Adventure Motorcycle
Rider Training
INVEST IN YOURSELF
and unleash the thrills
of off-road riding
ADVENTURES
An Introduction to Adventure Motorcycling
If you’ve always dreamed of riding beyond the tar into wide open landscapes, gravel roads, mountain passes and remote back roads, but feel unsure about how to confidently handle your adventure motorcycle in these conditions, you’re not alone. For many riders, the biggest barrier isn’t the motorcycle. It’s confidence.
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You might be wondering:
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How do I handle a big adventure bike on loose surfaces?
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What rider gear do I actually need?
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Which tyres should I be using?
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What should I do with ABS and traction control when riding on gravel?
These are the exact questions we hear every day, and that’s why we’ve developed a one-day Introduction to Adventure Motorcycle Training course, designed specifically to help riders build confidence, control, and real-world riding skills on their own motorcycles.
Our rider training follows a structured curriculum aligned with the South African Adventure Industry Association, ensuring a professionally delivered and properly accredited standard of training.
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This is comprehensive adventure motorcycle training that combines both theoretical knowledge and practical riding skills, all focused on real-world adventure riding.
In one structured and supportive day, you’ll learn the core techniques needed to safely and confidently ride your adventure bike on gravel roads and varied terrain, without pressure and at your own pace.
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At Motorrad Adventures, we welcome riders on all brands of adventure motorcycles, and our training is built around universal riding principles that apply to every bike.
So, what are you waiting for? Your bike can’t come without you. Reserve your spot now so you don't miss out on the opportunity to take your adventure riding skills and confidence to new heights...
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Where do I do my Adventure Bike Training?
And what will I Learn?
Our adventure motorcycle training takes place at our exclusive venue in Honeydew, Johannesburg, designed to provide a premium, focused environment for learning and developing real-world adventure riding skills.
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This purpose-built training environment offers everything you need to develop confidence and control in a safe, structured and professional setting.
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Your day begins in our interactive classroom, where we cover the theoretical foundations of adventure motorcycle riding. Here, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the key principles that underpin control, balance and confidence on loose surfaces.
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From there, the training moves onto the bike, and as the day progresses, you’ll be guided through a structured series of riding exercises that reflect real-world adventure motorcycle riding. You’ll begin with rider warm-ups and foundational control skills, followed by slow riding, clutch and brake control, and emergency braking. From there, you’ll progress into manoeuvring techniques including tight turns on big adventure bikes, U-turns and low-speed control, before building confidence across a range of terrain such as ruts, rocky sections, corrugations and uneven surfaces. Light sand riding is also introduced to help develop confidence in one of the most challenging conditions for many adventure motorcycle riders.
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Each exercise is carefully structured to build on the previous one, ensuring steady progression and continuous improvement throughout the day.
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Our training facility is specifically designed to simulate the types of terrain you are likely to encounter when exploring South Africa and beyond on your adventure motorcycle. This ensures that the skills you learn are directly transferable to real-world riding, whether you're planning a weekend ride, a multi-day tour, or a full adventure journey.
Our Training Course is Built for Real-World Adventure Motorcycle Riding...
Every element of this course is designed to ensure that the skills you learn can be directly applied to real-world riding.
Whether you're planning to ride gravel roads, explore backcountry routes, or take on multi-day adventure tours, this training gives you the foundation to ride your adventure motorcycle with confidence and control.
Theory Module
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In the classroom, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the key principles that underpin safe and effective adventure motorcycle riding, including:
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Setting up your motorcycle correctly for adventure riding
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Understanding body position, balance and rider input on an adventure motorcycle
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Tyre choice and correct tyre pressures for varying terrain
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Selecting the right rider gear for comfort, protection and control
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Motorcycle protection and essential equipment
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Packing your adventure motorcycle for day rides and longer trips
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Understanding ABS, traction control and rider modes
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Adventure motorcycle riding etiquette
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This theoretical foundation ensures you understand not just what to do, but why it works in real-world riding conditions.
Practical Training
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On the bike, you’ll work through a structured progression of exercises designed to build skill, confidence and control:
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Foundational Control Skills
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Rider warm-ups and balance development
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Clutch control and slow riding techniques
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Controlled braking and emergency stopping on loose surfaces
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Low-Speed Control and Manoeuvring
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Tight turns on big adventure bikes
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U-turns and low-speed control
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Maintaining balance in technical and slow-speed situations
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Real-World Adventure Motorcycle Riding Techniques
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Correct body positioning and weighting of the footpegs
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Riding ruts and uneven terrain
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Navigating rocky sections with control
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Managing corrugations and changing surfaces
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Light sand riding to build confidence in challenging conditions
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Essential Recovery Skills
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Safe and effective techniques for lifting a fallen motorcycle
Who Is This Adventure Motorcycle Training Course For?
This adventure motorcycle training course is designed for riders of all experience levels who want to build confidence, improve control and safely develop their skills on a big adventure bike.
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Our training is delivered in line with recognised adventure motorcycle training standards in South Africa through SAAIA, ensuring you receive a structured, professional and consistent approach to rider development.
​This course is for you if:​
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You’ve never ridden your adventure motorcycle on gravel roads and want to learn how to confidently ride a big adventure bike off-road
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You’re unsure what rider gear to buy and want to understand what gear you actually need before investing in the wrong equipment
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You’ve ridden on gravel or loose surfaces before, but want to improve your confidence and control
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You want to learn proper adventure motorcycle riding techniques for real-world conditions, not just guess your way through it
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You struggle with slow-speed control, balance, or tight turns on a big adventure bike
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You haven’t done any formal adventure motorcycle training and want to refresh your skills in a structured, professional training environment aligned with recognised industry standards
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You’re preparing for a trip and want to feel confident riding gravel roads in South Africa or beyond
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You want to become a safer, more skilled and more confident adventure motorcycle rider
You don’t need any prior off-road riding experience. If you can ride your motorcycle on the road, this course will give you the skills and confidence to take your riding further — onto gravel roads, backcountry routes and real adventure motorcycle riding terrain.
About your Coach
Tim Skelton has ten years of experience in adventure motorcycle skills training and touring. He is an avid explorer, adventurer, and coach and has been planning and guiding motorcycle adventure tours since 2011.
Adventure bike training for ladies
He holds a FGASA level 2 field guide certification, ILS medic certification and has been qualified as an off-road coach and trainer by various adventure motorcycle manufacturers. In addition, he has led tours in South America, Australia, and Tasmania. Tim has also arranged and supported tours for adventurer Charley Boorman on his African and South American expeditions, serving as a medic, mechanic, sweep, and lead rider.
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Tim's favourite words of wisdom in the field are:
“Nothing is as hard as what you’ve already done.”​
Our Group Training Courses
Our adventure motorcycle training course runs from 8:00 AM to approximately 4:30 PM and takes place at our adventure bike training facility just northwest of Johannesburg, Gauteng.
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Each course is limited to 10 motorcycles per session, ensuring every rider receives individual guidance, plenty of hands-on practice, and personalised coaching from our experienced instructors.
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We welcome all riders—male and female, beginner to advanced, and keep the pace relaxed, with regular breaks for rest and refreshments. Our focus is on safe, confidence-building skills, not pushing riders or bikes beyond their limits.
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Cost of our rider training course:
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R 1 499 per rider for the full-day course
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R 399 extra if you’re riding with a pillion passenger
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Available training course dates:
Upcoming course dates are listed in the booking form. Please check for the next available slot and secure your place early, as spots fill up fast.
How do I book my Adventure Motorcycle Training?
Booking your adventure motorcycle rider training with Motorrad Adventures is simple and secure.
Whether you're a beginner or looking to sharpen your off-road skills, you can easily reserve your spot online through our online training course booking portal.
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The booking form displays all current training dates. Once we receive your completed form and online payment, you'll receive a confirmation email with all the important details for your training day, including start times, location, and what to bring.
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If you're booking this course as a gift for another rider, simply select the gift voucher option on the form, and we’ll send a personalised voucher via email.
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Please note: All adventure motorcycle training is conducted using your own bike. Our training courses accommodate all adventure and dual-purpose motorcycles, including BMW GS, KTM, Triumph Tiger, Yamaha Ténéré, Honda Africa Twin, Suzuki V-Strom, Kawasaki KLR, Husqvarna Norden, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Ducati DesertX, and the Harley-Davidson Pan America.
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Motorrad Adventures is proud to be the official rider training partner for Harley-Davidson Gold Rand, Mzansi and Royal Enfield, accredited to provide off-road training for the Himalayan and Pan America to the highest standards.
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👉 Have more questions?
Check out our full Frequently Asked Questions page, or drop us an email or WhatsApp message — we’re happy to help you get ready for your next adventure!
