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I just bought a 2017 GS Adventure: what’s a good training place for dirt riding a big pig?

Just a thought… a buddy and I are taking a rich Oliver class in Dec and they provide TTR 230 gear and instruction. Looks like fun. Buddy in newer to dirt and I grew up on it and the price is reasonable for the day. Think the 14th We books a week or so ago and they had 3 spots after us
 
This. Prolly epic

Bixby Bridge Land

From MORCA …Old Coast Road from Bixby bridge has been freshly graded and for the next month should be hero dirt. It's incredibly beautiful and makes a great training ride for upcoming events or simply training for old age. If you don't want to bite off the whole thing it consists of two...
www.bayarearidersforum.com www.bayarearidersforum.com
 
Thanks for all the good inputs, everyone. I already have an annual pass to the SVRAs and I go often to practice my 4x4 skills, so I might as well start with going there first. That’s what I started doing in my SUVs, so why not the GS too? The parks are great places to practice.
 
What street bikes did you ride? I went from street to adv bikes a few years ago. For a while I had both in my garage, but my Harley Road King got lonelier and lonelier until I finally sold it. The GS (2012) is just such an all arounder. And riding the Harley all those years gave me at least a bit of a sense of how to handle a big, unwieldy bike, albeit one that was much lower than the GS.

Anyway, at 64 you should have enough sense to figure out if you are going to want some extra help/instruction. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Have fun!
 
ThinkFast said:
What street bikes did you ride? I went from street to adv bikes a few years ago. For a while I had both in my garage, but my Harley Road King got lonelier and lonelier until I finally sold it. The GS (2012) is just such an all arounder. And riding the Harley all those years gave me at least a bit of a sense of how to handle a big, unwieldy bike, albeit one that was much lower than the GS.

Anyway, at 64 you should have enough sense to figure out if you are going to want some extra help/instruction. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Have fun!
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I’ve only owned 6 bikes. In order since 1985 when I started riding:

1983 Yamaha XS650SK Heritage Special
1983 BMW R80RT
1995 BMW R1100GS (exclusively street riding)
2005 BMW R1200RT
2023 Zero DSRX (bought 2 months ago; will likely sell it)
2017 BMW R1200GS (bought last week)

Totally agree, the GS is a great all-around motorcycle. I rode 250 miles yesterday: South Bay, Napa, Vacaville, back home. It’s a great bike.

In 1996 I took a Doc Wong dirt clinic at Hollister Hills with a ‘95 GS. It was winter and there were heavy rains the week before the clinic, and on the day of. Super muddy and wet! I did okay at the clinic, never dropped the bike, and probably not the smartest thing to do but I rode it to Hollister Hills and back that day. The smarter people trailered their bikes. I’m looking to get comfortable with the GS on loose, irregular surfaces. In my SUVs, I love exploring off the beaten path.

Ever since I bought the GS, I haven’t ridden the DSRX. I’ll likely sell it. I don’t think I want to have more than one bike.
 
echo7tango said:
I’m a street rider with very little (okay pretty much none) dirt riding experience. What dirt training is near San Francisco specializing in taking big pigs like this 600 lb GS Adventure off road?

I’m 64 and retired so please don’t point me to a trainer that will beat the sheet outta me. :) Thanks in advance.

PFA
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That’s a super nice bike!
I picked one up earlier this year…
My experience so far :
Bear Valley (home from Stoney BARF) should have aired down the tires for the gravel….
Knockville Devil Road (home from Clear Lake) reminds me this not the same as a dirt bike…pot holes can be dangerous as it will bottom out the suspension and rattle your arms and hands.
Going slow as a real thing with something like this.
Riding with friends in a group in case something goes wrong picking up this beast isn’t no easy task, especially if you’re new to it.

Regarding both roads they can provide you an opportunity to decide on what you can you can’t do for a starting point.

Have Fun!
PaulR
 

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Watch the guy on the Triumph Scrambler 1200. He's having a tough time. Especially compared to the narrator on a Honda 250.
The advice to try lifting your bike is good advice. I'd suggest doing it on loose ground and lifting up a downward slope.

Barstow to vegas
 
I’ve already had to pick up the GS. I had a tipover in a small field that ended up being a carpet full of softball-sized rocks. That was fun.
 
I was just gifted a rescue jacking device. It’s big, bulky and heavy. Lucky me I’m partnered up with a fabrication genius. I think we will recreate a lighter friendlier version for my little Ibex.

This is what I have for now, it works and I’m happy to have it.

 
That thing is cool.

Congrats on the new bike Roy.
Hope you enjoy the heck out of it.
 
ThinkFast said:
This just showed up in my email feed from ADVrider. Didn’t watch it, but looks like it might be worth checking out:
www.advrider.com

How You Can Get The ADV Skills You Need - Adventure Rider

Dallas Shannon from Traction ERag Adventures joins Neil to outline their upcoming schools and […]
www.advrider.com www.advrider.com
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Dallas is a friend of mine. I hosted several enduro clinics with Mengs Brasp through him. They’re a fun bunch with a good program.
 
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