Honda’s UK Adventure Centre proves off-road riding isn’t just for experts
Honda’s UK Adventure Centre on Exmoor focuses on progression, not bravado, using everything from CRF300Ls to Africa Twins to help riders of all abilities build real off-road confidence.
Adventure bikes sell big ideas, and they sell in very big numbers. Last year alone, adventure bikes in their entirety proved to be the best-performing class in the UK and beyond. They instil a feeling of freedom and a want for exploration, thanks to their multifunctional capability.
What they don’t always sell is the confidence needed when the road disappears. And you don’t automatically get beamed down into the natural habitat of an adventure bike when you buy one.
That’s the gap Honda’s UK Adventure Centre on Exmoor is designed to fill.
It may run by former 500cc motocross world champion Dave Thorpe, but the centre isn’t about racing heroics or bravado. It’s about helping everyday riders learn how to ride adventure bikes properly, safely and with confidence, regardless of their experience level.
A big part of that comes down to bike choice. Rather than putting everyone straight onto Honda’s flagship CRF1100L Africa Twin and sending them off into the hills, the UK centre works through a broad spread of Honda machinery. It starts with lightweight CRF300Ls, which are used to teach the basics, before riders move onto the street tracker-style CL500s and then XL750 Transalps as confidence grows. Only then does the Africa Twin come into play.
“You don’t go from nothing straight to an Africa Twin,” Thorpe says. “That’s a tough step.”
It’s a simple idea, but an effective one. Smaller, lighter bikes allow riders to relax, learn proper technique and build confidence quickly. By the time they reach the Africa Twin, it should feel manageable rather than just plain intimidating. Just as importantly, that range of bikes means complete beginners and more experienced riders can train at the same time, without anyone feeling rushed or held back.
Coaching follows the same philosophy. Instructors observe, then tailor the day to the individual. Nervous riders get extra support, confident riders are given room to progress, and there’s no pressure to keep up. “We don’t want the fastest rider frustrated or the slowest rider pushed,” Thorpe explains.
The Africa Twin remains the emotional heart of the experience, though, thanks to its Dakar heritage and flagship status.
The UK centre is one of three official Honda Adventure Centres in Europe, joined by similar operations in France and Italy. All are run by former elite racers, but all now focus on teaching rather than trophies.
For UK riders curious about adventure riding but wary of biting off more than they can chew, the Honda Adventure Centre offers a sensible route in.
You can find out more information on the official website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!