MOTOTREK

Tag: r1250gs

  • Guest Host Profile: Cassie Maier

    Guest Host Profile: Cassie Maier

    Last summer when MOTOTREK contributor David Fox attended Dusty Wessels’ adventure motorcycle training event in Colorado he couldn’t believe his eyes. Petite off-road instructor Cassie Maier was deftly operating her BMW 1250GS with the ease and confidence most riders can only attain riding much smaller bikes. We’re super glad Cassie agreed to guest host!

    Cassie grew up with motorcycles throughout her childhood. Although both her parents have ridden motorcycles since Cassie was young, however, she was more interested in sitting in her horses’ saddles than the saddle of a motorcycle. It wasn’t until she was 17 years old that she took an interest in motorcycles. One day, a bike came into her dad’s shop that caught her eye. After Cassie curiously spent many weeks just sitting on that bike, her parents finally decided to send her off to an MSF course.

    For many years she rode pavement exclusively and then took a six-year riding hiatus after moving to Seattle. In 2016, Cassie quit her job, borrowed her mom’s bike, and rode around the U.S. for three and half months. At that point she decided motorcycling was her thing and began immersing herself in the industry.

    While working for the BMW Motorrad demo truck as a lead rider, Cassie was surrounded by the culture of motorcycling. On behalf of the BMW MOA she was invited to go to the BMW U.S. Rider Academy for additional skills training, where she got her first true taste of off-road riding. She was honored to be offered the opportunity to become an instructor for the BMW U.S. Rider Academy. With zero hesitation, she immediately relocated from Seattle to North Carolina to be near the BMW Performance Center. When love (bigger than motorcycles) swept her off her feet, she moved to the Southwest, where she is now expanding her role in the motorcycle industry.

    Sharing knowledge and experiences with others who want to increase their motorcycling skills drives Cassie to improve her own riding abilities. Being a strong rider, continually practicing her riding, and refining her instructor techniques are imperative to her personal success. Her love for this sport is contagious, and she wants to spread the joy.

    When Cassie isn’t riding a motorcycle, she enjoys finding the best hiking trails, experiencing any new place, creating art, keeping her dog out of trouble, and being a stepmom to three fantastic kids

    Cassie’s Off-Road Training @ West38Moto
    Cassie’s On-Road Training @ FullGearFemale

  • Host Profile: Dusty Wessels

    Host Profile: Dusty Wessels

    Dusty Wessels teamed up with MOTOTREK in February 2020 just as the world began to lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately filming adventure motorcycle videos out in the wilderness is a safe way to distance from the virus!

    Dusty Wessels with his BMW R1250GS Adventure on set in Borrego Springs, CA
    Dusty Wessels with his BMW R1250GS Adventure on set in Borrego Springs, CA

    Dusty is a wilderness kind of guy. Having grown up doing all the outdoorsy stuff Colorado is famous for, Dusty later joined the Navy and spent his early adult years in San Diego. When he returned to Colorado, Dusty attended college and enjoyed a successful career in marketing and sales. Inevitably, he rediscovered his passion for motorcycle adventures and began to rethink the idea of “success.” Dusty ambitiously made the leap from climbing the corporate ladder and pursued the ideal position of creating his own success out of his passion for adventure bikes. After logging thousands of hours and over 200,000 miles of riding, motorcycle camping, immersing himself in training, and exploring new trails on so many different bikes that his wife stopped trying to keep track, Dusty found a natural fit in the adventure motorcycle industry.

    In 2014, Dusty Roads MotoVentures was born and, over time, transitioned into what is now West38Moto. West38Moto provides everything from foundational riding skills and advanced riding techniques to unforgettable tours and shared experiences with new friends. Since the beginning, Dusty’s goal has always been built on bringing together the folks in the riding community and being a catalyst for new riders. There’s no better way to come together than to spend days riding and evenings around a campfire with good food and even better company.

    Dusty enjoys hosting MOTOTREK, where he shares his passion for adventure riding through helpful tips and skill building exercises for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders.

    When he’s not training , guiding a tour or filming with MOTOTREK, Dusty can be found fly-fishing across the west, scouting new routes, camping in the backcountry, riding the remote deserts of the southwest U.S. and Baja, or discovering the next best small town to convince his wife to live in. He’s given up on believing his dog, Zeppelin, will be a riding companion.