Which BMW Off Road skills course?

[L]

The missus has bought me a two day off road skills course, but has left it to me to decide which bike, dates, level etc. How thoughtful. Now I'm in a quandry... I ride an 1150GSA and have done for years. I've done a bit of off roading on it - mainly firetrails kind of stuff, nothing too adventurous becuase its my bike and its always been a tool which I can't afford to feck up.

I used to have a KTM 525EXC too, which I used for greenlaning and stuff, but never anything hard core.

Any recommendations as to bike, level and dates?

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Go intermediate , if you have an EXC you are too good to be a beginner . The intermediate is what I did 5 years ago before going to the Himalayas and it was all I needed plus more . Use a smaller bike as well the 1200's are knackering for all day off roading

 

[Mav]

An alternative suggestion would be to do the Level 1 on a 12 - it'll show you just how much you can do with these bigs bikes

 

[Seamaster]

An alternative suggestion would be to do the Level 1 on a 12 - it'll show you just how much you can do with these bigs bikes

This is what I did, and I think it was the best choice for me as the 1200 is a similar weight to my 850gs

 

[pympster]

I'm booked in for the level 1 on the8th/9th on the R1200. I've done quite a bit of motocross but nothing recently (or with so much weight!)

I'd rather be the best person in level 1 rather than the worst in level 2

 

[Crapaud]

I didn't think that they let you do Level 2 if you hadn't already done Level 1. I enquired a few years ago and asked if I could book Level 2 but was told no. I've ridden off-road since 14 years old (now 49) on trial bikes, enduros and GSs so I didn't really want to be in a group with complete novices.

I rode around the Off-road course last year on my R1100GS, both at the Touratech Weekend in May and at the Dawn to Dusk and would love to do the course.

Then again, perhaps they have seen me riding my GS.

 

[Big Bird]

Definately can't do level 2 without doing level 1, when you get there they ask who is a complete off road novice or not. go with the non novices, use an 800, not as tiring as the 12 and much better than the 6. Take a camelbak

 

[Willbrown]

Which bike for ORS?

Definately can't do level 2 without doing level 1, when you get there they ask who is a complete off road novice or not. go with the non novices, use an 800, not as tiring as the 12 and much better than the 6. Take a camelbak

I'm with BigBird on this the Level 1 starts with lots of skills practice, they soon sort out your abilty level and group accordingly so you don't loose time out to the complete beginners (like me). Day 1 PM i was put into a group that had previuos experience, this notched things up for me, so I was challenged but not over-whelmed. The instructors push you but do not over-whelm you. You sleep well afterwards.

As far as bike choice goes its a personnal preference thing, except the 800 does take a bit more ability, with the 1200 you can keep chugging on through so is probably the better first timers choice. Picking either up is much the same, the 1200 carries it's weight lower so effort is much the same (I've had some practice at this on both). Also, the instructors help whenever you are struggling and never make you feel like you are holding things up. {All the instructors are excellent and go out of their way to ensure you enjoy and get the best out of your days, they instruct for your benefit not theirs)

If you do not have a Camelbak it's not a problem as you can carrry water bottles on the bikes and there is plenty available at the rest points, along with fruit, energy bars and Ibuprofen ~ Beer of bike induced needs. I prefer this my camelbak always tastes of the chemical cleaners regardless of what I do to clean it.

I loved the Level 1, after years of pontificating about should I go, so much so I got home and booked Level 2 / Day in the Dirt / Brecon Beacons 2 day ride. I also bought a 250 dual purpose bike for larking about on in the mud, not planning to pick my 1200 up, that is the only issue with doing the ORS - you can get hooked and spend all your money ~ in a good sort of way.

And finally, Touratech are next door suggest you try to resist or the Credit Card can take a big hit.

 

[mark2jag]

I'm booked in for the level 1 on the8th/9th on the R1200. I've done quite a bit of motocross but nothing recently (or with so much weight!)

I'd rather be the best person in level 1 rather than the worst in level 2

I dont care about being the best. I care about not falling off and seriously hurting myself, but think I could cope with a few topple overs and slow speed stuff. What kit is there (at the course for hire) to help you stay in 1 piece. In my own case I'm asking as I dont own offroad gear, and would probably have to hire it. No bloody way I could afford to buy it all.....



Mark

 

[dancerdave]

You have to wear proper boots and knee protectors and you can hire them there. Wish I'd worn the body armour as well

 

[pympster]

I dont care about being the best. I care about not falling off and seriously hurting myself, but think I could cope with a few topple overs and slow speed stuff. What kit is there (at the course for hire) to help you stay in 1 piece. In my own case I'm asking as I dont own offroad gear, and would probably have to hire it. No bloody way I could afford to buy it all.....



Mark

I suppose I am more insecure than you

 

[OscarIndia]

An alternative suggestion would be to do the Level 1 on a 12 - it'll show you just how much you can do with these bigs bikes

I did that and it was an education. Picked the hottest weekend of the year, sadly, but as I rode a GSA at the time it was easier to transfer all those skills directly to my own riding on (and off) the road.
Exhausting, but the right choice.
Only other thing I'd say is avoid the 800s. Hair-trigger throttle, taller than the standard 1200s on offer and much harder to learn on because they're such throttle jockeys' bikes.