Peg Weighting Doesn't Matter - Body Position is the Key

[@chrisj1863]

Bret, your videos are pure gold. I've learned so much from them. And each one gets straight to the point without endless waffling. In relation to peg weighting - of course I believed you from the start, but it was only this week on the highway with cruise control set and hands off the bars that I tried steering by pressing on the pegs. Nada, nothing, zip. As soon as I shifted my body, I could at least change lanes. I kept doing that then, at the same time lightly touched the bars - well it nearly put me through a hedge. I never doubted you!

[@TCGE08]

I nearly spit my coffee out when that last “tip” played LOL. All these people complaining missed the part where he talks about body position and sensation. We’re not talking motorcycle physics. We’re talking motorcycle riding techniques.

[@99len]

I'm fairly new to gravel / off road riding - really appreciate the clear & concise instruction on the basics - keep it coming!!!!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks! We will, Ulendo.

[@kingchilly2664]

I just found out about this channel. I'm glad they are taking over, there aren't any new informational videos like these. That said, you should check out the few videos on Clinton Smout's channel. He hasn't made videos in a long time but what he has there will definitely help you.

[@dandersonjr]

I've ridden motorcycles off road for over 40 years and in my opinion you are correct. We never had any schools or videos to learn from other than trial and error. Now I don't propose to be able teach any riding courses but depending on the riding situation sometimes I lean right to turn left and sometimes I lean left to turn left. The difference for me is the speed at which I'm turning and also the terrain. Sharp. slow steering lock left turn my weight goes to the right to help maintain balance but while riding at 60 mph on the street I can't recall leaning to the right for a left hand turn and for those of you waitng to pounce on me I also do turn right on occasion.

[@nebojsamaric1259]

lots of good things here, as well as not quite correct I'd say. By pushing bike with knee we're leaning the bike, staying on outer peg vertically to ground making the force pushing out the rear wheel less, picking up the outer elbow allows us to help leaning the bike and so forth.... Dirt bikes are so sensitive and responsive that allows us to actually feel all this physics and ride correctly.

[@maxmmpower]

you are REALLY good at doling out some key points - concise, clear, invaluable for hungry new adv riders. thanks much!

[@steveeichelberger806]

I never understood ‘weighting the pegs’. Coming from moto trials I move the bike under me to turn. I never think about what peg I’m weighting and how much. Body position to balance the bike makes a lot more sense to me.

[@NathanieI87]

Bret is such a charismatic guy! He can tell you "you've been misinformed" in a way you don't feel offended and at the same time keeps your focus on what he's saying and making you open minded. True passionate and professional teacher who is correcting you without sounding arrogant. When he talks he's on one level with you. Carry on Bret! Greetings from Germany

[@jr.6199]

If only the corrections taught were accurate... as you can see, there is much debate from the citizen scientists here in comments since this was posted.

[@johndoe-pm7up]

Hi Brett, you provide a lot of insights on the how^s, this particular tip is gold to me. I was practicing 8's today and somehow felt the knee pushing the tank. I immediately remembered this video and your words about the knees pushing the sides of the tank. Needles to say my 8's become tight and I can reproduce them however I want. Thank you sir.

[@lecler9984]

Bret, as always you nail it. I have been hearing the "weigh the peg" thing for such a long time, and while out today I was very conscious of it coming through some sharp cornering and noticed that my knee was really the 'driving' force in the turning and not the "weighing" of the peg. You've just confirmed that I am doing it correctly. Thx. Wish you could put on something around here :)

[@idratherberiding3456]

Next time, check what your arms are doing when you your knee exacts the "driving" force. Did that create a counter steering effort at all?

[@danmasterson4128]

Dude, you are a great teacher! I love to watch your videos. I always learn so much.

[@KentRodgman]

Good advice. I've been doing it all wrong, just locking up the rear and dropping the bike. I just make sure when I pick it back up it's pointed in the direction I need to go next, and away we go. Pretty exhausting really. In all seriousness, coming from street bikes before, I've had my 800GS about 4 years and am now feeling comfortable on the dirt. I've always imagined it as more of a "point your hips" in the direction you want to go but it accomplishes the same thing. Happy to see it's not a totally obscure thought.

[@avocares]

It really takes something good to make me LOL, you sir succeeded, nicely done.

[@josharaujo9589]

Man's just walking all over that bike like its nothing. Skills

[@oldNavyJZ]

True. I barely walk on flat ground that well.

[@Ronbassettphd]

You are the first acrobat I have ever known who performs on a motorcycle and it was a great and positive effect

[@OldGloryTreeCo]

I was brushing my teeth at the end when he said he was gonna steer with his foot. I looked back at the phone and laughed when I saw what he was doing and spit toothpaste everywhere lol

[@mcragosta]

I dunno, I hear so many different explanations on how to turn a bike off road it makes my head spin! Here's what I do: 1. upon approaching turn, weight the inside peg to lean the bike, which gets it turning. Depending how aggressive I am or how quickly i want to turn, sometimes it's more like a stomp on the peg. 2. Once the bike is leaned over and starts turning, I then shift my body over to the outside, turning both feet to point inside, knees also - meaning inside knee sticking out, outside knee pressing into bike. This is the point where there's confusion on "weighting the peg". Once in the turn, I am modulating the weight on the pegs to maintain control. Bikes starts to slip out underneath you? Stomp on outside peg. Need to increase turn radius? more weight on inside peg.

[@SheenHunter-SeattleFreeze]

You're right about the end of the video. But I liked the whole thing. I relate the steering to snowboarding and longboarding. Thanks for another fun educational and quick video!

[@MOTOTREK]

Glad you enjoyed it, Sheen!

[@DanishSatkut]

This channel is going to grow upto 1 Mil fast. Amazing videos! Keep up the good work.

[@MOTOTREK]

We hope so!

[@sadlogic]

Lost it at the outro. Thanks a lot!

[@TheLongjohndong]

Awesome advice as always but as a trackday rider and racer for street/ tarmac you actually weight the outside peg, lock the knee into the tank and keep light presser on the inside to be able to pivot on your feet to move the knee out and in when needed. Keith code talks a good amount about this in his books.

[@krayzieegg7294]

I think it should have been more like stretching your foot to put more pressure on the outside knee and lock it to the tank than weighting it. I always thought of pegs are just a thing to hold on to for your feet or just a support. Its not something to be debated about. In my opinion shifting weight, body position and a good knee lock on that tank is better to talk about than weighting the pegs.

[@paul2496]

Love these videos guys, sure show what you can do on your adventure bikes. Keep up the good work. Many thanks.

[@Bandy64]

You explain this like skiing. How do you turn on an unstable surface? Very similar. Appreciate the comparison.

[@michaelhayward7572]

Riding a trials bike will teach you all the correct stuff for off road and make you a safer more competent rider.

[@DirtRiderLife]

Moving weight from one peg to another changes the centre of pressure which creates a moment that tends to rotate the bike to a different direction, foot peg pressure does matter and will affect motorcycle steering and balance

[@blackrocksailing]

You are one hell of an instructor. I am a relatively new rider, and I thoroughly enjoy your style and content. Thank you for sharing. I almost want to drive across the country to take one of your classes! I rarely subscribe to these things, but you got my vote. Keep up the good work!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks!

[@BretTkacs]

Black Rock Sailing School of you decide to come out to train with me you can get a bike from www.TourUSA.com , that is a subsection to my school www.pssor.com

[@blackrocksailing]

Bret, The rental idea is very good to know! I checked out your website and I have a feeling you will be seeing two or three of us east coasters in your late August camp/excursion. Keep up the good work!

[@BretTkacs]

you can contact me through the school if you want to chat before coming out. www.pugetsoundsafety.com (all three are the same school, one is the street division, one is off-road the other is our rentals/tours to support our ADV program)

[@leesuschrist]

I just went from only riding street for the past 6 years to now riding in the dirt. I feel like my entire world has been flipped upside by all these new techniques. I like it though, it makes me wanna learn and practice as much as I can.

[@Bruce-Wayne717]

Whatd you used to ride and what do you have now?

[@leesuschrist]

@@Bruce-Wayne717 I've only ever had a DR650. We just don't have any dirt where i live, I gotta ride at least 3 hours to get to it. I invested in some lightweight camping gear this year, but now it's extremely cold so I'll have to wait haha

[@caunesandrew1476]

@@leesuschrist same situation ! haha, so looking forward to this spring

[@toltod]

Hugging the Corner...Hugging the side of a steep hill. Great tip to remember...always forget that when I'm on the side of steep hill going around a corner. Gut reaction is to position you body close to the hill which pushes the bike away from the steep hill losing traction. Hang off a bit and push the bike towards the hill...hug the hill.

[@luisenriquenameacosta2310]

Loved the ending!

[@rolf9280]

@2:46... Perpendicular to the ground. Not parallel. Parallel would be bad!

[@MOTOTREK]

You're right!! Wish there was a way we could add an annotation on the screen but KZbin won't allow that anymore. I'll update the closed captioning.

[@elijahbrooks8589]

Exactly. Weighting it just helps me position more easily.

[@ipbraai]

Excellent explanation! You really explain these techniques well so that even beginners can get it. Thanks for the informative yet entertaining videos Mototrek!

[@MOTOTREK]

You're welcome!

[@lorgagssertao4036]

Hell yeah!! I've been watching a whole bunch of your videos today and I reckon they totally top the Motorrad GS Training sessions they have, not only in Germany and Australia, but all around the world!! This is the way to do it!! If it wasn´t for the love of this sport (Adv Rinding), you should be charging for this awesome tips you guys provide on your videos!! Thanks heaps for trying to make our adventure rides safer!!

[@BretTkacs]

Lorga GS Sertao this is just the tip of the iceberg... I do charge for the whole lessons

[@alexriggio1853]

I lol'd at the end! I'm a former street biker and want to buy a GS next year to start some light offroad. I'm watching all of your videos to learn the most in the meantime :D thanks for your work. Actually I did some offroad when I was a kid, with a Fantic Motor Seven Days trial 240. During the summer we used to go on a mountain for vacation, and I used to ride all over the mountain, but it's been a long...

[@SmokinZen]

I have been trying adventure riding for the first time and it is almost exactly the opposite of street riding position, I have to retrain my brain to do everything the opposite way it's been challenging

[@jr.6199]

Yes, and remember to go much easier on that front brake in loose conditions...vs street which is mostly front braking.

[@dangerdanadv1445]

Thanks for not being a tool and begging us to like and subscribe. I love your videos, so I like and subscribe. Fantastic video, and the outro was pretty awesome. Just gotta steer with the left foot! It reminds me of my dad's driving.

[@MOTOTREK]

Good advice. Thank you!

[@bn4172]

This video is very true. Anyone who believes that peg weighting alone changes the forces applied to the bike would also need to believe that you can reach down, grab your own belt with your hands, and make yourself lighter by lifting up. Everyone knows that you can't pick yourself up like this but the same principals are at work here. From a physics perspective it makes no difference how the bike and rider are connected, it's just the overall center of gravity that means anything. It's the same fallacy as believing that standing up lowers the overall center of gravity because your body weight is carried by the pegs instead of the seat. Just because people are excellent motorcycle riders doesn't necessarily mean they understand engineering principles and so the myths get propagated.

[@Lorenzo_apd]

Very well said

[@mahanpasha]

Like a Cirque Du Soleil show :) Great job Mr. Tkacs, thank you...

[@jaywhoisit4863]

Weighting is only important when you are traversing a steep slippery slop. (Riding along the slope). Weighting the high side, although counter intuitive, helps keep the tires digging into the dirt.

[@idratherberiding3456]

That's what I always heard as well. But I now question it... :-)

[@yunk9]

Keep up these great videos. loving it.

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks!

[@Mossyyyyyyy]

That last technique you demonstrated was about as correct as the first one (and just as goofy too!).

[@PrendkiProntek]

i love the way how you explain those certain rules :)

[@kai-uweoch1159]

Ok, show me that last method in practice, please! ;-)

[@trevorappleby8855]

I also t pose next to my bike to assert dominance on the trail

[@OAK_MTN]

Alternatively, you can channel your inner Solaire of Astora if the T pose fails

[@walterhorn5567]

There is no one-way because what works for somebody who is 6’4 doesn’t work for somebody who’s 5’4. Foot positioning is key to every facet of motorcycle riding. The only time nothing matters is when you’re just tottering around at 40% of a motorcycles capabilities and never intend to do more.

[@orangelion03]

This is the distillation of the turning process I was looking for. I've taken a few skills courses offered through my local BMW dealer, and the counterbalance/steering one was the key to everything else. He demonstrated and taught this same technique.

[@davidreinhart4553]

You have the best adventure technical riding advise available. Thank you Bret!

[@mithunkartha]

I would love to bounce around like that on my bike...

[@dpetrucci]

You have amazing videos, I wish I hadn't so much afraid to turn left!! I ride motorcycle for 20 years, and I think fear is increasing...I can't turn my head and eyes to the turn like you teach...I feel really bad...I love so much riding my bike...

[@enriqueburgos3659]

good job, keep doing!!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks, Enrique!

[@UncleWally3]

It’s five years since this posting, but I’ll toss it out there: Similarities aside, how does DCT impact on the techniques shown here?

[@Roberta_Esposito]

my 08 GS has a 1st gear ratio thats ridiculously high. not Adventure. do you find that?

[@gregpearce]

Lmao at the end......and thank you for another fantastically clear and concise video!

[@JPs_ADVLOG]

Very interesting, I think the idea of teaching steering by just weighting the pegs is a bit outdated. As you say in other sports we teach feedback from contact to confirm position. It is far too simple to say we only weight this peg etc, because it will change on every corner/ speed/inclination. We obviously have weight on the pegs if we are standing on them but by increasing points of contact i.e. knee we can teach the individual to apply pressure in multiple points and understand the process. Coaching consultant.

[@hdbhehddbz]

I kind of push the bike away from me to keep it upright so i can corner faster without it sliding out from under me. How does that sound?

[@jimbob7559]

What a great end to that video. A little humor is always good. Now on a more serious note. Due to my advancing age, there are times when I forget to do up my zipper. Does it matter if a rider's zipper isn't done up when he turns his zipper line into a corner?

[@haroldlevison1370]

In a turn centrifugal force acts to the outside of the turn. To maintain a fixed radius turn at a constant speed the bike must be leaned to the inside of the turn just enough so that the force of gravity perfectly balances the centrifugal force. Whether that lean angle is achieved by countersteering, weighting a footpeg, pressing with your knee is not that relevant.

[@mikeriddle5795]

Orthogonal to the ground.

[@awesomeagnihotrisvlog]

EXCITED ABOUT YOUR INDIA TRIP??.....AWSMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM VIDEOS.

[@BretTkacs]

Apurva Agnihotri I am stoked... only a week out from India

[@terrystratford1235]

Do you have a natural attribute for riding, or did someone teach you? Ps. Great to see your enthusiasm 5 years on hasn't dampened!

[@justme197511]

What kind of tank pads are you using Mr Brett?

[@lasselucidor3619]

You mentioned steering kayaks with your hips. Yes but counterintuitive. Normally you lean the kayak to the right for a turn to the left. (In cruising speed). A little bit like counter steering on motorcycles. Actually you can make a inside leaning turn too by throwing your body and paddle out and brace yourself around. (Not effortless) Regards from one who enjoys both trails and waterways

[@billelliott2385]

only if you are surfing is it counter intuitive lean on the paddle into the wave. If I turn right when cruising I'm turning right while also bracing on the right side.

[@michaelcaton9358]

I think weighting the pegs has more to do with grip, especially in off cambers and flat turns than it does about actually turning the bike. It the front and rear wheel that turn the bike we are just taming the forces involved...... The weighting of the pegs is about tyres and an attempt to push the tyre into the ground (flatten a part of the tyre profile) Or to control the tyres from breaking away. The same pressure can also be applied through the bars to aid front tyre adhesion.... Weighting the outside peg is useful for off cambers for this reason. I wonder how much difference this truely makes when the bike is a big and heavy as a G.S. But on a 350 husky with 13psi, it certainly is...... p.s. I like your films....

[@michaelcaton9358]

Finally for the first time in my life someone agrees with me about something......

[@rustymustard7798]

Peg weighting matters on dirt. and yes it's about body position. Weighting a peg IS a body position. There are different kind of peg weighting though, at higher speeds and lean angles weighting the outside peg is useful, where at lower speeds and on dirt, literally stomping on the inside peg like you're trying to pedal a bike will lean and rotate the bike way faster than any countersteering will. If you ride loose, relaxed, and balanced while standing, basically the only thing you're applying any pressure or weight to is the pegs. Stand up and just lightly touch your hands to the bars without using them to support yourself. Just grip the throttle enough to twist it and lightly rest your hands on the bars. Now, with your weight on pretty much the pegs alone, start giving each peg a downward push and see how it reacts. Just let your hands follow the bars but don't give any input. You FEEL that? Now stomp a bit harder until you know how much it takes to rotate and lean the bike over quickly and precisely. You can stomp pretty hard and even break lighter bikes into slides and drifts. In a low traction situation a firm inner peg stomp and a slight blip of throttle will move the rear tire sideways a foot or so faster than anything else. You know you're doing it right when you can stomp and use that leverage alone to break traction. Pushing down and forcing the rear wheel sideways hard enough that it kicks out to a lean instead of falling to the inside. Kicking it out also rotates the bike by 10-20 degrees damn near instantly vs just leaning in without breaking traction. It's an advanced riding technique, but i can assure you that for aggressive dirt riding it's a very effective technique that definitely matters. I live a bit over a mile up a dirt mountain road and i peg weight around rocks, holes, washboard and through a couple dozen turns every single time i leave my house. Maybe it don't matter to you, but it matters to a lot of other riders who understand the technique, the physics, and it's usefulness.

[@krayzieegg7294]

Im not a dirt bike rider expert or physics expert but how come i see some rider just dangle their inside feet slightly forward and make the exactly same corner as you descibed it and still break traction and make it easily without exerting too much energy. Just curious. Also isnt just common sense to shift your weight on the inside peg when cornering while standing up. So basically just shifting your body weight on the support peg.. how else can you corner standing up without an inside peg? In short weighting the pegs is just a byproduct of shifting your weight on the inside except when youre riding standing up. I think shifting youre weight universally is more important than weighting the pegs and less tiring. Yeah i think the video is more legit than your understanding of physics and andvance dirtbike riding.

[@rustymustard7798]

@@krayzieegg7294 Riders dangle a leg in dirt turns to weight the front of the bike more. It works on a 150lb dirtbike but on a typical ADV bike of 350-500lbs it's not really that effective, and shifting your upper body weight over the tank can be a better move on bigger bikes. And weighting an inside peg is different from just doing a standing turn. If you're standing and riding, you CAN countersteer into a turn without changing your weight distribution, peg weighting isn't required, but the bike is doing ALL the work at that point and you're less of a rider and more of a passenger. The whole point behind peg weighting is to use your body weight to position the bike actively as opposed to passively being nothing more than dead weight. When a good rider makes a move look effortless, it's usually because it is. They're not giving separate, uncoordinated inputs that require lots of brute force, but gently using several methods with proper timing all at once from both body and controls to make moves effortless. If you're fighting the bike when riding, it's like pushing it uphill, it requires a LOT of effort, but working WITH the bike is like pushing it downhill, if you've set up properly, a little nudge or suggestion is all it takes. And it's strategic, it's timing as it takes knowing how your suspension compresses and unloads to make sure you're using it to your advantage. An example is lifting the front my chopping the throttle to compress the suspension, and as it rebounds, following it with a smooth throttle roll and an deweighting your entire body in synergy will easily pick up the front end to the balance point VS hammering the throttle and unloading the clutch to make the bike pick your weight up 2 feet high along with it's own. The idea is to take responsibility for handling your own weight and let the bike handle it's weight.

[@kukku1974]

Bret , I love your videos. I come from an inline-4 sportsbike and a DS single cylinder and have never ridden a big adventure bike. I always thought that the most efficient steering comes from the handlebars by counter-steering. What is your take and how does it tie to your video?

[@BretTkacs]

kukku1974 countersteering is the most significant way to steer. When factors such as weighting and wind resistance come into play we are at the fine tuning stage. Off road however body placement is critical to traction in loose surfaces

[@kukku1974]

Thank you ..... now it's much more clearer to me :)

[@idratherberiding3456]

Great stuff. This is very controversial, right? Now, I've been riding off road for decades hearing all these stories about weighing the pegs... and being puzzled by not seeing how it really works, not seeing any benefits UNTIL... I started running on deep gravel roads and finding the only way I could manage the bike's track and direction was with sitting back, keeping the front light, and counter-steering for direction. This is contrary to everything I learned from others and from books (you should stand up, weigh pegs...). And oh, magic! I started using counter-steering purposefully everywhere and on all conditions, speeds, types of roads, motorcycles. Riding became so much more pleasurable. With counter steering I started placing the motorcycle so precisely, I could follow cow paths to a T and cornering on road riding became so much better especially because turn in became really fast and mid corner corrections improved tremendously when needed. Then I decided to figure out why peg weighing is still being discussed as the way to go for adventure riding, when it did not work for me. Do you know what? Then I realized it can actually work, and do you want to know why I think it works? Because when you stand up and weigh the pegs your arms amplify the counter steering motion to keep you balanced. That is, when you weight the right peg, your right arm pushes on the handlebars while your left arm pulls on it - that is an automatic reaction your body engages on to keep you balanced. And effectively it forces the rider to counter steer, and it may be an unknown action. That is, effectively, weighing the pegs helps with counter steering. Now, you can counter steer without weighing the pegs, of course. And this is important to me because I'm a lazy bastard and I want to be sitting most of the time. So I simply use counter steering and get it done and ride reasonably well on single track, gravel, two-track dirt, etc. I'm not the best rider on a group, ever. But I do well with this technique that I never heard from anyone on the dirt riding world... Therefore, what I would like to see you do is to confirm or dismiss my claim - because if I am the only one claiming this... chances are, I'm wrong and there is something else that I do (I can guarantee you though, I never weigh the pegs, or push on the tank, my lower body only changes gears and actuate the rear brake). Of course, I stand up when going over dips, larger rocks, logs, etc. That's not what I'm talking about... I'm sitting everywhere else on gravel, sand, etc.. To prove I'm wrong, you can take your motorcycle to a flat parking lot, a long one to be on the safe side of things, lock the throttle on a 25 mph speed in 3rd gear or so, and stand on the pegs, then remove your hands from the handlebars and try all the maneuvers you discussed on this video to steer the motorcycle, but WITHOUT handlebar input. Measure (you could video from a stationary point from the back and the front) how much the bike reacts. Then do the same exact maneuvers, but this time with your arms at the handlebars. Did it make a difference? Was the motorcycle MUCH more responsive to "peg weighing" or "tank pushing" with the arms at the handlebars? My theory is that the motorcycle will be much more responsive, that is, the handlebars have an important role on this. Now, to confirm it, sit down and try the same maneuvers, sit on the bike, let your lower body relax, use only counter steering. Is the bike still maneuverable? And if so, isn't it very much under control and can you precisely maneuver it while sitting, no peg weighing, or tank pushing, by just counter steering? I'm sure peg weighing helps... but I want to know if I'm the only one who, lazily so, is very effective with no peg weighing, no tank pushing, ONLY counter steering. Of course, I move my upper body a lot, I'm not sitting on the bike like a sack of potatoes, but it is more of a relaxed and reactive move rather than a "directing" or "steering" move. I also use the throttle for steering on dirt and gravel, of course. Even without creating a drift, it settles the bike like nothing and tightens the curves and keep the bikes from washing the front... Thanks and I apologize for the long post. Please let me know how wrong I am and please continue the great work, Ive been learning with you. :-)

[@BretTkacs]

You are correct about the positive effects of countersteering and that it is the most effective way to make a change in direction. However the Dynamics of a motorcycle is far more complex than any 3-minutev KZbin or even your lengthy comment. This is a subject that I would believe most of my road instructors likely do not truly understand. Sorry for the incomplete response but this is something I do seminars on the professional trainer's and riders. To be honest the true depth of it is even beyond me which is why my instructor who is a physicist had to explain it to me the first time and still go to him often. I am a professional educator but not an engineer or physicist

[@idratherberiding3456]

Thank you for replying. I think we over complicate motorcycle riding... counter-steering is so simple... once we start using it purposefully it makes so much sense, the complexity goes away, everything falls into place. And I agree, not many people use it to their benefit off road, as a strategy, and not many people use it on riding schools either, so I'm not surprised your instructors do not understand it. But since you've been questioning peg weighing, I decided to talk to you about this... offer another take on this. In my opinion, counter-steering is so important and essential to riding performance and, mind you, safety (and it is also brings more fun to riding) that it should be one of the most important curriculum items, in theory and in practice, for riders to accomplish before they get their endorsement. Riders should only ride when they understand it and apply it purposefully. It is one of those things, it is right under our noses, we use it everyday in every curve, on road and off road, but we keep not seeing it, and instead we work on theories to explain riding, theories that require a degree in rocket science to understand them... :-) Anyway, Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing more of your videos and learning from you.

[@TheMegamsp]

Great video. Good advices are never to much. Just subscribed.

[@hillkiran]

Where is your school? And what are the class dates? I have a Harley, and I want to get an Africa Twin, and I want to be more proficient riding both

[@MOTOTREK]

Washington state. pugetsoundsafety.com/ and pssor.com

[@BretTkacs]

We do have bike rentals through www.TourUSA.us of you need to rent for one of the ADVCamps or training tours. ADV training is June-Sept

[@MOTOTREK]

Correction to Bret's link: tourusa.us

[@ridewithgnr2116]

kiran hill I highly suggest watching Kieth Codes"Twist if the Wrist." Absolutely invaluable info regarding motorcycle steering regardless of the motorcycle type. The modified "non-functioning" handlebar goes a LONG way to prove peg weighting theories. Off road riding does require unique riding techniques, however, as I am learning.

[@paulknight7499]

Keith code twist of the wrist 7

[@DanionTour]

great advice like always.

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks, Dani!

[@SWFlowseeker]

Great stuff Brett. Could you recommend Tank pads that I could use on my Tiger 900? Ty for the great vids!!

[@laszlomolnar8121]

Bret I must say you are funny :) and and most importantly you have great useful videos :)

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks, László!

[@godalwyssafeanfamily4444]

yes right

[@sahiladya8473]

Is himalayan bike better to start with adventure touring and enhancing skills then moving on to premium tiger or GS

[@rajinderteja]

Tiger or GS are too heavy to use for hardcore adventure/offroad. Weight of bike plays big role. You can start with Himalayan.

[@HardwareG33k]

@@rajinderteja you forgot to say "without the proper skills". A skilled rider can do a lot on a Tiger, GS, twin KTM

[@sharonsharon2604]

Any small or medium size bike is better. The Himalayan is excellent for it. Do it slow and grow into it as one with the bike. Good luck!

[@marcct24]

Does footpeg pressure drive your body position? or does body position create a feeling of increased pressure? Very controversial! I see the point. If you shift off centre one foot WILL feel heavier on the pegs for sure. done it - its obvious. But I have also conducted experiments (you do have to try these things) in a bend (on road) at moderate speed and if I "push" with my inner or outer leg, keeping my body "fixed" the bike moves its line off the current track. This suggests that the "force" I am attempting to apply is having impact. The central point made in the video is that its about the CoG and that is absolutely solid. Lastly, if you keep the bike upright in the turn.........you will fall over!

[@mose717]

Thanks for making these vids. Gives me lots of things to practice.

[@danstevens2204]

Sorry mate you can sit on the seat and push harder on one peg without moving body position at all and the bike turns so you’re story is just that.

[@devilslawyer1646]

You can't shift your weight without weighting a peg, and you can't weight a peg without shifting your weight. Is it just me, or is this a chicken and egg debate?

[@walkerjian]

Motorcycles, complicated bitches are they not? Trouble is that there are multiple centres of mass, momentum, impulse, angular momentum and acceleration, roll, pitch, yaw, 3 degrees of translation, position, velocity, acceleration, snap, crackle, pop, vectors, torques and moments of inertia as well as madness, and the whole non-linear bag of poo that is the human body... I can ride dead straight up a road with the bike canted over at quite an angle. I can weight the pegs whilst my feet are not on the pegs... I can waft along with just my heels clicked in and nothing else touching, turning as (well not too far) I go. Don't get me wrong - I agree with what you say, and I think it great - just that if I started swinging my hips around like that, the vertebrae in my back would run away and join the circus... There are lots of different ways to skin a cat.

[@0HARE]

Great advise. Thanks!

[@CPeluso]

Great!

[@ToFightTheGoodFight]

I ride my bike like a horse but without the flogging🤣🤣🤣

[@Nombredecorsario1]

great vid!

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks!

[@TheAnasAcuta]

Your videos are of great help!...thanx :-)

[@MOTOTREK]

You're welcome!

[@georgeferguson9779]

I think the point he is trying to make is that it's how weight is distributed on a bike that impacts how the bike reacts. He even says at the beginning that weight distribution using the pegs is a way to distribute weight to cause the bike to react in a certain way. It's the first two sentences in the description of this video that has everyone worked up. Those statements, in the description, are to emphatic if a person isn't paying attention to what he says in the video.

[@Go_Show95]

Merry Christmas Happy Holidays etc. New sub. Great vid, very clear explanation. Look forward to more. CHEERS and ride safe.

[@MOTOTREK]

Thanks! Back atcha!

[@goldenridge1]

Great videos!

[@mdaydj]

most entertaining informative host ...you sir are a funny guy who indeed knows his stuff !!

[@brendenjack3314]

I get this is all good intentioned, but you don’t have to explain it with “zipper lines” and stuff. It’s really just about normal force, friction = coefficient of friction * normal force.

[@robertrisk93]

I truly suspect that the last part of the video might have been a joke!

[@evo177b3]

Good

[@agisler87]

I'm not adventure Rider (would love to try it) but I think you're just counter-weighting the turn.. to me weighing the pegs has nothing to do with making the turn. Maybe I'm wrong?

[@MOTOTREK]

You are right, Andrew. Turning is done by shifting body weight.

[@agisler87]

MOTOTREK oh nice. Thanks for replying. Your videos are excellent, I loved your videos about U-turns!

[@idratherberiding3456]

Or turning is done by counter steering... :-)

[@thomasgreen8532]

I get what your saying and yes the knee Probably plays the biggest role but unless that foot is firmly planted all the movements in the world by the knee won’t change a thing. The slower you are riding the more important it is to have your center of gravity as low as possible.

[@billyray3761]

Exactly.

[@ADVENTureMessage]

Informative and entertaining. I like you.

[@allistairneil8968]

Peg weighting DOES matter.

[@DearMajesty]

LMaaaaoooo outro!

[@Necronox24]

MotoBoy oooh. That is some next level...

[@danmanthe9335]

Usually when I ride a horse I look for the handiest excuse to get off of it asap

[@250txc]

Riding a tank, this might be correct because you are on a tank, what does a another 100LBS really matter. Rrding a light, dirt bike, loading pegs is correct. Riding around potholes? Figure that one out yourself.

[@joracer1]

I will agree except the title is misleading. I will tell Collene Milsaps , Ryan Huges, Gary Bailey and Jim Neese to quit telling their students to weigh the outside peg in a turn, since a lot of their students went on to conquer Loretta Lynns nationals and made supercross and motocross champions, I will tell them also, because we wouldn't want them doing it wrong would we? I will mention you said this just to let everyone know you are on the up and up. On a kinder note. You should rename you header to say to make a safe turn on a motorcycle you should look ahead to where you want to go. Not peg weighting does not matter. If you do this you wont catch any flak. I will retract all my statements.

[@JonathanAlvarezC]

Hahaha mate you are the best

[@gasdive]

Thank goodness someone is willing to point out that the emperor has no clothes. I can stand both feet on one peg and the bike tracks straight. Indeed, in your intro, 0:22 it shows you coming to a stop, in a straight line, with your entire weight on the left peg.

[@CynicsAnon]

gasdive yes... because he is counter steering and leaning the bike away from himself to compensate.

[@BretTkacs]

01parrott you are correct... a secondary force is in play

[@gasdive]

Bret Tkacs not sure I agree with what you've said, unless I'm misunderstanding (which is not unusual) Some of the commenters are saying, 'yeah, on a heavy bike' others say you're steering one way with your peg weighting, but compensating by steering with your hands. I can, and I've seen many others, ride a bicycle with no hands while peddling. They're light, they have a steep steering head angle, very little trail, a short wheelbase and little gyroscopic effect. All of which should make it more sensitive. Yet despite loading first one peg, and then the other, the bike tracks straight.

[@BretTkacs]

@@gasdiveweight matters but "weighting" the peg does not" its about moving the center of mass

[@gasdive]

@@BretTkacs YES!

[@Lenek8005]

The Best