Hi there, not sure if this is the best place to ask this but here goes.

I have been riding my fazer600 for 2 years now and am very tempted to get a dirt-capable bike to replace it next year... something all purpose that can eat up motorway miles but take me on dirt, fields up mountains when abroad.
Abroad initially would be Alps, Spain, Eastern Europe.. later Africa I'd imagine.

So apart from wanting a GS12 or KaToom 990 but feeling they are too big hence anticipating GS800, tenere, Transalp, etc.. I'm thinking that I ought to try out some dirt riding as the closest I've come is moutainbiking!

Obviously there's BMW Wales but the cost of it added to me being Oop Norf!
The team looks great though but the other manufacturers do these expereince days or levels of training too.
KTM seems to be an indoor arena, kind of like a dirt "track day" wher you ask for instruction.. hmm
Honda. same I think
Yamaha is a day's trail riding with an instructor to a few pupils - sounds ideal

I now of a company not far from me i2i Motorcycle academy (run by a neighbouring IAM group to mine) who do all sorts of trainig, on your road bike, Supermoto, and offroad (various levels of each)

Ady Smith also has a school for SM and off road.

What I'm about to ask is whether anyone here has experience of or knows about this sort of introduction to dirt and whether you can reccomend any training schools.

My friend would come too and he used to ride MX but years ago.. whereas I have never ridden on loose stuff!
I'm really into getting a go anywhere bike and, whilst not going RTW, making trips more adventurous by being able to ride on (not too harsh) off road routes. But before I go and buy one, I think I should try it out first...

Where's a good place to do this?

Thanks.
K

__________________
Go forrit! But..take it easy.
(Fazer)Kev