WC on the dirt

[SkyGod]

I`m in the early stages of looking at a WC but it WILL be going on the dirt.

I woud be looking at the Enduro model for this.

Question is, have any of you lot taken yours in the dirt yet and if so what was it like?

Ta

 

[Kendo]

They seem to crash pretty well Gaz

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?357714-Altrider-LC-crash-outtakes

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

That video is pretty impressive

 

[Kendo]

Why not go have a day at the BMW off-road school on one. You might learn something ;-)

 

[Giles]

Not really had a chance yet Gary, I've got a few trips planned for this new year, (things like the hardalpi tour) so can't comment yet! I've bimbled, but nothing serious ...

 

[pistole]

am also learning (complete beginner for dirt) now. All wobbly legs and cross eyed concentration.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IDzey2AEdg

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[Smuzzy]

I did the Off Road School on one last year and it was incredibly capable. Carried its weight seemingly lower than the Hex and with all the electronics turned on, you could just ride it like you were on tarmac. Turn them off and the fun begins. Very Very impressed.

That said, I never plucked up the courage to take my old Single Cam nor my New TC offroad so I can't make a comparison between Hex and WC.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Just make sure you have good rocker cover guards. I went through four rocker covers in a day at the ORS.

 

[SkyGod]

Cheers Troops. If I can stomach the cost then it makes sense to have a go on the BMW course.

 

[Mav]

I had a one for a day at the BMW School - surprisingly different to a regular boxer:

- The engine is way more revvie, meaning it wants to be on the power more, which is great fun when the conditions allow, which also means that it has less of the tractor like capabilities of the regular boxer... you can't just leave it in second and let the torque pull you through those technical section
- This compounded by the traction control - at speed and particularly for fast, steep hill climbs, it's really quite something. But in deep muddy, rocky sections - I found it pretty hard to get going... Although I think that might just be a practice thing...
- The ABS is like some kind of voodoo! On one really quite steep and rocky descent, the guide said just grab and handful and let the bike work it out... and it did. Handled the drop offs, mud and slippery rocks without issue. It honestly felt like cheating.

There were six of us in our group, pushing on at a pretty good pace, with a few falls - and no one managed to break the bike in the day.

As others have said - go to the school - you can now do what they call 'Development Days' which are one day rides, grouped in to people of similar ability, with limited instruction, mostly riding.

 

[pistole]

can anyone comment on how the enduro and enduro pro modes help off roading with the GSW ?

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[Nutty]

Plenty on the Advrider site have taken theirs off-road. There are some YouTube videos of a guy competing in some serious off road rallies on his , and he seems to be getting on ok with it!

 

[Belper phil]

I`m in the early stages of looking at a WC but it WILL be going on the dirt.

If anyone can - you can Gaz. Morocco looking favourable, rather than the muddy and wet Peaks hopefully.

Good luck if you do purchase - with a bit of luck catch up with you at Mick's when he preps it for you

 

[Trekker3]

With all the aids turned on they make a very average rider look good, but turn them off and the bike is even better for someone with good off road skills, I was amazed at how capable the brakes were on steep descents and how quickly the bike comes back into line after power sliding. The advantage of riding at the ORS is that you can keep trying the same challenges with different techniques and when it inevitably goes wrong it's not at your expense. Si Pavey is excellent in this respect and keeps pushing you to keep trying, his experience is invaluable.
The cost of the course is relatively low compared to the damage I saw happen over 2 days and yes the cylinders are the most vulnerable!

 

[Belper phil]

turn them off and the bike is even better for someone with good off road skills

Thats Gaz then.

Well posted Trekker3 and some good points about cost of course against the damage sustained - in general people dont probably consider this.

Not been on one, but i am sure it must improve most riders off road skills to some degree!

 

[peepingtom]

With all the aids turned on they make a very average rider look good, but turn them off and the bike is even better for someone with good off road skills, I was amazed at how capable the brakes were on steep descents and how quickly the bike comes back into line after power sliding. The advantage of riding at the ORS is that you can keep trying the same challenges with different techniques and when it inevitably goes wrong it's not at your expense. Si Pavey is excellent in this respect and keeps pushing you to keep trying, his experience is invaluable.
The cost of the course is relatively low compared to the damage I saw happen over 2 days and yes the cylinders are the most vulnerable!

do you know why they dont use crash bars on the ors bikes ?

 

[Trekker3]

do you know why they dont use crash bars on the ors bikes ?

My question to Si, his reply was that they ended up repairing/replacing the crash bars which was another cost they didn't need and I suppose when the bikes go down heavy the the forces transmitted to the fixings could potentially cause more damage.
On my course i saw 5 rocker covers damaged, not too big a problem, SI tips the bike on to its side, rocker cover off, epoxy resin applied to the crack, wait a few minutes, cover back on, quick top up of oil and back in business.

 

[peepingtom]

makes sense i suppose and i guess they know what theyre doing by now

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

By the end of the 2013 season the instructors were pulling their hair out with the amount of time that they were having to spend during the day repairing holed rocker covers. They said that they were going to have a serious rethink before the 2014 season about having guards fitted on the new 2014 bikes.
Would be interested to hear from anyone who's doing the Portugal season opener as to whether they have the guards fitted on the new bikes or not.

 

[stevie Allen]

Im hoping to book a weekend this year up in Wales , but the dates are not coinciding with my leave as yet
i cant wait