Bret, I ride an Africa Twin, so I follow you (and the oh-so charming-and-technical Ryan/Fortnine) regularly. I saw a Sporty in your office during your phone cut, and it prompted me to comment. My other car is a "Road King," and while traveling today, coming through a small town, I found myself on a road that was undergoing re-surfacing, and they had scraped the old tarmac off, leaving Ines akin to rain grooves, parallel, but squiggling at Radom departure angles. The grooves were not linear. I found myself using your sand technique by letting the bike self correct, using a light-touch on the bars. What a leap of faith -- the bike, with my large arse on it exceeds 1000 lbs. The epiphany was like a light-bulb over my helmet, and turned "snake-creepy" into, "Wow, I just learned something!" It's fortuitous that your subject, today, was spot-on pertinent to todays experience. Nice to be affirmed by a rider as talented as you. Thank-You, Mike
Brian Wagnon ditto on that. Noob here. 100 miles on my new TW 200. I love Ryan and Fort Nine and getting to really appreciate Brent and MotoTrek. Dan, Dan the fireman is helping too. All great teachers to learn from mentally before I ride and when I ride and reenforce.
The two best motorcycling guys on the internet. I think I had a bikegasm...great tips debunking the bullshit out there. An excellent technical description of why the bike self corrects. Thankyou!
Was barreling down a dirt road the other day and came up on 8"+ deep loose sand heavy rutted by heavy equipment doing 50++kmph. Sure glad I had watched this video a few times, and even happier I remembered everything you said. The road was like this for over 2km so I ran it out. I must admit I was very proud of myself and thankful for the channel.
Cool to see this explained what I learned through trial and error in Mongolia. One can only wipe out so many times before going "screw it I'm hitting it fast on the next patch". Did it on the next section of super soft, 95kmh or so, held my breath, flew through it. Life was never the same after that, what a rush. Having that "fuck it" moment helps a lot I reckon to put aside that fear you mentioned.
Hey Pedro, one thing to remember is that Brett and Ryan ride BMW's........you got to ask yourself,"but can they do it on an overloaded Transalp????"😀😀😀😀😀😀..........gotta love the fact that 3 (Brett, Ryan AND Pedro) of the best youtubers feature here.....awesome vid!
I've been racing MX and off-road for over 40 years and decided I needed a 500LB 1290? It's definitely a new ball game with this beast, especially in tight single track and deep sand. Practice is my friend. These videos are great.
Truly the most wondedfull knowledge on riding motorcycles. What I learned is to take it easy and the bike will be in yiur control. You get tense, the bike will feel it and fight you back.
Some great advice there and thank you. I'm considering a shift to ADV biking having ridden sports bikes for 25 years and your vids are both very informative and enjoyable. Love the positive vibe! Cheers from Australia - Dave
I have to say: yours are among the best instruction videos on the internet. Not flashy, detailed and informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I love the fact that I always come back to your videos to get a refresh lesson, as we forget the basics and keep doing the same mistakes when we ride. Also very happy you and Ryan teamed up on this video, you both are my favorite motorcycle RUclips Channels that I always look forward to watching and learning.
good tips. i'd also like to add more sag to the rear shock if its an adjustable unit. decrease air pressure a bit too. Also, the BMW GS is a bad example for Ryans explanation, which btw, is absolutely spot on. The question to ask is, Why has BMW dumped his telelever for the HP2. My answer for is that the front wheel kinematics was "refusing bumps" for the telelever setup. Technicians will agree that a wheel is refusing bumps when the tire patch is accelerating on bumps, but on the contrary with a telescopic fork, the wheel has to decelerate on bumps and therefore is swallowings bumps. This is why Moto-cross bikes have got less vertical fork tubes. BMW's approach with the GS was: "With touring bikes, it's not so bad : just shaking your forearms a bit when accelerating on a bumpy road" .. this is why the HP2 does not have a telelever, nor did any of thier works bikes.
Thanks for this video! I watched it the other night while we’re on a road trip. I always like these videos even though I’m a Harley guy and I know jack about off road riding or ADV bikes in general. Today I found myself in a long construction zone following a pilot car. They had laid a bed of crushed rock and it was not packed down. My 850 lb Harley sank right in and the front end nearly washed out. I remembered the advise you gave to give it gas and feather the clutch to trim speed. It worked perfectly! I slipped and slid through a mile of that mess feathering the clutch like a mofo to keep the front tire from submerging and my speed in check. Your timely tip kept my new Harley upright while riding on a surface it had no business being anywhere near!!
I am an riding veteran of 30+ years, but an absolute novice in adventure riding. You make it look sooo easy, but I love the videos and am trying to learn. Thanks!
There you go my Favourites in one video Daaaaaam, Way to go and as Bret says always look ahead not down, Also Tim that was a fab execution cheers guys keep rocking
I went offroad for the first time today on a 99 Honda Varadero XL1000V. I had watched a good number of your vids before today and they really helped me keep the big old bus upright. Its a totally different set of skills from road, so thank you for the informative videos, they made my trip with friends enjoyable rather than disastrous. Many thanks from Australia
I've had so many different kinds of advice over the years, and I had developed a fear. What you said about having the right attitude, and letting the bike go where it wants... I had a *lot* of fun in the sand and I never thought that was possible. Thank you for that.
Getting an ADV soon and just learning about this channel. I really love the advice, and seeing Ryan here is just the cherry on top :) Big smile on my face.
Hey bret :) This video was right on time! My deepest fear off road is sand! Even yesterday, on a known trail, they filled a part with sand! The bike automaticly started squirming! I didn't enjou that patch at all! From you video, seems like I have to go back there and practice! Thank you for the videos.
Hugo Ferreira yep all mates on mid ADVs say just blast thru ... me on Tiger 955 .. glad i found this ..tired of picking up Tiger. Love Ryans guest spot!
This is exactly what I was looking for. I recently was at an adventure rally (ADV Rally - Julian) and found myself in much more sand than expected. I'm totally new to sand and was not prepared. My KLR 650 didn't make it any easier, lol! Through the day I began to get more comfortable with the movement of the bike under me, but was still pretty tense. After watching this video (and others) I'm looking forward to getting back out there and honing my sand skills.
Thanks so much for the info. Something this old guy will have to go out and get used to. Thanks also to Ryan for the input. I learned something today, again!
Well I gotta say that there is way more skill to riding these than meets the eye!!! I have been on the hunt for one of these bikes for a couple of months & purchased a 2013 1200 GSA. The wife & I was out last night & encountered some sand & did not have a good experience. I ended up twisting my ankle trying to save the bike when I should have just let it lay on it's side. Plus for me I need more hr's on the bike before off roading with a passenger on loose surfaces. Anyhow I am very experienced dirt biker road for 20+ years and still ride currently. I have learned very quickly that these bike require a bit of a different skill set & theory of riding to get them to do what you want. Humble Pie tastes like shit, but I am man enough to admit when I need more practice. I have been watching a lot of your vids & will continue to watch more of your library. I can only say thanks for the time & effort you put forth to make your videos in real life scenarios. Thanks!!! Putting more ice on the ankle and watching the next vid. Already can't wait to get back out & ride...
Mototrek and FortNine, my two favorite moto channels combined! Great work gents!! Yeah, I be scared of sand. This helps, but I will be seeking direct pro instruction soon, and practicing.
You guys have unleashed the power of the engineer gone adventure rider mind! I really appreciate the explanation of this "phenomena". I have learned on my mountain bike, as I down hill a sketchy spot, to let the bike roll and let it dance in your hands "light hands, light feet". This gives me confidence to trust it. I guess i'm NOT just lucky! guess I should stop playing the lottery after a successful ride! Thanks again. Great tips!
Thank you for this video! I had seen it some weeks before. Yesterday I had my first deep sand experience and I reminded your tipps about. And...it works well!!! Your channel is the best!
Brilliant video. Very different to what what I learned in. BMW Enduro training school. Not that what they taught was wrong but this video definitely complimented that training and gives different perspectives. Thanks
Harald Simon its not so much as what they say its more about what they dont say. They dont explain the dynamics and physics of riding through sand as Bret does.
Real nice learnings. As said, in deep sand the handlebar is moving left and right and could bring you to fall. If YOU move the handlebar left and right, you'll find it easier to keep control.
Awesome. Did a lot of deep sand last summer in Colorado. Found myself in a spot where the sand went on and on and on and... for hundreds of feet. I knew enough to know I didn't want to stop and I got through it, but it wasn't fun. I didn't hate it, but it definitely wasn't fun. I'll go back there when the snow is gone and practice, practice, practice.
I'm a new rider. Some of the places I ride have sand/fresh plowed farmland. All of the things you said not to do, I do. Great information. I'm going to go out this weekend and try to apply the the riding techniques you just explained. Thank you for the information. 🙋
My CRF300 is not adv at all, gearing, weight, power, weight distribution, whatever. You still hit the nail on the head when it comes to understanding certain principles. Well spoken, and confident ash without the frame guard on a bigger bike
Thanks for the Videos. I remember the moment I relaxed my grip and said to myself if I wreck I wreck, Well I didn't wreck and found my confidence in the sand patches that appear on the trails I ride. Haven't tried feathering my rear break yet. I will think about that next time.
Tires make a huge difference as well. You need a little bite to keep the bike moving. Streetish tires were a challenge for me and I was raised in the sand. A more open tread design added much more confidence. Thanks for your great tips and instruction
During the snow experienced taxi drivers I remembered had been keeping constant acceleration it is not fast but steady power to the engine. It seems the same on loose sand constant power of engine is the key word! This is tough one could by experiencing could learn constant power!!!
So - Funny thing. I bought a 1250 GSA this spring. I have about 1300 miles on it right now. Last night I decided to turn down a gravel road. Turns out I had to ride a decent distance through some significant sand that I wasn't mentally prepared for or expecting. Thankfully I had watched this video and was able to remember enough to get through it. Thanks a ton for this content!
The most important thing about sand is learning to read it; then you shift your weight and get ready to flow with the bike. I ride in sand basically constantly here in East Texas. Learn to read when a rut or groove is going to push your front is number one. Second is putting your weight back (almost over you passenger seat; yes, WAY back) in straight lines/gently curves and moving very far forward in corners/berms (think motocross cornering).
I hate sand too. I'm in NM and have learned to expect sand where arroyos cross the road, with sand washing down onto the road. Sometimes big long sections. I'll cross 2 or 3 of them and come upon a big ugly one, and then it's like, screw it, the last thing I want to do is to turn around and have to go back through them all! My last batch was eroded tuff near Cuba, NM - essentially volcanic ash. It was like baby powder. My foot just vanished into it when I walked out to see how deep it was. Oh yeah, and it totally dried my chain out after about 100 yards of it.
Awesome tips. Rode a 300 Honda in the sand for the first time. Frankly my first time off-road…. Did pretty well but was scary! Only dumped it once ;). Can’t wait to ride again! Will remember some of these tips!
My two favorite motorcycle channels on RUclips joining forces? And on a particularly interesting topic I needed help with? This deserves a comment. Here, thank you guys!!
Good explanation guys. Just learned these things after my latest motocamping trip with a lot of sandy dirt road. Gained a lot of experience from that trip. Good vid.
I used to ride a 1100xx blackbird, but due to soreness in shoulders and back ( ok it’s an age thing )I purchased a Triumph Tiger 1200. Awsome bike and so comfortable. I am getting a lot out of these videos and so much to learn. I wish these guys were out here in Australia. Thanks 😁
Great video as usual. Wish i would have seen it a couple of weeks ago before I found myself in some deep sand in the middle of nowhere in SW Montana. Had a hell of a time getting through it and probably wouldn't have if it weren't for a couple guys in a truck that were behind me and picked me up several times. Before i watched this, i would've thought it impossible to get through that crap.
What I learned from this video: Hold on loosely, don't let go. If you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control. That kind of sounds like a song....eh, nevermind, it won't sell.
Sand on my GSA is admittedly my weak link and your so right about going out and finding sand to practice in. The problem is in the Midwest there just ain’t much of it. Great advice, though, thanks 🙏
Great instructional video. I don't have much opportunity to ride sand in the Northeast but there is occasional gravel and I'll try to remember these tips. What sends me to the ground sometimes up here is...ruts!
Seems like i am not the only one here loving these two guys on the Tube. Natural match! Please do some more stuff together: You’re like a motorcyling encyclopedia 🤓
Great stuff as always! I would love to see a further commentary on how to deal with turns in deep sand. In particular, a 45-90º turn in the deeper sand always seems to slow me down just enough to fall. In straight sections I "do as you say" and have a pretty successful go at it.
How fantastic, both of you in 1 video. Also, i'd like to thank you both for the excellent job you do at making me understand how to ride my GS1100 much better... in the worst conditions. Cool. Smiles will come naturally.
OMG When ryan came in I was like "no freaking way that two best motorbike YT channels fused". Thank you both for hours of entertainment and enlightment!
Great info as always, love the moto wisdom gained in experience Great combo with Ryan F9, keep it up All in all, your videos and knowledge are the best in training new and old adventure riders.
Great video tutorial! I was out on the dirt & some sand early this week & this really helped me go through without getting stuck nor dropping my GSA. It really was scary at 1st but felt very rewarding when I got through without a scratch. Everything said on this video is absolutely true & correct! Bret, pls. correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you turned off your ABS when you were making this video?
Get your name in the end credits!
JOIN now and become an Associate Producer.
www.youtube.com/@MOTOTREK/membership
Mototrek plus Fortnine? It's RUclips motorcycling gold!!
Perfect combination. More!!!
Yes, great to see a collaboration for the betterment of motorcycle rider knowledge and skill. Bravo
Glad to see RyanF9 in your video.
Good, were there any more videos of them both together?
Ahaaa... professor Ryan Surprise!
Profressor Ryan is the name of the guy with half burned eyebrows?
Bret,
I ride an Africa Twin, so I follow you (and the oh-so charming-and-technical Ryan/Fortnine) regularly. I saw a Sporty in your office during your phone cut, and it prompted me to comment.
My other car is a "Road King," and while traveling today, coming through a small town, I found myself on a road that was undergoing re-surfacing, and they had scraped the old tarmac off, leaving Ines akin to rain grooves, parallel, but squiggling at Radom departure angles. The grooves were not linear. I found myself using your sand technique by letting the bike self correct, using a light-touch on the bars. What a leap of faith -- the bike, with my large arse on it exceeds 1000 lbs.
The epiphany was like a light-bulb over my helmet, and turned "snake-creepy" into, "Wow, I just learned something!" It's fortuitous that your subject, today, was spot-on pertinent to todays experience. Nice to be affirmed by a rider as talented as you.
Thank-You,
Mike
I love it! My two favorite Moto vloggers in one video!
I agree!
Legit the best duo, mototrek and fortnine are my gotos for adv and general motorcycling info.
IT made me LOL
Brian Wagnon ditto on that. Noob here. 100 miles on my new TW 200. I love Ryan and Fort Nine and getting to really appreciate Brent and MotoTrek. Dan, Dan the fireman is helping too. All great teachers to learn from mentally before I ride and when I ride and reenforce.
Great to see Brett and Ryan collaborating on this one. Nice juxtaposition of presentation styles.
David Topps for
😎
David Topps sgsh😎5hcnvcjf😎
It was a cool video then he kicked it over to Ryan. I'm like "ok, time to click that thumbs up don't even care what Ryan says!
Two masters in one video . That was awesome breakfast of knowledge . Thnx love from India
Just bring +spurge (ig: @thefixxer) from +revzilla and it will be my most favourite video.
Hdt customs good to see you here 😊
What a surprise! The two greatests moto-story-tecnique-tellers together! Great video! As always.
The two best motorcycling guys on the internet. I think I had a bikegasm...great tips debunking the bullshit out there. An excellent technical description of why the bike self corrects. Thankyou!
Was barreling down a dirt road the other day and came up on 8"+ deep loose sand heavy rutted by heavy equipment doing 50++kmph. Sure glad I had watched this video a few times, and even happier I remembered everything you said. The road was like this for over 2km so I ran it out.
I must admit I was very proud of myself and thankful for the channel.
Did you maintain 50 kph throughout? Did the front end squirm a lot at that speed?
Cool to see this explained what I learned through trial and error in Mongolia. One can only wipe out so many times before going "screw it I'm hitting it fast on the next patch". Did it on the next section of super soft, 95kmh or so, held my breath, flew through it. Life was never the same after that, what a rush. Having that "fuck it" moment helps a lot I reckon to put aside that fear you mentioned.
...did you use the rear brake like Brett suggested would raise the front wheel...or did you just use lots of throttle?
Hey Pedro, one thing to remember is that Brett and Ryan ride BMW's........you got to ask yourself,"but can they do it on an overloaded Transalp????"😀😀😀😀😀😀..........gotta love the fact that 3 (Brett, Ryan AND Pedro) of the best youtubers feature here.....awesome vid!
I've been racing MX and off-road for over 40 years and decided I needed a 500LB 1290? It's definitely a new ball game with this beast, especially in tight single track and deep sand. Practice is my friend. These videos are great.
Nice collaboration with F9! I always have a smile on my face through sand until I have sand in my teeth.
Truly the most wondedfull knowledge on riding motorcycles. What I learned is to take it easy and the bike will be in yiur control. You get tense, the bike will feel it and fight you back.
Some great advice there and thank you. I'm considering a shift to ADV biking having ridden sports bikes for 25 years and your vids are both very informative and enjoyable. Love the positive vibe! Cheers from Australia - Dave
I have to say: yours are among the best instruction videos on the internet. Not flashy, detailed and informative. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I love the fact that I always come back to your videos to get a refresh lesson, as we forget the basics and keep doing the same mistakes when we ride. Also very happy you and Ryan teamed up on this video, you both are my favorite motorcycle RUclips Channels that I always look forward to watching and learning.
same here - just did that today in fact!
good tips. i'd also like to add more sag to the rear shock if its an adjustable unit. decrease air pressure a bit too. Also, the BMW GS is a bad example for Ryans explanation, which btw, is absolutely spot on. The question to ask is, Why has BMW dumped his telelever for the HP2. My answer for is that the front wheel kinematics was "refusing bumps" for the telelever setup.
Technicians will agree that a wheel is refusing bumps when the tire patch is accelerating on bumps, but on the contrary with a telescopic fork, the wheel has to decelerate on bumps and therefore is swallowings bumps. This is why Moto-cross bikes have got less vertical fork tubes. BMW's approach with the GS was: "With touring bikes, it's not so bad : just shaking your forearms a bit when accelerating on a bumpy road" .. this is why the HP2 does not have a telelever, nor did any of thier works bikes.
Mototrek and Fortnine are my favourite channels. Great guys and great techniques!
Thanks for this video! I watched it the other night while we’re on a road trip.
I always like these videos even though I’m a Harley guy and I know jack about off road riding or ADV bikes in general.
Today I found myself in a long construction zone following a pilot car. They had laid a bed of crushed rock and it was not packed down.
My 850 lb Harley sank right in and the front end nearly washed out. I remembered the advise you gave to give it gas and feather the clutch to trim speed.
It worked perfectly! I slipped and slid through a mile of that mess feathering the clutch like a mofo to keep the front tire from submerging and my speed in check.
Your timely tip kept my new Harley upright while riding on a surface it had no business being anywhere near!!
That's great to hear! Glad you found it useful!
B Robson it’s time to cross over ;-)
I am an riding veteran of 30+ years, but an absolute novice in adventure riding. You make it look sooo easy, but I love the videos and am trying to learn. Thanks!
There you go my Favourites in one video Daaaaaam, Way to go and as Bret says always look ahead not down, Also Tim that was a fab execution cheers guys keep rocking
I went offroad for the first time today on a 99 Honda Varadero XL1000V. I had watched a good number of your vids before today and they really helped me keep the big old bus upright. Its a totally different set of skills from road, so thank you for the informative videos, they made my trip with friends enjoyable rather than disastrous. Many thanks from Australia
Cheers to the 2 best dudes on motorcycles!
HOLY SHIT IT'S F9
Love seeing our Spokane, Washington ORV park put to the test! A great place to practice just about every type of terrain...sand included!
Maybe the best motorcycle instructional video ever. Really great job guys! Thanks!
two of the best, Mototrek and FortNine, thanks for teaming up.
I've had so many different kinds of advice over the years, and I had developed a fear. What you said about having the right attitude, and letting the bike go where it wants... I had a *lot* of fun in the sand and I never thought that was possible. Thank you for that.
Getting an ADV soon and just learning about this channel. I really love the advice, and seeing Ryan here is just the cherry on top :) Big smile on my face.
Hey bret :) This video was right on time! My deepest fear off road is sand! Even yesterday, on a known trail, they filled a part with sand! The bike automaticly started squirming! I didn't enjou that patch at all! From you video, seems like I have to go back there and practice! Thank you for the videos.
Hugo Ferreira yep all mates on mid ADVs say just blast thru ... me on Tiger 955 ..
glad i found this ..tired of picking up Tiger. Love Ryans guest spot!
This is exactly what I was looking for. I recently was at an adventure rally (ADV Rally - Julian) and found myself in much more sand than expected. I'm totally new to sand and was not prepared. My KLR 650 didn't make it any easier, lol! Through the day I began to get more comfortable with the movement of the bike under me, but was still pretty tense. After watching this video (and others) I'm looking forward to getting back out there and honing my sand skills.
See you at the rally next year! 👋
Same thing happened to me today lol iv road my whole life and never had to deal with sand
Great subject. Fantastic footage. Fun collaboration. Well done and thank you.
Thanks so much for the info. Something this old guy will have to go out and get used to. Thanks also to Ryan for the input. I learned something today, again!
Great to see a collaboration for the betterment of motorcycle rider knowledge and skill. Bravo
your lessons keep getting better and more fun. great fortnine guest spot, my other fav channel for adv. now go wheelie in tim horton!
I love it! my 2 favorite you tubers on another great production. Brett-Ryan you dudes are studs
You and Ryan F9 are in my top three or four all time favorites on You Tube. Hope we see more of you together.
Barry Matherly WhAT?! Top 3 or 4?!?!
I should be first... Ryan can be 4th ;-)
Very informative and comforting. I loved seeing Ryan.
Awesome content, the conveyance of the technical explanation of rake and its effects in the sand was very well done! Learned something today!
Well I gotta say that there is way more skill to riding these than meets the eye!!!
I have been on the hunt for one of these bikes for a couple of months & purchased a 2013 1200 GSA. The wife & I was out last night & encountered some sand & did not have a good experience. I ended up twisting my ankle trying to save the bike when I should have just let it lay on it's side. Plus for me I need more hr's on the bike before off roading with a passenger on loose surfaces. Anyhow I am very experienced dirt biker road for 20+ years and still ride currently. I have learned very quickly that these bike require a bit of a different skill set & theory of riding to get them to do what you want.
Humble Pie tastes like shit, but I am man enough to admit when I need more practice.
I have been watching a lot of your vids & will continue to watch more of your library. I can only say thanks for the time & effort you put forth to make your videos in real life scenarios.
Thanks!!!
Putting more ice on the ankle and watching the next vid.
Already can't wait to get back out & ride...
Great to see you and Ryan creating content together! Keep up the great work!
Mototrek and FortNine, my two favorite moto channels combined! Great work gents!! Yeah, I be scared of sand. This helps, but I will be seeking direct pro instruction soon, and practicing.
My favorite skills guy and my favorite review guy in the same video! Thanks!
I have doing much of these things instinctively but it was great to hear these things being pointed out. Very useful
Bret and Ryan are on track to take over the motorcycle internetz! awesome!
Really cool to see you guys hook up. Met Ryan a few times in Montreal. Real stand up guy and fun to ride with.
Amazing video and a great surprise! Thanks, guys!
You guys have unleashed the power of the engineer gone adventure rider mind! I really appreciate the explanation of this "phenomena". I have learned on my mountain bike, as I down hill a sketchy spot, to let the bike roll and let it dance in your hands "light hands, light feet". This gives me confidence to trust it. I guess i'm NOT just lucky! guess I should stop playing the lottery after a successful ride! Thanks again. Great tips!
Thank you for this video! I had seen it some weeks before. Yesterday I had my first deep sand experience and I reminded your tipps about.
And...it works well!!! Your channel is the best!
Great news, Daniel!
Brilliant video. Very different to what what I learned in. BMW Enduro training school. Not that what they taught was wrong but this video definitely complimented that training and gives different perspectives. Thanks
What did they say on the training?
Harald Simon its not so much as what they say its more about what they dont say. They dont explain the dynamics and physics of riding through sand as Bret does.
Ah, i see - thanks
Real nice learnings. As said, in deep sand the handlebar is moving left and right and could bring you to fall. If YOU move the handlebar left and right, you'll find it easier to keep control.
Takk!
Awesome. Did a lot of deep sand last summer in Colorado. Found myself in a spot where the sand went on and on and on and... for hundreds of feet. I knew enough to know I didn't want to stop and I got through it, but it wasn't fun. I didn't hate it, but it definitely wasn't fun. I'll go back there when the snow is gone and practice, practice, practice.
Thanks for this great sharing of knowledge Brett and RFN! Really appreciate the work y'all do.
You're welcome!
Thanks, Bret and Tim. Nice video for newbie dirt riders like me. Trail braking for nose-up-sand-riding was a new concept for me for sure.
Nice job once again..well done .. well explained
I'm a new rider. Some of the places I ride have sand/fresh plowed farmland. All of the things you said not to do, I do. Great information. I'm going to go out this weekend and try to apply the the riding techniques you just explained. Thank you for the information. 🙋
Right on!
Awesome to see Ryan on here, great team you two would make. Thanks
Fortnine & Mototrek together.... awesome guys....keep the collaboration going👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
My two favorite MotoTubers in one video! One more example of how real greats
usually have the humility to work well with others. Cheers!
Cheers, Chris!
Invaluable info here! Imo, snow makes a good practice substitute for sand, and is a reason to get that bike out during the "off season."
My CRF300 is not adv at all, gearing, weight, power, weight distribution, whatever. You still hit the nail on the head when it comes to understanding certain principles. Well spoken, and confident ash without the frame guard on a bigger bike
Thanks for the Videos. I remember the moment I relaxed my grip and said to myself if I wreck I wreck, Well I didn't wreck and found my confidence in the sand patches that appear on the trails I ride. Haven't tried feathering my rear break yet. I will think about that next time.
Tires make a huge difference as well. You need a little bite to keep the bike moving. Streetish tires were a challenge for me and I was raised in the sand. A more open tread design added much more confidence. Thanks for your great tips and instruction
What a great guy you are.!!! Always delivering energy !!!
Thanks, Fabian.
Ooooooomg! Ryan! Awesome! Both Chanel are the best!
Great video Bret. Excellent explanation of the basic sand riding techniques.
During the snow experienced taxi drivers I remembered had been keeping constant acceleration it is not fast but steady power to the engine. It seems the same on loose sand constant power of engine is the key word! This is tough one could by experiencing could learn constant power!!!
So - Funny thing. I bought a 1250 GSA this spring. I have about 1300 miles on it right now. Last night I decided to turn down a gravel road. Turns out I had to ride a decent distance through some significant sand that I wasn't mentally prepared for or expecting. Thankfully I had watched this video and was able to remember enough to get through it. Thanks a ton for this content!
That is really cool!
The most important thing about sand is learning to read it; then you shift your weight and get ready to flow with the bike. I ride in sand basically constantly here in East Texas. Learn to read when a rut or groove is going to push your front is number one. Second is putting your weight back (almost over you passenger seat; yes, WAY back) in straight lines/gently curves and moving very far forward in corners/berms (think motocross cornering).
I hate sand too. I'm in NM and have learned to expect sand where arroyos cross the road, with sand washing down onto the road. Sometimes big long sections. I'll cross 2 or 3 of them and come upon a big ugly one, and then it's like, screw it, the last thing I want to do is to turn around and have to go back through them all! My last batch was eroded tuff near Cuba, NM - essentially volcanic ash. It was like baby powder. My foot just vanished into it when I walked out to see how deep it was. Oh yeah, and it totally dried my chain out after about 100 yards of it.
Awesome tips. Rode a 300 Honda in the sand for the first time. Frankly my first time off-road…. Did pretty well but was scary! Only dumped it once ;). Can’t wait to ride again! Will remember some of these tips!
Yes! Awesome collaboration!
Ryan AND Brett. Now that's an adroit combination.
More please.
Not as adroit as your use of "adroit." Respect. ~RF9
Very cool to see Ryan on the video. Both of you guys are great. Cheers!!
That was a good lesson and the first alternative I have seen to opening the taps..
Thank you
My two favorite motorcycle channels on RUclips joining forces? And on a particularly interesting topic I needed help with? This deserves a comment. Here, thank you guys!!
Good explanation guys. Just learned these things after my latest motocamping trip with a lot of sandy dirt road. Gained a lot of experience from that trip. Good vid.
I used to ride a 1100xx blackbird, but due to soreness in shoulders and back ( ok it’s an age thing )I purchased a Triumph Tiger 1200. Awsome bike and so comfortable. I am getting a lot out of these videos and so much to learn. I wish these guys were out here in Australia.
Thanks 😁
Great information. I’ve been told over and over again. Gas it hold on. Not anymore. Good job and thanks to the both of you. KLR Jim
Great video as usual. Wish i would have seen it a couple of weeks ago before I found myself in some deep sand in the middle of nowhere in SW Montana. Had a hell of a time getting through it and probably wouldn't have if it weren't for a couple guys in a truck that were behind me and picked me up several times. Before i watched this, i would've thought it impossible to get through that crap.
Two of my favorite motorcycle youtubers in one video... Shweet! Nice video!
What I learned from this video:
Hold on loosely, don't let go.
If you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control.
That kind of sounds like a song....eh, nevermind, it won't sell.
Brilliant!
Too funny! You win the internet.
I'd buy that. I nominate Celine Dion for vocals. ~RF9
Yeah. Now that is in my head... forever. Seriously clever though!
Sand on my GSA is admittedly my weak link and your so right about going out and finding sand to practice in. The problem is in the Midwest there just ain’t much of it. Great advice, though, thanks 🙏
Great instructional video. I don't have much opportunity to ride sand in the Northeast but there is occasional gravel and I'll try to remember these tips. What sends me to the ground sometimes up here is...ruts!
Seems like i am not the only one here loving these two guys on the Tube. Natural match! Please do some more stuff together: You’re like a motorcyling encyclopedia 🤓
Great stuff as always! I would love to see a further commentary on how to deal with turns in deep sand. In particular, a 45-90º turn in the deeper sand always seems to slow me down just enough to fall. In straight sections I "do as you say" and have a pretty successful go at it.
Another Sand episode is in the works!
fortNine for the win
Kudo on not shutting throttle without slipping clutch it works well on many low grip surfaces be it sand, deep gravel or mud.
This video is one of the best for me ! Great job !
Mug of tea, toast and marmalade, whilst watching a great Mototrek video= Perfect breakfast for me. Thanks for the upload.
How fantastic, both of you in 1 video. Also, i'd like to thank you both for the excellent job you do at making me understand how to ride my GS1100 much better... in the worst conditions. Cool. Smiles will come naturally.
Thanks, Simon!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I always enjoy your attitude but facing your challenges on the trail
Good points. Reinforces what I was taught at Jimmy Lewis Offroad school.
OMG When ryan came in I was like "no freaking way that two best motorbike YT channels fused". Thank you both for hours of entertainment and enlightment!
Really nice class. Good to see Ryan in the video! Keep the channel going! You're doing an excellent work! Kudos from Rio!
Love to see the collab with Ryan! More please.
Great info as always, love the moto wisdom gained in experience
Great combo with Ryan F9, keep it up
All in all, your videos and knowledge are the best in training new and old adventure riders.
Great video tutorial! I was out on the dirt & some sand early this week & this really helped me go through without getting stuck nor dropping my GSA. It really was scary at 1st but felt very rewarding when I got through without a scratch. Everything said on this video is absolutely true & correct! Bret, pls. correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you turned off your ABS when you were making this video?
ABS off for any off road riding, particularly in sand.
This was my first time seeing the channel. Excellent production quality and I learned a thing or two as well. Subscribed.