THIS ONE EXERCISE Will Improve How You Ride Your Motorcycle

[@How2Desmo]

From the bottom of my heart let me thank you for your efforts. I can tell you put a lot of yourself into making these videos not for the sake of making money, but improving other peoples riding. Thanks a bunch and ride safe!

[@CanyonChasers]

Wow!! Thank you! You're right. I put a lot into these. It's why they come out so slow. I spend weeks working out the script, gathering footage, then about a week just in editing. But I really want to give back to a sport that has given me so much.

[@How2Desmo]

@@CanyonChasers The world of motorcycle enthusiasts can't thank you enough!

[@gabecanderson]

Agreed, appreciate all you do for the sport.

[@kenwolfe5697]

Agreed. Your videos are really well thought out and presented intelligently

[@glynhannaford7332]

@@CanyonChasers Your hard work produces videos which both educate and inspire. Thank you so much.

[@AndreiOBK]

I am a motorcycle rider coming from mountain biking and now your video makes so much sense to me. I have found my way in street motorcycling way faster than my mates that were not mountain bikers. Grip, front hard braking and tuning suspension is something that I had been doing way before riding motorcycles and when I started riding them it felt like a natural addition to my 2 wheel riding.

[@billwillems8578]

Me 100% too! I’ve been mountain biking 30 years and just got my first street bike in 40 years.

[@tommeyer6033]

I started riding a mountain bike when I lived in Marin County 20 years back into the last century. and I remained obsessive about it well into my 60s. When I got bit by the motorcycle bug at 65 years old, I just knew a smallish dual sport was the way to go. Picked up a 10 year old KLX250S that had a 351cc top end and other power mods to it and fell in love. Just last spring after 4 years on the KLX351S, I traded it for a like new 2009 DR650. I ride it to N. Ga and on the gravel roads in the Cohutta Wilderness where all the gonzo downhill and single track I did in California 30 years ago translated perfectly to fishtailing up those gravel hairpins and gliding down deep gravel and rutted forest service roads, And yesterday I took my 40 year old Fisher mt bike out for a ride on a dedicated and paved rail to trail pathway. So I’ve come full circle, and you’re absolutely right. All those skills translate perfectly, once you compensate for the extra 325 lbs 😂. At 69 years old, I don’t have the stamina to pedal 25 miles up into those mountains. But now I have a throttle to twist and still have the attitude, awareness and some of the skills left to ride my DR, a big gasoline powered mountain bike, from downtown Atlanta into the forests of Appalachia. Yay. Once again you’ve proven yourself to be the beat motorcycle coach on KZbin. Love you man! Thanks a bajillion for all you do.

[@JamesMadelin]

So pleased to hear someone else saying this. Learning to slide and brake and turn a mountain bike has saved me while riding a road motorbike several times. It’s also huge fun.

[@515me]

The entire bicycle segment made me nostalgic for my pre-drivers license days... Explains why the return to two wheels felt so natural. But also makes me wanna buy a bicycle. Good stuff all around.

[@lucazolla5193]

Having been a mtb rider for years before becoming a motorbike rider, I can confirm it has helped me a lot improving my motorbike riding skills. I'd add that skiing has helped me a lot too: thinking and moving my body ahead of what's happening, avoiding getting too tense or literally freezing, when turning at high speed or maybe when encountering uneven ground, these are all skills that I inherited from either mountainbiking and skiing.

[@AnthonyRamirez-qf4hk]

Thank you so much I came across this video! I secretly owe my safe motorcycle riding skills to my love of bicycling since I was a kid, and up to now especially to my 2014 Specialized Enduro mountain bike that I ride on trails and roads also, and no one seem to ever know that, even my friends and family! I always think that the "spirit" of my mountain bike is inside the motorcycles I ride whenever I ride them: my 17 year old 2005 Honda XRM 110, 2014 ER6f Ninja 650, and my favorite 2013 Honda CBR 150R. I am so grateful for how in this video that thought and feeling with mountain-biking translated to motorcycling is presented. Kudos to CanyonChasers! ;-)

[@CanyonChasers]

We are kindred spirits. I honestly love one as much as the other.

[@mkoehler222]

I used to do motocross back in the day and when the kids got old enough we started mountain biking in o5. Got back into street motorcycling two years ago. My brake modulation is what I notice the most. No stabbing at the brakes so I can brake whenever I need to along with trail braking. Thanks Mark

[@kevineinheuser8643]

I've been asked this a lot "I've never ridin a Motorcycle, but want to learn. What bike should I get?" My response: Get a Mountain Bike 1st! 🤙 Great video here!! My favorite thing about Mtb is I learned the lay of the land that is around me, always outside, keen to the weather/seasons, and that feeling of a hard day's ride.

[@CanyonChasers]

Absolutely true!!

[@TMCmakes]

My dirtbike has taught me a ton about grip, what it feels like to slide around, etc. and given the current market, it may actually have cost me less to buy a Husky 2 stroke than it would to buy a mountain bike!

[@peterellis9684]

Yes, you've made the connection! I'm 64 years old and I love the challenge of mountain biking--and I'm also a motorcyclist (Moto Guzzi V7 III Special). The skills required to mountain bike clearly translate to riding a motorcycle, especially on twisty roads, which are abundant where I live. Great to see your video because I've always believed its premise, too.

[@rodintoulouse3054]

Loved the idea of "using vision as a tool to slow down time"

[@saschamaj]

Another phrase I like is "Look into the future". Together with "Don't surprise the tire" my most favorite essentials pieces of wisdom for riding.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

For most of my life, if I wasn't on some kind of motorcycle, I was on a bicycle... or scooter... or a moped... It was pretty much always some goofy two-wheeled contraption... I even ended up with a home welded scooter with bicycle tires, and I retro-fitted it with a chainsaw engine onto which I'd added a gear that was compatible with bike chain to drive the rear wheel... switched to an external 2 gallon tank I mounted on the stem of the handlebars... It was a ridiculous monstrosity, but I LOVED riding it! SO to answer your question, it comes down to the shear variety of ridiculous formats and strangeness I've gotten on to "give it a shot"... When you spend so much of your life completely unsure what the F*** is about to happen when you try to ride, you rapidly pick up the faith that "If it's got two wheels, it's pretty much the same as anything else with two wheels." I even helped a buddy rebuild a feet-forward motorcycle... I don't know what kind it was, exactly. He said it was a "Kit" originally, but there wasn't much literature about anything... Only we managed to fit a Honda engine into it, and I was the "body repair guy"... Looked like a giant white bullet with a fighter-jet canopy that slid back for access to front and rear seats... AND IT WAS AWESOME!!! Of course (as usual) I was the "test pilot", too... He wasn't about to try his luck until I'd proven it actually didn't try to actively kill you inside it... BUT for riding to and from school in the rain, it was the greatest thing ever, even if it DID take a LOT of "getting used to"... haha... AND for our money, it was probably the ONLY motorcycle in the world with a steering wheel, just because, as long as we were doing all that work, we thought it was HILARIOUS!!! I ride a cruiser most of the time, anymore... BUT I'm not afraid to take her through the gravel roads and hunting trails... and if I couldn't do any off-roading, I wouldn't be riding... SO there's that. LOVED the commentary about snow, though... "Traction is more of a concept than a hard fact..." ...Brother... That's about the story of MY LIFE! ;o)

[@MrOzonkiller]

When I was roadracing, the most productive part of my training was riding my dirt bike. 50 to 75 mile laps was a great cardio and strength workout as well as getting more and more comfortable having the bike moving around under me. It also helped me work on maintaining focus. Riding a mountain bike offers those same benefits. Good stuff

[@stevenantinozzi3]

Thanks for this video. After watching it I swapped the brake levers on my gravel bike and and started searching for a traction challenged surface to practice on. I took my bike to Cape Cod and tried it on the beach. The wet sand from a receding tide proved a perfect practice surface. The tire tread engaged the sand just enough to allow steady forward movement without sinking in. The lessons came as I worked to ride forward at a steady end pace. The application of energy to the pedals had to gentle, smooth and very consistent. Balance and steering also had to be very gentle or over I went. In a just a few miles I could roll nicely. Constant vigilance was a requirement. Very nice lessons all around for a motorcycle.

[@GhostHammerX]

I feel the same can be said about dirt biking, at least as much as mountain biking. (I come from BOTH disciplines.)😊

[@CanyonChasers]

Absolutely true!

[@donstevens8678]

As a senior motorcycle rider who has been on Medicare for a few years, I want to thank Dave for his instruction. I have the 1993 Specialized Rockhopper Expert depicted in the video, but Dave encouraged me to upgrade. I now also have a 2022 Specialized Rockhopper Expert with 29” wheels (vs. 26”), disc brakes, front adjustable suspension, 1x12 gearing, and modern geometry. I took up mountain bike (MTB) riding to improve my fitness, my two wheel skills, and to have fun. This video is spot on. My fitness is up significantly, my visual lead is improved, and I am fine tuning my use of balance, limited traction, and brakes. I am certain this will benefit my motorcycle riding as well. Thank-you, Dave!

[@NarekAvetisyan]

Great advice! I haven't ridden my bicycle for years. I should start riding again.

[@kghwanadoo]

Great video. I’ve been mtb’ing for 40 yrs and have no doubt it has improved my riding senses. I now have a 1000w electric so not so physical anymore but quiet a bit of fun! I try and avoid jumps though on the road. Don’t find many flow trails in the South of England.

[@ryand121984]

I have been mountain biking and gravel riding for more than a decade before I started riding moto and it helped me a lot using what I learned mtn biking like looking ahead, slow speed body position and trail braking, the only difference is that a moto is around 450lbs than my 26lb mtn bike but yep everything you said is true!

[@michaelchatman5958]

Hi Dave, Really appreciate your videos and advice. I took a sport touring bike class you hosted several years back and got a lot out of it, Mike from Chicago.

[@bdgnz]

Riding dirt bikes on single track and trails has given me a good base level of skills that definitely transfer across to a road bike - I think the mountain biking angle is a great addition - I’m going to get one - thanks for doing these videos. They make a lot of sense! A kiwi rider

[@serginny]

Give this man a medal, I been riding bicycles and motorcycles for almost 40 years, this is the best video I ever seen, brilliantly explains and describes how cycling improves your motorcycling skills. Saludos desde Juárez Chihuahua México

[@CanyonChasers]

Hola Juárez Chihuahua México!! And Wow! Thank you!! Two Wheels Forever!! (TWF)

[@danodell3079]

Youre so right with this film, it’s amazing how much hitting the trails on a MTB helps with riding all types of motorcycles. Also bloody good fun. 👍🏼

[@CanyonChasers]

I absolutely agree!

[@theFV]

Dude, you have such high quality content! Your delayed apex hooked me.

[@mtbmotive1738]

I love all your videos, but this one absolutely smashed a home run as far as I'm concerned. I have a 2018 R1, as well as a Giant Reign mountain bike, and Giant Defy roadie. Absolutely agree 100% with everything you said. I'm 57 years old, and ride rings around guys half my age. Thanks for yet another fantastic informative video.

[@hockeymann88]

Flying down a steep fire trail at full speed definitely teaches you how to modulate your brakes to keep the bike under control. I agree with all that was said here and think the experience on a bicycle has enhanced my motorcycle riding, when I used to ride.

[@1050cc]

A fantastic learning tool for motorcyclists, thank you for pointing us to this !!!

[@robertbotta6536]

Awesome as usual. Great tip to move front brake to right side. Doing that today! Thanks brother.

[@Pauleewog]

Ya! Great video! Love my pedal bike, I've done so much growing up. Got away from it riding on dirt. Then my first road bike, my dualsport expanded on that. Now with my first sport bike I've actually started to look at pedaling again. If found now that I'm getting older I have a need to work on those muscles that haven't seen a workout in years. So back in the gym I've been hitting up the spin and targeted training. This year I'm vowing to get back out on my pedal bikes, mostly the mountain bike for sure. Simply love that activity and this video has solidified my opinion that I need to be doing this more often. Keep up the great content 👏

[@CanyonChasers]

Two Wheels for LIFE!

[@pranabshenoy7959]

Thank you so much for this video. I started mountain biking three months ago and I have experienced everything you have stated. It has improved my fitness tremendously. It is great platform for me to constantly catch myself using my vision incorrectly. On the track I am at a plateau and it is currently very frustrating. Mountain biking is helping me cope with the situation, continue to get fitter and enjoy riding on two wheels.

[@pf465]

Mountain road and cross rider here, coming from BMX racing originally and I can say I approve of this video and how well you articulated the connection for moto riders. Keeping ones camera in tune year round is so essential, as well as the leaning sensation.

[@CanyonChasers]

Two wheels move the soul - even when I have to pedal!

[@montoya197803]

Great video as usual. I am an avid road bike rider and I cannot stress enough how much it has helped my motorcycling. I did my first track day in May and I expected to be so tired that I couldn't ride the last couple of sessions. Actually, i rode in all of them and still had some energy at the end. I agree that the skills in mountain biking are more useful for low grip scenarios, but both are quite useful. Motorcycle or bicycle, Id much rather be on two wheels. Thanks again.

[@Bella_Deer7504]

As a mountain biker wanting to be a motorbiker I'm glad this information is out there

[@hfr8343]

Works for Eli Tomac. I started mountain biking a few years ago to one have one more thing I can do with my kids and 2 improve my motorcycle riding. I think it definitely has improved my riding.

[@702bartending6]

I love this video!!! I am a avid Mountain biker and Sport bike rider. I get a lot of the same joy on my MTB as I do on my Motorcycle. I’ve told a lot of skeptical friends that they compliment each other and teach me very similar techniques. Over the years tho I haven’t had an issue with dealing with the front brake being on the opposite side of the handle bars.. just like I haven’t had an issue changing my body position with both machines. Thank you so much for making this video! I really enjoyed it. I’m a even bigger fan of this Channel now :)

[@CanyonChasers]

I glad you liked it. At our local track days, my entire team spends half our time talking mountain bikes and the other half talking about apexes and brake markers. The overlap is pretty significant, I think.

[@nutballchamp]

I’ve been mountain biking for over 20 years before my first street motorcycle ride. I noticed the similarities right away. I’m all moto now, ebike, street moto and onewheeling trails which is my current favorite.

[@StuntTriple]

I started mountain biking last year tremendous help, got a duel sport not long after as well!

[@CanyonChasers]

Nice!!

[@tcparker2]

My MTB hobby gives me that “bike feel” that I miss in between track days. Plus it’s the most fun way for me to keep in good shape. Great video 👍🏻

[@CanyonChasers]

MTB rules!!

[@danawilson171]

My MTB is a relic, but I still ride it all the time. I bet the light, responsive suspension of a modern MTB is an amazing tool for learning high and low-speed dampening adjustment, spring preload, etc. I suspect it translates directly to motorbike setup. Thanks for another great video. Fitness and endurance was always one of my biggest challenges while racing. I do have to give yoga a shout-out though ... I would have been a better racer if I would have been practicing yoga then. Probably more injury free, too.

[@jman211111]

I grew up riding BMX and BMX racing and it made starting on a motorcycle very easy. I’m now starting mountain bike stuff

[@Limestream73]

I agree soo much with this. Been riding MTB for the last 6 years. Made my motorcycle riding to much better.

[@glynhannaford7332]

Your hard work produces videos which both educate and inspire. Thank you so much.

[@CanyonChasers]

Thank you!

[@daveraskin5199]

This is awesome! First time I've seen a motorcycle guy link mountain biking to better motorcycling! I recently started mountain biking again and man what a joy! I totally agree with all you said in the video. Thanks!

[@CanyonChasers]

That is awesome! Great minds, yeah?

[@akiraqato]

Precious. Two years ago I broke my left foot. Once the bones were welded together again, I needed some way of recovering my balance. I got myself a brand new hard tail MTB, switched the brakes to have the front brake on the right, and did the local hills wearing my mountain boots. Yes, it has helped my motorcycle riding too. I had no idea that this was so highly recommended.

[@afuternik]

I always try to practice my motorcycle riding techniques when mountain biking. In addition to practicing line selection and braking, I work on balancing on the bike while at a stand still. By the way, nice footage from the top of Jacob’s Ladder! I love the flowy trails of Corner Canyon!

[@alexgrigoreas4825]

Riding big Adventure bikes off road, not just fire roads, has taught me so much about use of brakes and that front end feel you are talking about. My confidence riding a knobby tired 600 lb bike on road now in comparison to a year ago is completely different. I'm not a mountain bike rider but I can most definitely see the benefits. Great video, thank you.

[@CanyonChasers]

Right on!

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

This idea is 100% accurate. Mountain biking for years accelerated my learning curve for both street biking and dirtbiking.

[@quacktac]

I used to infrequently go mountainbiking with a friend of mine and had a blast. I'm definitely going to get into it now.

[@RafaelBorgesRDB]

AMEN for the front-right brake swap!! That saved my life (and an old lady)!

[@CanyonChasers]

That sounds like a story!

[@RafaelBorgesRDB]

@@CanyonChasers Certainly: I got my licence about 2001 (in a 125cc), but I only had my first motorcycle around 2017 (250cc)! In between, I've always ride bicycles, and I always swap the brakes, because I knew that when I could get a motorcycle I would need the right reflexes. In my 4th day with the 250, an old lady was passing the crosswalk (there were no traffic lights) and I went perfectly on the breaks! Smooth, precise, progressive. If I had the wrong reflexes, I would have used the clutch, and wouldn't be able to stop at time. (forgive my english, I'm from Brazil).

[@hypermotardking]

Probabky the most informative and best video to date - work on yourself is free 👏👏

[@CanyonChasers]

I appreciate that!

[@blyfotur1539]

One of the most useful video's I have come across. Thanks!

[@traviscarter9300]

Watching your videos I realized I do these riding techniques naturally already with the exception of trail braking. I have been working on trail braking on my daily rides. I rode mtn bikes A LOT in my twenties and dirt bikes most of my adult life so maybe I already had these skills in my repertoire from those activities?? I was utilizing them without even knowing it on my street bike. Trail braking has been a great addition to my cornering skills so far. Great video. 👍

[@CanyonChasers]

Thats great to hear! The best riders in the world are the ones always striving to improve.

[@consciouspirate]

Absolutely solid advice 💯. I remember being sent home on the first day of motorcycle lessons because my arms were so stiff, and the only advice the instructor gave me was to get an mtb and ride as much as I physically can. Came back a couple months later and finished at the top of the class. I still can't believe how much improvement I saw just by biking. Wish I saw this video earlier though 😅

[@CanyonChasers]

Thats an awesome story!

[@kevinw6282]

It's funny how the algorithm works. Watching MotoJitsu on his new bike lead me to MJ instructing Doodle which lead me to you interviewing Doodle in which you mention MTBing which got me here! 47, have mountain biked for almost all those years, have always wanted to ride motorcycle and only recently have gotten more seriously interested. I've always wondered if anything about mountain biking would translate to motorcycles, how much it would help, if it could pose problems when it comes to muscle memory and such. Until now I hadn't seen anyone make the compare and contrast, so glad I found this! Sounds like it should mainly help when it comes to learning to ride. I really just want to tour/ADV, but I would still deep dive into skill and drills on a regular basis. Which is how I have approached mountain biking over the last several years, each time out trying to improve techniques and so on. And you are so right about modern mountain bikes. Geometry is so much better, the components are amazing. Golden years of MTB! Great channel, subd!

[@CanyonChasers]

Welcome!

[@deadontherockz9974]

I couldn't agree more. :) I'm a new Moto rider but have been a bike to work guy and a weekend trail rider for years, I can say it did help me a lot when I rode my first Motorcycle. Still learning though, but your video affirms me that I'm in the right path. Mountain biking is a joy + you get good health. :)

[@AlienSaxophone785]

Looking at this from the flats of a holland delta.. flat small forest trails and great tarmac, not so many trails unfortunatly. Still biking is good for condition and practicing tight turns etc.

[@jeremycox8261]

I hadn’t ridden a road bike for 30 years until recently. I would probably be a statistic by now had it not been for mountain biking during the intervening years. MTB gets your butt out of the saddle and your body moving searching for traction. I now ride my big heavy roadster in the dirt just for kicks. Love the channel

[@jimkettle4487]

Hi, I agree that mountain biking can help and so can motocross enduro riding; but my biggest motorbike learning inspired by pushbike riding was on a road bicycle. For a few years I had the tendancy to run wide in corners, even though I was trail braking and picking the correct line etc. It was only buy riding much slower on the pushbike that I had time to mentally track what I was doing in corners. Entering the corner I could visualise the best line to ride, but I realised I was following that line with me head. Because of the bike lean, the tirer contact patch was over a foot wider in the turn, which meant the bike itself was running wide. Through the turn my brain revitalised a new line for the tires, but my body compensated and drifted ourward to so my head (sightline) followed the new line. That meant the wheels were further out again. This taught me to visualise 2 lines through a corner; my head line, and my wheel line. I've seen riders having to suddenly tuck their heads in to avoid guide posts and road signs, because they haven't considered this. Keep up the good work.

[@adamms96]

Your dog must be in great shape lol, looked so happy following you around on the bike.

[@CanyonChasers]

Yeah, he loves it, but he's getting older now and we don't do this near as much as we used to. Which makes both of us sad.

[@chrisdemoto4563]

Great video! I’ve been a mountain bike rider for as long as I can remember and this winter I purchased a fat bike. Now I can ride on two wheels all year long! 😀 (Which I can’t do on my motocycle her in Quebec Canada.) I also changed my front break lever to the right side. ;)

[@CanyonChasers]

I'm in Utah, the only riding in the winter is on my Fat Bike - but man, that low grip training really translates back to the motorcycle. Yeah?

[@ivo960576]

The two fingers on the brake felt pretty natural I jumped on the Motorbike. Also you can practice u-turns in the mtb bicycle. It helped me with the balance and speed control.

[@edge929]

Rode rockets in my youth, now 20 years later I still want to ride them with a bad back. I've found core exercises to be extremely helpful. Might have to buy a mountain bike to use on trails (no mountains around here).

[@rogermeyer860]

Thanks for opening my eyes to this perfect form of mc training. Thus improving my off-road adventure riding skills. I hope to add a newer mtn bike (my 25+ yr old Trek suck compared to the new stuff) soon and start riding bikes again as I look forward to moving to Central Oregon.

[@bigoc55]

Such an amazing video! Truly informative loved it! And all your videos. U have taught me to be such a better rider. By shortening my learning curve.

[@CanyonChasers]

Wow. thank you!!

[@originalsinned4745]

I was watching this at work when my boss walked in so I had to cut it short. I heard you exclaim “Kegels!“ before I paused though so I’m assuming that’s what’s helped your riding the most. Working out now as we speak =)

[@CanyonChasers]

🤣

[@krisnestorurian9127]

thank you for the advise. great video. will get into MTB soon.

[@dustinjohns2587]

I think its already been mentioned, but i could have bought a new mt03 for what my mountain bike cost! Its an investment in fun, health, and learning though and totally worth it! I have been mountain biking for many years and cycling in some form mu whole life. I was lucky wnough those skill transitioned well to my first roadbike experience and did not ever feel lost or overwhelmed on my first bike, 2003 GSX-R 750, or any bike there after. Still riding motorcycles and bicycles on road, mountain, and track. Love it! This is why all the pros do!

[@ronindude9640]

Great video. Fun to watch and educational too. Thank you. ✔✔✔✔ 👍👍👍👍

[@jedicobb1753]

Hello from Manila.. awesome exercise advise.. mt.biking and weight training..also the best cross country and downhill Mt riders cross train with dirt or Enduro motorcycles.. Keep the videos coming !!

[@doitdamnit]

I need to try it out! Thanx 4 the advice, Dave! I apreciate your mentoring very much. Keep on with what you are doing!

[@mauricetremblay1324]

Have tried some mountain biking with a friend that trains with Olympians, I can attest that it is one GREAT workout. And of course we are on 2 wheels!

[@jaguarundimotoadventure941]

I started mountain biking before getting my fist motorcycle. All the skills transferred from one to the other, and then, to my surprise, moto riding help me understand better some of the MTB responses to rider input. Also going back from a 530 lb machine to a 32 lb machine is so much fun!

[@CanyonChasers]

Yeah. Its awesome seeing this video gain some traction. The translation between the two activities is so on point.

[@TheSpainy]

Another awesome awesome way of doing all this practice is buying a pitbike for track racing. All that adrenaline, slow and fast corners, open and tight corners, direction changes, hard braking, braking in corners etc etc, the list goes on. But instead of a 250kg bike, you´re on an 80kg bike that goes 100kmh max. You fall, you pick it up, you go again. It´s very difficult to break you or the bike. It´s also cheap to do , cheap to run, cheap to fix.Totally recommend it. You can do it every week and it costs peanuts.

[@l0tt3ryman]

Thank you, I never thought of this until now

[@corbin065]

Great vid. I had the pleasure of speaking to Canadian Superbike Champion Jordan Szoke after I watched him at a trials bike competition (that he effortlessly won). Jordan was a master at trials, a wizard. I had no idea who he was or the racing pedigree he carried. When I peppered him with questions about trials, he made a comment about how trials helps street and track riding. “Huh? How’s that exactly?” After a friend explained who I had been talking to, it all started to make sense. Throttle and clutch control, balance, traction. Master that and you master any two wheels. Now where did I put my Sherco290…..

[@CanyonChasers]

I love this story!!

[@estuchedepeluche2212]

Not only this is useful and actionable, the sense of humor of this guy actually works! Well, the yoga/keggles option is a bit terrible, but the underpowered bike comment gave me a chuckle. (Many exercise, cooking and motorig youtuber try "ironic"or "absurd" humor and sadly fail).

[@CanyonChasers]

Thanks. And I agree. Not all the jokes are pearls. haha.

[@DavidKD2050]

At 55 I’m very new to road riding, and hadn’t ridden any motorcycle for 30 years. However, as a child and young adult I had insane fun on bikes, crashing and pushing the limits was what it was all about. And dirt bikes too. Max speed and max fun and a few broken bones, but indispensable invaluable incredible experience and skill development. I’m so glad to have grown up in an environment, country and culture where this was possible. And so glad that I didn’t have to learn the essential skills on the road. My hat 🎩 goes off to all those who start from scratch as an adult. It must be so hard. Please take his advice and get out there in nature on two wheels powered only by you.

[@CanyonChasers]

I love this! I feel the same way. I learned on desolate, empty country roads. The challenge of learning on those same roads today is exponentially more difficult. So many more cars, drivers going faster, more distracted... Could you imagine what it would be like if your memory was wiped and you had to start over today from scratch?

[@DavidKD2050]

@@CanyonChasers no I can’t. I couldn’t contemplate learning from scratch at my age because I know just how many thousands of hours and (mostly small) crashes are involved to properly understand the physics. An off or three at 15 is inconsequential, usually a great laugh. Not anymore 😑.

[@thatoneguy985]

This is one of the best motorcycle related videos I've ever seen

[@CanyonChasers]

Wow, thanks!

[@wandering_armadillo]

Hell yeah! Wheels are wheels, I love my Giant gravel bike almost as much as my R9T. I'm sure my stamina for motorcycling has improved. And I happily traded my GS750 knowing I could still play on dirt, with less stress, dust and noise.....Thank you for the super video!

[@CanyonChasers]

Couldn't agree more!

[@christeschke9844]

Avid mountain biker just starting riding motorcycles. Did not have a clue about push steering, practiced it on the mountain bike for a few rides and my motorbike riding improved dramatically. (picked up duke 390 as first motorcycle)

[@CanyonChasers]

Congrats. We love those KTM 390s!!

[@flyingdutchy01]

i looked up plateauing and found this video. you make a few very solid points. i don't have as many trails as you as my country is literally as flat as a pancake but i'll take my fitness in consideration and look up a few trails in the neighborhood. thnx

[@sanketjain9320]

Thanks for the video. I am practicing riding bicycle these days, but don't have mountain Trails near my home. So wouod be helpful if you can tell what exercises/activities one can do on the bicycle, to improve riding.

[@Vegesaurus7]

Dude great video. Thanks so much for putting these instructions out there for us. And the video shots are amazing by the way.

[@984francis]

That curve is exactly what learning the piano as a senior looks like. It requires development of pretty much everything but the short term memory is pretty much what it is. I'm doing well but it's all about informed persistence.

[@CanyonChasers]

Yes! I tried to learn guitar a few years ago, and it was very enlightening to learn a new thing at my age. Or should I say it was very humbling. It changed how I teach motorcycle riding.

[@pw3543]

This is seriously great content! Thank you

[@asteele911]

Avid mountain biker just learning to ride a motorcycle 😊👍🏻 thanks for this.

[@j.albertogratacos2076]

I did motocross back in the 70s-early 80s. Now I have a 950 cruiser and a mountain bike. One of the biggest lessons from the mtb world is how to quickly swerve to avoid obstacles and to make changes in direction while braking hard. This is especially important since here in California I do a lot of lane-splitting and cars to either side often hit you with a surprise move.

[@bakerbrook1]

I have been riding pedal bikes since I was and 49 yrs old finally got my Motorcycle Licence. I always believed that cycling helped me feel more comfortable on the bike. Downhill riding and trail riding are huge benefits. I am 52 now and am still learning on my Africa Twin on Backcountry roads, but Cycling has made it easier.

[@CanyonChasers]

I love all things two wheels! I just got back from a 30km MTB ride! Yay!!

[@bakerbrook1]

@@CanyonChasers Haha, I just read your reply and noticed my first sentence reads incorrectly. I have ridden bicycles since I was two and got my Motorcycle licence at 49 yrs old. I am now 52 yrs old and should do better at proofreading. I also want to say thank you for all the videos helping riders to become better.

[@tomgaines5022]

Love mountain biking. Good video, thanks.

[@rashidpoonawalla1203]

Thank you canyonchasers for making such awesome videos,I’m a street rider and also a mountain biker and I absolutely anything that has two wheels and gears !

[@CanyonChasers]

TWF! Right?

[@rashidpoonawalla1203]

@@CanyonChasers 🙂irony that i had a bad accident the very next day after this post, i had gone for a sunday ride on my shiny café racer, unfortunately while on the twisties i went too wide and banged into an oncoming truck,broke my wrist (quite badly )and also totalled my beautiful cafe racer, I’m lucky to be alive because of wearing proper gear. I’m an experienced rider having close to 2lac kilometres under my belt travelled the length of my country ; and i also have seen countless educational videos about corners entry,apexes and exits (mostly yours). Unfortunately i guess over confidence and insouciance got the better of me and along the twisties in my zone i went in too hot in a blind corner and fucked up big time . I don’t have a video of the incident but can surely share more details with about the incident including pictures for making an awareness video Rashid Poonawalla

[@rolsson4365]

I do most of this but on my once crappy but now fairly restaured 2005 GASGAS EC250. Ex racer, now a trailbike. Could also learn you a lot relevant for street and track! And quite hard work with an old fashion carbed smoker! Mine was also cheaper than a good Mountainbike!

[@arunvish21]

I drove different bicycle 12 years on literally every type of conditions one can imagine. In 2008 I got my first super bike 650cc Ninja and the bicycling experience helped me a lot to adapt.

[@arunvish21]

sorry the year should be 2018...I mistyped...

[@tommywikstrom9100]

I have spent many many years in my young years on a mtb and it is realy helping me now when im trying to get my license for a mc (38 years old), the one thing it the front brake now it on the wrong side and since i slid my rear so much mountainbiking i have noticed a release the clutch in panik. The musclememory is still there after 2 decades messing with my clutch so absolutely if your trying to shorten the learningcurve by moutaionbiking make sure the front break is on the right. I still after all these years have to overcome thousands of hours of having the fronbreak on the left side.

[@UnrestrictedIsle]

Pretty similar RE grip, riding off road taught me a lot and made me comfortable with the bike moving round under me. But yoga is also a good shout! mobility is massively beneficial and helps recovery!

[@TheGodFahader]

So is keggels ;)

[@rene46tomos]

love the channel. every video is very educative and you are a very good teacher

[@CanyonChasers]

I appreciate that!

[@terryboyle]

I especially like practicing the slow speed manoeuvres and u-turns to improve my balance

[@shaolinwarrior87]

I started mountain biking several years ago. One of the first things I noticed was how some techniques from motorcycling translates onto the mtb. I actually felt more comfortable trail braking when I started doing this on my Mtb.

[@CanyonChasers]

Right?!? I really illustrates how front tire grip works. It's awesome.

[@kenwolfe5697]

I’ve had similar experiences with dirt biking and street riding. You get a lot less worried about the street bike sliding around a bit over a couple rocks or tar snakes when you’re used to steering with the rear wheel of your dirt bike.

[@CanyonChasers]

It's so true. You learn what grip feels like and not to panic at the first indication of a little bit of slipping.

[@kenwolfe5697]

@@CanyonChasers I think you’re spot on with advocating this learning happening on dirt. Slower speeds, way less traction, and far from traffic. You make great videos.

[@smudgemo]

Most of the guys I used to club road ride/race with that were really good bike handlers also rode moto. I noticed the opposite where my moto experience later in life made my mtb skills way better in my 50s than when I was in my 20-30s. I think now they sort of help improve each other, but I prefer to hammer my mtb to take chances on the trail, and be a fairly chill rider on my moto.