How To Ride Down STEEP RUTTED HILLS & Trails on an Adventure Bike - Full Lesson

Join Dusty on his R1250GS in the rough Arizona outback and learn all the steps you'll need to safely ride down a steep, rutted low-traction hill on your heavy, loaded adventure motorcycle.
Visit Dusty Wessels at west38moto.com
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More HILLS videos @
• How To Ride Steep Hill...
• Downhill Riding Lesson...
#R1250GS #offroad #Arizona #dangerous #apache #trail #dualsport #tim.tyler.cine #bmwmotorrad #west38moto #findMOTOTREK

[@keithsorrels6903]

The information really "saved" me today. I was riding my KLR-650 on a steep non-maintained road to an antenna sight at the pointy top of a Butte here in central Oregon. The "road" was getting steeper and rougher as I climbed. Couldn't stop, road was clogged with walnut sized rocks and also adversely banked. Finally found a small, more level spot and turned around (20 point turn). I desended the first 60 yds slowly and carefully using this technique and finally got back to a rideable surface. I'm sure glad I watched it a while back. I'm nearly 70 and only KLR riding for 2 years. Amazing how easily one can get in "over their head." Thanks a lot for this video.

[@fallinginthed33p]

Same here, I kept riding up a trail until it became a steep, rutted rocky mess. I should have walked the steep part first to see what was beyond, instead of just throttling up. I turned around on a flat ledge and then half rode, half walked the bike down. Using the clutch as another brake definitely helps.

[@AlexonRoad]

these videos from Mototrek are really helpful, especially this one, which shows that you can come down such slopes calmly and prudently. What I really don’t understand how to give these and other clips of this kind a dislike. Guys, it's for free here. Even if not everything suits your taste, you are happy that there are professionals who pass on knowledge in this way and take the time to produce it.

[@bradleyland]

Sadly, I think it's people who are hung up on the fact that Bret isn't in the video. I really like Brett too, but Dusty is fantastic, and instructs really well. It's a shame people can be so negative in what is otherwise a very welcoming community.

[@west38moto53]

Thanks for the comment and compliments. I really like Brett as well and his videos are great!

[@AlexonRoad]

@@bradleyland I'm with you 100% on that

[@an3880]

That's very true! And thanks to Dusty for speaking so clear and with lower speed. I (german) could understand it much better than the last video.

[@49Roadmaster]

@AlexonRoad I agree with you 100%. The thought process in their brains to dislike these videos boggles my brain, so I can only laugh and feel sorry for them. LOL Definitely would pay money and love to watch these keyboard riders descend this hill on the same motorcycle. @Dusty Wessels with West38Moto. Thanks and another great video!

[@eternalrider777]

You just convinced me to buy a KTM 500 EXC instead of a BMW 1250. Cheers

[@west38moto53]

Haha...no kidding right! A much better bike for terrain like this no question. I like to ride the big bikes and sometimes find myself in situations like this and have had to fail (more than a few times) to figure out a better way. Why not get both? ;-)

[@sandieguitoadult]

Yes but, gettting down to Southern Chile on that KTM doesnt seem too comfortable for the long bits on the highways. I'm still undecided.

[@Angry-Lynx]

Yup, leave big bikes for real men 😂

[@brianmeyer3050]

Alternative approach: stand up on the pegs and send it! That center line looked smooth enough : O

[@danytheunicorn95]

that is how a true professional would have done it!

[@Gabitonb]

@@danytheunicorn95 im pretty sure he can manage to go down that hill just fine, but hes just teaching the safest way to less experience rider to do it

[@MOTOTREK]

Spot on, Gabriel.

[@bradleyland]

@@Gabitonb I like the part where he's like, "I could just stand up and ride it down..." There was an implied, "but you're not me." I had a good chuckle. True, Dusty, So true lol.

[@lukaszbartkowicz]

EXACTLY!

[@tuppence101]

Just completed the Level 1 with Dusty, and came across this very situation. As a new off-road rider, this seemed daunting! Dusty personally walked me through it, step by step with one-on-one instruction, explaining what to do, when and why. I cleared the hill and learned a valuable leasson. The instruction was outstanding, and Dusty's endless passion and personal attention made the weekend training nothing short of exceptional. Just wanted to thank him, and his great team.

[@brianmeyer3050]

Also, I would have loved to see your technique getting up that same hill.

[@andrasattilatakacsdr.9799]

Yes, please ride up.

[@venkatesh-iyer]

Yeah. Need up hill advise

[@west38moto53]

Thanks everyone! Haha, this would have been a challenging uphill. We'll definitely do a challenging uphill at some point.

[@alanhache502]

I find that photos or videos of slopes make them appear less intimidating than in real life. What seems easy is actually more difficult than viewers realize.

[@boltongregg]

You could look here for one example... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIGldGZjp6dsb5Y Not quite as challenging as this hill might have been, but still good stuff

[@user-qm9oo2fd2o]

I’ve done quite a bit of desert trail riding. The ruts can be almost impossible after quite a bit of use and lots of rain. Sometimes the best way down or up is not the rutted road but just a few feet off the road. We fixate on the road and forget about the much easier path. Still fun and challenging taking the seemingly impossible route. Good video!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks!

[@C4H10N4O2]

I never used the clutch to brake my rear wheel, that's a really interesting idea to free up your right foot when needed !

[@coloradoraptorguy9250]

Iridium it works amazing.

[@machinist2547]

It’s the way to break when you’re going downhill backwards!

[@bradleyland]

Works great for loading / unloading your bike on a ramp too. It's basically a deadman's brake.

[@west38moto53]

Exactly! Gotta say, the day I was taught this same skill, was a great day :-)

[@autonomity5902]

@@bradleyland If you ever need to go on a ferry it's also the way to keep your bike in place, hit the killswitch in first gear and the bike won't go anywhere.

[@wandering_armadillo]

You are a brilliant teacher .... I'm not even planning on taking my Scrambler down anything like that ever, but .... loved watching this!

[@west38moto53]

Di Korlaet thank you!

[@gudgengrebe]

My first instinct when I heard you switch off the engine was that it would go out of control free wheeling down hill. I thought engine braking was the way to go. Boy am I glad I decided to watch you anyway! I have never heard about or seen this method before. I wonder how many people will be able to get out of a tight spot after they watch this! I’m going to subscribe now. If I lived in America I’d sign up for training. I thought this was a fantastic video. You demonstrated and described your actions so well. Thank you sir.

[@AdventuresOfKymaniAndMe]

This technique saved me today out of a evil rut... Got lost on the mountains and had to use a heavy rutted hiking trail to get down... Saved me for sure....

[@onanyfunday3028]

Thank you for taking the time to show new riders, and riders new to riding off-road how to overcome obstacles that they wouldn't otherwise be comfortable tackling.

[@west38moto53]

MotoSquidAdventures that’s our goal! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Pcfly]

Dusty!! You Badass.......you’re still a movie STAR! 🤘🏽😁

[@west38moto53]

Paul Calisto Hahahahahaha thank you! Let’s not forget the guy who makes it all look good! Tim is the man!

[@suv2w]

Invaluable advice as usual! I’m one of those heavy adv bike jackasses that goes to perform comedy for the dirt bikers at the ohv parks and wish I’d seen this years ago. Great distillation of the skills to getting down too-gnarly-for-me-dawg hills

[@skannal]

You have a good gift for teaching (words, attitude, patience). Thanks.

[@west38moto53]

nmFreeWheeler thank you for the compliment 😊

[@josephbarnes7217]

Most suspenseful KZbin video I’ve ever seen. good job.

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks, Joseph! 😃

[@west38moto53]

Thank you!

[@kcrush1]

Thanks👍 I might add one thing. You’re allowed to move rocks before descending a gnarly hill. Great video! Keep them coming!

[@west38moto53]

Haha, right on!

[@theknivjocke]

Lots of great advice in this video. Riding that big cow in conditions like this is certainly hard, all advice is greatly appreciated. Using the engine turned off to brake the rear wheel was certainly an eye opener to me.

[@west38moto53]

knivjocke glad you enjoyed!

[@mrrodneyalong]

I ride a honda ctx700 street bike and one day I found myself on a saturated down hill dirt (mud) road. With street tires I had no chance of getting back up the hill to the gravel since I had traveled some 180 feet or more just trying to get stopped without falling over. To get off and walk the 4 to 6 miles to get cell phone coverage I would have had to lay the bike on its side. There was a 4 foot ditch on one side and a 10 foot or more drop off into a creek on the other with ruts and mud holes all over the road way. I used what I learned from this video to proceed. I was only looking for a place to park the bike so I could walk out and get my 4x4 truck and trailer to recover the bike. When I finally got to a spot that I could do that I was at the paved road. Having no offroad experience on 2 wheels I thank you for this video. Their is no doubt that I would have been hurt and damaged my bike if not for this video because I would have tried to ride it dow and through all that mess.

[@michaelblake3015]

I have to say that this video is excellent. I found myself alone in Sardinia last week and faced with a heavy washes rutted decent route. I remembered this video and it really helped me get down the hill. Engine off, 1st gear and use the clutch lever to control the rear tyre on my Africa Twin. Take your time and don't panic. Thank you for these videos!!

[@davereinhart9933]

Best ADV videos anywhere are here!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thx, Dave!

[@motorockerd]

MOTOTREK always teaches something more to MOTOROCKER!!! Keep up !!!

[@west38moto53]

Thank you!

[@ashishjain5965]

The first 30 secs is like a western movie scene on a horse. Badass!

[@MrRplo]

A+. Thanks for producing. Out solo, this is a great option for running that slope or something like it regardless of your skill level and how great of rider you are. Video is informative and demonstrates a different approach which in my book is invaluable. I definitely wouldn't have approached this slope in this manner. Learned something today. If it looks steep and deep in the video, then it is twice that live. Who gave this a thumbs down - doesn't make sense. Anyone else tired of hearing how a lighter bike is the better option - don't care (rhetorical)

[@west38moto53]

Thank you!

[@glossblack1098]

For a new rider, I suggest building up your knarly downhill (and uphill) skills on a 250 first. Then apply this to your bigger ADV bike when confident.

[@MOTOTREK]

Good advice.

[@383SS350]

Learning on lighter bikes is such an overlooked concept in the motorcycle community. While I wasn't a bad rider when I first started riding, I definitely progressed in size too quickly. I started on an R6, then FZ1, then FJR1300. It wasn't until I got my YZ426 supermoto, that I really started learning and improving. Not as fast as my other bikes, definitely not suited for touring, but an absolute blast in a tight canyon road.

[@mattcoats896]

you never know when a dirt road turns steep and rutted.. For me, i almost always want to keep going whether I'm on the big bike (GS) or medium weight Enduro (GX). Dusty said it, turn around or go down is the choice on the bike you rode in on. Where I am, I may not have made it close to that hill on the 250 depending on where you started.... hundreds of miles to fun stuff for me.

[@yogmoto4221]

Best video I have see yet on this subject!! I like the part when he stops and relaxes. Not fun when you’re in the moment but when you make it through the area the rest seems easy.

[@kellyr3655]

I liked how you took your time, explained every little thing you were doing, & didn't just give a rushed explanation of what you were going to do & then sail through it. It made it much easier for people to follow & absorb. Especially those with little riding experience. I'd be more careful going down this on my Suzuki V-Strom 650. Not so much on my old Honda XR250. Same hill, but two totally different animals that will handle it differently. And of course, excellent video quality as always.

[@rassanity3292]

That first gear clutching is so obvious and I never thought of it haha, learn something everday.

[@senatechnologies]

I cringed at 2:39 ...very well done Dusty. Way to make it look easy -Alyssa

[@west38moto53]

Haha, YOU cringed!? The entry was a bit dicey for sure!!! :-)

[@orangelion03]

Excellent video Dusty! Thanks!!

[@ArizonaMotovlog]

I watched this again Saturday morning while having breakfast, and found myself having to do it later that day while coming down from Montana Mountain, AZ. Useful skills! Thanks, Dusty!

[@tumbleweed-life]

When you look at that down hill you also need to look at the fact that you may have to go back up that hill just in case the trail gets worse down the line and you have to turn around! Another good video.

[@adonayneves758]

Just Fantastic!!!

[@TMAdventuresT7]

Very informative channel, cheers Dusty 🙌🏽

[@kdub3030]

Great video for big adv bikes. But that’s why I have a WR. I just ride through it.

[@danmanthe9335]

Another reason I don't ride an 'ADV' I prefer dual sports. More power to him for getting through that on an R1200

[@pauldavidson6321]

I'd go down that on my 1190 KTM (broken bones heal ,chicks dig scars ) no problems .

[@Crust2013]

@@pauldavidson6321 yea hard roll off it in 3rd all done into the next toil aye mate

[@pauldavidson6321]

@@Crust2013 damn straight brother no fall no balls !

[@brianmeyer3050]

If you're not getting your ADV bike somewhere it doesn't belong, you're not correctly using it!

[@jumper2079]

Great video Dusty. Thanks.

[@AfricaOnTheRoad]

Excellent movie! I didn't expect to shout down my engine while going down. I like this guy!

[@west38moto53]

Thank you!

[@jameshoward2088]

I always find something of use in all of your videos (today was using the clutch w/ bike off/in gear to help control the rear wheel) no matter how much experience I think I have. 16 years riding off-road and I learned something that I really haven’t ever thought of before. Love the work you guys do

[@west38moto53]

Thanks James!

[@shark2494]

I agree, it is a good method and has come in handy in the past. But that technique should have been brought to viewers attention before committing to the descent.

[@leechunyendanielleecy2646]

Encouraging and very practical pieces of advice - thank you for all your efforts in sharing these with us .

[@tmark1301cc]

Very nicely done, clarification for dummies previous comments appreciated. Thank you.

[@robbessell5704]

Excellent presentation. This is the sort of thing newer riders are looking for.

[@MOTOTREK]

Glad it was helpful, Rob.

[@robertvonk6500]

Hey Dusty, your vid on how to safely ride down a steep, rutted low-traction hill is amazing! Thanks so much for posting, You are one hell of a teacher! I have watched this footage several times now. So good!

[@olliechristopher467]

Thanks Dusty! That is really good advice for us solo riders.

[@okanaganrider4332]

Always learn so much with your videos. Stuff I wouldn't have normally done..

[@TheQ427]

Really scary, but the way you managed it took away some of the fear - really enjoyed the vid - thanks and Stay safe

[@MOTOTREK]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@nicumelinte3967]

Vă mulțumesc pentru recomandare ! Mult, mult succes în continuare. 👍👍👍👍

[@jonathanreed1293]

I am watching this video again a year after I watched it the first time and remembering how it saved my bacon! I am very much a beginner off road and got to a horrible hill on a rental GS in South Africa riding the Baviaanskloof. I don’t think I would have got down without the tips I got from this and many more of your excellent videos. Thank you and keep up the good work

[@theflyingdomi2799]

Really helpful video. Makes much sense in how you analyse the road ahead to decide the approach

[@javierf55]

Amazing video!!! Thanks for sharing all your professional skills. One of my favorite channels

[@marshallfischer3667]

I appreciate videos like this. I have come across hairy situations while on the fly and used techniques that I have learned here to successfully navigate them.

[@west38moto53]

Thanks Marshall.

[@LoveHandlesss]

Good video both for its comments and filming!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thank you, Antonis.

[@stevesida3020]

Man, I could have used this video last year in a few spots! Great instruction! I have met Dusty at ADV events in Denver, but never have taken one of his courses - that will be changing. Super cool guy and clearly a hell of an instructor!

[@JozsaMarton]

*and now lets go back uphill!*

[@idselseno2306]

Chris Birch has entered the chat.

[@rhllnm]

That's what sucks, when you get past a few ugly sections and encounter something that suggests turning around. Oh shit, I have to go back through that stuff!

[@west38moto53]

@@rhllnm great point! Before we shot this we found a way for me to get back up. We determined it was possible to get back up this hill, but risky on this loaded beast and the consequences are big for any small mishap.

[@dexio85]

That's my biggest worry on a heavier ADV bike especially when I'm exploring and don't really have a track to follow. It already happened once or twice that I drove myself into a situation that there was no easy way back.

[@mikelovejoy7552]

Really good explanation. Thanks

[@mytruenorth5593]

Dude, your videos are stellar. As a brand new rider, I am getting a ton of information of that I may not have been able to figure out on the trails on my own. But also being an off roader in my Jeep, I know it's damn near impossible to show just how gnarly the terrain is on photos or videos. But I can tell that this hill is no joke. I love how calm and Zen-like you are in all of your videos. Subscribed for sure!

[@morelcompasstv]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@johnbird7100]

Thank you for your Great instruction. I Really appreciate this.

[@trippstips1]

I just want to say that this video, like all the MOTOTREK videos, is so well made, so helpful, and I'm really grateful for it! I look forward to riding with you in SoCal (and Baja??) before long, Dusty!

[@pmfilmsUK]

Want to thank you in advance. Great tip. You've probably saved me from falling downhill in my future adventure ride. 👍

[@west38moto53]

Patrick Mills Thanks Patrick!

[@kevinking1417]

Fantastic informative and clear instructional video and your "in person" training is phenomenal as well.

[@PadreAlan67]

A worthy successor to Brett. Nice work.

[@jdhsingi]

Where did Brett go?

[@MOTOTREK]

mototrek.net/2020/03/04/hey-wheres-bret/

[@ExploratoryBehaviour]

Loved the content!!! Although I do ride off road... Never thought of shutting off the engine like this... Thanks for the skill enhancement!!!

[@TwoFourCharlie007]

These videos are so informative, we were meant to be doing Spain this year off road and I’ve watched all of your videos to help us, as I’ve just started a you tube channel and trying to get it off the ground I was gonna film all the guys riding over the Pyrenees confidently all down to your vids, keep em coming😎✊

[@KRColson]

Great advise! I was into a situation similar to this one and I ended up dropping my two week old Versys 650! Luckily some scratches on my high side panier and minor ones on the bush guard. All in all it could have been much worse! Thank you so much sharing your knowledge and expertise. Cheers.

[@mariodome9430]

Wau perfect work, difficult terrain, thanks a nice video! 👍

[@willmcgregor7184]

Nicely done. Thanks for the tips

[@trailsofliving5837]

Very useful tips, thanks for sharing. Keep the great work!

[@Jotx]

Ok, now UP!! Really cool vids and really helpful!!

[@pepeseco6643]

Superb! Never thougth to do it this way. A new lesson in bike life. Congratulations and thanks a lot!

[@west38moto53]

Pepe Seco Thank you!

[@rickwatson1000]

Great instruction !

[@WMDTVIDS]

AWESOME! thank you for this, wish I'd seen this before last weekend.

[@shaneksmith1957]

Awesome instruction! Thank You!

[@kodx1]

Really happy with this host, love the delivery.

[@cornelisberndsen]

Thank you for a great video. I get it now: First gear & clutch rather than rear brake. Take your time. It does not have to look dignified.

[@neetaayana]

Thanks! This was very helpful. It would also help if we knew how to climb such ruts if we faced them uphill.

[@hb646730]

Similar to downhill. First, walk the hill. Then slowly, 1st gear walk her up :). The front brake is your friend. The alternate method includes...look up and BRAAAAAPPP it.

[@neetaayana]

I understand. I was thinking seeing it visually has more visual cues which are very helpful.

[@andreachinaglia5804]

@@hb646730 i disagree, downhill your main problem is to stop the bike, somehow the slower you are the better it is. uphill you have to build and maintain momentum, if you come to a stop with a heavy bike like that you will never be able to start again. only some of the things shown here apply also there, like to walk and decide a line before trying, and you surely can't walk an heavy bike up with one or 2 feets on the ground, maybe you must do a very quick paddle at some point to keep you balanced on the bike, but you have to be 99% of the time on the pegs and a much higher speed. anyway there is a good Bret's video about it in the channel. it will not be a braaappp like the one that you can do on a light enduro bike, is sure, but will be something in that direction if you don't want to stop in the middle of the uphill without a chance to start again, thing that a light enduro bike maybe can do, but a 1000 or more one will never do.

[@MOTOTREK]

Front brake is ineffective for stopping when going up hill. It's the downhill-brake that has the stopping power since the downhill-wheel has most of the weight.

[@neetaayana]

MOTOTREK do you mean rear brake?

[@Propelled]

Is there another vid of riding back up?

[@danielspieluhr]

Omg that bring back Memories. Did a steep downhill once, It had a Nice not little right curve and It was night 🤦🤦

[@trailsofliving5837]

Thanks 👍 Really helpful video! Keep them coming ✌

[@lemayelaine]

oh man, this brings back stressful memories!! :o and helpful for sure!

[@littlefarmer32]

Good job on the hill, I have ridden my bike up, and down some gnarly steep hills, and in all types of weather and terrain. Have fun go offroad

[@bradleyland]

Awesome lesson, Dusty. That sand at the end tho :) I live down in Florida (aka The Sandbox), so I'll take as many sand riding tips as I can get. I've seen the other MOTOTREK video on sand, but I still struggle (R1250GS) with control and especially turning. I can keep the bike going in a straight line, but turning is a real nightmare. The front wants to wash out bad. Thanks for all the awesome content, and a big thanks to Dusty for sharing his skills!

[@west38moto53]

Thanks Brad! Good idea...turning around or just plain turning in sand! Not easy and I don't always make it when I try ;-)

[@MTreatVO]

I live in an area where you would expect there to be ADV classes, yet there arent any. I really appreciate you guys doing these videos as I am a solo rider most of the time and have not been able to find an instructor. Thanks again.

[@MotoAdventureWorld]

Very helpful. Many thanks!

[@MrGranotaverda]

¡ Gran Leccion ! Muchas gracias. Great lesson ! Thank you .

[@MOTOTREK]

De nada, Enric.

[@TEB64]

Great presentation, thank you.

[@RandomGRK]

Great video! Now to commit this to memory

[@danield112]

Awesome. Got a trip across Australia and we get ruts like that... you guys have been a great help in getting me ready for this trip, keep up the good work.

[@MOTOTREK]

Glad to help, Daniel.

[@west38moto53]

Daniel D thank you!

[@pixelotix]

This video was awesome, not even just as a learning experience but watching you take the hill was super fun.

[@vivekrao8958]

I felt like i was trying to ride down that....amazing video 👍🏻 And amazing skill 👌🏻 Thank you !!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks ✌️

[@west38moto53]

Thank you Vivek!

[@jimsnider3971]

Great video! Brett at Sandia BMW in ABQ gave me your business card yesterday and I'm looking forward to taking some of your classes.....when I finally get that GS next year.

[@martinpetrov4913]

Totally useless, I've never seen such a rutted hill on a way to starbucks!

[@johnroethel5527]

You win the comment section. LMFAO. You might get your $2000 Klim suit dirty. Now go and enjoy your latte!!!!

[@andrasattilatakacsdr.9799]

do not ride adventure bike than. stay in downtown on a cafe racer

[@TheSlyckx]

🙄

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Try riding over all those discarded cups at the end of the day.

[@marshallfischer3667]

Lol

[@smrutiranjanmishra8365]

Thank You so much for this video ❤️! Much Needed One 🙏

[@jeffreymeyers22]

Well done sir! Thank you so much for a helpful and informative video.

[@west38moto53]

Thank you for the comment!

[@SammyLeeJ]

Great explanation and how to. Thank you!

[@MOTOTREK]

You are welcome, Lynn.

[@ddacaro3625]

Thanks for this video. Unloaded on my crf300l I wouldn't necessarily shut the bike off, but with panniers on for camping/bdr, this technique makes a lot of sense so thanks for making it. I know it's a lot of work to make such videos.

[@kennethvernonprivate]

...Awesome guys! Thank you!

[@MOTOTREK]

Our pleasure!

[@davegillette953]

Great video, thank you Dusty

[@west38moto53]

Thanks Dave!

[@davemcmahon8140]

Excellently presented.

[@williamgehring2291]

Awesome video and technique!

[@Glasshousebc]

Excellent demo. Cheers