Motorcycle water crossing lesson

This instructional video covers the "How to" successfully cross water. We cover strategies, riding skills and techniques and even riding 2 up. We cross shallow streams, long water and very deep water on ADV adventure motorcycles.
BretTkacs.com (come train or travel with me)
ADViceland.is (plan your riding adventure through Iceland)
Patreon.com/BretTkacs/Join (keep this channel free of outside sponsorship)

[@MrElucid8]

Those tips for riding two-up are great. Pls consider doing a whole episode on two-up skills and tips. Low traction environs, steep inclines & declines, sudden unexpected deflections, emergency braking are things that keep many two-up riders on the pavement instead of experiencing adventure riding together.

[@BretTkacs]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6a6mXtjfp2rbcUsi=QaxDEz2mCus4XKfC

[@yogabearmobil]

Water crossing in the “West” is VERY different compared to water crossing in the East….. (Russia)…. Going through a stronger stream can hide deep holes in the bottom…. Very good video!!

[@WDGFE]

Thank you for including two-up tips, here. My wife has become a very good performance riding passenger, but as I’m learning dual-sport on a smaller motorcycle, I foresee us including at least some dirt in our travels on the larger Tiger.

[@GS_Johnny_ADV]

Thanks Brett! Your lessons helped me tremendously with a couple solo BDR legs I ran last week, the smile was most important on the rocky ups and downs lol😊

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Thanks for your countless tipps and tracks, Bret (and Johann). We're not used to water crossing in Germany. But I had a lot of long and deep puddles (hundreds in one day) recently on TET Wales riding my 15 hp Beta Alp 200. Usually 15-20 meters long, medium deep in parts, definitely deeper than the footrests. We didn't wade through, so we had no idea how deep they were. First thing I learned: In too fast (2nd gear) means a highy wave water all over your lap. You are wet and the wave can impair your vision. Next thing: In too slow (first gear) means you might get stuck and have soaking feet. Third thing: The Welsh experts told me to sit down during water crossings. I normally stand a lot, feeling in control. But in Wales that sitting down (leaving you feet on the pegs) felt better sometimes - when we were riding in those long puddles/ruts in a straight line. Very different from Icelandic streams. Enjoy the local delicatessen, Günter/Nürnberg

[@kensimon]

How to react when the bike drops would be very useful to see. Otherwise a beautiful tutorial with excellent points for a better crossing. Thanks !

[@ChrisCoonshead-re9zk]

Something that I find very useful for 2 up riding in technical terrain is a belt by Grip n Ride. It's adjustable, so I can wear it over my jacket without a jacket in the summertime and I can spin it around to have the four handles facing from the front or from the rear depending on the difficulty and type of technical writing that we're doing.

[@BretTkacs]

Great tip!

[@scottschwen7558]

Iceland is fantastic ! My wife and I were there in 2019 ! Great country - wonderful people ! 👍👍👍

[@jonm2381]

Thanks Brett, great info on the water hazards and riding two up. My wife and I have been muddling through it, I would appreciate more videos on riding with a passenger.

[@baxabuxa17]

Thanks Bret for the quality videos. always a pleasure to watch, but I miss the video with you and Paul....

[@BretTkacs]

I wish Paul could have joined me in Iceland to make this one!

[@baxabuxa17]

@@BretTkacs :)

[@richardconnoly]

Now, let's discuss the correct technique(s) for picking up the big ADV bike in deep water with slimy rocks. :)

[@RollinwithRoland]

Or getting it unstuck from being heavy-handed in a waterhole and burying the rear tire to the bash plate? Reasons more street bias tires can be better in those situations than knobbies without traction control.

[@BretTkacs]

Step #1: take a picture 👍

[@elidalgliesh644]

Exactly the info I was looking for. Many thanks.

[@scottschwen7558]

Thank you for the 2-up advice ! Pillion power from Boise, Idaho ! 🏍️🏍️🏍️ RIDE & BE FREE !!! 😎😎😎

[@paulvanhout9695]

Outstanding lesson and tag team👍. From what I have seen an absolutely necessary skill in Iceland and Australia too.

[@WOTRacing100]

Thanks Brett, as always, a very enjoyable and informative video. My friend and I just returned from a trip in Mongolia, you'll be happy to hear that between you and one of our other coaches, we had a lot of company in our helmets :-) I wanted to make a comment about the crossings that we completed. There were many and most were quite deep and with fast flowing water. We were riding the local delicacy, the Shineray XY150 Mustang - a great little bike for the conditions. The bottoms of the rives / creeks went from small boulders to large ones, sand and mud too. I was channelling your weightless rider lessons and gravel lessons as much as possible and it was great to be able to let the bike find its path. I kept thing that all I was controlling was the throttle and clutch while the bike was finding its way. I did find though, that I wasn't fast enough to react to a large obstruction under water when standing up. A couple of times I nearly ended up going over the handlebars. On the much longer crossings (much longer), I sat down. I still kept a fair bit of pressure on the pegs and I feel that was what was really holding my body, the bike could still move around a lot, but I felt that I was less prone to going over the front and also found that could get more traction on the rear wheel to get over the unseen obstacles. Thanks again

[@bartthomas2895]

Beautiful and wise advice Way to persevere! Thanks!

[@nicolaumb7494]

Thanks Brett! What a ride! I mostly ride along with my wife and the tip on how to do it with a pillion was really useful! All the best 🖖🏻🇵🇹

[@JosepsGSX]

Excellent results with the reduced recording gear. I was totally unaware until you mentioned it. Nice place and good lesson. Thanks

[@MotoCocoTV]

So glad yall are having a Blast (despite the loss of luggage) and sounds like the People of Iceland are as warm, helpful and friendly as anywhere!... safe travels...and the footage was great! ATTITUDE MATTERS! Prime example with this trip..!

[@johanneyvindsson9123]

Great stuff like always!

[@BretTkacs]

Appreciate that

[@CarlosUzdinet]

Video muy instructivo, poniendo base sólida, como siempre para aprender nuevas técnicas. Gracias por tu constante esfuerzo en transmitir conocimientos. Un saludo.

[@RollinwithRoland]

Great video and gorgeous Iceland scenery!!! Remember y'all, water depth or bottomless mud has no bearing on it being a water crossing, so be sure to SEND IT thru those narrow black water canals in Florida and send me the videos afterwards! ;)

[@BretTkacs]

😂🤣

[@EarthMotorcycles]

Thanks. Great advice. Thanks. I would also recommend polarized sunglasses. These block indirect reflections from the water surfaces and the rider see under the water much better.

[@autobots9786]

Great video Bret! letting the bike move freely can be a bit daunting by will keep you out of trouble and save energy

[@MrRickrm]

Wow. Great video Brett. I think you should do a few two up riding videos. Having her push down must feel to her that she's hanging into a second handle bar

[@BretTkacs]

That's the plan!

[@simonmills2375]

Thanks Brett, Yet to do a major water crossing and I have a rocky one that I'll need to do. Vision up so you immediately sense the shift of the bike and can save it going down I think is my biggest take away, cos I know I will be wanting to stare at the water. Cheers

[@CW4PWR]

Thanks for the tips. More videos off road with a passenger would be appreciated. Also, welcome to team Klim, I love their gear.

[@HalliPalli27]

Well done 👍👍 Only thing to add to this is to drive with the stream, I.e when possible drive across the river the way water is flowing not against the flow, or up stream, that way it’s an easier to cross.

[@agusacevedof]

Great video and it surely tempted me to visit Iceland. It reminded me of when at 9 yrs old, following my dad and a couple of his enduro buddies, on my little enduro Honda 50 cc 3 speed I crossed a river not where my dad crossed but about 6 ft to the side and I sank into a hole in the river which was about 4 ft deep instead of 1 ft where the others crossed. I had to swim a couple of strokes and pull myself out of the water hole by pulling on the tall grass on the side. Then my Dad pulled my bike out grabbing the handle bar which was about a foot submerged. The wonderful little Honda started again 10 min later after my Dad and friends got the water out of the airbox, air filter and piston. After that experience for about 2 years I was afraid whenever we did any water crossing. Luckily I forced my self to practice river crossings and get rid of the trauma and started loving water crossings. (Just sharing my experience)

[@calebgriffiths9062]

Great tip about watching the horizon. Will try to remember to hit the kill switch when falling, though you don't get much time to think about it!

[@marcos.1771]

Many motorcycles switch off the engine automatically when a crash has been detected.

[@artproiceland]

Hey Bret!! This video is so awesome!! Best regards from Iceland, Gudni Thorbjornsson

[@BacktrackADV]

Well done Bret and ADVIceland!! Good coverage … especially about “2 up”… I’m planning a trip with my spouse and it would be helpful to see a dedicated video or two on just that!👩🏾‍🤝‍👨🏼

[@BretTkacs]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6a6mXtjfp2rbcUsi=QaxDEz2mCus4XKfC

[@Elskins]

Looking good in that Badlands suit 👍

[@nathanboeger978]

In Thailand, we had a trail that made 43 water crossings. Some pretty deep, some rocky, some very tricky. It was a blast and one of the best ways to cool off during the summer. My son (10 then) would wheelie through a few. It was easier that way.

[@jonr3891]

Nice. Iceland is so beautiful! Video quality looks good - I never would have known it was shot on mobile phone. 👍

[@jasonyoung7673]

Brett, great video with local guide. Video quality & content was great even though it was kept very simple... possible quick short videos for future lessons on the fly!!... Enjoy Iceland!!

[@dvargdamnit]

content is king, you could get by with just a cellphone!

[@BretTkacs]

It was an interesting experiment. As long as I have someone to hold the phone it isn't bad. Most video are solo and those would be MUCH harder

[@tinmisuun]

Good video

[@bernardhossmoto]

I am only afraid of the ones where I can't see the bottom and there are large rocks all around.

[@BretTkacs]

Areed... and fast moving water

[@bernardhossmoto]

@@BretTkacs yes, current can be very strong in mountain rivers, even less than a foot deep

[@pappaclutch3266]

I’m afraid of a hole or a dip on the floor of the water crossing

[@onerider808]

I like the part where the passenger speaks from her POV. Hope you two are having fun!

[@gasdive]

The only water crossing that really frightened me, (mostly in retrospect, not so much at the time) was a decent size river raging across a road, and then over a cliff. If I'd fallen I'd have been washed straight over the cliff.

[@wildae.]

thank you

[@EliasJQuinteros]

Dejando mi pequeña contribucion con un comentario para el algoritmo. Lo que me muestran es siempre bienvenido!! Gracias Bret!!

[@phallofalotsadventures6849]

Hi Bret , How about a video on what to do if you drown the bike. . Your videos are really well explained, watching them has helped me lots so thank you for that.

[@stevepaulson2900]

Great video, thank you! Beautiful venue as well. Water crossings have been a big stress for me, and I'm now on a 2018 GSA (!!). Haven't attempted anything significant yet, but the technique & strategy notes are gold. Could you think about a video on what to do if you drop the bike in the water...how to keep the engine safe, get water out of it, get restarted & keep going, what to do once home? Thanks as always for your content!!

[@TheBeardedGrump]

I love water crossings but I did one in Florida a few months ago that I instantly regretted once I went into it. It was deep black water with a soft bottom but I made it through a little help but I don't think I'll be trying those again

[@Dowdyguy]

Short 20 foot dip in the concrete road, water running most of a summer only 1 ft. deep. Algae strings 3 ft. long and scum thick on the bottom. The rear end just drifted in the direction of the current all by itself and when I made the dry ground the bike high sided and smashed itself up after flipping. I wasn't even moving very fast. Broke my collar bone and tore rotator cuff (tried to hang on to the bar for some reason) .. Also my ribs were memorable for a couple of weeks. Water crossing, or just 'obstacle'?

[@100CupsColombia]

Colombia-nice climate,plenty of dirt!

[@vijayam1]

Your foot placement techniques have made a sea change to my riding metrics, w.r.t balance, pivot point, and not to look like an ergonomic disaster.

[@alanrobinson2901]

So Brett, great vid, but what about tips for those of us with a Honda & DCT?

[@RealWalterSobcheck]

We passed through there a month ago and all I wanted was to be on my bike. I'm incredibly jealous

[@philippekervynfaucon9849]

Water crossing with a pillon is offered you buy The American Sado-Masochistic Association and The American Society of Orthopedic Surgeons.

[@BretTkacs]

😂

[@Mark11704]

True that!!! 😂😂😂

[@marcos.1771]

Yeah, leave the pillon on the riverbank and cross the river on your own. Then call a taxi for the pillon.

[@agusacevedof]

​@@marcos.1771 😂 🤣

[@shayli05]

Be careful for the fish...❤

[@BillySBC]

Any water more than 6 or 8 inches deep you're going to want to do it with a cold engine and not a hot one. Motorcycle engines are made of aluminum, and aluminum is very susceptible to warpage and cracking when exposed to quick temperature change. If you try a water crossing in deeper water when your engine is hot you stand a good chance of warping the engine or even creating cracks in it. If you want to try a deeper water crossing absolutely let your bike cool down, and once it's cool start it and immediately do the crossing, don't let the engine heat up at all before you cross.

[@magisterwigbold8123]

good video, but you missed the point - maybe because it's iceland which means icecold water - to walk through the water beforehand. I had some 30 watercrossings in South-America and always put off my boots, took my sandals, walked through the river forth and back , sometimes two times so to check four different paths - gives you a lot more confidence. And make sure to leave your wallet and mobile on the shore (unless your pockets are waterproof ;-)

[@BretTkacs]

I have walked a few crossings beforehand. It's an important point.

[@tonyhaddon2582]

Your comment about the water being the only factor.....because they're submerged in water the stones/rocks on the bottom are not stacked against each other as securely as they would be on terra firma, because of relative buoyancy. IE the bottom will be looser than if it was not under water.

[@viviansee9989]

Thanks Brett for this video! However can you further expand this video for different terrain such as slippery mud riding and thru deeper running water?

[@BretTkacs]

I'm hope to find locations and opportunities for future videos with different flow and conditions

[@rodrigofabregas7756]

Thanks Bret and Johann for your great video!. Maybe lowering a little bit the tire press. would help....😂, just kidding Bret!

[@BretTkacs]

🤣

[@runaimad]

While this video is as good as Brett's others (and I watched them all), I did find a couple of things missing. First, if you are not sure of the path, go and check it on foot! Rivers can change depth and width in matter of days, so don't go in blind if you are not sure. Second, rivers with flow often have a better grip than standing water puddles, because current washes away the mud and sand. Kudos for the second rider part though, this is very new and important! How about a series for number 2?

[@BretTkacs]

I agree with everything including more 2up stuff 😁👍

[@harf4ng]

Interesting this duo part. I never dare going offroad with a passenger but I'm sure my son would love that :) Though he is not enough protected for that I fear, he does not have boots or a motorbike pant; just a motorbike jacket...

[@BretTkacs]

Finding good pegs for a passenger to stand on can be a real challenge

[@harf4ng]

@@BretTkacs what pegs is?

[@markmedlin8927]

Sorry to hear about your luggage; I despise flying commercial. On the other hand, a good opportunity to practice your oft-used attitude admonition. Good recovery with the phone video; other than occasional wind noise (I realize it can be windy on that rock), it was hardly noticeable. Thank you.

[@off_road_rider]

Rode Iceland last year. We did about 60 water crossings in a week. Looks like we crossed in some of the same places

[@BretTkacs]

"Ride with a local" ?

[@off_road_rider]

@@BretTkacs no I rode with Ride Nordic. Swedish outfit that also does training. They do a fantastic job. Ridden with them in Sweden and Portugal as well.

[@luniaiko1]

I have a question, if there really is the possibility of thermal shock in only washing the bike with a hot engine, then what happens when fording rivers or deep water? Thanks

[@harf4ng]

Brett really make awesome videos :) Too bad there is no stream around when I live to check that ^^

[@BretTkacs]

I've been looking for years to find the perfect place to do this lesson!

[@harf4ng]

@@BretTkacs Iceland is great when you like water crossing :) never been in Iceland though but I have watched the Laurent Cochet Iceland trip.

[@thetessellater9163]

When is water not water ? When Bret says so ! Johann seems an interesting guy.

[@BretTkacs]

🤣

[@burtonparsons7717]

Do you drain the drive shaft after crossing?

[@adventurecraft482]

Where do you suggest we look for pillion pegs? I've been looking as my fiance as shown interest in offroad 2 up

[@toltod]

Going through deep water, take off your hard sidecases?

[@tarouyamada2686]

Dang, losing gear on a trip abroad, adult fear right there. Hope it gets sorted out 👍

[@BretTkacs]

We did get most of our gear back. We only lost about $600 in gear in the end. The airline made it impossible to make a claim by requiring a police report. The police won't send an officer for damaged luggage (reasonable) but we can't file an online report without local ID. So the airline gets away with it.

[@tarouyamada2686]

@@BretTkacs Glass half full attitude, but damn, that bites.

[@yorkchris10]

Is it true crocodiles don't usually go in fast moving water?

[@Bryansky8]

Besides turning off the traction controls, what about the ride mode? Dynamic? Rain?

[@BretTkacs]

It depends on your preference and the bike. My settings are normally very aggressive only because I like to remove unexpected interference.

[@bidanstephane369]

Hi Brett, just a question please about your badlands jacket, could you tell me your chest measurment and the size you choose for your jacket.

[@BretTkacs]

I had a size large in this video. I am a 42" chest. The shoulders and chest felt good but it was wide at the waist (I'm a 32" waist)

[@bidanstephane369]

Thank you for your answer. I have the same feeling, i'm 39" chest, M size fit comfort with my chest but so roomy at the waist (36"). Great jacket, weared at -4 degrés Celsius to 43 degrés Celsius and always confortable but the fitting is so strange.... maybe next time in Morroco i should eat more kefta to fill the jacket waist 🤪. More seriously sometines i wonder if i shouldn't have not followed the klim size chart and exchange it for an size S. Maybe cross your way one day. Take care.

[@backcountry4life]

What tires you riding on, Bret?

[@harf4ng]

With the KTM 790 adventure, in rallye mode, traction control is what they call "slip"? So I move this all the way to the left?

[@BretTkacs]

The KTM 790 has very good off-road traction control. Even in off-road mode you will be in good shape. You can even turn off the TC and the ABS fully on the 790. This isn't possible (ABS) on the 890

[@harf4ng]

@@BretTkacs I like the rallye mode of the 790 (I have the standard one not the R) because in this mode the left comodo is used to select slip level on the fly between 1 to 9 without the need to go in the menus

[@harf4ng]

If you do not know the place well and there is no other people around, maybe you could cross on foot and check the bottom ;)

[@BretTkacs]

I've done that

[@user-rw7xd7qy3j]

I would totally face plant in the water 😂

[@harf4ng]

Even if you see the bottom, with water on it there are random stones that are slippery so it is still a challenge :)

[@BretTkacs]

Very true

[@harf4ng]

@@BretTkacs i have tried to put as a comment a video of my own water crossing but seems KZbin does not like external links and it has been removed :)

[@vapour250]

What about walking through the water before crossing? Should one do that? And what is the basic procedure for unflooding the engine if it does get flooded?

[@marcos.1771]

How does water get into the engine?

[@javablues2642]

@@marcos.1771 Through the air intakes.

[@javablues2642]

@@marcos.1771 Thats why it's so important to hit that killswitch if you're going down.

[@marcos.1771]

@@javablues2642 My BMW switches off the engine immediately and automatically, when a destructive lean angle has been detected. IOW, I do not need to switch off the engine manually after an accident.

[@marcos.1771]

@@javablues2642That air goes through an air filter first. Chances are that any water that does get through will immediately evaporate because of the engine's heat.

[@TheBluetelligence]

I’m more worried about crocodiles 🐊 😂

[@BretTkacs]

Not in Iceland 🤣

[@ingomolitor9796]

@@BretTkacs but in Costa Rica :)

[@darkiee69]

So, United kills guitars AND lose camera gear.. 🤔

[@davedonedis]

Thank you! I cringe every time I see video of guys blasting thru crossings. My cringe is more along treading lightly.

[@BretTkacs]

I agree... Even the riders that were with me and shown in much of this video ride faster in water than I do. Mostly because I like being dry.

[@siulgonzalez]

I think you miss some important points: - Why it is dangerous for the engine. It can ruin not only your trip but your motorcycle in a minute. Explain water locking, rust, short-circuiting, etc. - Stop to look and even walk into the river to know the depth, current, holes, mud, etc. before you make any decision. - If you have a doubt about whether you can make it, there's no doubt: don't try it. Look for other alternatives. - Avoid it when you're alone, especially if you can't lift and pull your motorcycle and its luggage out of a muddy hole by yourself. - If you are with more experienced or reckless friends, let them go first and watch. - If you have a lot of luggage on a heavy bike, you can carry it on foot, instead of on the motorcycle. - Never go deeper than your air intake. So you need to know the depth of the water and the height of your air intake. - What to do in strong currents and how to avoid being carried downstream. - What to to if you drop it and flood the the engine. Never try to start it without being sure there's no water inside. How to get it out in the moment and the maintenance to do afterwards.

[@BretTkacs]

Fantastic list! I don't disagree with a single point.

[@siulgonzalez]

@@BretTkacs Maybe you can do a second part covering these points. ;-)

[@ZeLogicnator5k]

Why water crossing count just went from 1,254... ...to 7. Thanks for nothing! Still...great topic and video.

[@KaizerBillimoria]

Don't yell like a kid. i can't hear those few words and lose the chain of thought that goes into watching your videos. Be professional and calm.

[@stopstalkingyouspookybastard]

man i would never imagine this channel stooping so low and use a click bait title. i have to say i am disappointed, i would not expect this from your channel bret. if i come to a video that promisses water crossings, i expect you to show how to split the water open like moses did so i can cross without getting wet, not this nonsense of technique this stand up that use the balance bla bla. not unsubscribing as of yet, i think you deserve another chance.

[@BretTkacs]

😂🤣