What riding schools have some of you attended?

blitz11

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Sep 23, 2014
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SW Montana
Shane Watts "Dirtwise" off-road course. Twice. Once by myself in 2010 (with a broken wrist) and once in 2014 with my daughter. Learned a ton - how to go over three-foot diameter fallen trees. My daughter is a very controlled rider, but Shane had her loosen up quite a bit - "Gas it, Meredith! Gas it!!" Well worth the $350 for two days.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
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Jun 20, 2015
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Ventura, CA
Oh, and riding a Bultaco Pursang does translate well to ADV riding. Riding any lightweight dirt bike will translate well. I think most ADV courses are aimed at people who have never ridden anything off road.
Perhaps my discomfort and lack of confidence here has more to do with the number of elapsed years since I rode dirt a lot then. That 'Taco was a lot closer to the ground than my Tenere so you could catch it sooner if off balance or starting to slide, That was the era before long travel suspension. I think I had about 5" rear and 7" front, and it was probably 1/3 the weight. I've done almost exclusively pavement since the mid '70s so I'm actually less freaked out by a pavement than a dirt slide for some reason.
 

Wallkeeper

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I teach the MSF Basic Riders Course in Minnesota. MN offers multiple levels of on and off road courses through the Dept of Public Safety and Dept of Natural Resources. I have taken some of those courses and have come to the conclusion that any training that reengages us in the "Basics" is time well spent. For those of us in Snow country, it helps knock the rust off from the winters and in the sunbelt it keeps us grounded in the basics.

Surprisingly, I have had students with Motor Cycle endorsements come through my class. The reviews have been generally positive and they expressed it was time well spent.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Another thing to add is lots of practice after the class. Emergency braking was a big focus in the Jimmy Lewis school. The fist thing I do after clicking in gear and before I park is do a few drills.
 

wjfawb0

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Jul 14, 2019
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Chattanooga, TN
I took an intermediate class with Tom Asher at a local rally a couple years ago. That man has to be the most patient person I've ever met. He also taught a more aggressive advanced class too. His website isn't showing upcoming stuff, so I don't know if he's still offering them.

 
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Jun 26, 2019
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Manchester UK
I’ve done the IAM advanced course and passed the road test. I’m looking at becoming an observer (totally voluntary) but this will be down to my having a lighter schedule, way too busy for now. Interested in blood bikes and instructor training, but will see and the next 12 months will decide that. Finally, I am looking at a local adventure off-road riding school who do courses in Wales, only heard great reviews so plan to possibly do that next year.
 

moto.monk

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los angeles
I got an email back for a free moto cop school here in los Angeles. It will be in September and completely free of charge and open to the general public. They even provide free donuts, coffee and lunch. If you google "ride to live class" you will find it. Caution if you cant make it and get a slot you will be banned from signing up in the future. In any case if your a los angeles rider I hope to see you there. IMG_20200119_152905_787.jpg
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
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Ventura, CA
I got an email back for a free moto cop school here in los Angeles. It will be in September and completely free of charge and open to the general public. They even provide free donuts, coffee and lunch. If you google "ride to live class" you will find it. Caution if you cant make it and get a slot you will be banned from signing up in the future. In any case if your a los angeles rider I hope to see you there. View attachment 69603
Rats, September class is already full!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Dougbug

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Jul 21, 2019
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Peardale, California
I got an email back for a free moto cop school here in los Angeles. It will be in September and completely free of charge and open to the general public. They even provide free donuts, coffee and lunch. If you google "ride to live class" you will find it. Caution if you cant make it and get a slot you will be banned from signing up in the future. In any case if your a los angeles rider I hope to see you there. View attachment 69603
FREE DONUTS?? Damn, how can anyone local pass that up?? Good on the moto cop class!

I have a question, is that rear tire as slippery as it looks off the pavement?
 

yoyo

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Jan 30, 2016
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Swansea UK
In the UK we have a Police run scheme called BikeSafe, it's normally under written by the local authority and is free, classroom sessions in the morning and an assessed ride in the afternoon. Follow this up with the next step called ERS (Enhanced Rider Scheme) similar set up but more intense. After that you can do IAM or ROSPA which both have tests at the end.

I did the first 2 a year or so after passing my test and really enjoyed them, got into RoSPA and passed my test at Gold level and become an instructor, I know observe on BikeSafe with the Police and find it really enjoyable and rewarding.

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VRODE

Easy Does It
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Aug 7, 2014
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Northern Vermont
I went to the School of Hard Knocks first. Almost twenty years later I enrolled in a MSF instructor course and became a RiderCoach. Did that for six years till foot and knee issues made it tough to do the range work. I’ve also done a few of the MSF Advanced courses.
If I had to do it over again I’d skip the first school and start with the MSF stuff.
 

Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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Joshua TX
I got an email back for a free moto cop school here in los Angeles.
If they're going to teach the cone courses, that'll be fun and educational. I think the Tenere will breeze through a cone course. The rear brake only feature is a huge advantage.


Dayum, what is it with you and that kickstand?
I'm tellin' ya', some of these bikes have narcolepsy. :D His does seem to have a pretty severe case. :D
 

moto.monk

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Aug 19, 2019
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los angeles
If they're going to teach the cone courses, that'll be fun and educational. I think the Tenere will breeze through a cone course. The rear brake only feature is a huge advantage.




I'm tellin' ya', some of these bikes have narcolepsy. :D His does seem to have a pretty severe case. :D
They are
 
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