've fell off plenty on my own bike since, which kind of defeated the object of practising on their bikes first really. Good job the GS's are well built.
Just a quick note to say we DID love it!
Having originally booked the course to prepare us for the gravel roads in Alaska, we are now both set on doing the Level 1 Advanced as soon as time and funds permit. All this despite the weather! It pissed with rain all day on the second day, to the extent that there was no part of me that wasn't soaked to the skin. Never mind body armour, water-proofing would have been nice!
Roynie and I were lucky not to fall more than 3 times over the course of the two days, so came away with just a few mild strains and bruises. I did myself most damage by clinging on too tightly on the first trail ride on Sunday morning - resulting in knotting up all the muscles in my left (clutch) hand and arm. By the afternoon, I had found enough confidence to relax and no further harm was done. The group as a whole seemed pretty lucky. Of the 40 or so participants, I believe there were only two notable injuries: a badly dislocated finger and a wrenched knee.
Oh, and the choice of bike ... At the last minute before the briefing, I saw a chart listing the 800GS as "unsuitable" for Level 1 Basic. I mentioned my fears to Tamsin and she managed to swap me onto the 650 X Country. I laughed when I saw it. It looked tiny compared to all the other bikes.
Riding on the road, I must have looked ridiculous. But off-road ... completely brilliant. 
So light and so much torque, I almost felt I was cheating! Roynie is also sold on the X Country - to the extent that he actually wants to buy one for trail-riding round here - and this is the man who, until last week, hated gravel and loose surfaces! Now I'll be happy to take a few days' break. I had my 1200GS with Vines for a few days while we were over, and I rode it back home yesterday. 750 miles and about 16 hours on the road equals a seriously numb bum!
Deathiance
Registered user
Well done, when are you doing the 'Advanced'?
We now have the Level 2 lined up for September, OMG!!!
We now have the Level 2 lined up for September, OMG!!!
What with a mega 2 month trip to the US this summer, realistically I can't see us doing the Advanced course this side of Christmas. But we'll be sure to seek out every opportunity to put our new found love of gravel to the test in Alaska!
Level 2 - way to go! I'll keep an eye out for photos. Nobody in our Level 1 group was brave enough to take any. I took a compact camera along on the second day, and thought I might get one or two when we did 'hill recovery'. Unfortunately, it went on strike - I think it got damp!
Thanks BTW to everyone on this thread who gave me encouragement when I was getting nervous.
That's interesting. I wonder if it has to do with the snatchiness of the clutch and the 'on-off' feeling of the throttle?
Deathiance
Registered user
Deathiance
Registered user
What with a mega 2 month trip to the US this summer, realistically I can't see us doing the Advanced course this side of Christmas. But we'll be sure to seek out every opportunity to put our new found love of gravel to the test in Alaska!
Level 2 - way to go! I'll keep an eye out for photos. Nobody in our Level 1 group was brave enough to take any. I took a compact camera along on the second day, and thought I might get one or two when we did 'hill recovery'. Unfortunately, it went on strike - I think it got damp!
Thanks BTW to everyone on this thread who gave me encouragement when I was getting nervous.
You have a great time over there, and take care, that bloody gravel can catch you out when least expected
I mentioned my change of bike to Linley Pavey as she was giving us (3) girls a bit of a pep talk before we set off. She said the 800GS was far from ideal for off-road instruction and, given the choice, the school wouldn't have taken them at all as they were set up with too much road-bias - which surprised me, considering BMW's "unstoppable" marketing message.
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