Ohh Freddie, completely out of your comfort zone! Well done! The rear brake & clutch lever modulation are your friends. Proper tyres are an absolute necessity. Well done!
I recently acquired a Yamaha DT175, 1978 model so historic vehicle meaning no mot and free road tax. Light and nimble for green laning. This has replaced the one I sold in 1979. Considerably better than my Tiger 800 for off roading.
Looks like you had fun👍. I took my 411 Himalayan out yesterday in the cold and slippery conditions. I rode off road from the top of Hartside Pass North Pennines Cumbria. Which is in 1900 ft high. I rode over rocks, mud ,crossed becks all down hill, at some points I thought this was silly, but I enjoyed it, only dropping the bike a couple of times. I came home with a big smile covered in mud. I'm 63 and only had the bike since April. Old dog new tricks. You'll right, it doesn't matter if the bike has a few scratches or dins, it's to have fun on, it improves your skills for road riding and makes a change from my Trophy. Agree those are very cool bikes.. great vid. 👍
Ah yes, I’m recalling fond memories of Freddie on a big Triumph scrambler trying to make it up a dirt hill some years ago haha. You definitely do look a tad more capable now actually, but yes Freddie the best way to learn is on a smaller bike that you can afford to go faster and even come off with minimal consequences compared to a bigger bike, gotta work your way up. Also my 2 cents for off road is you need to build up speed/ gyroscopic energy as much as you can comfortably before letting of the throttle as you hit the shaky bits. The moment you can re-stabilize the bike you need to rebuild the gyroscopic energy which will keep the bike up right. That’s why pros like to go fast, so they can maintain the speed/gyroscopic energy, and it’s also why pros don’t use TC. It’s all about maintaining your momentum.
Haha yes😆 I’ve never been so close to getting a bike genuinely stuck as I was with that Scrambler 900! This became very apparent: speed and confidence are so important. Because I had neither, when I got into trouble I braked, when I really need the confidence to power out of situations
@@FreddieDobbs Yep! Exactly Freddie! I want to say that this realization can be a huge turning point for you! Its literally the difference between a pro and a novice off-road 💯👍
Haha!- well done - but I think Freddie just needs an off road weekend in Wales with Yamaha or Triumph on a 250 enduro - or closer to London with Desert Rose in south England - all great courses - and that will cement the confidence and skill to off road on any bike. These lovely Triumph Scramblers are fun and look lovely. Big old engines though. These off road skills also benefit on road skills and prepare a rider for a Morocco or Utah or South Africa “blast”.
Enjoyable video to watch. Great to see you out of your comfort zone. Bikes looked great. Also showed the importance of off roading with company, seeing as you needed to help each other out. Thanks Freddie.
Hey Freddie: King Kenny Roberts once said, "You need to get comfortable with the bike moving around under you." Once you get comfortable with that, things will get easier. Relax your grip on the bars and let momentum keep you moving forward. If the rear end kicks out a bit, your momentum will bring it back in line. Many times momentum is your friend. If you try to stop and assess every little thing on the trail, many times it will be much more difficult to get going again. Love the videos...
The Triumph 400x Scrambler is over a hundred and ten pounds lighter but that greasy stuff on those tires would still be tough. Congratulations for trying this, it looks daunting.
Love the honesty/transparency of these videos. True enthusiasm and god loves a tryer. Makes me wanna step out my own comfort zone and have a go at off roading. I’m a very new rider. Passed mod 2 last year. Keep up the good work.
Good to see you undetaking a bit of off roading again, I think knobly tyres would have help towards grip in wet muddy/leafy conditons. I did alot of off roadng back in the day and picked up many skills like balance and negotiating, streams, mud and steep gradiants. It was great fun and just made me want to do more of it.
Really great enjoyed watching you struggle. He's given you a bike, which is far too big for learning off-road. You need a 250 cc, which is lighter to handle. It's a totally different skill you're trying to learn.
Great video, I must say that's nit my idea of fun on a bike so well done for having a go and I think you did brilliantly. Great watching you from the comfort of my living room with a Greggs 😂
Nice to see you playing in the mud! Heavy bikes with street tires are definitely a handful in those conditions. Proper offroad boots are good to have in your collection as well. Ride safe!
Da possessore anno 2023 posso dire che questa moto non passa inosservata , ricevo complimenti da tutti , motore eccezzionale unita alla ciclistica , è una moto utilizzabile con il passeggero per brevi spostamenti ma da solo puoi andare ovunque . Con un pantalone tecnico adeguato il calore è minimo , lo avverti solo da fermo ma una volta in marcia te lo scordi . Ottima in strada , eccezzionale in fuoristrada . Mamma Triumph non delude !!!
Please get yourself some goggles, riding around with your visor open like that is asking for a twig in the eye 😅 good to see you getting out of your comfort zone and becoming a better rider! Something I'm keen to do more of myself this year 🎉
Lol! Freddie, i was hooting and hollering and cheering you on! Good job! Love it! We learn so much from these experiences. Personally i wouldnt attempt that on anyhhing over 50 hp, but you are a great sport.
I understand perfectly Freddie! After hours and hours of watching you tube off road motorcycling videos I bit the bullet and bought a Scram 411. It's not too frightening on the road and very ccapable off the road. I live in N.Spain, where there are so many tracks to pick. I began by exploring off road tracks that consist of crumpled concrete and donkey tracks in the dry weather. Then It rained last week and I explored another area that led me to a huge area of grass! 'I said to myself. It's going to be slippy after the rain'...It was, the front end went first and I controlled it, then the back end came around, and I eased off the throttle! Yes! ...I can do this, then too much throttle and over she went! However, I also learned how to pick the bike up!! Then I fired her up and eased the clutch out and spent a minute rocking the bike back and forth trying to get traction! It worked and I made my way back to broken concrete, donkey tracks and an old abandoned bridge!!! I felt like a Champion!!! .........'Slow and stead was my motto'...It's all good training Freddie!....I hosed my Scram down when I got home! What a bike!!! Thank you so much Freddie, you are so honest, open and are without pretence! Merry Christmas from Asturias, Spain.
Freddy, I've been there slogging through the woods on my giant adv bike, trying to keep up with my much more experienced brother and falling every 10 minutes. As always you keep a much more positive attitude! I'll echo everyone else who has recommended a nice little 250 for building some experience. 😊
Loved this but I’m never talking my scrambler down there 😂 I’m definitely a tarmac warrior not a off-road king I definitely see the attraction I just don’t have the health or the ability but thank you for taking me on your journey 🙏
Great to see you out pushing yourself and learning, Freddie! I bought a Norden a couple years ago and now prefer the dirt and country lanes over everything else, safe travels from New Hampshire (US)
Massive respect Freddie! 👏Brilliant effort and look forward to seeing you scratch this off-road itch! Awesome skills from Alex too 😀I too am thinking of fulfilling an off-road need and I'm lost for what bike to start with!
Awesome bikes but big and heavy so a real handful to manage if you're vertically challenged. I put TEC rear lowering springs on mine and dropped the front forks and an inch. Can almost flat foot now with the right shoes on 🤪 Makes a big difference confidence wise 👍
great wee video - 9 mins 18 secs is def your 'short' (woo hoooah) 😆standing offroad makes such as a diff, I am a novice like yourself Freddie, just practice, practice and a bit of speed is your friend, I practice standing a lot even on roads to make the balance more natural on pegs, then when you sit offroad you realise how hard it is to balance on the saddle, chalk is like ice, do like them but they are a bit too heavy for green laning for me, looking at a Desert Sled or new CCM Project X next, and .. 100% tyres everything! JB
I really need to shove into my head the fact that standing is better. At the moment… it feels scary because I’m further from the ground😆 I will get there. A sub 400cc bike will be next😀
@@FreddieDobbsaye I was the same mate but then it clicks and you realise just how much easier to navigate and steer the bike when the rear steps out etc, I wonder if Triumph missed a trick not making the new 400x more off-road, curious too what those new BSAs and the RE Bear will fair 💡
Another fun video. I think all modes should be removed from all bikes, to let you get on with the ride. The right tyres make all the difference. Biggest bike for off road?…. 400cc. A DRZ400, an XR400. Big enough for the road too. Yes, snaking in mud 😊 scary when you first do it. I was told to relax your arms and be in control!!! At first I was shouting at myself whilst riding, saying, how can I relax and be in control 😳 it does work.
Freddie, take yourself to Off The Kerb in Dorking, they've got a range of small capacity bikes perfect for the Surrey trails, and they'll suit you up in the right gear as well. As for bikes, I can see you on a classic Royal Enfield Trials bike, 350cc would suit.
Well done Freddie, there’s nothing better than getting out there and doing it to increase your confidence, although maybe on a smaller light weight bike lol 😂…. Lightness is your friend off road! 👍
You didn't start crying Fredddie so that's a firm win! Those guys who can sprint over slop are super skilled, and it takes some good style prangs to get that good usually. Best on a pure moto cross which you can pick up 20x a day at least! Good luck and watch out whilst you're sailing through the air for the umteenth time, always try and get your leg away from hot exhausts! Part of the initiation is a good quality 1st-3rd degree burn on the inner thigh if you aren't savvy about thinking 'leg' mid superman!!
You did far better than I would do!! The terrain looks made for the air cooled Himalayan 411. They plough through anything apparently and with so much of it's weight low down, don't tip over so much. Great bikes though.
That was a great video Freddie, it had me laughing out loud. I agree with others on here, do yourself a favour and get to grips with off road riding with a 250 and you will enjoy it much more as well. After a year or so then you can get a 400 or 450 and that's really the biggest you need, despite what people's ego might say.
Bigger (and expensive) is better .... says the ego 😂😂😂 lets be honest guys, all these heavy bikes off road in the mud are a nightmare 😂😂 so.....if you cant have fun on a small bike, you're not fun ! Awesome video as always Freddie and Monika, hi from Holland ❤
It's great to hear the enthusiasm for increasing your skill level off-road, Freddie. Until you get some professional training in off-road riding, allow me to offer two tips that you can focus on: elbows up and out, and stand on the pegs in squirrely sections. The elbows position is important off-road as it not only gives you easier control over the bars as the ruts, etc. knock it off line, , but it also pulls you closer to the front of the bike, which is key for any sketchy section as it changes the center of gravity of the bike subtly. It's called the attack position as it lets you the rear end do what it needs to do while allowing your body to remain relatively stable above the bike. When riding on the road, elbows in has advantages as most roadways are pretty flat and free of perturbations, but off-road is completely the opposite. Being up on the pegs is really crucial for low traction situations when at speed for roughly the same reason, it allows your body to remain stable by letting your legs and arms absorb shocks and hits while allowing the bike to flow along unimpeded. You'll be surprised how much more comfortable you feel once the seat is no longer throwing around every time you hit a bump, rut, or rock. Watch how Alex does it at about 8:50 as his back end drifts around but his body remains calm. Cheers!
Nice one Freddie, as many have said, not the best bike to learn on but so many bikers never try to ride off road at all so well done for giving it another go, and on such a beast. If you really are keen to try more green -laning you could do worse than a Himalayan 411 with some half decent knobblies. For sure they're far from the best bike for anyone with experience but for the novice (and older and fatter rider like wot I am!) they're great fun, will get you just about anywhere, cheap and they crash well.
@ if you head into Kent, The Pilgrims Way is a good starting point to gain confidence on, from memory it is in relatively good condition. I haven’t ridden Surrey direction, but I’d guess it’s a little trickier around there just looking at the topography. Its all about momentum ;) just keep her rolling and relax
A 300-400 cc bike with the proper tires will give you all the fun without the expense of a larger bike. We always trucked or trailered our dirt bikes to a riding area., saving our larger cc bikes for distance riding. Proper offroad tires wear out fast on tarmac. A 3-4 hr dirt ride will feel like an all day street bike ride. Also depends if you are a world traveler or an occasional offroader. A little of both was my preference. The street bike always seemed to get more riding as I wanted to explore more coffee houses without sitting outside with the farm animals, lol. 👍👍
Well done Freddie,I dropped my xe and needed help to pick it up. Honestly have you thought about off roading on something lighter it’s so much easier 👍
Hey Fred, very well done ! The limbo with the tree was a great laugh. Still see the fear in your eyes, keep going , practice makes perfect. ( I don’t have the bottle for this) 😂
Did a triumph off road day on one 2 years ago in the Brecon Beacons a far more capable bike than I thought , in fact I enjoyed it so much I ended up buying one for myself for more leisurely use.
Freddie.. get yourself a day with Inch perfect trials.. proper no seat trial bikes, they will teach you skills that are transferable onto any bike you ride.. inch perfect trials, well worth a look
Mate I was laughing with you when you became all one with the bush to help 😂 Nice video, but I'll probably enjoy it more with that 250cc you mentioned. 💪🏼
Thank you for posting this video. I have been riding bikes since 1979 and my taste (like so many others I suppose) are fast powerful bikes, especially naked roadsters. However no way would I use a bike as big as these for off-road. I would have thought a 250 cc/350 cc or even a 125, would be much better being much lighter. Also they are a lot cheaper when one comes off which will invariably happen sooner or later.
its always funny the thing with offroading - doing the same exact track on even a Honda CT125 would be a piece of cake. The added power and size is what makes that challenge. Bigger ain't better. Would like to have a more direct comparison of the Triumps vs other offroaders, rather than within the scrambler category though.
Nice video guys...of course it would be easier with a lighter bike, better tyres etc, BUT the XE is a great bike, you buy it with your heart and work around any foibles. Those conditions would be tough on any bike..if we were all completely sensible ( boring!) we should be on little 125's paddling through the mud!!. Love the big XE. Cheers Steve
I think you would really enjoy a day of trials riding I am sure they do a beginners course somewhere in Kent, trials skills is what you need before jumping onto bigger enduro machines 🙂👍
Bravo great effort but surely off putting for you. As per everyone’s advice small bike appropriate tyres way to go. You looked scared as I would have been. Monster bike, poor tyres and vile conditions. A lot of £ to drag thru mud. Heavy enough on road let alone this. Someone’s suggestion of doing a run with Nathan the postman would make a great vlog. If you get time read his books. Utterly entranced a true explorer. U need goggles for obvious reasons
Well done, for trying and showing that's both doable in the right company and not necessarily the best idea 😊 I'll soon change the tyres on my xc but will be waiting for the lanes to dry before taking her there, hopefully with a TRF group. In the meantime I'll get some experience with "off the kerb" fleet of 250cc enduro. Unfortunately can't accommodate another bike and like my scrambler too much to consider trading it in just now.
A beginner on too big of a bike, on improper tires. You had everything stacked against you. You did surprisingly well. Besides the obvious points that I and others have mentioned, invest in some goggles and proper off-road boots. Something from the likes of Alpinestars, Gaerne or Sidi. Lower leg injuries are the most common injury in off-road riding. A broken fib/tib can end your season and leave you facing surgeries. Your boots should be almost as stiff as a ski boot. Avoid boots with "Adventure" in the name. Those are almost always little more than heavy duty touring boots. Most boots with 4 buckles or more, provide adequate crush and torsional protection. Cheers from Canada, Freddie. 👍
Watch the second hand market for scramblers drain after this video. Great video, looks tough. But exactly the kind of day I would like to do. Those tires did not look like a good choice. The UK is much harder than people imagine. Tough conditions.
The upcoming BMW f450gs is something you should go for once it is out. Looks like a throughly capable offroader with budget and brand and hits a sweet spot with the power to weight ratio.
I love the 1200 scramblers but they are not great offroad, in the twisties or in the city. They make such a big compromise on every level, but they are gorgeous and extremely fun.
Those huge bikes are no good for muddy off roading Freddie. Get yourself a nice light 250;with knobbly tires and you’ll enjoy yourself. Think of getting a cheap tails bike, suddenly you’ll find it easy
There are enough people traveling the world alone on a 250 or even less, saw a dude do that on a Honda Cub😂😂.... Imagine being stuck in the mud in the middle of nowhere with that heavy Bmw....no wifi.... nothing ....no one.....yeah ...
Loved mine. Only issue was high consumption of oil. Leaked coolant and a warning message triumph couldn't remove and said its all perfectly acceptable and within triumph tolerance (3kmiles with 1.5ltrs of oil loss). Should've gone legal but I simply sold it back to them. Shame cos a loved the bike and really miss it.
@logangodofcandy yeah. I know some people will find it acceptable but other people I know don't have this issue at all whether it's a triumph or another manufacturer so it was time to move away from triumph unfortunately. (Was 2nd triumph for me)
A for effort Freddie. Though i think these were the wrong bikes for the job. A 350 or under would have done you both the treat. I was more interested in that tea house then seeing the scrambler bits (no offense meant)
I also have the desire of wanting to get better off road and have often thought about sticking nobbly tyres on a c90 like c90 adventures...I know you like the c90 from your video a while back. Would love to see you do it.
Been riding 60 years All type bikes all type terrain - there is a bike for all occasions and skills- that bike was not the right bike for the occasion- If you want to enjoy off rd with less fear do it right and go small with a bike built for the task and skill set Enjoyed watching tho and hopefully many watching will have learned fro what I consider your mistakes of which there were many which is not a criticism just thinking your on the wrong track and mistakes are inevitable - wish you all the best in your endeavors and Regards from a Welsh ex pat in Florida 🦩🦩🦩🦩
damn, offroad riding on a 1200cc sure looks tricky! In offroad cycling, the trick is to get you ass up and out of the saddle, putting more weight on your feet. When your weight is sitting on the saddle in the center of the bike, you're very limited in terms of balancing, whereas your feet are your contact points on the left and right side of the bike. Putting your weight on your feet will massively increase your ability to counterbalance a bicycle and probably even more so a heavy motorcycle...
Why don't you take an offroad training camp, then next time Alex iinvites you out you wont feel so intimidated or lack confidence plus you know more holiday options. Well done
Ohh Freddie, completely out of your comfort zone! Well done!
The rear brake & clutch lever modulation are your friends.
Proper tyres are an absolute necessity.
Well done!
Thanks Steve🙌🏻 I’ve got a shortlist of three 250s for under £3k that I’m really considering😀
Agree on the tyres -- this is a recipe for disaster on such big bikes on road tyres...
Enjoy watching your progression off road Freddie. You're not making it easy for yourself with those bikes and those tyres, but great effort. 🙂👏
They're okay asphalt tires lol
Brave on those tyres with that huge bike
If I was Triumph PR I’d love that video. I’d also send you to Wales to their experience centre as a follow up. Good effort as always 😎
10/10 for effort Freddie ! 👌
Thank you sir!
I recently acquired a Yamaha DT175, 1978 model so historic vehicle meaning no mot and free road tax. Light and nimble for green laning.
This has replaced the one I sold in 1979.
Considerably better than my Tiger 800 for off roading.
Well done, the Yamaha is a proper trail bike.
Fantastic buy.
Looks like you had fun👍. I took my 411 Himalayan out yesterday in the cold and slippery conditions. I rode off road from the top of Hartside Pass North Pennines Cumbria. Which is in 1900 ft high. I rode over rocks, mud ,crossed becks all down hill, at some points I thought this was silly, but I enjoyed it, only dropping the bike a couple of times. I came home with a big smile covered in mud. I'm 63 and only had the bike since April. Old dog new tricks. You'll right, it doesn't matter if the bike has a few scratches or dins, it's to have fun on, it improves your skills for road riding and makes a change from my Trophy. Agree those are very cool bikes.. great vid. 👍
That sounds like a glorious day! I’ve briefly been off road on a Scram 411- I absolutely LOVED it👌🏻👌🏻
Freddie greenlaning a press bike again! Can't miss it 😊
I was as bad as expected😆
Ah yes, I’m recalling fond memories of Freddie on a big Triumph scrambler trying to make it up a dirt hill some years ago haha. You definitely do look a tad more capable now actually, but yes Freddie the best way to learn is on a smaller bike that you can afford to go faster and even come off with minimal consequences compared to a bigger bike, gotta work your way up.
Also my 2 cents for off road is you need to build up speed/ gyroscopic energy as much as you can comfortably before letting of the throttle as you hit the shaky bits. The moment you can re-stabilize the bike you need to rebuild the gyroscopic energy which will keep the bike up right. That’s why pros like to go fast, so they can maintain the speed/gyroscopic energy, and it’s also why pros don’t use TC. It’s all about maintaining your momentum.
Haha yes😆 I’ve never been so close to getting a bike genuinely stuck as I was with that Scrambler 900!
This became very apparent: speed and confidence are so important. Because I had neither, when I got into trouble I braked, when I really need the confidence to power out of situations
@@FreddieDobbs Yep! Exactly Freddie! I want to say that this realization can be a huge turning point for you! Its literally the difference between a pro and a novice off-road 💯👍
Haha!- well done - but I think Freddie just needs an off road weekend in Wales with Yamaha or Triumph on a 250 enduro - or closer to London with Desert Rose in south England - all great courses - and that will cement the confidence and skill to off road on any bike. These lovely Triumph Scramblers are fun and look lovely. Big old engines though.
These off road skills also benefit on road skills and prepare a rider for a Morocco or Utah or South Africa “blast”.
Love this Freddie - your face at 9:02 😂
Enjoyable video to watch. Great to see you out of your comfort zone. Bikes looked great. Also showed the importance of off roading with company, seeing as you needed to help each other out. Thanks Freddie.
What a day Freddie. My off road skills are zero, so I take my hat off to you. You done really well!
🏍️ Loved this episode! This is part of the reason why adventure bikes are so popular, they have the potential to open a few more doors.
10/10 for effort Freddie 👌 Regards, Mo 😊👍.
Hey Freddie: King Kenny Roberts once said, "You need to get comfortable with the bike moving around under you." Once you get comfortable with that, things will get easier. Relax your grip on the bars and let momentum keep you moving forward. If the rear end kicks out a bit, your momentum will bring it back in line. Many times momentum is your friend. If you try to stop and assess every little thing on the trail, many times it will be much more difficult to get going again. Love the videos...
Une vidéo rafraîchissante 😊 j'apprécie l'humilité dont tu fais preuve , certains devraient prendre exemple. au plaisir de voir ta prochaine vidéo .
The Triumph 400x Scrambler is over a hundred and ten pounds lighter but that greasy stuff on those tires would still be tough. Congratulations for trying this, it looks daunting.
Bless Freddie well done nice to see you and Alex again. You done so well
Love the honesty/transparency of these videos. True enthusiasm and god loves a tryer. Makes me wanna step out my own comfort zone and have a go at off roading. I’m a very new rider. Passed mod 2 last year. Keep up the good work.
Good to see you undetaking a bit of off roading again, I think knobly tyres would have help towards grip in wet muddy/leafy conditons.
I did alot of off roadng back in the day and picked up many skills like balance and negotiating, streams, mud and steep gradiants.
It was great fun and just made me want to do more of it.
Really great enjoyed watching you struggle. He's given you a bike, which is far too big for learning off-road. You need a 250 cc, which is lighter to handle. It's a totally different skill you're trying to learn.
I think Freddie is pulling our chains 😅
16:40 Funny how Alex deliberately avoided that tree as too low, and clever Freddie went straight for it!
Well done on those tyres!
I’m loving the off road adventures 👍
I have a Honda 250l and love riding the Welsh green lanes
I need a Honda 250!
off road tyres make all the difference. even a 125cc trial bike with right tyres is fun and light to pick up!
Great video, I must say that's nit my idea of fun on a bike so well done for having a go and I think you did brilliantly. Great watching you from the comfort of my living room with a Greggs 😂
Thank you Dale😀 A sofa and Greggs does sound more relaxing🧘♂️
You did great Freddie!
Thank you!
Nice to see you playing in the mud! Heavy bikes with street tires are definitely a handful in those conditions. Proper offroad boots are good to have in your collection as well. Ride safe!
Da possessore anno 2023 posso dire che questa moto non passa inosservata , ricevo complimenti da tutti , motore eccezzionale unita alla ciclistica , è una moto utilizzabile con il passeggero per brevi spostamenti ma da solo puoi andare ovunque . Con un pantalone tecnico adeguato il calore è minimo , lo avverti solo da fermo ma una volta in marcia te lo scordi . Ottima in strada , eccezzionale in fuoristrada . Mamma Triumph non delude !!!
I love my royal Enfield scram for this reason getting out to see things you can't see in a car
Please get yourself some goggles, riding around with your visor open like that is asking for a twig in the eye 😅 good to see you getting out of your comfort zone and becoming a better rider! Something I'm keen to do more of myself this year 🎉
It's like a finger pointing to the moon don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that Heavenly glory , Credit to Bruce Lee...
Totally agree with this. My visor was so steamed up I couldn’t see a thing, so goggles would sort this out
Driving that beast off road must be amazing.
Lol! Freddie, i was hooting and hollering and cheering you on! Good job! Love it! We learn so much from these experiences. Personally i wouldnt attempt that on anyhhing over 50 hp, but you are a great sport.
Freddie, you are slowly become the complete motorcyclist.
I understand perfectly Freddie! After hours and hours of watching you tube off road motorcycling videos I bit the bullet and bought a Scram 411. It's not too frightening on the road and very ccapable off the road. I live in N.Spain, where there are so many tracks to pick. I began by exploring off road tracks that consist of crumpled concrete and donkey tracks in the dry weather. Then It rained last week and I explored another area that led me to a huge area of grass! 'I said to myself. It's going to be slippy after the rain'...It was, the front end went first and I controlled it, then the back end came around, and I eased off the throttle! Yes! ...I can do this, then too much throttle and over she went! However, I also learned how to pick the bike up!!
Then I fired her up and eased the clutch out and spent a minute rocking the bike back and forth trying to get traction! It worked and I made my way back to broken concrete, donkey tracks and an old abandoned bridge!!! I felt like a Champion!!! .........'Slow and stead was my motto'...It's all good training Freddie!....I hosed my Scram down when I got home! What a bike!!!
Thank you so much Freddie, you are so honest, open and are without pretence! Merry Christmas from Asturias, Spain.
Freddy, I've been there slogging through the woods on my giant adv bike, trying to keep up with my much more experienced brother and falling every 10 minutes. As always you keep a much more positive attitude! I'll echo everyone else who has recommended a nice little 250 for building some experience. 😊
Loved this but I’m never talking my scrambler down there 😂 I’m definitely a tarmac warrior not a off-road king I definitely see the attraction I just don’t have the health or the ability but thank you for taking me on your journey 🙏
Great to see you out pushing yourself and learning, Freddie! I bought a Norden a couple years ago and now prefer the dirt and country lanes over everything else, safe travels from New Hampshire (US)
Not my definition of 'you'll be fine' 😆
Strongly agreed😆
Massive respect Freddie! 👏Brilliant effort and look forward to seeing you scratch this off-road itch! Awesome skills from Alex too 😀I too am thinking of fulfilling an off-road need and I'm lost for what bike to start with!
Awesome bikes but big and heavy so a real handful to manage if you're vertically challenged. I put TEC rear lowering springs on mine and dropped the front forks and an inch. Can almost flat foot now with the right shoes on 🤪 Makes a big difference confidence wise 👍
Such honesty in this video. The only mistake would be to never get up and try again 💜
great wee video - 9 mins 18 secs is def your 'short' (woo hoooah) 😆standing offroad makes such as a diff, I am a novice like yourself Freddie, just practice, practice and a bit of speed is your friend, I practice standing a lot even on roads to make the balance more natural on pegs, then when you sit offroad you realise how hard it is to balance on the saddle, chalk is like ice, do like them but they are a bit too heavy for green laning for me, looking at a Desert Sled or new CCM Project X next, and .. 100% tyres everything! JB
I really need to shove into my head the fact that standing is better. At the moment… it feels scary because I’m further from the ground😆
I will get there. A sub 400cc bike will be next😀
@@FreddieDobbsaye I was the same mate but then it clicks and you realise just how much easier to navigate and steer the bike when the rear steps out etc, I wonder if Triumph missed a trick not making the new 400x more off-road, curious too what those new BSAs and the RE Bear will fair 💡
Another fun video. I think all modes should be removed from all bikes, to let you get on with the ride. The right tyres make all the difference. Biggest bike for off road?…. 400cc. A DRZ400, an XR400. Big enough for the road too. Yes, snaking in mud 😊 scary when you first do it. I was told to relax your arms and be in control!!! At first I was shouting at myself whilst riding, saying, how can I relax and be in control 😳 it does work.
Freddie, take yourself to Off The Kerb in Dorking, they've got a range of small capacity bikes perfect for the Surrey trails, and they'll suit you up in the right gear as well.
As for bikes, I can see you on a classic Royal Enfield Trials bike, 350cc would suit.
Well done Freddie, there’s nothing better than getting out there and doing it to increase your confidence, although maybe on a smaller light weight bike lol 😂…. Lightness is your friend off road! 👍
You didn't start crying Fredddie so that's a firm win! Those guys who can sprint over slop are super skilled, and it takes some good style prangs to get that good usually. Best on a pure moto cross which you can pick up 20x a day at least! Good luck and watch out whilst you're sailing through the air for the umteenth time, always try and get your leg away from hot exhausts! Part of the initiation is a good quality 1st-3rd degree burn on the inner thigh if you aren't savvy about thinking 'leg' mid superman!!
At times it was like watching an episode of Some Mothers do av em! But I admire your resilience. 👊😎👍
Triumph makes best scrambler no 1 can beat them I got 900 & I love it
You did far better than I would do!! The terrain looks made for the air cooled Himalayan 411. They plough through anything apparently and with so much of it's weight low down, don't tip over so much. Great bikes though.
That was a great video Freddie, it had me laughing out loud. I agree with others on here, do yourself a favour and get to grips with off road riding with a 250 and you will enjoy it much more as well. After a year or so then you can get a 400 or 450 and that's really the biggest you need, despite what people's ego might say.
Ha ha ha funny movie freddie 😂😂😂
Bigger (and expensive) is better ....
says the ego 😂😂😂 lets be honest guys, all these heavy bikes off road in the mud are a nightmare 😂😂 so.....if you cant have fun on a small bike, you're not fun ! Awesome video as always Freddie and Monika, hi from Holland ❤
My next off roading attempt will be a sub 400cc, sub 180kg bike😀
It's great to hear the enthusiasm for increasing your skill level off-road, Freddie.
Until you get some professional training in off-road riding, allow me to offer two tips that you can focus on: elbows up and out, and stand on the pegs in squirrely sections.
The elbows position is important off-road as it not only gives you easier control over the bars as the ruts, etc. knock it off line, , but it also pulls you closer to the front of the bike, which is key for any sketchy section as it changes the center of gravity of the bike subtly. It's called the attack position as it lets you the rear end do what it needs to do while allowing your body to remain relatively stable above the bike. When riding on the road, elbows in has advantages as most roadways are pretty flat and free of perturbations, but off-road is completely the opposite.
Being up on the pegs is really crucial for low traction situations when at speed for roughly the same reason, it allows your body to remain stable by letting your legs and arms absorb shocks and hits while allowing the bike to flow along unimpeded. You'll be surprised how much more comfortable you feel once the seat is no longer throwing around every time you hit a bump, rut, or rock. Watch how Alex does it at about 8:50 as his back end drifts around but his body remains calm.
Cheers!
Nice one Freddie, as many have said, not the best bike to learn on but so many bikers never try to ride off road at all so well done for giving it another go, and on such a beast. If you really are keen to try more green -laning you could do worse than a Himalayan 411 with some half decent knobblies. For sure they're far from the best bike for anyone with experience but for the novice (and older and fatter rider like wot I am!) they're great fun, will get you just about anywhere, cheap and they crash well.
Morning!
Go and get a Honda CRF250L for some green laning. The smaller powered bikes will instil the confidence you need.
Nice vid
Really appreciate the tip, Stuart. I’m glad you mentioned this model, because this is exactly what I’m considering👌🏻
@ if you head into Kent, The Pilgrims Way is a good starting point to gain confidence on, from memory it is in relatively good condition.
I haven’t ridden Surrey direction, but I’d guess it’s a little trickier around there just looking at the topography.
Its all about momentum ;) just keep her rolling and relax
A 300-400 cc bike with the proper tires will give you all the fun without the expense of a larger bike. We always trucked or trailered our dirt bikes to a riding area., saving our larger cc bikes for distance riding. Proper offroad tires wear out fast on tarmac. A 3-4 hr dirt ride will feel like an all day street bike ride. Also depends if you are a world traveler or an occasional offroader. A little of both was my preference. The street bike always seemed to get more riding as I wanted to explore more coffee houses without sitting outside with the farm animals, lol. 👍👍
Well done Freddie,I dropped my xe and needed help to pick it up. Honestly have you thought about off roading on something lighter it’s so much easier 👍
Very entertaining mate
I LEARNED WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING ON A DR250, A “STREET LEGAL” OFF RD BIKE. I AGREE WITH THOSE WHO ARE TELLING YOU TO USEE A SMALLER BIKE TO LEAR ON.
Hey Fred, very well done ! The limbo with the tree was a great laugh. Still see the fear in your eyes, keep going , practice makes perfect. ( I don’t have the bottle for this) 😂
Did a triumph off road day on one 2 years ago in the Brecon Beacons a far more capable bike than I thought , in fact I enjoyed it so much I ended up buying one for myself for more leisurely use.
Freddie.. get yourself a day with Inch perfect trials.. proper no seat trial bikes, they will teach you skills that are transferable onto any bike you ride.. inch perfect trials, well worth a look
Googling now- thank you🙌🏻
Freddies off road is a pub car park off the main road. 😊
Light bike with tyres for the job - you know it Freddie
Everything comes with experience
Mate I was laughing with you when you became all one with the bush to help 😂 Nice video, but I'll probably enjoy it more with that 250cc you mentioned. 💪🏼
Invitation still stands freddie if you fancy trying something more manageable/more fun down in north Devon
Thank you Nathan, hugely appreciate it🙌🏻
I’m in Cornwall from Feb, so I’ll drop you a message as soon as I know dates
Thank you for posting this video. I have been riding bikes since 1979 and my taste (like so many others I suppose) are fast powerful bikes, especially naked roadsters. However no way would I use a bike as big as these for off-road. I would have thought a 250 cc/350 cc or even a 125, would be much better being much lighter. Also they are a lot cheaper when one comes off which will invariably happen sooner or later.
its always funny the thing with offroading - doing the same exact track on even a Honda CT125 would be a piece of cake. The added power and size is what makes that challenge. Bigger ain't better. Would like to have a more direct comparison of the Triumps vs other offroaders, rather than within the scrambler category though.
I've been considering buying the Pan America CVO lately, but i have to agree the Scrambler 1200 a way cooler looking bike.
Nice video guys...of course it would be easier with a lighter bike, better tyres etc, BUT the XE is a great bike, you buy it with your heart and work around any foibles. Those conditions would be tough on any bike..if we were all completely sensible ( boring!) we should be on little 125's paddling through the mud!!. Love the big XE. Cheers Steve
Freddy you should go see Nathan at Dorothy speed shop get some advice and try some of his bikes
Make a great vlog too
He's been invited there by Nathan so the ball is in his court, so to speak.
Yes, that would be great! He also has far superior bikes for this type of riding.
I think you would really enjoy a day of trials riding I am sure they do a beginners course somewhere in Kent, trials skills is what you need before jumping onto bigger enduro machines 🙂👍
9992 hours, thats a lot of Sunday mornings taken care of then. Great video Freddie, always push to learn more 👍🏻
It is, isn’t it!😆⏱️
Bravo great effort but surely off putting for you. As per everyone’s advice small bike appropriate tyres way to go. You looked scared as I would have been. Monster bike, poor tyres and vile conditions. A lot of £ to drag thru mud. Heavy enough on road let alone this. Someone’s suggestion of doing a run with Nathan the postman would make a great vlog. If you get time read his books. Utterly entranced a true explorer. U need goggles for obvious reasons
Well done, for trying and showing that's both doable in the right company and not necessarily the best idea 😊 I'll soon change the tyres on my xc but will be waiting for the lanes to dry before taking her there, hopefully with a TRF group. In the meantime I'll get some experience with "off the kerb" fleet of 250cc enduro. Unfortunately can't accommodate another bike and like my scrambler too much to consider trading it in just now.
A nice 200/250 two stroke and you will soon get to grips with it .
A beginner on too big of a bike, on improper tires. You had everything stacked against you. You did surprisingly well. Besides the obvious points that I and others have mentioned, invest in some goggles and proper off-road boots. Something from the likes of Alpinestars, Gaerne or Sidi. Lower leg injuries are the most common injury in off-road riding. A broken fib/tib can end your season and leave you facing surgeries. Your boots should be almost as stiff as a ski boot. Avoid boots with "Adventure" in the name. Those are almost always little more than heavy duty touring boots. Most boots with 4 buckles or more, provide adequate crush and torsional protection.
Cheers from Canada, Freddie. 👍
Watch the second hand market for scramblers drain after this video. Great video, looks tough. But exactly the kind of day I would like to do. Those tires did not look like a good choice. The UK is much harder than people imagine. Tough conditions.
Well done Freddie! If you had correct tyres would have been a lot less stressful too 😅
The upcoming BMW f450gs is something you should go for once it is out. Looks like a throughly capable offroader with budget and brand and hits a sweet spot with the power to weight ratio.
I love the 1200 scramblers but they are not great offroad, in the twisties or in the city. They make such a big compromise on every level, but they are gorgeous and extremely fun.
Those huge bikes are no good for muddy off roading Freddie. Get yourself a nice light 250;with knobbly tires and you’ll enjoy yourself. Think of getting a cheap tails bike, suddenly you’ll find it easy
Thanks Chris, I really tempted to do exactly this!
There are enough people traveling the world alone on a 250 or even less, saw a dude do that on a Honda Cub😂😂.... Imagine being stuck in the mud in the middle of nowhere with that heavy Bmw....no wifi.... nothing ....no one.....yeah ...
Yeah, there is a reason off-road motorcycle racing (MX, Enduro, Rally Raid) is ridden on mostly 250/450cc bikes........
The 1200 is very capable, it just needs the right tyres, not the road rubber fitted to the ones in the video.
Capable with an experienced rider and, as you rightly point out, suitable tyres.
What you need for this work is a VanVan 200.
Oh YES!
I love these and often think I should have gotten one instead of my T120. I think I'm going to get a tatty dirtbike for some winter riding.
My dream bike. :D
Loved mine. Only issue was high consumption of oil. Leaked coolant and a warning message triumph couldn't remove and said its all perfectly acceptable and within triumph tolerance (3kmiles with 1.5ltrs of oil loss). Should've gone legal but I simply sold it back to them. Shame cos a loved the bike and really miss it.
My bike burns oil like that too. I just give it an extra bottle of oil between changes.
@logangodofcandy yeah. I know some people will find it acceptable but other people I know don't have this issue at all whether it's a triumph or another manufacturer so it was time to move away from triumph unfortunately. (Was 2nd triumph for me)
This is very interesting
Cool stuff with and without dog poo.
A for effort Freddie. Though i think these were the wrong bikes for the job. A 350 or under would have done you both the treat. I was more interested in that tea house then seeing the scrambler bits (no offense meant)
I also have the desire of wanting to get better off road and have often thought about sticking nobbly tyres on a c90 like c90 adventures...I know you like the c90 from your video a while back. Would love to see you do it.
Freddie te egy kezdő terepmotoros vagy! Nem értem, miért nem száraz, és könnyebb terepre visz, hogy jobban élvezd ??? George from Hungary.
Love the video...but at 67...i think i will stick to actual roads..lol...great fun to watch though..lol..
If you ever see me off road, call an ambulance...... I've gone through a hedge 😊
Those do look great but just too big .
Been riding 60 years
All type bikes all type terrain - there is a bike for all occasions and skills- that bike was not the right bike for the occasion- If you want to enjoy off rd with less fear do it right and go small with a bike built for the task and skill set
Enjoyed watching tho and hopefully many watching will have learned fro what I consider your mistakes of which there were many which is not a criticism just thinking your on the wrong track and mistakes are inevitable - wish you all the best in your endeavors and Regards from a Welsh ex pat in Florida 🦩🦩🦩🦩
I think you'd get fitter and have more fun on a mountain bicycle! 😂
damn, offroad riding on a 1200cc sure looks tricky!
In offroad cycling, the trick is to get you ass up and out of the saddle, putting more weight on your feet. When your weight is sitting on the saddle in the center of the bike, you're very limited in terms of balancing, whereas your feet are your contact points on the left and right side of the bike. Putting your weight on your feet will massively increase your ability to counterbalance a bicycle and probably even more so a heavy motorcycle...
Why don't you take an offroad training camp, then next time Alex iinvites you out you wont feel so intimidated or lack confidence plus you know more holiday options. Well done
proper off road tyres ,deffo would of helped