Anyone Take the Rawhyde Intro to Adventure Camp clinic?

[Bushyar15]

While I've been riding motorcycles for over 30 years none of it has been off-road. Just started last August, so a noob.. A noob making noob mistakes and having a slightly hard time changing how you corner on the dirt vs. the street....

I'm wondering if anyone has taken the Rawhyde class and what there thoughts are on it?

When I first started riding there was no MSF or the like. My buddy taught me. He told me to NEVER use the front brake cause you will be thrown over the bars!

 

[TheHelios]

When I first started riding there was no MSF or the like. My buddy taught me. He told me to NEVER use the front brake cause you will be thrown over the bars!

Tell him to remove the calipers from the front wheels of his car and watch as his car does some sick somersaults.

 

[VgnSTRider87]

I really want to take the class, but worried about the cost. Wish there was a cheaper option.

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I've bit the bullet and will be taking their intro course in Colorado this summer. Turning it into a two week trip visiting family that live about 3 hours from the camp.

Will try to remember to post up about my experience. I was hesitant about the cost of everything but considering they are giving me a roof over my head, bedding, food, drinks, booze, instruction and probably some good memories...I figured it should be worth it. I am also doing their two day ride following the class.

 

[pnelson]

snip...

When I first started riding there was no MSF or the like. My buddy taught me. He told me to NEVER use the front brake cause you will be thrown over the bars!

Just in case someone reads this and wonders about not using the front brake on the Super Tenere... The ABS system on the ST is great!

On older bikes, especially off-road, you'd never consider using your front brake going down a steep hill. With the ABS on the ST, give it a try and you'll find that it works really well. Gone are the days of dragging your rear wheel locked up trying to slow down using the wrong end of the bike. Squeezing that front brake lever on a steep incline with lots of loose gravel went against everything I'd ever learned in 40+ years of riding but the ABS really does it's job, better than I ever could.

;-) Paul

 

[Frenchfries]

I did two or three Rawhyde Adventure events, with Jim Hyde. The pro is that you are going into places you probably wouldn't go by yourself. The cons are that Jim Hyde is just there for getting the most money out of the suckers who signed up. Organization, rides, support, etc... Everything was subpar. Do yourself a favor, get a bunch of pals, few maps and organize your adventure yourself. Jim Hyde organization will just drill holes in your wallet without bringing you anything. Btw, none of the members of my group which used to be bmw gs riders went back to Rawhyde adventures. It's a booby trap.

 

[Hungry Tiger]

Jimmy Lewis Ride School in Pahrump, NV warrants consideration. Planning on attending Adv Bike Course fall of this year. 1/3 the cost of Rawhyde, but motel room is on you.

 

[Bushyar15]

This is disappointing to hear. As well as the class, I was considering taking one of their tours.

This kinda reminds me of when I took Keith Code's Superbike School in the 80s. All Code cared about was getting people through the class. And when one rider went down on one of his bike the first words out of his mouth was how badly damaged was the bike and leathers. Not the condition of the rider… That class was definitely not worth it. Anyone that would have gone to one of the organized track days that had a school in it would have done better…

As stated, I "was" considering taking one of their tours but a few of us are doing exactly what you state…

Regarding the front-brake use. Yeah that was back in the early 80s. I learned pretty quick back then, that wasn't the way to go. And during my early road racing days I rarely used the rear brake. Can't find the pictures at the moment of me going into a turn on the front brakes so hard the rear tire was off the pavement, you could see daylight…. I was just trying to make a point that sometimes friends aren't all that knowledgeable and aren't necessarily the best "instructors". Even though I've not had any type of off-road bike I think Mountain Biking has actually taught me some very good/basic principles of off-road riding as I see lots of similarities...

I did two or three Rawhyde Adventure events, with Jim Hyde. The pro is that you are going into places you probably wouldn't go by yourself. The cons are that Jim Hyde is just there for getting the most money out of the suckers who signed up. Organization, rides, support, etc... Everything was subpar. Do yourself a favor, get a bunch of pals, few maps and organize your adventure yourself. Jim Hyde organization will just drill holes in your wallet without bringing you anything. Btw, none of the members of my group which used to be bmw gs riders went back to Rawhyde adventures. It's a booby trap.

 

[trikepilot]

When I first started riding there was no MSF or the like. My buddy taught me. He told me to NEVER use the front brake cause you will be thrown over the bars!

2 thoughts...

The Tenere has a linked ABS system. If you get on the rear first, you have "normal" MC brakes. If you get on the front first, you have linked front and rear ABS. Riding the Tenere like TBDBITW means a shoift in mentality.

The Tenere is 700 lbs of pigheadedness. She is gonna go wherever she wants or the terrain shoves her to some extent. The "best" investment you can make is in a "little" bike (think WR250R, DRZ400, or the like...) to hone your skills that you can then transfer to the Tenere.

 

[scott123007]

2 thoughts...

The Tenere has a linked ABS system. If you get on the rear first, you have "normal" MC brakes. If you get on the front first, you have linked front and rear ABS.

Not sure what you're trying to say there... You always have ABS, on both front and rear brakes. By applying your rear brake first, you disable your linked function, but your ABS is not disengaged.

 

[fredz43]

2 thoughts...

The Tenere has a linked ABS system. If you get on the rear first, you have "normal" MC brakes. If you get on the front first, you have linked front and rear ABS.

If you get on the rear first you have "normal" MC brakes with ABS, just not linked.

 

[MarkM]

Gateway BMW in St. Louis has an off road school Apr. 24-26. It's a lot less expensive than Raw Hyde. All brands welcome. I've heard it's good and fun. I'm signed up and looking forward to it.

 

[NorthwestCajun]

I really want to take the class, but worried about the cost. Wish there was a cheaper option.

There is!! http://pnwtenere.com/2015/02/24/puget-sound-safety-off-road-tenere-only-dual-sport-weekend/
It's more of a drive for you though but then there is http://motostays.com/ to cut down on the lodging costs. Or camp in my back yard, it's available.

 

[88millimeter]

Just in case someone reads this and wonders about not using the front brake on the Super Tenere... The ABS system on the ST is great!

On older bikes, especially off-road, you'd never consider using your front brake going down a steep hill. With the ABS on the ST, give it a try and you'll find that it works really well. Gone are the days of dragging your rear wheel locked up trying to slow down using the wrong end of the bike. Squeezing that front brake lever on a steep incline with lots of loose gravel went against everything I'd ever learned in 40+ years of riding but the ABS really does it's job, better than I ever could.

;-) Paul

Completely agree with this, on several offroad rides i come into the corner way too hot and i think there is no way i can stop in time on this loose stuff but just grab a handful of brake and it stops like magic.