Yamaha needs to set up an OffRoad ADV Community

[Rambler]

Ever since I bought my ST10 I’ve been wanting to get more off road training for some of my future long term plans. I would prefer learning on my own ST rather than any other brand or bike. But there aren’t as many training schools or outfits which focus only on the ST.

BMW Motorrad and the many popular training outfits have practically cornered the ADV / Off-road training. Listening to the one of the recent Podcasts from Adventure Rider Radio and Jim Martin - I think Yamaha has fallen behind. Yamaha should really look at setting up an ADV community / Program similar to BMW Motorad. It would be good marketing and exposure of the bike we have come to love, enjoy and appreciate.

The Podcast:
http://pca.st/episode/6a38da2d-788a-40d0-991f-df49c4ad1d9d

 

[Cycledude]

::026:: just look at what rider training has done for Harley Davidson, im very surprised that most manufacturers haven’t jumped on this.

 

[Checkswrecks]

It's why we have brought in a professional trainer to the Romney Camp-n-Ride for the last 3 years. He also trains at other events, so you might contact him.
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=18670.0


Tell Alain I sent you.
Bob

 

[Sierra1]

If you train them, they will come.

 

[EricV]

I don't see what the problem is. There are plenty of off road training schools out there that couldn't care less what you ride, just pay the fee and show up. Sure, you have to occasionally listen to the drivel from the BMW fans, but so what? I've done a Rawhyde course on the Super Ten and there were plenty of non-BMW bikes there. If you're talking about showing up and being able to ride someone else's bike, that's just a luxury. And one you pay a steep price for.

http://www.advpulse.com/adv-prepping/off-road-motorcycle-training-centers/

That link covers these US outfits and more;
USA
• MotoMark1 Motorcycle Training School (North Carolina)
• Adventure Riders International (Vermont, Tennessee)
• Jimmy Lewis Off-Road Riding School (Nevada)
• Xplor-Int Adventure Motorcycle Training School (Pennsylvania, Maryland)
• RawHyde Adventure Motorcycle Training Program (California, Colorado)
• PSS Off Road Training (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Rhode Island)
• BMW Performance Center Off-Road Motorcycle Training (South Carolina)
• Pine Barrens Adventure Camp Riding School (New Jersey)
• Black Swan Moto Off-Road Training Program (California)

 

[Rambler]

Thanks for the link Eric.

The rider training is a small part of my point. It would be nice to have - but not a must have, IF Yamaha did run an ADV program.
I was thinking (aloud!) more on the lines of Yamaha backed events - rides, adv weekends , adv focused 'competitions' - along the lines of the BMW Motorad ADV GS Trophy event held every other year, where the teams are selected through local qualifying events.

I'll probably plan to hit RawHyde or PSSOR sometime this year - work/life permitting. Bit of trek if I want to do it on my S10 - from Atlanta.

 

[greg the pole]

its one thing to go on a course, watch someone carry out a maneuver and then attempt to repeat it.
It's a totally different thing to go out there, attempt it on your own, and perfect it through repetition.

A lot of the guys I ride off road with have gone to see Chris Birch and his travelling road show, but the best thing is to go out there, and do it yourself.
Ideally, on a smaller bike. The technique transfers over nicely. Ever since I picked up a dirt bike, I've felt more at home on my ST (sold now) then ever before.

 

[EricV]

Thanks for the link Eric.

The rider training is a small part of my point. It would be nice to have - but not a must have, IF Yamaha did run an ADV program.
I was thinking (aloud!) more on the lines of Yamaha backed events - rides, adv weekends , adv focused 'competitions' - along the lines of the BMW Motorad ADV GS Trophy event held every other year, where the teams are selected through local qualifying events.

I'll probably plan to hit RawHyde or PSSOR sometime this year - work/life permitting. Bit of trek if I want to do it on my S10 - from Atlanta.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you need to get out more. You can ride any bike in the qualifications for the GS Trophy. You only get stuck riding the GS during the event, should you get in. And I know people that have done that, ridden in the GS Trophy events. I've watched the qualifiers in person too. They are tough, but any bike will do just fine. And if you get in, you ride BMW's bikes, not your own, so it doesn't matter that you don't own one. Some of the events let you ride your own the first day and those that make the cut for the second day will have a GS provided to ride. Some events let you ride your own both days, should you make it to the second day.

From Atlanta? A couple of days unless you want to sight see. ;D Distance is only in your imagination.

Oh, and check out GS Giants. Good group and while yes, most of them ride GS bikes, tons don't too. The last GS Giant event I did with my wife, (Snake River Ramble), there were quite a few KTMs and some Honda Africa Twins along with my Super Ten and another Super Ten guy I didn't get a chance to talk to.

 

[Rambler]

“Don't take this the wrong way, but you need to get out more.”

True. Point taken. Hoping to change that. Thanks for all that info.

 

[worncog]

its one thing to go on a course, watch someone carry out a maneuver and then attempt to repeat it.
It's a totally different thing to go out there, attempt it on your own, and perfect it through repetition.

A lot of the guys I ride off road with have gone to see Chris Birch and his travelling road show, but the best thing is to go out there, and do it yourself.
Ideally, on a smaller bike. The technique transfers over nicely. Ever since I picked up a dirt bike, I've felt more at home on my ST (sold now) then ever before.

Agree. After riding the S10 for a year, I attend Overland Expo in NC which had DART instructors were in attendance giving off road riding instruction on a closed course. Pricey event, but became very reasonable when you factored in two or three days of rider training. I was doing good before the training, but am doing much better after. Now I seek out and ride the Florida sand roads that I would choose to avoid previously. The training was very good and had no affiliation with brand.

I also picked up a TTR250 enduro to work on my off road skill set. Training the brain to initiate control movements from muscle memory is preferred over slower processed decisions. But I think this is a departure from the original point. Repetition, repetition, repetition.

Dig thru the calendars and get involved with pre-existing events. There are a quite a few events that host rider training throughout the Nation. YMMV.

 

[greg the pole]

Agreed.
A lot of the guys I rid off road with, ride trials bikes. It's very easy to execute maneuvers on those bikes and transfer to enduro, then on to road bikes.
I don't have the time or money for a trials bike so been learning the hard way. After three years of smashing myself up...I can finally do a pivot turn ::015::
and a decent wheelie...well, when I don't stall the bike that is..
https://youtu.be/v22uFeFF7WA

But yeah...practice practice practice

 

[Rambler]

Again, the training aspect is just the small part of my original point. If not Yamaha schools, I know there are ADV trainers out there.

"I was thinking (aloud!) more on the lines of Yamaha backed events - rides, adv weekends , adv focused 'competitions' - along the lines of the BMW Motorad ADV GS Trophy event held every other year, where the teams are selected through local qualifying events."

To cite an example. Royal Enfield in India.
For many years the 350cc bike was just a work horse - a commute vehicle option. Heavier sturdier than the max 250cc bikes that were available in India. India then liberalized imports and Joint Ventures bringing in the Japanese bikes. Pushing Royal Enfield down in the list of choices and options. Management changes, mission changes created the 'Royal Enfield' Community, creating Brand awareness, loyalty - add Social Media exposure - it soon achieved the label of Adventure and leisure bike and not only a work horse or commute vehicle. A sense of community and a Brand Club. More and more riders are taking to Royal Enfields over the Japanese imports.

As things stand in the US, on the whole, adventure bike talk normally leads to a version of BMW - thanks to McGregor and Boorman and which BMW quickly capitalized on and has carved out a comfy little corner in the ADV segment.

My belief is still that Yamaha needs to create a Riders' Community.The Yamaha boys may just need to look at all the combined knowledge and the experienced riders here on this forum and build on that. A community of Yamaha riders, for Yamaha riders, by Yamaha riders.

::002:: ::025::

 

[greg the pole]

right, you are correct.

This is one of the main things where yamaha had a hard time letting people know about the ST.
Unless you knew about the bike, they didn't drum up support, bacaking etc..yes the schools would help, and help with sales.
They are sort of getting the idea with the T7...Teasing the release etc..building up hype...
just like Honda did with the AT.
We're talking post sales support, in the way of schools, try outs, get togethers...there's none of the sort.

Hell, KTM is doing it with various sponsored rides for ADV bikes..the Japanese are simply not thinking in this direction

 

[Checkswrecks]

Like this?

 

[snakebitten]

Smartypants Bob. Touché brother.

 

[Rambler]

Like this?

Yes. But KTM’s snapped that up now!

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2017/12/15/2018-ktm-ama-national-adventure-riding-series-schedule-20-event-calendar/