BMW Motorcycle Rider Training Launches in South Carolina

For car owners that continue to wince at the gas pump, here's an idea. Forget about gentle acceleration and fuel-friendly driving-hop on a motorcycle. On two wheels, you'll likely be getting closer to 50 MPG, rather than an SUV's 15 MPG.

To hone their two-wheel skills, motorcyclists should check out the BMW Motorcycle Rider Training-offered now, for the first time ever in the U.S. at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Led by professional instructors and utilizing only BMW motorcycles, the new program offers BMW motorcycle owners and fans (at an intermediate motorcycle riding level) the chance to strengthen their riding skills on exclusive on- and off-road courses designed for year-round safety.

The new school will offer a range of classes that include time in the classroom, and of course, on the course and in the seat of various BMW motorcycle models, including the BMW R 1200 GS, F 650 GS, G 650 X challenge and G650 X country, or on the student's own BMW bike.

Interested? The following programs are currently available:
On-Road School: This one-day class lets students ride on the BMW Performance Driving School course for exercises including braking techniques, steering, accident avoidance, a slalom course, cornering styles, road hazard maneuvering and low-speed maneuvering. The on-road course also involves some dual-sport drills, which will help riders handle inevitable occurrences such as gravel or unpaved road.

Off-Road School: This one-day course is patterned after the curriculum at the BMW Enduro Park in Hechlingen, Germany, and is designed for the rider who is new to off-road riding or may already have experience but would like more training. Students experience the BMW Performance Center's off-road course with surfaces including dirt, gravel and grass, and focus on exercises such as riding position, braking, slalom, stopping on a hill, recovery from a hill, hill climb and descent and riding ruts and logs. In addition, riders will do "Enduro-laps," which are lead-follow laps in which students follow instructors through a series of wooded trails or exercises in order to practice techniques they have learned.

On- and Off-Road School: This two-day program combines the experiences and skills learned at each of the one-day schools for a comprehensive training program. The first day is spent with the on-road curriculum while day two focuses on off-road training exercises.

Class costs range from $480 per day (for participants using their own BMW motorcycle) and rise up to $650 per day for participants renting a BMW motorcycle. BMW Performance Motorcycle Riding Program courses are recommended for those with intermediate riding experience, and all participants are required to wear full protective gear, including helmet, gloves, riding jacket, riding pants and boots that protect the ankles.
For more information, visit the BMW Performance Center website.

Read RTM's review of the BMW Performance Driving School.

Source: BMW