IMHO one of the biggest advantages of standing is it moves the center of effort to your legs/feet and hence much lower. Your legs are much stronger than your arms and you can use this to change the balance and direction a lot easier.
Thank you very much for your videos. I don't know English, I'm posting subtitles in Polish. Thanks to your videos it's easier for me to master my Tiger 1200 GT Explorer 2023.
As someone who recently had a significant accident while on an easy Sunday morning ride, I’d say this. Stand when necessary, and while standing don’t switch off and look at the scenery. I was just poking along enjoying the morning standing on the pegs on my 1200GS. I hit a pothole, lost my balance, grabbed a handful of throttle as I fell backwards, found myself needing to jump a 3x3’ gully to avoid being thrown over the bars and into a fence, only to be hit by the bike underneath me, brake a vertebrae, and get thrown 15m across the road. The safest position is seated until you need to stand and control the bike.
This is a good skill to have even if you don't go off-road. Where I'm from the roads are very potholey, but also I find if I ride 100 miles or so seated by knees will seize, I won't be able to put my foot down when I want to stop, so if I can stand up occasionally & flex my legs, I'm avoiding that happening.
For me, it's mainly the queasy feeling when all the wheels underneath you lose grip. When I'm sitting down, I get a tingling sensation in my stomach, but when I'm standing up, I only notice it from a spectator's perspective. I stay much cooler this way and ride more safely and relaxed.
As usual, great message and clear presentation. Looks like you filmed in the area around the Boise Valley area. Thanks for being an advocate for us guys on 600 lb "Dirt Bikes" and lovin it!
Hola bret, saludos desde chile. Estoy recien empezando en el mundo de las motos y tu contenido es realmente extraordinario. Espero poder viajar a usa y realizar un entrenamiento. Saludos.
My problem is that on the mountain bike my instincts are EXACTLY what you describe. But on the motorcycle it feels entirely foreign to stand. I feel exposed and of balance. I can't work out the psychology involved in this conflicted situation. I actually wish the throttle was a lever like on an ATV, and the levers were both brakes like on the mnt bike.
Thanks Bret, I always enjoy trying to learn from your experience and excellent explanations. I have a question though. I come from a motocross/single track/XC race background . One of the key points of instruction from basically ANY high level MX coach is to hinge at the hips, keep your knees behind your toes, and squeeze the bike with your legs. Like SQUEEZE. Why the difference here? Is it the relative weight of a big ADV bike (which I now have and have been spending a bit of time off-road on), or the slower speed of ADV riding on technical terrain vs a lighter MX or hard XC style (Like YZ250X for example) bike? Or??? What am I missing? Why the radical difference in this one area of technique? Thanks!
I suppose it comes with experience, being able to 'get ahead' of what the bike will do in a given situation? I find myself getting tense on loose gravel especially when a turn is coming because I'm always expecting the front end to wash out, and I end up puttering around the corner pretty much bolt upright. Guess I'm still scared of the thing...
I sometimes stand when it's easy just to stretch during long rides. Something very rarely mentioned in these videos is motorcycle mass. Even at pro level you cannot get away with a 600lb bike that you can on a 275lb one.
Thanks for the refresher, Bret. Was looking for your wheel video from a couple years ago as I'm trying to decide what size front and rear to have built. What do you run on this bike?
21x2.15 (still fits the tire pressure sensor). The rear is a 17x4 however you can probably fit a 150/70-17 sized tire on your factory 17x4.25 rim. The 4.25 is proper for a 150-170 tire. The 4" is just weighs less and I now I can run a 140 if I want to.
Thank you so much. I try to share what matters. Given this is what I do for a living but I still give away all my knowledge for free in these lessons to help make our hobby more fun for all.
On my KTM 390 Adv 2021 model, I need to bend forward to much to hold handlbar. My height is 5.10. This adds stress to my knees and back. So in off-road I hardly stand. Just go through it slowly. 😂
I’ve Bennion enjoying Bret’s content for years even though I never leave the pavement on my BMW K75S. A lot of what he shares here helped me a few months ago back when I was out on a group ride. We we out in some rural twisties and I fell a little behind. Trying to catch up I took a hard left a bit too hot and high-sided off into the weeds. Rather than staying in the saddle and hitting the brakes, I quickly stood up, stayed on the throttle and rode it back into the road. Learning to ride is a smorgasbord of inputs regardless of how or where you ride.
I'm standing up most of the time I'm doing less than 60, paved or unpaved. Helps see further over the cars ahead of me, better air flow in the heat of Hawai'i, I feel like I can balance a lot better at snail's pace and I can even track-stand a bit. But, most of all, it's more fun. Also results in some funny interactions with other random riders on sport/naked bikes occasionally.
Found no faults in what you said , , , problem arises ; most riders (that need this) after about ten words are only hearing BLAH BLAH BLAH blah! , , , , readers digest version, , The moment you stick your foot out to dab against the front wheel pushing, you have moved your moment of inertia from about the seat weight contact point to the inside direction of the turn (effectively turning into the skid) Standing puts your body weight "moment of inertia" up high. Allowing you to USE it to leverage (inside knee, outside foot ,and hands) against the weight of the bike thats to far over to stop the front from pushing. All leveraging points depend on the only two in contact with the ground. Any time you take a foot off of the pegs to touch the ground you DECRESE the amount of traction of the wheels. Not hating on your gig tis much needed, what is also needed are less dumbass riders going faster than they can handle. IMHO from a rider since 1962, who has never crashed on public roads but broken more than a few bones while racing/riding in those years since. 10👍/10👍
As usual you don't understand center of gravity. When you can let the bike moves under you, the mass you contribute to the center of gravity reduces. Thus, the center is lowered.
Even for folks who already stand when things get difficult, a great summation of key posture points!
IMHO one of the biggest advantages of standing is it moves the center of effort to your legs/feet and hence much lower. Your legs are much stronger than your arms and you can use this to change the balance and direction a lot easier.
Thank you very much for your videos. I don't know English, I'm posting subtitles in Polish. Thanks to your videos it's easier for me to master my Tiger 1200 GT Explorer 2023.
As someone who recently had a significant accident while on an easy Sunday morning ride, I’d say this. Stand when necessary, and while standing don’t switch off and look at the scenery. I was just poking along enjoying the morning standing on the pegs on my 1200GS. I hit a pothole, lost my balance, grabbed a handful of throttle as I fell backwards, found myself needing to jump a 3x3’ gully to avoid being thrown over the bars and into a fence, only to be hit by the bike underneath me, brake a vertebrae, and get thrown 15m across the road.
The safest position is seated until you need to stand and control the bike.
Arms and legs like omni directional shock absorbers so the body is the sprung weight. Nice.
Love the "you always look better standing for video" tip😆
This is a good skill to have even if you don't go off-road. Where I'm from the roads are very potholey, but also I find if I ride 100 miles or so seated by knees will seize, I won't be able to put my foot down when I want to stop, so if I can stand up occasionally & flex my legs, I'm avoiding that happening.
Thanks for everything you and your team do for the motorcycling community!
Glad to support riders!
For me, it's mainly the queasy feeling when all the wheels underneath you lose grip. When I'm sitting down, I get a tingling sensation in my stomach, but when I'm standing up, I only notice it from a spectator's perspective. I stay much cooler this way and ride more safely and relaxed.
Another great video! Perfect one to send to my buddies that get scared standing up. Thanks Bret!
Please do!
As usual, great message and clear presentation. Looks like you filmed in the area around the Boise Valley area. Thanks for being an advocate for us guys on 600 lb "Dirt Bikes" and lovin it!
Great, informative video.
Yup, standing slightly or upright creates body-bike separation. Critical for control when the going gets rough...👍
Awesome info as always thanks Bret
It's what I do. 😁👍
Bret, you are super ❤❤. Thanks 👍👍
You are gonna get kicked out of the BMW club with this message.
I love this guy!
Third reason to stand is definitely the most important
Hola bret, saludos desde chile. Estoy recien empezando en el mundo de las motos y tu contenido es realmente extraordinario. Espero poder viajar a usa y realizar un entrenamiento. Saludos.
Great video. Makes sense. Thanks.
It's what I do! 😁
I get through tough rocky sections by laying down
Can you do a video how to check sag when your solo. On your BMW with the bags.
My problem is that on the mountain bike my instincts are EXACTLY what you describe. But on the motorcycle it feels entirely foreign to stand. I feel exposed and of balance. I can't work out the psychology involved in this conflicted situation. I actually wish the throttle was a lever like on an ATV, and the levers were both brakes like on the mnt bike.
Thanks Bret, I always enjoy trying to learn from your experience and excellent explanations. I have a question though. I come from a motocross/single track/XC race background . One of the key points of instruction from basically ANY high level MX coach is to hinge at the hips, keep your knees behind your toes, and squeeze the bike with your legs. Like SQUEEZE. Why the difference here? Is it the relative weight of a big ADV bike (which I now have and have been spending a bit of time off-road on), or the slower speed of ADV riding on technical terrain vs a lighter MX or hard XC style (Like YZ250X for example) bike? Or??? What am I missing? Why the radical difference in this one area of technique? Thanks!
I suppose it comes with experience, being able to 'get ahead' of what the bike will do in a given situation? I find myself getting tense on loose gravel especially when a turn is coming because I'm always expecting the front end to wash out, and I end up puttering around the corner pretty much bolt upright. Guess I'm still scared of the thing...
I was going to make this video. No need now :) Well said... Beginners stand when it's easy, sit when it's hard... experienced riders do the opposite.
Every so often I have to revisit topics I've covered before or they get lost and buried on UA-cam
I sometimes stand when it's easy just to stretch during long rides. Something very rarely mentioned in these videos is motorcycle mass. Even at pro level you cannot get away with a 600lb bike that you can on a 275lb one.
2:20 - what an amazing skyline/backdrop! Brett, what windscreen is on your bike in this video?
Oem BMW screen with blackout paint on the backside
Thanks for the refresher, Bret. Was looking for your wheel video from a couple years ago as I'm trying to decide what size front and rear to have built. What do you run on this bike?
21x2.15 (still fits the tire pressure sensor). The rear is a 17x4 however you can probably fit a 150/70-17 sized tire on your factory 17x4.25 rim. The 4.25 is proper for a 150-170 tire. The 4" is just weighs less and I now I can run a 140 if I want to.
@BretTkacs thank you. I'm assuming Woody's are still the way to go
Center of gravity vs. Point of influence.
Very well said.
Great, thanks ;) Which handlebar muffles do you have there ?
Hippo hands
Best On YT for tutorials. Period. L.B.
Thank you so much. I try to share what matters. Given this is what I do for a living but I still give away all my knowledge for free in these lessons to help make our hobby more fun for all.
Sometimes I stand on the bike because it's a dual sport and the seat hurts my butt after a while 😂
On my KTM 390 Adv 2021 model, I need to bend forward to much to hold handlbar. My height is 5.10. This adds stress to my knees and back. So in off-road I hardly stand. Just go through it slowly. 😂
Hi Coach, again center of mass not changes - bike's or rider's when u taking about rider's position
I’ve Bennion enjoying Bret’s content for years even though I never leave the pavement on my BMW K75S. A lot of what he shares here helped me a few months ago back when I was out on a group ride. We we out in some rural twisties and I fell a little behind. Trying to catch up I took a hard left a bit too hot and high-sided off into the weeds. Rather than staying in the saddle and hitting the brakes, I quickly stood up, stayed on the throttle and rode it back into the road. Learning to ride is a smorgasbord of inputs regardless of how or where you ride.
I usually use my legs.
Very beautiful mountains and nature. Where was this filmed?...
This was shot in Idaho with a few b-roll clips from Moab
@BretTkacs Arches national park ... Super, thanks Bret.
I'm standing up most of the time I'm doing less than 60, paved or unpaved. Helps see further over the cars ahead of me, better air flow in the heat of Hawai'i, I feel like I can balance a lot better at snail's pace and I can even track-stand a bit. But, most of all, it's more fun. Also results in some funny interactions with other random riders on sport/naked bikes occasionally.
Hahahaha
BUT ... standing looks cool and makes us look like we know what we're doing ... 😁🙄
Dommage que je n'ai pas un meilleur niveau car le voyage au Maroc m'aurait vraiment plu. Mon anglais, ça va, en tout cas pour comprendre les vidéos.
Found no faults in what you said , , , problem arises ; most riders (that need this) after about ten words are only hearing BLAH BLAH BLAH blah! , , , , readers digest version, , The moment you stick your foot out to dab against the front wheel pushing, you have moved your moment of inertia from about the seat weight contact point to the inside direction of the turn (effectively turning into the skid) Standing puts your body weight "moment of inertia" up high. Allowing you to USE it to leverage (inside knee, outside foot ,and hands) against the weight of the bike thats to far over to stop the front from pushing. All leveraging points depend on the only two in contact with the ground. Any time you take a foot off of the pegs to touch the ground you DECRESE the amount of traction of the wheels. Not hating on your gig tis much needed, what is also needed are less dumbass riders going faster than they can handle. IMHO from a rider since 1962, who has never crashed on public roads but broken more than a few bones while racing/riding in those years since. 10👍/10👍
;-)
As usual you don't understand center of gravity. When you can let the bike moves under you, the mass you contribute to the center of gravity reduces. Thus, the center is lowered.
That is incorrect.... That argument take me back to my point regarding sprung weight