Well after my visit to the Plains, I have realized that :

1. I need to get fitter!
2. More "bike fit"
3. More praccy
4. I would like to do some organised offroad training.

Has anyone done an offroad course? and any recommendations?

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2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock

there is an off road school near Battle, they use KTM 690's. not used it but have been told its good. BMW off road school in wales, well recomended, If you have the money.

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www.firstimpressionmoto.co.uk

hi you could do worse than checkout http://www.adventureridingacademy.co...S(1511375).htm they do have days where you can use your own bike, im not sure, if i was starting out i would certainly use a smaller lighter machine to learn some techniques on then work my way up to the bigger stuff. thier repair problem too!

they also do support at the british rally rounds

give patsy or clive a ring to see whats available don't just rely on the website as they have plenty on and unfortunately neglect to keep it updated! tell them i sent you!

bernard

I have found the Battle one... Patsy Quick ! I have emailed her an enquiry....

any more suggestions, the BMW school is expensive at �450...........

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2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock

thanks Bernard....it looks ideal for me, Stage 1 Course.

It isn't too far away as well..........cost for one day including bike is �240...it seems expensive, but I think I have to do it......

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2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock

Tamsin Jones and Craig Bounds do a variety of one-to-one and group courses...

http://www.blackdeserttraining.com/

Not a recommendation based on experience, just throwing another option in the ring - I learnt to ride off-road by riding off-road until I fell off, repeatedly

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I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

Thanks Dave...I have emailed them also. They are in Wales, where I go fishing a fair bit....they are about the same price.....bike hire is about �100 a day...but they do 1-1 lessons for �150 per day.

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2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock

Here you go Rich

http://www.yamaha-schools.co.uk/index.php

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:tenere:

Mods, Oxford heated grips, Givi Rack and top box, Stage 2 DNA filter and top, 02 sensor eliminator, Metal Mule taller screen, Seat hump trimmed off, .KEVS FUEL MOD (THE 1ST ONE FOR THE TENERE) , Extra fuse box, 12volt plug in socket, Zumo550 sat nav, , Barkbusters


What Bill Clinton REALLY said to Monica Lewinsky was: "Sack my cook"

Sadly Bike now sold 11/6/11

Try the Geraint Jones Yamaha place in Powys - been a few times and it's great.

I'm off to sunnier climes with trailblazers in Feb..

thanks Rick....that one is very close to me...but...I THINK its a more MX based school...the instructors are MX background.....there is a MX track there too (Golding Barn)...so after looking at their (Yamaha) website, I have ruled it out. I prefer the Desert Rose / Black Desert websites, in that they seem more trail riding-based. But thanks anyway..

...and Geraint's school is Enduro based...much the same as MX......but thanks for the info enduro374.

I realise that, at the end of the day, I need to learn the basics, which applies to any form of
offroading...and school........

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2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock