After coffee and check-in, our instructors, Mike and Brent gave us introduction to the skills and drills we would do that day.

Then, outside to meet our rides. I was on an R1250 GS, as were most of us. There was some basic getting on and off, getting comfortable with the balance, moving it around, how to put it up on the center stand. Of course, there was also a lesson on how to pick it up if it falls over.

We followed the leader out to the track, and did some warm-up exercises that were more than a little uncomfortable—getting comfortable being uncomfortable.

One thing that stood out was the instructor’s demo of rear brake only without ABS and with ABS. Then, both brakes (with ABS). Huge differences!

As we headed back at the end of the day, the folks on the car track were done, so we got to ride on the full track. That was fun. We weren’t allowed to pass anyone, and I was right behind the instructor. I know I got up to a little over 80 mph—respectable.

Day two started off with the same awkward warm-up, before getting right into it. Some more avoidance techniques, cornering, playing with various ways to enter and exit turns at speed. Dealing with obstacles, what happens if you can’t avoid going off the road for a bit. It was a lot of fun.

The last drill was another emergency stopping exercise. This time, at speed, in a turn, while leaning over. Everything I ever learned told me not to even touch the brakes while in the middle of a turn for fear of having the bike slide out from under you (low-siding), or worse, having the bike slide and regain traction, throwing you over the bike and across the road (high-siding).

I was so used to riding my 2003 Harley (it didn’t have ABS—or anything electronic really) that it took everything I had to convince myself to trust the ABS and just slam on “all the brakes” as fast and hard as possible while in a turn, leaned over, at 45 miles per hour. It was their bike if it went down, right? Wow! I was impressed with how quickly it stopped without locking up or skidding at all. Of course, I’d rather not do that, but it’s nice to know I can if I have to.

The highlight of the day was when they brought out almost every street bike in the BMW lineup, and we got to try them all.

Here’s a few shots of me riding some of the bikes (yeah, I wish I had framed the Port-A-Potty out of the picture). After trying just about all of them, I have to say, I bought the right bike for me. The K1600B was the most comfortable for the long rides I like to do and still has plenty of get up and go!