How to set up your dirt bike! 12 important tips︱Cross Training Enduro

[@crosstrainingenduro]

IMPORTANT! As with all our training vids, read our disclaimer first before attempting any techniques: bit.ly/2U0bgCy

[@leevancleef553]

Cave in your expansion pipe on day one. Then you never have to worry about it again.

[@vintageludwig]

I just ride open headers.

[@hunterhill1013]

Pro tip!

[@chrisoffersen]

This is such a refreshing video to see after watching hours of vids about all the things I need to change about my new $12k dirtbike.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Thanks Chris. In most cases there isn't much extra we'll need to add to the bikes. And it's crazy that some guys automatically spend another $1000 on their suspension when the basic setup will do the job in most cases.

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Tires made a huge difference for me. I was almost ready to get rid of my 2019 WR250F or blow over $1k on suspension revalving because the stock, 3 year old tires (previous owner didn't put too many miles on it) were unbearable on rocks regardless of what I did with pressures or suspension clickers. Switching to new Michelin Starcross 5 tires with a much more flexible casing completely transformed the bike to feel amazing in rocks.

[@hunterhill1013]

I also use the starcross on all my bikes I am located in central Tx so everywhere to ride single track is rocky like you mentioned. I noticed these are the best handling tires no matter the terrain!

[@eduardobagol7478]

Does it mean bigger tires are more manageable on rocks? Maybe its about time to change mine too.

[@Danger_mouse]

Part of my new regime now, take it straight out to the first overgrown lantana track and get some scratches on the plastics..... I feels horrible doing it, but then you can just ride and enjoy the bike and not worry about that first fall/crash /scratch 🙂👍

[@crosstrainingenduro]

That's the spirit, Batesy 😂 The dreaded first scratch but then we can all relax...

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I prefer used cars for that reason too.

[@jensenmiller6410]

Those valve caps at 3:24 are genius. Never would have thought of looking for them if I hadn't seen them.

[@firffighter]

I believe Paul Rodden and Larry Murray said it best in 50 years of kicks: $300 of fuel through the engine will make you a much better rider.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Amen to that. It was a real privilege getting to ride with those guys...

[@jeffhicks1008]

Love the dry humor of commentator; good riding tips with some laughs.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers Jeff!

[@metlmuncher]

It's super easy to spend a load of cash and make your bike hard to ride.. Keep your ergos close to stock.. Best mod of course is the eRag fender sticker. Increases your skill like 2.1%

[@crosstrainingenduro]

So true, Adam. Although I'd drop that decimal point and just run with 21%.

[@DmitriyAdv]

Whenever I get a new to me bike, I reset the suspension clickers to standard settings. Even brand new, some dealers tend to set them to whatever. It’s also very important to properly set your throttle and clutch cable play. If your throttle is too tight you can have the bike accelerate when you turn the handlebars. If your clutch is too tight it can not be disengaging fully and burn up very quickly.

[@okuratwarmianski7993]

When I bought my husky, the suspension was so strangely positioned that instead of picking the pits, the motorcycle bounced off them. It spoiled my first day of riding the second I set up and it was great.

[@chazman4461]

This video is so right on and wish I had done this before I hurt myself on my Husky.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Bummer.... how long until you are back on the bike?

[@jonnoMoto]

If I get a protector for my anodised fuel tank cap, will I be ready for erzberg?

[@Frisky_FZR]

100%

[@cedricboivin9422]

It will be ready for the Gumby haft backflip ! A really advance technique for the worst rider only 😂.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

A good bumby haft backflip will bypass the Erzberg prologue and get you straight into gold class.

[@theslipperface]

You need stickers too

[@dmelson7502]

@@cedricboivin9422 There must be video proof. Just the spoken word and x rays are not enough.

[@adriancasey8996]

Solid advice, I’m always a student even when I know everything! 😂 but I have plenty to learn here. Thanks.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Decades in and I'm still surprised at the stuff I'm learning nowadays, Adrian 😎

[@htpm325]

Nice to know about twitchy throttles on EFI four strokes. Been off bikes for over 30 years so it's taking awhile to get used to that twitchiness. Thanks

[@crosstrainingenduro]

You'll love the G2 then, Mark. It doesn't make all that much difference on two strokes, but it's brilliant on the big FI thumpers. I was really regretting buying a Beta RR480 a few years ago until I popped one on. It was very good on an FE570 too, turned it into a pussycat for the first half of the throttle.

[@Bemywitnesses]

well i must say.. i was very surprised with this video ,, very informative,, short ,, to the point,, and your right ,,and no crazy riding,,

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Glad you enjoyed it, Wayne 😊

[@-MORK-]

Fantastic as always Barry. Don’t know if they make em for these new fangled bikes, but I love my Hyde pipe guard on my ‘06 300. It’s a relatively lightweight composite, but the big benefit is the guard is integrated into the skid plate that’s tied into the frame. Smash it up all day long and the seal into the cylinder head never moves. Also protects the toes a bit.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I've heard mixed reports about them, plenty of rave reviews but others saying they don't hold up to big hits? So I've never included them when talking about protective gear for the bike.

[@cedricboivin9422]

Tip for lighter clutch with cable. Drill a hole for the cable end closer to the pivot of the lever. It's free, easy and if you do it right, you might be able to go back to stock if wanted.

[@chadrides914]

What size and do you use a flat bottom drill bit?

[@cedricboivin9422]

@@chadrides914 Slightly bigger than the end of the cable and I have always used normal drill bit but if you could use a flat tip one it would be better

[@randybounds2244]

Well said Barry. Would like to add , keep an eye on steering head and swing arm bearings, seems to be an oft neglected part of maint.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Especially when often the new bikes have so little to start with. 😢

[@LostIn207]

Especially given that some of the newer bikes don't have grease fittings on the swingarm and linkage pivots anymore

[@kingkracker1998]

From what I know about the recluse, if you use the recluse as a crutch you will never gain more skills as a Rider. or it will just take you longer to gain those skills as a rider

[@TheKitchenTechnician]

A Rekluse has its place. I have one on my Hulk Force cable clutched WR450 and it’s a life saver. I liked it so much I put one on my new Beta 300RR also. The beauty of a Rekluse is that you can still operate the bike like normal. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

[@cristianvargassoto5063]

i really love the images with info on your channel

[@WildoRicci]

those kiss style moto boots are incredible

[@crosstrainingenduro]

They make you want to rock and roll all night...

[@The-Host]

Tip for the mousse bibs. If you can swap between a broke in tire with a new mousse, then a broke in mousse with a new tire, installation is 100xs easier. If any of that made sense. New mousse + new tire is a pita!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I tried once then had to get an experienced guy to do it for me. 🤔

[@The-Host]

@@crosstrainingenduro they like to spaghetti out just as you think you're on the home stretch haha.

[@bikesandstuffwithjoe2215]

I like to keep the power valve setting mild until I get a feel of the bike. You can always turn it up later.

[@jw8556]

Lol tune the rider not the bike moden bikes have been designed and tested by pro riders for many years stock bikes are pretty much bullet proof and ready to race BUT bike to rider set is key and this video is pretty good advice especially if you don't have an extra two or three grand to spend on a 16 k new bike top vid cheers

[@crimzikk]

I can appreciate the fast paced editing. We are not worthy

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers, it's a lot of work but slowly getting faster at it!

[@wheelsandalittlelegman3537]

Love ur videos bro. Thank you

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers! 😎

[@enablerdave]

All good stuff! Been running Tubliss for about 7 years now. Only tire I can't get to seal well is a starcross 5 soft front 80/100-21. It'll seal for a couple of weeks, then I do a rock garden fast and pfft.. all the magic smoke leaks out. I think the sidewalls are too soft/thin/flexy. I can still ride it flat, but have to take it home to tear it down relube to get it to seal again. Everything else seals up great. Still tempted to go mousse though.. trying to come to grips with the cost/work involved.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I could be tempted to run a mousse up front as they last so long, David... but I've had zero issues with TUbliss for five years now so can't see myself changing in a hurry.

[@enablerdave]

@@crosstrainingenduro Other than slicing a couple of tires and that starcross not sealing, I've had good luck. Another thing that makes me hesitate on mousse is being stuck with limited tire selection for each given mousse size. I have 6 new tires in the garage.. which would require me to buy 5 different sizes of mousse. Too expensive. And if I destroy a tire away from home, fat chance finding a replacement that fits the mousse. With tubliss.. I can just stick whatever tire I can find on there.

[@tylermarsh9760]

Hahahaha I love this channel so much! F’n hilarious and informative and the same time!!

[@andrzejtaramina2709]

Best way to set up your bike for optimum performance? 1. Fill up the gas tank 2. Check tire pressure 3. Ride the snot out of it 4. Repeat often Oh....I guess I'm on the "more saddle time/practice" will do more for your riding performance than any other parts you can buy. ;-)

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Amen to that Andrzej!

[@bikevault2302]

great vid, thank you

[@crosstrainingenduro]

You're welcome 😎

[@Jonathan-oy9eu]

I do believe the plural of Mousse is Meese, I migth be wrong though. xD

[@cedricboivin9422]

😂 not sure. "Mousse" is the french word for foam. It is like this because it was created by Michelin which is a french company. So I would say that the plural of "Mousse" is "Mousses" (with an "s" at the end)

[@xterrential]

@@cedricboivin9422 thanks captain aspergers.

[@chipper203]

Moussen

[@cedricboivin9422]

@@xterrential Mange une Snickers, t'es pas toi quand t'as faim.

[@Jonathan-oy9eu]

@@chipper203 "mice" could also be correct

[@brianlafollette7530]

I need a fan to help pull me up the trail, but you didn't cover those.

[@destryrobinson3708]

By the way thanks for responding, you and Dallas are the only ones on whole interwebs who will bother, is there any riding British Columbia that's close to the border?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I've always been a bit puzzled when I see enduro channels and no one ever responds to the comments, Destry... including a lot of questions. Dallas and I really enjoy meeting other riders out on the trails, and via social media too. 😊 Mt Vedder is the closest riding in BC to the US border that I'm aware of. But there might be some that's closer.

[@destryrobinson3708]

@@crosstrainingenduro thank you Barry

[@advveteran4894]

I actually need a suspension spring upgrade and revalve. I'm about 100 pounds heavier than what these stock springs can handle on my bike!

[@theravedaddy]

My brother asked if ive tried the moose on my bike, i replied "OF COURSE NOT! you told me she has to buy 2 seats on the plane when you go to Benidorm, i dont want her breaking my bike"! Neither of them have spoken to me since 2008.... happy dayz.

[@davidwilson4901]

As a new rider aiming to get into enduro more and more, I've started on the trails and taken the bike to a couple of MX tracks too, do you have a list of recommended protection mods, or items to think about? I have also booked training days and will do a dew as you said in the vid cant beat time on the bike and improving skills.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I think our similar bike setup vid on the enduro channel covers a fair bit of that, David. We have heaps of training vids too that will be useful along with the coaching.

[@autismion]

I hate spokes, I guess I'm not patient enough to true a wheel. But even with over 1/8" of wobble both ways my bike feels okay going 80mph on the freeway. I just pluck them and adjust the ones that are way WAY off. Got a torque spoke wrench, seems useless. I'll just go get the wheels trued at a shop when it's time to change tires, I guess

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Same here, I'm not worried if it's not completely true... but a few times a year I'll just check for loose spokes.

[@philipsmith6152]

Great video, did you have any trouble setting up the ME clutch lever? I cant get mine right, either lets out too close to the bar or too far out !

[@crosstrainingenduro]

No but I hear other guys have trouble, Phil... I'm not sure what the fix is.

[@joeycourtice4157]

Can you guys do a review or something about rieju bikes? Im struggling to find info

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Already done, Joey. For the first year they are virtually unchanged from the original Gas Gas model... just search our vids.

[@bigKANG420]

Something I see new riders do that imo sets them up for failure is add power mods to a bike that is already too powerful for them. What is the process for fixing a dented pipe? I hate riding with a large pipe guard.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

We've got a vid about fixing two stroke pipes. We didn't include the hydro method which is now getting popular, I think there's a link in the pinned first comment of that vid.

[@bigKANG420]

@@crosstrainingenduro thanks, I'll go watch

[@andrzejtaramina2709]

Best process to fix a dented pipe? Improve your skills to the point where you don't dent it. ;-)

[@bigKANG420]

@@andrzejtaramina2709 Ha yeah and in that fantasy world a new ktm isn't 10 grand

[@crosstrainingenduro]

🤣

[@alejandroaugustopuricelli881]

Wheel bearing maintenance is important, what is you recommendation?

[@utahdesertrider1806]

If you ride in wet terrain all bearings need more maintenance. If you ride dry terrain like the desert you need less bearing maintenance.

[@stangindude99]

Have you ever used a mako 360 bar mount? Not sure whether or not to fork out the $

[@crosstrainingenduro]

No I've never had issues with vibration but it seems to affect the hands of some riders. I'd definitely try all the cheap options first... e.g. thicker handgrips.

[@Frisky_FZR]

Bike protection is good I recon the main three are a skid plate, hand guards and a pipe guard that’s all you’ll need unless you have the money then go ham

[@JacquesEng]

Very True, What I did was bought an Old Bike and messed that one up to get better before moving to a newer bike and then get all the guards, a person would know what you normally do and what you normally break. but those suggestions are spot on.

[@gpaull2]

I’d add rad braces/guards to that list. A rad can be ruined just by the bike falling over in the garage. Pipe guard is debatable ass it can lead to a broken cylinder flange instead.

[@cedricboivin9422]

@@gpaull2 Yup, I was about to add the rad brace. Usually cheaper than a rad and you do kinda need them if you want to get back to civilization.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

I've opted out of radiator braces for the time being as I'm really enjoying keeping my bike as light as possible. But yeah, I do run the risk of bending or holing it. I carry some metal epoxy in the tool kit to fix any leaks, and hope I can repair any mild bends when I get back home. I'll probably regret not fitting the braces eventually though!

[@cedricboivin9422]

@@crosstrainingenduro Don't forget to drink a beer before you ride. Having a full blader might be useful to fill that radiator 😂

[@TheZakkmylde]

I have 2013 ktm excf and watching this made me think when you mentioned 4 strokes have a snappy throttle. I find the single trail very jerky when riding slow speeds ect. Maybe it’s my poor clutch work not sure. That throttle mod, can you elaborate more or maybe a link so I can research to see if this could help me ?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

We have review of the G2 on this channel. 👍

[@TheZakkmylde]

@@crosstrainingenduro couldn’t find it. Thanks anyways 👍🏻

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Weird. I just google 'cross training enduro g2' and it came up straight away.

[@TheZakkmylde]

@@crosstrainingenduro thx I’ll try again 👍🏻

[@davehowe_just_an_old_dirtbiker]

Lots of rally good ideas but I'm just looking for you to tell me what to do to my bike so I can have someone to blame my bike breaks down in the middle of nowhere :-)

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Replacing the engine oil with olive oil, Dave? 🤔

[@davehowe_just_an_old_dirtbiker]

Not a bad idea...I could use it for a salad with some weeds when I got hungry!

[@spotthedogg]

I cannot understand horizontal levers. Wire on the grips should be a double pass, that way you don’t rely on the twist to so the tightening. Go around twice, wiggle the pliers up and down a few times and watch it tighten up, then twist to hold, fold and insert into the grip.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

If the levers are near horizontal it encourages you to use the correct body positioning and squat slightly with your weight to the rear... instead of standing straight up. See our body positioning training vid.

[@spotthedogg]

@@crosstrainingenduro is it not straining the wrist? I run mine down maybe 25°

[@crosstrainingenduro]

As per the previous comment... all good if you use the correct body positioning.

[@ChrisPChicken361]

Hi wanna set up my drz400E by putting stickers on it with "Cross Training Enduro". Do you guys have stickers for me? Cheers

[@crosstrainingenduro]

No Douwe, but the Traction eRag guys will probably make some later this year. They have just started on some t-shirts.

[@ChrisPChicken361]

@@crosstrainingenduro thank you👊 I can't wait. And thank you for your great video job🙏🙏

[@TRK30]

What is name/brand of those short hand levers?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

What time mark in the vid? Saves me watching the whole vid to see which bit you mean.

[@TRK30]

@@crosstrainingenduro 0:52

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Gotcha. No idea unfortunately. I just googled something like 'clutch lever short fingers' and grabbed a pic.

[@willmcgregor7184]

Software (training, practice, courses, time w butt on bike) WAY before Hardware (bling, upgrades w dubious improvement)

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Amen!

[@dmelson7502]

Finally you step up! What kind of bike should I get? Best oil? What kind of underdrawers create the perfect seat/butt drag. If I comb this chain lube in my hair will I get laid? Could my dream of being a poorly skilled rider of questionable morals and dentistry possibly be true? Will you ever tire of my 590 various twists of the same tired joke?

[@crosstrainingenduro]

When 590 twists of the same joke just isn't quite enough... 😂 I gotta try me that chain lube in the hair!

[@danielsimpson8929]

Well... guess I shouldn't be obsessing with what rear tire size to use lol

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Two stroke?? Mix your fuel thoroughly and before every ride give it a shake.

[@theailer]

Words of wisdom, if you are able to even understand a word of what the old Gumby is saying ofc ;)

[@leevancleef553]

I just hope he never does the North American accent again. Truly nauseating.

[@theailer]

@@leevancleef553 hear ye, hear ye. Took me a couple of months in an asylum in order to get sane after that.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Racism! You'll be hurting the feelings of many Canadian maritimers as it was actually their accent I was meant to be imitating (the author is a newfie). 😂

[@ztmoto3249]

Tire pressure: [2/4 stroke], WTF 🤔

[@Ttnorth11]

The new corrugated KTM/Husky/Gas Gas pipes are a prick to repair. Better off just putting a guard on it

[@joeycourtice4157]

My tyres are whatever i can find at the local rubbish dump

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Should last forever after they've been sitting in the sun for a while, Joey. 😂 I've used hand me downs from other riders that were sitting outside for months.

[@Einfach_der_geilste]

I have a tip. Get clothes that fit and dont bother you, if something pokes you you just cant ride good

[@tassieadventurerider4815]

A great commonsense video, just get what you really need and don’t load the bike up with all the fruit. 👌

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Amen to not over blinging the bike!

[@improvsax]

I disagree on tyres- that is the only thing touching the ground (hopefully). I’ve been with much better riders than me that struggle on the super slow, tight stuff due to tyre choice. Of course, I’m a crappy rider and have mostly given up on improving- I just want to keep riding and not get hurt (falling down). For very slow, slippery ‘tracks’ - I personally find radial trials tyres with Tubliss, at about 3-4psi work fabulous. BUT you have to ride with the tyre, meaning never spin or lock it up. Braking is fantastic- unless you lock up the tyre, then it is worthless. Of course, not so great at fast speeds.

[@unfunny2258]

yeah my dads tires make his bike feel like it on rails in sand while mine wants to go everywhere but straight, really makes keeping up in sand a pita