Hey Samy! No worries ... it will all come back to you. But your idea of training is, IMO, spot on. 7 years is a very long lay off from riding. So of course riding feels unnatural, like you're starting over.

You are, basically. So important to use good technique so you do not develop BAD HABITS. I would suggest a "Track School" course. Yes, it's on a race track but is VERY helpful in getting your confidence back. I had a very bad crash and was scared to death after two years no riding. The Track Schools really helped me! Take NOVICE school. Some provide bikes or you can use your own.

I tutored old guys getting back into dirt bike riding. Like you, they were pretty fearful. Good news for you is you own two EXCELLENT motorcycles to re-learn riding on!

For off road I would most certainly favor your XT600. Great off road, perfect for gravel, mud and even wet pavement. The GS is also good but for learning dirt and wet ... the XT is better.

One question I had was ... How were the tires on your bikes? Had bikes been in storage all this time? ... and not ridden in 7 years? Tires get old and dry out, become very rigid and ride like crap. Dangerous.

Tire pressures are also very important, especially on wet roads. Off road too!

Fresh tires run at correct pressures are critical to the "Feel" of the bike and modern tires will stick incredibly well in the rain ... if you know how to ride!

The Death Grip you describe is ... NOT GOOD. You will crash if you continue to do this. Relax!! ... And don't forget to Breath! Stay loose! Deep Breaths! ... and MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL ... Look where you want to go ... and you will go there.


Rain riding is easy once you get accustom to it and learn a few simple rules regards traction, vision, stopping and cornering. Delicate application of both brakes and power are important. With good tires ... you will amazed how SAFE you are riding in rain.

Most dangerous part would be VISION and the SPRAY from trucks and cars. Keeping shield clean and UN FOGGED also critical. Bit of air flow a must.

Many use some sort of Anti-Fog product on inside of face shield. With time and experience you will get better at this part. But if you can't see ... PULL OFF THE ROAD NOW! Sometimes rain is simply TOO strong to ride in. PULL OFF. Stop!


For dirt riding I would take a course to start. Amazing just how much you can learn ... and quickly. Like rain riding, this is not very hard if you put to use what you are taught and develop good technique EARLY in your training ... and practice a lot.