Rich....you have NO idea how badly some of us (ME) need to hear this! I live in the mountains and I've been hanging off the bars to keep my weight through the rear contact patch on long, steep climbs. It is so tiring that I lose clutch dexterity. This has given me a lot to think about and pay attention to out there...thanks!
You are able to break down techniques to a level anyone can (finally) understand! Thank you so much Rich! ❤ I believe that you are the best techer for the hard-enduro riding styles!
The last race I did I got stuck on this big flat open hill climb. Fairly smooth, but very dusty with shale rock. I had about a dozen attempts at it and just couldn't get up, either loosing traction or lifting the front wheel. Then I remembered seeing the technique shown @5:40 from a trials training video and got up first go, I couldn't believe it. Have been using it a LOT since then. Also interesting points Rich makes about positioning in general, I'll have to make some changes and see if it reduces fatigue. Great content as always Rich!
"no hangiing off the bars" Ahhh ha moment of the of the day while working on body position and slow wheelies, pivot turns etc. Ive been pulling on the bars and today realized that its about getting body in position in perfect timing with machine/controls rather than muscle things. Small mindset shift....massive results...lots of energy saving. Thanks a ton for all your work on these videos. Certainly the reason I have a few sets of IRC on the way. Thanks IRC.
Best info out there right now. Thanks, Rich! I agree 100%. The slower I’m going the more dynamic and exaggerated I find my body position on the bike, whereas at speed it feels static in comparison as the bike seems to do all the work
Trials bikes exaggerate everything and taught me a lot of this stuff, like using clutch/throttle and pre-reaction to balance and not hanging on with your knees and arms so much and how much difference weighting the front or back edge of the pegs makes.
That is indeed something nobody talks about. Everyone is talking either about motocross or enduro thus never understanding each other. Its the first time I hear such a good explanation about the differences of two
Totally epic description. I think you might be better than Jarvis at teaching. Don’t get me wrong I learned a heap from him by simply watching. Not everyone has the ability to translate what they see copy it. Whilst I have that ability, it still helps to have what I see translated and expanded upon.
The way you're breaking down all the techniques to the bare bone is a blast to listen to Rich! The way you're talking with a passion is just amazing to watch and listen to. Thank you for you're videos man!
Amazing explanation! I was trying so hard to follow rigid rules around body position that sometimes I felt like it was all working against me; this helps explain why! I can now think of it as guidelines and base it off what I think the ride or challenge is going to be like. Most of the time I am riding something in between super hard enduro and flowing single track and I think that is where I was getting tripped up trying a one size fits all rule on body position and foot position on the pegs - this makes sense to me now. Thanks for breaking this down the way you did it really helps.
Thanks for spelling out all of what I must have started to learn over 5 years of dirt bike riding. I have been really thinking more about body position and technique and this was very well done.
Save as favorite! Even when I don't even dream to do hard enduro. I think the principles presented apply to "normal enduro" too. Thanks for the lesson, great video.
Thank you. New to enduro and learning from youtube. Exactly what you said. I've been trying to use the attack position all over. Even when it felt limiting. This answers so many questions. Thank you.
Thanks Rich, I have been teaching my students that motocross is not enduro and enduro is not motocross, in body position, bike set up, tire choice and balance! Great video!
Crazy informational and crazy skills on the bike, I enjoy watching people work at their craft that I will never be able to achieve at my age. But practice benefits everyone at every level but watching masters of Hard Enduro racing and riding is just something to admire because they make it look so damn easy. 🤘🏼😎🤘🏼
i find riding motocross hard enduro on dirt bikes and on mountain bikes are all transferable skills i would normally ride a hard enduro route or line on a mountain bike first to see what am i in for the come afterwards on a machine, helps greatly to encourage confidence and ease fear, some log matrix sections looks to be similar to the approach of a supercross whoop section the back and forth front and back tire touch on the obstacle tops, i agree with every example in this video from self experience
Thanks Rich. I wish I had watched this last night before the Prologue at the TKO. It'll serve me well tomorrow though. Good seeing you on the starting line, I was on the CR250r.
As a rider without a coach nor formal training, your videos are super helpful. I ride off road just for fun but I still want to learn these basics to better my riding. Greetings from Philippines
You’re on the mark as usual. When are you going to get a high end production set? You’ve more then earned it. Tell IRC it’s… time! They should throw in a few assistants as well… and a caterer. 😎👍
I suggest installing sound absorbing material to improve audio quality since audio is a huge part of the videos. A new studio would be nice but maybe just improve what you already have?
Love your videos. Just that when I'm on the track I keep forgetting everything. I'd need to have my computer with me, and preferably some chair and a table, to .. Or, I'd need the track to be closer to my home and my computer, so that I can watch a video and then go try it out straight away within a minute. The track is about 20 minutes from home, by the time I report in, pay the track fee and get rolling, I forget everything I'm there to practice. So I mostly just get my tires dirty.
Just wanna say thank you for all these coaching videos to make us better riders and to be more successful in hard enduro and to be able to confidently prepare to hit almost every situation with less and less doubt each time and application
I've been riding enduro bikes since the 80's... Gemini 80, 125, Honda Sl250 motorsport, SL125, XR250a, DT175, IT175K, IT200S, YZ250 '97, Gasgas EC250 '97, YZ250 99' and a few others... (Still have the 200s and YZ's.). It took me years (and finally the YZ99) to have decent enough suspension to ride straight leg. This allow the suspension to do all the work, and my legs/back to do none. Obviously as with any ride, conditions change... but for high speed rolling fields and jumps I could finally stand longer on a ride, and as the local rides were often forest/ hills and bog loops of up to 80k and 2-3+ loops a ride, 160k standing up at 40+ was fun.. It's not a riding position to hit sharp jumps, logs etc on as you can bottom out when not using your built in shock absorbers... but I definitely recommend trying it especially if on longer rides you find your bent legs are working too hard, too long. If only I could jump my MTB like I could jump the ol YZ.
Thank you so much for this video. I am a principled rider. I love doing things by the books and I have had the wrong perspective about this. You cleared it up 😄 More attention to the many different subtle techniques based off situation, less attention to the most common moto position.
10 THUMBS UP! This distinction is so valuable. I have been trying to rationalize the 1M "attack position" videos with the Bret Tkacs "weightless rider" concept. Both are compelling. This information helps bridge that gap. Many thanks. The only other place where this "blasphemy" is addressed is in the Chris Birch videos (not free). But Chris and Birch are both ADV teachers; you approach it from the moto/dirtbike angle. That's both rare and welcome.
Steep hills I go one of two ways terrain/traction dependent. Like you pushed forward, low and knees out..or pulling up on bars, less bent legs and back further to press weight into pegs for traction...my mtbike steep climb technique which works amazing for traction when lugging at the cost of energy/added arm pump.
As a slow rider climbing and descending mountain trails in the Ozark Mountains this works for me. The Attack Possition wears me out and I've found myself riding in a more "loose body" style naturally. Yay for confirmation biase?
"You should never feel as if you're hanging from the handlebars of your machine." Maaaan my "From IRC Dude" saved video playlist is getting really long 😁
Acceleration. THAT is what determines how aggressive the "attack" body position needs to be. Look at a moto rider like Tomac. His position is so aggressive that it often looks like he is on the back of the seat, when he is in fact just hovering over it. Why do this? Because he is always accelerating (gas or brake). The body is a giant lever on the bike. By getting as low as possible, while still standing (so the tires have more give and grip) one minimizes the effort required to say on the bike. The aggressive attack position is the most efficient position for maximum acceleration. It is not the most efficient position if you are accelerating. If you are not accelerating, there are big advantages to standing taller. It gives you a lot more body motion to suck up bumps, and to also manipulate the overall balance of the bike. Acceleration = force on the body, and it is the forces on the body that dictate position. So whenever you are accelerating hard...THAT is when you get in that aggro attack position.
6:21 RIP cameraman. Great info as always Rich!
Haha! My boy took it like a champ!!
Yea that was a kool shot
Rich....you have NO idea how badly some of us (ME) need to hear this! I live in the mountains and I've been hanging off the bars to keep my weight through the rear contact patch on long, steep climbs. It is so tiring that I lose clutch dexterity. This has given me a lot to think about and pay attention to out there...thanks!
You are able to break down techniques to a level anyone can (finally) understand! Thank you so much Rich! ❤ I believe that you are the best techer for the hard-enduro riding styles!
I appreciate that! Thanks for the support!
The last race I did I got stuck on this big flat open hill climb. Fairly smooth, but very dusty with shale rock. I had about a dozen attempts at it and just couldn't get up, either loosing traction or lifting the front wheel. Then I remembered seeing the technique shown @5:40 from a trials training video and got up first go, I couldn't believe it. Have been using it a LOT since then. Also interesting points Rich makes about positioning in general, I'll have to make some changes and see if it reduces fatigue. Great content as always Rich!
"no hangiing off the bars" Ahhh ha moment of the of the day while working on body position and slow wheelies, pivot turns etc. Ive been pulling on the bars and today realized that its about getting body in position in perfect timing with machine/controls rather than muscle things. Small mindset shift....massive results...lots of energy saving. Thanks a ton for all your work on these videos. Certainly the reason I have a few sets of IRC on the way. Thanks IRC.
Best info out there right now. Thanks, Rich!
I agree 100%. The slower I’m going the more dynamic and exaggerated I find my body position on the bike, whereas at speed it feels static in comparison as the bike seems to do all the work
Thanks for the support of the channel!
You are absolutely correct! Thanks for the input!!
Trials bikes exaggerate everything and taught me a lot of this stuff, like using clutch/throttle and pre-reaction to balance and not hanging on with your knees and arms so much and how much difference weighting the front or back edge of the pegs makes.
Has a few years trials experience in my teens, as an aged (50) rider now those techniques sure do come in handy
That is indeed something nobody talks about. Everyone is talking either about motocross or enduro thus never understanding each other. Its the first time I hear such a good explanation about the differences of two
Another excellent eye-opening video by Rich Larson! Keep them coming!
Totally epic description. I think you might be better than Jarvis at teaching. Don’t get me wrong I learned a heap from him by simply watching. Not everyone has the ability to translate what they see copy it. Whilst I have that ability, it still helps to have what I see translated and expanded upon.
Always appreciate how simple you make things sound. I keep applying applying tips and hoping my videos look as skilled as yours one day. Much respect!
The way you're breaking down all the techniques to the bare bone is a blast to listen to Rich! The way you're talking with a passion is just amazing to watch and listen to. Thank you for you're videos man!
Whoever is riding in these clips is a beast
Been waiting for someone to post this for ages. Great work Rich. "Toes curled over the front of the pegs" . . . Yes!
Amazing explanation! I was trying so hard to follow rigid rules around body position that sometimes I felt like it was all working against me; this helps explain why! I can now think of it as guidelines and base it off what I think the ride or challenge is going to be like. Most of the time I am riding something in between super hard enduro and flowing single track and I think that is where I was getting tripped up trying a one size fits all rule on body position and foot position on the pegs - this makes sense to me now. Thanks for breaking this down the way you did it really helps.
Dude your such an awsome rider! Your technique is flawless
Dude, I'm just a lowly noob trying not to stall my CRF230F on flat, but your riding style is sick af.
Congrats! At last a really useful and pratical info. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the support!
Thanks for spelling out all of what I must have started to learn over 5 years of dirt bike riding. I have been really thinking more about body position and technique and this was very well done.
This video is gold to me. I kept squeezing with my knees like a motocross guy even when terrain gets hard.
Save as favorite! Even when I don't even dream to do hard enduro. I think the principles presented apply to "normal enduro" too. Thanks for the lesson, great video.
Rich, these are such good tips! I just have to keep practicing. Thank you and love your riding - it’s awesome to watch and very inspiring.
Thank you. New to enduro and learning from youtube. Exactly what you said. I've been trying to use the attack position all over. Even when it felt limiting. This answers so many questions. Thank you.
This guy is really a very very good rider and everthing he says makes a lot of sense,Well done Rich!!
Very much appreciated! Watched a few times already. ⚡️BB 57⚡️ my man here I come! 🏍💨
Thanks Rich, I have been teaching my students that motocross is not enduro and enduro is not motocross, in body position, bike set up, tire choice and balance! Great video!
Some of the Best technical analysis anywhere. Many thanks!
This is exactly what I was looking for, made the switch from motocross to enduro because there is no more tracks within 2 hours of me.
Stellar breakdown for body position!! First video to do this effectively!
You're a legend Roland! Thanks for the support!
wow rich your balance is so awsome ....... i cant even stand up without one foot on the ground hahaha you are a machine man !!!!
Crazy informational and crazy skills on the bike, I enjoy watching people work at their craft that I will never be able to achieve at my age. But practice benefits everyone at every level but watching masters of Hard Enduro racing and riding is just something to admire because they make it look so damn easy. 🤘🏼😎🤘🏼
Best analysis and explanation available. Thank you! Will be trying to be way more conscious of these positions and control for now on.
Getting forward, that's my latest aha moment. Can't wait to practice this weekend, thanks Rich
Just make sure you do not let your KNEES go forward.
This is one of my favorite videos that you have done
More like this please.
I watch ALL your videos, but this one was the most helpful. A little more down to earth so to speak 😁
Thanks for this type of videos. Keep going you are great teacher.
Thank you, I will. Much More to come!!
You have a knack for explaining things really well. Thank you.
i find riding motocross hard enduro on dirt bikes and on mountain bikes are all transferable skills i would normally ride a hard enduro route or line on a mountain bike first to see what am i in for the come afterwards on a machine, helps greatly to encourage confidence and ease fear, some log matrix sections looks to be similar to the approach of a supercross whoop section the back and forth front and back tire touch on the obstacle tops, i agree with every example in this video from self experience
Good stuff. I'm new at trying to do this correctly at 50. I have bad habits. I'm glad some of them are correct!
Thanks Rich. I wish I had watched this last night before the Prologue at the TKO. It'll serve me well tomorrow though. Good seeing you on the starting line, I was on the CR250r.
You keep dropping these nuggets that help me improve my riding. Thank you.
As a rider without a coach nor formal training, your videos are super helpful. I ride off road just for fun but I still want to learn these basics to better my riding. Greetings from Philippines
Happy to help! Thanks for watching.
Great videos, fella! Thank you!
You’re on the mark as usual. When are you going to get a high end production set? You’ve more then earned it. Tell IRC it’s… time! They should throw in a few assistants as well… and a caterer. 😎👍
I suggest installing sound absorbing material to improve audio quality since audio is a huge part of the videos. A new studio would be nice but maybe just improve what you already have?
Real good explanation👍I found Getting a trial bike was really the best way to learn body positioning. Every enduro rider should get one 😉
This video answered questions I've been asking for two years! Thanks Rich!!!
Glad to help!
Perfect explanation mate!
Love your videos. Just that when I'm on the track I keep forgetting everything. I'd need to have my computer with me, and preferably some chair and a table, to .. Or, I'd need the track to be closer to my home and my computer, so that I can watch a video and then go try it out straight away within a minute. The track is about 20 minutes from home, by the time I report in, pay the track fee and get rolling, I forget everything I'm there to practice. So I mostly just get my tires dirty.
This is a “mic drop” kind of moment! Awesome video 🔥
Just wanna say thank you for all these coaching videos to make us better riders and to be more successful in hard enduro and to be able to confidently prepare to hit almost every situation with less and less doubt each time and application
You are a Legend!!!!! Thanks for your service!!! Enduro Master Class !!!!
New rider here. Thanks for confirming my suspicions on body positioning
VERY Appreciate ,learned alot from ur vids, Rich.
The info we all want and need. Thanks for being there for us, Rich!
Trials position tool kit into the quiver along with all the MX forms. Good video!!
Really nice video and there's not a lot of content like this out there. Cheers
I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!
Brilliant, Rich. Thank you for explaining something that has bothered me for a while.
Ok, I think I will rewind and watch again, a lot of info here. Thanks.
Yes! Yes! and Yes! Great Video.
Beautiful riding. Great tips and explanations. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Guy...exactly what I am struggling with at the moment...was always trying to stay in attack position which obviously didn't work for me..
Thanks Rich, your videos has definitely improved my riding.
very useful and smart tips as usual
perfect great ideas. I'm totally wrong using motocross techniques on Enduro. thanks a lot!
I've been riding enduro bikes since the 80's... Gemini 80, 125, Honda Sl250 motorsport, SL125, XR250a, DT175, IT175K, IT200S, YZ250 '97, Gasgas EC250 '97, YZ250 99' and a few others... (Still have the 200s and YZ's.).
It took me years (and finally the YZ99) to have decent enough suspension to ride straight leg. This allow the suspension to do all the work, and my legs/back to do none.
Obviously as with any ride, conditions change... but for high speed rolling fields and jumps I could finally stand longer on a ride, and as the local rides were often forest/ hills and bog loops of up to 80k and 2-3+ loops a ride, 160k standing up at 40+ was fun..
It's not a riding position to hit sharp jumps, logs etc on as you can bottom out when not using your built in shock absorbers... but I definitely recommend trying it especially if on longer rides you find your bent legs are working too hard, too long. If only I could jump my MTB like I could jump the ol YZ.
So much good stuff here. Thanks, Rich. You out did yourself on this one.
Thank you so much for this video. I am a principled rider. I love doing things by the books and I have had the wrong perspective about this. You cleared it up 😄 More attention to the many different subtle techniques based off situation, less attention to the most common moto position.
Sensational video, great explanation of how important body position is
Wow this is really an enlightenment, explained to the tiniest detail, blessed you Rich
Awesome!
Thank you! Cheers!
Thanks for breaking it down Rich. Great info
Master of explanation and demonstration, nice moves bro, nice moves indeed🤙
Great information thank you
10 THUMBS UP! This distinction is so valuable. I have been trying to rationalize the 1M "attack position" videos with the Bret Tkacs "weightless rider" concept. Both are compelling. This information helps bridge that gap. Many thanks.
The only other place where this "blasphemy" is addressed is in the Chris Birch videos (not free). But Chris and Birch are both ADV teachers; you approach it from the moto/dirtbike angle. That's both rare and welcome.
I'll have to watch that one! Glad I could help!!
Steep hills I go one of two ways terrain/traction dependent. Like you pushed forward, low and knees out..or pulling up on bars, less bent legs and back further to press weight into pegs for traction...my mtbike steep climb technique which works amazing for traction when lugging at the cost of energy/added arm pump.
Brilliant. Thank you
Really great video thank you
IRC M5B,the only tire that would keep an edge on my CR500's & YZ490's, well worth the price !
As a slow rider climbing and descending mountain trails in the Ozark Mountains this works for me. The Attack Possition wears me out and I've found myself riding in a more "loose body" style naturally.
Yay for confirmation biase?
I would say climbing in this position helps save energy. Descending I'd stick more to the attack position to save energy.
Thanks for the support!
Thanks for the tips. Lots of information. Will have to watch again
Thanks for watching!
Another great video Rich!....now.....if I can only remember it all
Awesome info mate, you’ve helped me and my son a lot in recent times, here in a small country town , Australia.
Cheers mate
Like always great explanations and great attention to details. Keep the good stuff coming...
thank you for video. great info.
Another very useful vid! I was also wondering why the attack position was so tiring. Thanks!
Really helpful breakdown here, thanks Rich!
"You should never feel as if you're hanging from the handlebars of your machine."
Maaaan my "From IRC Dude" saved video playlist is getting really long 😁
😂 sounds like a rad playlist! 🤘
thanks ! great video ( as usual )
Knees over toe for big hill. Have to try that. Great video.
Dope stuff 👌 thanks for continuing to share your insights
HUGELY helpful. Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
Trying to learn as much as possible to become a better rider.
Glad to help!!
Amazing video, a lot of valuable information. Thanks a lot
Thanks Rich!
Thanks bro!!
Thanks for watching!!
This dude is too damm good.
STUDY TRIALS RIDERS!!!!
They’ll teach you all the things you never realized
Simply brilliant!
You are great!
Acceleration.
THAT is what determines how aggressive the "attack" body position needs to be. Look at a moto rider like Tomac. His position is so aggressive that it often looks like he is on the back of the seat, when he is in fact just hovering over it. Why do this? Because he is always accelerating (gas or brake). The body is a giant lever on the bike. By getting as low as possible, while still standing (so the tires have more give and grip) one minimizes the effort required to say on the bike. The aggressive attack position is the most efficient position for maximum acceleration. It is not the most efficient position if you are accelerating.
If you are not accelerating, there are big advantages to standing taller. It gives you a lot more body motion to suck up bumps, and to also manipulate the overall balance of the bike.
Acceleration = force on the body, and it is the forces on the body that dictate position. So whenever you are accelerating hard...THAT is when you get in that aggro attack position.