hi all,thinking about a trip to north africa but would like to try my hand at some off road stuff.never been off road and think it's not the place to start so would like to have a go at some green lanes here.before i go out and total my bike think maybe it would be a good idea to get in some basic training.can anyone give me some advise on where to go for this.i know about bmw in wales but that's loads of wedge or should i be think of something different thanks all

Hi
Your local TRF could help
http://www.trf.org.uk/about-trail-ri...ure-bikes.html


Or you could come along to one of our trail ride weekend's . There free, { a word you dont hear often } all you pay for is your place in the Bunkhose
which is around £10.
all info here

http://bmwgs.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=4

Dazzer

BMW in Wales is a load of wedge but if you rip a cylinder head off a 1200 for instance they'll give you another and you carry on. No charge.

And its fab fun

Jason

thanks these links could be just the job but still not going to learn the basics or am i ?

Thats how we all learned the basics. turn up and ride. there is no better way
there is always a easy trail ride out in the groups.

Dazzer

thanks dazzer,

Hi just had a day out at a local farm that has a enduro track £10 for the day . real fun onley down side had to serender my crown to my 17 year old son . maybe you can find something like that near you.just get out and get dirty ..steve.

Given your location I could highly recommend Ady Smith's off road training days, he will provide you with a KTM, the wisdom of years as a winning international enduro rider and at a lot less cash than BMW, but.... an Enduro bike is not a Big Trail bike, and a tight woods enduro is not comparable to riding rough roads.

I'd go green laning, maybe you could buy a little trail bike and sell it on so apart from capital outlay you shouldnt be too out of pocket, you'll get something fine for £1500 and so even if you sold it on for £1000 6 months later youre laughing

I've been on a few forum ride outs with the ktmforum, advrider and UKGS'er and even here, they have all had either a novice group or were specifically for heavy bikes with maybe less suitable tyres, all were good fun if sometimes quite slow and I have only seen one bike really come a cropper, an SLR650 and he could have gone round the waterhole nevertheless we got him going.

if you arent pushing yourself too hard, respect your own limits, make sensible modifications such as crashbars, handguards that you'll want for your adventure then your bike shouldnt have any serious damage after a green lane outing providing you take to lanes that arent too mad.

A weekend down salisbury plain way could be good though that chalk can be slippery when wet! Wales is ace and there are some companies advertising in magazines like TBM that have dirt bike friendly B&B's, know the local area, and would probably mark you a route or guide you on something suitable.

enjoy I do

KTM 990 adv on the motorcross track - YouTube

If you're lucky, there might be someone at your local TRF or other Motorcycle Club (find out who organises trials and enduros near you) who would be willing to take you out on a Newbie's / Numptie's Run.

I find it works best with two riders to one learner. Me and my mate have taken quite a few people out on their first forays. One leads and the other follows behind to look for any areas we can help the rider with.

Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions.

Other posters are right though; if you can pick up a trail bike to practice on that would be ideal.

thanks guys i think the secondhand bike for six months is the way to go and yes try to get the local groups to guide me cheers

There are loads of trails up here in the Peak. I am always happy to ride with anyone!

Dan

Trails in Morocco (piste=groomed track) are maintained by the locals and some of them are no more difficult than a village pub car park.

If you look at old photos of motorbikes in pre-WWI days you'll notice they rarely had the advantage of tarmac, most roads were just tracks, and they managed just fine. My Dad was a dispatch rider in WWII for a while and despite being a terrible rider, managed OK.

__________________
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