No dirt needed, ADV skills practice in a parking lot

Learning skills to ride offroad on an ADV adventure bike does not always need dirt. This is the first of a series of videos that give lessons and drills that can be done in the city or areas that do not have trail or off-pavement access to ride.
This lesson taken from the ADV camps found in California, Washington, Oregon, Georgia and Virginia (www.BretTkacs.com/training) is one of the most basic but also most important skills to develop. Besides reducing energy you will improve your balance, confidence, blending of controls, clutch, throttle and brake.
Practicing this until it is a habit to stop without your butt touching your seat will save you once you get off the pavement.

[@robertlee8042]

I’m 75. I ride a GS Adv in America and a Yamaha T700 in Europe and Morocco. I own no car. I ride everywhere all year round on either of these two bikes. This is the best skills video I’ve ever seen. I was totally engrossed. So much so that I was experiencing the sensations. This is how I learned to fly. When I first took the controls I had never done more than imagine each maneuver. Your video is rich enough to support that degree of learning.

[@big566bunny]

Impressive-you have organizational skills 😊😊. Just wondering, how do you maintain a bike in a foreign country? I mean, for licensing, insurance, storing. If you are a US citizen, your visa is good for 180 days in a 12 month period in the Schengen area. So I suppose your time is not spent equally on either side of the Atlantic.

[@TheSilmarallion]

You nailed it "Perfecting the basics to an advanced level." - My new motto.

[@MiniMie1383]

Just did this whole routine on my KTM, super fun and the bike immediately felt smaller after 45 minutes of practice. Great video, great advice, thank you!

[@paul.vanhout57]

Great advice and practice ideas👍. I would add that practicing and developing balance skills off the bike (Bosu ball, one leg squats, etc) also has benefits when riding and everyday life.

[@s39020]

💯

[@ironhorsegladiator5034]

Bret, Happy Holidays and hope you have a Happy Safe 2023 New Year, same to all of your Subscribers as well for having the same interests in motorcycling like the rest of us.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

I did that on the road, I just choose a Mercedes to put my feet on during traffic stops, very satisfying

[@toddthepanamericanbrooks888]

Great refresher Brett! Can't wait to ride with you again and proud to be a Patreon Subscriber!

[@BretTkacs]

Your bike made for a very popular video... I wish we could have done more videos with it.

[@williammahaffy4642]

This is GOLD! Just moved up in power and weight for the upcoming big adventure experience and this gives me a great basis to practice before I do a formal ADV course. Fantastic tips, great instruction, good filming and edits. Instant sub!

[@PetrolJunkie]

lol That's how I stop about 70% of the time because I'm too short to sit my butt on seat and reach the ground without sliding it off to the side. I just lift up and plant my foot with my butt off the bike most of the time even if I was sitting before hand. Short guy skills.

[@theSkavenger84]

Same here! 27”. Inseam. I cant reach for shit!

[@PetrolJunkie]

@@theSkavenger84 30 inch on a non-lowered 1250GSA. (35 inch seat height.)

[@theSkavenger84]

@@PetrolJunkie I’m on a wr250r. But I’m in the market for a true adventure bike now

[@darren1922]

Me too! I'm 5'4" and I ride a KTM 790 Adventure R. I have no choice but to find things to helpe reach the ground with my short legs. Rocks, sidewalk curve, ruts, tree roots, stumps, etc. Short riders are more skilled than taller riders. My taller rider friends cheat with their long legs and they duck walk their bikes through hard stuff, where I can't reach the ground so I have to ride on the pegs through tough conditions.

[@PetrolJunkie]

@@theSkavenger84 I wouldn't shake a stick at a WR250R. I'm trading in for a Honda 300 Rally to do more offroading, the big BMW will still see dirt, the Honda is more for trail bashing. I wouldn't discredit a smaller dirt bike, myself.

[@frankstith7800]

I wish you and KZbin had been around 45 years ago when I first started riding. What I tried to do back then was to turn to the lock and still be able to ride in circles without putting my foot down, first to the left and then to the right, while standing on the pegs, of course. I was somewhat successful on my ‘73 250 Yamaha Enduro. Those fine (muscle) motor skills were necessary there, as well. Subbed for more teaching.

[@BretTkacs]

Thanks for the sub

[@TheBeardedGrump]

I like doing stuff like this on the bike. It's fun and definitely builds skill. I've also been practicing fakies (rolling backwards while standing on the bike) which takes a lot of balance. It's helping me a ton and is fun to do if you can't get out for a long ride.

[@allenhuling598]

Excellent advice as always, thank you! Cheers for a happy, healthy, and productive 2023....ride safe!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

You are excellent at explaining techniques and why they are important. That's why get my vote for best of 2022.

[@janwanka5776]

Greeting from Czech Republic. Hello Bret, thanks a lot for yout helpfull video. Happy New Year 2023 to all Subscribers. I wish you all many safe miles and especially fun at the handlebars.🌍👍

[@idselseno2306]

I always watchout for the helmet to cap transition on every Bret Tkacs video. Somehow I had grown to like it like a routine that I don't want to change.

[@robertfritz3283]

He’s got it down to an art form lol.

[@ryanmalone2681]

Really appreciate these videos. I’m gonna try these this weekend. Hopefully I don’t bomb on your course in March!

[@BretTkacs]

If you bomb in March that's on me...

[@ryanmalone2681]

@@BretTkacs I love your attitude, but only I’m responsible for myself. With both our attitudes, I have no doubt I’ll be better than when I started. I’m just hoping I don’t bust my new 3 month old hip (actually it’s the femur they’re worried about). Just need to get the right tires now…

[@advnoobie6061]

Love it and thanks for the great video- I love doing skills in parking lots and often do it as a warm up before riding off-road. I also find doing lots of stops and pausing stationary with feet on the pegs really helps balance and weight distribution. Thanks for all the tips- you have been instrumental in lowering my steep learning curve over the last 15 months.

[@jonr3891]

I 🖤 nerding around in empty parking lots! Nice to see you wearing Aerostich 🇺🇸. Happy new year.

[@lorengrimes5293]

Bret is the only thing I support via Patreon. I can watch the videos for free, but I feel that this is too valuable a resource to take for granted.

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Thanks for these winter drills, Bret. I like you focus on saving rider energy, since our days on the trails are fairly long. HAppy New Years, Günter, Nürnberg/Germany

[@DeweyRides]

Really good as always. I remember doing these drills at your clinic, it was amazing how this and balance drills build on memory and feel and all of the sudden doing it off-road really works and helps.

[@StevenVanLoven]

Thanks Bret for the great tips you gave us.

[@motot3adventure]

Fantastic video Bret. Appreciate your time and professionalism. I always learn new skills with you. Happy Holidays.

[@griff4424]

I totally agree with Flat Cap Racer you are excellent at clearly explaining riding techniques. You also get my vote as Best for 2022 !!!! Happy New Year

[@rustyspiker3569]

A suggestion for a video from your senior followers. How about how to choose the best line on a road full of ruts. How to get get in and out of those little buggers. Have a great year Brent!😀

[@davidray4128]

Excellent video. I feel like I am fairly good at low speed stuff but still bad at turning at speed. I've been riding for quite a while but never was able to feel totally comfortable leaning and turning at regular riding speeds. The lighter the bike the better I feel.

[@kai-uweoch1159]

For us short legged people to get both feet on the ground simultaniosly is anyway an unknown luxury! :-)

[@resonantcasevids]

Bret, dude! From 5:30 to 6:00, that is such a good explanation and video edit of “no butt to seat” when coming to a stop.

[@FuhrmannAuge]

One of the best videos ever!!! Thanks, Bret👏👏👏💯🍀👍

[@BretTkacs]

I'm always surprised which videos are most well received. I have been wanting to do dirtless dirt training videos for some time now. I am happy this first one is being well received

[@scratastic1]

Great advice for sure! And I notice car drivers also really appreciate me practising my skills, every time I use their fenders at stop lights to put my foot on a high place, they enthusiasticly start sounding their horn and shake their hands while screaming compliments, although unfortunately I can't hear what they say because of my custom made earbuds playing music.

[@BretTkacs]

🤣🤣🤣

[@davidjmichaud4422]

Love this stuff, thanks for always sharing new ideas to be better riders.

[@anthonydendle4768]

Yes I like shopping center carparks especially multi level ones , cheers an keep the good times rollin 👍😊

[@8andsk835]

The whole time I’m watching this video I’m thinking about skating that parking lot. I’ll have to watch it again and pay attention.

[@omicrondec]

I believe ".001 of subscribers" are your patreons. If it was truly only .001% of subscribers, you'd have less than 2 patreons (1.28 of the 128,000 subscribers). Keep rocking and rolling. Love your stuff!

[@owomo-world]

Schon wieder tolle Tips, grüße aus Deutschland, wünsche allen eine schöne Saison 2023

[@NorthWestMotos]

Really great video. I liked the way you break every step down to what you should be seeing and feeling on the bike. The more I ride the more I realize the whole game is to conserve as much energy as possible. Thanks for the tips!

[@harf4ng]

This side leg on ground is also good when you're a bit too small for your adventure motorcycle :) with mine when I'm am seated i do not have the two feet flat on the ground

[@insatiable_mind]

That’s great advice. I’m going to practice this.

[@28bikes53]

Happy new year, Bret! Thank you for another beautifully shot, well explained technical video. Your hard work is very much appreciated!

[@robertfritz3283]

Thanks Bret!

[@samuelevinti]

Happy New Year!

[@adventureutah9784]

Love your videos! Secret Squirrels rock!

[@Absmotovlogs]

This video will really gonna help my future rides 👍

[@pareshprajapati7916]

thank you sir .

[@diogormateus]

Interesting for the low pilot! Thank you

[@kawabungah20]

Fantastic! I will practice these skills.

[@BlackThor15]

Another great video Bret, thanks for sharing so much knowledge and lessons! Do you have any video about making a U-turn going uphill in any surface type? Thanks and have a great 2023!! 👍

[@yorkchris10]

Curb hopping is useful for curb-hopping and off-road step hopping.

[@robans]

I've never seen someone swaping helmet for cap so damn fast! 0:10

[@o.k.9142]

Absolutely love this video!

[@pity220171]

Thank you very much Bret...your videos are easy to understand and bring us the chance to improve our skills doing your exercises....well done....Have a great 2023...greetings from Argentina.

[@VStrom2019]

Quickest helmet to hat changer in the business 🤷‍♂️

[@virendradr]

excellent great video dont feel shy to be bold and beautyful

[@377Pro]

Great video! I will practice this. Thanks!

[@mrbjay5443]

Excellent lesson!

[@bigjj974]

I like the skills you have shown. There are issues when you are a short rider. Maybe you could do a video address the issue short riders have in these situations.

[@BretTkacs]

Have you seen this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYKyZ5qof76ghck

[@RobHaut]

Happy new year Bret. You do a great job of making ADV riding logical; keep it up. Also, shave your head already.

[@lilreddevil600]

I don’t really ride off-road but I’m going to practice this anyway.

[@jaywhoisit4863]

Thankfully I don’t have winter! I’m ripping the dirt 365!

[@robb8773]

I'm an MSF RC and I totally agree about beginner vs advances skills! Thanks for the Video.

[@svenkoch5702]

Hey Bret 🤠, ich schreibe mal auf deutsch 🙈. Vielen vielen Dank für die wirklich tollen Skills 👍!!! Ich feier deine Videos wirklich sehr und lerne viel über das Offroad fahren von Dir und deinem Team!!! Ich schaue sehr gerne Deine Videos da ich direkt auch etwas englisch dabei lernen kann 🤗. Mach bitte weiter so 👍!!! Ich wünsche Dir, deiner Familie und deinem Team einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr! Bleibt gesund und hört bitte niemals auf so tolle Videos über den Planeten zu verteilen 😉!!! Best wishes Sven 🤠

[@vijayam1]

Fine motor skills. . perfect..

[@mioszkuropatwa9889]

Dziękujemy.

[@2dogsstottie]

Thank you so much for these informative videos. I have been riding dirt and road for about 45 years now and I am attempting to get into harder single trail dirt rides. about 20 years ago however, I got very sick and have cooked my inner ears, so I now have almost no balance at all, and also have 2 x blown knees. Can you think of a way for me to achieve these types of drills? Please don't say give up riding...

[@mannyechaluce3814]

Just dropping feet to the ground technique totally solves the issue with shorter riders :D

[@rodmitchell8064]

Great video 👍

[@mr00ks]

Great tips Bret

[@skyworx524]

Great Tips Bret , New Sub

[@amosbaram1245]

thanks a lot for your information and video

[@pablopenataroyori8047]

Thanks!

[@bernardhossmoto]

I have to touch the seat when I put my foot on the ground because it is so freakin' high 🤣🤣In town I always try to use the curb or sidewalk to put my foot when halting (at a red light for example).

[@robertohoffmann9765]

Muito bom !!! Ótima dicas, Obrigado.

[@hussam0r]

Hi, thank you for the techniques. I appreciate letting you know the brand of the saddle bags.

[@hizirkurtel3197]

Thanks 👋

[@abdulabdelrahman5785]

“I did NOT say drop your butt to the seat” 😂😂

[@skipole09]

The fastest hat in the west is back

[@TheChindoboi]

Thank you so much for sharing this stuff Brett!

[@richardkeeley6927]

Thanks for the pointers. Question: I noticed when I drop my bike it's mostly on the left side. I'm right handed and honestly, putting my right foot to the ground has always made me feel uneasy??? Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong? Since we have lots of snow here in New Brunswick Canada, I'll practice balancing the Africa Twin in the garage with an emphasis on dropping the right foot first. I'm 58 and I've been riding since the age of 12. That said, I guess there's always room for improvement. Happy New Year!! :)

[@mihigyver]

try to stay on one leg and hands of thats challenging 😆 but if you can lock the throudle it works.. i have a other challeng, and a good training! drive throu a city and try to never put your feed on the ground, so you have to look always whats happening and also learn drive very slowly if your down at 1mph you doing it right.. but thats not that easy specialy with this high and heavy bikes..

[@endonutz]

Bret, you had to double clutch the hat maneuver....

[@BretTkacs]

Proof I don't edit the hat 🤠

[@endonutz]

@@BretTkacs you're the best

[@fallinginthed33p]

Maybe mountain bike lessons would be helpful too, if you can't get to a parking lot in winter.

[@BretTkacs]

Agreed

[@eddyennis9160]

Thanks for the great videos. Tooling around in an empty parking lot during winter to hones skills is a great idea. Btw, what is the brand of riding jacket and pants you are wearing?

[@learnleather4865]

I find that I’m more comfortable standing and that when I sit back down, the bike feels weird 😂

[@62himself]

Off topic….great lesson by the way…what coat is that? Always looking to see what kit people are using.

[@burtonparsons7717]

I've been trying this, but when I put a leg out the bike doesn't tip that way, it actually tips towards the foot still on the peg. So do you need to lean the body and put weight on the grip on the foot out side?

[@alexmacdonald258]

Very worthwhile practice, but not around here. It's snow country. Bikes sadly have to be stored until the thaw😞 The way things are going, that might be April!

[@BretTkacs]

Ok, challenge accepted. I will do a skills video that doesn't require riding 🤔

[@AboutaMileAdventures]

@@BretTkacs garage training, balancing the bike, practice picking it up lol, practice trailside repairs, practice pivot turns when the wifes cars outside ;)

[@alexmacdonald258]

@@BretTkacs I'd be it will be difficult to do, but certainly very welcome for us snowbound losers! Arizona's looking better every day, especially since there's 10 inches of new snow overnight!! Happy New Year ti to you & your family though! Stay warm!

[@trucker-d4161]

Sounds like an excuse, plenty cold and snow in Minnesota, I ride 3.5 miles to town just to practice in the winter time. Plenty of riding in the winter, you just need to do it.

[@alexmacdonald258]

@@trucker-d4161 Not safe-we have super high water content snow, and if people drive over it, it turns instantly to glacier. And by "glacier", I mean-literally-that I could attach an ice screw into the ice on my driveway. The county won't use salt or deicer except on the state highways. I'll be working again on chipping the 2.5 inch thick ice out of my place. Sand helps, but only until the next storm.

[@RideLikeAChamp]

Hi Bret, I am a huge follower of your riding techniques and mentoring so I follow most of your KZbin videos but I have a desire to train in person with you especially for adventure riding. I am based out of New Jersey so not sure how I can join one of your camps , I am a avid fan of this sport and I truly want to learn and master adventure motorcycle riding. Can you please help.

[@BretTkacs]

www.BretTkacs.com I do classes in VA and GA in the spring

[@EromliG1995]

Id like to know more about your riding gear in this video!

[@Carlos-bp1vp]

Aerostich, I've had a couple and prefer them for cold days. Very comfortable and high quality. Only downsides is the styling is still stuck in the 90's (loose fit), and they are $$$ if bought new.

[@BretTkacs]

At yet I still wear one and have since 2003 😁

[@roadglide]

Great stuff. Bret what kit is that you are wearing in this video?

[@BretTkacs]

Areostitch 2-pc Roadcrafter

[@THCone]

I don't understand, where was Morocco Mole? He's still your sidekick, right?

[@flo4135]

nice thx

[@singhsingh99]

Tell us about your ride. I see some interesting mods. Looks like you’ve got a set of Woody’s but is that a 21” front wheel?? Is that an OEM tinted windshield?

[@BretTkacs]

That was the last video I did before this one... Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5PPfIKhea6jirM

[@dominikkedzia7419]

Middle of the winter is not excuse? Bro, its sometimes hard to walk outside here where I live, not mentioning any driving XD

[@TheHimalayanIbex]

Saw a clip from India. Do you come here for training sessions?

[@BretTkacs]

2018 and 2019 with Top Gun India 😁

[@StanForAdventure]

This is a great drill to practice with some great insights to handling and balance. Thanks for this one. But I also have to say it was one of you least smoothest helmet off / hat on transitions in awhile LOL....keep up the good work....@stan_for_adventure

[@tenterrali]

Can you show some tips how this works for shorter riders? I'm 5'3 on a KLR650 with an aftermarket lower seat height.

[@BretTkacs]

here you go Https://kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYKyZ5qof76ghck

[@anthonyrobinson782]

Easy when you have long legs for us shorty's it's a bit different

[@54zk]

Who make that huge brake peddle?

[@BretTkacs]

AltRider

[@micharebuz2542]

- - - YOU SEEM TO BE CRAZY MAN - - - BUT : YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR BIKE VERY WELL . . . . . . . .coming along . . . . . . . slowing down . . . . . . . ( the bike-Stand is left side - - - - on every bike ! ) - - - -but you ! - -- - - -? - - - - - you climb down your bike on the right side - - -- - and it looks as if you are doing this every day - - - -but normally for most riders is the left side of the bike they "climb down" . . . . . . . you are an expert - - -really . . . .

[@lunar-firefly]

When you talk about having your leg hooked over the seat and the bike balanced beneath it, how would you suggest shorter riders do this on larger bikes? Would it be a matter of having your foot off the opposite foot peg to maintain that position? Or would it be a matter of using your surroundings to your advantage like you're doing with the curbs, and light poles and stuff. Thanks!

[@BretTkacs]

If you haven't already watch this short rider tips video... I think it answers your question kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYKyZ5qof76ghck