Jimmy Lewis Off Road Riding School **my take ** NOW WITH MORE IMAGES

[R Doug]

** MORE IMAGES ON PAGE 2 OF THIS THREAD **


As many of you already know, I attended Jimmy’s last class of the season from his home base in Pahrump, NV last weekend.  If you don’t know who Jimmy Lewis is, he is an enduro racing legend.  He’s won several GNCC titles, he has been on the podium in the Baja 1000 three times (including a first), and reached the podium once in the Paris-Dakar with an outside podium finish on his resume too.

How did I end up at the Jimmy Lewis School?  Well, I was looking for something that would take my dirt riding skills to a similar level that my paved track school training has done for my street riding.  After some searching, two of the highest recommended dirt classes I could find were put on by Shane Watts and Jimmy Lewis.  

Watsy travels from place to place and was going to be in my neck of the woods the first weekend in June.  Due to a wedding that weekend, I looked around to see which of the other Watts’ schools would be near me.  I came to the conclusion that if I’m going to travel, I’m going to do it right.  Jimmy’s school is located in Death Valley on the boarder of NV and CA.  This would require a flight in to Las Vegas, which I had never been.  So, it was a win-win.   Via Las Vegas Baby!  Here I Come!

Here's a link to the school's website.

http://www.jimmylewisoffroad.com/

Jimmy’s school encourages you to bring your own bike.  But, for those traveling to the area, like me, he coordinates with Trac-On in Vegas to provide 450 KTMs.  The school started early Saturday morning where Jimmy and his wife Heather discuss an overview of what we were going to learn.  Jimmy starts out by telling us how balance is everything.  With one of the 450 KTMs on a stand, Jimmy shows how to stand on a bike and how to control it with your feet.  He demonstrates everything from how to grip the bike with your legs for stability to proving how standing on the bike actually lowers the bike’s center of gravity.  Don’t argue with him on that either, trust me.  

Here are some of the Trac-On rental KTMs before the day starts.



Our first exercise was how to mount the bike and learn how to pivot from side to side while the bike is parked.  This was a key learning experience for me as I find most dirt bikes, especially proper endure bikes, to be intimidatingly tall.  Jimmy explained that the best way to rest on a bike is to have one foot firmly down while holding the bike w/ the back of your other leg which includes having your “controlling” leg’s foot dangling off the peg.  This exercise was emphasized by having us place our bikes on a stand and practicing getting on, off, and switching sides with our foot down with the bike so high off the ground.  I now feel totally confortable in supporting my bike, even if it’s in the most awkward position on the side of a hill.

Here are some of the students and their bikes before class.



Next off was a road trip into the desert where our journey ended at a large dry lakebed.  This is where we spent the rest of our morning working on several of the techniques I saw in the Shane Watts’ DVD.  We worked on the following drills to help us with our balance and control of the bikes:

•   Balance:  Slow riding to a complete stop while keeping the bike balanced and learning to fight our instinct of placing our foot down.  The substitute to placing our foot down was to apply the throttle and take off again keeping our balance.

•   Cornering:  left/right and figure eights starting out by doing very slow “trials” style cornering with extreme lean angles, counterweight, and very slow turns.  Next, we focused on cruising speed turns with outside weighting of the bike.  This was followed by the high speed cornering by lifting the inside left and foot, placing your body forward on the bike, and weighting the outside of the bike.  

•   Braking:  We started by working on rear braking only and working up to a 90 degree slide while maintaining balance without placing your foot down.  After the slide, we were to continue another 5 yards and slide again.   Next we worked on learning how to control the front brake by detecting front slides and how to control those slides.  The technique we used to induce a front tire slide was a power brake.  That is, we grabbed all the front brake we could and gradually applied throttle until a spinning rear tire was pushing a locked front wheel.  Amazingly, I thought I would drop the bike during this exercise but didn’t.  Instead, I got to where I was comfortably locking up the front wheel and learning how to modulate the pressure creating my own little ABS system.  Finally, we worked on emergency braking (using both front and rear brakes) including how to properly brace yourself with your left foot with your body back as far you can go.  

•   Additional bike control:  The final exercises we worked on were stoppies and wheelies.  While this sounds like something you would learn at a squid stunn’er school, these two little control exercises are invaluable experiences, which can be used in daily off road riding.  Stoppies help us not only with front brake control, but they also help us learn how to control and balance the bike in extreme downhill situations.  Wheelies, on the other hand, have many uses out on the trail.  From crossing holes to water to logs, learning how to lift the front wheel off the ground is the key.  Also, learning how to lift the front wheel while at a dead stop with a foot planted prepares you to get your bike out of trouble when you find yourself in a tight spot against an obstacle or when you need to get your bike pointed down a hill which you have become stuck while attempting to climb.  

After around five hours of practicing these drills, we went back to Jimmy and Heather’s place for lunch.  I have to tell you, Heather and crew puts on one heck of a lunch.  We had 18 people in our class and the lunch, consisting of cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, soup, and snacks was very tasty and abundant.  

After lunch, we spent the rest of the day back in the desert working on hill climbing, descents, and cornering.  We were broke up into groups (by skill) and we would find trail loops which we would ascend and descend a steep hills and work on cornering.  This part of the day felt more like a paved track day to me.  Jimmy and his instructors would often follow us in our groups and pull us over one-by-one to provide instant feedback.  Sometimes, they would pull you to the side to go work on something away form the group.  

During breaks, we would all gather around Jimmy as he would show us something on the side of a hill whether it be how to get yourself out of trouble when you become stuck on the side of a hill or how to overcome ledges on descents and accents.  

After some long hard (and hot) hours of practice, Jimmy invites us to follow him and the instructors for “something completely different.”  After a few miles of riding, we came to stop at some serious sand dunes with plenty of fesh-fesh around to play in.  

All day long we had ridden and practice in the desert and the terrain has been pretty hard-packed unless you get too far off the trail.  Coming from the east, I had always wondered what thick sand and light fesh-fesh felt like riding in.  Finally, I was going to find out.  It’s amazing how different climbing a dirt hill and a sand dune can be.  Dirt hills require throttle and clutch control.  Sand dunes require more weight transfer timing and pinning the throttle.  It was a BLAST!  Riding through sand requires total confidence that the bike can and will stay upright unless there is an opposing force like a stupid input by the rider or physical contact with something in the sand.  After 90 minutes of practice, I was ready to take on the Dakar!  

Near sundown, we cleaned the sand from our visors and helmets and started to make our way back to Jimmy HQ.  That night, everyone was invited to a late 8:30 dinner at Jimmy’s favorite Mexican restaurant.  It was a very long 12 hours of riding and practice drills in the desert for me.  Since I still had a bit of a 3 hour jet lag, I headed off to my rental RV for a good night’s sleep.

Day 2 consisted of a day long ride in the desert with Jimmy and crew.  We were going to be broken up into two groups.  The A Group was going to go with Jimmy on a 170 mile ride in the desert and mountains while the B Group was going to take a more leisurely 90 mile ride.  I was picked to be in the A Group and was stoked about it!  Unfortunately, I had a pretty hard fall the day before and later found out that I had a few cracked ribs.  Not only did I not get a lot of sleep due to the pain, I told the group I didn’t want to be the guy that ruined the trail ride by making everyone wait for whatever assistance I my have needed.  Agreeing that discretion is the greater part of valor, the group tipped their helmets to me as they set off on their bikes and I staggered into my rental car where I ended up sightseeing in Red Rock Canyon on my way back to Vegas.

I would have LOVED to done the trail ride.  One of these days, I will go back just for day two.  But, I was injured and knew I needed to mend.  In fact, I just got back from the Doc who gave me a shot of cortisone and a scrip for Lortab.  I’m still in a bit of pain.  If I had forced myself to take the daylong trail ride last week, I’m sure I would be more than paying for it now.  

It’s been a week since I took the class and I can tell you there is zero doubt I have increased my confidence and ability to ride my KTM 530 by at least 300%.  It was insult to injury today as I finally saw the Sun again as it’s been raining in my hometown since I have returned.  But my cracked ribs are no match for the KTM at this point.    I can’t wait to hop on my evil orange bike and to go work on improving what Jimmy and crew have taught me.  

As I do get the chance to ride again, I will report back and let you know my thoughts of what it’s like riding now sections of local trail, which I used to think were challenging.  Most likely, I’ll be ready to find new more challenging trails and my friends will be trying to figure how, “how did he do that?”    


Here is me and Jimmy at the end of a very long day one.  See how tired I am?  I'm already taking a nap.  

[1KPerDay]

[mugwump58]

Sounds like a great school. Discretion is the better part of valor, mend quick!

[garry]

Nice write-up Doug. I should order those Shane Watt's DVDs and start practicing.

So how did the 450 feel compared to your 530? Need to rev it more versus power everywhere?

[servicerifle]

Dangit, now you are making me second guess myself.  I was going to do the BMW offroad school since its so close to "home" but this sounds awesome.

How well do you think the class will translate to Eastern trail riding and dual sporting?

Also, you said you had a "rental RV" and a "rental car."

I'm not picking nits, I'm trying to figure out the logistics.  Is his place so far out you need an RV for a place to stay? Are there no dives in town clean enough for a two-three day visit?  How far from Vegas is the place? How's it all work?  Thanks!

Edit, ok I did some research.  Ok, it's in Pahrump or however you spell it.  Why did you have the RV?  Were the hotels really full?  Lastly (I think), the bike rental seems...cumbersome.  You have to go to an independent contractor for that?  And they only rent in pairs?  How does that work, does the school sort out how many rentals they need and tell you the pro-rated price?

[MK96xj]

Awesome! and that is the way to see that area

[R Doug]

@ Garry

The 450 did feel a little down on power from the 530.  And, that's a good thing.  Granted, I picked up my 530 used with low mileage at a very good price.  But, if I had my choice, I would pick the 450 to fit my needs.  That said, I plan on gearing down the 530 to make it more trail friendly.  

@ Steve

Regarding logistics, Trac-on made the bike rental very easy.  They delivered the bikes to the location and some of their staff are GNCC racers which help out with the training.  The rental RV was a simi-permenate unit I found at an RV park in Pahrump.  There was some LAPD convention in town that weekend and all of the area hotels and casinos were booked solid.  I had to get creative in finding a place to stay.  For me, it came down to a clean and inexpensive RV and a room at Sheri's Ranch (legal brothel).  No good would have come from me staying around beautiful women for hire.    So, I took the rental RV.  

NSFW link....  http://www.sherisranch.com/reservation.aspx

SFW link...  http://westgatervpark.com/

[servicerifle]

Something tells me a "long time" at Sherri's ranch is a bit more costly than an RV rental for the night.  Just guessin'.  LOL

So, did you have to rent a PAIR of bikes or how do they work the cost?  I know, they can answer these questions as well, I guess...you can tell me to go pound difficult-for-me-but-not-for-you-to traverse sand if you like.  

[sammyseaman]

Sounds awesome and fun    I really have to get back on the dirt.

[garry]

@ Garry
The 450 did feel a little down on power from the 530.  And, that's a good thing.  Granted, I picked up my 530 used with low mileage at a very good price.  But, if I had my choice, I would pick the 450 to fit my needs.  That said, I plan on gearing down the 530 to make it more trail friendly.  

Hmmm. So I should be figuring out a way to snag the leftover 450 EXC at Five Star then? You think the power of the 530 is  a bit much for the woods and the mellower power of the 450 is a better fit?

[R Doug]

Though it's all about throttle control, the 450 seemed to be more forgiving to me.  

EDIT:  But, if I ever decided to tard the bike, I'll be thankful that I have the 530.  

[R Doug]

Something tells me a "long time" at Sherri's ranch is a bit more costly than an RV rental for the night.  Just guessin'.  LOL

So, did you have to rent a PAIR of bikes or how do they work the cost?  

Trac-on does have a two bike rental minimum requirement to make it worth it for them.  So, I suppose to have to hope and pray someone else rents a bike from them.  Luckily for me, there were 4 or 5 bikes rented during my weekend so I was able to rent my bike with no worries.  

And, you're right, a few nights at Sheri's Ranch may have been too much of a temptation to part with my hard earned money.  

[garry]

Though it's all about throttle control, the 450 seemed to be more forgiving to me.  

EDIT:  But, if I ever decided to tard the bike, I'll be thankful that I have the 530.  

I just cobbled up a route to Clearfield for the Burger Run that stops at Five Star on the way up.  

[miles]

Something tells me a "long time" at Sherri's ranch is a bit more costly than an RV rental for the night.  Just guessin'.  LOL

Looking at their website, it's only $46/day if you're working.  Of course, you have to apply and submit photos, and undergo an STD test, but hey- small price, eh?

[servicerifle]

Looking at their website, it's only $46/day if you're working.  Of course, you have to apply and submit photos, and undergo an STD test, but hey- small price, eh?

Well great, Miles, thanks for researching that for me.  Unfortunately I think I'd be too busy at the Offroad school to be able to "work" for my room and board.  


Thankfully.

[miles]

Well great, Miles, thanks for researching that for me.  Unfortunately I think I'd be too busy at the Offroad school to be able to "work" for my room and board.  


Thankfully.

The school may take up all the days, but the nights would still be open!  

[servicerifle]

The school may take up all the days, but the nights would still be open!  

Hmm, good point, but I'll be so tired I'll just be a ragdoll.  Nobody wants that.  

[1000lbs]

Great write up Doug  .  So, would one be able to attend the school on something as heavy and dual sport oriented as a DR650?

[DNA]

Though it's all about throttle control, the 450 seemed to be more forgiving to me.  

EDIT:  But, if I ever decided to tard the bike, I'll be thankful that I have the 530.  

We typically ride around Hatfields dn other tight east coast stuf.

We have had all the KTM's - 450, 400, 300, and several of now have matching 250's

The light sure helps with the tight.

The pull of the 450 is nice, but I actually prefer the 250 now.  After I get a few dozenmore years and serious skillz - the the 450 might be nice.

I'm just saying this so if you see a great deal on a 250 - grab it.  On the street we laugh at nobs on 600R's that can't corner - don't be that guy on dirt...
 

[R Doug]

Great write up Doug  .  So, would one be able to attend the school on something as heavy and dual sport oriented as a DR650?

Certainly.  There were a few DR and KLR 650s in our class.  In fact, this particular class Jimmy requested bikes <= 650cc.  He often teaches classes with the big trailie bikes like the 1200 GS and 990 Adventures.  

[Mastros2]

Nice Doug, congrats on taking the class!  Thanks for sharing the experiences too!    

Maybe in a few years when the kid(s) are a bit older, I'll pick up dual sporting.  

[kurtw]

Great report, Doug!!! It sounds like the quality of the instruction and the experience were top notch!!!  What a trip!

[R Doug]

Bill Dragoo of Adventure Rider Magazine was in my class covering it for the magazine.  All of the participants received an e-mail from Bill with some of the images he and his photographer took of our two day class.  To give you more of an idea of what you would do if you took the class, as follows are some of the images:

Balance and Body Position Exercises

Yours truly





Break and meet with Jimmy describing the next exercise.


I'm the one in the middle right favoring his injured right leg.  




Jimmy showing how to do a high speed turn.



Student working on low speed "trials" turn.



Wheelie and Stoppie practice.





Off into the desert for the next breakout session ride.

[R Doug]

Hill Climbing and Descent Exercises

[R Doug]

4-5 People Group Loop Rides with Jimmy and Crew Providing Feedback.

Here is Jimmy perched on top of a mound watching us




Sand Dunes!


Who's the dork with his bike stuck?  Oh yeah, that me.  



One Focused Student - Me



Group Shot of Some Well Educated Students and Excellent Instructors

[scottzilla]

The "Slow speed trials turn" is impressive.  It would not have occured to me to put that much counter weight in to it.

[R Doug]

The "Slow speed trials turn" is impressive.  It would not have occured to me to put that much counter weight in to it.

You can appreciate this, that guy is on a KLR650.  He was moving at a very slow craw.  I was impressed how easy the trials type turn was to pull off once you were in the proper position.

Here's another look with Jimmy showing how it's done.

[1000lbs]

That hill climb practice looks above my pay grade   !  Looks like I'v got to get my learning on.

Thanks for the pics.

[R Doug]

That hill climb practice looks above my pay grade   !  Looks like I'v got to get my learning on.

Thanks for the pics.

As with most schools, the proficiency levels of the students vary.  This student is Bill Dragoo of Adventure Rider Magazine.  He's a pretty profecient rider and he chose more challenging hill climbs to practice.  Personally, when we did hill climb exercises, I stuck with stuff that's slightly less challenging like the incline which is about 5 feet to Bill's right in this image:

[Fourstring]

Damn.  How is he just grabbing that rear wheel?

[garry]

Damn.  How is he just grabbing that rear wheel?

Guess? Engine off, in gear, with rear brake on.

Doug, what exactly are they trying to teach with this drill? Body position for steep downhills?

[R Doug]

Guess? Engine off, in gear, with rear brake on.

Doug, what exactly are they trying to teach with this drill? Body position for steep downhills?

As far as how he's holding up the bike, the engine was off but only the front brake was being applied.  You can see his right foot positioned on the back of the peg and not on the brake.  In fact, we were told to use little to no rear brake when doing down a steep hill.  It's all about front brake management.

And yes, Jimmy was showing proper body position for steeper descents.  

[scottzilla]

As far as how he's holding up the bike, the engine was off but only the front brake was being applied.  You can see his right foot positioned on the back of the peg and not on the brake.  In fact, we were told to use little to no rear brake when doing down a steep hill.  It's all about front brake management.

And yes, Jimmy was showing proper body position for steeper descents.  

I find on down hill stuff sometimes I use the front brake, sometimes I use the rear.

[kurtw]

Great report, again.
And great photos. They really illustrate well the training and skills that you were getting!
Looks like a good time in the desert!!!

[Poustman]

Thanks for this writeup.