How To Get Your Balance Back by DABBING

[@rickhouston2144]

So on point! One of the best pieces of advice for “adventure riders” . I watch sooo many videos where riders don’t get to the pegs and struggle,get exhausted in the process and then have to take it easy for awhile. Great work.

[@stellarpod]

Interesting perspective. Learning that dabbing is only for instant stabilization, rather than *lifting* the bike, is new to me. Thanks for sharing that bit of info. Steve

[@MOTOTREK]

Perfect, thanks!

[@mattphelps3718]

Fantastic! The drummer in me is distracted by the music, the motorad driver in me is distracted by the video. Excellent video! Practice, practice, practice!!!

[@maxaksenov7580]

I have seen many educational videos, but this is one of the best, if not the best.

[@Darkvisor]

Another great video! I have learnt so much from your videos. I have never done enduro riding, motocross or even adventure bikes off road but these videos do give me the confidence to try out and not be scared. It was just the other day I came across some thick gravel and instantly I remembered what you said about not gripping that handlebar too tight and let it dance a bit, centifugal force will keep me up and not to panic. Really great advices, such an underrated channel, you deserve more subscribers! Ride safe //Dark Visor Motovlog 🇸🇪

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks!

[@RutaseBRs]

The best motocycle channel on youtube! Learning alot with your videos. Big hugs from Brazil!

[@rfk76]

Those kind of videos make me come back to this channel, always. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Great stuff.

[@CheekyTyke007]

Wow……where was this guy 10 years ago when I needed his advice lol. Learned to ride on road first, moved to Canada and discovered dirt bikes, learned to paddle and do basic trials skills and yup……I absolutely hate putting my feet on the ground, it feels wrong and dangerous even on a 300 lb dirt bike, I’ll leave that for the motocross and enduro folks who know what they’re doing. Everything you teach is instinctual for me and backs up a lot of what I’d learned for myself…..thanks for the awesome videos, I subscribed, you’re gonna save me a lot of pain and injury lol

[@Droverification]

Best instructional series for true ADV riding on youtube!

[@orangelion03]

Yeah...learned that foot down-trapped under the hard cases lesson...got rid of hard cases and work harder on techniques. Great vid Brent! Thanks!!

[@danmanthe9335]

Hope it wasn't a broken leg but I fear it was. Don't worry though, i broke both mine in a ski accident and still ride

[@orangelion03]

@@danmanthe9335 Sprained ankle on the first one, and leg trapped under the hardcase in a fall the second. Broke my ankle on my XR650..no cases to blame on that one =D

[@ZafodB3]

I work with some young guys and there use of the word “dab” has a completely different meaning! I’m so glad that this was not a chemically induce return to equilibrium. I have dabbed, in your sense of the word, quit naturally on occasion. Glad to see this video!

[@sergiobtbw441]

Been riding on and off road for 40 years. You explain and demonstrate extremely well. Just goes to show you never stop learning. Great work. Ride on.

[@paulbibb578]

I love this channel. Always great content for the ADV rider.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Damn. After riding for 40 years I thought I knew everything. Turns out there is at least one thing I didn’t understand! Outstanding explanation and demonstration. Thanks.

[@motorbikemumblings]

By far the best biking videos anywhere. Great explanations and thoroughly useful knowledge passed on. Excellent

[@dzl8596]

These videos are so well done, they make me wanna buy an adventure bike and go off roading.

[@RobFomenko]

Bret, learn something new each and every time. Haven't rode off road yet, but I now have some more techniques to practice and perfect. Thanks.

[@KentRodgman]

Just did a 3 day ride through the Kootenay area of BC over the weekend, and I am so glad I watched a few of your videos again before going! Just a little refresher, and I could hear the advice in my head as I was doing the weightless rider to the best of my abilites, and dabbed.. alot. Love the excellent clearly instructed advice from this channel, I'm pretty sure you've saved many a spill for me, but not all of them haha.

[@MOTOTREK]

Right-on, Chris!

[@simonthomas5367]

One of the most useful clips I've watched in a long time, thanks.

[@Jamilsiddique]

That made alot of sense. Thank you . Very useful. I used dabbing before without even knowing what I was doing and why. I thought i was keeping the bike up. Was shattering.

[@bikeryder757]

You are the man! I got to get up to Washington and take your classes! Thank you for sharing your passion and experience with us!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks Bret, I'm new to ADV riding and just bought my bike several weeks ago. Practicing in a lot with trails in GA that includes sand, clay, rocks, and small hills. After watching your video I realized I was naturally dabbing but more out of reaction. I plan on practicing as you advised in this video. Thanks!

[@nathanboeger9329]

Oddly enough, I have been naturally doing this but I always thought it was wrong. I would see other ADV guys throw their legs out and that just scared me. If their foot got any traction it would rip their leg off. Your explanation of why dirt bike riders do this makes total sense. Again, I did that when I was a kid on dirt bikes because I had long legs and my knee would drag in the mud. Also, I was a huge kid on a 50cc mini... Great video!

[@fasfan]

Thank you Bret. I took a 1 day off road course today at the BMW US Rider Academy today. During the practice rides around the property there were a few times when I lost balance and remembered seeing this video and dabbed to catch it and get back on the bike. Everytime I did it, it I thought to myself, "Thanks Bret."

[@Makermook]

I'm learning so much by watching your videos. Thank you.

[@MOTOTREK]

You're welcome, Mark!

[@mattwilson1348]

Thanks for this great insight! This is by far my biggest weakness when riding through mud and sand. Also happens when fatigued riding up a rough trail. I've gotten my foot stuck in the ground and got a hard wack from hard cases. Luckily no broken bones, only some bruises and sore calf muscles.

[@garywalker4945]

At age 67, it's been decades since I've been on a motorcycle, and I really do appreciate this style of yours when educating how to ride off-road.

[@mfitchue67]

Thank you again for the information we need and making it accessible. I have saved myself from a couple of would drastic situations from the education provided. My riding identity has done an180 in a couple years.

[@882952]

Really appreciate your vids, lots of good info. Just getting into ADV riding after decades of the street and dirt.

[@achappstube1]

Great stuff Bret! Keep em coming. Thanks!

[@declary]

Really enjoyed this video....I enjoy most all your videos but this one was especially helpful for me.

[@c.jordanadventures1240]

As always Bret, super informative video with extremely usable real world techniques! Thanks!

[@ironhorsegladiator5034]

So very true and glad you covered this as I kept telling my riding buddies to not buy lowered suspension bikes or lower your bikes cause they want the 'confidence' of placing both foot on the ground, well, most professional MX racers were never tall and did win a lot of races, ok, look, Curry is not tall, but he sure plays great like the tall basketball players!! Get it? Thanks

[@vebez5993]

Yeah motocross bikes are enormously tall😂 that’s a really funny perspective

[@johnsandlin7474]

Been a natural reflex of mine for years. Did not know there was a term for it. I always called it 'Oh $#it!" I dabbed in Vermont yesterday when my ft. tire swept left off of a sandy rut going down hill. Works every time. And my AT was fully loaded. Edit...Bret is so right on this. Simple physics...while you are rolling forward on your beloved motorbike, you are actually still and the earth is spinning wildly out of control under you. Ever stick your finger in a spinning fan blade?? Me neither. Cheers Bret!

[@DigitalMusicXpress]

Very interesting! Ones natural instinct is to waddle or walk the bike instead of being on the pegs, will defs focus a bit more on this technique as well!

[@Inacoma989]

I'm new to adventure bikes so thanks for all your help and words of wisdom. They really help out beginners like me to ride better. I have a big yard to practice this stuff in and if I drop the bike it just falls on the grass. Thanks!

[@josech]

Your videos are the best, sir.

[@rodneyaiken1742]

As always, great video. I improvised off your video about turning around in a tight trail. I got off the bike leaned it into my side facing slightly away from the bike and powered it right around my hip. It was so cool and watching your videos gave me the confidence to try it.

[@BretTkacs]

That is a great way to do it... I've done that many times too

[@rideyucatan4943]

Excellent video - thanks! I've been unconsciously doing this but this video made me think about it more - I try to ride my F700 off-road like it's a trials bike - a good route is one where I don't touch the ground at all. Even on the street I try not to touch apart from a full stop for practice. I'm not a fast rider so I sort of substitute speed for finesse (and I fail a lot at that).

[@apolopinov.8594]

Great video as usual! Nice to know I was instinctively doing it right... After all I was aware that a foot on the ground while moving to stabilize the bike was a bad idea, so I only do it to stabilize my body on the bike. Not sure, probably learned it the hard way when I was kid. Thanks for the great content Bret!

[@MotoGiant]

Many times have I crimped an ankle/ lower leg under a pannier - good to swap out for soft bags!! good tips!

[@efs83dws]

Wow. I’ve never seen anyone other than you and Awesome Players address this. I used to race motorcross, yet, I keep my feet on the pegs. When you put your foot down, your center of gravity is no longer over your bike.

[@gustavomello6667]

another great easy to understand video

[@nicolassolberg5652]

Well said. I hadn’t realized this was the norm I was doing riding a mountain bike for years, and even a few times when street riding and the rear lost traction a bit in a tight corner and I was suddenly out of balance. Dabbing gets my weight back in control. In dirt on an ADV this works too, though I admit I still find it tough to pull off in deep sand - rocks and gravel no prob.

[@AJourneyOfYourSoul]

Preach on brother! Get up on your pegs.

[@lsx_moe]

Everything you mentioned was correct. I took my new f850gs through some extremely deep/loose sand on street tires and I was dapping every 10 seconds. Came pretty natural but definitely good to get some practice

[@paradoxiCk]

Thank you for all the instructions!

[@MOTOTREK]

You're welcome.

[@marktwain..1972]

Thank you for the teachings. Best regards from Buenos Aires.

[@MOTOTREK]

You're welcome.

[@lowrider9367]

I cannot agree more with dabbing vs paddle walking. Unfortunately last night my leg got sucked back by the pannier & became lodged as we came to a stop. This video is a must see for these types of bikes. I am a dirt biker & definitely a different mind set is needed to work these big beast's!!! Again, Great video full of nothing but useful content!!!

[@SammyLeeJ]

Very useful video as always thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@tahoehiker]

100% correct and very well explained!

[@astrovenus8345]

Wise man once said, "Little 'DAB' 'll do Ya!!!" (Sorry, I scrolled through comments and no one said it so I had to 🤤 Ride On!) Awesome vids. Thanks for sharing and making KZbin an amazing resource for learning 👍🏽💯

[@emilianoee]

Genio....gracias por estos tutoriales. Abrazo desde Argentina

[@RiderMark]

Verry interesting. I'm planning to make a big journey from Holland to Mongolia (mayby that far). Doubt if I can do it on my KTM 1190 but I think it's really cool to do it on that bike, and these kind of techniques help!

[@rkr6237]

How did your trip go? And which bike did you end up taking?

[@byrdt6528]

Great stuff Bret!!

[@tstone9999]

Topics I’d love to see: Water crossings Group riding safety/rules Goggles vs Standard Face Sheilds (pros/cons) Solo riding do’s and donts PS. I love your vids. Wonder if you do (or would consider doing) a 1-2 day clinic here in the southern Midwest. KC/St Louis?

[@billiondollardan]

Before Bret defined the dab maneuver I was thinking hey I just saw him touch ground at the end of the last video! lol Now I get it

[@jrbass62]

I also use that technic late at night, On the way to the restroom!!! Love your vids!!

[@f18a]

Excellent vid, as always.

[@frooglepete]

Fantastic video, thanks so much Brett

[@Codum78]

Funny happenstance that this was posted before my deep gravel ride today. Perfect tool to learn from tho, thanks !

[@Brad-RB]

Always love your videos. I wish that I was younger. I would love to learn how to adventure ride.

[@youserdna]

Very educational video! would be great a video on how to descend steep slopes with different types of difficult terrain, such as gravel or slippery ground down hill

[@MOTOTREK]

Agreed! It's on the to-do list, Andres.

[@HR-eb4vs]

I did this once when I lost my front tyre(worn out) in the tarmac. It was a quick reflex that worked and saved my ride.

[@jjpbdm]

The music in these videos is cool!!

[@AudreyH48]

Thank you for this vid! I actually took my 1090advR to a Dirt bike type training session, wanting to get back in the saddle in the dirt and they were trying to get me swinging my leg forward and doing all the dirt bike riding things and it was so awkward that I could tell the bike wasn't meant for it. I did find some forward weight was nice for single track but wasn't a neutral position. i need to make a trip down to the PSSOR school!

[@BretTkacs]

We'd love to have you.

[@onemilemore541]

Thanks so much Brett! I don't recall any other instructors explaining this so clearly. I find your instructions so helpful and can't wait to practice them! I'd assume this same technique would be used in most water crossings, correct?

[@BretTkacs]

Only if you screw up... Dabs are reactive

[@0616ko]

Excellent technique. Thanks for sharing this.

[@Mk-fm5tc]

As always, excellent video. Full of information, and not crap! Also, where was this video filmed? As a local I love knowing the area you film in, doesn't get much better than the PNW!

[@MOTOTREK]

Capitol State Forest just outside of Olympia. Not far from the Rock Candy Mountain entrance.

[@jacqalas]

Thanks for the tip! I will practice it until it is second nature. I would also like to know who cleans your bike after each video? They deserve some kind of Grammy award or trophy.

[@BretTkacs]

Good idea... I need a bike washer

[@ArizonaRE]

Very well explained, thanks for another great video B-)

[@olegyd]

That was very, very useful! thank you. Padle walks that what i hate! Is my problem! But now I see a light in the end of tunnel!! 😄😄😄😄

[@StickerMedia]

Thanks, keep the videos coming!

[@jared3966]

Another quality video.

[@robertcoman4236]

5 seconds in and I 'm smiling. :)

[@l33dek]

I'be been using that when things go "unbalanced", but didn't know it has a name :D Nice!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@wmrider_adventures]

I’ve have gotten my foot caught on the bike while trying to save it. Sucks!! Being on top of the pegs is scary but I must keep practicing!

[@PTHME21]

Thank you for this video, I am always looking for things to improve on my riding. I have gone from a relatively light bmw g650gs to a r1200gs. I always kinda nagged at myself for what you call dabbing. Nice to see I have sort of been doing the right thing. Now my biggest fear is learning a dry clutch offroad and not destroying it.

[@marksearsjr]

Keep them videos coming.

[@brucekendall52]

Good video instruction,thks.

[@llb7123]

Bret, Thank you for putting these videos out. I think about your weightless rider teaching a lot. There are times when getting up on the pegs seems impossible like when the mud is so slippery that having momentum only increases the speed of the inevitable crash. Mud so sticky that the fender plugs up and the front wheel stops turning. Do you find at rare times you just cant get enough forward momentum to stand on the pegs? If so, what do you do or should I just go for it!?Thank you again Bret. I have learned so much from your videos and watch them over and over.

[@mickeypopa]

I've done the dabbing a few times so far and every time it's been an instinctive reaction. I honed my skill on a 50cc scooter with hard tires that would lose the front easily on hot, slick asphalt. lol

[@TheGeoDaddy]

Even though the ONLY off-road riding I do on my GS is - going over the center ground in dead traffic - this is good to know! 😏

[@BikerBijilal]

Thanks Bret 👍👍👍

[@jigmephelgye1423]

Thank u for your instructuon

[@OscarHawk1975]

Nice vid! You áre doing a great job

[@antoniocordeiro2528]

When I see your videos, I realize I have a lot to learn.

[@missk1942]

Excellent 👍

[@SwabianBiker]

Thank you for the great video! Which tyres do you prefer? Which tyres do have on this bike? Regards from germany

[@robertbotta6536]

You are awesome. Thanks a ton.

[@TheGhosTech]

Grate stuff. What about riding on ruts. I some times loose my balance and end up paddling the bike or the front just does not want to go where I want it to go!!

[@BretTkacs]

We will get to grinding eventually

[@KaVeikiaSimas]

That's useful. Thanks!

[@johncarlson9999]

That was a good video!

[@CowboyX1000]

Solid advice.

[@Simulera]

Really solid instruction from a guy with skills. Impressed with these videos. I’m new to the channel. (Just to be sure, you’re saying we should stay on the pegs, right? 🙃)

[@MOTOTREK]

Welcome, Chris!

[@fortefacu]

Amazing video!, Now i need another of "how to fall off the motorcycle" when it's too late for dab... Thank you for sharing your knoeledge

[@BretTkacs]

Tuck and roll :-)

[@marksearsjr]

Think you need to come to the north east some time for a teaching class pretty sure you would get plenty of us to sign up.

[@BretTkacs]

It's been awhile since I've taught in the NE. Did an ADV camp with Twisted Throttle in Rhode Island

[@luanshaqiri1611]

Your bike looks great! Really!

[@MargusMoto]

This is my new mantra: "Get back on the pegs! Always get back on the pegs!!" :)

[@erkutgurun]

Those boots look awesome. The Sidi Crossfire 3, right? So darn expensive but worth it. I need to get a pair.