Do adventure bike tutorials actually work? | MiniTip Monday

[@gasdive]

Ok, all the suggestions in the comments are good ones. But I'm going left field here. Joe Ryan. His recent New Zealand series in particular. The drill is remembering why we're adventure riders. We're not practicing for Dakar, we're not trying to ride the gnarliest terrain on the biggest bike, Now this might stray from drill, into demo, but that's ok. Just do the demonstrated skill and it's a drill. He demos: Camp by a river that burbles. Talk to the fly fisherman you meet when you go for a walk. Stop and photograph your bike in front of a mountain. Turn around when the trail is too tough and go ride somewhere else that's also enjoyable. Fall over in a puddle, and don't worry. Ride the bike you happen to have access to, even if the tyres are the wrong size. Take the road the farmer recommends. Stop by a lake and have lunch. Dry your boots when you get a chance.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I’ll give it a watch! Sounds dreamy.

[@elobiretv]

IRC Tire has some of the best videos in my opinion, I'm a bit of a offroad beginner and his videos have really helped to improve my riding. Chris Burch has some great stuff too but it's behind a paywall, but it's well worth the money.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I totally agree on both fronts. Rich is a really creative instructor!

[@bastiian]

Rich also has a really well thought out explanation to what to do, when to do it and breaking down large compound movements to smaller steps. Definitely my favourite for technical tutorials!

[@maxflight777]

IIRC tyre (Rich Larsen ) has an unusual presentation style … but as everyone agrees.. *his content is utterly compelling*

[@DillonFinnegan]

Wow I’m not used to such a useful/positive video when talking about other channels. Well done.

[@BrakeMagazine]

No hate round these parts

[@mabecka]

AReimann1 is a really good channel from Ex. enduro and rally racer, Australian Adam Riemann. Riding techniques as we´ll as mechanical tips and adventures. Highly recommended.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I know of it. I didn’t include any drills because he doesn’t really have any. It’s more holistic tutorials ☺️

[@paultaylor2359]

The AReimann1 tutorials have dramatically improved my riding ability. Excellent for adventure bike riders

[@davecook2810]

@@BrakeMagazineAdam has some excellent drill tutorials. Log hopping, brake control, large obstacles etc.

[@mattyaustin336]

Adam is a legend.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I think you’re misunderstanding what I mean by drill vs tutorial.

[@hyozd]

I liked this format more than I thought I would. Please do more reviews like this. 👍

[@BrakeMagazine]

I will! Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@Angry-Lynx]

Tkacs weightless rider technique was cool, it helped me understand that any force you put on handlebars almost always upsets bike and that you shouldnt treat handlebar like something you "grab" onto

[@WDTTG]

That's a great way to think about it, really opened my mind. Thanks for this neat explanation.

[@thedougies8322]

Yeah Lel I agree Rich Larson IRC tire guy is a legend…so intensely American in his passion for dirt bike riding & training but I watch him a lot. Really enjoy your tutorials too mate, one of the best on the tube 👌🏼

[@Bocaf]

What have helped me most With off-road riding (by far!) Is actually Your tutorial video about foot position! Letting down that heel was a game changer 🎉

[@BrakeMagazine]

Amazing! Glad it's helped a lot :D

[@insatiable_mind]

I watched multiple times. Useful drills and I like the format. The third time through I realized I was studying your video/audio as much as the drills. The way you switch camera angles, zoom in and out and change mic sources is subtle and engaging. Your scripting is also excellent. I’ll be practicing more than riding skills from your videos. Well done!

[@660adv]

Between this channel, Reimann, and Sedlak Offroad School my riding has improved phenomenally in the past 4 months

[@2WheelsAndRackets]

Sedlak offroad school, imo, provides the most practical tips which are easy to follow. Simple drills to progressively improve offroad riding.

[@hwobstj]

I watch all of the channels you showed in your intro. One of my favorites is also the ADV Moto Skills channel. He started out his videos without voice, just video and text over the video, now he’s transitioned into giving voice audio instruction as well. What I like about his videos as well as most of the others is how the really try to focus on one skill at a time for a short video, not too long. That’s helpful to keep the viewer engaged, particularly if it’s a skill the viewer wants to learn and practice. I watch your channel right along and really enjoy your instructional approach. Thanks.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Nice job on the drills!! Stoked to put out helpful content! 🙌

[@BrakeMagazine]

You’re killing it man

[@soilsmanadv6673]

Watching Rich Larson had taught me more about weighting my pegs than i ever could understand before, along with clutch, brake, throttle control.

[@GibbAsp]

The Irc tyre guy was good for enduro riding. I remember each episode where the dog was watching the drills

[@w0388]

Rich Larson's static balance drills! Should be the core of everyone's practice. There is nothing that will give you more confidence on an adventure bike than knowing you have complete control to be able to come to a stop and Then put a foot down from a standing position, or stand up before taking off. IMO the most important skills absent in most adv riders. And you can build by being able to keep the bike upright even if you have to dismount in really sketchy situations.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Agreed!

[@thegrasshopperliesheavy]

i respect you putting the vstrom through the offroad ringer. i feel like a lot of people wrote it off as an incapable offroading bike (maybe due to the stock tires and weight) . i just got one a few weeks ago and am looking forward to offroading it once i get some more capable tires (and some crash bars lol)

[@john0270]

allot of people not running crash bars it seems, I don't care about the plastics, only the radiator/tank is what im worried about. still waiting on the delivery of my 2024 model at my local dealership. got the motoz adventure rear/dual venture front stashed in my garage already. want the axp skid plate as featured by tom barrer on youtube.

[@Farangmoto]

Clinton Smout was one of the best for tutorials.

[@BrakeMagazine]

And a really nice human!

[@maxflight777]

Agreed ! What a complete gent too ! I loved his advice (Particularly enjoyed his participation in some bike podcasts )

[@BeanieBiker_AutisticRider]

That last one you did with the hill start and balance, we do that as part of our motorcycle test here in Jersey up a steep hill, in the wet it can be a make or break if you pass, because when it is wet and leafy, it is treacherous. We are a small island and have many steep hills, why we have a lot of hill climbs over here, Westmount hill climb next week at the JIMF 2024. More of these vids please 🙏 they are great

[@BrakeMagazine]

Awesome! That sounds like a hell of a motorcycle test. Could be a pretty cool video!

[@BeanieBiker_AutisticRider]

@BrakeMagazine take in to account, we do it on the CBT, or we did when I was 16 back in 2000 when CBT first started, then you do it for your full test, so that will be on a 50cc at 16, then you have to do it on the full test with a 125cc then you do it again for your heavy motorcycle which is anything from a 250cc - unlimited. Plenty of practice 😅

[@Advlfe]

Absolutely love this video and great references to other great drill video channels. More like this please. Another great channel for quick tips is ‘Sedlak offroad school’

[@BrakeMagazine]

It is indeed. I had a couple shortlisted for this by them!

[@nickg2431]

@@BrakeMagazine Yes agreed, if you like pl read my comment above

[@D.E.X]

I like that you are proving the 800DE isn't a street-only, horribly expensive, heavy dud. Some stiffer progressive fork springs, a heavier rear spring, adjust, beat. The 800DE is the Chameleon bike. Not a unicorn, but folks will look for the horn when you aren't looking.

[@nickg2431]

I really liked this video,Strange but in the last month i practiced all of these on my old school 525exc.My experience. 1/Rich Larson clutch control.Absolutely essential as a"procedure" when re-starting on big hills. It is the "correct procedure"As long as the surface has some grip you will not slide into oblivion. 2/Brett Taks log.I dont have a heavy adventure bike.With an enduro bike its not too difficult to either a/stay in the rut b /change line with body movement.I tried this at low speed and I would rather "stay in or get out".Could be v useful in v wet conditions. 3/MX factory paper plate .I tried a similar "gripping"video from Sedlack off road school and you control the bike with your legs/heels.The MX based riders seem to get amazing "flow"on the trails.I only wish i could get it as fast and flowy as that!It does need a more open track with good visibility in case dear old farmer George is coming around the corner in his pick-up truck after a long day tending his sheep. Sorry this is long winded but you did ask.More like this please Cheers ,great video.

[@Angry-Lynx]

another, most recent i learned is leaning forward when accelerating and back when breaking. its not essential imo but can reduce fatigue significantly when riding standing up

[@Jay_sonar]

Always enjoying your videos!!

[@BrakeMagazine]

🙏🙏🙏 Thanks

[@willmcgregor7184]

Slow speed skills help off road rides a lot. Figure 8s Great warm up drill I think Jarvis recommends.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I'll take a look!

[@allenhuling598]

Looking forward to working on some of these....thanks Llel!

[@ecalzo]

i watch your videos and i watched all the other videos you showed us in the serch to learn something.. i already knew them .. thank you for the help

[@BrakeMagazine]

That's great!

[@hugonunezb.4676]

I love to see your videos, congrats for the great effort in making them for us. Now, probably you are underestimating the clutch/brake drill a bit; you have proper bike control and I’d say the drill was easy for you, based on how fast you managed to master it. However, I’ve seen lots of burned clutch disc plates due to bad clutch control, so, for someone who is learning the basics, this is a must exercise to practice. Bret has another video with almost the same drill.

[@bradb2514]

Well done. I appreciate the skills rundown. Important stuff!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ondkes]

You are the best.I learned many tips for be better rider.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Happy to help!

[@matsnaslund2940]

Just keep this coming and please do more."crossover" material. As long as it has got two wheels there is something to learn.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Will do. If people enjoy it, I’ll happily make them. It was pretty fun!

[@JulianOLeary-nv5nc]

I learnt a lot from your back catalogue of skills videos...,so big up your bad self sir.... and as always absolutely enjoy and love your videos buddy 👍👍👍👍

[@BrakeMagazine]

So nice of you!

[@vancamjr]

A favorite drill of mine requires starting stopped at the bottom of a progressively steep hill. Then using clutch friction zone only, slowly climb the hill stopping occasionally. You mix stop/holding in position, backing slowly, and climbing to gain full mastery of the friction zone. You’ll quickly discover that while learning your clutch hand gets an incredible workout.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Great tip!

[@Angry-Lynx]

not specific drill but for me the biggest improvement in riding offroad was learning the importance of counterbalance. My front tire slideouts was reduced by like literally 95% . To me it was like "magic switch" or some dark secret that suddenly makes u 5x better rider... With proper counter balane you can sometimes even feel front sliding to the side a little and youre still in total control

[@yorkchris10]

I like stuff you can do while waiting in the drive-thru.

[@BrakeMagazine]

😂👌

[@nwbasson]

😂 check out Bret's standing parking lot drill then

[@ryanroux5429]

Great share ! Thank you, each exercise has certainly been relevant in my travels .. well worth the effort 👍👌😊

[@BrakeMagazine]

Great to hear!

[@brucehilger95]

I have practiced something different on a mountain bike, coasting down a slope backwards and trying to maintain bicycle balance. It takes brake action using front or rear (not both) brake and balancing the bike.

[@raw_enduro]

The second tip : i never thought of using a rut and doing that tip... Thanks mate

[@BrakeMagazine]

Pleasure!

[@davidrobertson1775]

In the intro you said grab some cones. Took me a while to realise what you meant and I put the bong away. -)

[@BrakeMagazine]

😂

[@nicolasfarbos5381]

hello ! if you understand french there is tom barrer that has some great videos. He did a lot of them especialy during covid with drills you can do in your garage or driveway.

[@babar69110]

nice video; keep on the good work ! Rich is definitely at top level of narrative and explanations...

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks, will do! I totally agree :)

[@BigDaveTALKS]

I enrolled in the online course that Tyler of the MX Factory has. It greatly improved my dirt bike skills and as you mentioned, a lot of it transfered over to ADV bike riding. All the other instructors you mention is where I picked up loads of drills and information. I have only been riding dirt since 2020 and was recently riding with a former pro MX rider who was actually impressed with how far I have come in a relatively short amount of time. It just goes to show, if you put the time in you can grow your skills pretty quick. * Side note: I'm not saying I'm really good, just farther along than some would be.😄

[@1998TDM]

Excellent, thank you.

[@pinnacleroofing9841]

any drills you might have to practice standing still while both feet on the bike would be great. I keep trying this but seem to never get over one mississippi

[@givemeanaxe]

That last one would have helped anyone in the situation i was in on saturday. Super soft and spongy red gravel road with a pretty good grade on a right hand turn. Some dillrod littered a big thick plastic grocery bag and it had ended up on the side bushes. The rest of my group who, werent as comfortable stopping there i imagine, passed it. So i stopped, almost dropped the bike while dismounting, grabbed the bag and stuffed it into my empty R80, remounted and did a 2 gear hill start because the first attempt was 1st gear and the rear dug into the soft redgravel. It wasnt easy, and the coordination that drill practices was exactly what was needed. PSA Pick up your trash folks!! Even when its not yours.

[@xlbracing]

This is a fun video concept, well done. Information overload is a real thing, we all should be working on drills regularly but who has the time to watch 20 videos from 20 youtube channels and try to cherry pick a "program" of some sort? I can imagine a version where it's "I tried 100 youtube drills so you don't have to, here are 10 I found most complimentary for developing my own riding skills". (I'm ignoring the amount of time required to actually make said video, of course, heh). Alternative might be "if you're like this, you might want to try a few drills from person Y. if you're that, you might want to try a few from person Z". I really wouldn't have thought of looking on a motorcross channel, for ex. but that paper plate exercise is really interesting as someone who DIDN'T grow up / learn on a dirt bike. it's a totally foreign style of riding to me. which tells me I should try the drill to start to develop a completely missing skillset!

[@corbin065]

Legend Shane Watts was doing the grinding drill over 20years ago and teaches it along with many other fundamentals in his courses. I did it 13 years ago followed by offerings from Birch over the years, and most recently Dusty. All were Incredibly valuable and worth every hard earned penny. Vids are great but nothing beats in person training - just do it!!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Shane watts tutorials are probably still the best I even watched. It’s where I learnt grinding too!!

[@andrewtreloar7389]

Anything from Adam Reimann (AReimann1) is extremely informative (Enduro racer and KTM factory rider) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYS1mXp5oZmSqM0 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYDWiqNmYsl1q8U are two of my favourites!

[@TalAmir]

One of the instructors I know does the paper drill with cash bills...you drop it, he keeps it! Success rate were super high LOL ;)

[@BrakeMagazine]

😂😂

[@davidhyde2267]

Llel, can I ask where you are practising in that video? Are you still down south, i think im quite near to you in Poole. Do you ever take people out on trails to teach? Id be a willing student!? 😂I have recently bought a PR7 to do more adventure riding with.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yes I am! This was on Salisbury plain on one of the dozens of Byways :) I don't. I was teaching at Off Road Skills and I'd 100% recommend it as the best place to go and work on your skills. The teaching is class and the land is easily the best venue in the UK.

[@davidhyde2267]

​@@BrakeMagazinethanks ill check them out.

[@jonsmalley2234]

Thoroughly entertaining & brilliantly put together as always Llel. The way you finished was interesting, it looked as though the farmer had just turned up with a gun.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH6XqmuAYpqNeaM

[@BrakeMagazine]

😂😂😂 I was hiding from the Apache…

[@stephaneroberge5182]

Quick question, why did you change GS for thew 800DE?

[@BrakeMagazine]

The bikes I use are almost always Press Bikes, so they are provided by the manufacturer or sponsored by the Manufacturer.

[@tmbarral664]

Links to the videos which help me a lot… Don’t look too far ;) Well done ❤

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thank you! Will do!

[@ochs-hema]

i am starting adventure biking and motor camping. focused drills accelerated my confidence and control over the bike intensly. I feel ready for my Sweden trip coming in on Friday

[@BrakeMagazine]

Because it it makes finding the bite point again a little slower, a little jerkier and a little harder.

[@ochs-hema]

@@BrakeMagazine thx mate.

[@100CupsColombia]

Will be hitting the desert in a few days now-going to be a steep learning curve alrighty!!! Cartagena first though

[@anxiousappliance]

The main drill: Bring a lot of water and a satellite tracker.

[@100CupsColombia]

@@anxiousappliance This is my second time around-first time on the bike-should be a hoot! Again

[@gogogeedus]

How would you deal with this scenario? you have just maneuvered around an obstacle and you have leaned the bike toward the obstacle in the process, then at the other side of the obstacle both wheels have been guided by a long log in the long grass, and the wheels are both on the same side of the log, you are already off balance and the ground has dropped away beside you so you can't touch the ground, what do you do?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Crash spectacularly 😂

[@gogogeedus]

@@BrakeMagazine Correct! you follow the laws of physics :)

[@advswede]

Great video and good topic 👌👍

[@BrakeMagazine]

Glad you think so!

[@charliem5332]

I thought it was better to be looser with your knees to let the bike move around. Or are you saying when the spped starts to rise ,then you need to keep the knees tighter to the bike?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Correct. When it’s slow and trials be loose and mobile. When it’s fast and bumpy be strong a locked in with your legs. You still need to be soft on bumps and so on but it’s different skills for different tasks.

[@HarlockG]

I am starting to get worried… What’s up with the F900GS vídeo?

[@BrakeMagazine]

It’s on Patreon early release. Coming soon ☺️

[@sheafrank4816]

What panniers are those I have the same bike amd am having a hard time finding panniers

[@BrakeMagazine]

They are from Mosko, but I would probably fit OS Panniers from Kriega.

[@sheafrank4816]

@BrakeMagazine do u have a pannoer rack and if so which one

[@BrakeMagazine]

I didn't on the V-Strom, but I would recommend : outbackmotortek.co.uk/product/suzuki-v-strom-800-de-pannier-racks/

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

Great clutch training is an old 4 stroke dirt bike that is prone to flame outs on steep trails. You'll either get really good at clutch control or you will get stronger lifting the bike up all day. 😂

[@BrakeMagazine]

And fully committed so you don't have to use the clutch 😂

[@maxflight777]

Leo, that thing on your head makes you look like Derek Zoolander 😂😂😂

[@BrakeMagazine]

I know right 😂 It's Llel by the way :)

[@iangriffiths9930]

Hey buddy, you have had that Suzuki a fair while now, I know you did a review on it but I was wondering if your opinion has changed after having it more long term ish

[@BrakeMagazine]

Not really. It’s gone back now, but I had it around 4 months and I think my review is pretty accurate ☺️

[@iangriffiths9930]

That’s a shame I thought you might have warmed up to it a bit, in your review of the Suzuki you seemed a little unimpressed with it. ☹️

[@BlueberryFennec]

It was a loaner, that's why it has gone back. BTW I also have the V Strom (the review on this channel with the beautiful footage definitely contributed to the decision) and I am very happy with it. Will ride TET Poland next month.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Not at all! I really enjoyed it! I think it’s one of the biggest surprises of the last few years.

[@twowheeledadventuresuk2739]

I think the best way for a beginner to go from zero to hero is buy a cheap MX bike and get your arse down to your local mx track and practice-practice-practice. Seems ruts and mud are up there regarding new rider fears. Also you're surrounded by other riders, not all, but a lot, doing things the right way, so you can watch and learn. In the army we teach E-D-I-P - explanation, demonstration, imitation, practice - repetition is the key part and mx tracks allow you to just rinse drills, practice corners, ruts, balance, throttle control etc. And we all know the best Dakar guys are ex MX racers!.... Another great vlog Llel - thanks

[@motolover5697]

many top hard and extreme enduro riders come from trials. Not so many from MX

[@twowheeledadventuresuk2739]

@@motolover5697 well yeah, and that’s obviously the case, but trail riding isn’t about Carls Dinner, impossible climbs and getting over gargantuan logs, it’s more about ruts, mud, balance and throttle control.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I think both have their merits and skills, and you’ll often find that top riders are a mix off all those skills. Manny, Billy and Jonny are awesome MX riders, and former MXGP rider Nathan Watson turned to Extreme enduro pretty well. The point here is that considered bike time in any discipline is the answer. They all help, if the time is considered.

[@Pocahonkers]

What I really, really need from Brett is a tutorial on how to pronounce Tkacs

[@BrakeMagazine]

We should start a petition!

[@GregDiBernardo]

TACKS

[@GregDiBernardo]

If anyonev wants an autograph, that's me on the little bike with Bret on the log. 🤣

[@BrakeMagazine]

I'd like one! Great effort man!

[@PeterR0035]

💙💙COOL !💙💙

[@simonmears1726]

Look up ahead not down look through corner grip the bike with legs keep arms soft not to tight cover brake and clutch lever and enjoy your ride some time s to slow onto corner can unbalance u not that u shoud be flying into corner s my older brother said too me ride your ability this is true but u won't improve your skill with that logic i don't mean be reckless but u can improve by riding faster

[@kjaubrey4816]

If the lady wants to dance, let her dance. If you assume you are going to go down and you just don't care, then you are less likely to go down. Stop trying to be in control and just let things happen.

[@Angry-Lynx]

another one great skill to have is log hopping ; basically same shit as doing wheelie

[@BrakeMagazine]

Depending on how you do it. 😂

[@MMKJ]

❤️👍🏻

[@MotoCocoTV]

It's Bret not Brett

[@DarthDainese]

DanDanTheFireman has a drills booklet but it's only available in US

[@BrakeMagazine]

Interesting! I've never heard of him!

[@anxiousappliance]

@@BrakeMagazine He analyses accidents - most boil down to: Turn when you come to a curve. Can be fascinating to see what people think is a good idea.

[@philgoogle1535]

This guy helped me a lot. Awesome drills. ADVMotoSkillZ

[@BrakeMagazine]

Agreed!

[@aleksrodins]

Looking for cool and interesting drills is one thing…. But where do I practice in the UK? 🤷🏻‍♂️ I bet you’re shooting your vids on a private land? 🫤 Any suggestions If I don’t have farmer friends?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Absolutely not! I’m shooting these videos in Dorset & Wiltshire on legal land. This video was shot on Salisbury Plain. 😊