Never been bombarded with any “corporate nonsense” st ORS.
Yes - they all wear BMW kit as BMW supply the bikes and spares, etc. So why wouldn’t they say “thanks” to that? Otherwise they wouldn’t exist.
- 30 x BMW Identical Bikes all lined up in a row.
- BMW Branded Instructors all lined up in a row.
- Corporate style meals at Evening Restaurant
- Drinks & Biscuits / fruit bowls at mid breaks
- Certificate Presentation Ceremony at end
- Corporate Sales Goodie Bags, lanyards, Brochures
Give me a break. It is completely corporate.
But I'm not saying that's a bad thing, just in my opinion, only gives you an unrealistic UK taster of what's really out there.
When I went out with the TRF, they slaughtered me within two hours... I went home before I seriously injured myself. That was after BMW ORS Level 1 and Level 2. I was not prepared for what they threw at me.
On the Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Academy, they had us doing stuff that was considered Level 3 at BMW, but on the beginners day... completely different.
No certificates, no meals, no fecking nothing except abuse if you got it wrong...
Sweet Lamb is knarly and he will not let you get past a task, until you complete it... period.
It's more 'real' for UK trail riding... in my opinion.
TRF is very real, hard fuckers and I learnt loads going out with those guys. Trailside repairs, tricks and tips... all weather missions. Really good fun once it's starts clicking into place.
I got seriously hurt with broken ribs, so be prepared to fall off... the better you get, the faster you go... then BANG...
I don't think the ORS Trainees really understand how falling off hurts
... especially watching them get pissed the night before training like they're on a hotel seminar... Muppets
In my opinion...