Adventure motorcycle training is everywhere now. There are established schools, carefully developed techniques, defined skill levels and instructors trained to teach a curriculum. It can seem as though all of this knowledge has always been available. It hasn’t.
The modern big adventure motorcycle is itself fairly young. When the BMW R 80 G/S arrived in 1980, it helped establish an entirely new category of large motorcycles intended for both pavement and off-road travel. The category didn’t yet have the identity it has today, and there certainly wasn’t an established training industry devoted to teaching ordinary riders how to control these heavy motorcycles away from pavement.
In many cases, the demand appears to have come first. Riders began showing up with big motorcycles and asking experienced off-road instructors how to ride them. Those instructors had to work out what transferred from dirt bikes, what needed to change, and eventually, how those techniques could be turned into something that could be taught consistently.
In this episode, Clinton Smout tells Jim how adventure motorcycle training reached him, where BMW fits into its development, and what it took to become certified to teach a formal curriculum. They also consider why curriculum and instructor standards matter, even for riders who have no interest in BMW.
Has social media changed what ordinary riders think they should be able to do with an adventure motorcycle? Why do people arrive at a training course feeling pressure not to be “that guy”? How should you prepare yourself and your motorcycle? And what can two days of professional instruction realistically accomplish?
Jim will be taking Clinton’s two-day BMW Level 2 course on September 19–20, 2026. Anyone interested in joining them can contact SMART Performance Centre to ask whether places remain.
Photo: Clinton Smout
Clinton Smout - SMART Adventure Programs/SMART Performance Centre:
Clinton Smout is the highly regarded chief motorcycle instructor and founder of SMART Adventures in Ontario, Canada. With his extensive experience and expertise in motorcycling, Clinton has become a prominent figure in motorcycle education and safety. He is known for his passionate approach to teaching, emphasizing the importance of proper riding techniques, road awareness, and safety precautions. Through SMART Adventures, Clinton has helped numerous individuals enhance their motorcycling skills, whether they are beginners looking to learn the basics or experienced riders aiming to refine their techniques. His dedication to promoting safe and responsible motorcycling has made him a respected authority in the motorcycling community.
Web: SMART Performance Centre
