1. Can I bring my Honda Grom? (or fill in the blank with any other kind of motorcycle):
Maybe. This training tour is not exclusive to adventure bikes or dualsport bikes (including street-biased ADV bikes like the V-Strom or Tiger 900). If you are interested in bringing a bike that is not traditionally considered an off-pavement bike, contact us directly to ensure it is capable of the terrain we will be riding.
Three-wheelers and sidecars are not suitable due to trail width and the types of lessons we teach. All bikes must be street-legal with a valid license plate, crash protection and skid plate, and you must have a valid motorcycle endorsement on your license.
2. Which tires should I have on my bike?
That depends. When the ground is dry or damp, the terrain can easily be ridden on street-biased adventure tires but when it rains, even the more aggressive tires may have a difficult time gaining traction in mud and slippery rock. Bret and Paul normally ride and train on 50/50 tires.
3. Do I have to buy new boots?
Street boots are like leather slippers with padding and are not suitable for the training tours. An ADV boot with a stiff sole is the minimum requirement but we strongly encourage the most protective boot you can afford; Enduro/MX boots are preferred. Crashing at speed is a possibility during the tour and even a minor ankle and foot injury can become a serious burden to the staff and other riders. Our goal is to protect each rider from injury as well as the experience of the group as a whole.
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. Will we be camping?
No, you will stay in a hotel each night to help ensure every rider gets enough sleep to avoid making errors in judgment related to fatigue.
5. Do I bring my own food?
Most meals and snacks are provided during your training tour. When you register, you will receive an information packet which will detail food plans.
6. Will water be provided?
Yes, we will have bottled water available for you at all times.
7. What will the lodging be like?
Lodging is shared accommodations and may have two or more riders sharing a room. Rooms will be heated and, when possible, will include air conditioning. Showers will also be available each night.
8. Can I bring my RV / camper van / bike trailer?
If you need to leave a vehicle/trailer at the starting point, you need to contact us ahead of time so we can get permission.
9. May I arrive early?
You can arrive early but we may not be there. Check in time starts at 3:00pm. Bret and staff may be at the arrival location early but typically we are unavailable as we are out riding to make sure there are no last-minute changes to the route.
10. Am I too old to take your class?
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. If this is a concern, contact us discuss your health and abilities and make sure you aren’t in over your head.
11. How large are training tours?
Depending on the number of available instructors, classes may have up to 11 riders but no less than 6. A normal tour of 10 or less will have two instructors (Bret and Paul), however an extra instructor will be added for the 11th rider.
12. Can I bring my family with me?
Family members and significant others are welcome to stay with you at the hotel/lodging (there may be an extra fee for a single accommodation). There is no space for them to to travel with us in the support vehicle, but your family can spend time with you before or after training each day.
13. May I take the class double-up or with my pillion rider?
As Bret likes to say, “it depends”. There is no straight answer to this question as it truly depends on many factors. Please email us for a more specific answer to your situation.
14. Is there a motorcycle rental company nearby?
We haven’t built any relationships with nearby motorcycle rental companies, but Eagle Rider and MotoQuest do rent ADV bikes. 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