Adventure motorcycle training. Is this worth it?

[@lucicd]

Twice I attended Touratech training as per introductory BMW curriculum. The first time was really tough and it took me a week to recover from sore muscles. The second time I was more relaxed and it wasn't that bad. My experience is that, after initial training, adventure riding must be regularly practiced. The training was worth the time and money, but, without practice, the skills and confidence will vanish quickly. Apart from practice, the best recommendation I can give to anybody is to team up with few buddies so you can help each other lifting bikes.

[@papajeff5486]

Perfect practice makes perfect.

[@kawabungah20]

This was another valuable adventure. I can, now, see that a basic, "small-scale," introductory session would be the best way to start, even, like myself, if I think I'm an intermediate, having ridden street for a long time. That way I can find out what I don't know and what I "thought I knew but need to practice." This looks like a good training effort with the best part being patient and plentiful instructors! Thanks for sharing!

[@John-zb2kw]

I just wanted to once again express my gratitude for your channel and content. I am very happy to see that you have moved past your unfortunate accident. I think your new wheels and adventure training decisions are sound and wise. I wish you only the best and I look forward to your future adventures, posts and continued success.

[@chuckkelley5894]

Most of us have seen some of the videos that show how we think we look and how we really look when riding adventure bikes. In our minds we think we’re ready for whatever shows up and in reality most can’t make it through the sandbox part of the introductory training. What a fabulous and kind reminder for us to take it down a few notches and work every aspect until we’ve mastered it. My riding coach, who, like me has 50+ year’s experience, practices one or two techniques on every ride and I’ve adopted the same practice. For example, I play with a different technique on every turn and twist hopefully not repeating a single one on a 100-150 mile ride. It’s amazing what’s possible. Y’all be safe and have Fun!

[@kawabungah20]

Nicely done, Bruce! This is really helpful. Thanks for sharing. You're experience and skill shines in this episode. You had more riding success than most of us would have under those conditions. Thank you.

[@busabobsgarage9876]

I give you props for doing what you are doing. Unfortunate crash in Mexico, which im sure made you question some things and obviously made some changes, with the training and a different machine.

[@shortbusdog]

Upgrade those tires and get some flat pegs on the 390 and it’ll handle off-road pretty well. The stock pegs are pretty odd, flat ones are worth every penny. I really enjoyed the 390 I had.

[@redhorsegarage]

Best training I ever had was RawHide @ Colorado. I really needed to do more and would want to go back to re-do the intro.

[@8th_Decade_Adventures]

Hi Bruce. I hope your knee is getting better. Is dirt riding really what you want to do? I am 75. Been riding since 1969. Lately, I finally learned the most important lesson and bought a suitable bike for me. I recommend that you ride some comfortable scooters & reverse trikes. Gentle knee angles, easy to get on & off (especially when tired after a ride), & less chance of dropping. I'm short. If you are tall, then you can buy some bigger scooters. Also ride some reverse trikes. I really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work. Thanks & take care. Sam

[@Lemmingadventures]

I've recently seen ads for these classes on fb. I've taken my 390 off road as a newbie a few times and i get the general gist of it all but a class couldn't hurt, especially here in the desert with lots of different terrain with most being very challenging. Good job though.

[@8th_Decade_Adventures]

One of the best features of a scooter is the step-through frame design. Easy to get on & off, even when tired after a ride. And, the riding position is much easier on injured knees. Just something to think about.

[@TommyT888]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing your experience. Can never stop learning

[@davidcox8961]

At my age, 75, every time I leave my driveway is an adventure. I'd like to learn some off road techniques, not for 'adventure riding,' but in case I have no choice but to ride on a washed out road or whatever. I have to negotiate a twisty high crown gravel driveway when I leave home. So that's a start. Cheers!

[@pilgrimtiger2023]

Thanks for sharing. Been thinking about going to the same training.

[@rorymiskimen5221]

Really enjoyed the video, and congratulations on completing the course. I used to race motocross as a teenager in S. Cal, and now many years later as a senior I would benefit from a class like this. However, I wouldn’t want to do this course on my VStrom 650 , and would prefer something lighter weight like the 390.

[@greyfisher3897]

Congragulations for completing a course, that is a little bit of false praise. Notice how he bailed in the sand exercise, notice the broken shoulder on the woman in the slick mud and rain. All these injury videos in the ADV field are starting to make me cringe, all the beginner riders trying to live a dream, and crashing out badly are starting to pile up now. Obviously made worse when they are doing so in the middle of deserts in Africa and the like. So what exactly did he "complete", nothing. He paid for course, highly unregulated, took the advice he was given as "truth" and still crashed out putting through some sand......oh right, that is part of the adventure he says. If I here that phrase again....from the motorcycle book of myths, my stomach will begin to turn. Enough is enough......the basic rule is if you want to be a skilled off road rider you pretty much have to start young, and the bike and you have to become one...these are not skills you can learn in your retirement....not even close. You can not graduate from beginner to expert skill level in this sport, its not possible, unless you start as a child.

[@bacbladerunner]

You learned the hard way. Always have your kickstand UP when trailered.

[@bacbladerunner]

Readers might want to check out lessons from Grit Moto Adventures in Utah. My buddy and I took the 2-day intermediate course followed by the 2-day advanced course in July. I was very impressed by their level of instruction and professionalism.

[@27jollytall]

That looks like a really good course.

[@papajeff5486]

Did a training class for my HD Road King, in Killeen, TX. It was fine, lessons on riding in awkward situations. No adventure training.

[@BP-id4cq]

Good job and congratulations on taking the Ride Adventures training . Looks like a lot of fun! I’m going to sign up next year. Thanks for sharing.

[@RetiredAdventureRider]

Thanks. I took a training course last year and I had similar thoughts. I was considering taking the Ride Adventures 2-day course, and this video confirms the value of further training.

[@MySeniorMoments]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Permitmon]

Admire your wanting to learn and get better, try new things. Enjoy your videos! Keep up the good work!

[@jayfuller2323]

Thank you for this video. I've been considering attending training as well. been going out to practice what I watch on video. You really should allow the instructor to finish his comment before responding. Thant's what you pay them for.

[@dangerdave8080]

Terrific!!!! You are a pleasure to follow!

[@hughmac7423]

I think it is a good idea to do ADV training. I'm 60, I did a lot of off road riding in my teenage years, did motocross and enduro in my 20's & 30's, then I moved to a city and had to park the off road bike. I ride on the road pretty much every day. I brought a Pan Am in March 2023, which I have taken off road a few times, and on a single track that was at the limit of my skills. I did an ADV training day in April 2023, had a great time, fell off 3 times with no damage. It was all low speed and manouvering,I found it helped with remembering the old skills. Learning 2 and 1 finger clutch control, is the main thing I took away, and I find useful on the road as well.

[@dirtrider9268]

So true, Clutch control first then braking is what most don't practice and we need to master both before we can ride well off road.

[@ericashwell1392]

Worth every cent

[@yowser8780]

Oops !!!! Kickstand down in trailer/pickup = broken !!!! (As you found out, kickstand took all the load.) On my 390... stalling went away after a couple thousand miles. Down a tooth on the countershaft sprocket will help you out too. Best Dual Sport Bikes makes an end cap for the stock muffler. Bought one, produced a great boost in torque below 4500 rpm... almost like a dual-sport bike, really changed the ride-ability on the bike. Double-Take Adventure mirrors are the hot ticket.

[@alainmichaud6747]

Good video and interesting course ......its good to have instructor for the group and safety.. thanks for you video have safe ride Alain & Yellow

[@jackswisher3171]

Another interesting video, memorable activities.

[@doobielawson702]

I've been riding for 25+ years. From what I can see, and have experienced. Guys, especially beginners, underestimate tires. They don't match the tire to the terrain, ie running a 50/50 tire on offroad trails, or they don't replace their tires soon enough. A set of proper tires isn't cheap, but they are cheaper than a doctor bill. You won't have to rehab an injury as well. Just my two cents.

[@nevillegreg1]

Yes, we all have expectations to ride those gnarly rocky trails and super steep and winding narrow trails full of deep drains after doing a lesson, but the reality is, just like learning to snow skii, it takes lots of subsequent practice and more training to get to that intermediate let alone expert level. Unfortunately for me, other a a basic/intro off road training, I have to ride 8 or 9 hours to get to more than just basic off-road training, unless I ride a GS - which I don't.

[@greyfisher3897]

Finally a sensible comment to read. Yes, correct to say that getting from beginner level to the next level is extremely difficult, it takes years of riding, better start when you are younger, and the likelihood of being able to tackle all terrain on a challenging ADV bike like a pro is extremely low. This sport is taken far too lightly by the newcomers, and they, and their bikes are dropping like flies, and the trips to the hospital for broken foots, wrists, shoulders, legs, arms.....is a constant stream, literally, as shown on you tube videos like this.....new riders need to be more realistic about what they are getting themselves into....new meaning...new to "off road".

[@CampingwithRadios_kg6dve]

Great video. Been giving a lot of thought to taking a course with RA. Also I'm going to give the 14 tooth sprocket a try. Ride safe.

[@27jollytall]

It sounds like you haven't quite got used to your 390 Adventure. It doesn't like second gear at low revs, its just not that sort of engine. You need to feather the clutch at more like 4000 revs instead of the 1500 revs on most bikes. Don't forger what is says when it wakes up; its READY TO RACE, not Ready to Plod.

[@markchoitz443]

very timely video, thanks for it. I am planning to attend next year sometime, I think it looks great.

[@greyfisher3897]

Was the great part witness a rider holder her broken shoulder? Does that not tell you something about the course itself?

[@ne-adv]

Nice thing about Suzuki, all of them, the grunt is down low in the RPM band.

[@BillDodge]

I'm glad you had a good experience. My beginner course wasn't so good. Too much advance stuff, and very little practical application. I am more doubtful of my abilities now. You probably would of liked it. Logs, steap hill, standing one sided starts, etc.

[@steveh545]

Cool. I’m sure they’d have loved more space, but for the drills being run, maybe that’s all that’s really needed. It’s like the MSF course to a large degree. Just with no pavement.

[@Steverinomeister]

I’ve taken every advanced course Team Oregon has offered and I’m taking another one in two weeks.

[@Interbeing_CDN]

Thank you for sharing. Do you think a 14 tooth front sprocket would have helped? I am about your size and also find the 390's torque to take some adjusting to. Maybe risers would help for standing on the pegs as well.

[@SBMotoZ]

Installing a Fuel X will help big time with the stalling issue

[@elmiggadventure]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@JohnSmith-sj2dk]

separated my left shoulder 38 years ago, still paying for it every night/day..

[@BlackdogADV]

Looks like a good basic coarse. I took the Jimmy Lewis course that was very demanding. One should get training every year.

[@rogermeyer860]

missing your video's...where you been?

[@BlackdogADV]

Still recovering from surgery. I should have something out next week though.

[@greyfisher3897]

Why should a person get training every year? If that is case, I would seriously question whether or not a person should be riding if that level of confidence is being expressed. Putting faith in instructors thinking they have all the right answers is a small gamble, there are many myths circulating out there on what is proper technique and approaches. The fact that I witnessed too crashes, one with what appears to be a serious shoulder injury ( problem broken), and bail in the sand by the host (which for an old guy could easily result in a sprained ankle, broken wrist etc, in one 8 person class, I would conclude there is little risk calculation going on here, and the odds of injury in this course...are high.

[@BlackdogADV]

Grayfisher. One must push themselves past their comfort zone occasionally. Believe me the Jimmy Lewis course will make you do this. You will discover the true capability of yourself and your bike.

[@woundedtiger7547]

Seeing them on their side makes my right shoulder hurt. Torn rotor cup here. Be safe. Did any instructor's drop there bikes?

[@greyfisher3897]

I rewatching this video and noticing there was at least three crashes, that we know of in this one video, one resulting in broken shoulder. And then in the background I hear again that "its part of it...the adventure I presume). Its worrisome to watch riders trying to improve their skills, when the likelihood of that actually happening is low. This sport is life long, and the skills required to manage bikes like these in extreme conditions...deep sand, mud, are quite high, and multi layered, they take a lifetime of riding and practicing to really grasp and become an inner sense. I will put it simply, the amount of rider inputs per second of riding off road, and road racing for that matter, is in the hundreds. All I see here is riders....along for the ride, not properly engaged in the activity of being the rider......the rider and bike need to become one.....hard thing to teach.

[@jjustj]

West 38 moto, best training for newbs and all levels

[@TXH1138]

If you're going to be doing much off road, you should get some better tires.

[@simontempler3239]

It is to the guys getting paid to teach you !

[@jgigs6569]

The class looked more like a very basic riding class and an adventure training course. One suggestion Listen with you ears and not your mouth . Every time an instructor tried to give you constructive criticism you were talking, and yeah yeah yeahing them

[@carlredmond3642]

I noticed that too...when you are paying for instruction of any kind is it's best to let the instructor talk and listen carefully to what they have to say....if you immediately interject and talk over the instructor with your own take on what happened or with your excuses, then you defeat the whole point of getting instruction.

[@pauls4708]

training definetly worth it.However the type of people who go to training are probabaly the ones who benefit the last from it.

[@58coyote]

All good,, loaded bike may handle different,,, oh wait go on supported ride,, oh wait RA offers supported rides,,,,, ???

[@MySeniorMoments]

Yes they do

[@greyfisher3897]

Another amateur/beginner rider falling in the rain on a heavy....over crashbarred and luggage racked ...so called adventure bike....followed by a shoulder injury.....is "part of it" you say. I disagree with that hole heartedly. I learned of this you tube channel by searching "T7 crashes" a while back, as there are no shortage of those out there, and the crashes and injuries continue......often stating that breaking bones and shoulders is part of it. I would like to know what book of motorcycle myths this statement is being pulled and repeated from. It appears that beginners are being put in a group and almost forced to crash.....as this video demonstrates acutely well. " It was an adventure....so that is what ADV motorcycle riding is".....what? really? Motorcycle riding is about "NOT CRASHING", not being trained to crash.....the calculated risk theory is void here. I heard KTM's have a problem with weak kick stands....good luck with that.....and for emphasis I repeat....these courses for beginners routinely demonstrate that their skill levels are very very low in general, and there is a 100% chance at least one rider will fall and hurt themselves, badly, that day. So out of 8 riders or so....those are terrible odds. To answer the question in the title.....No. You can learn all this by watching actually skilled riders doing their thing...in small groups. RIding in groups is verifiable, the risk of injury and crashing goes up. Ride alone, or with one or two buddies, and keep your distance and focus on the trail and terrain. Also....know when you are beat, instead of going forth with the "adventure" before you get seriously hurt...yes a shoulder injury is a serious....preventable...injury.

[@bobkelly2447]

LOL I'm sorry I have trouble listening to a young man tell me how to ride a motorcycle ! Yes I know some of the kids are far far better than I ever will be BUT I have so much more experience than they do it's unreal !.... so what could they possably say that I don't already know ??? Not that I know it all by any means I do not. I know that and I am always willing to learn....so in that aspect it does sound interesting.... it's my balance in my old age that needs to be improved and that only comes with practice ....which I get very little of. I just need to ride more I think. I'm not a people person like you are, so classes on how to ride are not something that turn me on... taking my XR650L into a place with 12" of sand I could do but won't because it is a bunch of work !.... and balance is critical and you must keep your ballance when the front tire slides to one side.... it's not easy ! ride a 2"x4" board on the ground for practice when your good at that your ready for sand and deep gravel..... but that is not fun to me..... I'ed rather putt putt down the back roads and watch for critters !