I’ve got a 26” inseam. This video was incredibly enlightening! The scene where you’re dragging your foot across the seat has been me, especially when I’ve got gear strapped to the rear seat. Thanks for showing me a better way.
Greetings from Poland (this is somewhere in the middle of Europe ;-) ) Thank you, your channel is for me one of the most important places for motorcycle education.
Motor officers are always taught to get off on the high side as you are not stepping off into traffic when stopped on the side of the road - at least in North America! Love your site.
Absolutely excellent video. Love the advice: “don’t fight the bike…” I have been struggling with getting comfortable with my bike, so will definitely work on the balancing exercise. Also, addressing the fear of dropping the bike: “…if the bike falls, well, that’s ok… just do it with class.”
Jesus, scaring the crap outta me. I so need to master the balance thing. You are spot on that it all starts there no matter what your size is. Thx. Plan on watching all your vids. I ride a r1250r.
Thanks for the tips. I plan to create exercises over the winter with my 2nd bike. A honda shadow VLX600 to a VTX1300. I am 5'6" and very new to riding motorcycle. A late start is better than no start at 50 years old.
Man you are a motorcycle Acrobat! I always learn several things from your videos and sometimes have to watch them twice to feel like I got everything thanks for the tips! Hope I can take one of your classes someday!
Thanks for these tips. I”m a 5’6” female with regular length legs. My f800gsa is still tall, even after lowering it 2” and a lower seat. I’m gonna practice some of these techniques because stopping for me has been a real challenge🤪. (Let’s just say - thank goodness for crash bars😂)
@Nombre Apellido Thanks for that🙏🏼. My only problem with the Captain Morgan’s stance is that, because my bike’s center of gravity is high, when I lean it to one side a tiny bit with the leg/butt off the seat, the tipping point is borderline. I’ll never give up. Just gotta keep practice stopping. I have no problem moving, hahahaha😂
Hi, I’m a short guy with 5 feet 2 inch and I’m now riding a metal heavy ZXR 750 J2 and a light F800R. Both have different ways of riding and most ideas in this videos is very useful and I also learn new things as well here. For a short person out there don’t stop riding....keep on riding to gain your confidence and understand your bike. I ride everyday to my workplace n any weather conditions. Believe yourself, you and your bike will be as one.
This was an awesome video, I've been riding for years, and I am a short rider, always scared about dropping my bike, but this video not only was hilarious but helpful, I will definitely put into practice all these tips.... thanks a lot, well done
I love this. Instead of convincing someone to get a bike that just too big and heavy for them, you are giving practical solutions and work arounds that can be used in the real world!
To help with the math of the 5” curb…the technique you showed is more effective than you indicated. That 5” curb represented a 5” change in leg length. The body is roughly 50/50 divided at the waste so a 5” delta in leg length is more like a 10” change in height. That trick made you 5’2” -ish. In other words - damn good advice for us shorter guys and gals.
Even being 6'3" many of the tips were still helpful. Especially tips for mounting the motorcycle as I have never used the footpegs as a step for mounting, going to try that tomorrow.
I love the confidence Bret has around the bike. Sound and simple tips to help. I'm a short rider on a R1250GS and already know to plan ahead and slide off the seat - the advice to do it all the time is great and I'll definitely now do that as I was caught out this week by a missing road (it was further away than I thought). No issues other than a minor panic as my foot kept travelling down. Had I used Bret's advice it would have a non-issue. Made me laugh about climbing on and off the bike from front and back - just goes to show what confidence can do. Dismounting high side and other tips are all going to be tried. Now, I am sure there is a back catalogue of videos to watch...
Great tips, I ride a GS 850 Adventure, being only 5' 6" I always learn the bike over left or right so I can be one foot down . I always look for the high ground when stopping . The GS's are well balanced bikes and have never felt that the bike is going tip over.
What really destroyed my confidence was the thought I wouldn’t be able to pick up the bike after the balance test. Comparing me to your cramped version of walking around the bike , you were a ballerina. So, I got a large carpet out, removed the plastics of the bike, got my partner with me and started practicing picking up my bike. The difference between knowing the theory and actually doing it...
Many thanks for this Brett.. Re Rolling dismount.. I've owned and operated a motorcycle tour guiding company in New Zealand for the past 25 years. One of my Guided tour clients (an experienced US rider, well over 6 feet tall) had his rolling dismount go spectacularly wrong one day, and suffered serious injuries. He extended the sidestand while still rolling but it caught an object before he'd come to a stop at a gas station. He didn't notice that it had been knocked back up into the retracted position. As he dismounted, the bike (A Triumph Tiger 955i) fell on his hip, which caused him to panic and he shoved it off of his hip (the other way) too vigorously. When he saw the bike falling away from him, he tried to save it by grabbing at the far side handlebar. He learned that you can't fight the laws of physics - the weight of the bike and the leverage from length of the handlebar applied a perfect Aikido throw. He was hurled over the top of the bike, did a somersault and then ran straight through a plate glass window as he came up from his rolling somersault. I far prefer Jocelin Snow's "short-ass dismount" where she actually steps off the bike to the left as it comes to stop, in a cowboy moving dismount, WITHOUT deploying the sidestand. She then lowers the sidestand while stopped, with the bike sitting on her hip, and in full control. The rolling dismount deploying the sidestand while rolling IS flashy.. but it has the capacity to go badly wrong.
Wow been riding 40 years plus on the short side myself you taught me something matter of fact I'm going to turn around watch it one more time thanks so much
This walking around the bike was not as easy as I thought. Good idea to put the bike on a soft grass :) Great videos, Bret. You really help in getting a better rider.
Man that GS is stable on that side stand. My Duke once fell over even when no one was on it. Thank you for the useful info. Loved all the tips specially the first one.
*This video has astounded me.* I have stocky short 'Rugby Legs' and have been riding bikes on and off since 16yrs old. I am now 50 and I wish I knew the lessons you covered from the start. The last bike was a HD FXDB Street Bob with a 1600cc engine. I had to lower the shocks to just reach the ground and then I never felt confident stopping on it (or the Honda CB750k7 I had at 30yrs old, or any bike for that matter! ), to which you have now made me realise, fighting the bike and getting stationary and on and off the bike, can be overcome. YOU ROCK(guitar solo)!!! Thanks :) Subscribed ;)
AMAZING! Bret is so good he can't even fake being awkward with the weight of the bike. I love this guy! And this video was super helpful for this 29" inseam rider.
Great information Bret. At a height of 5’6”, my KLR650 was always a challenge when stopped. Learned to mount on the right side and only put one foot down when stopped.
I am 5'10", but with a 30" inseam (don't try the math there. Long torso.) This video has opened up a new world that I had assumed I wasn't allowed jnto.
Ohhh man. This vídeo was perfect to me. I own a bmw exactly like this one of the video and I've feeling some difficults to ride then. This tips give me more confidence with the bike.
Thanks, Bret!...being a shorter rider myself, I've had to learn many of these tricks and techniques, mostly the hard way!...as always, presented in a fun and informative manner...cheers!
5'4" and really grateful for this advice, Bret. I have a new (to me) Versys-X that I plan to spend this weekend getting to know using your tips. I can wholeheartedly confirm that when you don't have a lot of upper body strength or height, you look at pretty much every bike and think "I can't handle that weight if it's not moving". In turn, that damages your confidence, and you find yourself getting wary when it's time to move it around the garage, or when you come to a stop on uneven terrain. I can do this. Thank you. Ever thought about running training courses in Canada? We have poutine and bears, if that helps...
Hey Laura, I just wrote this in another comment, so just copy it here in case it is useful. Finding high heel boots was of great help to me! My inseam is 30" and I love adv bikes and struggle with height too. Maybe you have already looked into it, but there are boots with heels that can add 2 inches and I find them really helpful. Even with the heels I cannot flatfoot my bike but it definitely helps me to feel more secure when stopping. I have invested in Daytona boots, they are a German brand and in the States you can get them at Revzilla. I really wanted the Lady Star GTX boots but my feet are gigantic, so had to get the men's version, the M-Star GTX. They have other styles if you prefer them more feminine, I believe all the ladies' styles have 2" heels and some of the men's do too. They also let you adjust the calf width, which for me is a godsend! A couple of the TCX brand boots have heels too, I have the Street Ace Lady for summer, they look great for city riding. Both of these size quite big, I got one size less than I need for the Italian brands. The Daytona are expensive, but so worth it for me!
@@SiriKaktiki - This is just miss-information. This can make it even harder to handle the bike, fall over more often and even crash. And the bigger size of the boots, is so you can have ticker wool socks on. If you use thin socks in your boots. You are doing it wrong. Boots you wear for a long time, you always have ticker wool socks on. And even 2 layers or more, if you have to. That is to protect your feet against cold and warm weather. The same is with rest of the gear.
Smile while you ride, you are absolutely correct. I just found this after buying a much bigger bike than I am used to. The cowboy step up and over from the high side was something I never considered. RUclips is amazing.
Great video. I'm about 5' 8" and my torso is long relative to my legs, so it's nearly impossible to get both feet on the ground while sitting on my bike. I'm also 70 years old and have had multiple surgeries and broken bones in my arms and shoulders, which leave me with very little arm strength. If I let my bike lean much at all while stopped, I find it nearly impossible to hold it up. My worst experience was having to stop along a freeway in Virginia to change out of my rain gear (it had rained but was hotter than hell once it stopped). The shoulder was covered with gravel and sloped down from the road quite a bit. My bike was on the verge of tipping over when the kickstand was down. After changing gear, I mounted and prepared to drive off, but in order to bring the kickstand back up, I had to lean the bike past its point of balance so far that I couldn't hold it (the gravel under my right foot didn't help). The bike went down, and I couldn't get it back up by myself given the angles and the lack of traction and strength. Fortunately, a motorist stopped and helped me get it going again. I now pay a great deal of attention and stop only where I know I can do so safely.
Thank You, Bret! This video is a very, very important for me. All exercises is very well. I am not small rider, but I need this. Good luck in Your business!
Thank you very much, Sir. My height is 5 feet 3 inches, your tips gave me a new perspective and confidence to look at the huge bikes. I am for sure following your tips.
So what I'm hearing you say is.....Go practice...practice...practice and when you feel comfortable get out there and practice more :-) Love the content.
I’d be interested to see a video on riding in the wind. I rode I-90 from Idaho to Western WA, and had some periods of crazy crosswinds. As a new rider, it was horrifying.
Coming out of yakima is terrifying. The hot desert air is fighting the cold mountain air trying to trade places. Just slow down. Dont be in a hurry. I rode my drz400 over 90 last month it's about 550lb with me and my gear and very tall. It was like being a sail. I slowed to 55ish and it got way easier
@@johnboy2251 Try Vantage highway out of Ellensburg towards the Tri Cities, I ended up in the oncoming lane before I knew what was happening. Slowing down is great advice. I've also moved my knee out away from the motorcycle on the upwind side, it kind of acts like a sail to pull you into the wind. Gotta be careful and try to anticipate where the wind will gust into you at.
I am not vertically challenged and I (unfortunately) don’t own a GS - but I have watched this clip dozens of times and try and practice every tip in it (except the climbing on over the front and off over the rear). VERY helpful for every rider! Thanks!
The drone will help you. Anyhow for those we follow you since time ago you have a lot of things pending to show us ( mud, tools, turn around, winch on the bike or even hoy to fall down with style) . GREAT.
Some of this i figured out on my own after buying the 790. Its got the seat height for 35 inch inseam and i have 27 with boots on. However, once the weather cools off here in the desert, if it ever cools off, i am definitely going to learn the foreword mount technique. Thank you and be safe.
Love the idea of getting off the high side using the pegs. At 5'8" I'm not short and with a 31.5" seat height my bike isn't exactly tall either but when I've got roll bags / duffle bags on the back I always worry about fuel stops and trying not to get my leg caught on the bag and hitting the deck on the petrol forecourt as a result. My neighbours are in for a treat later when I go out on the driveway to practice. It is going to be comedy gold as probably won't be as slick as Bret.
Well, that was a lot of fun! You challenged me to try some new moves. I have an inseam of 30" so I guess I'm vertically challenged. I recently bought a new KLR 650 (2022) and have found it to be a learning experience. I've been considering lowering the suspension or the seat but, after seeing your suggestions here, I'm going to practice some of these moves. Thank you for building my confidence.
Thank you so much. After watching this video I am completely convinced that I can also own a BMW R1250gsa with my height of 5 feet 7 inch. You got a subscriber.
Bret, dunno if if know AdrRider website. But one of the most important rule is: "if you've nothing nice to say, STFU". That's a rule I'm following. always. and not only on the web. As you said, made the world smile. And you're doing a pretty good job so far, mate.
Hello from Australia. I've just got a new bike ,and haven't been on the Rd for over 25 yrs..I'm still getting used to trying to do corners and I really got a lot from watching , especially trying to do U turns .. So watching given me better insight Cheers
Bret, thanks for the great video on mounting and dismounting a bike. I’ve had a stroke a number of years ago and decided I would try biking again after 40 years of riding. I’ve discovered once again the joy of riding, even though my limbs don’t bend like Gumby. I’ve had a fear of dropping the KLR650 at the mounting and dismounting point. I had the stand shortened 3/4” of an inch and what a difference it makes. I will be trying out your techniques. Thanks again. Safe riding. John in Grande Prairie Alberta
Thanks Bret as a 65 year old vertically challenged rider who has just brought his 1st mid weight Tiger 900 Rally Pro adventure bike and dropped it you have shown me the error of my ways. Had a Suzuki TS 250 in the mid 1970's and was flexible enough to have intuitively adopted many of the mount/dismount techniques you describe, just wanted to add a tip that lack of fitness caused by pain has stiffened up my hips and weakened my right leg so I have been to see a Chiropractor and 750 bucks later and a load of exercise & stretches I am gradually building up my core strength & confidence with handling the bike at standstill and have been remembering to keep an eye out for things to stand on when stopping. Going to try that holding the bike up thing whilst walking around it to get used to the balance of the bike, I'll send you the repair bill if I drop it ;o).
Thanks Brett. I have added so much of your advice to my riding you have enhanced my motorcycling skills. Keep the videos coming. And to whoever thumbs down this video, piss off.
I am 68 with bad knees and a 30 inch inseam and riding an FJR1300. I was also dismounting and mounting from the left side and needed to drag my leg & foot across the seat. I am now practicing getting on from the right side, but 50+ years of habit is difficult to retrain. The body just does not want to easily do that. Great video.
brilliant! thank you so much- I just bought the Indian FTR Rally & I can't touch the ground...at all!! This has really helped my mind set & given me some skills to practice. Hopefully I can find some courses like yours in Australia.
Fantastic stuff as always mate. I will keep coming back to your videos because no matter how experienced I think I am, there is always room for improvement. I will try some of the moves on the good old KLR. Keep up the awesome work. Greetings from Australia.
@motojitsu has whole video on tip #1. @RF9 did tip #2 as well in depth. Great tips Bret and great minds think alike! Tip #3 I personally showed my wife the curb tip out of the blue just to help her understand her stature vs mine. Your expertise is simple, straightforward and bears repeating (rewatching) & sharing. Your channel deserves more subs.
If you want text notification for new videos, text "Tkacs" to 888-306-7782 (now say that 5 times fast... "text Tkacs to"
The most important technique I'd like to learn is how to put on the hat right after removing the helmet. You do it so fluidly--what a pro!!
@@bikedawg 🤠🤣
Bret 😁makes me want a har now
That helmet to hat move is the most impressive thing is saw in this video 😂 we need a training video on that move alone!
This is not something everybody could master :) I wear glasses so I need my two hands just to put my helmet on and off :)
Bret is very adept at hiding his balding dome. Many of us have gone through that phase. :-)
It's a drivers cap,legend says when you wear one you learn some badass stuff
I didn't even see where his cap came from. It just appeared out of no where. Cool move
🤨 I bet you shit your pants at magic shows.. 🤣
I’m barely 5’3” and this is best video I’ve seen to date for short riders.
Me too...
I'm only 5'1"
@@sidharthcs2110
I'm 5' 2".
( Not "only". I'm Normal. Everyone else is "Abe". )
me too,
Im 5’1” 😢
Handicapping yourself with the curb was pretty impressive.
I'm glad this topic is getting more coverage lately.
"we're not looking down at you"
*Put camera in low angle*
Lmao
How dare you sir. I ought to give you a punch on the nose! I just need something to stand on, like a dining table!
LOL
Exactly
😆😆😆😆😆
I’ve got a 26” inseam. This video was incredibly enlightening! The scene where you’re dragging your foot across the seat has been me, especially when I’ve got gear strapped to the rear seat. Thanks for showing me a better way.
Your kickstand deserves a medal.
Greetings from Poland (this is somewhere in the middle of Europe ;-) ) Thank you, your channel is for me one of the most important places for motorcycle education.
My name is Tkacs.... Of course I know where Poland is 😉👍
definitively, attitude matters !! thank you Bret for your tips and videos
Motor officers are always taught to get off on the high side as you are not stepping off into traffic when stopped on the side of the road - at least in North America! Love your site.
The beginning of the video cracks me up. This looking down on the camera, "not looking down on you"....
So many sassy tips.
I'm only 5' 2". Thanks
Absolutely excellent video. Love the advice: “don’t fight the bike…” I have been struggling with getting comfortable with my bike, so will definitely work on the balancing exercise. Also, addressing the fear of dropping the bike: “…if the bike falls, well, that’s ok… just do it with class.”
I'll make sure I'll practice on grass lol
I am 5'2" and Always learn something from your videos. Thank you!🙂
Jesus, scaring the crap outta me. I so need to master the balance thing. You are spot on that it all starts there no matter what your size is. Thx. Plan on watching all your vids. I ride a r1250r.
The kick stand down rolling stop is awesome.
i wondered where you'd got to, glad you're back . At 60 years old and 6' with a 29" inseam this is the video i wish i'd seen years ago. Cheers
Thanks for the tips. I plan to create exercises over the winter with my 2nd bike. A honda shadow VLX600 to a VTX1300. I am 5'6" and very new to riding motorcycle. A late start is better than no start at 50 years old.
Man you are a motorcycle Acrobat! I always learn several things from your videos and sometimes have to watch them twice to feel like I got everything thanks for the tips! Hope I can take one of your classes someday!
Thanks for these tips. I”m a 5’6” female with regular length legs. My f800gsa is still tall, even after lowering it 2” and a lower seat. I’m gonna practice some of these techniques because stopping for me has been a real challenge🤪. (Let’s just say - thank goodness for crash bars😂)
@Nombre Apellido Thanks for that🙏🏼. My only problem with the Captain Morgan’s stance is that, because my bike’s center of gravity is high, when I lean it to one side a tiny bit with the leg/butt off the seat, the tipping point is borderline. I’ll never give up. Just gotta keep practice stopping. I have no problem moving, hahahaha😂
@Nombre Apellido Thanks. I’m definitely gonna check it out👍👍👍
@Nombre Apellido - She is an expert. A professional only get paid to do stuff, don't have to be good at it…
I'm a 5'2" woman with a 29" inseam, I struggle getting on the Royal Enfield Bullet 😅
You’re doing a great job with these new videos. We’re with you bud.
Hi, I’m a short guy with 5 feet 2 inch and I’m now riding a metal heavy ZXR 750 J2 and a light F800R. Both have different ways of riding and most ideas in this videos is very useful and I also learn new things as well here. For a short person out there don’t stop riding....keep on riding to gain your confidence and understand your bike. I ride everyday to my workplace n any weather conditions. Believe yourself, you and your bike will be as one.
This was an awesome video, I've been riding for years, and I am a short rider, always scared about dropping my bike, but this video not only was hilarious but helpful, I will definitely put into practice all these tips.... thanks a lot, well done
I am 5'7" and having watched your vids i now have more confidence and have put your tips into practice. thank you from the UK
That is great to hear... 🙂👍
I love this. Instead of convincing someone to get a bike that just too big and heavy for them, you are giving practical solutions and work arounds that can be used in the real world!
To help with the math of the 5” curb…the technique you showed is more effective than you indicated. That 5” curb represented a 5” change in leg length. The body is roughly 50/50 divided at the waste so a 5” delta in leg length is more like a 10” change in height. That trick made you 5’2” -ish. In other words - damn good advice for us shorter guys and gals.
Outstanding Bret... IT'S ABOUT SKILLS and not about the bike!
Even being 6'3" many of the tips were still helpful. Especially tips for mounting the motorcycle as I have never used the footpegs as a step for mounting, going to try that tomorrow.
I love the confidence Bret has around the bike. Sound and simple tips to help. I'm a short rider on a R1250GS and already know to plan ahead and slide off the seat - the advice to do it all the time is great and I'll definitely now do that as I was caught out this week by a missing road (it was further away than I thought). No issues other than a minor panic as my foot kept travelling down. Had I used Bret's advice it would have a non-issue. Made me laugh about climbing on and off the bike from front and back - just goes to show what confidence can do. Dismounting high side and other tips are all going to be tried. Now, I am sure there is a back catalogue of videos to watch...
Thanks for all your sharing about how to become a happy and good rider. Thank you.
Hands down my favorite channel. If you come to Colorado I will take your course if it’s at my skill level.
Great tips, I ride a GS 850 Adventure, being only 5' 6" I always learn the bike over left or right so I can be one foot down . I always look for the high ground when stopping . The GS's are well balanced bikes and have never felt that the bike is going tip over.
What really destroyed my confidence was the thought I wouldn’t be able to pick up the bike after the balance test. Comparing me to your cramped version of walking around the bike , you were a ballerina. So, I got a large carpet out, removed the plastics of the bike, got my partner with me and started practicing picking up my bike. The difference between knowing the theory and actually doing it...
Why has RUclips waited so long to figure out I needed this videos five drops ago!!! Thank you!!!
Many thanks for this Brett..
Re Rolling dismount..
I've owned and operated a motorcycle tour guiding company in New Zealand for the past 25 years. One of my Guided tour clients (an experienced US rider, well over 6 feet tall) had his rolling dismount go spectacularly wrong one day, and suffered serious injuries. He extended the sidestand while still rolling but it caught an object before he'd come to a stop at a gas station. He didn't notice that it had been knocked back up into the retracted position. As he dismounted, the bike (A Triumph Tiger 955i) fell on his hip, which caused him to panic and he shoved it off of his hip (the other way) too vigorously. When he saw the bike falling away from him, he tried to save it by grabbing at the far side handlebar. He learned that you can't fight the laws of physics - the weight of the bike and the leverage from length of the handlebar applied a perfect Aikido throw. He was hurled over the top of the bike, did a somersault and then ran straight through a plate glass window as he came up from his rolling somersault.
I far prefer Jocelin Snow's "short-ass dismount" where she actually steps off the bike to the left as it comes to stop, in a cowboy moving dismount, WITHOUT deploying the sidestand. She then lowers the sidestand while stopped, with the bike sitting on her hip, and in full control.
The rolling dismount deploying the sidestand while rolling IS flashy.. but it has the capacity to go badly wrong.
Wow been riding 40 years plus on the short side myself you taught me something matter of fact I'm going to turn around watch it one more time thanks so much
Obi Wan Kenobi also chose the high ground. He chose wisely..
I'm a brand new 5'6" rider starting on a klr650. Thank you for your video and the education. It's gonna help a ton!
5 seconds into this video and already there's something I want to try
Wow, every single suggestion is incredibly useful. Thank you Bret-you are real value to many of us bikers.
This walking around the bike was not as easy as I thought. Good idea to put the bike on a soft grass :) Great videos, Bret. You really help in getting a better rider.
Thanks Bret....I'm 5'7" (169 cm.), with a KTM 1290 S. Adv. R (-3 cm.), so your tips are veeery welcome!
Whoa. I'm 5'8" and went with the 790 partially because the 1290 seemed too tall and massive.
@Gamal Elsayed lowered 3 cm. (a little more than 1 inch)
@@stevePHXD yeah...lot of very low speed drops before lowering it!...😅
Mounting & Dismounting from the high side something I have never tried... That is a good idea when I a riding a tall bike... Thank you..
Man that GS is stable on that side stand. My Duke once fell over even when no one was on it.
Thank you for the useful info. Loved all the tips specially the first one.
It's in the details, it's not the sidestand
*This video has astounded me.*
I have stocky short 'Rugby Legs' and have been riding bikes on and off since 16yrs old. I am now 50 and I wish I knew the lessons you covered from the start. The last bike was a HD FXDB Street Bob with a 1600cc engine. I had to lower the shocks to just reach the ground and then I never felt confident stopping on it (or the Honda CB750k7 I had at 30yrs old, or any bike for that matter! ), to which you have now made me realise, fighting the bike and getting stationary and on and off the bike, can be overcome. YOU ROCK(guitar solo)!!! Thanks :) Subscribed ;)
I feel so happy after watching this video. I just got my first semi-adventure bike (Im a short person) and I found this very useful. Thank you!
AMAZING! Bret is so good he can't even fake being awkward with the weight of the bike. I love this guy! And this video was super helpful for this 29" inseam rider.
Congrats, Bret. Your vídeos really help all bikers. Come to Brasil soon. cheers
Great information Bret. At a height of 5’6”, my KLR650 was always a challenge when stopped. Learned to mount on the right side and only put one foot down when stopped.
I am 5'10", but with a 30" inseam (don't try the math there. Long torso.)
This video has opened up a new world that I had assumed I wasn't allowed jnto.
Snap. I'm also 5'10 with 30" inseam. Thought I was the only one lol.
@@martinfrost3596
Upside: my wife is 5'5", but we don't have to adjust the driver seat in our cars.
Martin Frost me too
i.m 5'11'' with 30,5 inseam. I feel you guys
@@pojk5698 I like the camaraderie we have going here.
Thanks!
Ohhh man. This vídeo was perfect to me.
I own a bmw exactly like this one of the video and I've feeling some difficults to ride then. This tips give me more confidence with the bike.
Love this...I am vertically challenged, got a bike I love but it is tall...tips on this site helped so much thank you!
Thanks, Bret!...being a shorter rider myself, I've had to learn many of these tricks and techniques, mostly the hard way!...as always, presented in a fun and informative manner...cheers!
5'4" and really grateful for this advice, Bret. I have a new (to me) Versys-X that I plan to spend this weekend getting to know using your tips. I can wholeheartedly confirm that when you don't have a lot of upper body strength or height, you look at pretty much every bike and think "I can't handle that weight if it's not moving". In turn, that damages your confidence, and you find yourself getting wary when it's time to move it around the garage, or when you come to a stop on uneven terrain.
I can do this. Thank you. Ever thought about running training courses in Canada? We have poutine and bears, if that helps...
Thanks for all the good humor, Bret. And all the good tips. 😊
Hey Laura, I just wrote this in another comment, so just copy it here in case it is useful. Finding high heel boots was of great help to me!
My inseam is 30" and I love adv bikes and struggle with height too. Maybe you have already looked into it, but there are boots with heels that can add 2 inches and I find them really helpful. Even with the heels I cannot flatfoot my bike but it definitely helps me to feel more secure when stopping. I have invested in Daytona boots, they are a German brand and in the States you can get them at Revzilla. I really wanted the Lady Star GTX boots but my feet are gigantic, so had to get the men's version, the M-Star GTX. They have other styles if you prefer them more feminine, I believe all the ladies' styles have 2" heels and some of the men's do too. They also let you adjust the calf width, which for me is a godsend! A couple of the TCX brand boots have heels too, I have the Street Ace Lady for summer, they look great for city riding. Both of these size quite big, I got one size less than I need for the Italian brands. The Daytona are expensive, but so worth it for me!
@@SiriKaktiki - This is just miss-information. This can make it even harder to handle the bike, fall over more often and even crash.
And the bigger size of the boots, is so you can have ticker wool socks on. If you use thin socks in your boots. You are doing it wrong. Boots you wear for a long time, you always have ticker wool socks on. And even 2 layers or more, if you have to. That is to protect your feet against cold and warm weather. The same is with rest of the gear.
Smile while you ride, you are absolutely correct. I just found this after buying a much bigger bike than I am used to. The cowboy step up and over from the high side was something I never considered. RUclips is amazing.
Great tips for these types of motorcycles
Bret Thank you for these very insightfull videos, I enjoy watching them every time.
Great video. I'm about 5' 8" and my torso is long relative to my legs, so it's nearly impossible to get both feet on the ground while sitting on my bike. I'm also 70 years old and have had multiple surgeries and broken bones in my arms and shoulders, which leave me with very little arm strength. If I let my bike lean much at all while stopped, I find it nearly impossible to hold it up. My worst experience was having to stop along a freeway in Virginia to change out of my rain gear (it had rained but was hotter than hell once it stopped). The shoulder was covered with gravel and sloped down from the road quite a bit. My bike was on the verge of tipping over when the kickstand was down. After changing gear, I mounted and prepared to drive off, but in order to bring the kickstand back up, I had to lean the bike past its point of balance so far that I couldn't hold it (the gravel under my right foot didn't help). The bike went down, and I couldn't get it back up by myself given the angles and the lack of traction and strength. Fortunately, a motorist stopped and helped me get it going again. I now pay a great deal of attention and stop only where I know I can do so safely.
Thank You, Bret! This video is a very, very important for me. All exercises is very well. I am not small rider, but I need this. Good luck in Your business!
I'm a new rider, thanks for the tips and encouragement 🙏🏾
Thank you very much, Sir. My height is 5 feet 3 inches, your tips gave me a new perspective and confidence to look at the huge bikes. I am for sure following your tips.
You can tell I'm a beginner by how impressed i am by his trust in that kick stand.. Lol. thank you for the video!
Great work Bret. I'm so pleased to have discovered your channel this week.
Welcome to the channel
@@BretTkacs Thank you. 😊
Great job Bret never thought about all the ways to mount and dismount a motor cycle great vid
I’m 5’6” this is very handy. I very often mount from the right hand side, like getting on a horse.
Great video as always, this one in particular hits home since I'm 5'6" with short legs, 29" inseam, and a big Africa Twin bike.
How? Please explain to me? I´m 5'4 and don´t even dare to touch a CB500X :)
So what I'm hearing you say is.....Go practice...practice...practice and when you feel comfortable get out there and practice more :-) Love the content.
Full time, long term motorcyclist here. Some great tips. Thanks!
Really great tips and things to practice. Thanks for the good info and great attitude.
I'm going to share this in my women m.c. riders group. Excellent!
Thank Bret!! I found a lot of useful tips here. I liked the humour as well!! Lots of fun.
Just as impressive is how quick you are with the cap!
I’d be interested to see a video on riding in the wind. I rode I-90 from Idaho to Western WA, and had some periods of crazy crosswinds. As a new rider, it was horrifying.
Coming out of yakima is terrifying. The hot desert air is fighting the cold mountain air trying to trade places. Just slow down. Dont be in a hurry. I rode my drz400 over 90 last month it's about 550lb with me and my gear and very tall. It was like being a sail. I slowed to 55ish and it got way easier
@@johnboy2251 Try Vantage highway out of Ellensburg towards the Tri Cities, I ended up in the oncoming lane before I knew what was happening. Slowing down is great advice. I've also moved my knee out away from the motorcycle on the upwind side, it kind of acts like a sail to pull you into the wind. Gotta be careful and try to anticipate where the wind will gust into you at.
Thank you for this informative video and thank you for being an advocate for the motorcycle community. Keep up the great work!
I am not vertically challenged and I (unfortunately) don’t own a GS - but I have watched this clip dozens of times and try and practice every tip in it (except the climbing on over the front and off over the rear). VERY helpful for every rider! Thanks!
The drone will help you. Anyhow for those we follow you since time ago you have a lot of things pending to show us ( mud, tools, turn around, winch on the bike or even hoy to fall down with style) . GREAT.
I love this video, especially what you said at the end. A nice little PSA.
Love the par-core moves! Great tips for any sized rider...thank you👍
Very informative video. Thank you so much for covering neglected but a important topic.
Some of this i figured out on my own after buying the 790. Its got the seat height for 35 inch inseam and i have 27 with boots on. However, once the weather cools off here in the desert, if it ever cools off, i am definitely going to learn the foreword mount technique. Thank you and be safe.
Love the idea of getting off the high side using the pegs. At 5'8" I'm not short and with a 31.5" seat height my bike isn't exactly tall either but when I've got roll bags / duffle bags on the back I always worry about fuel stops and trying not to get my leg caught on the bag and hitting the deck on the petrol forecourt as a result. My neighbours are in for a treat later when I go out on the driveway to practice. It is going to be comedy gold as probably won't be as slick as Bret.
Wonderfully creative ideas that will give confidence to short riders to "make their big-bike-riding" dreams come true.
Well, that was a lot of fun! You challenged me to try some new moves. I have an inseam of 30" so I guess I'm vertically challenged. I recently bought a new KLR 650 (2022) and have found it to be a learning experience. I've been considering lowering the suspension or the seat but, after seeing your suggestions here, I'm going to practice some of these moves. Thank you for building my confidence.
Thank you so much. After watching this video I am completely convinced that I can also own a BMW R1250gsa with my height of 5 feet 7 inch. You got a subscriber.
Checked. What a pleasure. Now more exercises.
Bret, dunno if if know AdrRider website. But one of the most important rule is: "if you've nothing nice to say, STFU". That's a rule I'm following. always. and not only on the web. As you said, made the world smile. And you're doing a pretty good job so far, mate.
Thanks for the way you talk to us and not at us , I’m very tall for my height, so your presentation is most helpful .
This is excellent for me.
A few bits I didn't even consider.
Also had my cobbler put an extra 3/4 inch on boot.
Every little helps!
Happy travels
Nice work Bret, your unique style and very informative videos make us better riders.
Hello from Australia.
I've just got a new bike ,and haven't been on the Rd for over 25 yrs..I'm still getting used to trying to do corners and I really got a lot from watching , especially trying to do U turns ..
So watching given me better insight
Cheers
Bret, thanks for the great video on mounting and dismounting a bike. I’ve had a stroke a number of years ago and decided I would try biking again after 40 years of riding. I’ve discovered once again the joy of riding, even though my limbs don’t bend like Gumby. I’ve had a fear of dropping the KLR650 at the mounting and dismounting point. I had the stand shortened 3/4” of an inch and what a difference it makes. I will be trying out your techniques. Thanks again. Safe riding. John in Grande Prairie Alberta
Practicing that balancing act on the grass vrs the blacktop is a good idea
The best video I have seen with practical, implementable tips for short rider. thank you 👍
Thanks Bret as a 65 year old vertically challenged rider who has just brought his 1st mid weight Tiger 900 Rally Pro adventure bike and dropped it you have shown me the error of my ways.
Had a Suzuki TS 250 in the mid 1970's and was flexible enough to have intuitively adopted many of the mount/dismount techniques you describe, just wanted to add a tip that lack of fitness caused by pain has stiffened up my hips and weakened my right leg so I have been to see a Chiropractor and 750 bucks later and a load of exercise & stretches I am gradually building up my core strength & confidence with handling the bike at standstill and have been remembering to keep an eye out for things to stand on when stopping.
Going to try that holding the bike up thing whilst walking around it to get used to the balance of the bike, I'll send you the repair bill if I drop it ;o).
I am a short rider - I loved the way you kneeled down to talk to me for the intro :-)
Thanks Brett. I have added so much of your advice to my riding you have enhanced my motorcycling skills. Keep the videos coming. And to whoever thumbs down this video, piss off.
😂
I am 68 with bad knees and a 30 inch inseam and riding an FJR1300. I was also dismounting and mounting from the left side and needed to drag my leg & foot across the seat. I am now practicing getting on from the right side, but 50+ years of habit is difficult to retrain. The body just does not want to easily do that. Great video.
brilliant! thank you so much- I just bought the Indian FTR Rally & I can't touch the ground...at all!! This has really helped my mind set & given me some skills to practice. Hopefully I can find some courses like yours in Australia.
Fantastic stuff as always mate. I will keep coming back to your videos because no matter how experienced I think I am, there is always room for improvement. I will try some of the moves on the good old KLR. Keep up the awesome work. Greetings from Australia.
@motojitsu has whole video on tip #1. @RF9 did tip #2 as well in depth. Great tips Bret and great minds think alike! Tip #3 I personally showed my wife the curb tip out of the blue just to help her understand her stature vs mine.
Your expertise is simple, straightforward and bears repeating (rewatching) & sharing. Your channel deserves more subs.