Adventure is calling you!
When you get that big allroad, it just screams "Adventure"...
It doesn't matter which brand of allroad you have, it just gives you that crazy feeling.
My big allroader is a BMW R 1200 GSa 2008.
It's a big elephant, with all the right features to make it very capable in most situations.
During these trainings you will learn that most of the time the guy/girl connecting the handlebars to the footpegs is the limiting factor.
I participated in the Basic & Intermediate training with Backtrail.
They offer 3 type of courses (Basic, Intermediate & Advanced), but also organize Allroad travelling experiences.
Prepare for any adventure:
For their courses you can choose to go on your own bike (as I did) or rent a bike (you can choose from almost all modern GS allroads).
If you take your own bike, be prepared that you might drop the bike from time to time.
I didn't mind and gained some "battlescars".
In every type of training you always start with a warm up, and sometimes repetition of exercises you did in the previous training.
This really helps in gaining confidence in yourself and your bike.
Have a look below at a short summary shot during the Intermediate Training.
I didn't do a lot of updates on my GSa yet, but the main ones were:
1. Getting a smaller screen: When going allroad and standing up your body will move around when hitting bumps, and a few times my helmet bumped into the screen, something you want to avoid.
2. Tyres: normally I choose for a very road biased tyre as I didn't go allroading all that much. Few months ago I went for the Michelin Anakee Wild.
When the road is gone, this is an amazing tyre. Yet when driving on road it really "sings" to you and when wet I do feel traction control & ABS going into action.
3. I learned the hard way, that getting stuck or dropping the bike is something that happens, so I always carry a strap with ratchet buckle.
Backtrail, who are they?
The instructors @ Backtrail are BMW ceritified and they offer courses & adventurous motor journeys.
During their courses you can rent a BMW Allroad or you can bring your own allroad oriented bike.
Do read the Transalp article to discover how this oldie managed to struggle through the Basic courses and really stood his ground against the modern bikes.