34 Spots Remain for ADV Training With Chris Birch

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Multiple enduro champion and Dakar finisher Chris Birch will provide adventure motorcycle training for the first time ever in America. (Say No To Slow/)

From R 1250 GS adventure bikes parked downtown at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to the launch of the Pan America by Harley-Davidson, the adventure motorcycle scene continues to show explosive growth.

The reason is simple: The bikes offer an upright riding position for all-day comfort, performance on par with superbikes from a decade ago, and the ability to venture off-road, though most riders don’t really ride their adventure motorcycles away from pavement.

And off-road is the key idea here. Most riding schools focus on asphalt, but more off-road programs are offered yearly, joining some of the popular schools such as RawHyde Adventures and Jimmy Lewis Off-Road Training.

And now Chris Birch, a notable name in the off-road segment, will coach stateside for the first time. Those involved in dual sports and serious off-road adventure riding have likely heard of Birch. Through his Say No To Slow school, the New Zealander has coached in over 30 countries since 2007. On the competitive side, Birch has won eight New Zealand Enduro Championships and multiple extreme enduro races, and has also finished the Dakar Rally.

Throughout August and October, Birch will provide Say No To Slow schooling to a limited audience with the new Moto Adventure Tours business founded by USMCA Certified Dirt Bike and Street Bike coach Mike Zappone. Moto ADV Tours was in part created to help provide a place for Birch to organize his Say No To Slow curriculum here in the US, something Birch is looking forward to finally doing.

“I’ve done riding schools in over 30 countries, and I’m so pleased to be able to finally get to USA and to be able to answer the many requests we have from American riders,” Birch says. “I’m excited to work with Mike at Moto Adventure Tours to make these clinics happen.”

Chris Birch understands wheelies on larger ADV platforms. Advanced students will learn how to properly wheelie bigger adventure bikes during Birch’s Say No To Slow school here in America. (Say No To Slow/)

The USA riding schools will run August through October, offering a total of nine classes spread across two venues: KTM World/Highland Park Resort in Cedartown, Georgia, and Jorgensen Powersports in Richfield, Utah.

But Moto ADV Tours says spots in the upcoming Georgia classes are limited—as of this writing, only 34 spots remain, spread out as follows:

• August 20–21: Advanced (15 spots open)
• August 24–25: Intermediate (three spots open)
• August 31–September 1: Intermediate (eight spots open)
• September 3–4: Advanced (eight spots open)

Moto Adventure Tours also says spots are filling quickly for the Utah schools, slated for September 21–22 (Intermediate); September 24–25 (Advanced); September 28–29 (Advanced); and October 1–2 (Intermediate).

Each clinic is limited to 15 riders. Birch says the smaller group size is because “a lot of common feedback I get from our customers is that they love the small group because there is an opportunity to ask questions and get help specifically where you are struggling, and I really enjoy getting to know the riders.”

For those wanting to do some personal riding with Birch on some local trails and roads around the venues, an optional extra day is available for both advanced and intermediate classes.

What should you sign up for? Here’s the criteria rundown for each directly from Moto ADV Tour:

Intermediate Rider:

• You are interested in riding gravel roads, 4WD tracks, and easier off-road tracks. You have some experience doing this style of riding and would rather not ride a difficult single-track.
• You can comfortably ride a motorcycle for several hours at a time.
• You have a desire to learn the skills to handle more difficult terrain and to gain confidence and efficiency.
• You can stand up on the bike and ride at walking speed while using the clutch to control your speed. You can stand while riding and make a U-turn on a single-lane, 12-foot-wide road.
• You are comfortable riding in a group situation.

Advanced Rider:

• You have several years of experience on gravel and 4x4 trails along with some single-track, riding gravel roads, 4WD tracks, and light off-road tracks on your adventure bike. You can comfortably ride a motorcycle on dirt roads and tracks for several hours at a time.
• You can cross a 1-foot log without stopping or stress. You have a desire to learn the skills to ride more challenging terrain, rocks, and other obstacles. You want to learn how to ride more difficult off-road terrain and push your adventures further safely and efficiently. Obstacles like log crossings, rocks, and hills are what you are into.
• If you have a low-speed crash/tip-over, that doesn’t bother you too much; you look at scratches on the bike as part of the sport. You can pick up your own bike comfortably.
• You can perform a standing, 180-degree turn on a single-lane road.
• You are comfortable riding in a group situation.

We’ll be covering the advanced course in late August, so stay clicked on Cycle World for a review.

For other information, including booking and pricing, visit Moto ADV Tours.

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