I’m 60 and awaiting delivery of my first ever dirt bike. Been watching videos to learn basics. Your videos are by far the best. Articulate. No hype or idiocy. Just awesome. Thank you. No other video said you can shift without clutching! Great!
I'm pushing 67 and I just took delivery of a new Husqvarna FE350S. I replaced my old well worn Yamaha XT-250. I started riding dirt on a mini bike at 12. I did have some time off over the years but picked it back up in earnest in 2011. Here's the deal. Be sure you spend some time on cardio and strength training. Build up your fitness and loose your body fat. I eat KETO. I went from 183 to 146. It's a very demanding sport. Obviously, start out with easy trails and progress as you learn. But the new bikes are sprung for a roughly 180-185 pound human. That includes your gear. If you weigh more than that, you'll need to change the spring/s to accommodate more weight. Otherwise the suspension will not work properly. Diet and fitness are just as important as the bike and it's setup. Proper body weight and cardiovascular fitness is the best defense against aging and will go far in injury prevention when you biff off into the pucker bushes. Also, get knee, elbow and chest protection and wear it. You will as we say "eat it" now and again. Even the best riders eat it. Congratulations for having a pair large enough to try dirt at 60. Join a club too. That will ensure you get out frequently. Ride with people you trust and who are better than you, but will temper the rides to your ability but gently push your skills safely. It's a fun time and the people who do it are for the most part like minded, and super fun to hang out with, camp out with and you'll make many new friends. Have a great time!!!!
I ride a heavy bike. I need to wait for the 2 stroke ktms to go all the way up the hills first or i'd run into them with the momentum i need to get to the top.
Hey Kyle, I’m a Newbie to the sport from Canada and you have the best channel , I’m learning a ton of stuff from you. I will be emailing you, I have a few questions for you. Thanks man. Adrian Hall.
Brand loyalty is ignorant. Jap bikes make amazing MX bikes. And the most reliable tanks for decades. European bikes dominate the enduro scene. Its all about specialized niches. If you've ridden for decades you respect Jap bikes. If you're currently riding trail/enduro you're on a European bike, if you can afford it.
@@noirxplorer3185 So true have a 86 honda xl250r best motor ever. Have had the oil plug shoot out from previous owner ran out of oil. Took motor apart still looked brand new. Have 2 now because of it both still are cherry and run like new.
if youre racing hard and rebuilding your bike regularly, id agree you might not want to use the clutch, but if youre an average joe, you most definitely need to use the clutch. I've rebuild multiple bikes from people trying to power shift without the clutch and they end up destroying second gear and bending shift rods.
Over my 4 years in a motorcycle dealership, I rebuilt over 30 transmissions due to clutches shifting. Primarily destroying second gear, you can do whatever youd like, but as a technician I can't condone it. Best of luck to you guys.
@Jesse Hoolihan Right there with you brother! As most watching this type channel (beginner tips vid), if you want your clutch to last, use the lever.. Now if your able to match engine/wheel speed with precision, one could more safely (for the clutch), not use lever while at speed.. Its a great skill to have (manipulating clutch lever) riding offroad for a multitude of reasons, but if ur that 1% who gets paid to bang gears, this video/comments arent for you.. Keep Riding!
That was extremely informative I can't wait to introduce these techniques into my riding. Pretty stoked right now I'm picking up a Husqvarna te300 in the next couple days!
Tip number 12, buy any old clapped out air cooled 4 stroke above 150ccs. Tip number 13, take tips 1-12 and register for a local hare scramble/enduro race.
1) Stand up (use your legs to grip the motorcycle so you don't need too much tension on the handlebars), 2) look far ahead (observe obstacles and plan your route), 3) keep momentum to the level required for the route, 4) Keep one or two fingers on clutch and front brake (This is really important for reaction time), 5) Find the best way to use the rear break swiftly and efficiently, Don't lock up the rear brake, learn to use the break so you don't need to pull the clutch (learn to down shift at the same time and you can let the engine do most of the work), 6) Don't point your toes out, an obstacle can rip your leg off and you off the bike (also, don't point your toes down, your foot could get ripped off, 7) Stay on the balls of your feet for most operations, This allows you you squeeze the motorcycle with your legs and provides better steering control, There are exceptions maybe a very long high jump. 8) Learn to shift up and down without the clutch. It's much faster and provides better results when in go fast mode. This technique is more than 44 years old. I know for a fact. (FYI, you don't need a clutch to shift a manual in a car either). 9) Sit on the tank when preparing to corner, this unloads the rear suspension and loads the front suspension, making your front brake bite harder before flicking the bike into the desired line. It also help the rear wheel to drift out so you can apply throttle quicker and use the rear wheel to steer the bike, at which point you might want to slide off the tank a bit to add extra bite to the rear. 10) I guess I missed it or deemed it unnecessary. :) sorry about that!
As far as I'm concerned, the rear brake is only good for 2 things, 1) As a back-up emergency brake, and, 2) When having to decend a very slow steep incline, (your butt should be as far back as possible). There's not enough weight on the rear wheel to do any detectable slowing of the bike, you should spend a serious amount of time learning how to use the front brake EXCLUSIVELY, especially in turns, when you get good at this, you can almost go all the way around the turn with the rear wheel IN THE AIR, or at least so lightly loaded that the slightest touch of the rear brake will lock the wheel, which will result in less control. If you really need to kick the rear end out to make a turn, do it with the throttle. As soon as you stop braking you are going to need instant acceleration, if you just had the rear wheel locked, there will always be a delay in power delivery, but if the power is already on, a simple shift of weight to the rear wheel is all that is required to blast you out of the corner
@@brandonnewman1018 You're obviously a newbie to motorcycles. You should do more listening and less talking. I'll make you look silly in a race. Re-read my post and try it.
Good tips for sure. Here's another one - get in shape BEFORE riding your dirt bike. I know I feel so much better when I'm down a few pounds and not sucking as much wind. That translates, at least for me, in to a more enjoyable riding experience.
Also quick footnote: Danny Hamel was a wonderful human being! I was fortunate enough to call him my friend, but he was everyones friend again a most wonderful human being. He was probably the best desert racer of all time. He also probably sat 70% of the time when he was riding and racing. (But his bike was setup for his riding style) So you really have to do what works best for what gives you the most confidence what feels right for you? Again just sayin.
I will have to stand more. Being short 5'6"- 5'7" makes things so much more difficult... or it saps me of confidence and I keep dropping the bike. I am constantly fighting the bike, exhausting myself to the point of heat stroke in the past. Plus, looking down at the ruts is another area of improvement. It is amazing how little tips make a monumental difference. I recall riding in the sand once... deep sand, it was impossible, and my brother told me to keep my weight back and don't look down at the wheel. I tore it up after that.
One of the best tips he gave before he even started counting them, was ride with guys who are better [more experienced] than you and do what they do. Great tips all around Thanks we are watching in 2020 quarantine!!
Thanks dude! I've been riding street for 20 years and I just picked up a wr450f. Just took it out yesterday and the struggle was real. I was doing pretty much everything wrong. I've watched/listened to this video 5 times while I'm working. Going to pick up some elbow pads lol and going to put your tips to use. Thanks again.
Yep, been riding street 10 years, dirt is a Whole different game....my balance and Throttle/Clutch work are amazing, coming from 160hp bikes, but it's just "traction" and jumping over Logs that is tricky to adapt to......riding street, it feels SO weird being High up, and aiming FOR logs.....or potholes knowing you can soak them up now.
I've been riding for 45 years and picked up a few things new. Maybe my YZ400 wouldn't have hurt me in the early 80s had the internet been around. Thanks for making this vid.
I'm a mechanic and I have to say please don't shift with out using clutch unless you have an aftermarket rekluse clutch or other aftermarket slipper clutches yes there continues mesh but that's how bikes have been for a very long time you need to use at least a little clutch because otherwise it can damage the couch basket and disks you don't have to fully disengaged the couch but you should still use it partially I had a customer on a 2020 ktm listen to this guy and now I'm having to replace his entire clutch assembly
You should re title this. Top 10 beginner tips. I was hoping to get some good tips as I can tell you know what your doing. Could you do a top 10 tips for people that can ride, like fast already. I guess that's more of a course lol 👍😊
Great tips but this guy is soooo long winded!🙄 Eg the look ahead section.... Me: keep your head up and look as far ahead as you can! Look through the turns as far as you can and pick your breaking point! Great tips though. Thanks mate. 👍
I gotta say all this info is spot on, I just started dirt biking 2 weeks to be exact, I bmxed for 10+yrs though, bought a 2019 wr250fx and my first day was a challenge at first but towards the end of the day with all this advice given to me from my brother and his buddy I really started riding way better, luckily I live in the mountains and can practice a bit in my yard (not too much cause there's always those pesky neighbors that like to call the cops) but I went from dropping my bike in easy situations, to riding the expert trails the next weekend with my brother and his friends that have been riding since they were kids (they're 30yrs old now) so they're really really good. One thing they really wanted to nail into my head was slipping the clutch in really steep hill climbs while balancing it with throttle control so you don't bog the bike down and kill it or like you were saying lose momentum. It's crazy stuff, but with the right knowledge and understanding of the physics of riding you can get really far really fast. The rocky hill climbs with loose softball and up size rocks everywhere and the single track with one way to go and no other is when you really need to pay attention ahead of you, as far as possible. And riding on rocks in the rain you also wants to maintain momentum so when you hit rocks and your tire slides you keep going rather than get knocked around and put your foot down and then drop the bike. My brother and his friends are crazy though, so they have taken me into the gnarliest stuff and just explained all of this stuff to me so I had no choice but to just go for it! I'm not the type of person to just turn around and go back either which is the mindset you need for dirt biking. And don't worry about hurting your bike! It'll ruin your fun. I'd also suggest the cycra probends to protect your levers if you're a noob like me.
I’m just getting back into off-road riding after 30 years riding on the street. These tips were very helpful and articulated what I was in the process of relearning. Thanks!
Come ride Winchester trails in Oregon between Coos Bay and Bandon and tell me what you think of them. It makes you focus alot on technical work and momentum for certain!!!
After you learn the body positioning, how to work the controls, weighting and such to the point it is like second nature, the #1 thing to do is-----relax! If you can't relax, you will never go fast on a track or trail. When you get that feeling that you are "one with the bike", using little energy, (a feeling you can't get on any other machine), you will probably be going fast. :)
9:30 - thankyou! I'm sharing this to my friends. I'm 6ft6 and pretty new to offroading. I got myself an AJP PR3 - not the best choice with its low seat height ahaha - and I've been telling them I need risers (new to offroading, not new to biking), but they tell me I don't. When I'm stood up the bars are about 2" lower than I want them to be (tested standing on the bike on a paddock stand), but other than that I can't fault the bike at all, it's nice and light - always a bonus. I've watched a few of your videos now, but it's given me the urge to go out and ride (yep, we're in lockdown, nope I'm not going mad because my back yard is a woods which is pretty secluded and this PR3 has a quiet exhaust :D), so I'll have to watch more later :P Sub'd.
Have to disagree with not clutching to shift. Yes, they are constant mesh but if you don't clutch you are slamming the dog ears on the gears as the shift forks engage the next gear. The gear teeth between the gear pairs on the input shaft and output shaft are constant mesh but not the dog ears that mesh to engage a gear with the input shaft. Not clutching to shift will ware down your dog ears faster. Lots of videos out there showing this.
Ryan Hammerel shifting without clutching is fine, you dont do it while the engine is under a load. It takes practice and timing to do. Only time i clutch when shifting is when im downshifting multiple gears. There are videos that explain and back up what im saying too. What you are doing is going to wear out your clutch and or make it slip. Just to add something else- most if not almost all pro riders shift without clutching. It takes timing but its just fine, when the motor is under load tou will HAVE TO clutch to allow it to shift
Actually thats not true. Kyle is right. the throttle part doesn't need to happen. what is happening is all the gears inside a dirt bike are spinning at the same speed when shifting(constant mesh transmission) it puts as much stress on the gears as letting go of the clutch real fast would. the tranny is much like a double clutch system in super cars where they have a gear when you pull the paddle sifter it in-gauges an idler gear that gets the next gear up to the same speed before letting go of the paddle sifter to shift to the next gear. thats why they shift so fast. but dirt bikes keep all the gears spinning at the same speed. when your decelerating and you down shift if you pull in the clutch you start free wheeling and loose balance and your inertia that keeps you up right. that tension on your chain helps you balance.
Here's a good 3 part video where he actually shows you how the internals work. Not just some dude going through gears without clutching saying "see, it works so it's fine." What all 3 parts. Geared Bikes: ua-cam.com/video/y3oMMW5XL2A/v-deo.html
i know exactly how it works. its just like a double clutch just different system. im not saying it doesnt hurt the gears but it doesnt hurt them anymore then it would shifting without the clutch. if you ask any race team they say the same thing. i talked with the motor builder from pro circuit about it he said the hardest thing it is on is the clutch gear on the back of the basket. outside of the case half. i have about 300 hours on a bike shifting with out the clutch and had no issues. including 9 100 mile desert races.
Chris Brewer yeah i agree lol they always on new machines. However i said that to make the point that saying if a pro rider does it, that it must be an "ok" or "correct" thing to do. Trying to explain that is a pain lol. Be good and safe out there.
Thanks so much for doing this video Kyle. Your explanations and demonstrations have given me greater insight to riding better and safer offroad. Have had road bikes previously so learning the ropes and feel of offroad biking. Your explanations and demonstrations have been insightful and helpful, the best I've watched and listened to. Certainly going to improve my skills and enjoyment. Thanks heaps.
brian Im still growing(14 yo)Im curently at 6'3 my dad is 6'6 so lets say im going to be 6'6 too.Will I be able to ride dirtbike?? . I'm a too tall for motorcycles in general?(+ Im preety slim)
This was a great video. I've been riding street for quite a few years and just bought my first dirt bike and I've picked up so many great tips. Thanks very much!
Best tip I've ever got was from Jeremy McGrath. Bend at the waist, try to keep your boots vertical. weight the INSIDE peg with all your weight, let the bike flop to the inside, center your mouth over the outside grip and bend the outside knee forward and grab a handfull. This is how he road all fast bumpy sweepers. I weighted the outside peg for 30 years, because everybody said to, it sucks!
Good information, liked an subscribed. Only thing I disagree with is clutchless shifting. I could understand if it came down to making or breaking a race, but disagree from a longevity standpoint.
Pretty sure they all do, and always have. I would like to see a mechanic weight in this one because I just saw a bike buying guide that said this practice ruins the transmission, and I agree. The gears are always meshed, but the sliders are not. They have prongs on them, and slamming them in is going to wear them off. If there are syncos that might make the difference, but those wear too. Having all the mass of the rest if the drive train will make them wear faster, while the clutch would wear there instead. The replacement parts... He might be right, but I am not going risk it.
A tip Steven fordd taught me is a general rule of thumb, you should set your levers so they are in a straight line from your arm to your finger. If you know what I mean
Awesome tips m8 great great video not a dirt bike rider but an f800gs rider I think most of what you saying here also applies to heavier bikes like mine specially as mine got the fuel tank on the back and weight distribution is key Offroad also momentum super important on more beefy bikes as when you loose it you drop in traction straight after thanks for all advice very useful
AWESOME Tips,, Ive been riding for so long,, just about everything is second nature.. Its difficult to actually put words to all of it... Great Job! SPOT ON! (Although I do have Bar risers LOL (strictly for comfort)) Keep making great videos!
Because lately I've been riding mountain bikes a lot more than dirt bikes I've become quite skilled on a mountain bike and not very good on a dirt bike. One thing I've learned from mountain biking is that although UA-cam videos are helpful the only way you can truly improve is through practice. It's funny because I watch these videos and say to myself, oh so that's what I'm doing wrong, next time I will do that better. But then next time I ride I end up having so much fun that I forget about it.🤣
great video & tips! of all of them, to keep my right foot sitting on the balls is the hardest one to get.... I always tend to have the tip of my foot right above the brake
Ok so I literally am 6 foot 4 and riding normal bars is pretty awkward (2000 yz250 smoker) should I try bar risers? For reference my legs are the long part so I'm TALL tall
Why can I not find a video that covers mounting / dismounting and coming to a stop on a medium to large Enduro or ADV? They appear to have 35" seat heights on average, when the average male American inseam is about 30" to 32". I look at these at dealers and won't even try climbing up on them.
The only thing I disagree with it bar risers. Some of us are tall with long waist and not so long arms. I’m 6’2” tall and 32” pants are too long. Without risers I’m hunched over without the ability to be straight up when standing. A little bar rise allows me to ride Linder. It’s pretty situational but I wouldn’t be afraid to use them if you are aware of why you’re using them and what the negatives can be.
I personally don't agree with standing up 70 to 90 percent of the time. I only stand up when I see rough terrain that could make me lose my balance or when I'll do a small jump, otherwise I sit down. Good video though, many important things...
I have a TRENDy question for you Kyle and rest of you guys! What do you think about the SPOKE WRAPS thing? I never used but looks like they will trap dirt and water and they will destroy the spokes In shorter time than normal. What do you think? Cheers
Sometimes I think there is a standard way of doing things that makes sense... in a perfect world and if they built motorcycles to a person's height specifications... then all the chime ins and input from shorter riders about risers etc would make perfect sense. However... regardless of correct geometry... if you are built extra long and trying to conform your unnaturally tall frame to function perfectly on a bike that was designed for a 5 foot 6 or 7 inch (170cm) individual... well, it's like trying to fit into a mazda miata when your 6'3" (190.5cm).... and not being allowed to move the seat back. Your comfort level on a motorcycle is an important factor when riding... and will impact, how much riding you can endure, your situational awareness (if you are not comfortable... part of your attention will be attending to it... meaning that your full focus is not on the ride itself) and will also reduce one's likelihood of feeling what the bike is doing under them and responding to it properly... as muscle fatigue can set in due to an awkward and unnatural body position. If you are riding competitively... or doing very steep inclines where weight over the handlebars is important... then perhaps precluding risers as an option might be the way to go... but if you are a casual noncompetetive rider that isn't going to be riding extremely aggressive, do yourself a favor and get the risers. I personally belive that your comfort on your motorcycle will balance what you will lose geometry-wise by contorting your Frankensteinish frame to a bike made for those who are certainly much smaller.
I let one of my buddies ride my bike 1 time. I was following his jeep and he ask to take my bike down a slick rock hill. He used to race so I let him. He has a problem locking the front brake. When the front brake locked he slid and just like you said. That tire turned easily and he broke my clutch lever off and ended my day of riding
You don't blip the throttle on upshift, you blip it on downshift. You drop the throttle in upshift. Giving people bad info that can fuck up their transmission.
Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey hey I have a question I'm about 5 foot 10 and 220 pounds would a 250 or a 450 be better suited for me given that I have minimal riding experience
In general, I would go with a 250 either a 2 stroke or 4 stroke. Where you ride, what kind of riding and/or your experience should help in your final decision. If you have friends with different bikes see if you can ride them.
Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey definitely leaning towards a four stroke because I don't feel like mixing fuel and I want better fuel economy and as far as the train I'm on is in mid to North Georgia so it's really hilly and a lot of clay type of dirt. So between the four stroke 250 and the 450 I was really wondering what would be best for my weight because I am heavier than the average rider
Austin Turner I will still go with a 250 or even a 350. I do here the new RMX450 is set up perfect for new to intermidiate riders. I think most MX 450s would be too much bike and you won't be happy. Again, I'm not sure if you are going new or used. One of my friends is 6' 2" and over 250lbs and he has an older husky 250 2 stroke and he has no problems in some of our hillier sections we ride. I know it's not the Appalachians but he has no problems. Ever think of a Beta 3 stroke with oil injection? Just a thought. You should be happy with a 250 4 stroke.👍
This does help... I haven't been on a dirt bike in 30+ years. I've had 4 wheelers, jet skis, ski boats & fast cars but not a single dirt bike. Not since 1984. It took a divorce & me moving out to the family ranch to want another dirt bike. I'm looking for one right now.
I’m 60 and awaiting delivery of my first ever dirt bike. Been watching videos to learn basics. Your videos are by far the best. Articulate. No hype or idiocy. Just awesome. Thank you. No other video said you can shift without clutching! Great!
I'm pushing 67 and I just took delivery of a new Husqvarna FE350S. I replaced my old well worn Yamaha XT-250. I started riding dirt on a mini bike at 12. I did have some time off over the years but picked it back up in earnest in 2011. Here's the deal. Be sure you spend some time on cardio and strength training. Build up your fitness and loose your body fat. I eat KETO. I went from 183 to 146. It's a very demanding sport. Obviously, start out with easy trails and progress as you learn. But the new bikes are sprung for a roughly 180-185 pound human. That includes your gear. If you weigh more than that, you'll need to change the spring/s to accommodate more weight. Otherwise the suspension will not work properly. Diet and fitness are just as important as the bike and it's setup. Proper body weight and cardiovascular fitness is the best defense against aging and will go far in injury prevention when you biff off into the pucker bushes. Also, get knee, elbow and chest protection and wear it. You will as we say "eat it" now and again. Even the best riders eat it. Congratulations for having a pair large enough to try dirt at 60. Join a club too. That will ensure you get out frequently. Ride with people you trust and who are better than you, but will temper the rides to your ability but gently push your skills safely. It's a fun time and the people who do it are for the most part like minded, and super fun to hang out with, camp out with and you'll make many new friends. Have a great time!!!!
Inspiring :D
I'm taking Offroad / Dirt / Enduro classes. Can't wait to get my Dirt Bike
:D
How's it going?
@@magiccitysoundhilarious
Remember downshift with no clutch, up you need a little bit
8:10, more speed/momentum going up difficult/rocky hills, absolutely TRUE!!
I ride a heavy bike. I need to wait for the 2 stroke ktms to go all the way up the hills first or i'd run into them with the momentum i need to get to the top.
You make a pretty good riding instructor! Thanks for helpful tips!
Love the custom clutch lever, something happened to mine haha, great tips man keep it up!!
I'm 49 and thinking of buying my first enduro for trail riding. Am I crazy??
I'm 4 years old and am buying my first practice bike. Got a kx450f. Im ready to dump the hell out of that clutch
James 😂😂
56
I hope you got that bike FG! Im fifty and still hitting the trails. I just don't "attack" as hard as I used to.
Stand up in attack position with your toes on the peg, squeeze your knees into the tank, and hold your head up and look the direction you wanna go
Hey Kyle, I’m a Newbie to the sport from Canada and you have the best channel , I’m learning a ton of stuff from you. I will be emailing you, I have a few questions for you. Thanks man. Adrian Hall.
My dream bike 🙏🙏🙏
Trying to find a review on KTM exc-f 250-350 no one seems to open them up what the #**#*#*#
Hey, im 6"4. Should I still remove my bar riser?
yes, i am close to that ride just fine without lol
How do i restore compression in my engine for cheap?
rebuild the engine yourself and save on labour costs :)
11. Send it
Hahaha
Sennnndddd itttttt
Lol true
Turn it up to tip #11!
Stand up, look up and open up 👍🏻👍🏻
Well said! 👍
Nicely said
@@diandeklerk9512 ko
i like how he has a yamaha and honda flag but then a ktm bike
There is 16:13
@Teagan Agawa (.)(.)
Brand loyalty is ignorant. Jap bikes make amazing MX bikes. And the most reliable tanks for decades. European bikes dominate the enduro scene. Its all about specialized niches. If you've ridden for decades you respect Jap bikes. If you're currently riding trail/enduro you're on a European bike, if you can afford it.
I have a calendar with a blonde, brunette, and redheads, too. Fun is fun, learn this young.
@@noirxplorer3185 So true have a 86 honda xl250r best motor ever. Have had the oil plug shoot out from previous owner ran out of oil. Took motor apart still looked brand new. Have 2 now because of it both still are cherry and run like new.
if youre racing hard and rebuilding your bike regularly, id agree you might not want to use the clutch, but if youre an average joe, you most definitely need to use the clutch. I've rebuild multiple bikes from people trying to power shift without the clutch and they end up destroying second gear and bending shift rods.
No problem with gearing up. Down is another matter.
I went riding Sunday 6-30-19 I was riding on the street and was downshifting with out the clutch on accident and I'm guessing was at perfect RPM
I never used the clutch on my 500 exc unless I was putting it in first.
Over my 4 years in a motorcycle dealership, I rebuilt over 30 transmissions due to clutches shifting. Primarily destroying second gear, you can do whatever youd like, but as a technician I can't condone it. Best of luck to you guys.
@Jesse Hoolihan Right there with you brother! As most watching this type channel (beginner tips vid), if you want your clutch to last, use the lever.. Now if your able to match engine/wheel speed with precision, one could more safely (for the clutch), not use lever while at speed..
Its a great skill to have (manipulating clutch lever) riding offroad for a multitude of reasons, but if ur that 1% who gets paid to bang gears, this video/comments arent for you..
Keep Riding!
That was extremely informative I can't wait to introduce these techniques into my riding. Pretty stoked right now I'm picking up a Husqvarna te300 in the next couple days!
Thanks Kyle for the vids. This one particularly useful for a new, aging, beginner rider.
“Trust me do not use bar risers” me uhhhh I have those. “Unless your 6,4” my 6,5 ass. Oh okay I’m good
Rich Lafferty ? Hey I know him. Great video.. thanks for props sir.. if ever in Jersey hit me up for a free school
Kyle... Enter a race and make a video..
You are touching all the points that riders generally have to learn the hard way. Good video.
Tip number 11 buy a old trials bike and polish up existing skills then learn new skills to transfer to your enduro bike
Hayden W Mate of mine does that. Has an old beat up yz125 to learn and practice on. Then transfers those to his yz250
Tip number 12, buy any old clapped out air cooled 4 stroke above 150ccs. Tip number 13, take tips 1-12 and register for a local hare scramble/enduro race.
Absolutely!
@@joemoyle7867 have n4ñbi2jee 7uu87uuuurjjjjnkhhhh
Tip 12: buy a beginners bike, such as a cr500 or kx500 to learn on.
Dude i ride with my dad and i swear he just disapears and i catch up to him when he takes breaks at least he lets me take one too
1) Stand up (use your legs to grip the motorcycle so you don't need too much tension on the handlebars), 2) look far ahead (observe obstacles and plan your route), 3) keep momentum to the level required for the route, 4) Keep one or two fingers on clutch and front brake (This is really important for reaction time), 5) Find the best way to use the rear break swiftly and efficiently, Don't lock up the rear brake, learn to use the break so you don't need to pull the clutch (learn to down shift at the same time and you can let the engine do most of the work), 6) Don't point your toes out, an obstacle can rip your leg off and you off the bike (also, don't point your toes down, your foot could get ripped off, 7) Stay on the balls of your feet for most operations, This allows you you squeeze the motorcycle with your legs and provides better steering control, There are exceptions maybe a very long high jump. 8) Learn to shift up and down without the clutch. It's much faster and provides better results when in go fast mode. This technique is more than 44 years old. I know for a fact. (FYI, you don't need a clutch to shift a manual in a car either). 9) Sit on the tank when preparing to corner, this unloads the rear suspension and loads the front suspension, making your front brake bite harder before flicking the bike into the desired line. It also help the rear wheel to drift out so you can apply throttle quicker and use the rear wheel to steer the bike, at which point you might want to slide off the tank a bit to add extra bite to the rear. 10) I guess I missed it or deemed it unnecessary. :) sorry about that!
I'm afraid to shift without the clutch. I have my first dirt bike and it's old and I don't want to break it.
As far as I'm concerned, the rear brake is only good for 2 things,
1) As a back-up emergency brake, and,
2) When having to decend a very slow steep incline, (your butt should be as far back as possible).
There's not enough weight on the rear wheel to do any detectable slowing of the bike,
you should spend a serious amount of time learning how to use the front brake EXCLUSIVELY,
especially in turns, when you get good at this, you can almost go all the way around the
turn with the rear wheel IN THE AIR, or at least so lightly loaded that the slightest
touch of the rear brake will lock the wheel, which will result in less control.
If you really need to kick the rear end out to make a turn,
do it with the throttle.
As soon as you stop braking you are going to need instant acceleration,
if you just had the rear wheel locked, there will always be a delay in power delivery,
but if the power is already on, a simple shift of weight to the rear wheel is all that is required to
blast you out of the corner
The back brake is almost better than front. I use back brake for the harder stops while front brake just to slow down.
@@brandonnewman1018
You're obviously a newbie to motorcycles.
You should do more listening and less talking.
I'll make you look silly in a race.
Re-read my post and try it.
@@jimbrown563 way to make yourself look like a tool lmao. sit down old man and stfu
Good tips for sure. Here's another one - get in shape BEFORE riding your dirt bike. I know I feel so much better when I'm down a few pounds and not sucking as much wind. That translates, at least for me, in to a more enjoyable riding experience.
Also quick footnote: Danny Hamel was a wonderful human being! I was fortunate enough to call him my friend, but he was everyones friend again a most wonderful human being. He was probably the best desert racer of all time. He also probably sat 70% of the time when he was riding and racing. (But his bike was setup for his riding style) So you really have to do what works best for what gives you the most confidence what feels right for you? Again just sayin.
I will have to stand more. Being short 5'6"- 5'7" makes things so much more difficult... or it saps me of confidence and I keep dropping the bike. I am constantly fighting the bike, exhausting myself to the point of heat stroke in the past. Plus, looking down at the ruts is another area of improvement. It is amazing how little tips make a monumental difference. I recall riding in the sand once... deep sand, it was impossible, and my brother told me to keep my weight back and don't look down at the wheel. I tore it up after that.
bg147 I’m short to. Makes things difficult.
One of the best tips he gave before he even started counting them, was ride with guys who are better [more experienced] than you and do what they do. Great tips all around Thanks we are watching in 2020 quarantine!!
Thanks dude! I've been riding street for 20 years and I just picked up a wr450f. Just took it out yesterday and the struggle was real. I was doing pretty much everything wrong. I've watched/listened to this video 5 times while I'm working. Going to pick up some elbow pads lol and going to put your tips to use. Thanks again.
Yep, been riding street 10 years, dirt is a Whole different game....my balance and Throttle/Clutch work are amazing, coming from 160hp bikes, but it's just "traction" and jumping over Logs that is tricky to adapt to......riding street, it feels SO weird being High up, and aiming FOR logs.....or potholes knowing you can soak them up now.
Thanks Kyle, ur like the knowledgable uncle of the dirtbike community
hahahahha :)
I've been riding for 45 years and picked up a few things new. Maybe my YZ400 wouldn't have hurt me in the early 80s had the internet been around. Thanks for making this vid.
It seems to take a ton of upper body strength to maintain body position while standing while accelerating and then to light braking.
I'm a mechanic and I have to say please don't shift with out using clutch unless you have an aftermarket rekluse clutch or other aftermarket slipper clutches yes there continues mesh but that's how bikes have been for a very long time you need to use at least a little clutch because otherwise it can damage the couch basket and disks you don't have to fully disengaged the couch but you should still use it partially I had a customer on a 2020 ktm listen to this guy and now I'm having to replace his entire clutch assembly
Yeah but that's a KTM
You should re title this. Top 10 beginner tips. I was hoping to get some good tips as I can tell you know what your doing. Could you do a top 10 tips for people that can ride, like fast already. I guess that's more of a course lol 👍😊
Great tips but this guy is soooo long winded!🙄
Eg the look ahead section....
Me: keep your head up and look as far ahead as you can!
Look through the turns as far as you can and pick your breaking point!
Great tips though. Thanks mate. 👍
All good stuff. I see the same 2 issues when people are struggling: sitting down and not carrying momentum.
Those are two points you can always work on at any level of riding!
I gotta say all this info is spot on, I just started dirt biking 2 weeks to be exact, I bmxed for 10+yrs though, bought a 2019 wr250fx and my first day was a challenge at first but towards the end of the day with all this advice given to me from my brother and his buddy I really started riding way better, luckily I live in the mountains and can practice a bit in my yard (not too much cause there's always those pesky neighbors that like to call the cops) but I went from dropping my bike in easy situations, to riding the expert trails the next weekend with my brother and his friends that have been riding since they were kids (they're 30yrs old now) so they're really really good. One thing they really wanted to nail into my head was slipping the clutch in really steep hill climbs while balancing it with throttle control so you don't bog the bike down and kill it or like you were saying lose momentum. It's crazy stuff, but with the right knowledge and understanding of the physics of riding you can get really far really fast. The rocky hill climbs with loose softball and up size rocks everywhere and the single track with one way to go and no other is when you really need to pay attention ahead of you, as far as possible. And riding on rocks in the rain you also wants to maintain momentum so when you hit rocks and your tire slides you keep going rather than get knocked around and put your foot down and then drop the bike. My brother and his friends are crazy though, so they have taken me into the gnarliest stuff and just explained all of this stuff to me so I had no choice but to just go for it! I'm not the type of person to just turn around and go back either which is the mindset you need for dirt biking. And don't worry about hurting your bike! It'll ruin your fun. I'd also suggest the cycra probends to protect your levers if you're a noob like me.
I’m just getting back into off-road riding after 30 years riding on the street. These tips were very helpful and articulated what I was in the process of relearning. Thanks!
Show us these techniques riding in a race and riding
Why do you not believe these techniques work? It doesn't matter if its a race or just riding by yourself everything he said was spot on,
@ think he just means in a riding video doing this, labeling when/how to apply the techniques
Kyle you need to come to Oregon and get some seat time with us.
fredman1085 the season just started I'm down in Medford and lots of amazing riding
Not year around but 80% is open
fredman1085 we just got back from a great ride I'm sure you will like it here
Come ride Winchester trails in Oregon between Coos Bay and Bandon and tell me what you think of them. It makes you focus alot on technical work and momentum for certain!!!
Hey Jesse Boucher, are you the guy who had the exhaust stack in the bed of your Dodge? I had a KX250 with Chevy trucks graphics. Was that you?
I’ve been riding for a couple of years and wow I wish I had seen This when I started. Best video and set of tips I’ve seen. Thank you so much!
After you learn the body positioning, how to work the controls, weighting and such to the point it is like second nature, the #1 thing to do is-----relax! If you can't relax, you will never go fast on a track or trail. When you get that feeling that you are "one with the bike", using little energy, (a feeling you can't get on any other machine), you will probably be going fast. :)
I find grabbing the seat with my knees really helps with arm pump.
ive been working on most of these lately. practice, practice, practice.
Anyone disagree with what he said about using your whole leg on the rear brake?
I do. it's not practical at all because you can't modulate it properly. I use foot movement and I'm sure lots of other riders do.
Always solid content....thank you
9:30 - thankyou! I'm sharing this to my friends. I'm 6ft6 and pretty new to offroading. I got myself an AJP PR3 - not the best choice with its low seat height ahaha - and I've been telling them I need risers (new to offroading, not new to biking), but they tell me I don't. When I'm stood up the bars are about 2" lower than I want them to be (tested standing on the bike on a paddock stand), but other than that I can't fault the bike at all, it's nice and light - always a bonus.
I've watched a few of your videos now, but it's given me the urge to go out and ride (yep, we're in lockdown, nope I'm not going mad because my back yard is a woods which is pretty secluded and this PR3 has a quiet exhaust :D), so I'll have to watch more later :P Sub'd.
Dude does a little line of coke then makes UA-cam videos haha
😂😂
10 thumbs up, 2 Honda trail bikes...mountain trail weekends fun fun fun Everytime......
Mountain trail weekends are the joy of life! I Agree!
I'd say this video is more valuable than the bike reviews
Have to disagree with not clutching to shift. Yes, they are constant mesh but if you don't clutch you are slamming the dog ears on the gears as the shift forks engage the next gear. The gear teeth between the gear pairs on the input shaft and output shaft are constant mesh but not the dog ears that mesh to engage a gear with the input shaft. Not clutching to shift will ware down your dog ears faster. Lots of videos out there showing this.
Ryan Hammerel shifting without clutching is fine, you dont do it while the engine is under a load. It takes practice and timing to do. Only time i clutch when shifting is when im downshifting multiple gears.
There are videos that explain and back up what im saying too. What you are doing is going to wear out your clutch and or make it slip. Just to add something else- most if not almost all pro riders shift without clutching. It takes timing but its just fine, when the motor is under load tou will HAVE TO clutch to allow it to shift
Actually thats not true. Kyle is right. the throttle part doesn't need to happen. what is happening is all the gears inside a dirt bike are spinning at the same speed when shifting(constant mesh transmission) it puts as much stress on the gears as letting go of the clutch real fast would. the tranny is much like a double clutch system in super cars where they have a gear when you pull the paddle sifter it in-gauges an idler gear that gets the next gear up to the same speed before letting go of the paddle sifter to shift to the next gear. thats why they shift so fast. but dirt bikes keep all the gears spinning at the same speed. when your decelerating and you down shift if you pull in the clutch you start free wheeling and loose balance and your inertia that keeps you up right. that tension on your chain helps you balance.
Here's a good 3 part video where he actually shows you how the internals work. Not just some dude going through gears without clutching saying "see, it works so it's fine." What all 3 parts.
Geared Bikes: ua-cam.com/video/y3oMMW5XL2A/v-deo.html
i know exactly how it works. its just like a double clutch just different system. im not saying it doesnt hurt the gears but it doesnt hurt them anymore then it would shifting without the clutch. if you ask any race team they say the same thing. i talked with the motor builder from pro circuit about it he said the hardest thing it is on is the clutch gear on the back of the basket. outside of the case half. i have about 300 hours on a bike shifting with out the clutch and had no issues. including 9 100 mile desert races.
Chris Brewer yeah i agree lol they always on new machines. However i said that to make the point that saying if a pro rider does it, that it must be an "ok" or "correct" thing to do. Trying to explain that is a pain lol. Be good and safe out there.
Great video man.. I really enjoyed it.. And im definitely going to try out these tips.. Thank you
Thanks so much for doing this video Kyle. Your explanations and demonstrations have given me greater insight to riding better and safer offroad. Have had road bikes previously so learning the ropes and feel of offroad biking. Your explanations and demonstrations have been insightful and helpful, the best I've watched and listened to. Certainly going to improve my skills and enjoyment. Thanks heaps.
im 6 feet 5 inches and 210 pounds and trust me BAR RISERS ARE USELESS and yes suspension mods are 1000x better than engine mods
brian Im still growing(14 yo)Im curently at 6'3 my dad is 6'6 so lets say im going to be 6'6 too.Will I be able to ride dirtbike?? . I'm a too tall for motorcycles in general?(+ Im preety slim)
Anonimous Ranch you should be good bud I'm 15 and im 6'3 and I can ride perfectly fine just a just your spring on your weight and you should be fine
Anonimous Ranch what being 5,4 will i be fine? I haven’t hit my growth spurt yet
@@anonimousranch7199 Yes. There are motorcycles simply too small for you but enough options big enough, both in dirt and on road.
@@anonimousranch7199 At that size, get in really good shape and take up Parkour. You'll be able to keep up with your friends on he MX circuits. LOL
This was a great video. I've been riding street for quite a few years and just bought my first dirt bike and I've picked up so many great tips. Thanks very much!
Hey man, can I start riding and taking lessons for dirt biking? I don't know how to start and I'm only 14. Help?
If you are in the Virginia area I offer dirt bike lessons--go to dirtbikebootcamp.com for inof
go to a Honda msf dirt bike school
Great tips. Thank you. The key tip for me was using clutch to modulate power to the wheel. Makes lots of sense!
What are those?
I'm definitely guilty of not looking far enough ahead.
Broooo, these are so many good advise, thanks from italy
Right on, you have some nice trials over there? Hello from California
Best tip I've ever got was from Jeremy McGrath. Bend at the waist, try to keep your boots vertical. weight the INSIDE peg with all your weight, let the bike flop to the inside, center your mouth over the outside grip and bend the outside knee forward and grab a handfull. This is how he road all fast bumpy sweepers. I weighted the outside peg for 30 years, because everybody said to, it sucks!
Good information, liked an subscribed.
Only thing I disagree with is clutchless shifting. I could understand if it came down to making or breaking a race, but disagree from a longevity standpoint.
HELP! QUESTION! Does anyone know if an older bike 2002 xt225 has a constant mesh transmission and I can shift without a clutch??
Pretty sure they all do, and always have. I would like to see a mechanic weight in this one because I just saw a bike buying guide that said this practice ruins the transmission, and I agree. The gears are always meshed, but the sliders are not. They have prongs on them, and slamming them in is going to wear them off. If there are syncos that might make the difference, but those wear too. Having all the mass of the rest if the drive train will make them wear faster, while the clutch would wear there instead. The replacement parts...
He might be right, but I am not going risk it.
A tip Steven fordd taught me is a general rule of thumb, you should set your levers so they are in a straight line from your arm to your finger. If you know what I mean
1. Buy a Japanese bike
You look down you go down! Always look ahead
Awesome tips m8 great great video not a dirt bike rider but an f800gs rider I think most of what you saying here also applies to heavier bikes like mine specially as mine got the fuel tank on the back and weight distribution is key Offroad also momentum super important on more beefy bikes as when you loose it you drop in traction straight after thanks for all advice very useful
Clear, concise, well presented and really helpful. Thanks
Very good video, I watch a lot to learn more. You’ve done a great job. I’m older and want to put these tips into practice. Thank you.
AWESOME Tips,, Ive been riding for so long,, just about everything is second nature.. Its difficult to actually put words to all of it... Great Job!
SPOT ON!
(Although I do have Bar risers LOL (strictly for comfort))
Keep making great videos!
ktms are the only bike i can use 1 finger for the clutch. thats why i love them for the woods
Because lately I've been riding mountain bikes a lot more than dirt bikes I've become quite skilled on a mountain bike and not very good on a dirt bike. One thing I've learned from mountain biking is that although UA-cam videos are helpful the only way you can truly improve is through practice. It's funny because I watch these videos and say to myself, oh so that's what I'm doing wrong, next time I will do that better. But then next time I ride I end up having so much fun that I forget about it.🤣
great video & tips! of all of them, to keep my right foot sitting on the balls is the hardest one to get.... I always tend to have the tip of my foot right above the brake
bar risers: I am 6'5" tall and weigh 235 pounds. I found that I am out of position when I stand with stock bars on my KLX300R. throughts?
Ok so I literally am 6 foot 4 and riding normal bars is pretty awkward (2000 yz250 smoker) should I try bar risers? For reference my legs are the long part so I'm TALL tall
Awesome video Kyle! Id love to see more videos like this! Possibly make some "riding tip" videos while on the trail. Thanx Kyle!
Why can I not find a video that covers mounting / dismounting and coming to a stop on a medium to large Enduro or ADV? They appear to have 35" seat heights on average, when the average male American inseam is about 30" to 32". I look at these at dealers and won't even try climbing up on them.
The only thing I disagree with it bar risers. Some of us are tall with long waist and not so long arms. I’m 6’2” tall and 32” pants are too long. Without risers I’m hunched over without the ability to be straight up when standing. A little bar rise allows me to ride Linder. It’s pretty situational but I wouldn’t be afraid to use them if you are aware of why you’re using them and what the negatives can be.
I personally don't agree with standing up 70 to 90 percent of the time. I only stand up when I see rough terrain that could make me lose my balance or when I'll do a small jump, otherwise I sit down. Good video though, many important things...
I have a TRENDy question for you Kyle and rest of you guys!
What do you think about the SPOKE WRAPS thing?
I never used but looks like they will trap dirt and water and they will destroy the spokes In shorter time than normal.
What do you think?
Cheers
N Garcia I have them on my husky they are more important then anything I love them I also want to put cards and close hangers
Meaning of life lol
@@scottcollins9446 Those are almost as important as a billet gas cap, y'know?
Sometimes I think there is a standard way of doing things that makes sense... in a perfect world and if they built motorcycles to a person's height specifications... then all the chime ins and input from shorter riders about risers etc would make perfect sense. However... regardless of correct geometry... if you are built extra long and trying to conform your unnaturally tall frame to function perfectly on a bike that was designed for a 5 foot 6 or 7 inch (170cm) individual... well, it's like trying to fit into a mazda miata when your 6'3" (190.5cm).... and not being allowed to move the seat back. Your comfort level on a motorcycle is an important factor when riding... and will impact, how much riding you can endure, your situational awareness (if you are not comfortable... part of your attention will be attending to it... meaning that your full focus is not on the ride itself) and will also reduce one's likelihood of feeling what the bike is doing under them and responding to it properly... as muscle fatigue can set in due to an awkward and unnatural body position. If you are riding competitively... or doing very steep inclines where weight over the handlebars is important... then perhaps precluding risers as an option might be the way to go... but if you are a casual noncompetetive rider that isn't going to be riding extremely aggressive, do yourself a favor and get the risers. I personally belive that your comfort on your motorcycle will balance what you will lose geometry-wise by contorting your Frankensteinish frame to a bike made for those who are certainly much smaller.
I used to dislike this channel because all Kyle ever talks about is KTM. Well guess who rides a Husky now and am re-watchin the videos.
Chillin near your bike, finger naturally goes on the clutch. Haha
I let one of my buddies ride my bike 1 time. I was following his jeep and he ask to take my bike down a slick rock hill. He used to race so I let him. He has a problem locking the front brake. When the front brake locked he slid and just like you said. That tire turned easily and he broke my clutch lever off and ended my day of riding
A bunch of great tips all in one vid. Thanks! I plan to share this with my kids to reinforce what Ive been teaching them.
As a 6'3 guy that never ridden before what bike shoud i start looking for? I was thinking a ktm 250/300 exc
You don't blip the throttle on upshift, you blip it on downshift. You drop the throttle in upshift. Giving people bad info that can fuck up their transmission.
Great Yamaha music flag behind you.....the Yamaha Motor logo is different 🤠
I love the sintrippidle motion.lol
Never the less,good vid my friend.
Scrolled to find this comment.
It's called centripetal force. It's a thing
My buddy keeps telling me all these tips when riding together, but I won't listen. Maybe hearing it from someone else will help :) thanks!
The thing is, im not tall but when I’m standing my knees are above the seat so i can’t squeeze them. I’m 5’4 and on a TTR125
When in doubt PIN IT
Pin it to win it!
Help! Does rule 9 work on my Honda CRF450RL? Thanks and great info.
Good, I don't need to adjust my bars if I'm tall.......unless you're really tall......shoot.
Thanks for the tips. I'm sure even guys like myself who have been riding since the '80s can appreciate your advice.
Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey hey I have a question I'm about 5 foot 10 and 220 pounds would a 250 or a 450 be better suited for me given that I have minimal riding experience
In general, I would go with a 250 either a 2 stroke or 4 stroke. Where you ride, what kind of riding and/or your experience should help in your final decision. If you have friends with different bikes see if you can ride them.
Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey definitely leaning towards a four stroke because I don't feel like mixing fuel and I want better fuel economy and as far as the train I'm on is in mid to North Georgia so it's really hilly and a lot of clay type of dirt. So between the four stroke 250 and the 450 I was really wondering what would be best for my weight because I am heavier than the average rider
Austin Turner I will still go with a 250 or even a 350. I do here the new RMX450 is set up perfect for new to intermidiate riders. I think most MX 450s would be too much bike and you won't be happy. Again, I'm not sure if you are going new or used. One of my friends is 6' 2" and over 250lbs and he has an older husky 250 2 stroke and he has no problems in some of our hillier sections we ride. I know it's not the Appalachians but he has no problems. Ever think of a Beta 3 stroke with oil injection? Just a thought. You should be happy with a 250 4 stroke.👍
Dirt Bikes & Ice Hockey thanks
22:30 how do you keep from blowing out your balls every time? Asking for a friend...🥴
Dude you have so many good tips, thank you for doing this video!
This does help... I haven't been on a dirt bike in 30+ years. I've had 4 wheelers, jet skis, ski boats & fast cars but not a single dirt bike. Not since 1984. It took a divorce & me moving out to the family ranch to want another dirt bike. I'm looking for one right now.
Enjoy your new found freedom! ;)
I like the sharp look into the camera after the last word of each tip