BMW ORS Level 1

[stevepj]

You'll love it

As others have said, this could be the start of something expensive!

I've done level 1 twice, level 2, the Brecon Beacons adventure, and am doing level 3 in mid September. You'll have a great time!

I agree the best bike to do it on would be a 1200 since that's what you have.

One of the first exercises is picking it up, and it is indeed heavy, but the cylinder heads stop it going too far over and with the right technique it's quite easy. What's remarkable about the 1200 is that as soon as it starts moving, all that weight just disappears and it's a pussycat off-road, up and down steep rocky trails the ABS and traction control are brilliant. Those on 650s and 800s in our group had much more trouble and probably picked up more weight overall!

I concur that driving a car there and back is a good idea. The Abercraf Inn where you're staying is really convenient, beer's good and the food is fine, but rooms are not great. I'm in the midlands so my plan is to stay about 30 minutes away the night before and drive to Ystragynlis in the morning, middle night in the Abercraf, then drive home.

One last thing - if you're hiring their boots, take thick socks, they're really uncomfortable!

Steve

 

[Spider]

Just got back from Level 1 yesterday. Brilliant fun. The instructors are fantastic, our instructor has been with them for 16 years so they are obviously enjoying their job and are well looked after.
Couple of tips. If it's dusty like it was for us, take some Optrex or eyewash, I woke up on the morning of day 2 looking like a Panda where all the dust had come out of my eyes overnight.
I used their kit, boots were fine for me ( I have a very standard size 10 foot, so no bother) trousers and jacket was fine which again got covered in dust and mud, so it was nice at the end of the day to get changed into my own riding gear so as not to get my bike covered in crap.
One thing that I have thought about though is the lack of protection. Some guys had brought body protectors whilst the rest of us were riding with none apart from shin and knee guards supplied with the trousers. I have the usual stuff for my normal road riding knees hips, back, elbow, shoulders) but we were honing round with sod all.
One chap in our group had a very very minor incident and banged his chest on the left hand switch block on the handle bars, nice bruise and a bit of pain, might have been a bit different with a bit more speed involved. I reckon when I go back for Level 2, I'll invest in a set.
With regards fitness, I'm a fairly fit 59 year old, no real issues, rode 250 miles bike afterwards, only hurt getting up from the table at Membury services after a Starbucks...felt as though someone had spot welded my hips.
We had a great group of chaps, laughed all day long, learnt loads of stuff. You will love it.

 

[BigRedUn]

Having fallen off whilst maneuvering I have lost a bit of confidence. I think I need to try to find the time for an L1 course.

 

[arealhuman]

I'm interested in doing this and have been talking about going with someone from work. I've looked at some of the L1 YouTube videos posted by people whilst there and it does seem like some of them haven't ridden a bike at all before! Whilst I'm no riding god, I've ridden off-road for the best part of a decade (green lane, odd enduro) but not on anything as big as the GS. So, is it worth doing the L1? It seems from their website that you have to do that before L2, I'm just asking because £500 is a lot of cash for me to blow at any time, not because I think I won't learn anything at L1.

Glad people who went enjoyed it, it does seem a blast, and I hope if I go I don't then go green-laning on my GS, because that will end tears!

 

[Spider]

I think L 1 is well worth doing. Whilst the first morning starts quite basic, the tempo and skill set soon picks up and the challenge begins. We started by doing low speed manoeuvres, which was easy, then we were doing full circles in a 4-5 metre square, (roughly twice the length of the bike), which looked impossible 10 mins earlier.
Before lunch we were out in the forest coming down very steep slopes on engine braking only into a 90 degree right bend..( "Don't touch those brakes, look where you want to go, not at the ditch ") all on loose gravel and ruts...yeah the challenge soon begins.

Day 2's fun included coming up a short 60 degree slope, arrive at the top at just about walking pace, do a 180 degree u turn to the right and go down the slope about 15 foot along from the one you just came up...then a 180 degree u turn to the left and come up another slope....again on loose gravel, ruts and wet muddy puddles. I think this is where level 2 starts as a warm up on day 1.

Chatting to the Level 3 students, they were learning power slides, pre loading (bunny hops) over logs, ditches, rocks etc...so the skill requirements for each level are quite progressive. Also if people have paid to do a level 2 course and some members are holding the group up, it's not fair on the others of the people who are struggling and out of their depth.

For the sheer giggle factor alone, I think it was well worth the money, and will defo be back for a level 2, I'd be happy to pay and do level 1 again, it was such good fun !

 

[Smug]

I'm interested in doing this and have been talking about going with someone from work. I've looked at some of the L1 YouTube videos posted by people whilst there and it does seem like some of them haven't ridden a bike at all before! Whilst I'm no riding god, I've ridden off-road for the best part of a decade (green lane, odd enduro) but not on anything as big as the GS. So, is it worth doing the L1? It seems from their website that you have to do that before L2, I'm just asking because £500 is a lot of cash for me to blow at any time, not because I think I won't learn anything at L1.

Glad people who went enjoyed it, it does seem a blast, and I hope if I go I don't then go green-laning on my GS, because that will end tears!

You will be split into groups and with your experience you should end up in a group of experienced riders. The instructor will adjust the level of riding to suit the riders in the group, whether you are doing level 1, 2 or 3.

 

[arealhuman]

Gents, thanks for the replies to my question. I'm a great believer at starting at the beginning and based on what you've said it seems L1 is the right starting place!

 

[brummy bloke]

cracking couple of days mate,you don't need to be superman to do it,i went a year or so ago and stayed at si paveys place.everyone there was a middle aged bloke and most of us are truckers and we all managed it.Top tip,hire their kit,i hired only boots and used an old gortex jacket and full face lid and I was overly hot and sweaty after picking the bike up for the third or forth time.Enjoy,you'ii be amazed with what the bike will do and what you can do when coached by professionals.