Adventure Rider Training – Mastering New Skills for Veteran Riders

In every professional career, training is essential to develop skills and gain a competitive edge. However, when it comes to motorcycling, especially adventure riding, we often overlook the importance of proper training. For many seasoned riders, especially those like me who grew up on farm bikes and transitioned to road riding, off-road skills often remain underdeveloped. This realization hit me during a recent adventure with BMW Motorrad’s GS Off-Road Training program, where I learned that even the most experienced riders can benefit from structured guidance.

Why Training Matters for Riders

Training isn’t just a corporate tool; it’s just as vital for improving our riding skills. Many of us have spent years perfecting our road riding techniques, but off-road riding demands a different skill set. I realized this after years of mostly tarmac riding when I struggled with low-speed handling and clutch control in off-road conditions. While I understood the theory and watched countless tutorials, there comes a point where hands-on instruction is necessary.

The Turning Point: BMW GS Off-Road Training

The moment of realization came while I was riding with BMW’s adventure pro, Miles Davis, during the BMW Safari on the F900GS Enduro. Watching him effortlessly perform stand-up circle work made me think, “That’s beyond me right now – but I need to learn how to do it.” It became clear that I needed formal training to improve my off-road riding abilities.

This led me to the BMW GS Off-Road Training Course, held at the State Motorcycle Complex in Broadford, Victoria. The course, jokingly dubbed “skid school” by Miles, promised to enhance both fundamental and advanced off-road techniques. And given that Miles has finished the Finke Desert Race on a BMW 1200GS, it was clear I was learning from one of the best.

The Training Experience

Day one began with the basics: body positioning, bike dynamics, and low-speed control. While some of the teachings were familiar, others offered fresh insights. Here are a few of the key takeaways from the course:

Flow with the Bike: Instead of stiffening up, riders are encouraged to stay loose and flow with the motorcycle’s movements.

Focus on Finesse: Off-road bikes have more power than grip. The focus should be on maintaining momentum and using finesse rather than brute force.

Posture Matters: Keep elbows out, head forward, and pivot at the hips to maintain control.

Use Your Legs: Grip the bike with your legs and steer with your hands to stay balanced.

The Importance of Practice

What set this course apart was not just the wisdom being imparted but the opportunity to practice these skills under the watchful eyes of experts. With every drill, I could feel the difference when I executed the techniques correctly. A slight shift in body weight during braking or an adjustment to elbow positioning while cornering made a huge difference in my control and confidence.

The Eureka Moments

As the weekend progressed, many of us experienced what I like to call “Eureka moments.” These are the times when everything clicks, and the lessons we’d learned start to come together. Whether it was mastering skid control or improving low-speed maneuvering, the combination of expert instruction and repetition led to noticeable improvements.

Final Thoughts

For experienced riders, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’ve learned all there is to know. However, structured training, like BMW’s GS Off-Road Course, shows that even the most seasoned riders can benefit from a fresh perspective and expert guidance. Whether you’re new to off-road riding or looking to refine your skills, investing in professional training can open up a whole new world of adventure and improve your riding abilities in ways you might not have imagined.