BMW Off Road Skills Course

[Barker-CBR 600]

BMW Off Road Skills

Just been offered a chance (for free!) to go on one of these two day off road skills training at the same place as Ewan and Charlie went on down in Wales. On the instructor list its got that Simon Pavel is the one from Race to Dakar isnt he?

Anyways i'd be pretty new to any kind of off road other than field blasting on a little trials bike so likely to be sticking to the FS650's if i can in the novice group. Had my full bike license bout 2 1/2 years, provisional etc since i was 16. Went from 50 - 125 - 600 restricted - 600 all on the road, was an all day everyday rider But still not the longest amount of time in the world by any means on bikes.

Anyone been on one of these courses?
Got any opinions on what their like and how much i'm likely to get from it being a total novice?
Know any other good places/groups to do it with?

I understand theres probably only so much can be learnt from two days, its far more for the experience and to see what can get out of myself and the bikes to see if i'd ever want to do it more seriously.

[Was gunna put this is touring, but then again i figure some people might have done it just for the experience rather than preparation for a trip.]
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[carlmalibu]

if its for free then what do you have to lose?

I have a friend who went for it (saying that he's been biking since he was 16, and he's now in his 30s) but he enjoyed every minute and said that everyone on it felt that they'd got something from it.


Even if you're the least experienced there you'll still have a good time, and you'll probably learn a great deal. And, it's free!
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Shine on, you crazy diamond
CB500, woop.

[iooi]

One thing you will learn is how to control a bike on some slippy stuff...
Which will be very handy if we ever get any bad weather..
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Dom]

I'd imagine you'll learn a huge amount in two days, you'll probably surprise yourself. Assuming they only offer the 650s and big GSs I'd definitely want to be on the 650, which is a pretty big bike to be doing offroading on in itself.

Enjoy it.
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Photos and that

[Finglonga]

Know loads of people that have been on it. I was supposed to do it last year but broke my piggin leg before I got chance.

Its the best course there is, you can start on the small F650 then if you feel like it go up to the R1200GS(not as daunting as you would think).

Simon Pavey is a top bloke as are all the instructors there. You would be mad to miss the oppertunity.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

I thought for novices they started them off on smaller non-BM crossers before moving them up to the 650's. Anyhow sounds like a great opportunity you should do it, I'd consider paying for it.

[Finglonga]

Think they only use the F650's now. Easy to handle and very forgiving.


More Info about it all here.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.