YES! Again, simple fixes make such a difference. There is such a aftermarket for ADV when most times adjustments to stock will do the trick. You sure do not hear this very often, well, except from you! I made most adjustments to stock on mine and it works great. I DID get better foot pegs that are metal/wider than the stock rubber topped pegs. Man, in mud they got SLICK until changed out. The fatigue factor is SO much less with a good off road boot, night and day, as you said also. Another great video. You definitely know your stuff my and not afraid of hurting manufacturers feelings. In this case you showed most bikes are pretty decent when they come. We set our car seats, radio, mirrors all to us all the time so we should make our bikes fit us also. Good common sense, experience and training make your videos differ from most. Thank you for what you do my friend. Stay safe and keep the vids coming.
I adjusted my clutch free play similar to the way you described a couple months ago, my friends all thought it was strange and I felt like I was using it as a crutch to help my clutch control. I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds a big control advantage through having it set that way
Excellent video. I get to add this to my "What I wish I had known before I started adventure riding" list.... I own a new DRZ400s. I thought my riding position was okay, even though I'm 6'8". Boy was I wrong! Got out to Nellis Dunes near Vegas last weekend and had a very hard time standing. Super jerky and awkward because my angles we all off. The ergonomics were really, really bad. I knew it wasn't great but I didn't know it was bad. The first time I fell surprised me. I was deep into the sandy hills. Decided to get out of there ASAP. Fell two more times before escaping! Nothing quite like scratching up a new bike! I'm ok though - more of a bruised ego than anything. I lost all confidence. My bike felt super heavy. My stock tires felt like I was riding on ice in the sand. So, I will work on my skills AND set up my bike better in every way possible including proper dual sport tires.
Awesome content here Bret.. thank you so much.. luckily I have a friend that is an off-road instructor and I knew some of those good advice.. but 'repetita juvant' in Latin.. basicly it means hearing them another time will remind me better .. Hi from Italy
I recently purchased a Benelli TRK 502x. I am 5'9" which left me either leaning forward or having to sit all the way up on the tank while on the road. The bars were low enough that they would smash my thumbs against the tank in a tight turn and they had me leaning over the windshield while standing. Bar risers fixed all of these design issues for me and made the bike more comfortable and ergonomic for my height.
I am 6'7" Stuck bars and risers on my Vstrom 1000 already, stuck a shifter from a different bike on it to fit my foot (15EEEE / 16EE) and done a bunch of adjustments. I wasn't quite able get the right position but this video helps a lot, thank you.
The very 1st thing I do when I buy a bike is put the bars, levers and brake pedal and shifter to the position I like and its never where they are when the bike comes off the showroom floor. I doubt I would buy a bike that didn't allow me to adjust my brake and shifter levers. Same with levers. I stand more than most and want my brake and shift levers adjusted as such. Same as I do on my dirt bikes. I've had to reposition the front brake line on several bikes to get the levers where I wanted them and still work with hand guards/brakbusters etc. Nice Video!
Did my 1200gsa 2016 today. Took of the ricers and moved the steer forward. After charged the controlls as well. Wow, now it feels connected to the ground and way more easy to ride 😄
I've since long needed to do that on my 800, but have never got around to do it. Now I suddenly feel the need to go to the garage and finally do it. Thanks for the inspiration Bret! Happy rides!
Bret, this is your second video I feel compelled to comment on today, I just pushed the bars forward a smidge and its MUCH better standing up, thanks for covering this.
I have been interested on the "correct" settings on the controls of my T700 Yamaha. After watching this much appreciated video I have discovered that I have been correctly setting my controls (as per your advise) correctly for the past 40 years. Happy days. Thanks from the Land of OZ
I was a bikefitter (fitting bicycle to its owner), bicycle is simple tool yet complicated at the same time because it's comes in sizes and highly adjustable, So it's very important to fit it right since we are its machine. Im not a biker yet (hopefully i am, soon)but it's more obvious that motorcycle is more simple in this regard despite being much more complicated. i kinda surprised it's doesn't seems like a common knowledge here where i liv, Thanks for the content.
Thanks Bret! Did many of these adjustments to my Tenere 700. Ended up getting rid of the afm handlebar risers, and adjusted all the controls. The clutch feels 10 times better adjusted properly!
I like stiff offroad boots for dirt biking, but I'd stick with wider footpegs and adv boots for adv riding, where I know I'll be in them all day, hiking, sightseeing, around the campfire, etc. That, to me, offers the best blend of comfort and performance.
Awesome tips as usual Bret. Appreciate all yo do. I certainly have you to thank for my skill progression as I have learned to ride off road the last 18 months. Smile while you ride!
As a motorcycle-mechanic i can say that nearly half of my customers are riding with a wrong setup. Often, when i do my testride after the service ......i think....how can someone ride this bike properly with this stupid adjustment they have on the bike. Crazy! Sure, it takes some time to do it in the right way, but i think it is the job of the workshop or the salesmen to help the riders to sit on their bikes in the best possible position. Again ; Brat....another well-done video you made.
Downside of being over the average height is that bar risers really make it more comfortable. I’m using a 20mm riser on my F800GS. They do seem to put more leverage on the bolts - causing more twisted handlebars as it’s ridden (and dropped) like a dirt bike. I also like using my phones level app to match the levers exactly and log some real data on what angle I like.
After many years of wanting a dual-port for when I hit the dreaded ‘pavement ends’ sign, I just bought a new-to-me 2022 Guzzi V85TT last fall. Love it! Does what I want for an “all-road” bike. I haven’t searched for videos on this toptic yet, but thought about throwing this out there: Hozabout a video (or a mention) for those of us with dry clutches? Older GS’s and Guzzis. As an engineer I have no qualms about slipping the wet clutch on my Honda NT700V. But I would be leery of using that ‘friction zone’ too much on a dry clutch. Would love some thoughts from someone who has ridden the older GS’s……and maybe replaced clutches on them……😊
Its wrong to use the cable adjuster that way. You risk not having enough movement in the clutch to properly disengage.. The adjuster knob is there for a reason. In the user manual the factory has specified the correct slack in the cable. And down the road when your clutch is worn a bit, your adjustment is of again.
Thanks, Bret, much appreciated. I didn't know about your trick with the clutch engaging that early. Have to check with my bikes right now. Cheers from Nürnberg/Germany, Günter
Loving my rally pro. Previous owner was way over 6ft (183cm). I'm 5' 9" (175 cm). The Rox bar risers were pretty, but off they came. Bars are set with the horizontal of the alignment mark on the crease. I'll recheck to insure the bars are flat. Control lever angles are great for seated but need tweaking for standing. Clutch engagement definitely needs a tweak on the cable aduster. Shifter needs to come up to accommodate my Forma Terra Adventure boots. All adjustments are easy peazy. Great video Brett. Thx
Great video, as always. I'd just add one note: the sweet spot for the clutch changes with temperature. If set when cold, it will still engage further ahead when hot...
On my Yamaha S. Ten, I could not get the stock bars to be comfortable sitting, much less standing. I changed them out to the Pro-Taper Adventure and now can easily and comfortably stand, as well as sitting, my wrists aren't twisted. I can't imagine what double jointed person Yamaha used to put those crazy angles on the handle bars. My stock foot pegs broke off. So I replaced them with Tusk Billet. So far, very comfortable riding positions, standing or sitting.
Great video Bret, thank you. I have had my Tiger 900 RP for almost a year now, and am still "dialing it in"! These tips greatly help. I watched you do this before on the BMW, and I'm glad you also did this setup on "my bike" ;-) I'm sure this will help me with my off-road riding control.
How do you like it? What mods have you done? Crash bars, etc. I'm getting mine in 2 weeks and have all kinds of decisions to make lol. Skid plate, radiator guards, headlight guard, double take mirrors, hand guards, top box, foot pegs.......
@@kee7678 I love my RP. It does great on road and off. I've taken it from TX to Colorado and up and over mountains. I've upgraded the skid plate and added upper crash bars, headlight protector, double take mirrors bark busters and luggage racks for my Mosko moto bags. Enjoy!
@@DanMarquette I ordered the M M bags too which require the Outback Motortek side rails. What did you do for crash bars/skid plate. Clear or metal headlight protector? Top case? Boots and helmet? LOL sorry I'll be doing adventure touring as well as some off road stuff all over SW US and Baja quite a bit. I recently learned a lot regarding boot protection as 2 friends broken ankles. Thanks in advance Dan !
On the topic of throttle free play on electronic throttles: On some bikes you can add spacers to eliminate the free play. Ducati Spacers for example has a kit for most Triumph models (including the Tiger).
I’ve noticed my cold weather gloves are thick enough to sometimes affect two-finger clutching, so I’m thinking it might be worth putting riding gloves on to make lever adjustments.
Did a lot of these tweaks, based on one of your older videos, on my Tiger 800XC and it improved my comfort when standing a huge amount. And best of all, they were all free.
YES! THIS!! I keep telling this to my friends but they just won't listen. The factory settings are meant to be a neutral position and are not meant to be suited to everybody. It needs to be dialed in differently for every person separately. This isn't just a comfort thing. It's a safety thing. Your arms, your wrists and your hands are meant to sit in a very particular position for them to not take your body's weight or the force of an impact, with the added advantage of comfort and rideability.
What about the verticaly challenged people, say with a 30” inseam. I’m finding out Adventure riding is quite a bit from dirt bike riding with a very light bike. It’s one of the things you have to DO to understand ( at least it is for me) I’ve been street only for about 20 years and didn’t realize how muck I either FORGOT or didn’t know in the first place. Thanks for all your help, hard work and time you put into these videos
Something always missing from these conversations on screens and tall folk is that proportions really start to make a difference over 6ft. At 6’3” legroom is generally not an issue for me in cars but headroom is. The 900rp does have a very well engineered screen, but if I duck about two inches the wind noise goes silent. Will be looking to extend for longer day rides.
Thanks Bret!!! I really appreciate this advice ... Especially the clutch adjustment and proper setting. I was adjusting mine without measuring the travel with my fingers on the grip. Your guidance helped me fix that oversight, and I really appreciate it.
Enjoying your content from the UK Bret, especially this one as I have a Tiger 900 and wanted to try modifying the controls to make it slightly easier for standing up. 👍
Picked up a super tenere last month and your videos here and mototrek are amazing and helped a ton so far. Saving up for your training classes in Georgia soon.
Great tips, thanks bret. And yeah being a 6'5 rider I really need al the adjustment possible. Setting my bike up right to be able to stand up comfortably is a challenge.
Start with footpegs the are lower than OEM, a flat handlebar and a riser then puts the bars plumb over the OEM position (rotating rather than block riser)
Good stuff! I don't remember where I picked up, that the levers should be flat to the underside of the palm, but that's how I've always adjusted mine. Granted, I don't do as much riding standing up and doing that for extended periods of time might induse wrist pain if there is a pronounced angle between the wrist and forearm.
Great video Bret! My dirt bike has a hydraulic clutch so understanding how to adjust the cable clutch properly for off road precision is a big win. Especially since I’m planning on purchasing the very same bike you’re riding next year. I’m eagerly awaiting a first impressions or review video of the bike. I rode one at IMS Carlisle, PA and fell in love, so much so I rode it twice. Also rode the T7 which is another bike on my list. As well as potentially the new Aprilia Tuareg. Been riding dirt only for 15-20 years, currently on a ‘16 Beta 300 I’ve owned since new and riding single track. Next year I plan to take my first plunge into the ADV world. Your videos and content will be lifesaver’s for me, hopefully I can take a class or meet you at one of the events next year.
@@BretTkacs I’m sure you’ll be able to get your hands on one sometime soon. Really looking forward to your thoughts and feedback on the Rally Pro. Pretty sure I saw you at Carlisle IMS but you were filming a quick video, I ended up chatting with the Mosko guys for a bit. Have a great trip in Nepal!
Now we just need a good video on suspension set up for ADV, kind of hard to set up for sport bike riding on the curves hard enduro and desert racing all in one ride (aka adventure riding). Wondering do most people set it and forget it or adjust from one condition to another? I saw a popular bike set up pro say that on adv bikes when you go off road slow your rebound down quite a bit but from my experience with MX and Mountain bikes that dont seem a very good general rule to me. If you slow it down too much then hit a lot of rough with some bigger hits you kind of end up with the suspension packing up and end up with a low rider not much fun on a whoop section
The reason they say slow the rebound quite a bit is because the standard setting on most adv bikes causes the rear end to buck up when you go over larger bumps. Sometimes this bucking is so severe you effectively end up doing a front wheel wheelie, which most of us cannot control ;-) In one of Tkacs other videos, he talks about this and shows himself coming down because of exactly this over-aggressive default rebound setting. Will post link if I can remember which vid!
@@brettschroeder4886 Ah thanks, I can see how a nose wheelie on a 500lbs bike could be somewhat exciting and not in a good way, I did notice some of what your talking about on my Africa twin when I took it off road, the shock set up dont feel right at all to me so I am going to have to dig into what it needs. I wish I knew more about suspensions
Absolutely perfect. I have previously adjusted the motorcycle, but to fine tune in this way I have never done. Thank you for giving me a new motorcycle, and I really mean it's a new Triumph Tiger 800 XCA I have.
newbie here, thanks for the usefull advices! I wish to see how to adjust the height of my Transalp 650! Im 172 cm and i have to stand on my tiptoes to reach the ground!
My ‘05 GS is amazing but the hydraulic clutch is not really adjustable besides the lever which doesn’t get it close enough. But I’ve adapted to it over the miles. Miss the cable clutch ha.
My 200cc dual sport coming with standart footpeg, back brake and shifter that for me the position are little too forward..so, the position are not right on bottom of the frame.. when i ride standing up.. the weight is more to the front so somestime i hardly get traction to the real wheel..so i have to customize it myself to proper fit to my riding style & my riding position.. because i cant find the aftermarket acc for my bike in the market in my country and my bike just a local bike..so sometimes.. we still have to change what comes from the factory standart...
Great video Bret. What a nice surprise see you on a Rally Pro! I have one too and I really love it. Please make a video of setting up the suspension. Are you gonna change those tires? I can't wait for your criminal reviews jajajaja. Big hug from Chile.
YES! Again, simple fixes make such a difference. There is such a aftermarket for ADV when most times adjustments to stock will do the trick. You sure do not hear this very often, well, except from you! I made most adjustments to stock on mine and it works great. I DID get better foot pegs that are metal/wider than the stock rubber topped pegs. Man, in mud they got SLICK until changed out. The fatigue factor is SO much less with a good off road boot, night and day, as you said also. Another great video. You definitely know your stuff my and not afraid of hurting manufacturers feelings. In this case you showed most bikes are pretty decent when they come. We set our car seats, radio, mirrors all to us all the time so we should make our bikes fit us also. Good common sense, experience and training make your videos differ from most. Thank you for what you do my friend. Stay safe and keep the vids coming.
Always blown away by the amount of useful information you provide in your videos! Please keep it up.
This video and your previous video about ergonomics were extremely useful in setting up my new bike. I can not thank you enough:)
As a small-handed person, I thank you for this video.
Best video on adjusting ergonomics on an adventure bike that I have seen. Thanks Brett!
I adjusted my clutch free play similar to the way you described a couple months ago, my friends all thought it was strange and I felt like I was using it as a crutch to help my clutch control. I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds a big control advantage through having it set that way
Excellent video. I get to add this to my "What I wish I had known before I started adventure riding" list....
I own a new DRZ400s. I thought my riding position was okay, even though I'm 6'8". Boy was I wrong! Got out to Nellis Dunes near Vegas last weekend and had a very hard time standing. Super jerky and awkward because my angles we all off. The ergonomics were really, really bad. I knew it wasn't great but I didn't know it was bad.
The first time I fell surprised me. I was deep into the sandy hills. Decided to get out of there ASAP. Fell two more times before escaping!
Nothing quite like scratching up a new bike! I'm ok though - more of a bruised ego than anything. I lost all confidence. My bike felt super heavy. My stock tires felt like I was riding on ice in the sand. So, I will work on my skills AND set up my bike better in every way possible including proper dual sport tires.
Awesome content here Bret.. thank you so much.. luckily I have a friend that is an off-road instructor and I knew some of those good advice.. but 'repetita juvant' in Latin.. basicly it means hearing them another time will remind me better .. Hi from Italy
I recently purchased a Benelli TRK 502x. I am 5'9" which left me either leaning forward or having to sit all the way up on the tank while on the road. The bars were low enough that they would smash my thumbs against the tank in a tight turn and they had me leaning over the windshield while standing.
Bar risers fixed all of these design issues for me and made the bike more comfortable and ergonomic for my height.
Thanks for this. I made some adjustments to my Tiger 900. Did not know just how easy that is.
Hi Bret,
I am learning a ton from this and the old suspension set video with the guy In California. See you in a few weeks.
I am 6'7" Stuck bars and risers on my Vstrom 1000 already, stuck a shifter from a different bike on it to fit my foot (15EEEE / 16EE) and done a bunch of adjustments.
I wasn't quite able get the right position but this video helps a lot, thank you.
Such great advice. Thanks
As a 6’6” rider customisation is everything 😂
The very 1st thing I do when I buy a bike is put the bars, levers and brake pedal and shifter to the position I like and its never where they are when the bike comes off the showroom floor. I doubt I would buy a bike that didn't allow me to adjust my brake and shifter levers. Same with levers. I stand more than most and want my brake and shift levers adjusted as such. Same as I do on my dirt bikes. I've had to reposition the front brake line on several bikes to get the levers where I wanted them and still work with hand guards/brakbusters etc. Nice Video!
Did my 1200gsa 2016 today. Took of the ricers and moved the steer forward. After charged the controlls as well. Wow, now it feels connected to the ground and way more easy to ride 😄
who else wants to see bret on an adventure raise their hand ✋
I will do.what I can... Currently Nepal is covered in massive rain and snow storms (out of season). It is bound to become an adventure!
I've since long needed to do that on my 800, but have never got around to do it. Now I suddenly feel the need to go to the garage and finally do it. Thanks for the inspiration Bret! Happy rides!
Great Bret, thanks so much for all the tips you have given us. A big hug and plese keep on riding. Regards.
Thanks - for explaining/defining what few (if any?) bother to explain ... with notable impact on comfort, confidence and progress.
Thanks Bret… awesome video with an invaluable explanation! … thanks and greetings from Colombia!
Thank you Bret for finally showing me how to set up my Tiger 900. Very helpful!
My rally pro just got delivered today...can't wait to ride it tomorrow :D
@@mattallin3553 Mine in 2 weeks. What mods and accesories did you get???
Bret, this is your second video I feel compelled to comment on today, I just pushed the bars forward a smidge and its MUCH better standing up, thanks for covering this.
I have been interested on the "correct" settings on the controls of my T700 Yamaha.
After watching this much appreciated video I have discovered that I have been correctly setting my controls (as per your advise) correctly for the past 40 years.
Happy days.
Thanks from the Land of OZ
I was a bikefitter (fitting bicycle to its owner), bicycle is simple tool yet complicated at the same time because it's comes in sizes and highly adjustable,
So it's very important to fit it right since we are its machine.
Im not a biker yet (hopefully i am, soon)but it's more obvious that motorcycle is more simple in this regard despite being much more complicated.
i kinda surprised it's doesn't seems like a common knowledge here where i liv,
Thanks for the content.
Thanks Bret! Did many of these adjustments to my Tenere 700. Ended up getting rid of the afm handlebar risers, and adjusted all the controls. The clutch feels 10 times better adjusted properly!
I like stiff offroad boots for dirt biking, but I'd stick with wider footpegs and adv boots for adv riding, where I know I'll be in them all day, hiking, sightseeing, around the campfire, etc. That, to me, offers the best blend of comfort and performance.
Love your practical inputs that bypass all the hype about gotta-haves. Helps us save $$$ that we can use on the necessities!🍺🇨🇦
Awesome tips as usual Bret. Appreciate all yo do. I certainly have you to thank for my skill progression as I have learned to ride off road the last 18 months. Smile while you ride!
Another great video. It was great to go over all of this during your training camp but even better to have it memorialized here!
As a motorcycle-mechanic i can say that nearly half of my customers are riding with a wrong setup. Often, when i do my testride after the service ......i think....how can someone ride this bike properly with this stupid adjustment they have on the bike. Crazy! Sure, it takes some time to do it in the right way, but i think it is the job of the workshop or the salesmen to help the riders to sit on their bikes in the best possible position. Again ; Brat....another well-done video you made.
Thx Bret! Have a good weekend!
Great advice, Will be making some adjustments to my bike today, the test will be Saturday, taking a 1 day ADV course in NOVA.
Downside of being over the average height is that bar risers really make it more comfortable. I’m using a 20mm riser on my F800GS. They do seem to put more leverage on the bolts - causing more twisted handlebars as it’s ridden (and dropped) like a dirt bike. I also like using my phones level app to match the levers exactly and log some real data on what angle I like.
It must be nice!! Regards, hobbit biker girl
After many years of wanting a dual-port for when I hit the dreaded ‘pavement ends’ sign, I just bought a new-to-me 2022 Guzzi V85TT last fall. Love it! Does what I want for an “all-road” bike.
I haven’t searched for videos on this toptic yet, but thought about throwing this out there: Hozabout a video (or a mention) for those of us with dry clutches? Older GS’s and Guzzis. As an engineer I have no qualms about slipping the wet clutch on my Honda NT700V. But I would be leery of using that ‘friction zone’ too much on a dry clutch. Would love some thoughts from someone who has ridden the older GS’s……and maybe replaced clutches on them……😊
I didn't know that clutch adjustment tip. Nice one! Thanks!
Its wrong to use the cable adjuster that way. You risk not having enough movement in the clutch to properly disengage.. The adjuster knob is there for a reason. In the user manual the factory has specified the correct slack in the cable. And down the road when your clutch is worn a bit, your adjustment is of again.
Thanks, Bret, much appreciated. I didn't know about your trick with the clutch engaging that early. Have to check with my bikes right now.
Cheers from Nürnberg/Germany, Günter
Again great info offered in an “Everyman” kind of way👍
Amazing tips. This was one of the most awaited videos for me
Now I know what changes I need to do on my bike to get better ergonomics
Great to see you back on UA-cam!
I never left, I only travel 😉
Loving my rally pro. Previous owner was way over 6ft (183cm). I'm 5' 9" (175 cm). The Rox bar risers were pretty, but off they came. Bars are set with the horizontal of the alignment mark on the crease. I'll recheck to insure the bars are flat. Control lever angles are great for seated but need tweaking for standing. Clutch engagement definitely needs a tweak on the cable aduster. Shifter needs to come up to accommodate my Forma Terra Adventure boots.
All adjustments are easy peazy.
Great video Brett. Thx
Great video, as always.
I'd just add one note: the sweet spot for the clutch changes with temperature. If set when cold, it will still engage further ahead when hot...
Great job Bret, always informative, and interesting, keep up the good work.
On my Yamaha S. Ten, I could not get the stock bars to be comfortable sitting, much less standing. I changed them out to the Pro-Taper Adventure and now can easily and comfortably stand, as well as sitting, my wrists aren't twisted. I can't imagine what double jointed person Yamaha used to put those crazy angles on the handle bars. My stock foot pegs broke off. So I replaced them with Tusk Billet. So far, very comfortable riding positions, standing or sitting.
Fantastic! Wasn't sure if I needed risers. After watching this. Problem solved. Thank You.....👍
I’ve never seen this on any other channel! Good stuff.
Great video Bret, thank you. I have had my Tiger 900 RP for almost a year now, and am still "dialing it in"! These tips greatly help. I watched you do this before on the BMW, and I'm glad you also did this setup on "my bike" ;-) I'm sure this will help me with my off-road riding control.
How do you like it? What mods have you done? Crash bars, etc. I'm getting mine in 2 weeks and have all kinds of decisions to make lol. Skid plate, radiator guards, headlight guard, double take mirrors, hand guards, top box, foot pegs.......
@@kee7678 I love my RP. It does great on road and off. I've taken it from TX to Colorado and up and over mountains. I've upgraded the skid plate and added upper crash bars, headlight protector, double take mirrors bark busters and luggage racks for my Mosko moto bags. Enjoy!
@@DanMarquette I ordered the M M bags too which require the Outback Motortek side rails. What did you do for crash bars/skid plate. Clear or metal headlight protector? Top case? Boots and helmet? LOL sorry I'll be doing adventure touring as well as some off road stuff all over SW US and Baja quite a bit. I recently learned a lot regarding boot protection as 2 friends broken ankles. Thanks in advance Dan !
On the topic of throttle free play on electronic throttles: On some bikes you can add spacers to eliminate the free play. Ducati Spacers for example has a kit for most Triumph models (including the Tiger).
Thanks... I will look into that
I really like your ability to break it down into steps I understand. Great job.
Your videos always are an excellent source of helpful information.
I’ve noticed my cold weather gloves are thick enough to sometimes affect two-finger clutching, so I’m thinking it might be worth putting riding gloves on to make lever adjustments.
Thanks fir this. I like the idea of making adjustments to what you have before spending big money on mods.
In order, proper technique, OEM adjustments then minor mods to major mods
Thank you so much for this video and all the others which are so useful !!!
I really appreciate the information in this video. Thank you for posting.
Did a lot of these tweaks, based on one of your older videos, on my Tiger 800XC and it improved my comfort when standing a huge amount. And best of all, they were all free.
Coming from motorcycle trials, I am very particular about controls. Especially clutch engagement point. As close to my two fingers as I can get.
YES! THIS!!
I keep telling this to my friends but they just won't listen. The factory settings are meant to be a neutral position and are not meant to be suited to everybody.
It needs to be dialed in differently for every person separately. This isn't just a comfort thing. It's a safety thing. Your arms, your wrists and your hands are meant to sit in a very particular position for them to not take your body's weight or the force of an impact, with the added advantage of comfort and rideability.
And of course what I do in the video is what call baselining, after this tweaks are made to fine tune to the rider.
Amazing channel with clear explanations. Good job!
What about the verticaly challenged people, say with a 30” inseam. I’m finding out Adventure riding is quite a bit from dirt bike riding with a very light bike. It’s one of the things you have to DO to understand ( at least it is for me) I’ve been street only for about 20 years and didn’t realize how muck I either FORGOT or didn’t know in the first place. Thanks for all your help, hard work and time you put into these videos
very nice setup. my big issue is wind buffer from the wind screens and getting this set up right.
This bike is really good with airflow.
Something always missing from these conversations on screens and tall folk is that proportions really start to make a difference over 6ft. At 6’3” legroom is generally not an issue for me in cars but headroom is. The 900rp does have a very well engineered screen, but if I duck about two inches the wind noise goes silent. Will be looking to extend for longer day rides.
Thanks Bret!!! I really appreciate this advice ... Especially the clutch adjustment and proper setting. I was adjusting mine without measuring the travel with my fingers on the grip. Your guidance helped me fix that oversight, and I really appreciate it.
Great video, thanks!!! Tiger and other modern bikes have also adjustable seat height
Most do... I mention that in the bike review.
@@BretTkacs do you have an advice for off road use? Low / high or it doesn't matter
@@konstantinosntanos2928 it's rider preference, I ended up leaving it in the low position (32" inseam)
Enjoying your content from the UK Bret, especially this one as I have a Tiger 900 and wanted to try modifying the controls to make it slightly easier for standing up. 👍
Pure gold simple advice
This is a useful and informative video, thank you
Having the clutch disengagement closer to the handle so I can better grip the handle bar while feathering the clutch for off road.
Very well done as usual probably 3th time I have watched this one, (slow learner)
Awesome as always, in this case the most things I knew, or was at least aware, but not the precission point of the clutch.
Thanks Bret!
One new tip makes it worth the watch 😉👍
@@BretTkacs That's why I watch almost each of them ;)
Picked up a super tenere last month and your videos here and mototrek are amazing and helped a ton so far. Saving up for your training classes in Georgia soon.
Aunque mi inglés no es de lo mejor, aún así siempre aprendo algo nuevo con tus vídeos.
Saludos desde la Patagonia Argentina
Great Video, Bret. Thx for these awesome tips👍👏👏👏
Great tips, thanks bret. And yeah being a 6'5 rider I really need al the adjustment possible. Setting my bike up right to be able to stand up comfortably is a challenge.
Start with footpegs the are lower than OEM, a flat handlebar and a riser then puts the bars plumb over the OEM position (rotating rather than block riser)
Another excellent video, Bret! Very well put together and concise! Loved it :o
Good stuff! I don't remember where I picked up, that the levers should be flat to the underside of the palm, but that's how I've always adjusted mine. Granted, I don't do as much riding standing up and doing that for extended periods of time might induse wrist pain if there is a pronounced angle between the wrist and forearm.
Thank you so much for this breakdown. So helpful!
Thanks for this video Sir Bret, really helpful!
Great video Bret! My dirt bike has a hydraulic clutch so understanding how to adjust the cable clutch properly for off road precision is a big win. Especially since I’m planning on purchasing the very same bike you’re riding next year. I’m eagerly awaiting a first impressions or review video of the bike. I rode one at IMS Carlisle, PA and fell in love, so much so I rode it twice. Also rode the T7 which is another bike on my list. As well as potentially the new Aprilia Tuareg. Been riding dirt only for 15-20 years, currently on a ‘16 Beta 300 I’ve owned since new and riding single track. Next year I plan to take my first plunge into the ADV world. Your videos and content will be lifesaver’s for me, hopefully I can take a class or meet you at one of the events next year.
I was invited to the press launch for the Aprilia, I am bummed it landed on top of an international trip so I can't go.
@@BretTkacs I’m sure you’ll be able to get your hands on one sometime soon. Really looking forward to your thoughts and feedback on the Rally Pro. Pretty sure I saw you at Carlisle IMS but you were filming a quick video, I ended up chatting with the Mosko guys for a bit. Have a great trip in Nepal!
Thanks Bret! I have this bike and will make these changes. :)
Great video! Thank you for the tips, I just bought a 2021 BMW F900 XR and these pointers should really help.
Perfect timing, was just about to look into adjusting my T7. Thanks a million!
Another fantastic video from the master - Thanks!
I shall be adjusting my bike accordingly.
I just installed handlebar riser on my 1150RT, made a lot of difference...
Interesting. I have all my stuff done as in your video, except the clutch. I'll give your setup for that a try and see how that goes.
Let me know how it works for you
Now we just need a good video on suspension set up for ADV, kind of hard to set up for sport bike riding on the curves hard enduro and desert racing all in one ride (aka adventure riding). Wondering do most people set it and forget it or adjust from one condition to another? I saw a popular bike set up pro say that on adv bikes when you go off road slow your rebound down quite a bit but from my experience with MX and Mountain bikes that dont seem a very good general rule to me. If you slow it down too much then hit a lot of rough with some bigger hits you kind of end up with the suspension packing up and end up with a low rider not much fun on a whoop section
The reason they say slow the rebound quite a bit is because the standard setting on most adv bikes causes the rear end to buck up when you go over larger bumps. Sometimes this bucking is so severe you effectively end up doing a front wheel wheelie, which most of us cannot control ;-) In one of Tkacs other videos, he talks about this and shows himself coming down because of exactly this over-aggressive default rebound setting. Will post link if I can remember which vid!
@@brettschroeder4886 Ah thanks, I can see how a nose wheelie on a 500lbs bike could be somewhat exciting and not in a good way, I did notice some of what your talking about on my Africa twin when I took it off road, the shock set up dont feel right at all to me so I am going to have to dig into what it needs. I wish I knew more about suspensions
Great way to explain everything, Bet!!!
Great Job! Enjoyed the whole video!!!
Fantastic video, absolutely perfect. Very very good. Thanks for all your videos. I'm on my way to the garage right now. 😃
Let me know how it goes
Absolutely perfect. I have previously adjusted the motorcycle, but to fine tune in this way I have never done. Thank you for giving me a new motorcycle, and I really mean it's a new Triumph Tiger 800 XCA I have.
@@Mafa01 thanks for sharing 🙏
Some very useful tips here! Worth watching...
Absolutely great video, never thought of some of the adjustments you mentioned, but I'll be tweaking my Tiger VERY soon.. Thanks for the video 👍
newbie here, thanks for the usefull advices! I wish to see how to adjust the height of my Transalp 650! Im 172 cm and i have to stand on my tiptoes to reach the ground!
Awesome video Bret and an amazing lesson, well done and thanks for sharing!! 👍👍
Thanks Brett. Again, really simple advice explained well.
Would love to do Nepal with you n your crew.
But alas, covid.
Maybe in a year.
The 2023 dates are up (go to the bottom) www.BretTkacs.com/training
Thanks for all you teach us .
My ‘05 GS is amazing but the hydraulic clutch is not really adjustable besides the lever which doesn’t get it close enough. But I’ve adapted to it over the miles. Miss the cable clutch ha.
My GS is the same. I wish I could get the clutch lever in more
Thanks for the instructive explanation
Wow... my bike is waiting for you...!!!
My 200cc dual sport coming with standart footpeg, back brake and shifter that for me the position are little too forward..so, the position are not right on bottom of the frame.. when i ride standing up.. the weight is more to the front so somestime i hardly get traction to the real wheel..so i have to customize it myself to proper fit to my riding style & my riding position.. because i cant find the aftermarket acc for my bike in the market in my country and my bike just a local bike..so sometimes.. we still have to change what comes from the factory standart...
Did all of the above to my F800GS plus a folding shifter…at 6’/170 it fits like a glove👍
Great video Bret. What a nice surprise see you on a Rally Pro! I have one too and I really love it. Please make a video of setting up the suspension. Are you gonna change those tires?
I can't wait for your criminal reviews jajajaja. Big hug from Chile.
Mine in 2 weeks. What mods have you made? YOu like the bike??
Another great video! Keep up the great work!