ADV Gravel Road Control| Adventure Motorcycle Riding Tip

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

🚨 Train with me Online! I’m excited to launch The ADV ACADEMY! My entire Adventure Bike training curriculum is now available online. If you have gotten value out of my KZbin videos, you are going to love the online course. Check it out: www.theadvacademy.com

[@internetuser3748]

The biggest tip I got from this video (and it's a good one): Shift your weight so that more of it falls on the back tire for traction.

[@Michael-Masi-911]

But why not just sit down? He never explains why you have to stand. I don't think I've ever seen anyone address the why of standing.

[@alanjm1234]

​@@Michael-Masi-911yep. Basically motocross riders sit when they can, stand when they have to. When it's rough you have to stand. If it's not rough, sitting works.

[@savage22bolt32]

Thanks for the wonderful video, and a huge thanks for not ruining it with crappy background music! I don't know why some people are compelled to add annoying background music throughout their videos.

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@ddacaro3625]

Completely agree on the other ADV youtuber's terrible background music making them hard to watch, even painful.

[@Denizho]

Bro thats ridiculous.. following your advice i went for practice today on my DX and adjusting my feet position just a little bit made my riding so much better and i immediately became more confident. Thanks for that mate! Really appreciate your explanations 🙏🏼

[@MrRickrm]

Great training. Gravel is everywhere in Washington.

[@jocman7339]

Understandable, logical, short, informative, sweet. .. thanks & keep doing good stuff.

[@svenbeowulfsson641]

Thank you for your advice. They agree with what I have experienced here in Sweden, where we have many old country roads with gravel or sand on my Enduro. Greetings, Sven from Sweden

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

Do not be afraid to play with lower tire air pressure. With some tires even 3-5 psi less can make a huge gain in traction, but it's not so low as to be dangerous for your wheels.

[@jimheywood5895]

Much appreciated vid, the foot control, heel drop is a get changer for me, like slalom skiing, thanks much and look forward to coming down there and taking some classes. W

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Thanks Jim! Glad you are seeing the benefits in your riding. Hope to see you soon 👍🏻

[@bradkratz3355]

I agree with you 100% My biggest take away from this lesson was the heel drop to shift weight into a turn.. for sure!

[@airadaimagery692]

I hit a gravel road the other day that the gravel had just been laid out on. The road was fresh. Never any traffic on it to pack the rocks, and the dump trucks poured so much gravel on it that it was about 10”-12” deep of very loose rocks. It was like swimming in a pool of gravel. The bike was all over the place. I dont know what technique I used, I just know that I increased the pucker factor. I don’t know how I pulled through that road without spilling it!

[@randersson3672]

It's easier to use the seat on a gravelroad, and stand up when it's getting gnarly

[@domenik8339]

Correct. I won more than a few Enduro races when I was a bit younger. Stand up when you HAVE to, or you're gonna get tired quick. Typically that means when the terrain has whoops or huge potholes, etc.

[@chromezone4371]

I agree. I raced and rode professionally on and off from '88 to '08. Still ride regularly and always see these adv guys out everywhere standing on the pegs. Shakes head and ignores.

[@jonerwin1697]

Why do people think they have to ride fast? It's not a race, and the object is to enjoy the freedom of being able to ride in beautiful places. The same holds true for snowmobiling.

[@praveensaxena6478]

Yeah true that

[@theworst4980]

Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.

[@overstreet7512]

But pal terres

[@vijayam1]

As usual, amazing tips, simple and clear..

[@Zerotys_ADV]

Awesome stuff. Much appreciated!

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Thank You 🙏🏼

[@donparker1823]

I hope I can make this work. Loose thick gravel is the bane of my off road riding. Well that and sand. I'm against sand.

[@rubbersole79]

Stand up in that squirrelly stuff.

[@IsaacRayNJ]

It’s coarse and it’s irritating and it gets everywhere.

[@richardrivard8831]

Excellent well done and to the point .... I ll go out and practice today !!

[@carlosmurgelcddr.1418]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Cheers from Brasil.

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@MarcoFrantz]

Another valuable tip. Many tx

[@BongCajes-BISDAK]

Thanks for the tips!👍

[@Gwiedert]

You iniate the turn with the inner foot, then you transfer your weight to the outer peg/foot. Otherwise the bike starts to slide. Also, weigh the front. Very important information is left out..

[@Karnol428]

Did this today on some loose gravel. Rear end wanted to slide and drift but once I got use to that it became fun and I felt I had much more control. I controlled how much I wanted it to slide with the throttle versus leaning in and the weight and speed all controlling it

[@jimmydickson8854]

Thanks for the tips mate

[@nathangasca9658]

Great stuff!

[@Juliette_4]

excellent explanations

[@lazyshp]

These wiggling blinkers are cracking me up

[@andrewlivingston92]

Seriously the T7 signals are hilarious to ride behind all day, like little puppy ears just flopping lol

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Gives you something to look at in case the trails are boring 😂

[@andrewlivingston92]

@@SocalOffroadSchool gives me something to smile about! But the trail is never boring

[@seb-aventures]

Thanks for those clear instructions. Thant will help! What about on gravel with weight on a long journey ?

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Thank you! The principles are the same. What really helps is weight distribution and ensuring your luggage don't interfere with your riding position. On my first long offroad trip, I really struggled down hills because my tail bag was on the way of my butt shifting backwards. As I gained experience, I started reducing more and more my travel kit.

[@Trails07]

Good describing, thank you

[@paulgomez7573]

Awesome thanks!

[@Generalmayhem77]

I thought we were supposed to load the opposite foot peg of the corner on the dirt, so the bike doesn't slip out from under us? I thought road bike we lean into the corner and dirt bike we lean outside of the corner. Thoughts on this?

[@Gwiedert]

True

[@relevation0]

This is what i want to know

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

On corner entry you drop the heel on your inside foot, that will initiate the turn in. Right around the apex of the turn you start loading up the outside foot peg by dropping the heel on your outside foot. That way you have total control of the bike without having to move around a lot. You can stay centered on the motorcycle and give direct feedback to the bike at your lowest point of contact at the foot peg.

[@Generalmayhem77]

@@SocalOffroadSchool makes sense. Thanks for responding.

[@SaurusCZ]

užitečný, díky

[@chapusa100]

Thanks for sharing

[@kevinmcdonald1917]

My adventure bike has street tires, so it requires a ton of concentration to keep it upright. I d not want to do very many miles on gravel with street tires.

[@turdferguson2863]

I'd adventure into some different tires

[@MrJoesphares]

Small body position changes make a big difference

[@kokkiematematika1931]

Slowly but surely I am reskilling from some bad habits. Your technique us beginning to make much sense. Perhaps I still use too much knee bending to assist my suspension. When would knees be added to heels/ankles?

[@Jagknorr]

Interesting. I was riding on some light gravel roads and was sitting and counter leaning. Felt iffy.

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Let me know what you think when you get a chance to try this technique 👍🏻

[@vimmifz]

Should the rear ABS be kept on while driving on gravel?

[@Geshmaal]

Tbf where I live if you ride on regular roads you have to deal with a lot of gravel...

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Where do you live?

[@Geshmaal]

@@SocalOffroadSchool Scotland!

[@henrygerwien186]

Hi Sedlack, thanx for this vid!! Can you or someone else can explain me, why dropping the heels on the footpeg will bring more traction to the rear tire? I mean, the pegs are only a pivot point in the lower frame, the rear wheel ist separated by the rear swing arm. How should come more kinetic power to the rear tire??? Thanx for comment, kind regards, Henry

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

Dropping your heels will bring your hips further back on the bike allowing the shock to compress more then when riding flat footed or on your heels. With the bike “squadding” down in the rear you will gain more traction. At the same time your lower legs and upper body are in a good position to control the bike. Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@henrygerwien186]

@@SocalOffroadSchool Thanx for explanation, Henry!! ☺

[@kloppskalli]

how do I put my right heel down when the exhaust is in the way? I think i need a much wider footpeg on the right

[@Derust_Rollo]

Very good tip! Thanks a lot! My problem: I crashed twice uphill in a gully washed out by water because the rear wheel began to jump up and down sideways. The bike became unstable and ultimately the rear wheel jumped out of the gully, got traction and I immediately crashed on the side. Any hints? Thank you al lot!

[@RBTravels]

I've been practicing the standup heal drop turning, works great ... but what about body position when you are riding uphill or downhill on gravel ... moving your weight forward or backward under what circumstances ... also, when to grip the tank with your knees and when not to? All this while standing ... thanks!

[@henrygerwien186]

I had one situation in the south of france with big gravel stones, and the way became more narrow and steeper all the time. Up to the point, I had to stop in front of a fence, I always had to change the position due to the ground. Sometimes it was okay, to squeeze the tank between my knees, otherwise I had to loosen it to give the bike space to react. Standing forward and uphill provided me a smashdown in the rear wheel, sitting too far back facilitated the fr.w. in mud or sand with same result - on the ground. It depends on the situation, but riding off raod is a never ending ultimate disco job!

[@BrentCoker]

This is interesting - so do we weight the front going into the turn, but drop the heals to put weight on the back coming out of the turn? t - thank you sir

[@mie8835]

Halo...any tips for long downhill gravel My braking wen the breaking is not helping at all.. thanks

[@keesverhagen9227]

Hello, In about a few weeks going on a 8 week trip with a lot offroad. Therefore a question. You talk about creating weight on the rearwheel. And not to go to much to the front. But what about having luggage on the back of the bike ?

[@AndreyKuzin]

the amount of the baggage weight on the back of your bike is of cource additional weight loading the back wheel. So you dont have to stay back too much in general as your front wheel need that weight when you go into the turn to keep traction. But you should naturally feel the balance point as you ride. Just try a little.

[@keesverhagen9227]

@@AndreyKuzin Thanks.👍

[@BellocCherry]

7407 Madeline Forge

[@uncletom1971]

How tall are you, mr Sedlak?

[@ilovemyfran]

in the last couple seconds of video, why are you leaning forward with your chest? wouldn't that break traction in the rear?

[@TacosYMotos]

Looks like you're on Otay Mountain Truck Trail. Was just up there this past weekend. Are you local to Chula Vista?

[@clvrswine]

The road is Minnewawa Truck Trail. Google Maps incorrectly labels that section as Otay. Take a look at a topo and you'll see the correct names for the dirt roads in the area.

[@baldandbiking]

Going down steep hills with a sharp bend and lots of loose stuff is what scares me.

[@vasilypupkin2107]

If you are unsure on gravel road don't switch off abs, then practice, practice and practice.

[@jimkraft9445]

Good video. I live about a 1/4 mile from the hiway. It is gravel to there. I ride a 99 Harley Softail Custom with street tires. I have never had a problem but ride fairly slow and slow down before I get to the hiway so I only have to use a very small amount of brake. When coming home I have a fairly long concrete driveway to stop on. I have ridden 4 to 6 miles on soft gravel, but the road was straight. Not fun though.

[@savage22bolt32]

Not fun while riding a big H-D. Try a dirt bike some time, it's a blast!

[@jimkraft9445]

I had a Honda 160 scrambler back in the late 60's. I also had a Honda 500 single thumper which was a blast to ride. But, I am 82 years old and do not have the desire to ride off road much anymore. My favorite off road bikes were the Indian Woodsman 500 single, and the Triumph 650c which had a single carb, high pipes, dirt tires and was great off road. I have ridden many of the old style scramblers both 2 strokes and 4 strokes. The ones I liked the best were those of the 50's thru the 70's. They were good both on the road and off road. But I started riding when I was 8 years old on Whizzer motor bikes, and Cushman motor scooters. Bought my first Harley when I was 14. A 1942 "45" flat head in 1955. Foot clutch hand shift. Wish I still had it. I rode an Iron Head 84 Sportster for 23 years. I was always going to put knobby tires on it, but never did. I agree with you, dirt bikes are a blast to ride. But I loved the old scramblers. The new dirt bikes have much to offer, but the old ones had simplicity not yet controlled by government regulation. They were easy to work on and fun to ride. LOL. I am not only a motor head but a motor mouth.

[@relevation0]

@@jimkraft9445 i also prefer scrambler style. Too much plastic on adv bikes. I put some all terrains on my SR400, great little bike.

[@jimkraft9445]

Very cool. The scrambler style is lighter and easier to handle. Have fun.

[@savage22bolt32]

@@jimkraft9445 Wow Jim, you've got quite a riding resume, So good to hear your stories.Thank you for your nice reply! I'm about a decade younger than you, & had many different bikes. The one I had the most fun on was my '71 OSSA Pioneer. Right now I'm looking for a Triumph Trophy, 650 / single carb & upswept pipes.

[@UncleWally3]

Useful information, but, transfer of weight to the rear tire is one thing, transfer of skills from watching a video to riding is another.

[@TheOriginalProfG]

didn't hear you say anything about the type of tyres to use for offroad and gravel riding.

[@bubunbikers]

I have learnt a lot from you, sir. Kindly advice me how to control the throttle while negotiating steeper and longer up gradient to revive required rpm. Should I have to do continuous revv up or maintain a fixed revv

[@peter6782]

It ain't the back end I'm worried about,if you're front end washes out,it,s game over, and your going down,like it or not!

[@rivernet62]

"Control your speed" he says flying up a gravel ascent at 40 mph. I've seen dozens of these videos that are all about "watch how great I ride". What I want is the video that explains how to recover when the gravel has grabbed your front wheel and slammed it to full lock and you find yourself flying through the air over the bike.

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

I’m going 15 - 20 mph in this clip so a very controllable speed in case I have to brake or avoid on coming traffic. Going at a pace that you can control will help you avoid locking up and flying through the air over your bike.

[@rivernet62]

@@SocalOffroadSchool well it looks like 50 mph to me!

[@MusicalMemeology]

Get a steering dampener.

[@hexhead5732]

Front wheel lock definitely been there

[@sevenshadesofsmooth]

I think at that point it might be difficult to recover. An old sailor friend said "good seamanship is avoiding times where expert seamanship is required". I think with preparation and looking far enough ahead, moving at a comfortable speed where life doesn't come up too fast is probably the good seamanship part. I'm only learning myself and am a poor rider by any definition - just aspirational to become better offroad.

[@markjacobs3956]

What is considered fast on gravel roads? 30-40-50 60-70-80mph? Nobody ever talks about the speed that's doable at different skill levels.

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

It always depends on the road condition, what bike you are on, tires etc. Riders should ride at a pace that they are comfortable at. If it feels fast and you are starting to grip the bars really tight it’s time to slow down because you are riding out of your comfort zone.

[@markjacobs3956]

@@SocalOffroadSchool I guess my 110 mph blast yesterday on gravel roads what's a bit much then. I will roll my Knuckles forward.

[@AndreyKuzin]

If you are on enduro bike, with dirt tires, with protection on, and with a few thousand km of experience, then speed depends on your readiness to take risk. If one of those parameters is NO, then don't go too slow, less than (40kmh) or too fast (80kmh), and you will be fine.

[@RodRidesWrenches]

I suggest you cut action clips of you actually doing what you are teaching while you say it. It will make your vids much more interesting and extend your watch retention.👍

[@AdrianScottty]

Harris Cynthia Wilson Sharon Rodriguez Cynthia

[@TimRHillard]

That Tenere is straight up cheating as an adventure bike🤔😁👍! You need a big old lump like a R1150GSA, then you are adventure motorcycling👍👍

[@pauli6570]

Preference….a big lump is hard to maneuver so I prefer the nimbleness of my T7

[@TimRHillard]

@@pauli6570 For sure🏍🏍

[@Michael-Masi-911]

Why stand up? Why not just sit down and you'll have tons of weight on the rear?

[@edgarcota6191]

Thanks for commenting. Standing up while riding allows you to have more leverage over the bike. It also helps you gain better traction by weighting your pegs and balancing your weight on top of the bike, which keeps the tires planted more filmy on the ground.

[@SankarshanGhosh]

Why do I hear Eminem when I listen to you?

[@aricmoto]

You lost me at french accent.

[@SocalOffroadSchool]

😂 Merci

[@tommidd8042]

Nope, sorry 👎

[@pauli6570]

Armchair expert maybe 😂???

[@tommidd8042]

@@pauli6570 Thats what I thought about this video presentation. Get a few more years under your belt then try again.