Calling all GS Riders

Greetings,

Perhaps one of the best kept little known facts about the rally site is that there is a full blown MX track on the grounds. Up till now that has been by design.

Our intrepid rally chairs have made arrangements with the Powder Basin Motorcycle Club's MX course.

I am delghted to assist them in the use of the track and I would like to come up with ideas how to utilize the facility.

A few quick thoughts, comments are solicited.

There will be absolutely no racing or timing used, we can't insure this activity.
There may be professional rider training but that may would take place off the track. This training might include some exercises on the track but there would be plenty of open time for people not taking a course.

For open time there should be a very small fee of which 100% would be donated to the official rally charity. Perhaps we could do "laps for kids".

We could also do a 1/2 "track day" with some instruction and then practice time on the track. It would be peer instruction vs professional training.

So take a moment to give some feedback in the poll.

Thanks,

Do I really want to take an R1200GS wearing BattleWings onto a "full blown MX track?" Still, this a thought-provoking idea and I'm in favour of utilising the track.

I ride a GS but dont know anything about taking it in the dirt. I bought it with the intention of learning how to dirt ride. Any instruction would be a great help.

[QUOTE=The_Veg;316293]Do I really want to take an R1200GS wearing BattleWings onto a "full blown MX track?" Still, this a thought-provoking idea and I'm in favour of utilising the track.[/QUOTE]

The track is suitable for pros on 450's and 6 year olds on 50's.

For example you can run down the side along the whoops or you can go over them.

I know where the horse track is by the grandstands in the Cam Plex, but where is the mx track in relation to or IS this the mx track you're talking about?

Spectator stuff could be a great event in it's self!

I have visions of someone actually believing BMW's hype that the GS's are dirt worthy and trying to double jump one. I'm sure it would do fine, right up until it lands with a mighty THUD.

Old guys with really heavy bikes on a track. That aint gonna end well!

[QUOTE=Timber2wolf;316332]I ride a GS but dont know anything about taking it in the dirt. I bought it with the intention of learning how to dirt ride. Any instruction would be a great help.[/QUOTE]

a very popular event for a number of years at the Georgia Mountain Rally has been off-road riding course for beginners. our big problem was having obstacles that were increasingly difficult as students gained skills.

we've stopped doing it, mainly for that reason.

an MX track would be ideal, as long at the whole thing wasn't mud and/or sand, since people could choose what they felt comfortable tackling.

maybe we can coordinate with BMW to bring a healthy selection of the X bikes, and maybe a 450 or three, to play with? :evil

ian

I would like to take part in a begginers class. I take the roadster off the tarmack and would like to develop my skills...or develop skills.
:lurk

The track is not suitable for anything other than a GS and will be restricted.

I am hopeful that considering how far from home just about everyone will be that folks think hard before trying to clear the tabletop on their GS.

That and there will be enough controls that crazies will only get one lap.

My goal is to give people the opportunity to gain confidence with their GS's in the dirt. Ideally as many people as possible.

To bad but I understand. Thank for your effort and the response.

Will there be oportunities for observers to listen in on the instruction?

Thanks Rob!

Is this available only to the "Bring Your Own GS" crowd?

I would love to be able to take part, but do not own a GS.

Nor will I be at the rally, but wish I could be. Hope everyone has a great time!

I'd be game for a beginners off road course also..

Heck, you could probably kill two birds with one stone and run the beginners off road course and Skirt's "How to pick up your bike" course at the same time.

:whistle

[QUOTE=bobs98;316562]Thanks Rob!

Is this available only to the "Bring Your Own GS" crowd?

I would love to be able to take part, but do not own a GS.

Nor will I be at the rally, but wish I could be. Hope everyone has a great time![/QUOTE]

Bob,

I regret to inform that there will not be demo bikes available for this use.

In the absence of pro instruction I think some light peer-to-peer training with associated hands-on time would be really neat.

As a thought for future rallies, there is a DS rally here in Washington that offers an extra fee MSF based off-road course as one of the activities. Similar to the ERC courses that have been run in the past, I think it might hgave a pretty good attendance.

[QUOTE=sgborgstrom;316643]In the absence of pro instruction I think some light peer-to-peer training with associated hands-on time would be really neat.

As a thought for future rallies, there is a DS rally here in Washington that offers an extra fee MSF based off-road course as one of the activities. Similar to the ERC courses that have been run in the past, I think it might hgave a pretty good attendance.[/QUOTE]

Agreed!

The only drawback is many of the sites we use don't have the facility or close proximity to good dirt. The other is the MSF has very exact specifications for their traning range for pavement instruction. I wonder if they have similar requirements for dirt instruction.

This year we have the MX track so we are looking for ways to get the maximum benefit.

I did contact BMW about getting a few instructors from their school in Spartenburg. Of course July is their busy season too so it can't be done.
It is too bad as they were excited at the potential of giving our members a chance to get more comforatable with their bikes and a sample of their training.


Best,

Rob Nye