My experience attending Chris Birch's Say No To Slow coaching course

Adventure motorcycling is challenging and can be dangerous if one lacks proper bike setup, form, and training. I attended Chris Birch's Say No To Slow coaching course in Georgia on April 23rd and 24th at Highland Park Resort in Cedartown, Georgia, and wanted to share what it meant to me and how it's helped me become a more competent and confident off-road rider. Join me and a group of my classmates as we embark on an off-road adventure with Chris Birch.
You can look up upcoming Say No To Slow events at this link:
Say No To SLOW coaching website: saynotoslow.nz/pages/coaching
Moto Adventure Tours: www.motoadvtour.com
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[@markwaki3950]

Nice of you to share

[@Thelnferno]

Wow, I’ve been looking for some good quality coaching and never dreamed that I’d be able to actually take one of his classes, but it actually worked out! I’m attending his May course in Utah next month! Thank you for this video - it truly captured the essence of the course!

[@theEHWAZ]

That's fantastic! I was hoping to take his course in Utah as well this year but I unfortunately can't. You will enjoy it. Please tell Chris that Mike from GA says hello. Enjoy, you will become a better and more confident rider after the training.

[@markwilliams1481]

I attended this class over Labor Day weekend in 2022 at the same place. If your budget allows it's well worth your time, money and effort to attend. Chris Birch and his assistant (also Chris) were very good trainers. I have his video set prior to signing up for the class, BUT getting 1st hand instruction on foot / leg placement and feedback was PURE GOLD for me. I was blown away at how well I started to handle my 1290 SAR, and all by learning something SO basic. I intend to get back to one of his future classes as soon as my work schedule allows.

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I totally relate. The small and big lessons that Chris teaches on the spot make a big difference in rider confidence and competence. I plan on attending another one of his training sessions as well. Cheers

[@jalex19100]

I have both his dirt bike and adv bike video series. I ride an air cooled BMW GSA, and also a ktm excf. His ADV video was really helpful when I did my first BDR (NEBDR) with some friendS, all with very little experience. Chris’ video instruction got me through 8 days of riding, some of it really insanely tough, without any issues. And his personality in all of the footage I have seen is amazing and friendly. Love his work! Glad you were able to do it in person. What an experience!

[@theEHWAZ]

The video series is very good, I found it beneficial going through the video series and then attending his live program to help reinforce the training. The NEBDR must have been a blast. BDRs are next on my list. Thanks

[@bonnevilleslayer]

Good stuff mate. The bloke is a freak how well he rides. Dunno if I will ever get to one his courses but I get heaps out of his online course. I made the mistake of watching the whole thing and thinking I knew everything. Now I watch a chapter a few times and hit the road. He seems like a really nice fellow too.

[@theEHWAZ]

He is talented beyond belief and makes it look easy for sure. We swapped bikes at the event because he wanted me to try the new 890 vs. my 790 where he showed me what my bike can actually do with a talented rider. I still watch his course one episode at a time as well because there is so much great information. Cheers!

[@motoadvpr]

Looks like good times! Thanks for sharing. Much respect for Chris

[@theEHWAZ]

It was a great time and he's truly a great guy and coach.

[@MotoVania]

Very cool man, thanks for sharing this!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks for watching and for the comment :)

[@johnhunter8753]

Great video. Well done👍👍

[@jchaverri]

I also had the opportunity to attend a class with Chris earlier this year. I learned SO much. I recommend anyone riding offroad with a big bike to attend this training or one similar to it. Also shocked as to how humble is Chris as a person. Will take this training again in a heart beat if I have the opportunity.

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks for the comment and I totally agree, he's a very humble down to earth guy. And amazing on a motorcycle!

[@jchaverri]

@@theEHWAZ Oh yeah he's incredible

[@larrycurran815]

​@@theEHWAZ😅 🎉😂 😮😢.😢🎉🎉🎉 "😢🎉.🎉😂.🎉🎉.🎉😂😂😂😂😢😂😂😢. . . '.['😢'😂😂😂😂😂😢😂😂😢😂😂🎉😂. 😂😂🎉😂 😢🎉😢

[@georgeferguson9779]

Wow! Thanks for the video. I’m convinced I need to take his course now!

[@theEHWAZ]

It's worth it in my opinion. If Chris returns next year, I will take his advanced course next.

[@sorenmelchior]

I wish we had instructors like this here in Alaska. Thanks for the great video!

[@theEHWAZ]

And I wish I could take a trip to ride in Alaska, you live in a beautiful state perfect for riding!

[@ADVdiary]

Chris Birch is a legend

[@theEHWAZ]

Yes he is.

[@ironinfidel7792]

Great video! Truly enjoyable viewing experience. I learned to ride on dual sport bikes back in the 80's lol...I know eons ago. I take delivery of my brand spanking new Husky 901 expedition next week and can hardly contain my excitement! Again great job on the video and many thanks for sharing!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thank you and congrats on the new Husky 901 that's on the way. That is an awesome machine and you will have a blast. And the 80's does not seem that long ago to me either. Cheers

[@konstantinkolaxazov3471]

Great content! I am planing next year to take the course. Missed it this year in Georgia. Thank you for sharing . Looking forward to improve my skills on my KTM 790. Cheers!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks! Sorry you missed it, the Virgina July course is not too far from GA as well. I feel my skills on my KTM 790 R have improved and I'm going through Chris's online coaching course (included with the live coaching course) to reinforce what I learned. Thanks for watching.

[@brettpaint]

This such a cool video uncle mike! Definitely inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things 🥳

[@theEHWAZ]

Thank you Brett! That means a lot to me. The great thing is that learning is a continual process no matter what age you are, young or old 😃

[@flyovercounty1427]

Thanks for this video

[@theEHWAZ]

Most welcome

[@itsthebike6672]

Excellent video. I know that most will start off roading on these behemoths. Later on when you graduate to a light dirt bike, you will be having nothing but fun. Take care my single track friends.

[@theEHWAZ]

True! Or we end up with two bikes. I also have a KLX 300 for single track but can also put some luggage on it for a few overnight light adv riding. Both very different machines.

[@oovreg5610]

Great video! Keep it up 👍

[@theEHWAZ]

Thank you!

[@ecalzo]

WOW... wonderful.. i would love to be there guys .. wow

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks! Keep a lookout for his coaching tour, maybe close enough for you to join one day.

[@bikegiant1376]

Really want to take one these courses myself! Thanks for sharing.

[@theEHWAZ]

The course is totally worth it. You will learn a lot. Cheers.

[@saddlsor]

Impressive video and editing, @Ehwaz! The audio was likewise well done. Very familiar with CB -- from a distance; subscribed to his channel(-s) and bought the Say No to Slow video course. Hoping to get to a live class in the near future. Thanks for the tour and review; again kudos for a very engaging and very well produced summary!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks for the feedback. Hope you get a chance to join one of his live classes.

[@captaincornbreadsdirtgrave9144]

Great Video Mike, looks like you guys had a blast!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks! It was a blast, surreal at times. Great trails in that part of our state and AL as well. Hope to see you at the next event in GA!

[@captaincornbreadsdirtgrave9144]

@@theEHWAZ It's going to be awhile before I make it back. I'm still on the injured reserve list. Haven't done anything with my YT channel in months for lack of footage.

[@himmelhollereisefieber5173]

Über Geschmack kann man nicht streiten. Vielen Dank. Klasse Video! Abo selbstverständlich

[@theEHWAZ]

Danke schön!

[@AnthonyJoh]

I just bought his online course and now this video makes me want to take his coaching course!

[@theEHWAZ]

Do it if you get the chance, it's worth it and brings the training experience to another level.

[@heinbotha1278]

Great video 👍🏻

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks

[@SteveHofsaess]

Looks like a great class, and the student - instructor ratio looks great. I am jealous

[@theEHWAZ]

The class size got a bit smaller on day two for different reasons including travel home and bike repairs.

[@user-vf3gf4xq3v]

HP is a great place to ride. I’ve been riding there for many years. Heaviest thing I ever rode there however is a DR650 and that was fun. Do much better on my 300 Beta and 350 KTM. You guys were lucky it was dry. That place with its red clay gets slick as snot when it rains.

[@theEHWAZ]

Yes, it was my first time in HP and I only explored part of it since I was on my KTM 790 but had a blast. I can only imagine the difficulty post rain, it was hard enough to begin with.

[@farzadr.nahaimd9715]

Hi EHWAZ...what a great video. Thank you for making it and sharing. Birch is the best. And what an inspiration your video is. My friends and I ride HP frequently, but I have never been on some of the roads and trails you showed from day 2; like the water crossing and the hill climbs...any way you can share the GPS or map location of those places? Thanks!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thank you! Unfortunately, I did not save the coordinates but next time you are at HP ask the owner, Paul, how to get there. He led the ride that day.

[@ninjazxd]

Seen this video a couple weeks ago and realized I missed an event that I didn’t even know about. Definitely would have went to that. I only live like an hour away in Acworth Georgia. Used to watch him a lot when he reviews the KTM adventure bikes.

[@theEHWAZ]

Sorry you missed it! He might come back next year so keep a lookout out via his Say No To Slow website.

[@escorriola1]

I had this course earlier this year in Panama, with 100% humity and extreme heat. more you learn, the fewer you recongnize you knew...

[@escorriola1]

I just recognized I took the course with the guy commenting before me, jose Chaverri from Costa Rica.

[@theEHWAZ]

That's awesome that you took the course in Panama and also noticed the comment from another fellow student. Panama must be an amazing place to ride off-road. Thanks for the comment.

[@janvanhaas2826]

Thanks for sharing, awesome experience and lots to learn. Just a comment, video would have been even better (in my opinion) without the music, just the sound of the bikes and guys comments

[@theEHWAZ]

Thank you for the feedback. I received similar feedback from other subscribers and adjusted my approach with my latest video. Some music in the beginning and end but no music in the middle of the ride so you can hear the motors.

[@kee7678]

Great video. I just got a 2023 Tiger 900 Rally Pro...and, didn't get my bike set up correctly, even though I spent a lot of time and study trying. My new boots, evidently were riding the rear brake and after my first 3 miles on the way to Joshua Tree for an ADV event, my first, I ruined the rotor and brake calipers and pads and had a $1200 repair on my new bike and missed the ADV event. I didn't feel my boot toe touching the rear brake???!!!! LIfe is harder when you're stupid I guess. Anyway, I'm in SoCal and truying to figure out my training choice. I'd love to go to Chris's in Utah in Sept maybe... Thanks for the video. Keep em coming.

[@theEHWAZ]

Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all make those type of mistakes and that’s why I believe this training is so instrumental for guys like us. We spend a lot on an ADV bike and just go vs getting the proper training that includes set up and gear essentials. You live in a great place to ride and the Utah training event will be awesome with Chris. I would love to try his advanced course out there. Cheers

[@JakeyJay26]

Thanks for the vid. Looks great. What were the bike setup things Chris helped you with? Suspension or something else? Also, what slip setting on rally mode did he recommend? I saw you riding 5 I think most of the time. Did you adjust that on the fly for different conditions? Thanks!

[@theEHWAZ]

Thanks! He went through top to bottom of bike from tires, handlebars, controls, back brake and clutch levers, suspension, weight distribution and more. I like to keep my bike in Rally mode with off-road ABS, street throttle, and bounce between 4 and 5 for traction. I changed it on the fly and down to 1 when we did the wheelie practice.

[@JakeyJay26]

Many thanks for your reply. I see Chris has a video series which I think I’ll get. Won’t be the same, but I’ll get quality (I hope) information quicker and likely a lot cheaper!

[@MaRmAn1337]

what is the orange front brake fluid reservoir cap you're having on your 790R? mine is leaking and looking for a fix...

[@theEHWAZ]

It's just a decorative cover I purchased from KTM brothers online shop. I had the same slow/slight leak issue. This cover didn't help much but it stopped leaking once I gently torqued the screws to the right tension. No more leaks. Over and under tightening causes is to leak. Hope they improved the design with the 2023 model.

[@tryharder3214]

Is that your gear indicator so you roll with throttle assist w/o stalling or is it a mode number an I just overthink?

[@theEHWAZ]

I think you are referring to the traction control setting which I had mostly set to 5 for medium traction intervention. I can change it while riding to 1 which is virtually no traction control to 9 where the engine intervenes a lot.

[@aaronmorningstar7020]

I am attending his course in kairos resort VA at the end of August.. Do you think Chris will mind that I ride a Yamaha T7? I also have a Ktm 500 excf and don’t know which one would be more suitable for the course I signed up for (adventure intermediate) thanks!

[@theEHWAZ]

I recommend the T7 since it's you signed up for the Adventure Intermediate course. He teaches transferable skills regardless of bikes but the adventure training is geared more towards the adventure rider. I took the same course and there was a mix of bikes including KTM ADV 790 & 890 Rs, BMW 1200 GS, a Yamaha dual sport, and a Suziki DRZ 400. Your T7 is perfect for this course and your KTM 500 would be perfect for his Enduro training course in my opinion.

[@justsomedude445]

wow that is an awesome experience , id love to do that , well done !! ive been dual sport and now adventure riding most of my life but never done a class , i should , thx great content

[@theEHWAZ]

Thank you. I believe this course is made for intermediate all the way to experienced advanced riders. We all form bad habits with positioning, posture and technique not to mention improper bike set up. It's totally worth it. Thanks for watching.

[@liveunfurled2497]

I’m curious if he gave a reason why to swap out the tractionator?

[@theEHWAZ]

He said it all depends on the type of riding that we are doing or want to do. In my case, I am riding mostly off-road in the forest on slippery wet GA clay conditions where softer rubber and larger more spaced blocks provides much more traction. I put thousands of miles on my Tractionator Rallz front and back and they tend to perform better on harder dryer and rocky conditions, in my opinion and experience. When I hit muddy clay or slippery dirt and tree roots, it got sketchy. So far the Mitas E10 has impressed me but I only have the rear tire. I kept the Tractionator Rallz front tire on my bike which seems to track well. Cheers

[@wanderlpnw]

What did you break due to improper setup?

[@theEHWAZ]

Both front rotors damaged that had to be replaced along with new hand guards. Combination of having my hand levers not set correctly for standing, brake lever set too low and bad eye positioning causing me to crash in a rut. I couldn’t effectively brake and my hands slipped off my grips while trying to use clutch and front brake controls. This class showed me proper set up and they why behind it which made me reflect on this particular crash.

[@benphaup9553]

Was this the intermediate or advanced course?

[@theEHWAZ]

Intermediate.

[@benphaup9553]

@@theEHWAZ thank you

[@KamikazeJoeNYC]

What happened to the GS rider? did he continue to the end of the course?

[@theEHWAZ]

He was with us most of the time but had to get back to the shop to make some minor repairs, like his windshield, due to one of his drops. He rode his GS from Florida and had to make sure it was ready for the trip back. Great guy and good rider too.

[@KamikazeJoeNYC]

@@theEHWAZ Thanks for letting me know! I recently did a training with Bret Tkacs and we had a few riders drop out by the end of the training. I'm just glad to hear the GS rider didnt drop out because of an injury! I'll be taking Chris Birchs advanced class in July on a Tiger 1200 rally pro. Hope my bike makes it to the end haha

[@theEHWAZ]

@@KamikazeJoeNYC - you are on the perfect bike for this adventure training and Chris was very good adapting to the needs of the class and lessons according to the type of bike you were riding. For example, he coached the GS rider a little different while we were on the trails in accordance to how to maneuver a large ADV bike through mud for example vs those of us on mid weight ADV bikes. Your going to love the training. Wish I could join that one too!

[@KamikazeJoeNYC]

@@theEHWAZ Thanks for the encouraging words man! I'm really looking forward to it

[@inchbyinch7759]

One missing on 2nd day ??

[@theEHWAZ]

Keen observation. By the end of day 2 we were missing 3 riders, all for different reasons ranging from having to head back home to bike repairs.

[@inchbyinch7759]

@@theEHWAZ do they have bikes for hire on site?

[@theEHWAZ]

@@inchbyinch7759 The course does not offer rental bikes but the KTM shop may have, I"m not sure.

[@bmwbob51]

KTM 890 weighs 470 pounds and lays flat! BMW 1200GS weighs 524 pounds and doesn't lay flat! Either bike is too heavy to get overly confident off road!

[@theEHWAZ]

They are heavy bikes but the training significantly improved my competence and confidence on the KTM 790. True for the class as well, we pushed our limits.

[@bmwbob51]

@@theEHWAZ I've heard it was addressed on later models and the pro model didn't have the same issue.

[@gnom_anonim]

Damn when I read 'Georgia' I thought he came to Europe :[

[@theEHWAZ]

Oh, sorry. Maybe he will head to the other Georgia one day :)

[@The333]

This was an outstanding review of what looked to be an outstanding course. Chris Birch is definitely getting a reputation for being one of the best instructors in ADV riding plus he just appears to be a really awesome person. My experience level is probably similar to yours (prior to completing the course) so this was really motivational for me. Bravo. Subscribed.

[@theEHWAZ]

Thank you! Hope you get to experience this type of training. It helps build confidence and it’s amazing what a difference the little things that he teaches makes. Cheers