BMW Off Road Skills is offering riders a final chance to try the thrilling HP2 Enduro for the remaining Day in the Dirt and Level 2 Off Road courses. After this year, the bikes will no longer be available for hire on the course.

BMW’s first production Off Road bikes for many years, the HP2 Enduro is one of the most fun and easy to ride bikes in the BMW range. Especially for those who have completed the Level One Course before, this bike will provide you with a great weekend of fun!

The bike has all the great features of the BMW 1200 GS, with off road  long travel suspension, more ground clearance and a specially designed frame for more off road enjoyment than almost any other bike.

Day in the Dirt:

This one day event focuses on applying and consolidating the knowledge and skills you have gained from your previous Off Road Skills Courses or allowing you to reiterate your skills prior to attending your next course.

Day in the Dirt runs in partnership with Level One and Level Two Off Roads Skills and is set in the stunning 4,000-acre Walters Arena in South Wales. Customers are guided around hills and trails by the team of experienced BMW Off Road Skills instructors. Small instructor led groups cater specifically for different levels of ability.

The BMW Off Road Skills team has developed a series of routes, graded on difficulty to provide you with the perfect mix of challenging riding and enjoyment, all done in a way that will cater for riders of every ability and can be adjusted to meet your needs.

For the full details of the Day in the Dirt click here…

Off Road Skills Level Two:

The Level Two Course is specifically designed for riders who have successfully completed the BMW Off Road Skills level One Advanced course and feel they are ready to bring their riding on.

Level Two focuses on refining and developing the skills gained on Level One with the outstanding team of instructors teaching further technical skills and making your riding more enjoyable!

For the full details of the Level 2 Course click here…

Dates and prices:

Day in the Dirt: 11 June, 01 August, 12 September and 10 October: £225

Off Roads Level Two: 12 and 13 July and 11 and 12 October: £449 (not inclusive of accommodation).

For further information please call the World of BMW customer service team on +44 (0)8000 131 282

Off Road Skills made its first appearance in Canada last weekend.

Simon and Linley were invited to Vancouver Island by Don and Natalie Hatton to be guest speaker at their newly acquired motorcyle dealership Duncan Motorsports.

Simon explained “Don and I first met at the UAE Desert Challenge in Dubai and then again in the 2009 Dakar. Don recently bought Duncan Motorsport, the shop he had undetaken his apprenticeship at more than 30 years ago. He phoned me and aasked if we would come over and do a show for his customers. Three days later Linley and I were on our way.”

On Saturday eve Don and Simon put on a great show swapping Dakar stories and playing video clips of them both racing and training to an appreciative audience. Don had his rally bike and support truck on display and both riders happily signed posters after the show.

The following morning was the first of two mini Off Road Skills courses where Simon and Linley taught a compressed version of their course to give the Canadians a small taste of the special style of Off Road Training for which their company has become famous for.

Simon said ” I was amazed by the ecclectic array of bikes that turned out and the passion with which Duncan’s customers wanted to learn. As well as the usual selection of BMW GS, we had everything from a Ural outfit to an XT 250, trials bikes enduro bikes trail bikes even one road bike. Half of the people were on road tyres and we had a great mix of men and women. Everyone was so keen it I can’t wait to go back and give them the full course!”

For a quick look at the 2 days check out the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVdil8aW7jk

The good old British summer is tantalisingly close and what better way to enjoy the season than to take advantage of the new BMW Off Road Skills courses that have just been added to 2009 calendar. Due to popular demand, Simon Pavey has added three new Adventure Maintenance courses – on 5 June, 14 July and 4 August – and a two-day Level One course on the 6-7 June, all based in the beautiful destination of South Wales.

The Adventure Maintenance course is new for 2009. It is all about learning the basic skills to maintaining a motorcycle while travelling. The course is “hands on” where participants will learn real skills to keep their bike en route while enjoying their own adventure holiday. It starts with what to look for when safety checking a bike and understanding the basics of your bike and goes on to include recovering from water crossings, fixing punctures, and much, much more giving you the chance to travel even further afield.

The ever-popular two-day Level One course has been booking up fast again in 2009 and to combat the demand Simon Pavey has added another date to the calendar, which will be the last chance for motorcyclists to get riding off-road in the summer.

The Level One BMW Off Road Skills course is open to anyone with a motorcycle licence and who is over 21 years of age. It is the perfect environment to learn to ride a motorcycle off-road for the first time, where the patient and impressively experienced instructors guide participants through a stage-by-stage learning programme to give them the best possible grounding to taking their own off-road adventure.

“Our enthusiasm for motorcycling shines through in every one of our instructors and Off Road Skills team,” said Chief Instructor, Simon Pavey. “We love everything about motorcycling and in particular off-road riding and we are constantly looking at ways to give our customers the best motorcycling experience they could wish for.

“The BMW Off Road Skills courses are where customers can learn the basics of riding off-road. Over the years we have developed our programme to give customers who have experienced the course more to look forward to. We now offer a Level Two and Three course and also riding experiences such as the Brecon Beacons Adventure and the Day In The Dirt, where participants can just enjoy riding and practising their skills.

“Now, more than ever, motorcyclists are finding their confidence to take their motorcycling experience abroad and that is why we have developed the Adventure Maintenance Course. We wanted to give these customers the added confidence that they can prepare their own bike for a journey and know how to fix their bike enroute.”

The one-day Adventure Maintenance Course costs £195 per person and included the use of Off Road Skills tools and equipment, as well as lunch and refreshments.The two-day Level One course is £449 per person, which includes two days of group instruction, motorcycle hire, third party insurance, fuel, two lunches and one evening meal, refreshments and a certificate of completion. Customers can choose to ride a BMW G 650 X Country, G 650 X-Challenge, F650 GS, F 800 GS or an R1200 GS.

To view the calender click here

For more information or to book, call the World of BMW on 08000 131 282

Simon on the Podium in Buenos Aires

Simon Pavey has secured his fifth Dakar Rally finish after reaching the finishers podium of the punishing 2009 Argentina – Chile Dakar Rally in Buenos Aires. The hardened Australian has raced his BMW G 650 Xchallenge across the deserts and over the mountains of South America to finish 68^th position overall.

“I am so pleased to get to the finish line,” said the elated World of BMW Off-Road Skills Chief Instructor. “It has been touch and go on some days, but it has all been worth it… to arrive here in Buenos Aires and cross the finishers podium.

“The South American version of the Dakar Rally has been different to the African version – the variety of terrain, landscapes, culture, the spectators and even how the bivouac is set up each night.

“I have really enjoyed the technical riding of this Rally. The combination of the terrain and my BMW G 650 Xchallenge have definately been the right choice for me for this event. It has given me the chance to ride further up the field and to keep out of trouble and to  achieve a Dakar finish.

“I have been completely overwhelmed by the South American people. Their love of motorsport is second to none. They have made this a special event for everyone involved.”

Simon will be back in the UK to teach motorcyclists to ride off road for the first time at the World of BMW Off-Road Skills courses in South Wales, starting in March 2009.