Tough times in Utah - Chris Birch KTM 890 Adventure R

On the one day off we had in the middle of our #saynotoslow riding school program we were told of some natural hot pools we should check out. We could have taken the road around the mountain but where is the adventure in that? After snow stopped plan A we had to go to plan B, that’s when things got serious.
Check out our Adventure bike and enduro video coaching series at www.saynotoslow.nz and our upcoming schools in Virginia and West Virginia.
Bikes: KTM 890 Adventure R and KTM 450 XCW
Tires: Mitas Enduro Trail-Rally and Terra Force EX SM
#cardofam #ktm #leatt #readytorace

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Hi guys, if you’ve not checked out our say not to slow adventure and enduro training videos head on over to saynotoslow.nz

[@ogasi1798]

brilliant trail fella, hairy

[@rayrokni]

Best training videos out there, best money you can spend on your bike

[@SteveFukuzawa-u2t]

I wish some company would build a better camera than go pro.

[@DansADV]

Skills beyond belief. Those who've never tried to wrestle an 890 thru single track may not appreciate just how amazing that was... Thanks for putting that video together. My riding group and I will be watching and rewatching this for some time.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you like it! Cheers for the complimentary comment 🤟

[@davidlamb155]

@Dansadv.. Totally true!! Great skills to wrestle a bike of that size/weight through this “trail” and make it appear to be that easy!!

[@sailingaeolus]

"Skills beyond belief"... Yeah, I second that. I've got a WR-450 that would be great for that trail, but it doesn't weigh the 450 lbs that KTM 890 does. I've always laughed and sneered at big "adventure bike" riders as being total incapable on anything but a fire road, but it really did do well in the rough.

[@TheanHooYew]

I have ridden mine on gravel but nothing remotely close to this, and I can attest how difficult it is to maneuver a heavy adventure motorcycle. These guys make it look easy. It is not.

[@armourbl]

People who don't do this will never understand how cool it is to do. I'd love to ride the trail. Looks amazing. For Chris to do this on an Adventure bike is even cooler.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

It’s an awesome trail, the winter had been pretty hard on it I recon.

[@joethompson297]

Nothing like living on the edge, having no clue if you or your bike will make it out alive! Rode with a friend who ripped off the fuel sending unit off his 890 and dumped all his fuel, luckily he was able to push it to a main road for recovery. Those big bikes are like a bull in a china shop!

[@mriduldeka8906]

Not everyone's cup of tea ☕😂

[@howarja]

@@joethompson297 I cut my coolant hose on my WR 250R. I couldn't imagine having to push a 890 after having to push my 250r! That would be awful!

[@bikegiant1376]

Quite possibly my favorite video from you yet Chris. The third person view was awesome. The voice over commentary was great too! Thanks for taking us along for the ride with you guys.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@phillipchandler8862]

Virtually unbelievable riding skills displayed here. With all that off camber stuff with big drops the potential for a come off and injury was huge. Massive respect to both.🙏🙏

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Cheers!

[@andymckenzie5484]

Love that camera perspective. Both riders did great! We can see now more then ever why KTM sponsors this guy. I would have been nervous there on a 300 dirt bike. Top knotch Chris. Again loved the perspective of seeing the way you chose your lines and how exactly you controlled the clutch and throttle through all the different terrains. The move between the logs using the tree to assist with the front end turn was master class.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

I won’t lie, I was pretty happy with the tree/log move 😉

[@mattsutube]

Absolutely stressed just watching you two blokes rip this rediculousy epic "trail". Enjoyed every minute.

[@kurvaonwheels]

One of the best adventure riding videos I have ever seen. How quickly have 42 minutes passed.

[@wasatchadventures8947]

This is in central Utah.

[@ADVJunkie]

When Chris Birch says “I know a shortcut!” 🤣😂🤣😂

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

It probably would have been a little quicker to go the long way…

[@lukefish7562]

@@ChrisBirchNZ😆

[@JoergSchnabel1]

WHAT AN EPIC RIDE 🤩…. IMPRESSIVE VIDEO !!!… NOT SO MANY RIDERS ON THIS PLANET CAN HANDEL A BIGGER BIKE LIKE YOU DO…. ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING!!!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@spencervidal3168]

A word of advice, get fishing licenses, Included in the license price is a fee that goes into a fund that covers you if you need to be evacuated. Includes helicopters... Colorado as well..

[@krisbrunson3245]

Not sure if it covers the actual expenses of the rescue for you but it does fund the search and rescue teams just fyi

[@spencervidal3168]

@@krisbrunson3245 In Colorado it covers everything, up to and including a helicopter extraction...May be different in Utah..

[@canyonhaverfield2201]

​. Read the fine print- the find & remove service is specifically directed to assist fish people not fishing out numbskulls getting stuck in a creek bed ruined over years by mud brained Moto heads. No real outdoorsy- types who are passionate for a healthy ecology would give a damn about your evacuation needs. Hopefully a full stop will be enacted with strick- confiscate & crush vehicle , and monetary penalties to cover arrest- your removal, and depositing- demoing bike. A fine of 5K apiece towards stream reconstruction..ideally the biker will do 12 months of mandatory wild land repair service & loss of cycle license. A kick butt policy is what would work

[@spencervidal3168]

@@canyonhaverfield2201 Fair enough, and rightfully so... Sounds like Birch better stay out of Utah in the future.. He may end up in the slammer..

[@kaffeinekeiser9091]

“Motorbike Baryshnikov” has me holding my head at minutes 18-21. Madness and poetry 18:07 embodied in the man. Big ups to the sidekick/camera rider, Chris is fortunate to have you.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Whitehouse is a legend. We’ve been friends for 20 years and I’m lucky to have him in my life.

[@rc51bigdaddy]

Now that was a crazy crazy ride on an 890! It really took some amazing bike handling skills to get through that one. Wow!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Cheers, it was a good adventure!

[@notsorare]

When I was your age we used to do this stuff BUT on smaller bikes Seeing you do this on an 890 , priceless! Fantastic video I had to watch it right thru Eddy nz

[@advmotoskillz]

😅 that ride had so many “no room for error” moments! Amazing 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@picklesauce4091]

I got gassed just watching you both. Awesome job keeping it together and fantastic riding as always.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Phillip-i6c]

unreal riding boys, CB shows us just how good he is on a big bike , not to mention for a slim build how bloody strong he is picking that thing up ,manhandling the beast.Yeah loved it thanks.

[@Michael_Shay]

I don't think I'd hike down that trail lol. Incredible riding. Super cool to see the POV from behind. It's a masterclass in weightless riding.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

I haven’t heard that term before

[@Michael_Shay]

@ChrisBirchNZ Really? Seems like I hear it a lot in the adv coaching space. I think it comes from Brett Tkacs. To me it's just a fancy way to sum up that preemptive body position when making inputs on the bike and preemptively reacting to the terrain.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Ah ok. I don’t pay much attention to adv coaching stuff on the net. I watch world champ guys and try and learn from them. I’ll check it out.

[@wanputrawadi3255]

Just to sit on KTM 890 makes me nervous. To see Chris doing it comfortably in such difficult terrain, its encouraging to see how fun it is to have tecnical riding skill.

[@llama233]

I really like the camera following - it gives a much better sense of what's involved navigating these tight, steep trails and it's awesome to see the body position. I found myself inadvertently holding my breath a few times in this video! Amazing to do that on a 210+ kilo beast.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

I agree, much better but it’s hard to find that third person sometimes! 😂

[@michaelflores7657]

This was so enjoyable to watch! The whole video was excellent! Obviously the riding is outstanding but also the editing, production and commentary were also top notch!! Nice work to everyone who contributed! It has motivated me to re-watch the instruction videos again!!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

@@michaelflores7657 thanks for the message 🙏

[@smarba1]

what an 890 can do in the hands of a skilled rider, great video

[@C_R_O_M________]

Just epic stuff! Enjoyed every single bit of this magnificent ride and hindrances that came with it. I'll re-watch it to pay more attention to certain techniques. Thanks a lot for this clip! Perhaps the best of its kind out there.

[@glennaltschwager5234]

Awesome video, as always mate. I pick up my new 890 adventure R tomorrow from my dealer.. Just a bit excited.✊️ Cheers for sharing 🍻🍻

[@heinschwartz7941]

Great video Chris. Thanks for sharing 🤗

[@markblankenship5788]

Absolutely incredible skills both of you gents. 👍👍

[@joeriley5633]

Best thing I have watched in a long time. Well done!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Cheers!

[@williambrown5536]

That was some awesome riding! I'm breathless watching that big KTM doing single track. You also have a great riding partner. I really want to ride like that, but I have no riding partner here in Southern Virginia in the Tidewater area. Everyone with ADV bikes that I know shies away from really taking them off-road. It's so frustrating, but I don't feel safe going far off road and off trail alone. If you know of any ADV bike groups here on the East Coast of the USA that are serous about off road riding, please let me know. Until then I'll just watch these to get tips from you and go as far as I feel safe alone.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Hi, we will be doing some adventure bike schools in Virginia and West Virginia later on this year. That might be a good opportunity to meet some like minded people and build some skills. Saynotoslow.nz

[@scott6753]

Absolutely phenomenal riding by both riders! That was super technical!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrecosta9e]

Hi Chris, love the huge amount of madness and intelligence you shower on all your moments of adventure, thanks for inspiring crazy & smart rides🙏🏻🤙

[@Robostever]

Great to see even the pros get stuck, and they just get to work figuring it out. A little preparation and foresight goes a long way.

[@kiwiadventurer]

That was absolutely rivviting guys. What a master classes of traction and clutch control not to mention nerves of steel. I doft me hat to both of you.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Why thank you sir!

[@Libroer]

Epic trail! Amazing riding to get that 890 through there. Wild!

[@rideuradv]

What a joy to watch... Lot of gooooooood skillssssss

[@Graybeard_]

True single track there. I've found myself on that type of trail a few times when riding skid trails that petered into game trails. Word to the wise, game never trim the branches on their trails. Once when a buddy and I were riding a game trail, a branch reached out and yanked the throttle cable right out of the handle/throttle grip on my buddy's bike. We tried for almost an hour to reattach it, but ultimately gave up, and he rode 20 miles back to civilization riding with one hand on the handlebars and the other working the throttle. Definitely checked the adventure box that day.

[@adammills4343]

Well guys I’ll give you one thing you’ve got balls , I wouldn’t even try to walk half of those tracks let alone attempt to ride a 450 or an 890 through there , but that’s why you guys are among the best in the world for your skills - what an awesome vid 👍

[@ride4adventure]

That was epic and a Master Class of all the techniques we watch you explain, you used them all. A credit to you both and what you put that 890 through dispels a few myths I reckon. Bravo.

[@FlounderProductions]

The best adventures always have that element of fear. Will we survive…. Lived the narrations over top. Definitely do lore of that.

[@tomdyll2728]

Really enjoyed that. I was happy to see you riding at a reasonable pace when exploring. Us average guys could relate a little. Navigating the really hard stuff was impressive. And I will say it again. You are the inspiration for me riding KTM. Love my 1190R!

[@victorkelley5097]

WICKED TALENT! I can't believe what I just saw. Duuuuude, you're an animal on levels never seen before.

[@MrEmileB]

Respect! Adventure riding at the highest level! Awesome!

[@stevenrencher4797]

Im an over the hill Oregon 500 EXC rider here. I knew once you hit snow well before the peak that was not going to be possible. Ive about killed myself doing similar shenanigans out here in Oregon. The snow stays on the roads fairly late especially on shady sides of mountains. I hate turning back and going back the way I came but inevitable in some situations. I loved the comment “Thats where smarter riders turned back” I admired the enthusiasm and lets see attitude. But that snow can kill you. I was hoping some of the best in the world would make it. Great video. Utah is where l was born. What a great moto playground it is.

[@nomading_in]

I could hear the mountain banjos! One slightly random thing that impressed me is just how many logs were cut to open up that route. From the video alone I must have counted hundreds! Impressive trail work. It was so borderline not-a-route, so all that effort is crazy really.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Very very thankful to whoever did all that cutting. I’d still be in there without it!

[@rodrigofabregas7756]

Awesome riding Chris!...only you can do that tought trail on that big 890!....with a little help of your friend of course, but that's the idea of riding along...to help each other when needed!...right?. Thanks for sharing! . -

[@wardiup939]

14:00 I'm happy with that too, Chris! Love it

[@saeedminaii6023]

Wowww!! What an epic ride and a masterclass of your amazing technical abilities to get through some of those non existent tracks. Adventure to its true sense. Thanks so much for sharing. I will be rewatching this video time and time again. 🙏

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@3brothersrc418]

Great video. I have had to do the same with my 1200gsa. Tie off the front and lift the back. Fortunately I did not do that before class started! ha, ha

[@jimh2061]

Absolutely amazing! Thanks for the show guys. Im too old to ever do this kind of riding but i can enjoy watching you guys do it.

[@paulie_b9363]

What an adventure!!! Well done!!

[@andrew390]

Hard enough on the 450 ... I was anxious for you guys for the whole video!

[@ecalzo]

yep.. i did some kind of that.. very low skills stuff in my case.. not even closer to that .. and i know how fantastic it is ..thank you Chris for letting us , at least, see it ... amazing place amazing adventure... Hi from Italy

[@RP-sf9no]

Praises to Whitehouse for getting the video! At 9:50 Chris asks ‘are you having fun?’…Whitehouse, ‘well…’😂

[@billbligh4547]

Someone was out of his comfort zone! I was, just watching it. BZ to you both.

[@kevinjohnson9016]

Thank you for these videos Chris. It really teaches us a lot and it’s the next best thing when we can’t make it out to the trails. Keep it coming, we will keep watching!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

I’ll do my best to!

[@shivaillusions]

Incredible! Riveting watch 😀

[@m1les7]

Wow Chris what a crazy ride this was!! That was a masterclass in riding that 890 through there. Serious skills! ❤️🏁🏁🏁

[@toddwmac]

Welcome to Utah. This vid reminds of my early days on my 990 (less the world class riding skills) Hope you guys are enjoying it here...despite the long day. I've backpacked NZ a couple times and loved every minute of it! From the people to the landscape....a very special place. Safe travels!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad to hear you enjoyed our home! Utah is a special place too.

[@maximusmiles8435]

I was captivated. I just couldn't stop watching. Nice ride. Kudos to the guy on the 450, that would have been hard enough. But on a bike that weighs nearly double.

[@mototrailz]

This video is a masterclass how to ride an 890R or any ADV bike off-road and it's free 👌. Thank you Chris 🙌

[@algee8228]

I can't remember if I've ever watched a 42-min video. This was worth every minute!

[@elibukin4840]

WOW coooool ride, a real adventure, thumbs up !

[@davidbabbitt106]

Off the charts balance, clutch, and throttle control!

[@AllForGamingX]

That was insane! The skill level was amazing.Don't know the background of the enduro guy, but amazing to be able to keep up on such a challenging track with Chris Sir.

[@AlexHiltbrunner]

Incredible Chris! Watching you tackle that gnarly trail on a 890 had me more nervous than you seemed. I've followed "Say No to Slow" for years, and this one's an absolute favorite. Hats off to both riders for an epic performance!

[@budreeves5438]

What extraordinary riding skills. Unbelievable accomplishment!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Cheers!

[@paulheiner5635]

Thanks Chris and Whitehouse! Great video; so fun. Just awesome!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thebum666]

This video just highlights how amazing your riding skills are on the big bikes! I wouldn't take my 890 on those tracks, I'd be too scared. Go Chris!

[@Amp3dtech]

Thanks for uploading the whole video! It’s tough to find many guys to ride this kind of stuff with you on big bikes. The struggle makes it feel So good when you get back to a road eventually. Great video and great riding lads.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jws6076]

Knarly trail! Not one to do by yourself that’s for sure. Loved it!

[@MotodiscoveryRD]

Amazing!!! Chris really pop the front wheel up to a tree on a 890 adventure on a single trail just to turn the bike around!!!! I gotta be better at my riding man!!!

[@johnhoward9198]

No skipping ahead on this one. Thanks for the adventure!

[@RyanHansen-mf7or]

Watching you Chris on the 890 on tracks like this, Unbelievable you make it look so simple! You have confirmed for me that the KTM 890 is for me!! I'll be checking out you videos as well!

[@jimwood1068]

Great watch. The skill level is unreal. Nice one both! Jim. Uk. 👍🏼

[@hansduty459]

18:28 Chris, you're the man. Incredible skills and team effort 🎉

[@johnpark6138]

Insane adventure - I felt the nerves and effort involved. Thank you for sharing!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@m.kurpanik]

Cool license plate you've got there Chris :) And what an epic ride! Cheers from 🇵🇱!

[@raybaker9636]

Awesome riding especially on a big bike! Way above my skills! Making that 890 look like a trials bike! Love it and only one drop by your riding buddy! Way to go you guys! You all deserve a little dip in the springs after all of that you went through!

[@motaku_th]

That was insane! Enjoyed every second of it.

[@whirinakii]

Used to ride trails alot of dog and hound trails back in NZ but this wolf and werewolf trail - big balls on a 890 - great skill set there (as yout videos in NZ show ) - long time since Ive been on a trail bike - XR 500, CR500, IT 400 etc - Ill stick to my ZX14R - bet you were glad to see the cut logs along the way. Great video content for us armchair trail riders.

[@LyonsLeo]

Stressful just watching this. Incredible riding. True adventure.

[@tylermcdonald8965]

Epic! Love these videos. It’s great to see how your body position changes to meet the trail.

[@1veryreal]

You guys look like the kind of riders I like to go With!

[@baronridedrivefly]

well done gentlemen and thanks for sharing the video.

[@gentlenudge4500]

What a mission! Holy smokes! But Yer always such a sportsman about all Chris. Amazing. Respect, Brooklyn Dave

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Hey Dave!

[@ArnoNoxFordSteyn]

Whoohoo I was wondering when I'd see you upload again thank you for sharing the adventure

[@flatgrindrides]

Awesome ride! Thanks for bringing us along. Looks like the hardest part was using that rock as a pick/shovel. 😂👍

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

That definitely got the heart rate up!

[@bobpierno3325]

Thank you! Great adventure. My clutch hand is sore just from watching.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a big workout for the left hand. 😂

[@BlairGuinea]

Cheers Chris, you boys are true Kiwi adventurers

[@darwincrawford8821]

Holy cow. The skill it takes to do this on an 890 is absurd. Nice work boys, love the vids, keep em rolling!

[@rhugh02]

How can someone not subscibe to this. OMG! Skills from beyond and I'm to old for this level but so awesome.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jacquesnel8384]

Epic trail riding ! Love from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@deep4soul]

what an awesome video, hats off, great riding.

[@brandenhellman4381]

More of this please. Long format is amazing.

[@texlee1640]

Incredible what this man can do on bikes that mere mortals struggle to handle on nothing more than a fire road lol. That's 500lbs of bike he's tossing around like it's a 250 smoker and in places that most would have thrown in the towel on with a smoker, wild! Amazing stuff, as always.

[@toddchristensen6949]

This is legit the best video showing the capabilities of an 890. Obviously most of our skills are not Birch worthy. Great video boys, the best I have seen yet👍🏽

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TRAVERSE_ADV]

This is amazing to watch and probably the most hardcore trail an adventure bike has been on! 😅

[@AlexFBuchholzPhoto]

Just blown away. Insane riding skills.

[@eriklarsson3528]

Wow, thanks for sharing! Mega skills👊

[@gregjerome1911]

Great riding & great video! Thanks guys, you do my state well!!!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

You’re lucky to call it home! I love visiting Utah

[@KTMcahoona]

Awesome adventure ride.

[@MattBrownShow]

So gnarly it’s insane. Well done boys!

[@stigsy5609]

I just bought the same tires. I strongly expect that the driving skills will be delivered with them….

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Got to be included.