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Learning the Ropes: My Adventure Motorcycle Training Experience

Updated: 7 days ago

One of the first things I realised after buying my adventure bike was that I had a lot to learn. Riding off-road isn’t just an extension of road riding—it’s a completely different skillset. I knew I needed proper training if I wanted to stay safe, build confidence, and actually enjoy the ride.


Luckily, there’s no shortage of training courses out there if you’re willing to look. A quick

search online revealed plenty of options, and I soon found myself enrolled in not one, but two courses that would lay the foundation for everything to come.


Getting Back in the Saddle: Road Skills Refresher


Since I hadn’t ridden anything larger than a 125cc motorcycle in years, I decided to ease

into it with a road skills refresher. I enrolled in a “Returning to Riding” course offered by

Stay Upright, a reputable training provider here in NSW, Australia.


This course was perfect for someone like me—and, as it turns out, for many others too.

Most of the riders were in their late 30s to 50s, all looking to rebuild their confidence and refine their technique.


The training was top-notch. We started with slow-speed manoeuvres and gradually worked our way up to higher-speed cornering and braking techniques. We even got to train on a small race track, which really brought everything together after a solid warm-up on the cones.


I walked away from that course not just feeling more comfortable on a motorcycle again, but genuinely excited about what lay ahead.


Into the Dirt: My First Adventure Riding Course


Me riding uphill during training

Next up was the big one—my first proper adventure riding course, again with Stay Upright. This was a beginner-level course tailored to riders like me who were brand new to off-road terrain. And wow, what a game-changer.


We covered the basics: hill starts on sand, balancing at slow speeds, advanced cone work, and—perhaps the most important skill of all—riding while standing up.


At first, it felt completely unnatural. Standing on the pegs while in motion? That felt like something only motocross pros did. But after some practice, it clicked. Now, I love it.

It offers control, visibility, and a whole new way to connect with the bike and terrain.


Me riding downhill during training

Embracing the Falls—and the Learning That Comes With Them


One truth about adventure riding: you will fall off. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Whether it’s stopping on an awkward camber or planting your boot into mud that looks grippier than it is, something will catch you out.


Thankfully, the training also covered techniques for picking up your bike safely—a skill you never think you’ll need until you absolutely do.


Beyond the techniques, one big takeaway was the importance of good gear. Boots, gloves, body armour, and especially adventure helmets all play a role in comfort and confidence on the trails.


The Unexpected Bonus: Better Road Skills


Something I didn’t expect was how much off-road training would improve my road riding. You become calmer when the bike moves underneath you—less panicked when a wheel loses traction or if you suddenly cross a painted line in the wet. It teaches you to trust your bike, your balance, and your reflexes.


Final Thought


If you're thinking about adventure riding, I can’t recommend training enough. It gave me the skills I needed—but more importantly, it gave me the confidence to actually enjoy the adventure.


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