Fun story: I live in the Yukon and had to deliver some parts to my buddy whos truck had broken down in a small community 180km north of my home town. I decided to take my brand new V-Strom 1000XT for its first real road trip and set off for what was to become quite the adventure. I arrived at his location around 9:30pm, helped repair his broken rig, and left an hour later. By 11:00pm it was pitch black, raining, and 7'C. Cold, wet, and dark. This was my first time riding in these conditions and I had little riding experience to begin with. The return trip home that would normally take less then 2 hours ended up taking almost 4 hours. The entire ride was terrifying but there was one section of highway that really stood out for me. This particular section of road was under construction and had become a shit mix of mud and loose gravel. The fact that I couldn't see the road in front of me made it impossible to pick a 'safe' line through, and all I could think of was 'let it do it's thing' as I entered the construction zone. The V-Strom literally took me from one side of the road to the other several times, the handle bars hammering back and forth with the sudden changes in direction. I believe the only reason I stayed upright was because of some of the things I learned while watching this channel. Stay calm, do not overreact, be smooth on the throttle, keep a loose grip on the handle bars, and let the bike go where it needs to go. I had no idea a bike could behave so violently and still maintain 'control'. I have no desire to be in that situation ever again but I am grateful for the experience as I learned a lot from it. It was exhausting but in the end I made it home safe and sound. If it wasn't for videos like these that likely would not have been the case. Thank you for putting this information out there so new riders like me have a better chance at surviving their own stupidity!
That's one thing I learned in the past 4yrs ive had my triumph tiger is stand up loose grip and just let the bike do its thing. Expecially around here in NW PA on thick loose gravel roads. Also a good blip of the throttle helps power through.
That is so true! I have been riding mostly smaller off-road bikes for the past 25 years, and it is only once I got a 1200GS over a year ago that I really learned to let the bike do its thing. The big bikes is actually really good to learn on doing that, as the bike is too big to control properly anyway and it is conducive to let you loosen up and learning to trust the bike more. The smaller bikes makes you want to man handle it more, and it is not always helpful to proper off road riding.
my satnav tried to kill me during my rid around Loch Ness in Scotland, i am used to drive gravel road with my V-Strom 650, but that mud road i was told to take, no thx... reset the satnav, having spend some time to find a better road... 1 time in the French Alpes, i was close to throw it down the mountain, it send me down a paved road, for the first 500m down the mountain, the last 4km was rocks and stuff i have no idea what it was... no chance to turn around a 400kg bike, on a steep hill and lose ground... i made it, its added some xp skills riding my bike...
My '17 Africa cost $12,200. Learning from you has been priceless. What I have found, much to my surprise, is that a lot of what you teach I was already doing because of common sense... and large bikes require a different rider input. Ergonomics on the bike was probably the most shocking lesson from you. I am 6'1" and 220lbs. Just rotating the bars and re-setting the lever position made it a completely different bike. Thank you Bret for the confidence and education you have given to me and countless others. I hope to make the trip from N.Y. some day to experience your classes...but for now your videos are making a huge difference. Thank you for that.
Hi Bret, i just wanted to send you a wee message from Scotland. I've just came back from 2 weeks in India, a friend and I rode from Delhi all the way up through Manali up to Leh around pangong lake lake Moriri and Kar lake and back to Manali. The reason I'm telling you this is because I would like to thank you for all your videos as they have helped my friend and I get through our trip in one piece. From your videos on... the weightless rider technique, sand riding, riding downhill, rock field riding , u-turns and getting back on the pegs to name a few. These videos made our trip as we had full days of off road riding, river crossings, riding rocky river beds, riding down slippy clay descents, deep sandy areas and even some snow riding and without your videos I think we would have struggled alot more than we did. So thank you again for all your videos, keep them coming! They have made a massive difference to my riding and my holiday. Thanks again, Daryn.
Awesome frog! We are going from Thailand to Leh next year! Long and fun and no hurry. Up through Myanmar, across to India and back. 10,000km on a CRF250L.
Often overlooked: trying to learn to ride offroad on a $14,000, 500 lb bike. If you’ve never ridden off road, spend a year on a used DRZ400 or a KLR 650 ( or a real dirt bike) that you can drop, scratch up, and repair relatively cheaply. You will learn so much faster when you’re not afraid to ride the bike. Put some gnarly tires on it and learn how to have fun. Follow good riders. Climb steep stuff. Get rad. Scare yourself. Then when you finally throw down 15k for that glamorous farkle pony, you won’t bust it up on the first day it touches dirt.
I call BS on this. It's just sales talk to sell you more bikes. Get the bike you love. The one you want o ride every day and everywhere. When you do, just practice, practice practice. Make sure you buy appropriate insurance cover.
@@shinejv When I was training for my glider pilot's license, the instructors would say, train in the low performance glider because it is cheaper and you'll learn more quickly, then after you get your license, do transition training is a modern higher performance ship. I said it makes no sense to have to unlearn something right after finishing the certification training, there is no economy in that and I'll have habits that I will have to untrain. I did my training in .the higher performance ship that was harder to fly, but it also fit me much better. However, each person must know his particular requirements, including cost.
Absolutely, go even lighter, 2T dirt bike combine with MTB riding just to get used to trails riding, holding handlebars, 1 or 2 finger clutch and break control, standing on pegs / pedals, using your legs to steer the bike.... all valuable lessons and experience which will pay off.
Your videos have gone so far in making me a better rider. Thanks for taking the time to put these out there. I would love to attend one of your classes, but until then, the work you put into these videos is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
@@gianlucabassi8853 - To blame the wight of the bike, like a GS that is build for and are the best bike for this kid of ride. Then is you making up bad excuses for your lack of practice, skill and knowledge. Why are you even looking at videos like this?
Grew up as a teenager riding dual sports (Yamaha XT250 & Suzuki DR650). Spent years on the street riding sport bikes, went back to dirt bikes and enduro racing, now I am on the ADV train. Yes, it has been and is an adjustment, but my years riding trails and street has prepared me greatly. I am adjusting well to my Africa Twin. It's big, yes, but offroad I owe my abilities to riding dual sports and dirtbikes. I can read the terrain, pick my lines, feel the throttle and traction. Riding super sports helped me read the road, understand the dynamics of corners, and read traffic. Starting on ADVs isnt bad, but it may be useful to spend some time on more suitable bikes in their respective environments, then learn and adjust to your new and expensive ADV. Just a thought. I like the tips, and you know your stuff. Great Video.
Well I started off 45 years ago with an enduro, learned to ride on the way home form the dealer. My how things have changed. I have been riding for over 45 years before I took my first riding class for duel sport riding class. I learned so much Im going back for more. Love your channel
Mountain biking has taught me a lot of these tricks I strongly recommend practicing on a little bike. its made me so much more comfortable on a big adventure bike.
mark Jones over 200kg things get revalued. I use to be an amateur mountain bike racer and i thought motorbike riding will be easy on terrain/dirtroad/gravel then i was suprised...so front brake important in every situation just you need to handle well and easy that like 1-2 fingers instead of 4 for example.
@@salzdorfer I,v ridden motorbikes off road in all forms for years.(I'm old!)we always controlled braking on rear! Now its all front brake.down to front suspension no doubt!just wanted to hear your perspective as a mountain biker as regardes to braking.the rear can control the bike(as you know)but to much front brake will have you on your face! Am I missing some do you think?i gave up off roading for years due to superbikes!just making my comeback!😀👍
I would second this, I was guiding a group in Turkey, they had never ridden off road motorcycles, but were expert down hill mountain bikers, the first day we had a lot of crashes as they adjusted to the weight, but by the end of 5 days riding they were brilliant. They had the right positions and knew instinctively when to let the bike flow. must guys go too big too soon simply because they can afford it.
It feels like every second comment I make on people’s videos is a quote from one of your tips. You and Chris Birch taught me pretty much everything I know about adventure riding.
I have been riding Adventure bikes before they were called ADV bikes, started in 1984......it has taken me a long time to trust the bike and look ahead....trust the bike to basically go over the rocks and obstacles directly in front of you trust the suspension and tyres that they will do their job. Standing up when the track is rough is also one of the hardest things to do as you feel that you have further to fall, but the fack is that you will have less chance of falling.....
For me it's also about balance. If I look directly in front of me I get sense that I'm not as stable. But looking more upwards/straight makes at least my balance feel much better.
I am from Ghana West and I travel twice every year with my GS800 to my hometown Bolgatanga which is 870km from the capital Accra. On this journey, you meet all the good and harsh conditions that a road has to offer you but in all, I manage with guys like you around to give us heads up. In November 2005 I had a head-on collision with a Landcruiser and it has never been the same with me after breaking my thigh bone and my two hands. guess what I was back on road again just after a year on. So all I am trying to say is guys like you help us back on the road with more and more to learn from and not make the mistakes we made at the time of my accident.
Great advice. Back when I learned to ride in the 1970s, there were books with much of the same advice and explanation of the physics of why getting your weight on the pegs matters so much. The handlebars are where important controls are, and usually deserve a very gentle touch. No Internet back then, but you could still get information if you wanted it. I read at least four books on motorcycle riding before I ever rode.
I have to say, there are so many techniques I've learned, practiced, and put into action due to your videos. I began riding in June of this last year and these videos have single handedly (with perhaps a bit of help from Ryan F9) made me a better, smarter, more confident and effective rider off road. I now find myself intentionally log hopping, tackling steep, rocky climbs and aiming for the deep mud so as to better understand my bike and frankly, to make the adventures that more entertaining. I've ridden over 8000 miles, mostly on just weekends since June 15th, including large gaps where I didn't ride at all due to weather, travel, and being sick with the flu. Thanks Bret. Always looking forward to the next video.
Haha I'm the opposite. I've been riding my whole life and only recently got into drumming. I had to watch the video twice because after reading your comment I could only focus on the drums and missed all his tips 🤣
7:30 Way back when, just learning to ride on my ER50, saw a dirt trail leading up a rise to a tree, so I took it. "Flying" along the track, looking for ruts and rocks and went straight into a barbed wire fence. Immediate stop - nuts, meet instrument cluster. Lesson learned, lol. Just got back into dirt with F650GS Dakar after many years on road bikes, so glad I found your channel as I'm in need of some refresher courses. Cheers.
Great points. To the last point about investing in self I would also add: - go to the gym! I've seen people unable to lift their bikes (even lighter ones) - invest in proper cloths for more offroad riding to keep you comfortable and safe (road-only boots offroad are a bad idea, similarlly helmet) No to mention that sometimes it's better to spend less money on the bike and more money on the trips. I've seen cases when people cough up their last dimes to buy GS1250 and than literally have no money to takie it for a 2 week trip.
This was a great video. I’ve ridden dirt , forests and slate quarries since 1970 on an 80cc Yamaha and up to a 465 YZ through the 80’s and then more or less stopped for 2 decades. I raced, broke some ribs, a wrist, etc. In 2008 I inherited my dads 2004 Dyna with 16 inch ape hangers and forward controls. It was also bored out and coded up in performance. Knowing I hadn’t ridden in awhile, I invested in a three day course to acclimate myself with road riding - something I never did before. The day I picked up the bike, I had a 90 mile ride home ahead of me when the tire went flat. After the repair, it was already dark and started snowing. A 60 F day dropped to 31 over the course of 4 hours. One thing that course taught me and I saw it again here, was how important it was to be forward on the bike. Luckily my dad kept the OEM standard pegs on the bike and I was able to squeeze that tank and ride through snow and ice with a relaxed grip with no issues. That was the first of many rides on the bike and I still use those OEM pegs to lay this thing over. Scary as hell all the same.
As someone who has been riding off road for over 40 years i can confirm that this guy actually knows what he is talking about (despite wearing a flat cap). :)
Great video. As someone who grew up on dirt bikes the first few had me chuckling and thinking” yup, rookies” but the deeper into the list the more I realized, hey, that’s me. Thanks Bret!
I liked the riser comment. I'm 6'6" I used to run the craziest risers and tall bars. Now I run stock bars and risers on all my bikes. The bike handles like crap with the bars way up in the air.
My XRV750 has a pretty hard clutch lever on the handlebar. I can't press it with two fingers, I have to use four. What can be done? For the front brake lever - I also use four fingers, but not because it moves hard, but rather because I don't feel that level of control I need if I press it with just two fingers. Is it OK to use four fingers for the front brake?
Mistake 11: A rider dumps their heavy bike and then injures themselves doing the panic pick up my bike chicken dance. I did a test when I made a mistake off Brett’s list and tipped my bike. I let it lie there while I had a rest. No damage occurred to the bike. It just lay there quiet. I did not need to bust a tendon rushing to pick it up. Got some weight (ahem...) off it and picked it up. I don’t care if anyone “sees me” have a tip over. In fact now I take the opportunity to check the weather while I’m lying there, then look over the underneath, check the rear wheel bearings, that sort of thing...🙃
I appreciate this comment. I have a R1200GSA, which I have dropped and picked up solo a couple of times before w no problems. But a few months ago I dropped it in the middle of nowhere on an off-camber uphill, in loose rocks. Every time I got it partially upright (w a normal reverse back lift), because I was lifting from a lower position (due to the off camber situation) the bike would not get to its sweet balance spot. I attempted it three times, then, exhausted, took a break. Evenutally I spun/rotated it so that I was lifting from the uphill, and up it went. But now I have a strained bicep in one arm and a strained rotator cuff in the other, for 5 months. Never again!
Mark from Washington State here. When I was riding trials and motocross many years ago I got a good piece of advice. I was told that looking a a rock or some other obstacle will focus on the rock and you will hit it. Your advice to look ahead is right on. Note where the rock is then look up to plan your course. Don’t stare at the rock! How can I find out about your training opportunities? I’m in Olympia a lot and would like to hook up.
It's too bad some riders struggle with these things for years, so it's great to see you cover this so clearly in your video. I totally agree, the best $ spent on a bike is in rider training. Very few things (if anything other than more gasoline) can improve the ride better than this dollar for dollar.
Great tips. Oh, and if you were wondering, like me, where the missing two chapters are they're here: 1:55 - Don't forget to use the front break (but learn to when not) 6:05 - Don't use risers unless you really need them
Thanks Brett! All of your tips were incredibly wise and something I would’ve never thought of. I’m a newbie on a KL 650 and the only wise thing I’ve done so far is stripped the bike down to the basics, and added crash bars and aggressive motor cross pegs for traction. Hoping to get on the trail soon -so far trail riding has been limited to my grassy backyard. But I am having lots of fun on the road, so it’s time for me to expand my horizons. I will certainly look for an experience, professional trainer and hope to learn a lot.
I had ridden bikes for 20 years before I understood why some days I felt it and other days I just turned around and went home. I took a little local class because our dmv was so awful just to get my state license. I had rode all those years with a permit. That one sentence the retired motorcycle highway patrol told the class was worth every other second of the class. "Look where you want to go, your body will follow your eyes" was it! That has stuck with me and absolutely made me a better rider. Ever since I've done that, I haven't had another day where I turned around and went back home. The instructor told me I should have taken a more advanced class and actually had me help him with some of the instruction, but I'm glad I took that class and heard him say, look where you wanna go. It changed how I ride fundamentally. For the better too!
Bret, at 4 minutes in I thought you were mad at me! Obviously we've never met. And this is my first comment on any of the many videos I've watched of yours. But, for some reason, it felt like you were very angry at all of us. Lol. I also love your sales pitch at the end. I look forward to a chance to learn from you at your training course if possible in a few years. I'm active duty military and gave up a chance to get stationed in Washington due to some family issues. Hopefully in the future I'll be able to train with you. I love your videos. Keep it up!
Thanks for sharing your video. Rode my KLR to work today 5 miles pavement, 6 miles gravel roads. Looking forward to riding home and trying out your suggestions.
I have been saying the same thing about tire pressure for TEN YEARS, to deaf ears. Then I sit and watch half my friends on every trip patching tubes. Thanks for pointing out the flaws in the thinking.
I like your video so much. I like the way you present all the knowledge and skills. Even though I'm not an ADV rider I still like watching all these. Maybe one day I will have the chance to get my ADV and go for a proper adventure. Hope to see more good and helpful videos from you !! Thank you so much!!
I have just attended an introductory off road riding course in South Africa. We were taught most things you said but you added to my knowledge base. Stand up, look up and open up(not throttle)
Ya, I'm 6'-3" and hunched waaay over to grab the bars if I stand. It looks like I'm ducking something. Can't ride like I'm ducking. Awful ergo. I need alot of riser.
I'm 6.2 and 36 legs, riding CRF 250 Rally. When I started to riding off-road, I putted the risers immediately, but...when learned how to stand properly on a motorcycle at KTM adventure riding school Sweetlamb, retired thoses risers 😉
I've covered 100k+ on road bikes and cruisers in the last 40 years but now I've bought an A.T.! I made that decision last summer laying in a dirt track rut with my ankle pinned under my Harley near Crow Agency Mt. I had consistently for myself riding more and more gravel with bikes that are built for asphalt. I'm relearning off-road skills I learned as a kid and these videos have been a great help to me THANKS!!
As a 49 year-old who has only started fulfilling his lifelong dream of riding a motorbike I found this video really helpful. Currently restricted to a 125CC machine (2021 Honda CB125R, which I adore) until I get my full licence I still found your video incredibly useful. I've been sitting a bit far back on the seat (I'm 5'11'') to compensate for being restricted to a relatively compact bike but I'll rethink that now. Looking forward to needing all your other tips as I progress up the biking ladder. Aiming for a 650 V-Strom XT next year to start a bit of off-roading. Triumph 900 Rally Pro is the goal but I have to cautiously earn my stripes first! Love the videos. Subscribed. Stay safe.
If you're only needing 60 to 65 mph speeds on the interstate AND plenty good enough off-roading capability, that cb500x is a solid and VERY well priced choice man.... 471cc is really all one needs at such speeds and even offroading. Think about it...who needs to really go faster than those speeds offroad? Only motocross racers may hit around 40 or 50 mph at fastest for a split second before some jumps. Versus the Honda africa twin? The cb500x is still a better choice imo if ya don't need all the fancy electronic stuff, the extra weight, and much higher price tag... and want more mpg and a lighter bike but still the right enough weight for safe interstate highway speeds. Plus you can still add a Rally Raid ( brand name) offroad suspension/wheels kit ( two stages to select from ) that makes the cb500s equally as good offroad AND still saving you worst case around 2 grand or more. Sincerely think about it. Put a 36t rear sprocket on that cb500x with a 17tooth front, do a speedohealer to recalibrate/resync the stock speedo with the actual gps speed of the bike and you have worst case 65mph with full offroad gear at 60mph on interstates on your way to your camping destination and still plenty of offroading power with a well built tried and true reliable brand with plenty of aftermarket item selections Don't forget the engine crash bars, barbusters handlebar /hand guards, hippo hands for those cold and rainy months, axle and rear exhaust sliders. Protect that bike. it's worth it and makes picking it up slightly easier too. Cheers.
I been riding for 20 years and I still learn new things . I’m 6’1 and I use bar risers only for the comfort , I can see how they would infringe on a new rider learning how to ride off-road , but once you get the basics down I don’t see the any downside to them .
LOL this is the first time I've heard the packing technique from someone. I first heard it from an old man way back in the 80's (non moto related). I've been using it ever since. That's awesome to hear it from someone else 30+ years later. 👍💖
Every point is 100% spot on and delivered without using a million words. Still reminding myself every time it gets gnarly to look ahead and not down. Thank you!
good info. my adv riding consists of 24-33k miles per year of sf bay area commute. a lot of this translates directly to lane splitting and getting to and fro safely. especially the look far enough to match the speed of the bike. one more thing with that i do is never focus on any one thing-keep your eyes moving.
What a great video! Thanks Bret! -->subscribed! (I also really like the use of jazz drums as audio filler, that's a great sound and very applicable to the cadence of dual sport riding.)
Man , I brought my 1st adventure bike a GS 1200, I was struggling with it until I came across your channel, you’ve changed my life, thank you, I’m really enjoying my gs now
Hey mototrek, I'm a longtime drummer but a novice motorcycle rider. The little jazz drum clips are great. Whoever the drummer is, he/she is very good! Nice idea to score completely with drums.
I've been riding on the street for 48yrs. I recently moved to a County with over 700 miles of dirt roads. So I had to. Get an adventure bike. I took a ride today down a 3' tall mud river bank and through a river bed that consisted of sand, gravel, mud and rock. If it wasn't for watching your vedios and practicing the lessons, I would have fallen, got stuck or both. Thanks for the new skill sets. Huge difference between street and off road. Why have I not done this sooner? I'm now looking for a local adventure ridding class.
On a GS, without luggage, I do 2.0 bars/29 psi in the tyres. Having 2.9 bars/42 psi will make the bike go like a snake without grip on the gravel roads and in the terrain. I have never dented the rims. When I rode in the army in the 90s we never aired down but on my GS I definately do. I think you should specify in number what you mean by airing down. It’s about path selections and body movement too. If you sit like a sack and just ride in a straight line over everything you need MX shocks as well. Take care Bret and let’s make this year the best bike year ever!
Awesome video mate! I have been guilty of many of these in the past. I'm no expert now, but having training definitely helped me beyond what I thought it would. Just those little things that become habit make all the difference, creating muscle memory over time and making the rides much more enjoyable.
Another stellar video! We share Bret's videos to help ADV Riders get prepared for our annual Adventure Bike Gathering in Vernon, British Columbia. What a great resource. Props!
The only complaints I have about your videos is there's too much time between new videos and your videos are too short. It seems like your 10 minute videos are only 2 minutes becaused I'm focused on what your saying and it seems like I wait forever for another quality learning video to come out. Thanks
Rode my DR650 offroad for the first time a couple days ago and it really woke me up to the fact that offroad riding isn't as easy as it looks! But after a day of struggling and wearing myself out (and nearly crashing a few times haha), I hunger for more knowledge to hone my skills. Everything this guy says in this video makes so much sense!
All valuable advice from an obviously very experienced adventure bike rider and trainer, thanks Bret. You are so lucky to have these trails to ride in (I assume) the US. Here in the UK, there are very few such trails, and those that are available are all on private land, needing express permission to use!
Finally an intelligent answer to the “risers” question that I’ve been looking for? I’m 6’2” and hated putting riser on but now I know I made the good choice. Thanks @MOTOTREK
I watch lots of RUclips adventure bike clips and although some good advice and entertaining, nothing beats getting better at riding than riding. Been riding for 42yrs and every time I ride, I try to improve some aspects of my riding.
Glad you found your bike again mate!you walked so far away from it at beginning I thought-He,s not gonna find his way back!!an in depth view on best rider gear would be good!!
Thank you for everything you, Paul and Christiana have taught me and shared with me. Everytime I ride I think of you guys (mostly in good ways :-) about your advice and teachings. Godspeed
Thanks for the tips. My Africa Twin came with bar riser that raised me up and back an inch. I always wondered why I felt like I was falling off the bike when standing up. Took them off and what a difference. Much more stable.
Great video Bret, hope to one day get some adventure training if I can find some in my area. thanks for your videos so far, I've been watching them and others a lot :) and thankfully have only downed my Afirca Twin about 7 times (no crash bars) with minimal damage :) (Funny side note - I encountered my first big mud area a while back -- I thought to myself "What would Bret do?" I couldn't remember watching about mud, so I said "well, maybe approach it 'fast' since I'm on street tires and I must maintain momentum!' 4 seconds later I was eating a mud puddle, but it was awesome (had to throttle-push it out, it was bad new Mexico clay!)
Six mistakes in this video: 1. Parking your bike in the middle of a trail. 2. Kneeling down next to your parked bike making a video on a trail. 3. Telling riders not to air-down tires...but air them down, but don't. 4. Riding 700 lbs of bike & rider quickly downhill on a small low visibility trail. 5. Wearing color coordinated hats to match your riding gear. 6. Learn to pack light says the guy who brought 2 pairs of shoes.
I went into this expecting that I would find out what I'm doing wrong, but all my habits from racing motocross really prepared me for riding an ADV bike. Years in the Army helped the packing but too.
You got subbed, i appreciate your and whole team's hardwork they have put on these videos. I just found your channel and every Video has some purpose and teachings to do.❤️
Good stuff. Your last comment is excellent. I've been riding for 45 years and have close to 350,000 miles of riding experience but...I've never invested in rider training.
99% of the time I agree with your vids, I am not 6 ft and the bar risers for proper stance on my Africa Twin are essential for correct body position. thanks for the vids!
Agreed #8 look far ahead, but move it to #1 - that also specifically means #2 don't hit obstacles in your path - rather identify and avoid obstacles in time (never ride/follow at another riders pace) - i.e. riders I've followed that are slamming directly into obvious rocks and potholes, then get punctures actually deserve them. If you do understand the benefit of incremental pressure changes, use that to your advantage (otherwise slow down or stop and resume when the fast guy is out of sight) - I am behind them, me with my selective lower pressure and avoiding the same obstacles by varying my path, using the additional grip with a compliant ground contact patch, yet i get no puncture and no rim damage - these lazy riders don't steer their bike exactly, bounce over the obstacle, lose traction and fall - they share steering with their bike rather than control steering 100% by the pilot; or they stay mindlessly in a rill with an obstacle dead ahead and then hit it? - I disagree with your Pt #1 - If your telling riders to not vary tyre pressure to match surface/terrain/grip you're going to hurt people Bret when traction is marginal. hot/cold tyre pressure has to be used carefully in direct conjunction with riding a selective line, avoiding serious obstacles that may bend a rim, or rim-pinch-puncture a tyre/tube. You also left out #10 - weight the outside peg with lateral CofG - i can see you do it on the video - it's very important. Tyre pressure is a complex subject and deserves it's own 30 min video for edification.
Hmm, risers, yes. I've just switched from an '07 R1200GS to a '14 F800GS and I was thinking that I need risers. I'll re-evaluate that one. I've also recently paid and signed up for the BMW GS Off-Road training here in Oz, really looking forward to it. Keep up the great work Bret, genuinely appreciated! Cheers.
As someone who took one of Bret's trainings this summer (his ADV camp in Oregon), I can 1000% attest to the value of his trainings! I got 10x better at off-road riding on my Africa Twin, which no farkle could give me.
Looks like 'm not the only one who's learned something from your vids =) I will recommend this video to anyone who is considering riding an ADV bike. You boiled it down to the essentials. Regards bars: guilty of risers here ( I am 6'1/2"), but one can adjust the position to a great degree with just rotation. I use a normal position when seated and riding pavement, but when I get to the dirt, I rotate my bars forward and up. You can buy toggle bolts that let you easily loosen the clamps, but I carry an allen key in my pocket.
Awesome video!! you already have a new follower, and will ask for some course or any formation you could provide me as soon as I get the bike I am waiting for... (Teneré 700) thanks and congratulations!!
Hello Bret, I have been watching you since the beginning! Was it your first trip on the Vstrom in the snow? That makes me ancient! I have seen you improve your riding as we all do (including myself) through out the years, the more we ride/practice the better we get at it. I totally agree with you on all the suggestions you make/offer to be a better rider. My only concern is the way riders position themselves with the risers! - they don't move them enough forward or backwards and I get concerned when I see them trying to hold onto 800 lbs. I have been riding for 40+ years, adventure riding for 20 and the last 5 years, I rode 100,000 + miles all over the world! I got to France a few weeks back after Central/South America and a boat to Spain, then more.... Anyway, I love your "teaching/suggestions" and I hope to meet you on the road sometime........Keep them Starbucks riders safe! Cheers, Patrick
I'm 6'3" and I've had to remove my risers to prevent pain in my neck and shoulder blades on long trips. I can't stand on the pegs and work the controls anymore. I would be interested in taking a class and getting input on fitting the bike to me.
WoW Bret. Nice chatting with you today and looking forward to meeting you Tuesday. You have been on my favs list like forever. Around Bend Oregon out !
tnx again for your comments and helpful tips, regarding packing, I'll say pack light and smart and manage weight by properly distributing the load, packing light is always a challenge, as a long distance ADV rider (just made it back from the Conti Divide 30 days 6,000 miles) I can spend a few months away from home, (SoCal) and sometimes not only Off-Road but few days without being able to replenish, mean self contain, I consider myself very efficient but always end up with about 75Lb. which turn a heavy ADV Bike into a beast .... lol
Your enthusiasm riding ADV machines is fantastic. You get it. Non ADV riders just don't know what they are missing. A simple joy ride in a rural area and you see a dirt trail and can explore it while the street bikes have to stay on the pavement. ADV bikes aren't about racing through the woods. They allow us to explore and see sights we'd never reach on a street based machine.
Tbh honest I've ridden ZZR1400 in same places that my XT1200. Not in places with my XT600 tough 🙂 It's not comfortable for sure, but imo there's huge misconception that you need adv bike to ride gravel. There's tons of bikes like Hornets etc. that go quite nicely in gravel even with street tyres.
Okay As a taller rider I used a special set of risers that also allowed me to adjust the bars forward as well as up. I did some research and also looked realistically at me and the bike fit. I ride a 2016 DR650, and though I loved it when I got it I found that there were some weak spots for someone 6'1" tall and weighing around 220. Now I did not buy the bike and just run out and buy mods, or as we call them Farkles. I lived with the bike for a while and rode the heck out of it. I bought it in October, so had some winter down time to plan and get parts. I did a suspension upgrade that made the bike taller by taking out the 45% sag, and also did the dreaded Handlebar Risers. I bought a set that allowed me to raise them without bringing them closer. Best move I ever made, as it allowed me to stand comfortably, but also positioned my arms ore comfortably. I love all of Brets advice and he is spot on. I am no pro but I have over 20 years on the DR type bikes, and am really a minimalist and not into a ton of add on stuff. Take his advice to heart, but do not be afraid to custom your bike to you and your type of riding. I do highway and dirt with mine, and love it. Ride, Learn, Repeat.
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Fun story: I live in the Yukon and had to deliver some parts to my buddy whos truck had broken down in a small community 180km north of my home town. I decided to take my brand new V-Strom 1000XT for its first real road trip and set off for what was to become quite the adventure. I arrived at his location around 9:30pm, helped repair his broken rig, and left an hour later. By 11:00pm it was pitch black, raining, and 7'C. Cold, wet, and dark. This was my first time riding in these conditions and I had little riding experience to begin with. The return trip home that would normally take less then 2 hours ended up taking almost 4 hours. The entire ride was terrifying but there was one section of highway that really stood out for me.
This particular section of road was under construction and had become a shit mix of mud and loose gravel. The fact that I couldn't see the road in front of me made it impossible to pick a 'safe' line through, and all I could think of was 'let it do it's thing' as I entered the construction zone. The V-Strom literally took me from one side of the road to the other several times, the handle bars hammering back and forth with the sudden changes in direction. I believe the only reason I stayed upright was because of some of the things I learned while watching this channel. Stay calm, do not overreact, be smooth on the throttle, keep a loose grip on the handle bars, and let the bike go where it needs to go. I had no idea a bike could behave so violently and still maintain 'control'.
I have no desire to be in that situation ever again but I am grateful for the experience as I learned a lot from it. It was exhausting but in the end I made it home safe and sound. If it wasn't for videos like these that likely would not have been the case. Thank you for putting this information out there so new riders like me have a better chance at surviving their own stupidity!
That's one thing I learned in the past 4yrs ive had my triumph tiger is stand up loose grip and just let the bike do its thing. Expecially around here in NW PA on thick loose gravel roads. Also a good blip of the throttle helps power through.
Soon I'll buy a Tiger XRT. Sure your tips will help me a lot. Thanks! You're saving lives with your videos.
+1... I call him Saint Bret... The Protector!!! 👍🏻😂
That is so true! I have been riding mostly smaller off-road bikes for the past 25 years, and it is only once I got a 1200GS over a year ago that I really learned to let the bike do its thing. The big bikes is actually really good to learn on doing that, as the bike is too big to control properly anyway and it is conducive to let you loosen up and learning to trust the bike more. The smaller bikes makes you want to man handle it more, and it is not always helpful to proper off road riding.
my satnav tried to kill me during my rid around Loch Ness in Scotland, i am used to drive gravel road with my V-Strom 650, but that mud road i was told to take, no thx... reset the satnav, having spend some time to find a better road...
1 time in the French Alpes, i was close to throw it down the mountain, it send me down a paved road, for the first 500m down the mountain, the last 4km was rocks and stuff i have no idea what it was... no chance to turn around a 400kg bike, on a steep hill and lose ground... i made it, its added some xp skills riding my bike...
My '17 Africa cost $12,200. Learning from you has been priceless. What I have found, much to my surprise, is that a lot of what you teach I was already doing because of common sense... and large bikes require a different rider input. Ergonomics on the bike was probably the most shocking lesson from you. I am 6'1" and 220lbs. Just rotating the bars and re-setting the lever position made it a completely different bike. Thank you Bret for the confidence and education you have given to me and countless others. I hope to make the trip from N.Y. some day to experience your classes...but for now your videos are making a huge difference. Thank you for that.
Right-on, John!
Hi Bret, i just wanted to send you a wee message from Scotland.
I've just came back from 2 weeks in India, a friend and I rode from Delhi all the way up through Manali up to Leh around pangong lake lake Moriri and Kar lake and back to Manali.
The reason I'm telling you this is because I would like to thank you for all your videos as they have helped my friend and I get through our trip in one piece.
From your videos on... the weightless rider technique, sand riding, riding downhill, rock field riding , u-turns and getting back on the pegs to name a few.
These videos made our trip as we had full days of off road riding, river crossings, riding rocky river beds, riding down slippy clay descents, deep sandy areas and even some snow riding and without your videos I think we would have struggled alot more than we did.
So thank you again for all your videos, keep them coming!
They have made a massive difference to my riding and my holiday.
Thanks again,
Daryn.
Awesome man. 👍
Awesome frog! We are going from Thailand to Leh next year! Long and fun and no hurry. Up through Myanmar, across to India and back. 10,000km on a CRF250L.
@@artthurman3446 the all the best bro!!
may i ask what bike you rode and how much did the whole trip cost inc fuel transport of bikes food ect thanks
Yes nice
Video!
Often overlooked: trying to learn to ride offroad on a $14,000, 500 lb bike. If you’ve never ridden off road, spend a year on a used DRZ400 or a KLR 650 ( or a real dirt bike) that you can drop, scratch up, and repair relatively cheaply. You will learn so much faster when you’re not afraid to ride the bike. Put some gnarly tires on it and learn how to have fun. Follow good riders. Climb steep stuff. Get rad. Scare yourself. Then when you finally throw down 15k for that glamorous farkle pony, you won’t bust it up on the first day it touches dirt.
This is the same logic I try to impress upon new road riders, as well. Start small and work on skills first!
DR350 or 250 is cheaper. Rock solid and won't let you down.
I call BS on this. It's just sales talk to sell you more bikes. Get the bike you love. The one you want o ride every day and everywhere. When you do, just practice, practice practice. Make sure you buy appropriate insurance cover.
@@shinejv When I was training for my glider pilot's license, the instructors would say, train in the low performance glider because it is cheaper and you'll learn more quickly, then after you get your license, do transition training is a modern higher performance ship. I said it makes no sense to have to unlearn something right after finishing the certification training, there is no economy in that and I'll have habits that I will have to untrain. I did my training in .the higher performance ship that was harder to fly, but it also fit me much better.
However, each person must know his particular requirements, including cost.
Absolutely, go even lighter, 2T dirt bike combine with MTB riding just to get used to trails riding, holding handlebars, 1 or 2 finger clutch and break control, standing on pegs / pedals, using your legs to steer the bike.... all valuable lessons and experience which will pay off.
Your videos have gone so far in making me a better rider. Thanks for taking the time to put these out there. I would love to attend one of your classes, but until then, the work you put into these videos is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
You're welcome, Brant!
I'd also love to attend your classes, will you be doing any in South Africa?
10th mistake..heavy motorbike like this
@@gianlucabassi8853 - To blame the wight of the bike, like a GS that is build for and are the best bike for this kid of ride. Then is you making up bad excuses for your lack of practice, skill and knowledge.
Why are you even looking at videos like this?
Grew up as a teenager riding dual sports (Yamaha XT250 & Suzuki DR650). Spent years on the street riding sport bikes, went back to dirt bikes and enduro racing, now I am on the ADV train. Yes, it has been and is an adjustment, but my years riding trails and street has prepared me greatly. I am adjusting well to my Africa Twin. It's big, yes, but offroad I owe my abilities to riding dual sports and dirtbikes. I can read the terrain, pick my lines, feel the throttle and traction. Riding super sports helped me read the road, understand the dynamics of corners, and read traffic. Starting on ADVs isnt bad, but it may be useful to spend some time on more suitable bikes in their respective environments, then learn and adjust to your new and expensive ADV. Just a thought.
I like the tips, and you know your stuff. Great Video.
Well I started off 45 years ago with an enduro, learned to ride on the way home form the dealer. My how things have changed. I have been riding for over 45 years before I took my first riding class for duel sport riding class. I learned so much Im going back for more. Love your channel
Mountain biking has taught me a lot of these tricks I strongly recommend practicing on a little bike. its made me so much more comfortable on a big adventure bike.
Agree completely!
What do you think about using the front brake more than the back??😕
mark Jones over 200kg things get revalued. I use to be an amateur mountain bike racer and i thought motorbike riding will be easy on terrain/dirtroad/gravel then i was suprised...so front brake important in every situation just you need to handle well and easy that like 1-2 fingers instead of 4 for example.
@@salzdorfer I,v ridden motorbikes off road in all forms for years.(I'm old!)we always controlled braking on rear! Now its all front brake.down to front suspension no doubt!just wanted to hear your perspective as a mountain biker as regardes to braking.the rear can control the bike(as you know)but to much front brake will have you on your face! Am I missing some do you think?i gave up off roading for years due to superbikes!just making my comeback!😀👍
I would second this, I was guiding a group in Turkey, they had never ridden off road motorcycles, but were expert down hill mountain bikers, the first day we had a lot of crashes as they adjusted to the weight, but by the end of 5 days riding they were brilliant. They had the right positions and knew instinctively when to let the bike flow. must guys go too big too soon simply because they can afford it.
Thank you Bret for taking the time to do these vids. I've learned so much from you about adv riding properly.
It feels like every second comment I make on people’s videos is a quote from one of your tips. You and Chris Birch taught me pretty much everything I know about adventure riding.
I've learnt alot from Chris birch as well.. and that is that I'm shit in comparison. That dude ain't a teacher he's the school.. haha.
I have been riding Adventure bikes before they were called ADV bikes, started in 1984......it has taken me a long time to trust the bike and look ahead....trust the bike to basically go over the rocks and obstacles directly in front of you trust the suspension and tyres that they will do their job. Standing up when the track is rough is also one of the hardest things to do as you feel that you have further to fall, but the fack is that you will have less chance of falling.....
For me it's also about balance. If I look directly in front of me I get sense that I'm not as stable. But looking more upwards/straight makes at least my balance feel much better.
I am from Ghana West and I travel twice every year with my GS800 to my hometown Bolgatanga which is 870km from the capital Accra. On this journey, you meet all the good and harsh conditions that a road has to offer you but in all, I manage with guys like you around to give us heads up. In November 2005 I had a head-on collision with a Landcruiser and it has never been the same with me after breaking my thigh bone and my two hands. guess what I was back on road again just after a year on. So all I am trying to say is guys like you help us back on the road with more and more to learn from and not make the mistakes we made at the time of my accident.
Great advice. Back when I learned to ride in the 1970s, there were books with much of the same advice and explanation of the physics of why getting your weight on the pegs matters so much. The handlebars are where important controls are, and usually deserve a very gentle touch. No Internet back then, but you could still get information if you wanted it. I read at least four books on motorcycle riding before I ever rode.
thanks for this reply, its comforting to know this information is verified and even published.
I have to say, there are so many techniques I've learned, practiced, and put into action due to your videos.
I began riding in June of this last year and these videos have single handedly (with perhaps a bit of help from Ryan F9) made me a better, smarter, more confident and effective rider off road.
I now find myself intentionally log hopping, tackling steep, rocky climbs and aiming for the deep mud so as to better understand my bike and frankly, to make the adventures that more entertaining. I've ridden over 8000 miles, mostly on just weekends since June 15th, including large gaps where I didn't ride at all due to weather, travel, and being sick with the flu. Thanks Bret. Always looking forward to the next video.
I am a recent motorbike enthusiast but drums are way deep in my life. Congrats to this soundtrack man! \m/
Haha I'm the opposite. I've been riding my whole life and only recently got into drumming. I had to watch the video twice because after reading your comment I could only focus on the drums and missed all his tips 🤣
Looking farther ahead than you think has been one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten again and again.
Thx Bret for your advice, I have done many of dose mistakes already, but still learning.
7:30 Way back when, just learning to ride on my ER50, saw a dirt trail leading up a rise to a tree, so I took it. "Flying" along the track, looking for ruts and rocks and went straight into a barbed wire fence. Immediate stop - nuts, meet instrument cluster. Lesson learned, lol. Just got back into dirt with F650GS Dakar after many years on road bikes, so glad I found your channel as I'm in need of some refresher courses. Cheers.
Great points.
To the last point about investing in self I would also add:
- go to the gym! I've seen people unable to lift their bikes (even lighter ones)
- invest in proper cloths for more offroad riding to keep you comfortable and safe (road-only boots offroad are a bad idea, similarlly helmet)
No to mention that sometimes it's better to spend less money on the bike and more money on the trips. I've seen cases when people cough up their last dimes to buy GS1250 and than literally have no money to takie it for a 2 week trip.
This was a great video. I’ve ridden dirt , forests and slate quarries since 1970 on an 80cc Yamaha and up to a 465 YZ through the 80’s and then more or less stopped for 2 decades. I raced, broke some ribs, a wrist, etc. In 2008 I inherited my dads 2004 Dyna with 16 inch ape hangers and forward controls. It was also bored out and coded up in performance. Knowing I hadn’t ridden in awhile, I invested in a three day course to acclimate myself with road riding - something I never did before. The day I picked up the bike, I had a 90 mile ride home ahead of me when the tire went flat. After the repair, it was already dark and started snowing. A 60 F day dropped to 31 over the course of 4 hours. One thing that course taught me and I saw it again here, was how important it was to be forward on the bike. Luckily my dad kept the OEM standard pegs on the bike and I was able to squeeze that tank and ride through snow and ice with a relaxed grip with no issues. That was the first of many rides on the bike and I still use those OEM pegs to lay this thing over. Scary as hell all the same.
As someone who has been riding off road for over 40 years i can confirm that this guy actually knows what he is talking about (despite wearing a flat cap). :)
Great video. As someone who grew up on dirt bikes the first few had me chuckling and thinking” yup, rookies” but the deeper into the list the more I realized, hey, that’s me. Thanks Bret!
Thanks for the feedback, Wally!
I liked the riser comment. I'm 6'6" I used to run the craziest risers and tall bars. Now I run stock bars and risers on all my bikes. The bike handles like crap with the bars way up in the air.
My XRV750 has a pretty hard clutch lever on the handlebar. I can't press it with two fingers, I have to use four. What can be done? For the front brake lever - I also use four fingers, but not because it moves hard, but rather because I don't feel that level of control I need if I press it with just two fingers. Is it OK to use four fingers for the front brake?
Mistake 11: A rider dumps their heavy bike and then injures themselves doing the panic pick up my bike chicken dance. I did a test when I made a mistake off Brett’s list and tipped my bike. I let it lie there while I had a rest. No damage occurred to the bike. It just lay there quiet. I did not need to bust a tendon rushing to pick it up. Got some weight (ahem...) off it and picked it up. I don’t care if anyone “sees me” have a tip over. In fact now I take the opportunity to check the weather while I’m lying there, then look over the underneath, check the rear wheel bearings, that sort of thing...🙃
I appreciate this comment. I have a R1200GSA, which I have dropped and picked up solo a couple of times before w no problems. But a few months ago I dropped it in the middle of nowhere on an off-camber uphill, in loose rocks. Every time I got it partially upright (w a normal reverse back lift), because I was lifting from a lower position (due to the off camber situation) the bike would not get to its sweet balance spot. I attempted it three times, then, exhausted, took a break. Evenutally I spun/rotated it so that I was lifting from the uphill, and up it went. But now I have a strained bicep in one arm and a strained rotator cuff in the other, for 5 months. Never again!
Rough lesson.
Mark from Washington State here. When I was riding trials and motocross many years ago I got a good piece of advice. I was told that looking a a rock or some other obstacle will focus on the rock and you will hit it. Your advice to look ahead is right on. Note where the rock is then look up to plan your course. Don’t stare at the rock!
How can I find out about your training opportunities? I’m in Olympia a lot and would like to hook up.
Hi, Mark. Yep - "target fixation".
Bret's schedule is @ BretTkacs.com
- Tim
It's too bad some riders struggle with these things for years, so it's great to see you cover this so clearly in your video. I totally agree, the best $ spent on a bike is in rider training. Very few things (if anything other than more gasoline) can improve the ride better than this dollar for dollar.
Great tips. Oh, and if you were wondering, like me, where the missing two chapters are they're here:
1:55 - Don't forget to use the front break (but learn to when not)
6:05 - Don't use risers unless you really need them
Thanks Brett! All of your tips were incredibly wise and something I would’ve never thought of. I’m a newbie on a KL 650 and the only wise thing I’ve done so far is stripped the bike down to the basics, and added crash bars and aggressive motor cross pegs for traction. Hoping to get on the trail soon -so far trail riding has been limited to my grassy backyard. But I am having lots of fun on the road, so it’s time for me to expand my horizons. I will certainly look for an experience, professional trainer and hope to learn a lot.
I had ridden bikes for 20 years before I understood why some days I felt it and other days I just turned around and went home. I took a little local class because our dmv was so awful just to get my state license. I had rode all those years with a permit. That one sentence the retired motorcycle highway patrol told the class was worth every other second of the class. "Look where you want to go, your body will follow your eyes" was it! That has stuck with me and absolutely made me a better rider. Ever since I've done that, I haven't had another day where I turned around and went back home. The instructor told me I should have taken a more advanced class and actually had me help him with some of the instruction, but I'm glad I took that class and heard him say, look where you wanna go. It changed how I ride fundamentally. For the better too!
Bret, at 4 minutes in I thought you were mad at me!
Obviously we've never met. And this is my first comment on any of the many videos I've watched of yours. But, for some reason, it felt like you were very angry at all of us. Lol. I also love your sales pitch at the end. I look forward to a chance to learn from you at your training course if possible in a few years. I'm active duty military and gave up a chance to get stationed in Washington due to some family issues. Hopefully in the future I'll be able to train with you. I love your videos. Keep it up!
Thanks for sharing your video. Rode my KLR to work today 5 miles pavement, 6 miles gravel roads. Looking forward to riding home and trying out your suggestions.
Right on, Don!
As always - priceless help, information and suggestions. A huge fan of your great videos! Thank you!
You're welcome, Hans
I have been saying the same thing about tire pressure for TEN YEARS, to deaf ears. Then I sit and watch half my friends on every trip patching tubes. Thanks for pointing out the flaws in the thinking.
I like your video so much. I like the way you present all the knowledge and skills. Even though I'm not an ADV rider I still like watching all these. Maybe one day I will have the chance to get my ADV and go for a proper adventure. Hope to see more good and helpful videos from you !! Thank you so much!!
Glad you are enjoying the videos! These techniques work on all motorcycles, even when you are not riding off-road.
I have just attended an introductory off road riding course in South Africa. We were taught most things you said but you added to my knowledge base. Stand up, look up and open up(not throttle)
Smart choice, Anthony!
Ya, I'm 6'-3" and hunched waaay over to grab the bars if I stand. It looks like I'm ducking something. Can't ride like I'm ducking. Awful ergo. I need alot of riser.
I'm 6.2 and 36 legs, riding CRF 250 Rally. When I started to riding off-road, I putted the risers immediately, but...when learned how to stand properly on a motorcycle at KTM adventure riding school Sweetlamb, retired thoses risers 😉
I've covered 100k+ on road bikes and cruisers in the last 40 years but now I've bought an A.T.! I made that decision last summer laying in a dirt track rut with my ankle pinned under my Harley near Crow Agency Mt. I had consistently for myself riding more and more gravel with bikes that are built for asphalt. I'm relearning off-road skills I learned as a kid and these videos have been a great help to me THANKS!!
Ah the joy of waking up to find a new mototrek video to watch.
As a 49 year-old who has only started fulfilling his lifelong dream of riding a motorbike I found this video really helpful. Currently restricted to a 125CC machine (2021 Honda CB125R, which I adore) until I get my full licence I still found your video incredibly useful. I've been sitting a bit far back on the seat (I'm 5'11'') to compensate for being restricted to a relatively compact bike but I'll rethink that now. Looking forward to needing all your other tips as I progress up the biking ladder. Aiming for a 650 V-Strom XT next year to start a bit of off-roading. Triumph 900 Rally Pro is the goal but I have to cautiously earn my stripes first! Love the videos. Subscribed. Stay safe.
If you're only needing 60 to 65 mph speeds on the interstate AND plenty good enough off-roading capability, that cb500x is a solid and VERY well priced choice man.... 471cc is really all one needs at such speeds and even offroading. Think about it...who needs to really go faster than those speeds offroad? Only motocross racers may hit around 40 or 50 mph at fastest for a split second before some jumps.
Versus the Honda africa twin? The cb500x is still a better choice imo if ya don't need all the fancy electronic stuff, the extra weight, and much higher price tag... and want more mpg and a lighter bike but still the right enough weight for safe interstate highway speeds. Plus you can still add a Rally Raid ( brand name) offroad suspension/wheels kit ( two stages to select from ) that makes the cb500s equally as good offroad AND still saving you worst case around 2 grand or more.
Sincerely think about it. Put a 36t rear sprocket on that cb500x with a 17tooth front, do a speedohealer to recalibrate/resync the stock speedo with the actual gps speed of the bike and you have worst case 65mph with full offroad gear at 60mph on interstates on your way to your camping destination and still plenty of offroading power with a well built tried and true reliable brand with plenty of aftermarket item selections
Don't forget the engine crash bars, barbusters handlebar /hand guards, hippo hands for those cold and rainy months, axle and rear exhaust sliders. Protect that bike. it's worth it and makes picking it up slightly easier too.
Cheers.
Great advice as always ... especially packing light .. I do but my friends never manage it ... really strange ! Keep up the good work, love your vids.
Thanks, Nigel!
I been riding for 20 years and I still learn new things . I’m 6’1 and I use bar risers only for the comfort , I can see how they would infringe on a new rider learning how to ride off-road , but once you get the basics down I don’t see the any downside to them .
I also think it's depending on the bike you're using. My handlebars are definitely too low and I'm 6'.
LOL this is the first time I've heard the packing technique from someone. I first heard it from an old man way back in the 80's (non moto related). I've been using it ever since. That's awesome to hear it from someone else 30+ years later. 👍💖
Fantastic content guys!!
Thanks!
Wow, these tips are amazing. I have bar risers on mine and often end up gripping the handlebar hard when I give some throttle.
Every point is 100% spot on and delivered without using a million words. Still reminding myself every time it gets gnarly to look ahead and not down. Thank you!
*am 6'2"* - "remove your risers" - *excuse me? * - "unless you're over 6 feet tall" - *phew* - Standing up is already uncomfortable enough.
Yeah a leggy 6'4" here, same. With risers I still collapse my knees and lean forward uncomfortably.
Add risers and lower the pegs is my motto
@@nickaltvater5592 A Segway should suit then :0
Not sure about the risers yet. Lower pegs 1/2". Thinking about raising the seat 1". Then we'll see about risers. I have long arms.
@@GregHassler feels like your gonna go over the bars huh?
good info. my adv riding consists of 24-33k miles per year of sf bay area commute. a lot of this translates directly to lane splitting and getting to and fro safely. especially the look far enough to match the speed of the bike. one more thing with that i do is never focus on any one thing-keep your eyes moving.
Good advice. Thx
What a great video! Thanks Bret! -->subscribed! (I also really like the use of jazz drums as audio filler, that's a great sound and very applicable to the cadence of dual sport riding.)
Man , I brought my 1st adventure bike a GS 1200, I was struggling with it until I came across your channel, you’ve changed my life, thank you, I’m really enjoying my gs now
Buying expensive bike and learning how to ride it...
Some people travel the world for less than price than your bike
The last tip was by far the most beneficial. Pity people will only hear it if they stay to the end.
So well said. See so many riders holding on the bars so hard and keeping the handle bars tight.
Great conclusion! Don't spend money to bike, spend money into yourself, into your traveling!
That is so true.Good call
Hey mototrek, I'm a longtime drummer but a novice motorcycle rider. The little jazz drum clips are great. Whoever the drummer is, he/she is very good! Nice idea to score completely with drums.
A good place to learn about packing light is to check out channels focused on lightweight hiking and camping kit.
Cabela's make a nice light camping tent, 3 person is a great size. Those self inflating 3" pads are nice, with foam core.
I've been riding on the street for 48yrs. I recently moved to a County with over 700 miles of dirt roads. So I had to. Get an adventure bike. I took a ride today down a 3' tall mud river bank and through a river bed that consisted of sand, gravel, mud and rock. If it wasn't for watching your vedios and practicing the lessons, I would have fallen, got stuck or both. Thanks for the new skill sets. Huge difference between street and off road. Why have I not done this sooner? I'm now looking for a local adventure ridding class.
That was a wonderful refresher to all that you have taught us Bret. Thank you!!!
On a GS, without luggage, I do 2.0 bars/29 psi in the tyres.
Having 2.9 bars/42 psi will make the bike go like a snake without grip on the gravel roads and in the terrain.
I have never dented the rims.
When I rode in the army in the 90s we never aired down but on my GS I definately do.
I think you should specify in number what you mean by airing down.
It’s about path selections and body movement too.
If you sit like a sack and just ride in a straight line over everything you need MX shocks as well.
Take care Bret and let’s make this year the best bike year ever!
Awesome video mate! I have been guilty of many of these in the past. I'm no expert now, but having training definitely helped me beyond what I thought it would. Just those little things that become habit make all the difference, creating muscle memory over time and making the rides much more enjoyable.
Another stellar video!
We share Bret's videos to help ADV Riders get prepared for our annual Adventure Bike Gathering in Vernon, British Columbia. What a great resource. Props!
Thanks for sharing!
The only complaints I have about your videos is there's too much time between new videos and your videos are too short. It seems like your 10 minute videos are only 2 minutes becaused I'm focused on what your saying and it seems like I wait forever for another quality learning video to come out. Thanks
Agreed. Wish we had the time to make videos more frequently.
Rode my DR650 offroad for the first time a couple days ago and it really woke me up to the fact that offroad riding isn't as easy as it looks! But after a day of struggling and wearing myself out (and nearly crashing a few times haha), I hunger for more knowledge to hone my skills. Everything this guy says in this video makes so much sense!
Fantastic vid, I learnt a lot , thank you . Hi from Australia
All valuable advice from an obviously very experienced adventure bike rider and trainer, thanks Bret.
You are so lucky to have these trails to ride in (I assume) the US.
Here in the UK, there are very few such trails, and those that are available are all on private land, needing express permission to use!
Finally an intelligent answer to the “risers” question that I’ve been looking for? I’m 6’2” and hated putting riser on but now I know I made the good choice. Thanks @MOTOTREK
I watch lots of RUclips adventure bike clips and although some good advice and entertaining, nothing beats getting better at riding than riding. Been riding for 42yrs and every time I ride, I try to improve some aspects of my riding.
Glad you found your bike again mate!you walked so far away from it at beginning I thought-He,s not gonna find his way back!!an in depth view on best rider gear would be good!!
After 30 years biking enduros, travelling for more than 250.000 km including Africa I totally agree! Good video👍🏻👏🏻
Thank you for everything you, Paul and Christiana have taught me and shared with me. Everytime I ride I think of you guys (mostly in good ways :-) about your advice and teachings. Godspeed
Thanks for the tips. My Africa Twin came with bar riser that raised me up and back an inch. I always wondered why I felt like I was falling off the bike when standing up. Took them off and what a difference. Much more stable.
Great video Bret, hope to one day get some adventure training if I can find some in my area. thanks for your videos so far, I've been watching them and others a lot :) and thankfully have only downed my Afirca Twin about 7 times (no crash bars) with minimal damage :) (Funny side note - I encountered my first big mud area a while back -- I thought to myself "What would Bret do?" I couldn't remember watching about mud, so I said "well, maybe approach it 'fast' since I'm on street tires and I must maintain momentum!' 4 seconds later I was eating a mud puddle, but it was awesome (had to throttle-push it out, it was bad new Mexico clay!)
Six mistakes in this video:
1. Parking your bike in the middle of a trail.
2. Kneeling down next to your parked bike making a video on a trail.
3. Telling riders not to air-down tires...but air them down, but don't.
4. Riding 700 lbs of bike & rider quickly downhill on a small low visibility trail.
5. Wearing color coordinated hats to match your riding gear.
6. Learn to pack light says the guy who brought 2 pairs of shoes.
This is the first of many of your videos I have watched. I definitely recognized the typography! I live in in Oly too. Great channel!
Looked like Northern California/Southern Oregon. Used to drive Log truck there.
I went into this expecting that I would find out what I'm doing wrong, but all my habits from racing motocross really prepared me for riding an ADV bike.
Years in the Army helped the packing but too.
Glad to hear it. Thx for watching anyway! Hope you enjoyed it.
@@MOTOTREK I did, and thank you for always sharing your knowledge.
You got subbed, i appreciate your and whole team's hardwork they have put on these videos. I just found your channel and every Video has some purpose and teachings to do.❤️
Thank you, Bhaskar!
Good stuff. Your last comment is excellent. I've been riding for 45 years and have close to 350,000 miles of riding experience but...I've never invested in rider training.
Pro training is worth the cost, Michael. Thanks for the feedback.
99% of the time I agree with your vids, I am not 6 ft and the bar risers for proper stance on my Africa Twin are essential for correct body position. thanks for the vids!
Always excellent content and instruction…keep up the good work
Agreed #8 look far ahead, but move it to #1 - that also specifically means #2 don't hit obstacles in your path - rather identify and avoid obstacles in time (never ride/follow at another riders pace) - i.e. riders I've followed that are slamming directly into obvious rocks and potholes, then get punctures actually deserve them. If you do understand the benefit of incremental pressure changes, use that to your advantage (otherwise slow down or stop and resume when the fast guy is out of sight) - I am behind them, me with my selective lower pressure and avoiding the same obstacles by varying my path, using the additional grip with a compliant ground contact patch, yet i get no puncture and no rim damage - these lazy riders don't steer their bike exactly, bounce over the obstacle, lose traction and fall - they share steering with their bike rather than control steering 100% by the pilot; or they stay mindlessly in a rill with an obstacle dead ahead and then hit it? - I disagree with your Pt #1 - If your telling riders to not vary tyre pressure to match surface/terrain/grip you're going to hurt people Bret when traction is marginal. hot/cold tyre pressure has to be used carefully in direct conjunction with riding a selective line, avoiding serious obstacles that may bend a rim, or rim-pinch-puncture a tyre/tube. You also left out #10 - weight the outside peg with lateral CofG - i can see you do it on the video - it's very important. Tyre pressure is a complex subject and deserves it's own 30 min video for edification.
Hmm, risers, yes. I've just switched from an '07 R1200GS to a '14 F800GS and I was thinking that I need risers. I'll re-evaluate that one. I've also recently paid and signed up for the BMW GS Off-Road training here in Oz, really looking forward to it. Keep up the great work Bret, genuinely appreciated! Cheers.
Thanks for watching, Pat!
Thanks for the advice 😉👌 Best regards from Portugal 🇵🇹✌️
As someone who took one of Bret's trainings this summer (his ADV camp in Oregon), I can 1000% attest to the value of his trainings! I got 10x better at off-road riding on my Africa Twin, which no farkle could give me.
Such an excellent video you are a truly a superb teacher
Thanks, Ron!
Only because of yours videos I finish Bosnian's offroad roads on my last trip.
Manny thanks!
"Pack light" I DO. It's my wife who doesn't.
Leave her behind then!
@@SenorTucano it's not light packing if there's 100# of extra weight lol
Looks like 'm not the only one who's learned something from your vids =)
I will recommend this video to anyone who is considering riding an ADV bike. You boiled it down to the essentials.
Regards bars: guilty of risers here ( I am 6'1/2"), but one can adjust the position to a great degree with just rotation. I use a normal position when seated and riding pavement, but when I get to the dirt, I rotate my bars forward and up. You can buy toggle bolts that let you easily loosen the clamps, but I carry an allen key in my pocket.
Awesome video!! you already have a new follower, and will ask for some course or any formation you could provide me as soon as I get the bike I am waiting for... (Teneré 700) thanks and congratulations!!
Agreed. Getting proper training is the best money you can spend. Going back and getting a refresher course is a good idea too.
Hello Bret, I have been watching you since the beginning! Was it your first trip on the Vstrom in the snow? That makes me ancient! I have seen you improve your riding as we all do (including myself) through out the years, the more we ride/practice the better we get at it. I totally agree with you on all the suggestions you make/offer to be a better rider. My only concern is the way riders position themselves with the risers! - they don't move them enough forward or backwards and I get concerned when I see them trying to hold onto 800 lbs. I have been riding for 40+ years, adventure riding for 20 and the last 5 years, I rode 100,000 + miles all over the world! I got to France a few weeks back after Central/South America and a boat to Spain, then more.... Anyway, I love your "teaching/suggestions" and I hope to meet you on the road sometime........Keep them Starbucks riders safe! Cheers, Patrick
I look awesome at Starbucks
You are so right on that last point about investing in training and learning proper technique.
So right for the last comment ! Your video are very pratical and interessting , just keep doing your good job !
I'm 6'3" and I've had to remove my risers to prevent pain in my neck and shoulder blades on long trips. I can't stand on the pegs and work the controls anymore. I would be interested in taking a class and getting input on fitting the bike to me.
How often have I been flamed for suggesting that a rider doesn't need to fit risers? Well to be fair, probably only 5 or 6 times...
Bikes are designed for a 5'6", average built person. It's a totally different "ball game" when you are 6'4".
@@andrewevanoff1192 I'm 5'6" and based on how hard it is for me to touch the ground on most ADV bikes, I disagree with this statement.
WoW Bret. Nice chatting with you today and looking forward to meeting you Tuesday. You have been on my favs list like forever. Around Bend Oregon out !
That last one is good one.
tnx again for your comments and helpful tips, regarding packing, I'll say pack light and smart and manage weight by properly distributing the load, packing light is always a challenge, as a long distance ADV rider (just made it back from the Conti Divide 30 days 6,000 miles) I can spend a few months away from home, (SoCal) and sometimes not only Off-Road but few days without being able to replenish, mean self contain, I consider myself very efficient but always end up with about 75Lb. which turn a heavy ADV Bike into a beast .... lol
Your enthusiasm riding ADV machines is fantastic. You get it. Non ADV riders just don't know what they are missing. A simple joy ride in a rural area and you see a dirt trail and can explore it while the street bikes have to stay on the pavement. ADV bikes aren't about racing through the woods. They allow us to explore and see sights we'd never reach on a street based machine.
Tbh honest I've ridden ZZR1400 in same places that my XT1200. Not in places with my XT600 tough 🙂
It's not comfortable for sure, but imo there's huge misconception that you need adv bike to ride gravel. There's tons of bikes like Hornets etc. that go quite nicely in gravel even with street tyres.
Okay As a taller rider I used a special set of risers that also allowed me to adjust the bars forward as well as up. I did some research and also looked realistically at me and the bike fit. I ride a 2016 DR650, and though I loved it when I got it I found that there were some weak spots for someone 6'1" tall and weighing around 220. Now I did not buy the bike and just run out and buy mods, or as we call them Farkles. I lived with the bike for a while and rode the heck out of it. I bought it in October, so had some winter down time to plan and get parts. I did a suspension upgrade that made the bike taller by taking out the 45% sag, and also did the dreaded Handlebar Risers. I bought a set that allowed me to raise them without bringing them closer. Best move I ever made, as it allowed me to stand comfortably, but also positioned my arms ore comfortably. I love all of Brets advice and he is spot on. I am no pro but I have over 20 years on the DR type bikes, and am really a minimalist and not into a ton of add on stuff. Take his advice to heart, but do not be afraid to custom your bike to you and your type of riding. I do highway and dirt with mine, and love it. Ride, Learn, Repeat.
"Learn to pack light!" *straps 80L Moskos on 500lb GSA*
LOL
70 LTR :-)
Bret Tkacs :)
* laughs in Honda CRF250L accent
Bret Tkacs 600lbs. :)