Proper motorcycle grip, how to use you hands

This is one of the most critical but overlooked skills needed to master riding your motorcycle offroad or on the track. If you ride an adventure bike, dual-sport or dirtbike.
To train with me in person check out my international and domestic training tours and classes at www.BretTkacs.com
South Africa class site.corsizio.com/c/61aec3eae...
African moto-safari www.brettkacs.com/africa/
Help keep these free lessons on KZbin please consider supporting me through Patreon at www.Patreon.com/BretTkacs
Rev'it! Sand 4 gloves www.revitsport.com/us_en/moto...

[@BretTkacs]

If you want text notification for new videos, text "Tkacs" to 888-306-7782 (now say that 5 times fast... "text Tkacs to"

[@enopio_O]

The helmet to hat transition is so smooth.

[@evaggelospasiakos1521]

That's what I'm looking out for every video. He never misses.

[@TheYorkie1954]

@@evaggelospasiakos1521 is a fantastic technique

[@metalsadman]

so slick 0:49

[@rationalityfirst]

We need a video tutorial on that too.

[@vijaypradeep2095]

That's a signature movement 😂

[@ricardofabia]

Ah... the hat transition. The moment we've been all waiting for. Pure magic.

[@nOOBOFCONSOLe]

me too ,, i actually rewind video 3 times to understand how he did that. ..... may be he is hiding his bald head 🙄🙄

[@robbrowne8814]

I think that is one of your best videos. Never thought of it before but the explanation is GOLD.

[@RollinwithRoland]

Another excellent lesson from the Moto-Guru that even an experienced rider such as myself can learn much from. Expert control in that first 55 seconds, with some awesome camera shots too!!!

[@lostwithasmile485]

Man, thought the lesson was going to be switching from helmet to hat! That was so smooth!!

[@jimvanroosmalen6746]

The helmet to hat transition was phenomenal

[@metalsadman]

0:49 ever so slick. thanks for another informative video.

[@CanyonChasers]

This is an exceptionally good video Bret!

[@BretTkacs]

Thanks

[@lovelessissimo]

I was taught to grip the handlebar like it's the handle of a screwdriver and also twist the throttle in the same manner.

[@LisaLadyRider]

Holy Cow! Are you and Canyon Chasers in cahoots are something? Two awesome hand videos in one week. I love it!!

[@adventuredogs3014]

Seriously, Dave and Bret are the two best Moto channels of their kind! And apparently the rule is to grow a beard in the winter.

[@SubuShrestha]

Over the last year, I have watched many Bret Tkacs videos. I have learnt more from these videos than from anything else I have watched or read. And amongst all those videos, this one lifted the fog for me. I watched it yesterday night and put it into practice on an off-road forest ride today (Saturday). Man, oh man what a difference! I felt light on the pegs and my body moved easier, I felt more in control than ever before and yes the elbows do thrust out naturally. Many thanks Bret. Namaste from Nepal.

[@BretTkacs]

The details matter almost as much a attitude

[@ziranwolf2696]

The fastest cap in the west! Thanks again for some great training. Cheers

[@brianq103]

Excellent video, Bret! Gary Bailey was teaching this hand position for MX as far back as the 70's. The concept of gripping the bars like you are about to grab a door knob is to my mind the cornerstone of correct riding technique.

[@danconatser8699]

You really are a great teacher. Clear explanations. Others will say "just do this" and never tell us the why. Thanks

[@BretTkacs]

I am glad you enjoy my teaching style

[@gorongo4202]

Great demo to show its not just about contact points with the machine, it’s finesse to master the machine.

[@BretTkacs]

Contact points are guides for beginning but it has to evolve

[@jh9855]

What an awesome video. It is true the details matter; be it riding a motorcycle, flying an airplane, or riding a bicycle. The small stuff, is the basis for safe riding, safe flying and other activities. There are many words of wisdom here. Thank you, Bret.

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

This jogs my memory of when I used to ride my mountain bike .

[@SamiNami]

I like the light color shoulders on the jacket, will feel cooler than many white jackets with black shoulders.

[@CraigShawCraigShaw]

I have big hands. With standard grips I feel like I'm gripping the bars too much. So I fitted foam grips over the standard grips, and that has made things much more comfortable off-road and I'm able to get my elbows out more and feel like I still have control on the grips

[@robhart3451]

Superb, thank you. One of those vids that really makes you think and analyse your riding technique.

[@petebjerkelund5088]

This was an important one. Thank you for helping me, help me to keep upright. Over the years I've chucked myself into things where I have what you've said talking me through it in the back of my head. Have to say that the environment you are in for this video tutorial is the coolest, post-apocalyptic one yet! All the best in South Africa.

[@renauddeneubourg]

As usual, great tips! Tks for sharing them Bret.

[@yOtroLuis]

I struggle with breaking and clutch with the diagonal grip, now I am sure that I have to practice more. Thank you Bret.

[@jeanettemacdonald8392]

Just rewatched this video again. Thanks Bret for such a clear explanation. I love your videos as you always manage to explain and show the fundamentals of adv. riding in such a clear manner. You have had a positive impact on my riding. J

[@g.j.oyzonjr7616]

Good point to reasses my grip

[@anthonytempongko1291]

Bret has mastered the smooth / seem less transition from helmet to wearing his hat! Love your videos.

[@SimonBrisbane]

Knew I should have bought Rev’it shares. These videos will do wonders for sales. Appreciate Bret’s attention to detail 👌🏼

[@buddhabob4168]

Bret... just wanted to a huge thank you for all your videos... like you say in this video about the attention to detail...it is this that had taught me SO much in riding adventure bikes..I'm still very new to riding ADV bikes but watching your videos... going away and practicing what you teach has really helped me to improve my riding... improve my ability to ride these big bikes and most off all be more comfortable and controlled... Thanks again Ride and smile 🤙

[@chiliboom6140]

Thanks again for another great video to help myself and fellow riders ride better and safer. I'd love to do your class sometime!

[@cvejarsaez]

Very nice video Bret !!!…. I have thousands of kilometers off roads and consider myself a fairly experienced rider, but always your lessons stating simple details make me make a pause and retune my riding technics. Hopefully we can bring you to Route 7 in Chile to have Adventure Bike Training on one of most amazing places in the world. Cheers from Chile !!!

[@ZediMaster]

Awesome vid, Bret. Ride safe, god bless u.

[@user-tq3ud9zi7w]

Very good video thank you, I have been riding a lot for 31 years and you have just taught me something I didn't know.

[@youssefqassem]

Thank you for all your useful information and great experience you are sharing... Really appreciate it 👍🏼

[@ricardoh.3947]

Bret as usual your videos rock!! Big Thank you.

[@stephenchampion2439]

Yes, as many have said. This is a brilliant video. Personally I never new the relationship between the hand grip and elbows. I can't wait to have a good crack at this now. 10/10 Bret and many thank 👏👏👍👌

[@ironchief2346]

Very well explained content.. thanks Bret looking forward for more videos.

[@rodrigofabregas7756]

Great video Bret!...thank you!

[@tahirsharif9461]

Another fantastic video Bret. Great, simple tips.

[@bikenavbm1229]

came back to this one as reminder, its hard to loose 40 years of doing it wrong the younger generation have so much advantage for the learning curve, but perhaps they loose out elsewhere, thanks again.

[@KTMsteve]

fascinating. the twist also tends to make your elbows rise, perfect position for off road thanks Brett

[@indoscythian]

Keep up the wonderful job Bret, I always get to learn something new from your videos. I would also like to congratulate you on the path to 100k subscribers, which will be reached soon!

[@SS-jd3zy]

Great video! Adjusted my clutch lever again and trying to fine tune the ergo! Just placticed in Florida sugar sand that combination of finese', relaxing and flowing with the bike is starting to pay off! Amazing what the bike will do if we can free our mind! "There is no spoon"

[@elitrinh8436]

I only ride dirt bikes and don’t have an adventure bike but I enjoy watching your content. Reminds me to reinforce the fundamentals.

[@bryanreeme8584]

What a great video!.. I have thumb tendin problems and notice that I shift my hands that way more & more.. good stuff!

[@LaurentEgliAdventure]

Amazing Helmet Hat shifting skills :-D

[@allenhuling598]

Timely video for me, and great explanations....thanks Brett!! Ride safe!

[@Sukhim73]

Hell yeah..this is what exactly I have been waiting to learn. Thank youuuuu.

[@murraehaynes3182]

Nice👍 been riding/teaching that for years! I use the analogy of turning a doorknob or using a screwdriver.

[@darkwolfx333]

that transition in the beginning from helmet to hat was the true skill you need to teach us chrome domes here XD

[@woshinidaye3979]

Thank you Bret for the wonderful teaching about adv motocycle. Salute to you from a Chinese rider.

[@Chromedome053]

Very hard issue to discuss on a video. You did it justice. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu we call it making micro adjustments. You can train the same techniques or ride the same bike for years until the micro adjustments are learned. Videos like this help.

[@-MORK-]

Bret - great information. I’ve also found that properly covering the levers (1 or 2 fingers max) aids in proper hand positioning and smooths out throttle inputs. Also - great choice in gloves. Those are my personal favorite street oriented adv glove as they aren’t too bulky with good protection and don’t have any plastic sliders or gimmicks that can hinder dexterity. I also keep a pair of motocross gloves under the seat for when the terrain gets gnarly.

[@alvarosolis7837]

Loved it! A good reminder of body position.

[@laagta3896]

THAT HELMET TO HAT IS JUST SOOO SMOOOOTHHHH

[@pmpgonzalez]

Thank you so much for these tips, Bret. Really useful stuff. If you ever come to Portugal, let me know. Small country, unbelievable beautiful roads.

[@davidcauchi2837]

Thanks1 Very informative as I always expect, you have assisted me in becoming a better rider; You also make me smile when you do your Helmet to Hat changeover....its your thing......stay safe....thanks

[@farkled]

I definitely take what I've learned from your videos into consideration on my rides now. We hear a plethora of advice through the years of riding, then one day it just clicks. I've started to intentionally break my bad habits and allow myself to feel more connected to the bike. Thanks again for another tip! Hopefully one of these days I can join one of your international trips, or let me help you setup a training session down here in Baja! :D

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

You're in Baja ? I haven't been there in a decade , can't believe it .

[@farkled]

@@hardworkingamerican8847 yep - c'mon down!

[@troyruscheinski1785]

Awesome training video! 😃👍

[@fredrikbengtsson4050]

Haha had to rewind that! The “installation” of the hat was incredible smooth 😂

[@jdhsingi]

Great tips....thank you for sharing.

[@chrisnaathit]

You make such good videos Please do a tutorial on the helmet to hat transition, and vice versa.

[@BretTkacs]

I've shown every angle, no secret :-)

[@chrisnaathit]

@@BretTkacs I hope you can come to Australia, I'd love to do a ride/tour with you

[@RideFree317]

That transition between helment and hat is pretty smooth .

[@Afrikaaner72]

Fantastic review!!! Thanks!!

[@arnouthpessoa]

best tips i have ever heard! thx so much!

[@Temetnosce77]

Awesome video, thank you.

[@adventureridersweden5981]

Fantastic video! Thank you!

[@bevanpyates]

Great information as always, thanks for sharing 👍

[@49Roadmaster]

Wow, that was a LOT of detailed information to digest so early in the morning while sipping the first cup of coffee. I will have to think about what you said today and replay this later. On a side note, I like what you said about keeping your pinkies always on the grips. Having dupuytren's contractures (The Viking's disease) on both hands I naturally grip with my pinkies. So, while having a cool name for the ailment, AND a genetically created natural grip for ADV riding I was destined to do this type of motorcycle riding. LOL Looking forward to taking a course and possibly a tour with you in the near future, take care and stay safe. Happy anniversary and belated birthday!

[@serwisfrezarek]

I am the owner of AT dct, and this lesson is very very important to me. It changed the way I ride from poor (dangerous) throttle control to precise / safe throttle control. It gave me a sense of security and a lot of fun to drive. Many thanks Bret. Maybe you could show more how to work with the rear brake and throttle. Not only off road. I think it would be interesting for AT DCT riders

[@alexjson]

Great timing. Been trawling the internet the last week looking for advice on this issue as I couldn't keep the throttle steady on bumpy roads. Thanks

[@bullsfan3705]

Excellent lesson, thank you!

[@marcomazziamaggi1165]

You Master! Greetings from Paraguay!

[@downhilldick]

Bret, great video. I don't think anyone has ever talked to me about hand position on the bar in all the training I've done. Also, having previously negatively mentioned the audio in some previous videos, I'd like to say the audio in this one is great. Thanks for all your great work!

[@BretTkacs]

Being solo it is a process to get the right equipment and programs, learn to use them, make errors, learn new techniques, make more errors, buy new equipment and repeat, all while trying to teach in a way that is entertaining. This is one of the best videos I've done so far for composition, sound and lighting. I was very happy even though it still isn't perfect.

[@derekbender]

Thanks for this one Bret! Happy new year!

[@BretTkacs]

Happy new year to you

[@ecalzo]

Always .. always .. always good content top notch info.. top notch lads .. Well done Bret .. Stay smily from italy ..

[@Lars_M.]

I'm always fascinated by your videos... Greetings from Germany

[@jose.escuderow]

night to day for me! Now "my elbows will be ouu", thanks Bret! Regards from Bolivia.

[@cfortiz2000]

Wow haven’t hear about the hands!! I’ll apply this to my next trip! Thanks a lot

[@RollModel724]

Could you do a video on why some street gear might not be good for adventure.. like how gloves that are good for street slide might be bad for gravel, or why you might want a different kind of boot or jacket if you are only a street rider, etc.

[@scottc3]

Great tips Bret! I was shown this a few years back, and to start with it felt pretty strange. But now whenever I am riding off road it is just 'muscle memory'.

[@kevindossantos6282]

Thank you so much . Couldn't work this out on my own

[@dirgharajshrestha]

Nice tips! Great to hear the name of my country 😁🙏🇳🇵

[@jfkalim]

Sir, you are one of the reasons I regret I dont live in the US (or South Africa?) so i can get trained by you, but even from YT you have improved my riding tremendously. I have done multiple trainings with BMW and Turatech which I liked but none went into the details that you do, thank you. - A middle aged idiot who started ADv rding on a 1200GS and ended with a KTM 790 R.

[@randygravel2057]

Good stuff. Opening a door wrist angle rotation 🤔

[@Lt_Tragg]

Great instructions ! Personally I’ve discovered the “small stuff” through the decades. I pursue what comes “naturally” and atuned to the “grip”. As far as gloves goes, quality mechanic gloves work just as well as spendy moto gloves - have similar features.

[@MikeWachosky]

love it, thank you so much!

[@Diakos-1821]

Perfect Video lesson 🙏

[@ketchupsos5817]

Love how Burt always puts that cap on so quick when removing his helmet.

[@enduromotorradtouren]

Bret, you got me thinking again. I always try to push my elbows out, helping me manoever and stay in control. Somehow my hand position automatically moves with it. But elbows tend to go down with gravity ;-) You suggest to take care of the hand position first. Seems a lot easier. I will try and report if the snow melts again in Nuremberg. Thanks for your concentration on details, much appreciated, Günter

[@frankenstol]

I want to ride my motorcycle with the smoothness of Bret switching from helmet to cap. Another great lesson , thanks !

[@BretTkacs]

😄

[@chrisfournier6144]

After 41 years of bicycling, dirt biking, road biking as well as track riding I can’t say that hand position on the bars is a secret to riding well. It’s about as natural a thing as possible. No need to complicate it. Smooth control inputs at the bars? 100% agreed - essential to good riding.

[@johnhowells-vaughan5519]

Love your video!

[@felipevillasenor5471]

Thanks a lot from México

[@demiratmotovlog]

Oh man, the long awaited moment has came 😉

[@tpilot_error404]

If beginner riders get wrong directions , you just learn things badly and you will develop bad automatismes . For people with short fingers and small hands , adjusting the levers is key. The fleshy buffer Bret talks about is important. I got a injury and a infected muscle right there and that feels when handling the bike. About gloves. The vegan range is quite limited.

[@DeweyRides]

Very good video. I try to work on, bit dang is it hard to focus on the basics when you get into a tough spot. But I know I need to keep doing it until I get in the right spot just from muscle memory.

[@alexfajardo8809]

Awesome, really… well explained

[@Yamahog]

Awesome review, Bret. For Me... index finger resting on the clutch lever, index and middle finger resting on the front brake lever, ... that way if I stand up ...or hit a bump, ... The throttle is locked by my hand position , and I'm not fumbling for the clutch lever if I'm bouncing around,.... same insitu on my cruiser,.... elbows loose, mid plane, gripping the bars with ring and pinky fingers, index and middle fingers on the ready over the clutch and bake levers. Stay Safe ... Ciao.

[@gradocchio]

Thank you, i'll try to practice this as both on my motorcycle and bicycle I get numb hands after a bit, likely due to improper grip!