My first reaction after a fall is to pick the bike up. Experience has taught me to take at least three steps away, look around, plan where I want the bike to be after I pick it up, then go make the lift. Getting that little bit of perspective and 30 seconds’ rest is invaluable
You can also cheat this by taking your helmet off. You'll need to take the gloves off first too. All of this will amount to at least half a minute, which will give you a moment to assess the situation. You may need to rotate the bike on the ground first. Or you may need to move a stone away. And, sometimes, you may need to take some luggage off, if the bike has fallen downhill and rotating it is not an option. I revel in lifting my bike, and because I am short, it happens often, so I've become quite good at it. :D
Im 70 and in good shape riding a bmw 1200 GS i have dropped it and if you ride offroad you will ! I carry a 16ft ratchet type strap it makes a recovery easier if you have a tree or a solid spot to anker, i live in oregon lots of trees i do use the other lift options great vid i have also used the side stand pivot
1. Take helmet off. 2. Scratch head intensively! 3. Take some water and a few deep breaths and muse about your good luck that you are still in one piece. 4. Take some photos - the more dramatic the better!! 5. By now at least 3 minutes are gone and you may be able to start thinking clearly again on how best to lift that bike. 😉
One handy technique I use to turn around is to use the edge of the trail to help the bike move. If the edge of the trail has an incline, I will power the bike up, then clutch in and let gravity pull it back down while I perform the turn. It is a great energy saving technique if the situation is right.
Don’t be afraid to drag your bike to position it facing where you want to go or to avoid lifting uphill. It sounds and feels awful, especially when your bike is new, but it is sometimes necessary.
Sometimes I combine three of these methods. Starting with the spin turn, drop the bike partway through, do a deadlift, then use the inclined side of the hill to finish my turn. All joking aside, great content, you are one of the best UA-cam providers on this type of material.
Quick tip For water crossings on a big ADV bike, - pile up a few rocks making a small pyramid shape. just at the edge of the water. - back up a few meters, and approach at full speed, launching the bike over the obstacle. - the trickey part is jumping off of the bike just before take- off.. so as you can return the rocks to their original location and saving yourself from backtracking once your bike is on the other side.
Totally agree on the spin turn. Its fun, you turn quickly, but anywhere that you have the space to use it, you're not really stuck... It can damage the trail and if you're in a group, roost your mates.
Minute 1:14 , that moment the drone is waiting for you, but you struggle because you're NOT Pol Tarres.... MAN ! You often lightened my day !🤣🤣🤣 I realy like your tips!👍👍👍
As for the paddling, techniques I know that in all situations it may not always be possible but I feel it is important to learn to paddle with one foot on a peg at all times. This small thing is a huge improvement to your mobility on the bike. When you are sitting on the seat with both feet paddling is is almost impossible to move forward or back on the bike because your but is stuck there. With a foot on a peg it becomes so easy to shift your position forward or back on the bike and allow you better control by weighting the appropriate part of the bike. You are essentially connected to the bike with a foot on the peg and in control vs just along for the ride with only your butt and hands on the bars. I agree with your take on all of these techniques and I just felt that clarifying how much more advantageous it is to keep a foot on a peg as much as is possible. I also think that the more clutch control drills you can do the better, the clutch is just as much a part of your throttle as the right hand, also in conjunction with clutch control drills practice loading the flywheel and using the clutch for control of that energy. I am no great rider but I have lots to practice lol as riding is something that will teach us new things all the time.
I enjoy your videos. At 70 now it seems as though all those skills have departed. Been riding since I was able to sit on a mini bike. Plus gravity is not my friend. Picking up a heavy bike like your vstrom has become extremely difficult. Hence switching to a wr250r. But I now own a new Ibex 800T and I want to take it off road without getting hurt or damage to the bike. So my relearning of skills is a must. Picking it up is by far the most difficult thing to do. Already had three disks worked on. Thanks for sharing.
So as someone else in these comments suggested, the Saxton Motorcycle Recovery Technique - SMRT (easy to find on youtube) is one of the easiest ways to pick up a bike. For young people this would maybe be redundant, but for older people like yourself this might be a solution.
Excellent video for new riders. I defied logic and situational awareness in a quest to find some dirt and found……..mud instead. It wasn’t a pleasant experience and I was very grateful for some people out on the “dirt” road whom helped me get back to dry pavement. I dropped the bike more times than I wanted to. A few scrapes, a broken mirror, bike and myself covered in thick mud, tires completely mud logged, feeling slightly hopeless……Lessons learned. Many of the comments here are very helpful and I found myself doing what people have commented on…..look at the bike and how it’s lying on the ground, drag it into a better position, straight RIGID back when lifting, put side stand down BEFORE lifting, take helmet off, breath and recompose. I definitely don’t have the experience for mud except to be much more aware now of how NOT to get into it. If only the road had been dry dirt…….”an adventure is a disaster that didn’t happen”. No truer words spoken. Ride safe.
My favourite skill: picking the right spot to turn around on a steep downhill and then executing the turn. Corollary: if you can see neither the bottom of the hill nor a place to turn, dont start the descent!
I dropped my fully loaded GSA on very loose gravel and I couldn’t get my feet to grip. I couldn’t pick it up and hadn’t tried to pull the rear tire to make it easier on the incline I was on, but I could tell I was close because normally I have no issues picking it up. This lady came by and asked if she could help and I asked her to give it a push once I lift it a bit. We did it on the first try and she said she felt like she barely lifted it, but it was enough to break the threshold and get it up.
For those who may be experiencing difficulties lifting their motorcycle up off of the ground, I found a technique that helped me tremendously. I don’t have any trouble lifting my 300 Rally with the techniques that you demonstrated, but I use to have trouble with the bigger bikes until I found this. There is only one video on all of UA-cam that I have found, and I am extremely grateful for it. So the credit should go to that guy... The name of the video is Saxton Motorcycle Recovery Technique - SMRT
As I got stuck underneath my bike before (luckily with the instructor around to free me again) I always wondered and worried about this happening to me on one of my solo trips through Sweden’s forests. None of the lifting skills - which I possess - would really help and you might spend the night lying underneath your bike, providing free meals to the local mosquitos! Solution: get a ratchet type lifting device. Not a real trick, not really cheap, perhaps not really elegant and added weight. But the peace of mind I had during my trip this summer was definitely worth it.
When you need to turn around sometimes you have the opportunity to choose the spot as a GS 12 rider with no effective fork rebound and short legs, try and pick your spot with a little incline or up slope for the reverse part of a u-turn. Your right being able to turn round allows you a lot more confidence to try a little explore somewhere new.
Great video chap - love the focus on the ‘less glamorous, but way more valuable’ techniques. Only one I would add would be the off the bike spin turn, obviously 😁
I'm short and I have been practicing cowboy mount and dismount. I don't know if my in seam will allow me a 2 legged paddle often, maybe when I'm in a rut, but i can see a 1 legged paddle being handy.
I totally agree that „paddling your leggs” is the most hated method but i am pretty shure that it helps a lot on Adv bike. There are situations You should stay on footpegs but in long ride YOU NEED to know how to ride in sitting position to save energy. I am total Begginer (2 years offroad on ADV) but the more i practice the more i understand. Best way to lern is to RIDE. The more i train the more i understand how to act in specific situations. „Internet experts” are the worst advise for me but i Think You are the one that does not talk shit. Your Videos are really helpfull! Thanks
The good thing of having a 990adv as a first off road bike was that you have to learn these skill quite early on, it's no fun getting stuck alone between a hill climb that's way above your skill level and a 10 meter drop. Thanks for the videos.
I like the trick of tuning the fallen bike around by grabbing it by the front wheel and walking backwards in a small half-circle. Helpful in particular if it falls down hill, but also after it's laid down deliberately. (Of course much easier if you have a boxer cylinder sticking out to the side, which can be used as a pivot point!)
1) When in doubt, have a good look first, think about the problem. 2) You will drop your bike, can you pick it up, without hurting yourself ? 3) It is supposed to be fun.
Thanks for another good video. Where your eyes are looking and the timing of your eyes sliding ahead on your path matters a lot in bad terrain and on turns. Too close to the front tire and too far ahead both have their downfalls.
Love how practical these are. I think I've used a variation of most of these techniques...the most tricky thing for me is when seemingly everything goes against you; very little traction, facing downhill, very uneven terrain, slippy underfoot...I had this in the summer and just cycled through all the techniques (it felt like) but made an absolute pig of it...not even sure if I faced it again if I'd do any better. Problem solving itself is the fun/hard bit sometimes!
one time when i went for a ride, i ended up riding off camber on some really slippery clay, had my uphill foot extended to the front to push the center of mass further forward and when i start losing the front to dig the heel in and stand the bike back up. I ended up losing the front, not getting enough grip on my heel due to wet clay (and me being in normal shoes because i decided to go out during a small break in my classes) and just flopping on the ground at 5 km/h. That was my first actual crash on the bike, and it was hilariously slow and pathetic. Like the crash itself went on for a solid 5 seconds. I was also on street tires that have more grip on ice than on wet clay.
I used the sidestand pivot a few times in my garage, untill I noticed the hinge started to bend. I did use it one time on a trail this year when there was no other option(for a person with my skills). You're right, going on a offroad trip without some basic skill sets is not the smartest thing.
Only time can teach this skill, not to be afraid in the first place. If it looks scary you will fail, learning to take charge and charge through, trust the bike and the power you have, only time on your bike and pushing the limits of it will teach you the weakness of your bike.55 yr riding and will take on trail on street tires other won't on enduro bikes. Being comfortable is key.
I guess that the most important off road skill especially with a big and heavy bike is not riding alone 😂 the second would be - don’t do stupid stuff when alone 😅 Getting stuck is inevitable and best it to know how to get stuck as well. It’s a skill on its own and there are some practical ways to fall down with the bike in your favour e.g. always choose an upper line because gravity helps if you drop the bike, trust the suspension and give more throttle, when going downhill on a slippery surface - use MORE the rear brakes and the front brakes with pulsations. No idea if I am right…just my experience.
*I’m 74 since I became a biker after four years of challenging TKR operations (with a nasty infection) in Sweden and revisions here in 🇹🇭 Thailand. I truly enjoy your videos. Script, camera, sound an editing. Outstanding. Chapeau 🎉 Greetings from sunny tropical Thailand Johnny BikeSanooK!*
Interesting comment about using more rear brake. I have completed off-road L1 & L2 training on very well known heavy bikes with two different manufactures. Still pretty rubbish at it but love it. Anyway, one said to use the rear brake and the other said the front brake when going down steep slippery hills. I really don't know which one was right but on the slightly heavier bike using the front brake worked best for me.
I'm 64, ride only solo, desert and woods,. If U need your hand held,. Stay home. Your 500# adv bike can't pick up itself if U can't!!! Ride LIGHT = more Fun and confidence. A moded xr650l, klx300( pre e start) and kx450 Enduro built. 320#,230# and 250# respectively all street legal,. Easy to ride and pick up. Adv bikes are for u tubers and wanabees
Only skimmed the comnents, but I would add a few techniques I use all the time. Mounting old man/ horse style, by stepping up onto the peg (sidestand down) amd then swing a leg over. It saves a lot of energy and riding pant crotch stitching (especially on rain gear). Another technique I practice every ride is slow speed foot on the peg contol. First by rolling slow upto the opening garage door, then slowly into the garage and turning into my parking spot.
@BrakeMagazine probably had a lot to do with the size of your garage. A camped 2 car wouldn't work. At 2400 sqft I travel at least 15ft into the garage. It's really improved my slow skills, and the importance of a quick dap correction (like your mud video)
What about lifting a heavy bike (260 kg like Super Tenere 1200) from a slippery muddy ground? How would you recommend to do it? And the second question is how to lift a bike if you don't have enough space to spread your legs (for example, if it fell near a tree and you only a small space between the tree and the bike. Not sure if I've made myself clear.
Anytime your feet are off the pegs you are very close if not out of control. Stand up, it lowers the C of G. Get you butt off center to counter balance the bike. Don't carry too much crap high on back. Like a pendulum swinging the front end. Ride it out, many stop too soon and fall. You fall on hill, drag that bike around and get it pointed out. Make sutre to put side stand down before raising bike up. Keep it in gear to hold it on hill. Know your machine, practice technique. Let gravity and balance work for you.
Definitely, that skill to unload or lift the front wheel in order to cross over exposed roots, small diameter fallen trees, or little rock ledges, has been most valuable for me.
Thank you for this valuable skills tutorial video. Not only adventures motorcycles riders BUT all types of motorcycles riders should practice these and learn. These skills would be really useful in their arsenal in their life as a RIDER....!!!!! Ride safe.... And enjoy... To all my riders guys and girls around the world. 🌎 😊👍
I just bought an 800 DE 2 days ago and I immediately bent the side stand doing a sidestand turn in my garage!! It now leans annoying far over on the stand. How is that bike's stand magically stronger than mine? I have used the sidestand (or center stand) turn to spin my bikes around in the garage forever and this is the first time I've had an issue.
Paddling brings up the point of seat height. If you're in a rut, the seat height won't matter much. If you're crossing a stream and want to paddle, being able to get both feet down could be the difference between making it across or falling over. Guess I'll learn to paddle with just one foot at a time!
I always thought to paddle was a technical error, something to be avoided as much as possible for safety. Always did like a duck when necessary though. Me constantly trying to stand as soon as I could was causing me more risk than benefit.Thank you.
Yes, perfect. I'd actually say, 'be a problem solver' is the most essential skill. And getting unstuck (via the rock, the paddle, the turn) is just a particular list of techniques you added in to make the video longer, because 'be mentally persistent about solving problems' is not an easy video to make.
Playing with the clutch is something my left foot has no issue with, 70% of the cars I have owned have all been Manual, and as a mechanic, I drive other people manual cars day in and day out, reversing out of the workshop around a tight corner is a skill in itself, but throw in a Manual that you have never driven before, and most couldn't do it. But get on a Motorcycle where the roles between the left hand and left foot are reversed. now that throws a spanner in the works... Luckily for me, I can't avoid hill starts, the first few days were a nightmare. but changing the approach, and knowing when the light is about to change and start letting out the clutch until it wants to start grabbing and releasing the rear brake at this point makes the hill start much easier... I definitely wouldn't recommend this with a dry clutch like in a car, t would burn out faster than a thin slice of bread in a toaster, but while it's bathed in oil... well that can be changed to get rid of what would have been dust if it was dry!
On a KLR650S, the stand position is so far back that the nose just won't come up. I've used a side stand turn successfully maybe once or twice, but typically have to do something else. I've always found a way to get pointed in the right direction, though. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to comment. :)
Being stranded in the middle of rural France on my old gs makes you stronger and a better rider. Eat more protein get fit and your riding will be better.
If you ever find yourself with both feet off the begs you are no longer riding the bike, you are just holding onto it. Two feet on the pegs is best, one foot on a peg is still pretty good. No feet on the pegs means youve lost your natural stability and you are now at the mercy of any small rocks that would throw you off balance. Touching the ground with your feet should be a quick dab. If you need to waddle then just walk the bike. Dont drag your feet. Theres plenty of rocks or bushes or branches out there to snag your foot and drag it under the pegs or pull you down to the ground so keeo the feet up on the legs where possible.
I find, with the right sidestand, the easiest sidestand turn is to simply stand in front of the bike, turn the bars to lock and walk the bike around. It’s silly easy
The easiest way for me to pick up my KTM 1190 R is to knee next to make sure the tyers can not slip and then knee down next to the seat and push horizontally into the bike. I feel that is saves me a lot of energy especially if the handlebars and seat face down the hill slightly.
The idea is to completely avoid lifting the bike, but instead push it until it is upright. This is only possible if the wheels have grip and don't slide.
Oh jeez, there are alot of tips everyone (yes even you) miss, especially talking about offroad travel. First and probably the MOST important one, get off the bike and walk the trail/feature, if you dont know what to expect, if its turning more and more nasty, if youre tired and cant afford another exercise, get off your bike and WALK. At most it takes an extra 5 minutes, at worst it saves you energy, it saves you money from.not damaging the bike and it gives you the option to decide where to trun arround. Second tip is for turning arround, first off, youre out there you dont know whats ahead so slow the fk down and stop sooner than you need, this allows you to get a "run up" and lock the rear to easely and safely get your bike to turn adleast half way, since the skill is easy to learn and easier to master with half an hour on a gravel road... Getting it turned half way means whatever you do next will take 50% less work. Another tip, everythign you do kn a bike is easier done standing next to it, its not a race and youre not showing off, if you ride like me then youre out there, far from anyone, let alone any help, if you are not shure of yourself, get your lazy ass off the bike and do what you need to do walking... There are a lot of other tips, especially for travelers, but these are the basics you not only need to remeber but do on regular basis. This way you get it in your habbit and are a safer traveler for it.
i gotta ask where do you adventure? i have and africa twin and i want to get into adventuring and if your reg is right you are in the uk and i just gotta ask where cause that looks fun
Haha! Nice plug. My Alpinestars do a great job, too! They just don't prevent me from bashing my shins, just protect me from the bruises. @@BrakeMagazine
At the beginning of the video, we see you over grass sliding the tire. I recently dropped mine on a slope over wet grass. I just could not get the bike up. It would be sliding and I could not get a firm grip for my boots either. Even with the help of a good samaritan it took a good amount of effort. Gravity can be a bitch! 🙂 (getting old is not helping either).
i enjoy watching your videos but one thing i have settled with is paddling,,,,as an offroad rider who can't even flatfoot one leg on a ktm 890 or a yamaha t700 ,let alone enduro motorcyles which have even taller sit heights ... i ride with taller riders always and they are constantly paddling even in situation that don't even need it because it;s a muscle memory already embedded in their technique so i consider it a bad technique...yeah hard enduro riders do it and their skill level is superior compared to most weekend worriors, but a serious offroad rider wanting to improve on their technique should keep their feet on the pegs as much they possibly can,,,,but if they have to paddle one foot should always be on the pegs most of the time....another overlooked offroad technique is knowing how to push and walk the bike when all other tehniques and tricks fail..as for clutch control and getting unstuck i have found that one can really improve on that by learning cluth and throttle control on a trial motorcycle. i am 5,4" and i have always outpace my 6ft buddies on rugged terrain and even wet ruts, trick beign foot on the pegs..,i remember your episode on weighing the pegs...still one of my favourite episode on the channel...
I don’t disagree with this. I would say though, that learning to paddle as a shorter ride is very possible, but you do have to really put time into learning be efficient at moving across the seat. The benefit is that when it’s technical, you learn to be able to move slower, because you can be confident of always getting one foot down. 😊
This is one reason why I sometimes ride in a rut when others choose to go around them on hillclimbs. Since I'm lower into the terrain I can use the edge of the rut to paddle if I need to. I've been told it's bad technique and not to do it, but I've also chosen to ride around ruts, lose momentum, and then fall into the rut since I can't get my foot down. Sometimes you have to pick your battles. Also getting off the bike and pushing it is an underrated technique. I was with a buddy and we had to move through a technical part of a trail and I chose to get off my bike and walk it since it was very off camber and I could only get one foot down, the other side was 8" below me. My buddy who was on the same bike (390 Adventure) chose to ride the bike, which worked out for him since he is over 6' and had no troubles getting his foot down.
@@BrakeMagazine ah ah 🤣🤣 i struggle to feel ok with being shit at this. indeed I tormented myself that while I am generally smart at what I do, I am so poor at the single one thing I really enjoy doing 🥵😉
The methods of Tarres and Jarvis are not something one should compare with regarding adventure riding at all. These artists perform at the extremes of what a bike, and man, can do and not by a long shot what is implemented in a situation out in the wild. Surely some trial skills will be helpful in certain situations, but what is more important is to think like an engineer, keeping your head cool and think your way through the problem, rather than using dare-devil skills and acrobatics to counter the hinder. As you are out in the wild you don't want the slightest risk of damaging your bike, nor yourself. Not to mention difference in bikes, where Jarvis rides a nimble competition cycle, we ride heavier more equipped adventure bikes, which in turn need a very differenc strategy to manouver. Even Jarvis wouldn't be silly enough to trick his way through the rough had he been on an adventure.
@@minimanshed8910 I mean, the weight of picking it p isn't 230kg. It's about the equivalent of a 75kg deadlift which is pretty reasonable for most people to achieve with a bit of practice.
meh I think that whole power slide u turn is complete Hollywood bullshit. I can turn any motorcycle around just rocking it back-and-forth a couple times it’s no big deal really
My first reaction after a fall is to pick the bike up. Experience has taught me to take at least three steps away, look around, plan where I want the bike to be after I pick it up, then go make the lift. Getting that little bit of perspective and 30 seconds’ rest is invaluable
Absolutely 👍
You can also cheat this by taking your helmet off. You'll need to take the gloves off first too. All of this will amount to at least half a minute, which will give you a moment to assess the situation. You may need to rotate the bike on the ground first. Or you may need to move a stone away. And, sometimes, you may need to take some luggage off, if the bike has fallen downhill and rotating it is not an option.
I revel in lifting my bike, and because I am short, it happens often, so I've become quite good at it. :D
Im 70 and in good shape riding a bmw 1200 GS i have dropped it and if you ride offroad you will ! I carry a 16ft ratchet type strap it makes a recovery easier if you have a tree or a solid spot to anker, i live in oregon lots of trees i do use the other lift options great vid i have also used the side stand pivot
1. Take helmet off.
2. Scratch head intensively!
3. Take some water and a few deep breaths and muse about your good luck that you are still in one piece.
4. Take some photos - the more dramatic the better!!
5. By now at least 3 minutes are gone and you may be able to start thinking clearly again on how best to lift that bike. 😉
na i just pick the fucker up, but i am 17stone brick toilet house lol
One handy technique I use to turn around is to use the edge of the trail to help the bike move. If the edge of the trail has an incline, I will power the bike up, then clutch in and let gravity pull it back down while I perform the turn. It is a great energy saving technique if the situation is right.
Don’t be afraid to drag your bike to position it facing where you want to go or to avoid lifting uphill. It sounds and feels awful, especially when your bike is new, but it is sometimes necessary.
Great advice indeed!
Been there done that…..NOT by choice! 😢
Sometimes I combine three of these methods. Starting with the spin turn, drop the bike partway through, do a deadlift, then use the inclined side of the hill to finish my turn. All joking aside, great content, you are one of the best UA-cam providers on this type of material.
Quick tip For water crossings on a big ADV bike,
- pile up a few rocks making a small pyramid shape. just at the edge of the water.
- back up a few meters, and approach at full speed, launching the bike over the obstacle.
- the trickey part is jumping off of the bike just before take- off.. so as you can return the rocks to their original location and saving yourself from backtracking once your bike is on the other side.
That’s amazing. I’m off to try it now 😂
Can you do this on small adventure bikes?
I can confirm it is possible
@@joemann2178
Totally agree on the spin turn. Its fun, you turn quickly, but anywhere that you have the space to use it, you're not really stuck... It can damage the trail and if you're in a group, roost your mates.
Bro your content is fantastic. I'm incredibly new to ADV riding and loving literally everything you put out!
Welcome aboard!
Minute 1:14 , that moment the drone is waiting for you, but you struggle because you're NOT Pol Tarres.... MAN ! You often lightened my day !🤣🤣🤣 I realy like your tips!👍👍👍
As for the paddling, techniques I know that in all situations it may not always be possible but I feel it is important to learn to paddle with one foot on a peg at all times. This small thing is a huge improvement to your mobility on the bike.
When you are sitting on the seat with both feet paddling is is almost impossible to move forward or back on the bike because your but is stuck there. With a foot on a peg it becomes so easy to shift your position forward or back on the bike and allow you better control by weighting the appropriate part of the bike. You are essentially connected to the bike with a foot on the peg and in control vs just along for the ride with only your butt and hands on the bars.
I agree with your take on all of these techniques and I just felt that clarifying how much more advantageous it is to keep a foot on a peg as much as is possible. I also think that the more clutch control drills you can do the better, the clutch is just as much a part of your throttle as the right hand, also in conjunction with clutch control drills practice loading the flywheel and using the clutch for control of that energy.
I am no great rider but I have lots to practice lol as riding is something that will teach us new things all the time.
1000% on this comment. One leg paddling is super important.
I enjoy your videos. At 70 now it seems as though all those skills have departed. Been riding since I was able to sit on a mini bike. Plus gravity is not my friend. Picking up a heavy bike like your vstrom has become extremely difficult. Hence switching to a wr250r. But I now own a new Ibex 800T and I want to take it off road without getting hurt or damage to the bike. So my relearning of skills is a must. Picking it up is by far the most difficult thing to do. Already had three disks worked on. Thanks for sharing.
Time to switch to a proper 4x4
Be careful of your back! And maybe look at one of the bike lift ratchet systems to help?
So as someone else in these comments suggested, the Saxton Motorcycle Recovery Technique - SMRT (easy to find on youtube) is one of the easiest ways to pick up a bike. For young people this would maybe be redundant, but for older people like yourself this might be a solution.
Excellent video for new riders. I defied logic and situational awareness in a quest to find some dirt and found……..mud instead. It wasn’t a pleasant experience and I was very grateful for some people out on the “dirt” road whom helped me get back to dry pavement. I dropped the bike more times than I wanted to. A few scrapes, a broken mirror, bike and myself covered in thick mud, tires completely mud logged, feeling slightly hopeless……Lessons learned. Many of the comments here are very helpful and I found myself doing what people have commented on…..look at the bike and how it’s lying on the ground, drag it into a better position, straight RIGID back when lifting, put side stand down BEFORE lifting, take helmet off, breath and recompose. I definitely don’t have the experience for mud except to be much more aware now of how NOT to get into it. If only the road had been dry dirt…….”an adventure is a disaster that didn’t happen”. No truer words spoken. Ride safe.
My favourite skill: picking the right spot to turn around on a steep downhill and then executing the turn.
Corollary: if you can see neither the bottom of the hill nor a place to turn, dont start the descent!
Yes if you're unsure park the bike somehow and go to explore the hill by foot .
deffo! walk the section first!
Mama sez, "Don't ride down something you don't know if you can ride up!"
I dropped my fully loaded GSA on very loose gravel and I couldn’t get my feet to grip. I couldn’t pick it up and hadn’t tried to pull the rear tire to make it easier on the incline I was on, but I could tell I was close because normally I have no issues picking it up. This lady came by and asked if she could help and I asked her to give it a push once I lift it a bit. We did it on the first try and she said she felt like she barely lifted it, but it was enough to break the threshold and get it up.
Exactly!!
So the advice is: always have a lady nearby! 😉
@@LazyJack2003 Exactly...doesn't hurt to have a Best Rest motorcycle recovery set either in case there is nobody around 😉
For those who may be experiencing difficulties lifting their motorcycle up off of the ground, I found a technique that helped me tremendously. I don’t have any trouble lifting my 300 Rally with the techniques that you demonstrated, but I use to have trouble with the bigger bikes until I found this. There is only one video on all of UA-cam that I have found, and I am extremely grateful for it. So the credit should go to that guy... The name of the video is Saxton Motorcycle Recovery Technique - SMRT
Thanks for sharing!
As I got stuck underneath my bike before (luckily with the instructor around to free me again) I always wondered and worried about this happening to me on one of my solo trips through Sweden’s forests. None of the lifting skills - which I possess - would really help and you might spend the night lying underneath your bike, providing free meals to the local mosquitos!
Solution: get a ratchet type lifting device. Not a real trick, not really cheap, perhaps not really elegant and added weight. But the peace of mind I had during my trip this summer was definitely worth it.
When you need to turn around sometimes you have the opportunity to choose the spot as a GS 12 rider with no effective fork rebound and short legs, try and pick your spot with a little incline or up slope for the reverse part of a u-turn. Your right being able to turn round allows you a lot more confidence to try a little explore somewhere new.
Great video chap - love the focus on the ‘less glamorous, but way more valuable’ techniques. Only one I would add would be the off the bike spin turn, obviously 😁
Thanks again for another great set of skillls and tips. Helping to keep the rest of of us safe and enjoying every ride.👍
Our pleasure!
4:18 and keeping them wider than the foot pegs is a bonus :P
I'm short and I have been practicing cowboy mount and dismount. I don't know if my in seam will allow me a 2 legged paddle often, maybe when I'm in a rut, but i can see a 1 legged paddle being handy.
I totally agree that „paddling your leggs” is the most hated method but i am pretty shure that it helps a lot on Adv bike.
There are situations You should stay on footpegs but in long ride YOU NEED to know how to ride in sitting position to save energy. I am total Begginer (2 years offroad on ADV) but the more i practice the more i understand. Best way to lern is to RIDE. The more i train the more i understand how to act in specific situations. „Internet experts” are the worst advise for me but i Think You are the one that does not talk shit. Your Videos are really helpfull! Thanks
The good thing of having a 990adv as a first off road bike was that you have to learn these skill quite early on, it's no fun getting stuck alone between a hill climb that's way above your skill level and a 10 meter drop. Thanks for the videos.
Very true!
I like the trick of tuning the fallen bike around by grabbing it by the front wheel and walking backwards in a small half-circle. Helpful in particular if it falls down hill, but also after it's laid down deliberately. (Of course much easier if you have a boxer cylinder sticking out to the side, which can be used as a pivot point!)
1) When in doubt, have a good look first, think about the problem.
2) You will drop your bike, can you pick it up, without hurting yourself ?
3) It is supposed to be fun.
Number three. Hell YES
Nobody has riding abilities like Pol Tarres ;-)....GREAT VIDEO, thanks!
Habe deinen Kanal heute erst entdeckt und ich bin begeistert, tolle Tips … Danke dafür ….ich werde es weiter verfolgen…
Thanks for another good video. Where your eyes are looking and the timing of your eyes sliding ahead on your path matters a lot in bad terrain and on turns. Too close to the front tire and too far ahead both have their downfalls.
Love how practical these are. I think I've used a variation of most of these techniques...the most tricky thing for me is when seemingly everything goes against you; very little traction, facing downhill, very uneven terrain, slippy underfoot...I had this in the summer and just cycled through all the techniques (it felt like) but made an absolute pig of it...not even sure if I faced it again if I'd do any better. Problem solving itself is the fun/hard bit sometimes!
I totally agree!
one time when i went for a ride, i ended up riding off camber on some really slippery clay, had my uphill foot extended to the front to push the center of mass further forward and when i start losing the front to dig the heel in and stand the bike back up. I ended up losing the front, not getting enough grip on my heel due to wet clay (and me being in normal shoes because i decided to go out during a small break in my classes) and just flopping on the ground at 5 km/h. That was my first actual crash on the bike, and it was hilariously slow and pathetic. Like the crash itself went on for a solid 5 seconds.
I was also on street tires that have more grip on ice than on wet clay.
@@GTAmaniac1 the slow and pathetic falls can be a horrible feeling ...especially if you hear a crunch when it goes down!
Absolutely, been there, done that, and gotten out. Great video.
🤛🤛
Great video. When are you going to review the 800DE?
Already reviewed. Coming in about a month. Got some other videos being edited atm.
Excellent video. This has me wanting to get out and practice and keep up these skills. Thanks!
I certainly need more of this!!
I used the sidestand pivot a few times in my garage, untill I noticed the hinge started to bend. I did use it one time on a trail this year when there was no other option(for a person with my skills). You're right, going on a offroad trip without some basic skill sets is not the smartest thing.
Only time can teach this skill, not to be afraid in the first place. If it looks scary you will fail, learning to take charge and charge through, trust the bike and the power you have, only time on your bike and pushing the limits of it will teach you the weakness of your bike.55 yr riding and will take on trail on street tires other won't on enduro bikes. Being comfortable is key.
I guess that the most important off road skill especially with a big and heavy bike is not riding alone 😂 the second would be - don’t do stupid stuff when alone 😅
Getting stuck is inevitable and best it to know how to get stuck as well. It’s a skill on its own and there are some practical ways to fall down with the bike in your favour e.g. always choose an upper line because gravity helps if you drop the bike, trust the suspension and give more throttle, when going downhill on a slippery surface - use MORE the rear brakes and the front brakes with pulsations. No idea if I am right…just my experience.
*I’m 74 since I became a biker after four years of challenging TKR operations (with a nasty infection) in Sweden and revisions here in 🇹🇭 Thailand. I truly enjoy your videos. Script, camera, sound an editing. Outstanding. Chapeau 🎉 Greetings from sunny tropical Thailand Johnny BikeSanooK!*
Interesting comment about using more rear brake. I have completed off-road L1 & L2 training on very well known heavy bikes with two different manufactures. Still pretty rubbish at it but love it. Anyway, one said to use the rear brake and the other said the front brake when going down steep slippery hills. I really don't know which one was right but on the slightly heavier bike using the front brake worked best for me.
I'm 64, ride only solo, desert and woods,. If U need your hand held,. Stay home. Your 500# adv bike can't pick up itself if U can't!!! Ride LIGHT = more Fun and confidence. A moded xr650l, klx300( pre e start) and kx450 Enduro built. 320#,230# and 250# respectively all street legal,. Easy to ride and pick up. Adv bikes are for u tubers and wanabees
Thank you for the content.
Regarding the tip over sensor reset on the 800. Upright the bike remove key for a min?
TY!
Thank you for the tips 👍 great video
Only skimmed the comnents, but I would add a few techniques I use all the time.
Mounting old man/ horse style, by stepping up onto the peg (sidestand down) amd then swing a leg over. It saves a lot of energy and riding pant crotch stitching (especially on rain gear).
Another technique I practice every ride is slow speed foot on the peg contol. First by rolling slow upto the opening garage door, then slowly into the garage and turning into my parking spot.
I made a video about that and the comments were full of people telling me it was a great way to crash 😂 Totally with you though, it's super useful.
@BrakeMagazine probably had a lot to do with the size of your garage. A camped 2 car wouldn't work. At 2400 sqft I travel at least 15ft into the garage. It's really improved my slow skills, and the importance of a quick dap correction (like your mud video)
What about lifting a heavy bike (260 kg like Super Tenere 1200) from a slippery muddy ground? How would you recommend to do it?
And the second question is how to lift a bike if you don't have enough space to spread your legs (for example, if it fell near a tree and you only a small space between the tree and the bike. Not sure if I've made myself clear.
The bike looks amazing. Loved it
Glad you liked it
The 27 point turn while paddle walking works pretty good for me.
😂😂😂
Anytime your feet are off the pegs you are very close if not out of control. Stand up, it lowers the C of G. Get you butt off center to counter balance the bike. Don't carry too much crap high on back. Like a pendulum swinging the front end. Ride it out, many stop too soon and fall. You fall on hill, drag that bike around and get it pointed out. Make sutre to put side stand down before raising bike up. Keep it in gear to hold it on hill. Know your machine, practice technique. Let gravity and balance work for you.
That 4:00 style is sure way to break your legs on adv bike with panniers 😂
Amen on that brother.
Definitely, that skill to unload or lift the front wheel in order to cross over exposed roots, small diameter fallen trees, or little rock ledges, has been most valuable for me.
Amen 🙏 I think lifting the front wheel is crazy valuable
Great video as always Llewellyn!
Thanks again!
Thank you for this valuable skills tutorial video.
Not only adventures motorcycles riders BUT all types of motorcycles riders should practice these and learn.
These skills would be really useful in their arsenal in their life as a RIDER....!!!!!
Ride safe....
And enjoy...
To all my riders guys and girls around the world. 🌎
😊👍
Well said!
I just bought an 800 DE 2 days ago and I immediately bent the side stand doing a sidestand turn in my garage!! It now leans annoying far over on the stand. How is that bike's stand magically stronger than mine? I have used the sidestand (or center stand) turn to spin my bikes around in the garage forever and this is the first time I've had an issue.
It seems to be bending quite a bit in this video too.
🤔
Paddling brings up the point of seat height. If you're in a rut, the seat height won't matter much. If you're crossing a stream and want to paddle, being able to get both feet down could be the difference between making it across or falling over. Guess I'll learn to paddle with just one foot at a time!
Amen!
number one you will get stuck no matter who you are adventure bikes are heavy. and if you have a big gs you will need all your mates.
Unless you get really good at getting unstuck 🙌🙌
Great vid, really useful tips in there. Thanks for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
I always thought to paddle was a technical error, something to be avoided as much as possible for safety.
Always did like a duck when necessary though. Me constantly trying to stand as soon as I could was causing me more risk than benefit.Thank you.
Nah. We're not riding trials competition. If you get through safely and consistently then it's good.
Drag the rear break around switchbacks.
Yes, perfect.
I'd actually say, 'be a problem solver' is the most essential skill. And getting unstuck (via the rock, the paddle, the turn) is just a particular list of techniques you added in to make the video longer, because 'be mentally persistent about solving problems' is not an easy video to make.
The 2 clips at the start during your intro - Cumbria, by any chance?
Never been.
Ah ok, looked like one of the trails I ride round there on my 98 africa twin @@BrakeMagazine
If it looks like that I'm keen to ride!
Playing with the clutch is something my left foot has no issue with, 70% of the cars I have owned have all been Manual, and as a mechanic, I drive other people manual cars day in and day out, reversing out of the workshop around a tight corner is a skill in itself, but throw in a Manual that you have never driven before, and most couldn't do it.
But get on a Motorcycle where the roles between the left hand and left foot are reversed. now that throws a spanner in the works... Luckily for me, I can't avoid hill starts, the first few days were a nightmare. but changing the approach, and knowing when the light is about to change and start letting out the clutch until it wants to start grabbing and releasing the rear brake at this point makes the hill start much easier... I definitely wouldn't recommend this with a dry clutch like in a car, t would burn out faster than a thin slice of bread in a toaster, but while it's bathed in oil... well that can be changed to get rid of what would have been dust if it was dry!
What’s your choice of tyres at the moment?
Always well thought out content! 👍🏻🍻🇺🇸
On a KLR650S, the stand position is so far back that the nose just won't come up. I've used a side stand turn successfully maybe once or twice, but typically have to do something else.
I've always found a way to get pointed in the right direction, though. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to comment. :)
What are you using for luggage carrier on your bike. Brand name ?
Hi, just small question after enjoying watch you short and detailed movie.. in what editing software you used this movie?
Final Cut Pro.
I’ve side stand turned at home but I’d be too embarrassed on the trail, it’s too “I got no skills”😂
As always very well explained. Thank you
My pleasure!
Being stranded in the middle of rural France on my old gs makes you stronger and a better rider. Eat more protein get fit and your riding will be better.
If you ever find yourself with both feet off the begs you are no longer riding the bike, you are just holding onto it. Two feet on the pegs is best, one foot on a peg is still pretty good. No feet on the pegs means youve lost your natural stability and you are now at the mercy of any small rocks that would throw you off balance. Touching the ground with your feet should be a quick dab. If you need to waddle then just walk the bike. Dont drag your feet. Theres plenty of rocks or bushes or branches out there to snag your foot and drag it under the pegs or pull you down to the ground so keeo the feet up on the legs where possible.
I find, with the right sidestand, the easiest sidestand turn is to simply stand in front of the bike, turn the bars to lock and walk the bike around. It’s silly easy
Sounds great!
The easiest way for me to pick up my KTM 1190 R is to knee next to make sure the tyers can not slip and then knee down next to the seat and push horizontally into the bike. I feel that is saves me a lot of energy especially if the handlebars and seat face down the hill slightly.
Interesting!
The idea is to completely avoid lifting the bike, but instead push it until it is upright. This is only possible if the wheels have grip and don't slide.
Use de side stand turn all the time.
Very useful information! Thank you!
You are welcome!
Dang, that is a fat bug hitting your head, thumbs up for cotinuing! 0:58
Oh jeez, there are alot of tips everyone (yes even you) miss, especially talking about offroad travel. First and probably the MOST important one, get off the bike and walk the trail/feature, if you dont know what to expect, if its turning more and more nasty, if youre tired and cant afford another exercise, get off your bike and WALK. At most it takes an extra 5 minutes, at worst it saves you energy, it saves you money from.not damaging the bike and it gives you the option to decide where to trun arround. Second tip is for turning arround, first off, youre out there you dont know whats ahead so slow the fk down and stop sooner than you need, this allows you to get a "run up" and lock the rear to easely and safely get your bike to turn adleast half way, since the skill is easy to learn and easier to master with half an hour on a gravel road... Getting it turned half way means whatever you do next will take 50% less work. Another tip, everythign you do kn a bike is easier done standing next to it, its not a race and youre not showing off, if you ride like me then youre out there, far from anyone, let alone any help, if you are not shure of yourself, get your lazy ass off the bike and do what you need to do walking... There are a lot of other tips, especially for travelers, but these are the basics you not only need to remeber but do on regular basis. This way you get it in your habbit and are a safer traveler for it.
Cool . Thanks 👍🏻
i gotta ask where do you adventure? i have and africa twin and i want to get into adventuring and if your reg is right you are in the uk and i just gotta ask where cause that looks fun
I ride all over, but this was shot in North Dorset, not far from Salisbury plain. Some good riding in that area for the big bikes.
I like the paddle technique through the deep water, but that doesn't work on a GS unless you want severely bruised shins!
Not in my Leatt 4.5 HydraDri Boots 😉
I joke, you defo have to be more careful!
Haha! Nice plug. My Alpinestars do a great job, too! They just don't prevent me from bashing my shins, just protect me from the bruises. @@BrakeMagazine
Very nice !
What model/version of Mosko Moto luggage is that on the bike?
Reckless 80
@@BrakeMagazine Thank you. Fits the bike well.
At the beginning of the video, we see you over grass sliding the tire. I recently dropped mine on a slope over wet grass. I just could not get the bike up. It would be sliding and I could not get a firm grip for my boots either. Even with the help of a good samaritan it took a good amount of effort. Gravity can be a bitch! 🙂 (getting old is not helping either).
Why wouldnt you recommend to pivot turn on sidestand enduro style bikes?
Quite often the bolts are not very strong.
Admittedly, life is better when riding!
Amen
Easy ways to get past obstacles in your path.
i enjoy watching your videos but one thing i have settled with is paddling,,,,as an offroad rider who can't even flatfoot one leg on a ktm 890 or a yamaha t700 ,let alone enduro motorcyles which have even taller sit heights ... i ride with taller riders always and they are constantly paddling even in situation that don't even need it because it;s a muscle memory already embedded in their technique so i consider it a bad technique...yeah hard enduro riders do it and their skill level is superior compared to most weekend worriors, but a serious offroad rider wanting to improve on their technique should keep their feet on the pegs as much they possibly can,,,,but if they have to paddle one foot should always be on the pegs most of the time....another overlooked offroad technique is knowing how to push and walk the bike when all other tehniques and tricks fail..as for clutch control and getting unstuck i have found that one can really improve on that by learning cluth and throttle control on a trial motorcycle. i am 5,4" and i have always outpace my 6ft buddies on rugged terrain and even wet ruts, trick beign foot on the pegs..,i remember your episode on weighing the pegs...still one of my favourite episode on the channel...
I don’t disagree with this. I would say though, that learning to paddle as a shorter ride is very possible, but you do have to really put time into learning be efficient at moving across the seat.
The benefit is that when it’s technical, you learn to be able to move slower, because you can be confident of always getting one foot down. 😊
This is one reason why I sometimes ride in a rut when others choose to go around them on hillclimbs. Since I'm lower into the terrain I can use the edge of the rut to paddle if I need to. I've been told it's bad technique and not to do it, but I've also chosen to ride around ruts, lose momentum, and then fall into the rut since I can't get my foot down. Sometimes you have to pick your battles.
Also getting off the bike and pushing it is an underrated technique. I was with a buddy and we had to move through a technical part of a trail and I chose to get off my bike and walk it since it was very off camber and I could only get one foot down, the other side was 8" below me. My buddy who was on the same bike (390 Adventure) chose to ride the bike, which worked out for him since he is over 6' and had no troubles getting his foot down.
Best comment I've seen in ages.@@mattkaymoto
very wise, helpful and nice! don’t be intimidated by your bike when you get out of talent! I’ll bear that in mind…
😂😂 And be okay with being shit. That has helped me a lot 😅
@@BrakeMagazine ah ah 🤣🤣 i struggle to feel ok with being shit at this. indeed I tormented myself that while I am generally smart at what I do, I am so poor at the single one thing I really enjoy doing 🥵😉
@@BrakeMagazine A good advice for many things in life...One might call it humility. And being ready to always learn a bit more.
I turn my bike on the side stand even inside the garage when it gets tight
The methods of Tarres and Jarvis are not something one should compare with regarding adventure riding at all. These artists perform at the extremes of what a bike, and man, can do and not by a long shot what is implemented in a situation out in the wild. Surely some trial skills will be helpful in certain situations, but what is more important is to think like an engineer, keeping your head cool and think your way through the problem, rather than using dare-devil skills and acrobatics to counter the hinder. As you are out in the wild you don't want the slightest risk of damaging your bike, nor yourself. Not to mention difference in bikes, where Jarvis rides a nimble competition cycle, we ride heavier more equipped adventure bikes, which in turn need a very differenc strategy to manouver. Even Jarvis wouldn't be silly enough to trick his way through the rough had he been on an adventure.
Great looking bike!
Thank you for all of your tips!
I think so too! And thanks!
I did the sidestand pivot once, the bike leans more now on the sidestand. Never again.
Bend it back 😂
After seeing everyone drop their bikes all over the place. Ill just keep the road bike and get a quad. Lmao.
Little young Colombian ladies can pick up a 790! What a laugh was had
She managed it? Nice!
@@BrakeMagazine There were 3 of them-Viva Colombia!!!
You need to be fit and strong Id say!
You forgot the most important turn, Skids!! TRF old boys will harumph the sh*t out of you at the cake stop but it’s worth it
😂
the problem with big bikes, my Ducati is close to half a ton
Your Ducati is nearly 500kg...
@@BrakeMagazine 254kg I believe 550lbs, got my kg and lbs mixed up
@@DarthDainese I was gonna say! I get them mixed up a lot too 😂
Make sure your bike is in gear before you pick it up to avoid a runaway
It seems incredible, but even motorcyclists with many years of practice do not have the technique to lift the motorcycle when it falls.
spinning wheels and cutting ruts like a boss 🙄
Tell me about it 😂
I mostly close my eyes by fear
Me too 😂
@@BrakeMagazineis a vstrom 800 de review coming up? I hope so.
First rule........... Don't take a that bike 🤔😉
Why is that?
230 kg ! most people can't pick it up. its a road bike with off road tires. Adventure bikes have got too big........ my opinion.
@@minimanshed8910 I mean, the weight of picking it p isn't 230kg. It's about the equivalent of a 75kg deadlift which is pretty reasonable for most people to achieve with a bit of practice.
@@BrakeMagazinethank you for the useful video. Would you be making a video review of the vstrom800de?
@@trailrider1980 yes. We shot it already. Currently editing
Don’t try that on a boxer BMW, you’ll learn quickly not to put your feet out
Learn to put them out wider 😅
meh I think that whole power slide u turn is complete Hollywood bullshit. I can turn any motorcycle around just rocking it back-and-forth a couple times it’s no big deal really
Exactly. I mean, nothing wrong with Hollywood but I agree.