Setting Up Your Bike

Here are a few technical suggestions regarding off-pavement riding that almost always apply. Some of this is BMW-specific:

REMOVE EXTRA ITEMS
These day rides are focused on developing riding skills, and not on learning about longriding equipment. The most obvious leave-at-home at this stage is saddlebags, but you might consider removing GPS units, extra lighting, etc. Tank bags are really convenient, but a good way to know if you are using good standing form while riding is... your tank bag is in the way.

DECREASE TIRE PRESSURE
Consider lowering your tire pressure before beginning long unpaved sections. It increases traction. Becoming more comfortable with partial traction will save you the stop and the pumping up of tires later, but until you are comfortable sliding around a bit, enforce a tire pressure stop whenever you like. Remember though: Sliding the rear end around can be extremely useful off-road, looks VERY cool (especially on a 1200), and just being comfortable when it happens is itself of great value. I think it is easier to learn this skill on fully pressurized tires.

ADJUST YOUR SUSPENSION
If you haven't messed around with your suspension yet, do. There are usually two adjustments. If you are a shock novice, I suggest experimenting with the maximum and minimum settings your suspension allows. Ride for a while on each setting to get a feel for what will work best for you. Getting your suspension right is probably the single most useful alteration you can make to your bike, for riding on mixed terrain.

REMOVE YOUR MIRRORS
The mounting bolts are only about six bucks, but they are about the most likely thing to break when you tip over, and they are easy to remove and install. Aftermarket mirrors that have a hinge / ball joint where they connect to the bars are brilliant.

REMOVE RUBBER FOOTPEG INSERTS
If not before leaving pavement, before leaving home.

ADJUST LEVER PLACEMENT
We stand up a lot. If your brake and clutch levers are angled up high, sticking more or less horizontally off the handlebars, using the controls while standing will tire your wrists and forearms unnecessarily. Turning the levers down so that they angle downward from the bars makes controlling the bike while standing much less tiresome. You will likely need to loosen and lower the hand guards as well.

DISCONNECT ABS BEFORE LEAVING PAVEMENT!
And remember to do it again, after you stop and restart the bike while off pavement.

Feel free to ask questions about bike setup as they come up during the rides.