The Secret to Hillclimbs!

[@PhillipChristiansen]

I'm just off a two day training session with Rich, and can confidently say it is the single greatest thing that will improve my riding! If you EVER have an opportunity to take a course, DO IT!

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Stoked you enjoyed it Phillip!!

[@bleekaman]

No clutches were harmed in the making of this video.

[@letsgoenduro]

best enduro teacher full stop.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

That means a lot! Thanks so much!

[@DaveSmith-kk3ds]

100% the best on the Tube

[@luisepinos]

I personally agree

[@kf4435]

Me too

[@show-me-the-details]

Shouldn't there be a comma?

[@jonathanrentschler3158]

Hey Rich, Great vid, as always! A small but important addition - after the throttle is pinned in preparation for launch up the hill, the clutch effectively becomes the throttle modulating forward drive. If the throttle grip is not repositioned forward (overgrip), the right elbow will drop to turn the throttle wide open, then causing the right shoulder to drop, and the bike will drift to the right. See the Yamaha rider at 5:25. Elbows both need to be up, throttle pinned, the clutch used exclusively to modulate power delivery, and hovering just above the seat to maintain control to the top! Throttle grip and actuation should be like opening a door knob to keep the elbow up.

[@robsonvonbrum1618]

Awesome! Really really good addition! I never thought of the overgrip, but now that I think about it it sures becomes a problem if you are not using it, because it will force elbow drop. Thanks!

[@Cross-Country-Biker]

Love hill climbing, the front wheel is so light , the bike cruises over loose stuff....my new fav riding. Cracking show Rich - thanks man

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@mutstang66]

Great teacher. Makes everything so simple.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I appreciate the support!

[@kylesullivan-s5j]

This was golden. Really needed this gem. Keep up the awesome content

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Will do! Thank you!!

[@Healthfighthunt]

So much sweet content and so much frustration, as I am only 7 weeks since having my shoulder reattached in 3 places. Cannot wait to get back to your awesome program. 🙏

[@beverlyboys73]

Great instruction. The best I have seen. Thank you.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I appreciate the support!!

[@thailandmopedadventures611]

Great Stuff, Rich. You are absolutely right about the fundamentals. For me one of them is 95 % standing in my trainings, so it becomes natural and have the strength and endurance to execute it ALL the time, especially in these critical situations.

[@MotoProspector-pv6wf]

He keeps making me buy IRC tires. Keep up the free schooling we all appreciate it.💯

[@CraigSteinman-zt3vu]

Ya dude is real good teacher..love the vids

[@ogasi1798]

enlightening as always thanks irc squad and rich

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Our pleasure!

[@pauwl]

Top notch content as always, thank you.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I appreciate the support!

[@shadowknightmoon130]

I learned a lot from this episode!❤❤❤

[@positivecarry07]

I really love watching your technique

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@MrAndyloz]

great video. good to see the lads try

[@msj2]

I'm getting the point here. Hill climbing is ALSO very techincal at times. I was legit nervous watching those guys try haha.

[@250txc]

I'm doing hill climbs now and this video will certainly help..

[@noypidirtrider3555]

Hope you’ll have one soon here in Northern California..best teacher

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I hope so too!

[@rdvanevcil1317]

You are a great blessing I want to ask you a question. I bought a 2024 model gasgas but what number should the front and rear gears be? The current state is 14 45 for hard enduro

[@Scott-ko6vi]

What should it feel like when you feather the clutch on a climb ... or going up any hill? Do you feel a little burst of power when the clutch grabs, or is it smooth?

[@hardcoreenduro]

Awesome video 🙌. Come out to Jawbone for a class! Also I’d like to see technic for crossing under fallen tree in a trail. Many times I come across a fallen tree on a trail and only way through is under it dragging your bike or pulling it through under it.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I’ll have to think of a special technique 😜

[@soilsmanadv6673]

You are a great instructor Rich. I hope to someday take a class from you.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Thanks so much!! One day!!

[@jeff-pl1sv]

Great channel and information. Different subject I was hoping you might address. Other than the obvious safety equipment are there just some items you won't ride without for protection during your rides. I noticed the wrist guard you have, something I've never thought about wearing. Recently broke my 5th metatarsal, my stupidity and a wake up call. Getting older and want to continue riding but need to reevaluate what I'm wearing during these rides.

[@markbargarey1007]

Mate correct me if I’m wrong but are you actually controlling and maintaining a controlled level of traction loss as opposed to trying to hold traction?regards Mark.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Yes exactly

[@goattrailadventures]

Great stuff Rich! Ever think about doing training session in PA?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Should happen 2025! Richlarsen511.com

[@goattrailadventures]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto Awesome! looking forward to it!

[@jrdumond8999]

Great vid but can you tell me when to use this technique of spinning the rear tire high rpm’s. I’m asking cause I can ride up most hills without spinning the tire so I’m guessing this technique is for really long really steep hills? If the hill is really steep but short mist times can load the flywheel and launch then finish with just normal no tire spin

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Loose step hills.

[@DirterXaap]

How could a bike take off on a 2nd gear? Is that machine made that way?

[@Arkhotep]

At 7:49 when the front comes up and he loses it, is that where you're saying slipping the clutch a bit will bring the front end down and let you keep throttling through the top? edit: Nvm this exact thing is commented perfectly at 10:29. Need an Idaho clinic

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Thanks for watching! 🙌

[@Arkhotep]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto Applied pretty much this whole video and some of your clutch control videos to my ride this weekend, and the difference in my hill climbs was night and day.

[@RiggerbeeOffRoad]

This is the biggest thing I feel I need to learn at the moment. When you are bouncing off the limiter and you launch by letting out the clutch, I assume you let it out about 75% ?? Or do you dump the clutch fully? Terrified of flipping

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

It’s all the way out. But then I’m back in the friction zone as I stand into the hill.

[@Enduro.Trials]

Beta sounds better than the Husky! ;-)

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I agree!!

[@mofuonamotorcycle]

What instructor gets on his students machines and shows off. Its like a black belt beating up students for their own ego. My instructors fall over just as much as I do. Falling over and getting up and trying again. That’s the lesson

[@theenglandguy]

Or it's a way for them to build self-confidence, because they see it's possible with their machine, and the subtle differences needed to make it happen.

[@Rossy_moin]

If you’re ever in NZ Rich I’ve got a huge bunch of riders that would love to attend a class 👊

[@marrep]

Saw your last video yesterday, about making the TE300 perfekt.. Asked a question there but I guess youve missed it. "Got a -23 TE300, where can I find the module? Do I need to swap ECU aswell?"

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I’m pretty sure all those questions are answered in the video. South Bay motors is who sells it. It’s by 2 Stroke Performance from Australia. No, you don’t swap the ECU. You download the new maps and upload it to your ECU.

[@marrep]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto Yeah, I rewatched the video when Ive accualy spelt.. Noticed, thanks tho! (Dont think I heard about the ECU in the first video) :)

[@franknunez7204]

Ok well you are the IRC Tire guy as you say, so just noticing what this looks like at 5:46 - look at your tire vs the students unfortunate, retirement ready tire. Also, watching you a minute later trying to find your gear on that bike was very gratifying since I used to think I did that for lack of experience and skill.

[@JoshDula-r3e]

What happens if there is no traction to begin with is it better to lug and try hold that tyre instead of letting it loose?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

It’s all situational. If it’s hard pack and slick you’d establish momentum with a lug then go wide open. If it’s tacky mud you’d start wide open.

[@alexyoung3387]

Rich, I have a 500exc. Does the same throttle/clutch apply with that bike? Or is it more of a part throttle with modulation type of thing? Thanks!

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I’d say it’s the same!

[@alexyoung3387]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto awesome, thank you!

[@thunderbembo3406]

can the 150cc pull that same technique on 2nd gear on steep hill?

[@dylanc5827]

2:07 isn’t it terrible for your bike to have it wide open like that? Love the vids btw

[@lefterisbampaidis5446]

Clutch plates have left the chat.

[@Steveman61]

Fantastic how you do it. Spectators and your students would have got more out of it if you had shown them how to ride off sitting down or with one foot on the ground. 99.5% of the riders I know simply can't stand on the bike with the same balance as you. Still a great video, thanks for sharing. Best regards from Austria (Europe) ;-)

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I show them that as well. You can hear me say in the video you can start like that if you want. The reason I prefer to do that is it takes a step out of your overall approach. The first drill we learn on the day is static balance. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3jIpKdthN93hK8si=jwjziVW6IJIZtLwn

[@yourneck2]

When I was 17 where was this dude….!

[@silverblazer8246]

At 8:58 your feet are in front of the pegs. I would worry about my foot catching on the ground and breaking my ankle. Is that a legit concern or would that not happen?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

You hold them up just off the ground. You’d also check your first 50 foot of run in and miss anything like that. You can see my feet are coming up onto the pegs just after speed is established

[@enduro_j]

Practice makes perfect!

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Exactly!

[@davidjackson1120]

do you do camps?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Richlarsen511.com

[@baneeyboy]

Hill climbs are life

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

🙌🙌

[@alberto-cg7ox]

I'd like a video course (not free of course) for the Ones Who live Europe 😅

[@TuuguuSMD]

So basically u burn ur clutch discs?

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Keep your bike in the garage. It’ll last forever

[@carlb641]

I would guess it would be different for a low cc (125-150) bike? Also if its 4t rather than 2t.

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

No difference

[@carlb641]

@@IRCTireUSAMoto thank you. Will try it. I was thinking power is too low for small cc bikes in 2nd gear to go up such uphill.

[@weinosby]

I dont think my Yamaha WR155 can do 2nd gear in uphill

[@r_s_enduro]

Ever since i started watching your videos and working on technical skills and working this type of riding, no one will ride with me anymore haha. Everyone is stuck riding the same shit they were in 97 i guess. #solointucson

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

I know that all too well!!

[@autismion]

Dunno why I was told not to have my knees in front of the footpegs earlier, just held me back

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Definitely situational. Knees back in a lot of attacking situations. Flat ground charging. Hill climbs definitely knees forward.

[@footit]

Rich, you gotta review a Yamaha YZ 250 t2, I bet you would get more views than any video!

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Maybe!

[@mosca3289]

Nice

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Thanks!

[@vstags]

Awesome Bruddah..bring it to Jersey!😮

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Maybe one day! I’ll be in Maryland in the next month or so!

[@lmcc8798]

I thought wheel spin = bad...

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

If you hook you’ll wheelie over on that loose and steep of a hill.

[@isirajderek]

Delicious

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

👍👍

[@OldManEnduro]

Sure miss that pretty face!! 😜

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

Hope all is well Mike!!

[@izradesign]

Wow Beta like to Climb

[@IRCTireUSAMoto]

🙌🙌

[@autismion]

first

[@dromamerica3940]

Your mother must be so proud.

[@autismion]

@@dromamerica3940 Is that proper grammar and punctuation on a youtube comment? woah have a thums up