The Desert Southwest is arguably one of the most scenic areas of the United States. Its vast majesty, laced with a network of roads of every kind, encompasses six states. These backcountry byways can take us to some amazingly beautiful and desolate destinations. The catch? They are mostly unpaved and many are technical, sandy, rutted, off-camber desert trails with stream crossings and frequently changing slopes. Wind and rain ensure that no two days will see the exact same conditions.

To safely and successfully navigate these fickle pathways, skill is a requirement, not an option. Being adept at tackling difficult terrain not only helps keep riders free from mishaps, but also makes the experience more enjoyable. Thus, proper off-road training is paramount, especially if the motorcycle of choice is a behemoth—a multi-cylinder adventure-class machine offered by the likes of BMW, KTM, Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and, now, Harley-Davidson with their new Pan America.

In the spring of 2021, I was invited by Dusty Wessels of West38Moto and Dragoo Adventure Rider Training (D.A.R.T.) founder Bill Dragoo to observe one of their collaborative classes in Borrego Springs, California. This desert riding class was intended to prepare students for a five-day immersion tour in Baja California, where they would test and perfect their skills.

The desert riding class was intended to prepare students for a five-day immersion tour in Baja California.

I wondered how these two experts in the adventure riding community, with their different teaching styles, would work together. Dusty and Bill could be considered competitors since they run separate schools but, in fact, they support one another with the philosophy that, as Bill says, “A rising tide floats all boats,” meaning they both aspire to enlarge the pie (community of adventure riders) rather than squabbling over one slice. The result was amazing to witness. Not only did they genuinely get along, but they also complemented one another throughout the entire training regimen. With never a sign of needless bravado, it was the perfect learning atmosphere.

Supporting Dusty and Bill were Cassie Maier and Tom Thompson. Cassie has her own training outfit called Full Gear Female. She is a well-seasoned instructor out of New Mexico, extremely talented at wrangling a 1250 GS off road.

Tom lives in Arizona. His expertise began in trials riding before applying some of the same techniques on bigger machines. In 2018 Tom represented Team USA at BMW Motorrad’s famous GS Trophy in Mongolia. He has helped both Dusty and Bill with training over the past two years and now assists Dusty with West38Moto on a regular basis.

Hailing from Oklahoma, one of Bill’s many accolades is his own representation of Team USA at the GS Trophy held in South Africa in 2010. He is also a BMW Certified Off-Road Instructor.

Bill gives hands-on instruction on proper technique of weight shifting for slow maneuvers.

Dusty, a Navy veteran, is based in Colorado and conducts year-round training and tours throughout the Southwest and Baja. He has also been featured in instructional videos on MotoTrek’s Youtube channel where you can get a vibe of his teaching style.

Dusty offers instructions with his kind and easygoing sense of humility.

The class consisted of a dozen new-to-intermediate riders from all over the U.S.: Virginia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, South Dakota, and California. Bikes ranged from a couple of F850 GSes and a Tiger 900 to the mighty BMW R1250GSA. Learning how to properly wrangle those big enduros in the soft desert sand was crucial before venturing off into the Baja crucible.

The Borrego Springs base camp bristled with amenities like cold water, soft drinks, shade, bathrooms, healthy snacks, and fresh-cooked, delicious meals. Following a hearty breakfast on the desert floor, class commenced at 8:00 a.m.

Dusty, with his kind and easygoing sense of humility, kept everyone’s attention by demonstrating his amazing riding techniques. All four instructors seemed to cover every detail while frequently offering honest and encouraging comments. Cassie, the smallest of the bunch, demonstrated how to properly lift a fallen 1250 GS in deep sand. Petite but capable, she proved that proper technique is key.

"Height-challenged" Cassie demonstrating proper technique on lifting a BMW R1250GS.

I also noticed that after each lesson, the students were given ample time to practice until they had a good command of the techniques. All this was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session before moving on. All four instructors seamlessly conveyed their lessons clearly, concisely, and in bite-sized pieces without overwhelming the students. Also notable was Bill’s practice of using comical phrases to make complex systems easier to remember. “Dancing with the girl what brung ya” and “making brownies” were just a couple that seemed to stick. I can’t imagine anyone doing a better job with off-road training than this group. Between lessons, the four instructors ensured all were fed and well hydrated (it is the desert).

One student watches as another practices starting a behemoth bike on a sandy hill.

After their weekend of training, the students were able to put their skills to the test on a five-day run into Baja. Cassie “manned” the support truck, providing back-up and lightening everyone’s load while continuing to spread her infectious smile. Dusty, Tom and Bill guided everyone through an experience they won’t soon forget. Not only was it an excellent idea to immediately apply what they’d learned under the watchful eyes of their instructors, it was also an opportunity for skill and friendships to grow side by side in an immersive experience in Mexico. 

Cassie charging up a hill to offer words of encouragement to a student.

If off-road ADVenture motorcycle training is on your short list, I highly recommend checking out these websites. Or better yet, sign up for a class. It’ll be a riding skill-transforming experience!

West38Moto.com | BillDragoo.com | FullGearFemale.com | MotoTrek.net