Booked on Off-Road Skills 30th June/1st July

[AdyJ]

As a very kind birthday present, my wonderful wife (as she will now be known), has booked me on the level 1 Off-Road skills course on 30th June/1st July this year. (Wahaay!)

Anyone other UKGSer on this same weekend? I'm booked on a 1200.

 

[Jhenshall]

No - but I did the course twice over three years. First on a 650, last time on a 1200. Won't be trying that on a 1200 again!

Keyframe - site member here - videoed the first two days session to make the BMW promotional film. He has an excellent video made from the segments that he didn't use and "might" be bullied into selling you a disk (he sold one to me / everyone on the course who wanted it).

Fantastic, fun two days, though tyring. Particularly in summer, when the heat will get to you.

Enjoy

John

 

[AdyJ]

No - but I did the course twice over three years. First on a 650, last time on a 1200. Won't be trying that on a 1200 again!

Keyframe - site member here - videoed the first two days session to make the BMW promotional film. He has an excellent video made from the segments that he didn't use and "might" be bullied into selling you a disk (he sold one to me / everyone on the course who wanted it).

Fantastic, fun two days, though tyring. Particularly in summer, when the heat will get to you.

Enjoy

John

Thanks for the heads up! I gathered that you had some fun on the 1200 then! Do tell!

 

[Pavs]

Close

Hi

My girlfriend has booked me on the course for my 40th. About 6 friends are joining me for the 2 days.

The reason it was close, we are doing the 2nd and 3rd of July.

Have fun.

Cheers

Pavs

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Not Quite So Close

Seems like buying a course as a 40th birthday present is the thing to do. My wife has booked me in for 11th/12th June.

If anyone else is down for this one, please let me know.

Interestingly, they wouldn't let me go on a 1200 as it is my first off-road course (or at least, that's what they told her). To be honest, I think I'll be happier on a physically smaller bike.

I'm a bit nervous about it all really, but I'm sure it'll be fine....

Robin.

 

[DNHunter]

Off road course June30/July1

I'm now booked on this course thanks to a cancellation - hope it's not you AdyJ! I wasn't allowed to book on a 1200 as it's my first course, and I'm 5'10''. Seems I will be the old fart is it is nearly my 50th birthday!! I am booked into the Copper Beach, as the Abercrave is full, so I hope the talk of new ownership it true.
I'm going to drive there in the car on the basis that I might not be up to riding the GS back to London again after - or is that too wimpy?

See you there,

David

 

[JDH]

David, don't worry mate, mine is a 62nd birthday present, blimey, hope I live long enough to do it, not till August. Yep, I'm a bit nervous about it as well, the ol' bones don't heal so quickly nowadays F*ck it, fly fast, take chances

John

 

[DNHunter]

That's good to hear John - I guess that most people can't afford a BMW, or to go on the course until they get to our age!

Can anyone explain why off-road gloves seem to me to offer the least protection for one's fingers? Is it that the idea is the maximum feel and movement = control over the bike is supposed to mean you crash less? If so should I be wearing them around town? Or have I got it all wrong.

David

 

[WindyChuffer]

That's good to hear John - I guess that most people can't afford a BMW, or to go on the course until they get to our age!

Can anyone explain why off-road gloves seem to me to offer the least protection for one's fingers? Is it that the idea is the maximum feel and movement = control over the bike is supposed to mean you crash less? If so should I be wearing them around town? Or have I got it all wrong.

David

I thought the same thing, until I did the L1 course last w/e. You spend most of the time riding standing up, and at all times 2 fingers on the clutch and front brake levers. The padding from regular road gloves can be a bit much, and can prevent you from disengaging the clutch fully as the other 3 padded fingers get in the way. But I got round it by adjusting the clutch, having turned up with regular road gloves. All the instructors wore thin neoprene style gloves, and I wished I had some.

BTW - I'm 5'10 and rode a 650. Then tried the 650 Dakar, then the 1200GS. Wished i'd booked the 1200 - a lot more fun. Everyone helped each other when picking the bikes up after a spill, and the 1200 is about the same height as the Dakar 650...

Then I tried the new GS Adventure - WoW - what a bike. Just going to have to get one...

 

[Jim M]

Seems like buying a course as a 40th birthday present is the thing to do.

I got a track day at Cadwell Park for my 40th. 1st time on a track. Great fun but it scared the bejeezus out of me

I wouldn't mind an off-road day or two though! I'll have to speak to my other half...