FEATURE - BMW Off-Road Training
Words and Photos: Phil Suriano and BMW
Adventure riding isn’t just about getting from point A to point B - it’s about control, confidence and unlocking the full potential of your bike. The better your skills, the smoother and safer your rides will be. And once you’ve got that control dialled in, you might even find yourself riding a little faster, too.

Regardless of whether you’re a complete novice or an experienced adventure rider, investing in training can pay off, enhancing every ride you take. And few do it better than BMW Off-Road Training. Established in 2003, and run by Chris Urquhart and Shane Booth since 2013, BMW Off-Road Training courses have become the go-to resource for owners of BMW’s legendary GS adventure bike that are looking to improve their skills and hone their riding technique.
Having ridden with Chris and Shane on multiple BMW GS Safaris, I’ve seen first-hand how their training and guidance can transform riders – rookies and long-time adventurers alike.

Following the Journey of a Novice
When my friend Tim purchased a new BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, I knew he’d benefit from some structured training, rather than “figuring it out” on the fly.
Tim had ridden dirt bikes on the family farm, so wasn’t completely new to motorcycles. But taming a 280kg BMW adventure bike and getting the most out of it? That was a whole different ball game. When I suggested he sign on for some skills training, he didn’t hesitate. Within 24 hours, Tim called me to say he’d booked himself in for a BMW Off-Road Training course. “Fantastic,” I said. Then came his next line: “Come with me.”
I thought following Tim on a course would be a fascinating case study - seeing first-hand how Shane, Chris and the team at BMW Off-Road Training work in making riders better and more confident. Taking complete novices from hesitant first steps to capably tackling serious off-road terrain on full-sized BMW adventure bikes was a story worth telling.

BMW Off-Road Training – Growth and Expansion
As mentioned, BMW have been offering GS-specific rider training in Australia for more than 20 years. When Shane and Chris took the reins just over a decade ago, they elevated the annual program from eight courses to sixteen in their first year alone. Today, this dynamic duo and their cadre of experienced rider trainers run thirty courses annually at locations all over Australia.
Current offerings under the BMW Off-Road Training program are as follows:
Adventure Skills (2 day) – Suitable for GS beginners through to experienced riders, this provides a solid foundation in off-road skills. (NOTE: A ladies only version of this course is also available)
Adventure Expert (2 day) – Taking adventure riding to the next level, riders build their skillset on more difficult terrain and learn correct techniques for cornering and riding over obstacles.
Adventure Refresher (1 day) - New for 2025, this course is for riders that have attended any Off- Road Training Course previously and would like a revision on skills learned.
Adventure Pro (2 day) – Designed for GS riders to stretch their comfort zone and galvanise their skill set, this high-level course is only run a couple of times a year.
Adventure Sand (1 day) – Whether its unexpected sand on a ride or a big trek in the dunes, this course teaches how to tackle sand with confidence and the correct technique.
Adventure Masterclass (4 day) – This is a ‘burger with the lot’ - containing elements from all courses rolled into one, plus an off-site half-day ride.
Adventure Train & Tour (4 day) – Combining the 2-day Adventure Skills course with a 2-day GS Tour, this allows you to sharpen your skills on the first two days, then partake in a fully supported 2-day tour to put those skills into practise.
Adventure Prep (1 day) – Get all you need to know on preparing your bike for adventure riding - putting together a tool kit, plugging a puncture, fixing a drowned bike and much, much more. (NOTE: no riding on this course)
All courses are for BMW GS owners only. For more details, go to: offroadtraining.com.au/courses/

BMWs at Bathurst
The Adventure Skills course that I attended with Tim was held just outside of Bathurst. We were provided with GPS co-ordinates to the training area, which was just as well, as the entry point was pretty non-descript and could have easily been missed.
We were about to turn onto a gravel road that rose into the hills when another rider arrived. Astride a showroom-fresh R 1250 GSA that gleamed in the morning sun, the newcomer’s riding gear was just as immaculate.
We introduced ourselves. His name was Luca, and he immediately commented on my battle-scarred bike: “You look like you’ve done a bit of off-road riding.” I smiled: “A little.” If only he knew!
Then Luca revealed something surprising; he had never ridden off-road before. In fact, the gravel road we were about to take would be his first experience on anything other than bitumen!
Arriving at the course area, a flat, open plateau surrounded by hills and with a few BMW-provided amenities on site, we were welcomed by our instructors - Shane, Craig and Aaron. Each brought a depth of experience, but more importantly, they understood how to tailor each day’s training (it’s a two-day course) to the differing skill levels of each participant. This ensured steady progression for everyone while keeping both days enjoyable and engaging.
Their key message: “Have fun. Remember why you bought a bike.”
In our small group, there were a few riders like Tim and Luca that were completely new to adventure riding. Others had years of experience but were looking to sharpen their skills. Even for seasoned adventure riders like myself, there was something to learn.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE - STEP BY STEP
The Adventure Skills course is structured to incrementally introduce new skills, ensuring riders gain confidence as their abilities grow.
First, riders are given a ‘walk around’ of the GS to understand balance, weight distribution and general feel. Next comes the all-important bike pickup technique. If you ride off-road, you’re going to drop your bike - it's inevitable. As such, knowing how to safely lift a heavy adventure bike like an R 1250 GSA is a skill that even experienced riders would do well to learn.
Correct techniques for maintaining a standing position on the bike came next - to build stability and control off-road. The instructors then demonstrated correct leg, waist, hip and arm positions when sitting – learning how to ride relaxed, fluid and adaptable, instead of stiff and tense (more on that later).

Drills in the Open Paddock
With the basics established, our group then cut some laps - riding standing up - around cones on a marked grass course. Thankfully, the open training area had no trees to dodge!
One common phrase from the trainers: “We don’t want you looking like a Lego man.”
A Lego man is stiff and locked onto the bike, unable to flow with its movement. Good off-road riding is about relaxation and adaptability.
Another phrase that came up frequently: “Do a Funky Chicken.” Originating from Miles Davis, the guru of BMW Off-Road Training who made the program what it is today, the Funky Chicken is all about resetting yourself on the bike - shaking out tension, loosening up and embracing a more natural riding posture.
I could see Tim start off ‘Lego’ and end up ‘Chicken’ after a few attempts, which showed that countering the bike’s movement for some manoeuvres and following it in others makes for safer and more controlled riding.

Controlling the Controls
To develop precision throttle and clutch control, running through a set of cone drills was the next step in our education.
Riding the initial set of straight-line cones reinforced controlled starts, stops and balance. Running the same cones in a slalom pattern followed, with the goal of improving throttle finesse. This was followed by braking control and making the GS’s inbuilt tech work for you.
With ABS now mandatory on all new motorcycles sold in Australia, and tech like traction control common on big adventure bikes like the GS, some may think this removes the need to learn braking control. Not so. Fundamentals still apply, with BMW Off-Road Training adapting them to suit the current rider-assistance technologies. The key word here is ‘assistance’. We’re not at the stage of autonomous bikes yet (and I don’t think any of us want to be), so while tech like ABS can help, it doesn’t replace human actions and control.
To maximise the ABS, riding modes and traction control, one of the most impressive drills we did involved front-wheel braking in a straight line. This allowed riders to experience first-hand how different riding modes can affect braking and traction. By switching between the GS’s ABS and traction control settings, Tim and the others could feel exactly how each mode impacted stopping distance and stability, giving them a real-world understanding of their bike’s technology.
This part of the course was a huge learning curve for Tim, and I must admit, was an eye-opener for me, too.

Tim’s Reflections – Lessons from the Course
As someone new to adventure riding, Tim came away from this two-day course with several key insights that have entirely reset his riding technique.
He learned that transitioning from bitumen to gravel requires a different approach to weight transfer. Instead of just flowing with the bike, Tim learned to move independently of it - shifting forward before accelerating, backward before braking and adjusting his weight placement differently in corners compared to bitumen riding.
In terms of standing vs sitting, Tim doubted that standing up could improve stability before the course. After the course, he realised that standing allowed him to anchor the bike beneath him like a kettlebell, making it more stable. Additionally, he found the enhanced visibility that comes when standing on the pegs provided more reaction time and better decision-making opportunities.
Tim, like many riders, had been told as a kid to never use a bike’s front brake on dirt, but the braking exercises on this course completely shattered that notion. Learning what he had been originally told to avoid, Tim now regards front brake modulation as a crucial part of how he rides his GS on loose surfaces.
Finally, a left field piece of education was what BMW call the ‘Energy Ticket Philosophy’. Adventure rides aren’t short commutes (if they are, you’re doing it wrong!), so Tim learned that riding smart, not hard, and preserving energy throughout the ride is just as important as technique. Through efficient movement, avoiding unnecessary fatigue and applying energy-saving strategies, Tim was enjoying the course at the end of the second day just as much as he was at the beginning of the first.
The learning process at BMW Off-Road Training – from unskilled to instinctive riding – follows a clear progression, taking riders through four steps:
1. Unconsciously unskilled – unaware of gaps in their ability.
2. Consciously unskilled – recognising their weaknesses and learning how to fix them.
3. Conscious application of skill – actively using what they’ve learned.
4. Unconscious application of skill – where technique becomes second nature.

Final Thoughts
Watching Tim, Luca and the other beginners gain confidence, refine their skills and transform their riding ability on the Adventure Skills course was incredible.
By the end of day two, those rookies (in the case of Luca, a complete rookie) were confidently climbing hills, descending steep slopes and manoeuvring around obstacles with control and ease. For me, witnessing that transformation was one of the most impressive things about this training course.
BMW Off-Road Training programs aren’t just about learning new techniques – they’re about unlocking the real potential of adventure riding. Whether you're preparing for a big GS Safari or one of the shorter and milder GS Tours run by BMW, or simply want to get more out of your GS, investing in your skills ensures a smoother, safer and more rewarding experience.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll arrive at a training session like Luca - with brand-new gear, an immaculate bike and zero off-road experience - only to leave riding like you've been doing it for years.
To find out more about BMW Off-Road Training courses, go to: offroadtraining.com.au