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.

[@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!

[@TheSilmarallion]

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

[@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.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

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

[@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

[@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]

💯

[@bikecbel6328]

Thank you for all your inspirational tips and examples. We use them every time we go for a ride 😊

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.🌍👍

[@allenhuling598]

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

[@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…

[@jonr3891]

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

[@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!

[@BeGoneForGood]

I feel like you’re telling me to ride standing (the coolest way possible) more often on the roadways, in my daily commuting areas not because I want to look awesome or more adventurey but because it is ACTUALLY improving my off-road skills? Yes!!! WWBTD!

[@matthewdittrich2976]

I am going to take this suggestion and put it to use. Thanks Bret.

[@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.

[@kai-uweoch1159]

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

[@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.

[@terryc47]

110% good advice Brett. Being intune with bike, thankyou for posting

[@abdulazizsaleh8650]

I'm learning alot even if I don't have a bick 😬 but I'm planning to buy one... So thank you..I appreciate your kindness 💯👌🏻🇸🇦🙂

[@flatcapcaferacer]

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

[@owomo-world]

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

[@anthonydendle4768]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!😀

[@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]

🤣🤣🤣

[@doc650adventures]

Excellent information! Going to try this!

[@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.

[@insatiable_mind]

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

[@0HARE]

Thanks for these helpful skill-building exercises. I’ll be practicing them soon. Happy Trails

[@StevenVanLoven]

Thanks Bret for the great tips you gave us.

[@Feilkonjakk]

Nice instruction, and good ting to do practice on👍🏻😊

[@motot3adventure]

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

[@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

[@manfredkrain6418]

Thank you very much for you examples, I'm going to practice now. 😊

[@adventureutah9784]

Love your videos! Secret Squirrels rock!

[@robertfritz3283]

Thanks Bret!

[@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!

[@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.

[@joshuaderoche813]

I’m part of the .001%. Love the content!

[@BretTkacs]

THANK YOU!!!! I make videos based on the needs of my Patreon supporters first and look for view count after that 😀👍

[@mioszkuropatwa9889]

Dziękujemy.

[@khullaasaand]

This video is exactly what I needed. Just bought a KTM adv 390... Trying to get ahold of one foot down and not landing butt on seat. Height is short at 5'6" so finding it very hard to take it in stop and go traffic. I'm actually surprised that this video came in my feed 3 days later

[@BretTkacs]

If you haven't seen this one check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYKyZ5qof76ghck

[@diogormateus]

Interesting for the low pilot! Thank you

[@samuelevinti]

Happy New Year!

[@ecalzo]

AS usual a beautiful and useful video Thank you Bret from Italy and have a good ending of the year and a fresh beautiful start for 2023...!! Hi from Italy

[@pablopenataroyori8047]

Thanks!

[@davidjmichaud4422]

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

[@Absmotovlogs]

This video will really gonna help my future rides 👍

[@kawabungah20]

Fantastic! I will practice these skills.

[@yorkchris10]

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

[@murraehaynes3182]

Always good to see you 👍🏼Happy New Year..

[@two-up]

Hello great channel very nice ride ;)

[@28bikes53]

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

[@lilreddevil600]

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

[@lifesjourneyat50]

Happy New Year...glad you're back from travels and posting again....great skill set that comes in handy....keep them coming...!!!

[@mrbjay5443]

Excellent lesson!

[@virendradr]

excellent great video dont feel shy to be bold and beautyful

[@o.k.9142]

Absolutely love this video!

[@VStrom2019]

Quickest helmet to hat changer in the business 🤷‍♂️

[@377Pro]

Great video! I will practice this. Thanks!

[@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.

[@stefanemanuelsson2201]

That is not what it will look like when i put my foot down, since i'm 6"3 :) Thanks for the lesson!

[@vijayam1]

Fine motor skills. . perfect..

[@anto687]

Love it Bret, can't wait to give this a go and also get some newbies into controlling their adv bikes!

[@pareshprajapati7916]

thank you sir .

[@RobHaut]

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

[@iainamurray]

We now need a step-by-step tutorial on how you wrap your shemagh scarf

[@Petesmotoadventure]

Have a great new year. Thanks for the content. Being new to ADV your tips have been greatly helpful. Hope to do your class some day.

[@robans]

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

[@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

[@amosbaram1245]

thanks a lot for your information and video

[@rodmitchell8064]

Great video 👍

[@johnasbury9915]

Happy New Year Bret! Keep at it Brother!

[@derekbender]

Great advice! Thank you! 👏

[@skyworx524]

Great Tips Bret , New Sub

[@mr00ks]

Great tips Bret

[@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!! 👍

[@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 🤠

[@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).

[@hussam0r]

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

[@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...

[@robertohoffmann9765]

Muito bom !!! Ótima dicas, Obrigado.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

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

[@THCone]

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

[@avilegman4195]

thank you for the info.

[@jaywhoisit4863]

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

[@BlueAlgon]

Thanks for this video.

[@TheChindoboi]

Thank you so much for sharing this stuff Brett!

[@pont0n]

Yeah, I see winter made some of your skills rusty as well. Helmet -> hat transition 7/10 ;)

[@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..

[@hizirkurtel3197]

Thanks 👋