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And the chick quitting is precisely why I tell people to do some training first before running out and buying a bike.BMW Motorrad Novice course write-up
So, I went to the novice course over the weekend. This was my experience as someone who, until this weekend, had never ridden a motorcycle before.
The course started at 08:30ish and we went all the way to 16:30 - it included about 40minutes at around 12:00 for a nice lunch, including a pudding.
We were 5 people on the course starting out, there was a couple that took the course as a "failed" date, as the boyfriend never told the GF what they were doing and apparently she is deathly afraid of anything with two wheels - they left after lunch, so we were 3 by the end of the course.
The day started with some theory, basically, where and what controls there are, the effect they have on the bike and importantly, what NOT to do. This lasted about 15 minutes, so avoided boredom. Then we all got fitted in BMW supplied gloves, jackets and helmets, and moved to the motorcycles. They had 4 of the new G310R cycles available, and the latecomers - the couple - had to use one of their older Yamaha 250's - so arrive early if you plan on doing this course.
They had us holding the bike on its balance point moving around the bike and changing our grip on it several times, just so you can see that the bike wants to stay upright. After this, we had an explanation of the start-up process, how to mount the bike, where the kill switch is, the different ways to switch it off etc. then, with the bike started, we walked it by having the clutch in the friction zone - uphill - so you can't BS your way through it. And playing with the front brake. Back down to where we started and we mounted the bikes, put them in first and basically repeated the exercise but riding on the bikes this time.
Once that was finished, we were told to change gears and given a short loop to ride, basically, changing from 1st to 2nd the whole time, whilst getting a feel for the front brakes. The next exercise was pulling away on an uphill - what a bitch
First post lunch exercise was another outride through the track area, just to get everyone re-acquainted. Then we started with slow control and maneuvers - trying to go through cones placed way too close together, whilst dragging the rear brake and keeping the engine revs a little higher, looping around and coming back trying again. From there we moved on emergency braking - which was interesting, to get your confidence levels up, after which we got showed how to pick up a 1200GS, in a way that makes it easier. Finally, we moved on to a counter steering exercise and that concluded the day.
Take aways - I was under the impression that I'll buy the bike the one day and start riding to work the next. This opened up my eyes to realise that there is a lot of practicing to be done first, and I'll probably take a month after buying the bike to practice some more of these techniques.
Through every exercise, there was two instructors helping us, guiding us and reminding us to keep our eyes up. They were watching your clutch hand, your rear braking and front braking. Overall, they were fantastic.
TL;DR - I am not sure how anyone starts riding on the road without having done something similar. The course is awesome, and by the end of the day, I was confidant enough in my own skills, but also aware of my shortcomings so I know there is a lot of work. Well worth the money!
Feel free to ask any questions.
*disclaimer, I might've missed some stuff here and there, but I'm confident I have the gist of it written down.
No. Since they switched to the G310R's they don't bring other demo bikes - barring the 250K R1200GS the instructor was riding.
My wrists are still shot. More so on the throttle side
ahh, you learned on the 310s? Nice!
I did the course on some crappy chinese 250s... but I did get to try out an F800R and I got to ride his GS too
Awesome little bikes. 
My opinion is the same even for cars.
At least with a car you have to have a responsible driver with you...
Kind of meaningless though and a big assumption.
BMW Motorrad Novice course write-up
So, I went to the novice course over the weekend. This was my experience as someone who, until this weekend, had never ridden a motorcycle before.
The course started at 08:30ish and we went all the way to 16:30 - it included about 40minutes at around 12:00 for a nice lunch, including a pudding.
We were 5 people on the course starting out, there was a couple that took the course as a "failed" date, as the boyfriend never told the GF what they were doing and apparently she is deathly afraid of anything with two wheels - they left after lunch, so we were 3 by the end of the course.
The day started with some theory, basically, where and what controls there are, the effect they have on the bike and importantly, what NOT to do. This lasted about 15 minutes, so avoided boredom. Then we all got fitted in BMW supplied gloves, jackets and helmets, and moved to the motorcycles. They had 4 of the new G310R cycles available, and the latecomers - the couple - had to use one of their older Yamaha 250's - so arrive early if you plan on doing this course.
They had us holding the bike on its balance point moving around the bike and changing our grip on it several times, just so you can see that the bike wants to stay upright. After this, we had an explanation of the start-up process, how to mount the bike, where the kill switch is, the different ways to switch it off etc. then, with the bike started, we walked it by having the clutch in the friction zone - uphill - so you can't BS your way through it. And playing with the front brake. Back down to where we started and we mounted the bikes, put them in first and basically repeated the exercise but riding on the bikes this time.
Once that was finished, we were told to change gears and given a short loop to ride, basically, changing from 1st to 2nd the whole time, whilst getting a feel for the front brakes. The next exercise was pulling away on an uphill - what a bitch
First post lunch exercise was another outride through the track area, just to get everyone re-acquainted. Then we started with slow control and maneuvers - trying to go through cones placed way too close together, whilst dragging the rear brake and keeping the engine revs a little higher, looping around and coming back trying again. From there we moved on emergency braking - which was interesting, to get your confidence levels up, after which we got showed how to pick up a 1200GS, in a way that makes it easier. Finally, we moved on to a counter steering exercise and that concluded the day.
Take aways - I was under the impression that I'll buy the bike the one day and start riding to work the next. This opened up my eyes to realise that there is a lot of practicing to be done first, and I'll probably take a month after buying the bike to practice some more of these techniques.
Through every exercise, there was two instructors helping us, guiding us and reminding us to keep our eyes up. They were watching your clutch hand, your rear braking and front braking. Overall, they were fantastic.
TL;DR - I am not sure how anyone starts riding on the road without having done something similar. The course is awesome, and by the end of the day, I was confidant enough in my own skills, but also aware of my shortcomings so I know there is a lot of work. Well worth the money!
Feel free to ask any questions.
*disclaimer, I might've missed some stuff here and there, but I'm confident I have the gist of it written down.
BMW Motorrad Novice course write-up
So, I went to the novice course over the weekend. This was my experience as someone who, until this weekend, had never ridden a motorcycle before.
The course started at 08:30ish and we went all the way to 16:30 - it included about 40minutes at around 12:00 for a nice lunch, including a pudding.
We were 5 people on the course starting out, there was a couple that took the course as a "failed" date, as the boyfriend never told the GF what they were doing and apparently she is deathly afraid of anything with two wheels - they left after lunch, so we were 3 by the end of the course.
The day started with some theory, basically, where and what controls there are, the effect they have on the bike and importantly, what NOT to do. This lasted about 15 minutes, so avoided boredom. Then we all got fitted in BMW supplied gloves, jackets and helmets, and moved to the motorcycles. They had 4 of the new G310R cycles available, and the latecomers - the couple - had to use one of their older Yamaha 250's - so arrive early if you plan on doing this course.
They had us holding the bike on its balance point moving around the bike and changing our grip on it several times, just so you can see that the bike wants to stay upright. After this, we had an explanation of the start-up process, how to mount the bike, where the kill switch is, the different ways to switch it off etc. then, with the bike started, we walked it by having the clutch in the friction zone - uphill - so you can't BS your way through it. And playing with the front brake. Back down to where we started and we mounted the bikes, put them in first and basically repeated the exercise but riding on the bikes this time.
Once that was finished, we were told to change gears and given a short loop to ride, basically, changing from 1st to 2nd the whole time, whilst getting a feel for the front brakes. The next exercise was pulling away on an uphill - what a bitch
First post lunch exercise was another outride through the track area, just to get everyone re-acquainted. Then we started with slow control and maneuvers - trying to go through cones placed way too close together, whilst dragging the rear brake and keeping the engine revs a little higher, looping around and coming back trying again. From there we moved on emergency braking - which was interesting, to get your confidence levels up, after which we got showed how to pick up a 1200GS, in a way that makes it easier. Finally, we moved on to a counter steering exercise and that concluded the day.
Take aways - I was under the impression that I'll buy the bike the one day and start riding to work the next. This opened up my eyes to realise that there is a lot of practicing to be done first, and I'll probably take a month after buying the bike to practice some more of these techniques.
Through every exercise, there was two instructors helping us, guiding us and reminding us to keep our eyes up. They were watching your clutch hand, your rear braking and front braking. Overall, they were fantastic.
TL;DR - I am not sure how anyone starts riding on the road without having done something similar. The course is awesome, and by the end of the day, I was confidant enough in my own skills, but also aware of my shortcomings so I know there is a lot of work. Well worth the money!
Feel free to ask any questions.
*disclaimer, I might've missed some stuff here and there, but I'm confident I have the gist of it written down.
That's all lovely but doesn't fix the look.It's called "je ne sais quoi"
KTM 790 Duke. 105hp / 86nm from a 270 degree 790cc Ptwin. Weighing in at 169kg dry, Cornering ABS and all the other tech wizardry with the TFT screen for Cellphone integration etc.
a slipper clutch and “Motor Slip Regulation,”
These include tree preset riding modes, which include Sport (lowest intervention of electronics), Street, and Rain (maximum intervention.) Additionally, a customizable Track mode is available.Available as a additional mode that can run concurrently with the four main riding modes, Supermoto disables all restrictions to the rear, including traction control and ABS, allowing you to lock the rear wheel and slide around your favorite Supermoto circuit.
A comprehensive IMU-supported electronic package will be standard. Featuring lean-angle-detecting traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, as well as launch control, the new Duke has an electronics suite well above the status quo for its class.
Forget the clutch; an up-and-down quickshifter is standard equipment.
View attachment 506325
View attachment 506321
i.e imho Knockout punch in their first entro to the class.
That would make it about the only bike in that class with all the fancy electronics.It's called "je ne sais quoi"
KTM 790 Duke. 105hp / 86nm from a 270 degree 790cc Ptwin. Weighing in at 169kg dry, Cornering ABS and all the other tech wizardry with the TFT screen for Cellphone integration etc.
a slipper clutch and “Motor Slip Regulation,”
These include tree preset riding modes, which include Sport (lowest intervention of electronics), Street, and Rain (maximum intervention.) Additionally, a customizable Track mode is available.Available as a additional mode that can run concurrently with the four main riding modes, Supermoto disables all restrictions to the rear, including traction control and ABS, allowing you to lock the rear wheel and slide around your favorite Supermoto circuit.
A comprehensive IMU-supported electronic package will be standard. Featuring lean-angle-detecting traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, as well as launch control, the new Duke has an electronics suite well above the status quo for its class.
Forget the clutch; an up-and-down quickshifter is standard equipment.
View attachment 506325
View attachment 506321
i.e imho Knockout punch in their first entro to the class.
