(Photo above by Sergio Ballivian)
As a moto-journalist, Certified BMW factory-trained off-road instructor, and Certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach, Bill Dragoo never strays far from adventure.
Setting goals since his Eagle Scout days, Bill is also a certified flight instructor, has earned commercial pilot ratings in powered aircraft, seaplanes and sailplanes, is an accomplished sky diver and scuba diver, and has won numerous competitions in motocross, cross-country mountain biking, sailboat racing, and adventure riding. Bill has won two Tour de Dirt mountain bike state championships, has completed a double century bicycle ride (200 miles in a single day) and has fulfilled his dream of an unsupported, solo transcontinental bicycle ride across the northern tier of the United States.
In 2017 Bill was honored to teach a week-long off-road riding course for the Fort Worth Police Department and he scored 100% on their on-road qualifier after only two hours of instruction. He has also added to his professional repertoire by attending BMW’s Off-Road Instructor training in Hechlingen, Germany, a stringent, week-long course focusing on the art and craft of precision big bike skills in the rough. He has been on the podium at the Rawhyde Adventure Rider’s Challenge two of the three times he has competed, with first and second place finishes, and represented his country as one of three men competing with Team USA in the 2010 BMW GS Trophy held in South Africa. He has ridden motorcycles on five continents and has hiked through the Himalayas to Mount Everest Base camp with his lovely wife Susan.
Among the ever growing list of magazines that have published his work are: ADV Moto, Roadrunner, Outrider Journal, Overland Journal, Oklahoma Today, Overland UK, Outdoor X 4, Ride Oklahoma, and Adventure Rider.
“The best part of any adventure is sharing it,” says Bill, and he does just that through his stories and by teaching others some of the finer points of managing a heavy dual-sport motorcycle through questionable terrain.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bill.dragoo.7
GS Trophy Stories:
http://newsok.com/norman-man-heads-to-africa-for-motorcycle-adventure/article/3512780
http://www.rideok.com/bill-dragoo-going-to-south-africa-for-international-bmw-gs-trophy-competition/
Edmond Outlook:
http://www.outlookoklahoma.com/archives/m.blog/27/adventure-travelers
Bill Dragoo, Backwoods of Norman’s Ultimate Outsider
“Ultimate” is a subjective term. I have met plenty who were much more deserving of the accolade. One man’s ceiling, I have heard, is another’s floor. How true. I don’t presume that my adventures are any more worthy of merit than many of yours, but they are all I have to share. I appreciate your visiting my blog and I hope you enjoy these exploits a fraction as much as I have enjoyed living them. Most importantly, I hope these stories inspire you to go outside and create your own.
Overland Magazine contributor:
I recently attended one of Bill’s training program via Moto Vermont. I can’t say enough about how awesome is was. I have been riding my whole life but took several years off to raise some spoiled kids. Since getting back on two wheels I have taken many training courses to get me back up to speed and this was by far the most effective course I have taken. I was hard work the firs day as Bill and Eric worked us through many exercises to get us ready but it all made sense the next day when we were rippin through the mud, stones puddles and steep rocky hills.
I would highly recommend Moto Vermont and Bill Dragoo if you want to become a more confident rider and enjoy the off road experience. I will make this an annual event for sure and bring my off rad buddies.
Thanks Scott. It was a pleasure having you and I certainly look forward to riding with you again.
I would like to take your adventure riding class. Long time BMW rider on street who just purchased a 15 R12GSA in May 2016. I live in Indiana and would like to do some forest roads in Indiana and elsewhere. I have ridden my K bike on gravel roads, so no experience off road.
I would like to take your 1-2 day riding class in 2018. Have anyone with knee replacement taken your off road riding class? What is your schedule of riding classes after Memorial Day 2018?
Thank you
ROC
motoroc@ymail.com
Thanks for your questions! We will respond via email.