Red Tread .. anyone used them?

[Deleted Member I]

Novice - since you posted this I have been looking into it as well. My wife tried to buy me the BMW course for Xmas but could not book an open date or buy vouchers so told me to book it myself (she was not impressed with their sales team). RedTread looks like a great alternative and I like the fact that my wife can come along and stay for the weekend as well. I am also enquiring if a more experienced friend was to come along the same weekend, could he ride in a different group or do they only run one type of ride at a time. I will let you know if I book it.

Cheers

David

I think from the answer I got from Redtread is that they put you in the same group. However .. they have one leader and one sweeper. So you could hang out at the back all day if you want.

I like the fact they will teach you rather than give you tips. But I am concerned they don't have a cap/insurance for breakages, which I know will happen. If there is no cap .. I'd be worried all bloody weekend

 

[Jaycee]

I've been contemplating the Red Tread course for a couple of months now, and until now I wasn't aware of the breakage clause, which is certainly a deal-breaker for me depending on the extent of the clause. What if you puncture a tyre or snap a clutch or brake lever?

I can't believe that there's no insurance to cover serious damage, and a small amount built into the cost of every course for minor damage. I've emailed them to seek clarification.

 

[Deleted Member I]

I've been contemplating the Red Tread course for a couple of months now, and until now I wasn't aware of the breakage clause, which is certainly a deal-breaker for me depending on the extent of the clause. What if you puncture a tyre or snap a clutch or brake lever?

I can't believe that there's no insurance to cover serious damage, and a small amount built into the cost of every course for minor damage. I've emailed them to seek clarification.

It's a deal breaker for me too and it's a real shame as they seem like a really good outfit. At the end of the day I understand why because it is a very real cost which if they didn't control they would get into financial trouble.

This is what they said to me ..

With regards to breakages on the bikes we work on a bend it mend it basis....like borrowing your friends bike and bending the bars or breaking a lever and then giving him the bike back along with the money for some new ones.

we only charge at cost price and if we can get parts cheaper on ebay than we do from our suppliers then we will.

the bend it mend it ensures that riders ride within their limits....it's good for the boy racer types that come along as they then don't regard our bikes as hire bikes and choose to wreck them. This also helps to ensure they don't hurt themselves too.

The biggest crashes that hurt rider and bike badly, hence bend it mend it is quite high, is when guys are racing/messing around or riding too fast for themselves but usually bend it mend it is either nothing or very ittle.

As a novice rider, yes, you may drop the bike on a few occasions (par for the course sometimes) but these bikes can be dropped over and over again and damage doesn't necessarily happen.

 

[BigAlMacMac]

I think maybe you could call Redtread to alley your fears.

You bend it you mend it makes sense to me as it prevents nutters abusing the bikes and putting themselves at risk.

Both my dad and I fell several times including a highside when I landed on my helmet (ouch) I showed Ian the damage to the helmet and the bike and he didn't seemed that concerned and there was no hint of having to pay. I offered to and he laughed saying that was not damage.

 

[Deleted Member I]

I think maybe you could call Redtread to alley your fears.

You bend it you mend it makes sense to me as it prevents nutters abusing the bikes and putting themselves at risk.

Both my dad and I fell several times including a highside when I landed on my helmet (ouch) I showed Ian the damage to the helmet and the bike and he didn't seemed that concerned and there was no hint of having to pay. I offered to and he laughed saying that was not damage.

Thanks for that

I like what they offer but was worried about a big bill at the end of the trip

 

[BigAlMacMac]

Another way to look at it is they are in the business of ensuring folk have a fun and safe motorbiking adventure.

They are not in the business of squeezing every last penny from the punters in repair bills.

They would not last long in business if everyone came back with stories of being ripped off.

 

[SimmoKTM450]

Redtread Spain

Hi all. I've been meaning to join for ages and have finally got round to it at last and have been looking through all the forums. I'm new so please bear with me whilst I get the hang of things.
I went with Redtread end of last year. It was fantastic. The big house makes it better than staying in a hotel and you can or cannot socialise if you want to. Personally I go away on my own and like to meet like minded people instead of being stuck in a hotel with old people or noisy kids.I go away to get away from my kids! Redtreads social area is to meet with like minded people for beers and made the trip if you ask me. It would be quite odd if someone went away on their own and didn't want to mix. I went on my own and made some friends. everyone there was into bikes. i've just bought myself a KTM450 as I wanted to get a little more off road under my belt and the GS limits me on some off road sections. Ian quickly advised me that the 450 is way too mad for me as a starter bike but he gave me lots of help and advice on how to ride it and look after it.I am nearly 6ft tall so the 230 learner type bike is way to small for me as it was for the other riders. The others on the tour were novice too and thats how they group them on the tours. novice or experienced. there was a lady rider too who was just learning and they look after everyone very well. Ian is an ex champ and a very good teacher and Dougie the sweeper was a diamond who rode at the back making it all very safe. they didn't rush you or make you nervous. There was mention of the parts charges on this forum,but if you ride sensibly then you won't break anything. I think you would have to really throw these bikes down a big hole to get a bill.The Hondas were great and I might just sell the KTM now and buy something like a CRF250. (more sensible for my abilities) I highly recommend them and the evenings were sociable and friendly. Sal organised everyone for dinner if they wanted it. a couple of guys went off sightseeing one evening so it's all very easygoing. The views from the property and the trails were awesome and the photos on the website don't do either justice.
I'm off now to chat about other things. I'm quite enjoying this and wished I'd joined a while ago. I hope someone replies. Bye for now. Joel

 

[SimmoKTM450]

Trailblazers - bad company

Just looked back and theres loads more posts. I could be on here all day. am loving it !!
I must say that when I was at Redtread we saw the Trailblazers firm and they are shambles. sorry to contradict your post, maybe they operated differently when you rode, because a journo was there, but we saw their base and they operate out of a restaurant. yes restaurant in a tiny village with no people.to be honest i'd not heard of them but when we were out on the bikes the owner went past on a very tired suzuki DZ off road bike which sounded like a nail. He was overweight and looked very tired. I have since heard lots of stories about them and would advise anyone very highly of going with them. I hear they have no insurances for accidents.someone hurt themselves badly (punctured a lung with a rib and couldn't breathe) and Trailblazers had no insurance to fly him off the trail and the owner went back and got his car and it took 3 hours to get him to hospital. that is very worrying. Redtread have all the insurances and talk to you all the time about safety. they have a helicopter policy for all customers.this was my main question when i wanted to book.you need to think of when you are in a foreign country on a bike that there is a plan and cover to help you and save your life. If you don't believe me then ask the question of Trailblazers and Redtread. I saw a blog message on Trailblazers from a previous customer and he said there was no tuition and the customers ride at the front sometimes. seems very odd as we wouldn't know where we were going. he also didnt like the fact there was no sweeper at the back when the guide lead so someone could have gone missing or got injured and Trailblazers would never have known. it's good to read what people write about these places. Spain seems quite backward and there are lots of Brits over there with no insurances even on their cars, because it is a laid back country they think they get away with it. until they crash !