5 tips for ADV motorcycle riding with a passenger offroad, on the trail or on gravel

Bret & Christina Tkacs share their top tips for riding as a team offroad. Adventure motorcycles are not always best enjoyed solo.
To support more videos like this please join me on Patreon www.patreon.com/brettkacs

[@BretTkacs]

Twisted Throttle does have passenger footpeg options for several bikes www.twistedthrottle.com/shop-by-product/ergonomics-rider-comfort/footpegs

[@DikkeBetha]

"The suspension will be SIGNIFICANTLY loaded". I was expecting a big 'ol dope slap right there :-)

[@shawngreenwood7825]

Yes, and when you load a suspension with to big people like we are, what suspension, zero! Lol

[@sinnombre2147]

Such a great video, I believe you could be the first ever to offer this particular two up riding tip! It was really nice to feature your wife in this. This is probably not of much interest to you, but being an avid consumer of ADV content, there is just something about your style and delivery of teaching and shared content that sets you apart (even back to your Mototrek days) that I can really relate to. Going to hit the subscribe button now. Cheers Bret!

[@tuanoful]

Yes! I've always looked for videos like this because I ride with my wife, I'm so happy bret made one

[@tomasward3272]

I agree! When looking at tests of adv-bikes you very seldom see a test with passenger and I miss that part. Even though you mostly drive alone sometimes your wife or a friend would like to join you so it’s quite interesting to know how a bike handles a passenger (springs, seats etc). Bret is a fantastic personality!! //Tomas

[@kenta5185]

Spot on!

[@bradleyland]

2-up ADV riding is riding + dancing. You guys are amazing. My wife and I have talked about trying this out, but we don't have the guts. My wife is not a rider, so I'm not confident that she'll be able to read the situation and adjust. Kudos to you two for mastering such a unique skillset.

[@ranishbera]

Hello Bret, please upload more videos on two up riding and tips for safe riding

[@dustinkeeton4193]

Nice to see a video about this. So many adventure conceits outright shun the notion of having a pillion. EDIT: Christina spoke very well! Grateful to have her experienced input!

[@sangesherpa6034]

Yes wanna see more tips on riding with passenger...

[@SheenHunter-SeattleFreeze]

Can I give a ❤️ for this video? It's helpful to watch how the driver is riding and try and follow and prepare before a transition. And it's helpful if you're riding with someone you love. Good boots certainly make a better ride if using pegs.

[@debroyprasenjit]

Very refreshing to watch a video about 2-up off-road riding!

[@jaronard1]

That was absolutely adorable. Glad you finally got Christina into one of your videos. It’s great to see a couple so enthusiastic about the same sport. And it definitely sounds like Christina had the harder job back there, I’d be curious if I had that kind of balance?

[@MotoKeto]

I can't even imagine riding two up off road it is enough of a challenge for me to do it on the street. I a quite sure it is a big help that Christina is such an accomplished rider herself.

[@deanshaw2128]

What a wonderful pair you two make. My partner doesn't ride herself......but I still like her (she can't sail either....but you can't have everything) !!! We regularly road tour together (with the odd gravel track thrown in....and we do sail together) but never have I considered adventure touring together - I have a 1200GSA. Two reasons : Firstly, I would just be too afraid of her being hurt if we had a tumble, and the chances are far greater off-road (I'm no Bret Tkacs). Secondly, road touring and going places is something we share, but adventure riding I do alone, it's just my thing. But I do still love seeing two people who both have a passion for off-roading, and working together so well - and let's face it, nobody could look as good as you two. What you have inspired me to do is to encourage her to try standing up on the bike when I do....see, it hasn't all been wasted !!! Thanks for all your videos.

[@ferkuzuel]

Good point about the passenger footpegs, most of them are kind a small

[@patrickcooper9641]

I think that Ted Porter @thebeemershop helped with the set up. It is quite an interesting video. People in The USA don't ride 2 up often off road. I grew up in Europe and I have been riding for over 45 years and from one I was kid I would ride with my dad/mom as a passenger, then as I got a bit older but still too young to have a DL I would ride behind my sister/brother/friends on what ever CC we had, and I guess for this part of the world it is natural. Your passenger leans with you when you corner, hangs on when you accelerate and hold onto the rider when you brake! Its second nature. Even now when I go riding with my wife on or off road I don't know she is there. We are just one together and its a perfect balancing act. Look at entire family on scooters all over the world, you will see up to 5 people on a bike, at one time, parents and children. I am not saying that it is a safe way to go about but it's just second nature to all. Anyway, great demo as always. And Cristina did a fantastic job. Cheers

[@SunshinesEpicAdventures]

Bret and Christina - love that you’ve shared on this topic!! I ride, but my riding partner and I also love to ride two-up standing up in challenging terrain. We picked up large, grippy passenger pegs for me so that I have a stable base to stand on. We then strap his small Klim water backpack tight to him so that I can hook into him and intuitively feel the moves he’s going to make. We stand and sit and move in tandem. And, it allows me to hold on to a strap with one hand while using the other as a spacer in the middle of his back when we’re riding downhill so that I don’t pile up on him and push him into the handlebars. When going up hill, I reach around under his arms and grasp the straps running down over his chest so that I can be locked into him and not drag him backwards. We’re very conscious of floating in the neutral position together over the bike. On his GS, I’m actually a bit elevated above him so I can scan for whatever may be coming next and often will help plot out his line ahead of him on particularly challenging terrain. It’s really cool that he trusts my riding ability so that he can attend to what’s closer knowing I’m plotting out the bigger course. I’d been a blast, so fun and challenging to do together!! And, for me, I’m an active participant in the ride, not left staring at the back of his head all day lol!!

[@dariocp87]

That has to be the first time that i see video of two people riding and adv bike! Very nice Bret! Thank you so much to you and your wife!

[@zeth609]

I've needed this video for ages.

[@marktwain..1972]

This was really nice, thank you both.

[@leonesterhazy8355]

love your videos.. glad you started making them again!!!

[@KJ03Adventure]

Had the blessed honor of meeting your passenger (wife) in Moab, and almost had the honor of meeting you in Lockhart by parking my KLR on the edge of the road. Thank you for the videos and what you do. Please keep it up, the way you explains things really make it easy to understand and to put them into practice.

[@BretTkacs]

I guess that means you found my Channel 👍 We would have stopped at your camp to chat but it was dark and we were running late. I'm glad both of you made it. What an adventure!

[@KJ03Adventure]

Bret Tkacs I’m glad you made it safe. Was sure worried when I saw someone come by so late. Me and my father have been watching your videos for a long time and was sure bummed when stuff changed, and we couldn’t watch your videos. I’m glad your wife told me where to find you now. If I would have just searched for your name it wouldn’t have been that hard to find I guess. It seems like your in a better place now and I’m super happy for you. Maybe one day I’ll be able to make it to one of your live lessons. Till then, best wishes and safe ridding to you both.

[@sebastianmihaiprisacariu8975]

Amazingly useful video. Thank you for making this.

[@fabianwolk]

Kudos to Christina for being such generous and accommodating passenger. I hope both of you will post more videos about 2-up riding, breaking down the techniques from the passenger perspective. My wife and I, both, would be very grateful for any advice. Thanks!

[@MotoPumps]

You two are an awesome pair! Thanks for the tips and entertainment!

[@swegotech8466]

Great video as always !!! The main reason why I bought the adventure bike was because I wanted to do longer offroad tours together with my wife. Last year we rode the White Rim trial in Moab 2up (video on my channel). This was so much fun. To be honest, I am surprised that you prefer to ride in the standing position even when riding 2up. For me and my wife this never worked that well. We prefer to sit on the bike, while she has her arms around my belly. When she does not hold on hard enough she starts to moving around and that makes riding 2up very uncontrolled for me. So in a perfect world she feels like backpack to me. lol. Guess everyone has to find their own style how to ride 2up.

[@winstonloh1973]

Yes, more passenger videos please Bret ! Thanks for the good and informational videos as always !

[@saketstapas]

An amazing informative video! And the sunset was a million dollar touch !! Keep creating Bret. Always love ur natural flow of thoughts

[@abderrahmanehabbaaina141]

New video new tips to learn, you're glorious appreciate ❤️

[@robertomariscal]

Had a smile on my face all the time, very relatable and cool, liked a lot the technique of pushing down on the waist my wife would grabe on the shoulders and pushed down but was tiering until she grabbed my waist too but took a while and never thought of it as a technique, I guess this is the way to go, thank guys! We rode 30,000 together across. The states and Canada lots of off-road :)

[@ckkrons2338]

Great work Christina! You guys are fortunate, my wife doesn't have interest in riding...something you can enjoy together.

[@PiotrWardaMotycz]

Great movie! It's about a topic that is rarely discussed - thanks for that! And of course we are waiting for more!

[@Lechu86]

That was great! You're posting some really cool videos.

[@Tezrema]

This is gold, please consider doing more of it. It is hard to find experienced passengers and all this shared info are great!

[@theEHWAZ]

Another super video Bret and the first passenger offroad video I've seen to date. I'm new to ADV riding so your videos have been extremely helpful and I subscribed a while back so keep them coming. I'm fiding re-reviewing several of your videos helps after practicing and experiencing the concepts you cover. The riding in the sand video, for example, was like night and day when I first rode through the sand then watched your video and applied the concepts. I went from handlebar gripping fear to enjoying and trusting the bike. Sharing this one with my daughter who will join me on local flat gravel roads. Thanks and Christina did a great job!

[@volodymyrspyrydonov]

Fantastic !!! We need more !

[@bruceheimbigner9587]

Great video, my wife has traveled with me on our road bike but now we've moved to ADV. your video for her to stand up with is very revealing, we'll have to practice. thanks for sharing. and yes more video tips for pillion ADV would be great - there is not much out there.

[@BretTkacs]

Very little demand so few will address it.

[@chrisholmes2520]

Awesome video thanks guys. We ride two up 70% of the time, some really helpful tips. Look forward to the next one. Thanks to you too Christina.

[@drchrischapman1]

You guys are great, let’s see more of this two up riding tips… It’s such a wonderful thing for two people to share.

[@aerodoc71]

Very well done folks!

[@olenilsen4660]

Top tips right there! Great lesson, I haven´t seen this anywhere else until now. Love it!

[@olenilsen4660]

Also, how would it affect the ride if she was to still sit down when you stand up?

[@damiancirelli9030]

Bret and Christina you have both inspired me to plan some [light] off-road stints with my better half on our V-Strom 650 up here in Alberta and I will be sure to take all your advice and put it to good use. Thank you guys!

[@c.j.6616]

definitely need more passenger videos it's super helpful

[@jay26cee]

Well done to both of you ... so much more going on mentally for 2-up off road!! Christina ... that must have been a damn good leg workout too. Interesting location and the position of the sun as the shadows closed in towards the end of the video. Great stuff guys!

[@Annihillist]

You're killing it with the videos, Bret! We have been doing a lot of two-up offroading in Utah. I've been riding just over a year so two-up videos are extremely helpful for us. There's really not that much useful information about it online, so I hope you carry on with at least a couple more videos about it.

[@tuanoful]

Oh yes! I was waiting for a good video like this! I love riding with my wife. I've always been hesitant about being off road with the wife, specially because I have zero experience off road. Thanks for making this!

[@raulaugustobuitragoruiz2609]

Bret and Christina great video. ¡Congratulations!. Thank you so much to both of you. Saludos desde Bogotá D.C. - COLOMBIA 👏🏻 👏🏻 🏍 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴

[@riveraluciano]

The first time I went two-up while offroading was such a hilarious mess..... I had just crashed, and my friend came to help, so when I hopped back he got on the saddle to get back to his bike (single track). The continuing trail was not really that difficult, but the path was so narrow and neither of us got up on the pegs, so each turn felt like a huge wobble. Still, it was so much fun. And that was great! From both of you! We don't often get to see videos of two up offroading, so this is always a welcome watch.

[@lelduayenr]

My wife enjoys going out as much as I do, but I always thought that I can’t do some complex terrain with her. This just change my mind, thanks for your advice. We are going to practice and see if anything else come out 💪

[@BSsss603]

Thank you for this video .. I only ride together any more and we never stood up together riding off-road on hiking trails where I normally would ride standing up .. will practice your suggestions. Also great input from the “co-rider”! Thanks to both of you!!

[@breadave]

I have never seen a passenger ADV video before. It was a very different perspective and I really enjoyed it. You two obviously make a great team!

[@scottschwen7558]

Thank you - great video ! My wife & I ride my Yamaha Super Tenere ES off-road 2-up quite frequently . You two provided great advice in your exceptional video ! 👍🏍️👍🏍️

[@dholy99]

Very nice. Thanks for the great tips.

[@stevedavis8307]

My wife and I ride two up all the time, mostly street. Gives me the vision to consider more opportunitys. Thanks you.

[@raymondvoigt7336]

Excellent tips to help two-up riders, who can only share 1 bike Thank you!

[@nwiegman]

Thank you both. I can't wait to share this with my wife. We did the Continental Divide ride 2 Up. She said, "best vacation of her life". I found it enjoyable with her as my anchor, I thought she gave me more stability. But I guess that is true in many other ways than just motorcycle riding. Love your content and approach, hope to see you on the trail...Nelson & Kathy Wiegman

[@lifeexpert3053]

Great video.. & we need more. 🙏🏍

[@2009M109R]

Honestly.... who dislikes this kind of content?? Very well done! Great information!

[@rsoftball14]

Thank you, very few videos done well on this subject. Having her give her feed back is key because it is so true you must work together to stay upright and off the ground😂. As instructor myself I instruct my passenger before and after every ride and they give me there feed back as well. This inabailbles me to become a better two up rider and my passenger becomes a better partner in the ride.

[@austindavis3420]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. My wife always rides as a passenger and we struggle a lot when it starts to get a little technical.

[@brentgilbert805]

Planning on doing some longer cross-country riding with my wife in the next year, she’s for all intents and purposes a novice so any helpful videos you can muster up will be invaluable haha!

[@erniecolussy1705]

We need more riding families to get the number of motorcycle riders increasing again. Part of this is more two up riders. Both partners being riders is better. Best is a willingness and interest in doing a mix of both. Brett and Christina, how about a challenge of a trip were you are swapping position so each of you are co-rider about 50% of the time. One of the nice parts of a ride / co-rider situation is the co-rider can navigate and take pictures & video on the move on paved and easily unpaved roads.

[@steveduddy4130]

great video, keep them coming.

[@shaneshields4464]

Thanks for this one, I would like to start riding with my wife, but didn’t really have a clue where to start. We appreciate the guidance.

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

not planing to do 2UP, but in emergency situations well needed tips what I learned today, thank you!

[@neilwinnemore]

My wife and I can totally relate. Please revisit this subject.

[@neilwinnemore]

We use a product called the Buddy Belt, aka Love Handles, much better handles than the sides of your jacket. Bret always talks about "neutral balance". This is hard enough for the driver, almost impossible for the pillion who is well behind the fore-aft balance point. So it's really important for the driver to understand the leverage being applied to the pillion. Small "bumps" to the driver are amplified to the pillion.

[@markstites5387]

Thanks, great two-up video. Would like more showing stopping, starting, turning etc. in both trail and city type riding scenarios.

[@shawngreenwood7825]

Awesome to have you both on this video. My wife says she could not be as comfortable as Christina was with the floating over the offroad. I said like you that we need more practice to be as comfortable. Ride more and talk more when things go wrong.

[@BarryMDHo]

Great topic! Two up ADV riding further supports the less is more approach. Ultra-light hiking/camping principles are invaluable. These hikers can reduce their base weight camping gear to less than 10 lbs. making motorcycle travel gear target weight for two at less than 30-40 lbs. achievable. For new 2 up riders, perhaps the first few trips can be cabin or hotels only, to eliminate camping gear weight. Venturing to less difficult off road routes and less lengthy trips can also help, Or just covering less distance per day. Good quality gear, day trip practicing, taking a riding course (the pillion too), or any effort to be better prepared is the key.

[@paoloconcina1632]

Thanks Bret for the tips on the 2 up video, I must say my wife is a awesome pillion on and off road we must just prefect the tandem stand up regards for Cape Town

[@miketoews6926]

Love this! Thanks Brett. My wife loves being a pax but hates it when I stand in front of her (understandably 🤦‍♂). ...it hadn't occurred to me she could stand too. ...now I just have to convince her. Yes, please make more '2 up' riding videos!

[@Wildstuffidaho]

Yes please make more videos!

[@stephanventer9923]

Saw u guys in New Zealand, Southward Car Museum...After riding for years, i'm still learning, especially two up...different ballgame...Regards

[@crackerwood661]

Awesome video!

[@rayweeks1056]

Excellent video..... Would definitely like to see more two up videos...

[@PauloEllery]

I'd love to see more passengers videos, they are kind of rare to find. Thanks for doing that!

[@BretTkacs]

They seem to be very rare

[@SmokinZen]

My wife and I have been riding together for many years on many bikes, and on my first adventure bike she was anxious to go off-road with me and we have on been on some hard dirt roads, but there really should be more videos on helping a passenger on an adventure bike. I don't plan on doing serious off-roads with her but would like to teach her what to do when we are on the dirt.

[@fpalomar1770]

Great. Me and mate we do a lot of gravel / dirt road travel and one avantage is that she can occasionally step down and walk a bit forward on very difficult parts to let me know what I will find behind the bend or the boulder...must say this is real adventure biking because we can venture into the unnknown and, if necessary, manage to turn or pull up the bike. We wear mountain boots

[@PaulFanMing]

Great topic, nobody talk about riding with a passenger on adventure bike, am carry my wife always talking about should she stand up while am stand for the rough road. Wish more on this matter about passenger riding, thank you in advance.

[@bridgestreetgolf]

My wife is the perfect pillion to have on board when seated - both on- and off-road, as she just has excellent balance and just seems to know how to be a good pillion. Plenty of practice. However, we always have a height issue: I am 6'3" with a long torso and she is 5' 7". Perhaps you could augment this video with how standing - with the tall rider in front - can be accomplished well. These tips are great, and every instructive. Cheers, TH

[@chouk1474]

Wonderfull team vid indeed, thanks. I got my wife to go for weeks of mountain road travel every year, past her 50's and we've been through the learning curve. She's very good at it, all along what Christina said about working as a team. I have two recommendations to speed up the process. One if for the rider to go as a passenger obehing a big buddy to appreciate the skills back there and little hold available. The other is to take a down slope road andxride 3rd gear idle. Ask the passenger to direct the bike as you leave the handdlebar free. That make for ownership of balance and directing the bike from behing. Try it for youself.

[@byPetra]

Thank you guys

[@ChrisBrownFazer1]

I'm sharing this with my wife immediately, thanks!

[@marktwain..1972]

+1

[@flyingklaasman]

I'd really like to see more double riding content. On a motorcycle you cannot really consider the second person a passenger, because the way they act on the bike is critical to the dynamics of riding. Great video!!

[@Angry-Lynx]

Now you can appreciate that oversprung forks with 20% sag :D 😂

[@paulkane2299]

So good to see both of you in the video. When we met in New Zealand in February it was Christina who was the most fun to talk to 😉. Would love to see more two up tips please. My wife used to ride but has decided to pillion from now on, she is fantastic and being a rider makes her a better pillion but we both want to learn more and get better. Some videos about 2 up road riding would be great. Kia Ora!

[@BretTkacs]

I will work on more "Christina" videos

[@progammler]

8:56 she did great!

[@astrobusa]

Yes Christina.... you spoke very well.

[@MrCChops]

That must take real skill to be a passenger on that kind of terrain, great video. 👍🏼

[@josereal3780]

Bret loads a vid ... I stop what I’m doing 👍👍

[@caminantesdelassierras2279]

muy bueno, gracias por compartir la información siempre estaba esperando tips para la conducción con acompañante fuera de camino de grava, arena, barro, etc.

[@joseaguirre7517]

Awesome vídeo ! Congrats!! 👍👍👍💪💪😁😁👌👌👏👏🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️

[@erikliongoren]

YES Please !! More 2 up videos !!! :D :D :D

[@TheMharman150]

Bret and Christina, Great video you always have great content without a lot of fluff. One thing though Anthony from Revzilla wants his shirt back.

[@BretTkacs]

Lol... Really?!

[@dakotac69wgs]

Great video guys! I really liked the banter between Christina and yourself as well, it came out pretty natural and unrehearsed, which is NOT an easy thing to do! My wife is the best motorcycle passenger I have ridden with (and I'm not just saying that cause we're married). She has always been amazing at being "part of me" as we ride. She is always very aware of her positioning as I shift weight and positioning to handle the corners, etc on the street. When I say "she is always very aware of my positioning" there is a caveat... She and I did a long tour on a YZF1000R (The Thunderace!) way back in the day, not long after we first met. We were doing some droning along on the slab at well within the capabilities of the driver and the motorcycle when I noticed an odd sensation. My passenger was getting heavier. You see, with the YZF1000R, both the driver and passenger leans forward as you would with any sport bike. My wife would tuck her hands between the tank and my midsection and her helmet chin bar would be level with my shoulder. This new sensation of my passenger getting heavy was curious, so I looked back to find her sound asleep at triple digit speeds! She has travelled a long way on the back of the old Thunderace just like that and she loved it. Years later when I upgraded to a FJR1300, she told me she preferred the YZF1000R for that "Nap Factor". Now that I have upgraded to a KTM 790 Adventure R, I am sure she will adapt to running on the gravel roads just fine, but to see Christina standing for the technical riding sections I can only hope the wife will want to try and adapt to that! Either way, she is still my Favourite Passenger!

[@jaronard1]

That’s hilarious! Never heard of a passenger falling asleep in a tuck. How did she not fall off without full grip of the tank?

[@BretTkacs]

It wasn't rehearsed, I get one shot with Christina....

[@dakotac69wgs]

@@jaronard1 I always sat tight to the tank, pinning her hands between me and the tank, then all her weight was on my back. So, she was my backpack. Haha!

[@jr.6199]

Passengers getting sleepy can happen and you should stop immediately to snack on carrots, or something as hard, to get blood flow back to the brain. In a turn, pinning hands will not hold up for long. Don't trust a child or adult in this state. Eat small meals when traveling two up and have hard crisp snacks ready. After watching this vlog, we know Bret would never do it.

[@pegumoto]

Great video. I have been carrying pillions all my riding life but never much off road. I find that when passengers hold grab rails, and become more a part of the bike it feels far more stable than them holding me mainly so that they can't startle me and disturb the balance. I guess off-roading I wont have that luxury so this is good to know.

[@heshamaskar67]

Nice video, nice tips.. thank you for sharing ur work…

[@edgarbleikur1929]

Poetry in motion...

[@felipevelasm8481]

Genial tu video, mi señora lo agradece, siempre salimos juntos y fueron muy buenas sus recomendaciones y justo con la moto que deseo, felicitaciones excelente video. Saludos desde la patagonia

[@amariliopinto]

Takes a lot of intimity so the passenger knows and feels what's about to happen on the track and how the rider will react to that. So, good rides to everyone!

[@mikespekreijse391]

Thanks Bret for this video, my wife and I are planning a backroad trip in the South Island of NZ this summer so this will give us a few ideas how to manage the two up. Done lots of paved but not enough unpaved. Just wondering if you picked up that tee shirt when you were over here earlier in the year, and it was great to meet you as well in Napier. Kia Kaha

[@mikeyb6737]

I love your channel. I assume your old channel misses you and if they don't then well "DUMB". You ared tyhe man that inspired me back to adventure riding. Cheers . PS i think your wife is awesome :) Grats mate

[@KiwiGravelRoadieRick]

It was great to meet both of you in Nelson, NZ. Are you wearing a t-shirt from NZ? Trudi and I have done a lot of two up riding but mostly on sealed roads. Now that she has a F700gs I doubt we'll do much now. Good video.

[@BretTkacs]

I am wearing my shirt from NZ