How To Ride Steep Hills On Your Adventure Motorcycle - Safe Techniques You Need to Learn

[@randalllacombe293]

this man dropped a BMW for us in a demonstration, deserves more views tbh

[@rockinrodlittle]

I want to thank you for this and your other instruction videos. I have driven thousands of kilometres around Canada, USA, Borneo, Thailand and South Africa but none of that has prepared me for the terrain I have encountered since moving to Guatemala City and buying a F700GS. A couple of days ago I had to navigate up and down cobblestone roads with a crazy steep grade with traffic and people coming at me from everywhere. Your tip of maintaining throttle and slipping the clutch saved my bacon. It allowed me to maintain my climb and keep the bike centred as there was no room for error. I find your techniques are very well done and useful for the rider who just wants to get out and have an adventure without having to be a former motocross champion. I will keep watching and learning.

[@ZirgerAcademy]

Got my 650 vstrom out on the trails yesterday. I'm riding the Ganeraska Forest trails which range from 4x4 to single track. I am tending to go on the ATV tracks, but man oh man does it still get narly. I climbed some hills yesterday and I could hear you in my head, coaching! I haven't trained with you but i watch your videos all the time since i got this bike. As i went up that hill, i heard you saying, "looks as far ahead as you can, plan it out, see yourself at the top! It was the most intense, in control stuff ive done to date. Thank you for making great videos! They are priceless!

[@djkak5320]

I find that your content and presentation has big value. I purchased my first H-D touring machine, a ‘71 FLH, in ‘75, and my first Adventure machine, a Pan America, 4 days and 350 miles ago...all on the street. I’m jonesing to take this machine off road, nothing too serious at first, in an effort to develop my “sea legs”, then progress to a more challenging environment as I become more accustomed to the experience. I’m not adverse to an intense experience; I was a skydiver and instructor for 10 years in the ‘80’s, and a back-country mountain slender since 1997. I hope develop the skills needed to attempt a gnarly descent like the one that you demonstrated in a video of yours that I watched a few days ago. I’ve had some basic training; I understand the concept of a counterbalanced turn, and I’m not anxious in loose gravel or sand; although I could use some more time in the dirt. I’ll keep you posted!

[@michaelchu3091]

"try it before your big adventure..." hit a chord with me. Your advice and points are spot on. Subbed!

[@YaGirlEmX]

Thanks for the tips! it helped me a lot during my "little" adventure with my CBX 17 model. Even though it's not a "real" ADV bike it's still considerably fair enough for a rookie like me as an entry level bike. I learn a lot on it. A few weeks ago I rode hills near the coast line where I live. It's a rocky place with a lot of gravel and large rocks. What kept me moving was using your tips about how to stand on the bike, feel it and not locking my elbows & knees. I went pretty fast but smoother than expected with road tires on gravel. It's amazing how it's going so smooth when you do it as you're suppose to do it. I see a lot of enduro bikes near the beach where there are dunes and the riders don't even stand on their bikes. These punks even laughed at me once that I'm with a "heavy" bike there. lol, I just hope I've had the money to afford a real adventure motorcycle sooner :). Cheers mate!

[@762N8O]

Eliad Drutin What do you mean its not a “real” adventure bike? ANY bike you take on your adventure is an adventure bike. Dont feel pressured to get a big one. The one you have is good enough until you can afford to break an expensive one 😉 I have seen sportbikes, Grom, harley as adventure offroad bikes. I have seen GSA1200 never touch dirt.

[@YaGirlEmX]

I mean that when you look at a CBX it's a city bike. Well, it might have an adventurous look, comfortable ride position, and excellent fuel mileage.. so yeah it's an adventure bike. That's why I chose it. But the truth is that it's a small and not that adventurous bike as it may seems when you first look at it. If I would want to take it to go on some trails etc' I'd need to do extra preparations. The bike is not equipped with a skid plate and it's expensive as hell, Nor crash bars as standard. No engine guard. No trail tires. The exhaust is low, and the suspension isn't that good for real trails. You'd need to do a lot of modifications it to be an adventure bike. The easy part is buying Rally Raid kits and install them. But as you probably figured it's like buying a new bike. I am not saying I am not happy with the CBX, but I feel that it lacks a lot. It could be Honda's africa twin's little brother and they totally missed it with the new CBX 19. They did not completely change it to an adventure bike. it's like some sort of a hybrid of the two. That's why I am thinking of upgrading my licence to have no limits and when I have enough money to afford a bigger ADV bike I'll go for it. Even a used one that's in good condition. The CBX has a lot of hidden potential, it's more the rider that rides it rather than the ride itself. So I agree with you after all :) BTW I have seen to many old people buying the new BMW1250GS and the old 1200GS and ride only on roads. What a waste ;)

[@SuperBardley]

Eliad Drutin just remember that bigger = heavier, and off-road it is inevitable that you will drop the bike and then have to pick it up again.

[@drz400_moto]

Loved the video guys. I’ve saved the last three up and ‘binged’ the last couple of nights! Keep it up and can’t wait to see what the warmer weather brings. 👌

[@DonvanDoorn]

I found your channel today! I love your videos! You explain in a very clear and fun way. Keep it up!

[@0HARE]

Excellent technique and strategy. I’ll definitely take it to heart. The tip about walking the hill first is priceless. Happy Trails

[@simonthomas5367]

Man, I wish I lived nearer your school!! Another great clip. So easy to understand. And so many of us never dismount and go take a look!!

[@Funtimes670]

I laid my KLR over to day trying to climb a dirt hill. About never got it upright again but it was good experience. I am for sure too green and didn’t have enough speed at the top to make it. I will try again once I have my crash bars installed!

[@jimgerace6158]

Thanks for the suggestions and the ease of presentation . Very useful information. I like all your videos so far.

[@fredflyingv3863]

Thanks you for lot of tips! I like this channel! Good job! I live in France

[@mrgsa3591]

I wonder if he’s wearing that hat also under his helmet 😂

[@BretTkacs]

Yes

[@SuperBardley]

Bret Tkacs shower too?

[@thetessellater9163]

and sleeps with it on.

[@DomT0311]

Great channel, please keep the cameras rolling on this production.

[@jimdeblock]

fantastic channel! keep'em coming guys!!!

[@AyhanErkin]

tnx bro ! good narration and useful information... I wish to continue! Keep it up!...

[@stephenevans596]

Before I pose my question let me say how much I like your video's. They are extremely well done, chock full of information & you really seem to get into them which makes them all the more enjoyable to watch. I'm 71 (yoa) & a very good street rider - many long distance trips - Iron Butt rides & track days but I'm very new to riding off road. Being new, plus my age, I find myself alittle apprehensive but I'm taking it slow & easy & have used a tremendous amount of your teachings so far & so far I haven't fallen but I'm sure that's coming. I ride a 2018 Super Tenere & in most of your video's you have panniers on & in this video you don't. I have hard panniers on the Tenere - my question - Is it better to go off road with or without the panniers attached? & lets suppose that I'm at a campground for a day or two, not just passing thru, so I'll be back at the same place that evening. I look forward to your advice.

[@MOTOTREK]

Hi, Stephen. If you can afford to ride without panniers the bike will be lighter and easier to maneuver. Panniers *can* offer protection if the bike tips over on your leg, but they can also cause injury if your leg gets caught by the pannier during a higher speed tip-over. We also have a "Hard/Soft Pannier" comparison video. Hope that helps.

[@stephenevans596]

@@MOTOTREK i thank you for your time & input & again - excellent video's.

[@_pudu661]

0:48 is just like the road I have to ride down everyday on a semi automatic and at a right angle.

[@mweskamppp]

I tried another way in the woods (allowed for traffic). Unfortunately under half inch dry surface i soon had 2 to 4 inch wet clay. Immediately full profile with the front wheel slipping to the side. I do lift with the back to the bike. No problem. I had to do it 6 times until I was out of it. I wished i had a technique to go threw without falling off so often.

[@jcblum1507]

Great video, I'm a fan of your channel, and I try to practice what you teach in your videos. I would like to know how to go down hills with my motorcycle, I am not sure what to do to go down a hill, ... if I have to brake with the front brake or with the rear one or with both, or if I have to go very slow or let me roll in first gear or in second gear, because in very steep hills the bike begins to skid, and I feel very insecure. thank you again

[@MOTOTREK]

Go as slow as you can, Julio. Practice on small hills and try steeper hills as you gain confidence. Both brakes can be used sometimes. Be careful.

[@LHT-Casual]

Just in case you didn't see it, they put up a video today for rutted downhills!

[@romakayak]

I love your videos and I have subscribed. I have a 94 transalp I ride like an enduring but have already had one serious accident hill climbing.

[@antdx316]

The hills aren't the issue if you have enough power and traction, it's what is over the hill. It could be a huge drop/cliff and turning around could be an issue if too narrow especially with rocks and other things on the trail. I suggest knowing what is over first with a drone or by walking.

[@noidea2655]

Why are you suggestion to keep the clutch fully in while going downhill? Isnt it better to also use the engine break in conjunction with the other breaks?

[@robmckay4162]

great channel, well done

[@Shadow_Man171]

Thanks for your technique. It's a very important.

[@650thumper]

I've heard you a lot on ARR but just found this channel today. Looking forward to viewing them all! I'm curious as to why you didn't use any engine brake going down.

[@BretTkacs]

Kevin Bushell brakes are better for total control. Engine braking has its use but I use it very seldom.

[@SheenHunter-SeattleFreeze]

This video has a Anthony Bourdain show and tell feel to it. I love the sound effects, #badthingshappen example, you being the stunt man and movie star, fun facts and voice fluctuations. Man, you make excellent videos! This drum music is good. What is a bonsai point? I love riding off road, thanks for showing how you do this.

[@mattjorgensen6573]

Thanks for the nice comments about the music!

[@MOTOTREK]

Glad you like it, Sheen. The Banzai Point is where you can no longer control your decent speed and you must commit to riding the rest of the hill. It's the point where the brakes come off and descending is the only option.

[@BretTkacs]

the bonsai point is the point where you no longer can control the speed of your decent and you have to just go for it...

[@markust8904]

so... a 600b bike going downhill trying to feather use of the brake (rear) and on that degree slope locks up, weight back and starts to get away. Don't want to use the front brake too much, speed is picking up, looking ahead to all those gnarly rocks and deep ruts, what happens now except Bonsai time?

[@MOTOTREK]

Mark, the downhill wheel / brake will be the most effective at maintaining speed / slowing the bike on any hill. If you're going forward down the hill, focus on the front brake as the rear is less effective at slowing the bike. You'll want to start the descent at the slowest possible speed and then feather both brakes.

[@vikasupadhyay1398]

Need your suggestion , would a longer wheelbase cruiser turn poorly at hilly twisties or would it be more stable compared to a bike that has higher seat height ?

[@ArtyYeo]

Thanks, Bret. for your instructional guidance. Your videos are helpful. Question: there seems to be quite a bit of analysis done on the terrain of that hill. How do you get this analysis done if, say, you are riding a BDR or any longer off-road trips and come to this? Do you stop to do some analysis before you embark on the hill?

[@sgtunix]

At 3:55 you see how steep / rough this hill actually is. Earlier in the video it looks different, in my opinion.

[@MOTOTREK]

+Torbjørn Kristoffersen yes, it's hard to recognize how steep a hill is on 2D.

[@BretTkacs]

Yes yes yes.... someone gets it

[@yagian]

Great video. Makes me want to go try some hills!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks, Ian!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks for the "drum kit background" music suggestion on the TOOLS video, Ian. I think the classroom videos might be best without background music. We'll keep trying different things.

[@DanBrianGerona]

MOTOTREK do you have a video on how to tackle an uphill curve and offroad? Especially those really steep ones and loose gravel.

[@Sj1bby]

Don't start on a long adventure... I'm from The Netherlands, there is no hill in sight for 100+miles...

[@luisdiegocr]

Counter steering is the only way to steer a bike at speed higher than 13mph (more or less depending.on the bike). If you manage to start the counter steering action by doing something else first, like "weigh on the inside pegs" or "body facing the turn", that is not.the reason why the bike turn. You can actually do the opposite to this video,body facing the outside of the turn, but use counter steering to turn the bike in the desire direction

[@adammacfie8591]

You’re the man

[@outty77]

Ugh, last time I went up a big steep gnarly hill I biffed it, bruised my spleen... Coulda used this video back then! Looked just like 1:02, I'd imagine.

[@rc2634]

amazing videos and channel

[@averageguyadventures]

Really wish I had seen this video a month ago. Tried walking my KLR up a hill and ended up dropping it and spraining my elbow.

[@MOTOTREK]

Sorry to hear that!

[@navalrawat282]

Could you please elaborate on what do you mean when you say My Clutch is? Thanks

[@showmytime9177]

Hey Bret, how about stopping in the middle of the steep gravel and rock hill and then trying to start from there? It took me an hour to get the bike turned back (210kg) and quite a few tumbles while on such a steep incline. Also, I cannot disable ABS on the frknt wheel so if it jams I have no front brake

[@jakesleagans3496]

Yup...go watch Phantom Lake...Brian Tome. Great learning video on the problems one can encounter without experience.

[@Oldwiseguy-59]

How do you know a jumper isn’t coming the other direction if there is no spotter, sound? Can be dangerous.

[@GiveWayMotovlog]

i will need this skill

[@davidbacksen5591]

Love to see a few video's of your BMW fully loaded in sand and hills, I do mean FULLY loaded !

[@BretTkacs]

You got your wish... The Moab video was shot with my Ike loaded for a 3500mi trip.

[@lupicustrametis959]

What is „rötteln“ the crutch? 🤔

[@Etienne93]

If you want to see some enduro action, maybe you can watch our last trip to the Cevennen in France. My father, my brother and I try to make one tour per year with our motorbikes. You can check our videos on my channel. In summer #18 we´ll start our next tour. See you soon and thanks for watching, maybe. ;-) Take care on your Bike.

[@kooler999ify]

When climbing uphill do we steer the bike using the pegs or the handlebar Great video BTW.

[@gilvietor1918]

Bit of both, knees grip the bike, butt more rearward, feet might quickly hit the ground, so be ready to dance over the bike. I have minimal street experience but copious dirt, motocross/supercross time (never as a professional). The front will be lighter and personally not sure if he has talked about this, but don't stare at stuff. You'll get target fixation, and run into it, look at where you want to go, scan. That kind of thing.

[@udafflong1619]

Would you be so kind to tell few words about yout tires? It seems Mitas E-07 to me. How is it to your opinion?

Hi, What if we fail middle of the hill and don't have a chance to turn and go down? Every time when we throttle the rear tire starts to spin because of the gravel. What will the solution? I was in this situation a few weeks ago and I finished my clutch. Then after a few hours later some guys come to help and we pushed the bike to the top of the hill. :(

[@yaghos8434]

Great luv frm pakistan

[@tomkitchen2764]

Is an oil head the same as an air head?

[@jchaverri]

If I'm riding a steep hill on gravel or lose rock, should I disable my traction control? Have heard contradicting opinions. My bike only has on or off, no "off road" specific traction control or ABS. Thanks!

[@DaveWuzHere]

I need an adventure bike in my life

[@miguelmiranda9122]

nice!!!

[@sebastianomandala7936]

what tyres are those and do you still use them?

[@Porsche996driver]

I’m new to this and it sure doesn’t matter this vid is 3 years old ha.

[@OhadSebbag]

Do you do this in 1st or 2nd gear?

[@sunnyvalejedi]

What about traction control, Bret?

[@cryptohodler1239]

Yup turn that shit off

[@deepakmadhavan6778]

ഇതല്ല ഇതിന്റെ അപ്പുറം ചാടി കടന്നവനാണീ ഇടുക്കി കാരൻ....🕺

[@naveenkr5992]

ഉരുളൻ കല്ല് പിന്നേം സഹിക്കാം. ചരൽ കാരണം നടന്ന് കേറാൻ പോലും പറ്റാത്ത കുന്നിലേക്ക് ബൈക്ക് ഓടിച്ചു കേറ്റണം.

[@deepakmadhavan6778]

@@naveenkr5992 ഓ... മയ്...ഗാട്.... പിന്നേം മലയാളി.......!😍😁😁😍

[@eric224]

do you recommand to alway be standing on your peg's upwright position in a down hill situation? or should I stay on my seat (v-strom 1000 2015) From Montreal thank's

[@BretTkacs]

Eric the short answer is yes I would recommend standing. If we look had enough we could find an exception I'm sure but it would be very rare.

[@eddybedder2865]

Where was this at in wa?

[@aaronszy]

Great content! Would love to see more of these how-to vids for big ADV bikes. Needs more viewers :)

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks, Aaron. Spread the word!

[@BretTkacs]

agreed... working on the viewers. To often I see people being told to ride these monsters like a dirtbike, they are different beast.

[@jeffmorrissey9562]

Don't you hate it when your halfway down a hill like this, and you realize that you forgot to turn off your ABS?

[@BretTkacs]

YES...

[@kenpage7305]

Been there. Panicked there. Almost rear-ended my buddy there.

[@grantf.]

Newish rider here, my bike has ABS, but can't be turned off Kawasaki Versys-X 300 what does the ABS do that is bad for downhill? My natural instinct is to put bike in 1st or 2nd gear and just let the bike do the work. Trying to learn as much as I can.

[@kenpage7305]

The reason why it is sometimes beneficial to deactivate your ABS is that when riding on dirt, the system will repeatedly engage, and severely reduce the bikes stopping potential. The loss of braking is more severe when the incline is steeper. I do not know much about your bike, but you might want to check the owners manual to see if there is a fuse that is dedicated to (or at least won't deactivate another critical feature) the ABS, and then just pull it out and stick in your pocket when riding on dirt. Many riders, especially older guys who did not grow up with ABS, never put the fuse back in. Personally, I am 50 years old and have been on bikes for over 35 years, I do not care for the ABS system on my BMW 1200GS. I do not like "negotiating" with the bike when I put in commands, and usually forget all about it until I am on dirt hill trying to stop the bike. It can be an "oh shit" moment

[@kkfoto]

My biggest problem also is going down, not so much going up :) My bike's ABS can't be turned off... panic time!

[@migueltrujillo5932]

4:31 Tiger.

[@yessure5291]

Motorcycle Traction control on or turned off?

[@BretTkacs]

No Traction control on my old GS. Traction control is still the weak link in alot of new bikes of road. I haven't found a bike i like to leave the TC on. The Ducati Multistrada Enduro was close

[@steveknight7830]

I'd like some instruction on using the traction modes to the best advantage in challenging conditions? Use TC to avoid wheel spin in a slippery hill? Thx.

[@762N8O]

Steve , I dropped my KTM on my first hillclimb from leaving full sport mode TC on. It cuts your power and thats no bueno. Some systems allow more slip of the rear to mitigate this (offroad TC mode) which I should have remembered to use

[@diegofianza3525]

Body position?

[@MOTOTREK]

Find the neutral position, Diego, so the bike is free to move beneath you and you can still maintain balance and control.

[@oosteveo315]

Get your head over the bars more and get on your toes! Don't flat foot your pegs. - especially up hill. My.02.

[@jbherm72]

How about tire pressure, do I need to air down to get more traction?

[@zozerro]

Good video, good content video creator, thanks for the instruction video. I'm one of your fans from Indonesia. I'm watching all your videos and share to my community which is often riding with me in Yogyakarta city. In my community there no one riding big motorcycle like GS, only 250cc maximum. But, because your video we get a lot of knowledge how to riding motorcycle in adventure track. My motorcycle is Honda CB150R streetfire modified become adventure style. One more thanks for all your video.

[@MOTOTREK]

You are most welcome, Rizal!

[@Heyalth]

ive taken my old gl1200 up and down worse terrain than this, its all about the rider

[@MOTOTREK]

+Heyalth , absolutely.

[@BretTkacs]

I can assure you this hill is worse than it looks. there are points you would have high centered your GL

[@Heyalth]

Bret Tkacs I've bottomed out a few times just taking it up to my neighbor's house up the hill from me. They're vacationers and never scrape the road, rain ruts and washout all over haha

[@BretTkacs]

I've seen a lot of GL's up in Alaska riding with ADV bikes up to the arctic circle

[@Heyalth]

They're a great lineup, probably the closest to "weatherproof" we'll get on two wheels. I'm hoping that once I get my wrangler paid off I'll be able to do some touring rather than cruising around here, the 85 needs to stretch it's legs! Bret, I sent a PM to the Mototrek channel but I suppose I was trying to reach you in it, would it have been more appropriate to send it to you under this name you're using here? Or are you able to read those messages too..?

[@stanislavshliomskii8771]

And he aways drops the bike on easy to pick it up places. Drop it in some ditch. Then you realize how helpless you are. And you understand that you need 2 sumo fighters to help you out to dig this god damn half a ton bike.

[@SuperBardley]

Stanislav Shliomskii Sad but true point: We have to remember that by definition, off-pavement trails and roads are remote on purpose, our big bikes are freaking HEAVY, so DO NOT travel any further off-road than you’re willing to walk out in search of help (even if you’re injured). Better yet, I won’t ride off-road solo any more.

[@dalonewolf210]

Is it ok to press full clutch in during downhill ride.