We are returning clients at Rawhyde Castaic, we came back because of their excellent training program, their fantastic service and the great camaraderie we have yet to find anywhere else. We took the Intro Plus this time and were challenged to expand our off-road riding skills. This 120 acre terrain offers a unique opportunity for lots of skill options with loose sand, gravel, large hills, ruts and grooves, obstacles and much more. Their coaches have years of experience. The staff is knowledgeable and accommodating, the Chef is top notch. The training camp is all inclusive. Will we be back? Absolutely! Once you have gone through the program you become part of a new family and you are always welcome whether it's for more training (private or in group) or just a visit to say hi. You can bring your own bike or rent one of their latest edition BMW GS or GSA, with an option to purchase one that includes many incentives. We purchased our BMW 1250 GS 2 years ago after our intro class and have been hooked ever since traveling across the US and Canada. If you aspire to the exciting lifestyle of adventure motorcycle travel particularly on the BMW GS series motorcycle, enroll in the Rawhyde adventure training program so you are then prepared for incredible opportunities. read more

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Spot on company!!! Everyone and everything was top notch with Raw Hyde Adventure (CA location 10/2024. The entire staff was amazing!! The coaches (JJ, Mark & Bill) held the group motivated even during a heat wave and kept us learning in rough conditions. The chefs were putting out mind blowing food and mechanic was amazing as I brought my own bike and had to remove items. WENDY is the glue with her love and energy is mind blowing!!!!! Coming with zero experience of off road I walked away 3 days later with such information to go protective and hit the BLM lands!!! Jim Hyde is running an amazing training facility! Such a great and fun group of happy and experienced employees..... it's truly a family. read more

RAWHYDE Moto Adventures - Graduation - Motorcycle Rental Near Me

Last month did the Best of the West Road to Riches tour with RawHyde. I have 15 +years of road riding experience, just a little off road. This tour challenged me in many ways- serious dirt riding, long days in the saddle, more heat than was hoping for, intense mountain riding road and dirt. I was up for it. It was phenomenal, fantastic, truly worth more than I could put a dollar figure on. Ride leadership from JJ and Stefano was strong. Support Van, lunches, and happy hours by Barry were right on time. Really enjoyed conversations with staff and my co-riders. Epic. If you're on the fence, do it. read more

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If you are in need of adventure motorcycle training, look no further. Rawhyde Adventures is the premier training facility focused on providing their clients with a unique training environment in the beautiful Colorado mountains and at their desert facility Northeast of Las Angeles. Don't have a motorcycle yet, no problem they have a large selection of BMW GS and GSA motorcycles you can train on. The time I spent at Rawhyde I found the staff to be super friendly and accommodating, their in-house chef cooked amazing food everyday and your every need provided for. Rawhyde's coaching staff are some of the best trainers in the world and you will quickly improve your riding skills and build your confidence in the short time you are there. Family owned and operated you immediately feel at home and part of the Rawhyde family. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had and I am very much looking forward to returning in the near future! read more

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RawHyde Two-Year Review 40 days. 40 days out of the last 730 are the number of days I've trained/toured with RawHyde. Additionally, I've purchased three motorcycles from them. 730 days ago I really didn't know how to ride my GSA (or the GS which I'd owned for 11-years) in the dirt. Riding in the dirt for me had been on an improved logging road or my driveway. Fast forward through Pre-Training (x2), Intro to Adventure, Baja Tour, Intro Plus, Private Training (x3), Next Step (x3), Expedition CV, and Continental Divide Ride - now I'm a confident capable rider in the dirt AND I'm not done training with RawHyde. Riding a motorcycle did not come "easy" for me at all. However, the RawHyde Staff, especially Coach Eric Sachs, has assisted me in getting ready to tour The Americas on my GSA. The cost of training was worth every single cent I spent and much more. Prices for training at RawHyde are criminally underpriced for the value - quality of training and the amenities included in the price, which no doubt are overlooked. I'm eager for the new Level 5 Class to be introduced and want to be in the Inaugural Class. RawHyde is a top notch organization with very high quality coaches worthy of your precious time and hard earned dollar. - Will Parker Professional educator and small business owner read more

I do not write reviews often, and people's experiences will vary, but I attended the Intro to Adventure course at the Rawhyde Colorado training facility this summer (2024). I made it through the first full day of the two day training class but due to an injury I was unable to complete the second final day of the class. I am sharing some views and opinions which are, by their nature, my views alone and your experience may vary greatly. The pluses and the minuses of the Colorado Rawhyde Adventure Intro to Adventure class and my recommendations to Rawhyde. Positives: 1. The instructors are all highly capable and would be amazing for one on one training. I would seriously consider one on one personal training if I decide to return to Rawhyde in the future. 2. Everyone on the staff if very supportive and helpful 3. The Colorado location is beautiful and the Rawhyde facilities are comfortable (I was in a personal tent) but it's still camping. The food and the class was a very diverse group of motorcycle enthusiasts. Negatives: 1. The roads up to the training facility is dirt (about 30 minutes of riding up there from the main road), and the last half mile or so is up through what can only be described as a difficult up hill rock garden of boulders, a LOT of rocks, and some sand but it's the only way up to the facility. Here's the problem: (a) a new student with zero off road experience and no training for the Intro class needs to get up through and navigate the dirt roads to get to this last very challenging stretch of rocks strewn uphill before getting even the first bit of training. This is frankly a bit absurd for a new student. (b) during the two day class to get from the training facility to the areas where the training is done, students must go down this boulder/rock road in the morning, back up for lunch, back down for the afternoon session then back up in the evening to camp. Sounds like a lot of great practice but here is the problem - it's dangerous - many students fall and some had serious injuries (e.g. torn ACL for one student that first day and in my case a sprained MCL after a fall going up the rock garden road after a long day training and being exhausted). 2. In my class we had about 20 students as I recall and while the instructors are excellent, the falls were so common (and also the reasons for the falls so varied) that it was not possible for the instructors to be close by to assist quickly in many cases. They did their best. Thoughts for Rawhyde in Colorado to consider: Clear the boulders and rocks off that last half mile of uphill road to the camp. For new riders it is dangerous particularly after a long day training, being tired and then just wanting to get back to camp, have a shower, drink and dinner. That's what happened to me. I had no falls all day training in both dual and the single track until the last run in the evening back to camp (last run is the most dangerous like in skiing right?). Broke my right thumb and sprained and tore a portion of my right MCL in my knee ending my ability to do the second day. However, there were a LOT of falls of other students during the day both on that rock garden last half mile and elsewhere. Most had no or minor injuries, some were more serious. For a large class of 15-20 students, a lot of training is packed into two days and it's great training. I am still recovering from my injuries and it was very disappointing to not be able to complete the class due to injuries at the end of the first day. The student who tore his ACL that same day will be recovering a lot longer than me. Would I do it again? Yes, but only in a very small group or one on one personal training. Again, the instructors were great. Also, one last point as I feel as a lawyer to at least mention that while each student at the Colorado classes must sign a comprehensive waiver/disclaimer of any liability for injuries during the training - a new student who is injured going up that rock garden road just to get to the training class who has not yet signed that waiver could well argue that it is negligent require a new student to navigate that unnecessarily dangerous road with no training. I have no issue with a difficult road as part of the class (maybe the second day after training) but just by the shear number of falls/drops by students and the injuries incurred by myself and others (in my class alone) it's clear that access road to/from the training camp needs to be made safer. I got a tremendous amount out of the first day until getting injured at the end of the day on the last run. I wish I could have finished the second day but that was not to be. In summary, great training but it could be even better and with fewer injuries to new students with just some focussed effort. read more

I just had my first ADV motorcycle training and Adventure Days at Rawhyde this past weekend. The instruction is excellent from very qualified and experienced instructors. The GPX ride routes they provided were varied, easily matched my abilities and offered short, medium, and long rides based on what we wanted to do and see. The meals provided, breakfast, lunch and dinner were delicious and had plenty. Jim Hyde and his wife are very committed, fun and happy people who are passionate about community and safe ADV riding! I'll def be back for future events and training for sure! read more

I cannot say enough good things about Rawhyde. I do not generally submit reviews but my recent experience at Rawyhyde in Castaic warrants a 5-star review. I attended the Level 3 Next step clinic, the first of this 2022 Season. On the Friday morning prior I added on the Nomenclature clinic to familiarize myself with the new '22 1250GS I would be renting for the weekend. It was a comprehensive walkabout of all the controls and systems on the bike, which helped me understand how to get the most out of the machine Over the weekend. The entire staff at Rawhyde are exceptionally qualified. They are heavily vetted Veterans of the business individually selected by Jim Hyde, who has tailored an incredible group of dedicated souls to coach and administrate the Rawhyde operation, which is extensive. Chris Zurn is one of the senior Coaches who led the Nomenclature class, and then the Pre-Ride Clinic for the 4-5 hours after lunch. I HIGHLY recommend adding this clinic to your curriculum. It is a quick hit on all the drills you will encounter in the Intro & Intro+ clinics. It is a perfect way to bang off some rust and get the jitters out & familiarize yourself with what's to come, then sleep on it all before beginning your official training on Saturday. Friday felt like a full day so I consider it extremely HIGH value for money, and it got me super pumped about the weekend. Eric Sachs was my Instructor for Next Step. Eric crushed it. Highly professional, Patient and experienced. The curriculum in all the classes is very progressive, so each drill builds into the next. In Next step we did some great property rides before starting the next exercise which was a great way to solidify what we'd just learned, and loosen up for the next challenge. And Next Step was challenging! As it progresses there are even some aspects that are completely optional. If you're feeling good, Go For It! If you're a bit wiped from the exercise, No Problem! No pressure. I found the small group size extremely supportive, there were no egos. Just fun, fun, fun. Regarding safety and progression, safety is always first. Each exercise or trail ride was explained then demonstrated by the instructor. There were short lightweight riders, male & female up to big guys. Everyone has their unique learning curve and I was really impressed how the curriculum accommodated all shapes, sizes & abilities. Everyone helped and encouraged each other. We learned protocol on who helps a fellow rider if they dump the bike. There was no shame in that, it showed you were learning which is the goal. The vibe of the class completely supports that. At the end of a training weekend you have the option to add on the Base Camp Alpha 2-day tour out into Mojave. Also exceptionally HIGH value as it packs everything you just trained for into a real off road trip. But it also incorporates some Road riding, so there is more to learn and brush up on with riding in a pack safely. BCA spends the Monday night out at RawHyde's new Mojave outpost called 'Zackar'. Super fun and picturesque in it's Mad Max sort of vibe. Hot showers, heated twin beds, hooks for your gear, bar, mess hall, fire pit... everything you need. And in typical RawHyde fashion, professionally supported by excellent crew who haul your gear out there by truck, and keep you fed and organized, so all you have to do is RIDE!! I will certainly be back as soon as possible. I'm still buzzing about it all several days later. It was the most fun I've had in many years. THANK YOU to all the incredible crew who make it happen. The wonderful Rob Glass who will talk you in on all the registration and questions etc. but also join you in some of the classes and help lead the trips. John Stillman, Bill Langford, Mike, Matt, Hannah, Vivian, the cooks, the drivers, mechanics. You guys all ROCK! read more

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I just got home from a weekend in the dirt at RawHyde Adventures and I have a huge smile on my face! I am a retired police motor officer with extensive on road motorcycle experience and training. I bought a BMW R1200 GSA and love that bike. With all of my on-road experience, I found I was not comfortable in off-road situations, especially on a 550 lb bike. (I am a 5'6", 125 lb female). I decided to get well out of my comfort zone and take the Intro course. Dealing with the staff via e-mail and phone calls was always a pleasant experience. When I arrived and met the staff in person, everyone was extremely friendly and efficient. Owen and Andy were the Coaches for my group of 10 riders. We started out with simple riding in the standing position. The course progressed from somewhat simple skills to things I never thought I could do on a large motorcycle on a surface with very limited traction, i.e. mud, gravel and sand. The Coaches watched us gain skills and confidence and provided coaching when needed. Each skill was explained and demonstrated before we attempted it. Safety was always the first concern. Owen was great about watching the weather and being flexible with our schedule so we could get as much training in as possible before a storm hit. We finished our curriculum and had time to do some extra training on BMW GS motorcycle electronics. He showed me things about my motorcycle that not even the dealership knew about. He installed a chip to give me an extra riding suspension selection I didn't even know existed (Enduro PRO). I have to admit I was apprehensive about, not only riding in intimidating conditions, but also by being the only woman in both classes (especially after reading a review that suggested a misogynistic mindset there). While I would've preferred to see the women on staff on motorcycles rather than in the office or the kitchen, I never sensed any kind of negativity or prejudice. Expect two full days of training with three decent meals each day. There's free beer in the evening which makes for an awesome opportunity to recap your day with your fellow riders. Don't expect 5 star accommodations, you'll be one step above tent camping, unless you pay for a private room. It is an Adventure after all. I will be back to take the "Next Step" class and a tour or two with RawHyde. read more

I just took their intro course including their pre-training clinic; brought my own bike. I don't have enough good words for the quality of instruction as well as the overall quality of the experience. For context I have about 20k miles on a motorcycle and smidge of off-roading, none of it too pretty. Value: I don't know any better but I'm pretty sure the instructors are as good as it gets, so you're getting quality guidance. Their advice genuinely works and to me that's worth real money. I didn't feel nickel-and-dimed, the food was terrific, there were always snacks, the facilities did not feel cheap. People: Some of the nicest people I've interacted with in recent memory. I think the people that had the best experiences were the most at peace with the learning process, and that was pretty much everybody. The coaches and staff are considerate of everyone's skill levels/personalities and work with the groups very effectively to make the most of the time. The bikes: Wow, these guys do not skimp on the rental bikes. Raw Hyde's wrench is a real nice guy that knows his way around the machines. You won't get a bad one. I recommend bringing your own bike if you can, no better thing than learning on your own machine. The grounds: Lots of nice trails, fun variety to the obstacles, yet nothing overtly dangerous. Every feature to navigate is explained to you and demonstrated for you before you attack it, so nothing is ever too intimidating. The surrounding area is beautiful and fairly remote but you're just 30 mins from civilization. Curriculum: Hat tip to Jim Hyde on this one, their curriculum is pretty well designed. I felt a little silly doing clutch exercises until I realized how much more effectively I could control my clutch on the dirt after the first day. Every step builds on the next quite well. Required skill level: Beginner. If you're anxious about getting started because you've never handled a big bike (or any bike) in the dirt, you will still learn. Be open about the difficulty of the experience and you will move forward. Some folks made genuinely inspiring progress over 3 short days. Overall: I am surprised by how much I learned. After this intro course I am now capable of critiquing my own form and growing at my own pace with some decent fundamentals. This course is no-nonsense: you will learn if you are open to the process and just have fun. Thanks kindly Rob, Mike, Bob, Matt, Mike, Jim, and the rest of the gang. Y'all have something special here. read more

I've always wanted to ride big bikes and see the world. However, there was always some reason (excuse) in the way. With several life milestones on the horizon, I decided to wait no longer. Knowing that most of my time would be on paved roads, I also didn't want to be limited. I figured that ADV skills would be more technical, more difficult thereby making me an overall safer rider. Heck, if life is going to throw the occasional curve-ball, why not practice hitting the curve! So, I started researching ADV training programs and facilities worldwide. There are lots of options out there. I'm sure all or many are excellent. BMW seemed to be at the epicenter of the ADV community and their training facility in SC is somewhat near my home. To be clear, in no way am I suggesting that there aren't other first rate facilities, operators - there are. So, why did I pick RawHyde's Intro to Adventure Class (April 2019)? (1) Owner/Operator - Jim Hyde. Jim, his family and his team are fully committed to making every aspect of your experience - excellent - better than expectations. (2) Facilities - They have their own facilities and have spent years developing the property specifically for ADV training. (3) Bikes to Rent - The bikes were newest year, brand new. They expected bikes to be dropped (which I certainly did) and didn't him me with a repair bill at the end of the weekend. (4) Reputation - Jim Hyde and RawHyde have an impeccable reputation. (5) Focus on Safety - As a noob, my limitations were many. I wanted to return home in one piece! (6) Sense of Community - Jim and the RawHyde team understand the personal nature of their business and the importance of making everyone feel like they are part of something - a community. (7) Training - Their facility is specifically designed for teaching. After a brief indoor discussion, we headed out and spent our time riding. Each lesson building upon skills learned. (8) Coaches - All the coaches were fantastic. We had three coaches for our 10 person Intro group. I really appreciated that the coaches showed us how we should be riding - not showing off their extraordinary skills. RawHyde could not have been a better experience. Whether you ride off-road or on-road - the skills learned at a place like RawHyde will only make you a better rider. read more

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Disneyland for adventure motorcycle riders. Took the Intro course and BCA tour. Do yourself a favor, if you want to learn to ride big adventure bikes off-road signup at RawHyde. The coaches and staff are awesome, and super customer focused. Attracts a great crowd of like minded motorcyclists willing to learn some new skills. Tremendous experience and I learned so much and gained a lot of confidence read more

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Here we go: What an amazing experience. Great course, awesome instructors and outstanding fellow classmates. I will be back for the next level course. I am a street bike rider, like most of my fellow course attendees. Perhaps not even very good at that, but still in one piece and I can differentiate the clutch from the tires. Street bike riders miss out on many backcountry adventures and beautiful vistas, hence I decided to buy a used BMW 1200GS and attend this course. What a great, educational experience! You can read their curriculum on their website, so I won't repeat it here. The Intro to Adventure course is appropriately named and tailored. It is not an intro to motorcycle riding. You better know how to ride and understand basic motorcycle physics, terminology and control. Otherwise, you will be a deer in a headlight. At no point I felt that the course or the coaches were condescending or explaining things at a level that was way too basic and every rider should know. It was focused on off-road motorcycle skills and control and was very well presented, based on a syllabus, not on personal opinions. If you don't understand something, you must ask. The coaches and the syllabus was amazing. The "academics" were all outside, mainly next to your own or rental bike. Short segments, followed by practice sessions. All using a building block methodology. Crawl, walk, run. Trust the awesome, experienced coaches and trust the motorcycle and you will be fine. You will be challenged! If you are riding your bike to the course or trailering one (like I did), be prepared for the adventure to begin as soon as you turn onto the private road leading up to the ranch. (This is in Castaic , CA. I am not familiar with the CO facility). The windy asphalt road is full of potholes and erosion. Actually, there is a sign stating that the adventure begins here and proceed with caution. The facility is great, but if you expect Four Seasons, you may want to rethink this entire adventure riding business. This is a ranch. Hot shower and a clean bed is provided with all the necessities. However, the food was amazing. Jim Hyde, the owner of the business has a philosophy regarding good food. There is an open bar, but again, no one will be mixing you a Manhattan with Luxardo cherries. Get your craft beer, whiskey, tequila or whatever and enjoy the company of your fellow riders and the coaches. Unfortunately, COVID-19 forced us to dine and drink outside. Jim, the coaches and the staff were serving us our meals and drinks. The meals are prepared by a chef and were outstanding. A few pointers: Use sunscreen and high SPF lip balm and reapply it on your face frequently. Use the insect repellent provided or you will be munched on by some prettily gnarly little flying things they call mosquitoes. Have a small backpack with water bladder and hydrate like crazy. I highly recommend diluted Gatorade to replenish the electrolytes that are lost while sweating due to heat, excitement and hard work. Also, have a few small snacks in your pocket or backpack, so you can munch while on short breaks or briefings and don't end up with a drop in blood sugar level, which can result in diminishing performance or worse. Thank you Jim Hyde, Coach Eric, Coach JJ, Coach Rob, Coach John, Coach Trevor and the staff of RawHyde Adventures for the great, unforgettable experience. You are awesome! Looking forward seeing you again soon. read more

RawHyde off-road ADV motorcycle training is SECOND TO NONE! I highly recommend the INTRO class I attended, especially for those whose motorcycle experience is limited to tarmac roads. The training is ESSENTIAL for riding off-road but also a huge confidence boost and skills enhancer for riding on-road as well (e.g. when encountering loose gravel or ridges in the tarmac). The off-road teaching (weight shifting outside the curve) feels counter-intuitive to start with but once you get familiar it works and is indispensable for the slow speed tight turns that are necessary off-road. The Intro class covers a gamut of valuable skills including tight hillside 180 turns, 360's, figure of 8, negotiating narrow tracks, steep uphill and downhill, front wheel skids, back wheel skids, hill starts, clutch mastery, deep sand riding, high bumps, pre-ride stretching, hydration, etc etc, and with GREAT friendly, encouraging and supportive atmosphere and awesome camaraderie and a lot of fun engendered for the class as a whole. You can bring your own bike of essentially any off-road compatible type or rent one of RawHyde's newish BMW R1250GS machines. Every motorcyclist should do the RawHyde Intro course early on in their cycling career, the earlier the better before other habits are too ingrained (it took me a day of riding to unlearn my established riding habits)! RawHyde provides definitive and highly professional motorcycle training for everyone at any skill level (even private tuition if you prefer). Just do it! read more

RAWHYDE Moto Adventures - RawHyde Castaic training center. All ADV bike welcome despite the BMW accreditation (I did the awesome Intro course on Harley PanAmerica). - Motorcycle Rental Near Me

When it comes to motorcycle schools, this one is on the top of the list. The equipment, the instruction, the meals are all top shelf! The lessons are broken down in to easily grasped modules, each building on the previous one. The student to instructor ratio is good, so if you have questions or need a demonstration, there opportunity is there. Even the motorcycle maintenance staff are ready to help. You get the impression that everyone is waiting to help. It's almost as if they would be disappointed if you didn't ask. The staff is with you at meal times to discuss what you ask. They have ample alternatives if the standard instruction isn't working for you. And if I didn't make it obvious above, the meals are superb. The bar is well stocked with soft drinks and adult beverages. There is a variety of sleeping accommodations, from barracks, to private, to family cabins. If you want, you can bring a camper. The overall program cost is on the higher end of the scale but you are getting the best in off-road motorcycle instruction available. In addition, there are optional pre- and post- course programs available if you chose to avail yourself. I took the pre-instruction on Friday and found it very helpful. read more

This isn't a training you Do, this is a full experience. I had some experience riding my 2011 r1200gs off-road. When it came time to upgrade, I bought a 2019 r1250gs from RawHyde. I just returned from their Intro to Adventure training course and can honestly say they are truly a first class operation. True, there wasn't a red carpet welcoming us students, but it would have gotten dirt on it anyway ;) Here is what I did experience: Buying a motorcycle from RawHyde could not have been easier. I contacted Leah who took the time to answer my call and questions while she was on her helmet com during a trip! I sent her an e-mail as she requested and she promptly followed up on her return. She and the mechanic picked out a bike for me and took clear pictures of it. Keep in mind, it was used for training. This was perfect since I did not want to scratch a new bike. It had 6000 miles on it and a few indications it had seen the course and an adventure (ok, a few scratches). Leah set me up with Owen at Long Beach BMW for the sale and we had an initial phone call and everything else was handled by e-mail and overnight mail. Owen knew the process well and made it supper easy. He even set me up with BMW financing and got a better rate than my local Credit Union could do. Everything was done in a short amount of time and the bike was ready to go! I coordinated with Leah and she picked me up from the airport and took me to RawHyde Ranch where I took possession. Again, it could not have been any easier. After arriving back home, I took the bike to my local BMW shop and they said the bike was in perfect working order, they could not find anything to do on it! After about a year on the 2019, and some time on the 2011 I decided it was time to take their training. Did I mention they give you a free training and tour when you buy a bike from them (a free set of tires too)? I just for back from the Intro to Adventure 'experience'. While I have already ridden more challenging trails than the intro covered, there was still a lot of great knowledge and skill development that I found very helpful. In other words, don't skip the Intro! Upon arrival to camp, I was early and waiting by the highway. A RawHyde van pulled up and said to come on it. I was greeted by the on-site mechanic who was casually perched on a GS. He looked over at the bike and said "one of mine?, I know my bikes ;)". You can tell he is passionate about his work. I then made it over to a couple others who arrived early and then Kelly found me and within a few minutes I was checked in and ready for the welcoming. I'm not going in to details because I think it is something everyone should experience on their own. I was happy to find a VERY comfortable bed. It was also fun to find out Owen who sold me the bike was a Sr. Trainer and pulled me in to his training group. Training was done very well. They clearly articulate and demonstrate the material. They move at the pace of the class and if a student is struggling, it either became a teachable moment for everyone or they were worked with one on one to avoid slowing the full class down. We enjoyed the victories and bonded over the failures. Yes, we all failed at some point, and celebrated those failures with fanfare! Every night, we came back together over great meals, shared stories of the days adventures and of life. We made new comrades and memories. I am leaving a lot out of this review intentionally. Everyone I met at RawHyde is committed to exceeding expectations and I can honestly say they exceeded every expectation I had. Now, go experience it for yourself! read more

Paid a lot of money for a dirt trail and single lane adventure tour thru central California to the coast and back. Got a few hours of off-road one day, very little two lane (mostly in dense fog) and the rest of the time, we were beatin' it on the highway to get to out next lodging on time on underpowered GS800's with combo tires....ugh!. The first night in a freezin' cold tent left me wondering about the future accommodations, but from thereon the hotels were great and as was the food and drink. The crew was very accommodating as well, but the route was just not well planned and left little time for true adventure. read more

I did their Continental Divide Tour this summer. I was one of 4 4x4s along with 10 bikes. It was a really great trip led by a really competent team. This is an adventure, no doubt about it. From camping in the red desert with nothing but a HomeDepot bucket for a toilet, to starting at 8:30 in the morning and going until 6:30 or 7pm at night, it was an endurance test for me an my son. And you really to spend 75% of your time on dirt roads. And all are in good shape, we did not engage the four wheel drive the entire trip - maybe next time. I was a bit of a pain in the ass about what I wanted out of the trip, and I have to say that Hawk, our leader (yes, his name is Hawk) went to great lengths to accommodate my wants. I was able to run the way I wanted to run and it really made a big difference in our ability to enjoy the trip. We had so much fun that we are planning on going back in 3 years when my son is 16 and doing it again. read more

I have been blessed with the time and money to take lessons and some optional rides with RawHyde since 2010. I was put in touch with them as an adventure riding course through the Edelweiss Tour Group. I joke with my friends that since riding motorcycles on pavement got too easy and boring, I decided to amp up the risk by trying to ride on sand, gravel and large rocks! Not Easy at all! The instructors at Rawhyde are genuinely nice and patient people. Various levels and programs are available to the rider as you progress in skill level. Throughout the year exotic rides through the "backroads" of the country and even other countries are available to those with the time and cheddar. These trips are typically on unknown roads, truly "off the map". A lot of times fancy four wheel vehicles are deemed necessary to navigate the roads that these BMW motorcycles gallop up like nimble goats. Many of these roads are near abandoned as paved roads are available to circumnavigate ghost towns and deserts that really bring out the young boy in me. Not for everybody, but that's exactly the point! It's for the adventure-hearted and for those with an open capacity & willingness to learn new skills that will open new doors to an old world. read more

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Had a great weekend at Rawhyde. I now feel comfortable off road on my Triumph Tiger. I learned my limitations as well as my bike limitations. The coaches are great as well as the ambiance and food. I look forward on returning. I highly recommend riding a BMW 1200 at this class. If you don't have one, rent one from them. read more

Just getting back into motorcycling and looking for an adventure. This place is the real deal, as legit as they come. They are the Official BMW Off-Road Motorcycle Riding Academy as well as an Off-Road Motorcycle Tour company, specializing in adventure motorcycling training. This is not dirt-biking for middle-aged folks who think they are 20; just a first-class school designed to teach the skills needed to handle a much larger BMW motorcycle (650-1200cc) in a controlled manner. Even someone who rides mostly on pavement will benefit from this instruction, as everyone encounters sand and gravel at times. I took the Fri-Sun Intro class and got to be a much better rider just in that short span. I then took the optional two-day Base Camp Alpha experience, riding out to Death Valley, thru surrounding mountains, visiting abandoned silver mines, seeing the pinnacles at Trona. It was really a life-changing 5 days, and Jim Hyde is to be commended for filling this vital niche in motorcycle training and tours. Here is why I think so highly of his business: 1. Top-notch instructors - Shawn was our principle instructor and was fantastic, making what could be stressful a really fun experience with laughter. 2 of our 4 coaches were CHP so that was pretty cool. 2. Instruction format - 2 coaches for 12 riders, each exercise explained, then demo'd, then trialed. We were taught how to lift our bikes solo and with assist, as they DO fall during the weekend, almost always at very low speed. Mine fell 5 times, each time I just stepped off it and let the bike hit the ground, I stayed standing. Each exercise pushes your envelope just a little more, building confidence and skills gradually. No demoralizing quantum leaps. 3. Accommodations - Just 30 min N of Burbank near I-5, the ranch where instruction occurs is beautiful. Big tent setup with own sleeping cubby and electric blanket! Hot/cold runnning water 4. Food - Jim's philosophy is that life is too short to eat bad food. So he has two very good chefs preparing salmon/rice/asparagus, turkey/mashed potatoes, and steak/potatoes au gratin for dinner. Breakfast/lunch also included. 5. Dakar Bar - Open bar, grab whatever drink, hard or soft, that fits your fancy. A great opportunity at the end of the day to chill with new friends and relax after a hot shower. 6. Base Camp Alpha - Technically optional and can be done separately, but highly recommended. This really puts the learning into practice. Often easier than the training because not being asked to keep a 500lb bike upright at 1 mph! But gorgeous scenery and some good technical stuff: sand, slopes, rutted trail, hills. Plus the chef comes with! 7. Fellowship/Camaraderie - I figured this would be a part of the trip but didn't appreciate how big a part. In this semi-stressful environment where everyone is being pushed, is helping each other and getting hot and tired, the bonds grow quickly. Sitting in the bar at night or around the campfire with a cold one, the laughter is easy and friendships develop. 8. Demographics - there were 2 women and 18 men on my Base camp trip. I've heard Jim has occasionally done an all-women class, but have to say that it was not like a frat party out there at all. Everyone was focused on the instruction in the daytime and was concerned enough about the next day's ride to get a good night's sleep. Mostly men age 40-60 with a little extra cash to spend to develop a new pursuit. 9. Massage - Jim thought of everything. He has a masseuse come Sat and sometimes Sun evening to work away the soreness, and you will be sore! I was tense, sore, tired and have to say it was the best massage I've ever had. She is uber-professional and quite knowledgable about where the riders are most likely to need help. Really a first-class operation, I plan to attend Levels II and III with a few of my new-found friends! read more