Thanks to the guys from DirtFirst for bringing their amazing training to the Tourtech Rally. The course was perfectly balanced between verbal instruction and drills to instill great riding skills for us adventure riders on bigger bikes. When I went on my first major ride the next day, I could still hear Whitney and Jason's instructions and encouragement in my head for an awesome and safe ride. Check it out!
-Garth B. 53 / Vancouver, B.C.
Probably have 100K miles on BMW plus several K on other bikes. Proves that any on with some mechanical skills can ride mostly on pavement, in a straight line, and fast. Switch to dirt and the game changes. A little late in life maybe to learn off road but I chose well. Jason of DBST did a fine job of keeping me on track and my head AND body in the game. Great demeanor, patience and skills. Even picked up my bike on a trail ride when the vegetation pulled me off the track : >}. I learned a lot. especially to practice practice on a lighter bike before taking my R1200GS on single track. I intend to be back to glean more confidence and skills. Thanks Jason.
-Dave 71 / Puyallup WA
Used to ride off-road motorcycles in the 70’s & early 80’s but had not been on one for 35+ yrs! Decided to give the Level 2 class a try with some reservations that I’d be holding the others up. But thanks to the spacious facility, well-designed curriculum and excellent instruction, it worked out just fine. I did the package wherein DBST provides the bike and all the equipment and was particularly grateful for the helmet - which helped hide the silly grin that otherwise would have been evident to all, all day long. Thanks, DBST. Heartily recommend your course to anyone looking to learn how to ride a bike; brush up on their skills; or take their riding to the next level.
-Dean H. 59 / Everett WA
I took a private class with two friends. The instructor was super positive and helpful and the curriculum was top notch. There was plenty of opportunity to practice the skills in the practice area and then go put them to use on the single track at the facility. The instructor took a lot of extra steps to make sure our day was smooth, but the thing I appreciated to most was the attention to safety.
I highly recommend DBST.
-Seth W. 43 / Enumclaw, WA
Patience, Expertise, Fun, Challenging.....instructor was top notch, the facility had plenty of room and varied obstacles....overall HIGHLY recommend. I did LEVEL 2 class and have only seriously been riding for about 8 months, greatly improved my skills. Just fueled my new passion even more!!! Braap ON!!!
-Nelson T. 52 / Tulalip riding center
Took the ADV class with Jason. I thought it was better to learn on my Africa Twin, since that was what I would be riding. After watching me ride it for a few minutes, Jason recommended trying a few things on a smaller bike. I was immediately more comfortable and confident. I elected to stay on the smaller bike all day. I recently went on a ride with my Africa Twin and found the training I received on the smaller bike was immediately transferable and made me a much better and more confident rider. Thanks to Jason and his training.
-Mark S. 59 / Puyallup
6 hour private lesson with Jason, on DBST bike, to prepare for an adventure bike outing. Logical, building block instruction, clearly communicated. Terrific experience; planning on following up with several additional Group II sessions.
-George M. 75 / Friday Harbor
I've ridden street for over a decade, but learning how to handle dirt has always been high up on my list of aspirations. I couldn't have imagined a better instructor than Whitney. He was a patient and attentive instructor who adapted to each of his students' levels and progress, and not only showed us the hows & whats, but took the time to make sure we understood the whys.
The course site was perfect - comprehensive and well-maintained, with some fun little trails to zip through between lessons.
Highly recommend these classes for any skill level of riding.
-Benjamin 36 / Seattle
I attended the 2022 Odessa 100 Clinic today. Amazing! I cannot express how impressed I was with Jason and his training. You can certainly tell that he loves what he does and he is great at it too. I hope to attend more training classes in the future.
Feeling exhausted yet super excited with the new riding skills I learned today.
I cannot thank you enough, Jason.
-Holly S. 53 / Odessa WA
Jason is an amazing instructor. He nails it with clear objectives, clear directions, over all logical progression of exercises, quick recognition of a need act when we needed corrective action (including taking breaks). And in particular I liked how he was firm with me when I was doing something dangerous, and didn't realize it! It takes a strong and confident instruction to bring levity and firmness to a training like this. Thank you so much!
-Nicholas R. 51 / Kenmore
As a seasoned street rider, with 20+ yrs exp, riding everything from imports to Harleys, I figured there wasn't a whole lot of curriculum that would apply to me.... Boy was I wrong!!! I hired Mr. Jason Sherman to take me out on a private lesson. Wow, was I ever grateful. To Begin, Mr. Sherman was polite, professional, great at communicating and demonstration, and an all around pleasure to ride with. It amazed me, through his instruction, how much different the dirt from the street really is. In every exercise he was very thorough and helpful. He even helped me fine tune some of the control aspects of the Honda CRF 450x to fit me personally. From beginning to end, I had fun, and most importantly, learned valuable skills to keep the ride safe. I have already booked a follow up appointment for my next lesson! Thank you very much Dirt First and Mr. Jason Sherman.
-JD S. 40 / Marysville, WA
I haven’t ridden a Motorcycle on any type of dirt for over 40 years, until taking the Dirt First Course at the 2018 Touratech Rally West. What an assume experience it was, my friend Gary invited me and set me up with the Dirt First class. The Instructors were amazing teaching the techniques needed to ride dirt and also help on the street riding. My dirt riding skills were way off mark, until Jason started teaching us the basics. I’ve been around a lot of instructors in my days, I have to say Jason is among the top 5. He was very professional and was top notch in his teaching skills.
If you are learning to ride Dirt Bikes or even been riding for a while. I highly recommend you take a course with these guys. You will not only learn valuable skills, you will have a blast.
Thanks Dirt First for a great experience!!!
Earl Faulk, Olympia, WA
-Earl F. 56 / Olympia
I took the Level I and II courses a month into learning to ride, and, a year later, I can say they were the best thing I did to improve my riding. The clear instruction combined with the controlled low traction environment reveal so much about the fundamentals of good riding (lean angle, body position, traction management, ...). Also, the dirt experience prepared me to turn down fire roads and rip on some fun light adventure rides.
I took Level II again a year later as a refresher / skill assessment. Definitely worth coming back to the course more than once as so much is covered and the instructors will find ways to push you.
Also, it's just plain fun. Friendly atmosphere. Small class sizes. A single track course with swoopy turns and just enough sticker bushes to keep your adrenaline up.
-Marc 33 / Seattle, WA
Whitney and Jason are very skilled and patient instructors. They opened the door to the basic skills I needed for riding off-road. Renting a bike and gear made it safer and easier to learn. It was such an encouraging learning atmosphere that I took the clas a second time and learned even more!
-Sheri H. 43 / Renton, WA
Jason worked with me and my work schedule to get me out for a private lesson. Upon arriving he took the time to find out where I was at with my riding and where I want to go in the in the near future with it. Not only did he coach me through techniques and drills but explained the body mechanics of how the bike should respond to me and I should respond to the bike. He left me with awesome things to practice and how I can add challenges to the drills as I progress.🕺 Thanks Jason!
-Chad C. 38 / Leavenworth
Rode the Oct 2016 training course with Cody Webb, Jason and Whitney. These guys where great to work with, between their descriptions and technical advise pointing out body position, brake , and throttle control. It was awesome seeing how cody pull off going over large tires ,rock sections, and the endurocross track. He made it look effortlessly.
The new skills I learned helped me understand my bad riding habits, and a new derection in what I need to do to better my skills. These guys took the time with each of us on what we could do better. Once we started getting the hang of it. I was rewarding and the enthusiasm from the coaches kept us all wanting more. By the end of the day my skills improved and I now know the proper technics to better practice, and grow in off road riding. I'll be back for more training..
-Aaron R. 45 / Olympia, wa
