1. Can I bring my Honda Grom? (or fill in the blank with any other kind of motorcycle):
No! This class is not exclusive towards so-called adventure bikes or dualsport bikes however you will need a bike that can do highway speeds and has proper power and ground clearance to ride through the challenges that will be presented along the way. However you can ride your Grom in a standard ADV Camp.
Dirt bikes and small dualsports (like the Yamaha XT-250) are welcome and may be the best choice for many riders. Although training is geared towards larger bikes, the challenges presented are real and rider safety and success trump ego and bragging rights. Three-wheelers and sidecars are NOT suitable due to the uniqe skills needed to ride those off-pavement. All bikes must be street-legal.
2. Which tires should I have on my bike?
If weather is good 50/50 tires will be the minimum standard for any Challenge training.
3. Do I have to buy new boots?
Maybe. Due to the high risk of falls and the prevalence of rocks and sand you MUST arrive with boots that meet the Enduro standard as a minimum. Some adventure boots do meet this standard however almost every boot with the name “Adventure” in the name does not meet this safety standard. You can find a video on how to select a proper boot on YouTube, search for “Bret Tkacs Offroad Adventure Boots”
Hint: The more you can feel your controls and the more you don’t mind walking in your boots the less protective they are. Some people choose not to wear heavier boots because they can’t feel the controls. Being able to “feel” the controls underfoot is not essential. You can easily determine if you’ve shifted or if you’re braking even while wearing the heaviest motocross boots. Also, by practicing in dirt bike or motocross boots, you will learn how much pressure is needed to shift and/or brake.
4. Do I bring my own food?
We supply morning coffee and energy snacks throughout the day that should accommodate most dietary preferences. The welcome dinner, and the sit-down dinner at the Old Hotel are provided.
5. Will water be provided?
Yes, We will have bottled water as well as a larger drinking water source so you can fill up your water bladders or refill water bottles as needed.
6. Can I bring my RV / camper van / bike trailer?
There are RV friendly camp grounds in the area as well as remote camping options
7. May I arrive early?
You can, but we won’t be there! Paul will be riding to Idaho that day and Greg will be flying in.
8. Am I too old to take your class?
Maybe. Learning to ride a motorcycle off-road is mentally and physically challenging, but we have seen numerous riders in their 70’s do well while much younger riders struggle due to poor physical conditioning. Age matters, but it’s not about age. You can’t change your age but you can change your health. We strongly encourage you to come in the best physical condition you can manage. We teach low-energy riding techniques however learning by its very nature is not low-energy.
9. Can I bring my family with me?
Family members and significant others are welcome to stay with you at your lodging in Caldwell. As much as we’d like to accommodate those accompanying you during training, we need to focus on the paying customers and your family can spend time with you before and after class.
10. May I take the class double-up or with my pillion rider?
NO, unless you gain prior authorization. If you feel your skills are good enough to train with a passenger contact us directly by email to set up an interview.
11. Is there a motorcycle rental company nearby?
Yes, Into the Horizon is a small local company that rents ADV bikes for reasonable prices. Keep in mind, you may be tipping over (hopefully not crashing) during training so make sure your borrowed bike has crash protection.
These questions have all been asked by other students. If you find your question has not been answered, please email us at motoguru@brettkacs.com. Your question may be added to this list.