BMW Off road centre - anyone been?

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by Balky001

It was the most fun I've had on two wheels

I totally believe this statement. One day I want to emigrate to somewhere with relaxed off-roading laws, like New Zealand or Canada, and spend my days ragging it around mountains on knackered old dirt bikes with like minded mates. Could turn it into a business and offer room, board and copious amounts of alcohol to British holiday makers. Anyone wanna go into partnership?!

[Littlepeahead]

Originally Posted by Fallout

I totally believe this statement. One day I want to emigrate to somewhere with relaxed off-roading laws, like New Zealand or Canada, and spend my days ragging it around mountains on knackered old dirt bikes with like minded mates. Could turn it into a business and offer room, board and copious amounts of alcohol to British holiday makers. Anyone wanna go into partnership?!

In NZ the off road laws must be more lenient than the on road then. When I was over there every time I drove I was breaking their stupidly slow speed limits on the country roads where you are always getting stuck behind camper vans and sheep trucks. My Kiwi mate was convinced that I would end up with a heap of speeding tickets by the time my 5 weeks finished. BUt I just decided they'd have to go 12,000 miles to find me so good luck to them.

Originally Posted by Balky001

This place in Wales is brilliant and not too expensive

http://www.yamaha-offroad-experience.co.uk/

Excellent instructors and they have 10,000 acres of woodland (used in RAC stages) at their disposale. Beats going round a little track.

The instructors are top riders but very friendly and funny. They will make you ache for days though. My daughter (14) was given a free afternoon (only paid for intro) as they thought she was a natural. Nice gesture and she loved every second of it.

The bikes are well prepped and less than a year old and you have flat fields as well as 45 degree rocks and everything in between for whatever level you are.

85 quid using your own bike. I like that!

Is it just a day blasting around under an instructors supervision, kind of like a track day, or is it actual tuition and exercises that the instructor takes you through, more like the California Superbike School?

Central Portugal is an off-road mecca. 50% of the country lanes are unsurfaced, and even if a track is not strictly a public right of way, nobody is going to complain about you riding there. Through the tractor tracks across a farmers field if you like, the farmer will just smile and wave!

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

In NZ the off road laws must be more lenient than the on road then.

I have no idea actually. That's just what I heard. Probably something I should look into before I sell my house and emigrate. Were you driving a car or riding a bike when you were there?

[Paul the 6th]

My off road thread @ i2i training on KTMs : http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=168302

£150 for a days training, everything included but lunch

[Littlepeahead]

Originally Posted by Fallout

I have no idea actually. That's just what I heard. Probably something I should look into before I sell my house and emigrate. Were you driving a car or riding a bike when you were there?

I had a big camper van for a week, then switched to a pick up and also NZ Cricket insured me on a car. I also used a hire car. But I kidnapped a cat while I was out there and the 'owner' called the police so if I'd have got stopped it would have been an interesting conversation.

[Fallout]

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

But I kidnapped a cat while I was out there and the 'owner' called the police

I want to do that camper van thing. One of my mates did that 5 week north to south trip for his honeymoon and said he wanted to move there. Good work on getting a new travel buddy btw! Sorry, I mean ... shame on you.

[Balky001]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

85 quid using your own bike. I like that!

Is it just a day blasting around under an instructors supervision, kind of like a track day, or is it actual tuition and exercises that the instructor takes you through, more like the California Superbike School?

It's not intense training but they take you up to some fields on top of a hill and teach you some basics then cater a ride from what they see. It's one following the other but its challenging and they do give advice generally or if you are doing a new piece. They also split the groups as much as needed so you might end up 1 on 1 with the instructor

I really can't rate it highly enough