Seven Deadly Adventure Motorcycling Mistakes That Almost Killed Us
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2024
- I'm lucky to ride dual sport motorcycles and host rallies FULL TIME! Want to know what budget-friendly parts, riding gear, and camera gear has proven relaibility and worked well for me? Check out my list of recommended dual sport and ADV gear, from tires to t-shirts: amazon.com/sho... Using this link to buy gear supports this channel with a small commission that doesn't cost you a dime.
Love the videos? Want to help support their creation? Help me create more short films! everideadv.com...
Rocky Mountain has consistently been the least expensive source for specific parts and quality moto gear. Use this link to support my channel: rockymountaina...?ref=1020
Interested in joining me for a dual sport rally in Southwest Utah? everideadv.com...
I recently built my DREAM DIRT BIKE! See all the parts and build details here:
www.everideadv...
See the web's most comprehensive dual sport performance charts, ranked by thousands of riders: www.everideadv...
Love Adventure? Subscribe to eveRide ADV for new adventures! Click: / everideorg
#everide #dualsport
Besides the "sins" in this video, what other mistakes have nearly cost you on your own motorcycle adventures?
Not getting professional training as a new rider
Endurance Racing (edit) on a Vingate Bike
i once forgot i was riding a vstrom 650 ... it kept taking me up the trail until it couldn't anymore. there was mud and snow everywhere.. had to drop the bike and let it slide down on it's own a couple times. also i was alone and no one knew where i was.
My second "big" misadventure ride was in Moab with a crew comprised of friends I'd previously ridden with on the WA BDR. My DR650 with Acerbis 5.3 gallon tank was the heaviest of the crew's bikes by a good margin, and I'm by far the least-skilled and experienced of the group. There were only a few spots that gave me trouble on the first three days, but on Day 4 we decided to do Porcupine Ridge. The sand getting into and out of the area was annoying, but what really got me was not carrying enough speed up one particular rock and then high-centering on my skidplate. This resulted in a roughly 5- or 6-foot distance fall right onto a rock formation that looked ideally suited for rib injuries - I ended up with some severe bruising, but nothing broken or cracked, thankfully, but I was definitely done. The group leader had an InReach, he and another member had a GPS with trail maps loaded, and basically everybody was looking out for everyone else. We didn't need to use the InReach, as I had sorted myself enough that I could ride out then go back to the AirBnB to rest, eat Ibuprofin, and treat myself. Short story long, we all were reasonably prepared for what can happen in situations like that and for when another one of our crew busted up his leg while making an unfortunately ungraceful descent off Baby Lion's Back.
Also, a habit I picked up from 24 years in the Army, conducting risk management as part of trip planning. Basically you go through your plan and look for hazards, try and start with the most obvious, determine what the initial risk is: Low Medium, High (catastrophic); then identify how you're going to reduce or mitigate that risk, and who is responsible for enforcing the mitigation effort, then determine what the residual risk remains after applying the mitigation/control. Ask yourself of your willing to accept the remaining risk, if not apply more controls until you can live with the residual risk. The goal is to have fun, but put in a deliberate plan to reduce risk, so that we can ride again another day.
As a SAR team member, do not bring a paper map "when you can". Bring a paper map ALWAYS. And a compass. And train how to use both. The "ten essentials" applies just as much to adventure biking as it does to hiking. Glad ya'll made it back, and gleaned some great lessons from the experience!
In my 40 plus years of riding I have made every mistake you did in this video. Some days the man upstairs just says its not your day yet and you find your way out. Thanks for sharing.
having a man deciding when you live or die is just über gay
We all have stories like that, and that is why we keep riding
@@carlosandleon Yet so true... oh, the irony
I don't like to tempt fate, but in some some cases you're right.
@@tunavis77 Shut Up, I'm fabulous
Life straw, water roto pax. I have a rule too, if you drop you’re bike, we take a 10 minute breather. No matter how you feel.
When I ride with buddies if they drop their bike i often ride directly over it and keep going. That's half the fun.
Wayne S. 😅😂😂😂
Taking a breather will allow you to assess your situation and possibly keep you from driving headlong into a possible bad situation, you may decide to turn around or at least be better aware of your entire groups circumstances.
@@karl7feet agreed.
That intro was me two months ago, we went down what looked like a trail, but it wasn't marked. It got steep and soon we passed the point of no return with foolish optimism. The trail ended, and we were almost out of water, out of daylight, and buried deeper now by continuing down a dry creek bed in an attempt to reconnect with the main road. We had to ditch our bikes and walk to the road. We dodged waterfalls and walked through shoulder high bushes for a couple hours until we hit the road, using our cellphones for light. We walked the long road back to the truck. In all it took about 6 hours from the time we left our bikes to reach someone with a truck who gave us a lift to my truck at 2am. Luckily we had charged cell phones, a small reserve of water, and each other. We had to go back days later to get them out with ratchet straps and rope. It could've been really bad had we not been in good spirits after getting stuck. A good attitude goes a long way in those situations. TL; DR: Stick to the marked trails in new areas!
Always walk a water crossing to gauge depth before attempting. Don't ask me how I know.
Great advice. I have made all these mistakes. Spent the night freezing at the top of Imogene Pass after clutch burnt out and a hard fall. Threw my back out trying to solo lift my bike from the downhill side to stop the gas from guzzling out, before dragging tires downhill and lifting properly. Took wrong turn on Tincup Pass and got separated from group in lightening/rain storm with inadequate rain gear and about got hypothermia. I appreciate your videos and wish I had seen this one years ago, before learning the hard way.
hit the gym guys, if you're finding yourself tired alot you need to start putting work in off the bike so when you're on the bike you're not getting run out on long difficult trails....i know how this comes across but think about it for a bit, the bike is just a tool and if it breaks would you be able to hike back out? i do a lot of backcountry travel solo using a lot of different methods, everything from my overland rig to my dirt bike to just hoofing it out and back, the only thing that has never failed me is my own two legs. physical fitness should be paramount when doing anything in the back country....just like the maintenance on our bikes a lot of the best things you can do for the trail starts off trail...don't take my comment as an insult or slam, please just reflect and maybe try to put some more time in building strength and better cardio...any gains are good, no matter how small, just start working on yourself as much as you do your bikes.
^ This right here. you can't expect the bike to do all the work.
Agreed - all men should be strength training 5 times per week no matter whatever else you’re doing In life. I recommend Powerlifting with accessory work. Sprinkle in some running too. Eat a ton of clean calories.
wuter melons great advice. I gotta get into the gym and build stamina
Yup true story. Im no strongman but ive dropped my klr lots, and don't have much of a problem lifting it. Frig if you wanna workout and have access to snow buy a ditch banger, to keep in shape over the winter🤘
well said! Cardio is one of the biggest things overlooked in riding, you will start to gas out way later in your ride if you concentrate on building up your cardio followed with some strength training
Having just done 4 days of ADV riding in Galeana, MX with a huge group - I saw several calamities related to these deadly sins. ADV and dual sport riding is fun, but man if you don’t respect the trail and what you’re actually doing, you can get killed out there quick. Good tips!
I’ve got a DRZ and KLR too. The KLR is a good dirt road bike but I never trail ride that pig. Sometimes the weight of it scares me just moving it around the garage.
Man, dropping my 07 KLR on hard trails, many many times is what lead me to going full dirt bike. I will always love my KLR as it was my first dual sport, it took me through terrain that no motorcycle of that size has any business being on. See Naches Trail WA. That was the trail that I, as you said, slid down a steep scree hill, breaks locked up, and decided that I couldn't go back that way. Well said.
What do you ride now
Awesome information. This literally sounds like a deer hunt I was on two years ago in Idaho. Those mountains are harder to go up than down. For the first time in my life while hunting I was afraid for my life. No food. No water. Darkness coming on fast. Alone. Temperatures dipping into the teens yet I was sweating taking layers off. Same principles apply. Very scary.
Spot on excellent advice, will take to heart. Just yesterday I was in Tennessee riding in the Cherokee National forest roads by myself, was in over my head and past my skills. Turned back twice from 2 different trails. Will not do that again. Thanks for the timely video 👍🏼 😎
The few seconds of overhead drone footage looks totally worth it! Nice shots!
Thanks! Always good to hear others experiences and compare there kit to mine so I can evaluate if I should changes things up!
Being an Eagle Scout I used to over prepare for most every ride. It has taken some learning to cut back to truly necessary items and not over do it. The benefit of cutting back on the weight and still having the needs covered have been worth the effort.
Still adjusting my kit as I go along!
I've ridden this trail on a 250 xcw. I sure as heck wouldn't want to ride it on a 650.
i don't ride any bike that is over 300 lbs
Very well done and honest! Thank you, you probably have saved many lives being this honest
Usually we travel w 4-5 guys.. and not out that far... Water.....water water...
I know that feeling, when you realize you cant go back the way you came ,
Can be mildly panic inducing if you're not prepared to finish the trail.
I used to get into that in my old Toyota offroader, not so much with the old KLR. Maybe wiser now?
That is half the fun. I love dropping off that first no return drop and saying to myself even if work calls ( I have service on the peaks were I ride most of the time) I can't get back for a few hours. pure freedom.
I've never ridden off road on anything more than 300 lbs. Vaughn
It's a good reminder that even experienced riders need to be careful and plan appropriately.
Great information! I always travel with an InReach after having a friend bust a foot on two different backpacking trips :P Fun fact! Most cell phone maps will function without cell service! GPS service is independent from cell service, and in most cases Google Maps will load up and show you where you are - though details may be sparse if you failed to download the offline map before leaving - ALWAYS download the offline map! Other maps like OSMAND and Gaia are great alternatives that allow you to download maps which will function properly without cell service.
Was skeptical with the title but fantastic video teaching or reminding what matters before and during a ride. Great job!
I like the lift assistance idea
Seriously, am I the first one?!
This is probably one of the most important 2wheeled vid out there. No kidding. I am glad to see some kind of closure, this trail (1st try) had enough 'interesting' so it will change the way I was thinking about being ready to any trail I go out. Thank you, my friend, and kind regards sent from Israel.
Great video man. I’ve almost ran out of gas on a solo ride before. Always try and be prepared. Keep up the good work.
I love how much your channel has grown and I'm very glad I had the chance to ride with you 🤘🏻
It kills me that the dual sport movement is dying out I remember this channel being like constantly in the recommended feed blowing up and it deserves to still have that because the quality content is definitely there. We had jake the garden snake, Subie Moto, kermit davlog, and so many more the adventure is still there the fun is still there and there’s still excellent motorcycles at all different price ranges why does it seem to be disappearing from youtube
Wives, family and wives. Vaughn
@@gaylemesser136 Sadly, this is so true :X
I think TH-cam's algorithms play into it a lot as well, not bringing it up in recommended feeds has been complained about quite a bit by a lot of motovloggers. Them making it even harder for the channels to succeed has to put a damper on their desire to constantly put out quality content, having a double effect. Plus I think at least eveRide is working on some other content right now (I know a movie was mentioned not too long ago)
i don't think its dying, just youtube is picky about what gets watched. i see as many dual sporters on the trails as dirtbikers, usually.
Here on the East coast you can barely get signed up to any dual sport events 400 to 500 riders always some of the events are 2 days
I love how you narrate the video. Just amazin!
Nice vid man 🤙 Think we've all been in similar situations, mine not quite as serious as yours but scary all the same. Cheers
Great tips! You're sure to save someone. Thanks for the video!
If that someone is wise and exercises good judgement.
Excellent feedback after your ride. Thanks for summarizing your thoughts and experiences. Many of us have made most of these mistakes, and lived to tell about it. Ride safe my friend!
Haha my friends and I call that a hellride. Yeah let's just go a little further yeah just a little more and that's how it starts. Glad you made it out !
Excellent adventure riding video. Every thing you talked about happened to me.I had recently purchase two DRZ400. Our inaugural Adventure ride was in Ocoee National Forest, Georgia. We found our self in trouble navigating an unfamiliar terrain. I opted not to bring my camel pack. After 15 or 20 times of picking up my bike. Being exhausted not having any water. I attempted to pick up my bike again and fractured my back doing so. No cell signal and DRZ electric start drain down the batteries on both DRZ, they wouldn't start anymore. We had to walk out of there. I did Google the trails online and had a map with me.
I knew the route so we had to walk about another half a mile up and down the Georgia Clay with my broken back. Only by God grace a State Ranger drove by and we abandoned the DRZ on the Trail. Being a retired Firefighter Paramedic. I knew to keep focus and we left the key in the DRZ ignition. As my son started driving the truck with an empty trailer the only other person was coming in while we were leaving. I had my son flagged him down. Told the driver what happened and where we left our DRZ. This guy was able to drive both DRZ out of there before I even made it home and before going to the Emergency room.
This is why 250 bikes are better on trails. You don't t get exhausted trying to muscle them around.
Great stuff Tyler...as always. Thanks for re-visiting that ride....I always hoped you guys would.
Wonderful story, good advice, calmly delivered. Made my day. Thanks
I am new to this sport and I’ve been watching some of your videos. I love your brutal honesty. You describe all the boo-boos I’ve made and you are not condescending about it. Thanks for all the tips.
Thank you for this. This is a very helpful, honest review that has helped me think honestly about my next ride.
LOTS of great teaching moments in this one!! Another great moto video from Everide.
Awesome video Tyler! Very good points, thank you for sharing! put a smile on my face and a smile on my heart because I went through something very similar, a couple times. I think it's awesome you had the balls to go back and do it again that way you learn from it! That's great man! I would have done the same thing! Keep learning, keep keep growing, keep improving. That's great. I was so anxious to ride one night that I didn't care it was getting dark, went out by myself and my chain came off trying to go up a steep hill. Chain came off a couple times, didn't even bring my headlamp or extra water, but I was able to get my chain back on and down the hill and home okay. Quite a lesson.
I remember seeing the video about this ride... this is a great follow-up. FWIW, I've always had the rule when I'm on a ride that if you drop your bike, WAIT for help picking it up. And, I don't even do rides if the daily high is above 90 deg.
One of your better vids in my opinion. As a long time off road racer I decided to buy a 1290 and be Mr Adventure rider. The HUGE mistake was going out by myself in an area I had No idea about. The 1290 is a TANK on single track and really not made for that. Huge TA-DA moment when the bike fell in a muddy ditch and I could not for the life of me pick it up. Luckily I had cell phone service. What a Learning experience it was! I now carry the Garmin 66i as well as a paper map.Thanks!
You're definitely a couple of lucky dudes. A great learning experience for sure. Glad you guys got out ok and that you made it back there to conquer on better terms!!
So, I grew up in the Southern Arizona desert in late 70s to 80s riding every day. No gps, no cell phones no real gear other than jeans and t shirt, no maps and going all over the place. How on earth did I survive?
I’ll echo that!
#3- Heavy Bikes. If your main reason for bringing the second person is to help you pick up your bike, you brought the wrong bike. Take the bike that is capable of the most difficult portion of your trip or atleast what you "think" will be the most difficult. Remember, light bikes can do anything a heavy adventure bike can(just not as comfortable). However, you can't say the opposite about heavy bikes. The dual sport community is making full circle, light to medium (KLR, DR, etc) to heavy (AT, GS, Tiger) all way back to light. Clever marketing has everyone convinced that taking a 600lb bike up a ridge line littered with baby heads is the only way to adventure. BMW blue, Honda red, Kawi green, $5k to $25k...gravity hates them all equally and doesn't care what the forum thinks of your bike. Sure the seat probably sucks so take more frequent brakes, you are dual sporting not doing an iron butt. Remember, Big Bikes = Destination oriented (big trips), Light bikes= Fun trails ARE the destination. I picked up an EXC, it's like I discovered the holy grail. Thanks as always Tyler, ride safe brother.
Oh yeah! Ive been there.... dark, no food or water, and an stuck on an oversized bike. Communication is the most important for sure!
My friend always talked about the 6 p's: Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. But in his case it just meant bringing so muck stuff his bike was way too topheavy - and also he forgot his passport (we were crossing borders). I suggested the added a 7 P for Passport :D
Thanks for a really nice video.
6 p's..... I like that :)
Good stuff Ty. I was with a two other guys riding the Utah BDR and 25 miles into Lock Hart Basin on my R1200GS and fell, breaking my right collar bone. We were already set up with camping gear so had that available to spend the night, but we hadn’t supplied with as much water as we should have. We were tight on it. Water is critical. One guy had a Garmin inReach which was a God send because he was able to get things setup remotely with his wife and my wife to get a Jeep rental going to extract me the next day. I immediately purchased one as soon as we got out of there. I never go out without the inReach any longer as there are too many places where cell phones won’t work and their battery life is very limited. The inReach always keeps me in touch in case something goes terribly wrong. A good repair kit, survival gear, water, and a means to communicate are something everyone should have now. There’s no good reason not to.
Great video man. That's exactly how it goes south fast. Excelled!
Yes EveRide, these videos are very helpful :) Keep up the good work brother man!
This is great information, especially for less experienced riders (like myself).
Thank you for this followup video. You had truly scared me on the first ride.
Im just starting to get back into dual sport, so i havent done this yet. But this sounds like a adventure that happen to me alone on a snowmobile this winter.
Excellent watch. Thank you fir sharing buddy. Very insightful. Couldnjust save a life making this video. Seriously. Hello from Tennessee.
You and your buddy could have been in a Rusty West video . Glad that didn't happen . Always plan for the worst to avoid a ride in the Hurst .
As always another great video that will surely help many prepare accordingly when heading off offroad . Peace .
Regarding the rider headsets... funny story... on a ride back in Oregon with a friend who had just bought a used V-Strom (I was on my 2012), we were both using our SENAs to talk. And during a pause, I heard some noise. I said, "did you just crash?" "Yep." No harm done; his front tire washed out at low-speed in some loose dirt. I went back and helped him pick it up.
This video I am sure will be helpful to many. Glad. You all made it through
Just found this--thank you, and I have no doubt you are saving lives by putting this out. Your points are solid and spot on. Suggestion: carry a personal locator beacon in case you get stranded in the middle of nowhere. ACR electronics makes really, really good PLBs, including their ResQLink View--pricey, to be sure, but your life is worth $350.
Sage advice , been there done that. However, If you don't push the limits, you'll never find out what you're made of. Preparation is absolutely the key. Now, do as I say not as I do. LOL
I think going back to tackle it again is a key part of adventure riding. Knowing what you didn't know last time and preparing solidifies the knowledge you learned.
Another tip is always bring something to keep you warm enough to basically survive a night out. Nothing to bulky or hot the idea isn't to be comfortable, just to survive.
One of the best videos, I have ever watched. I saw the original almost tragedy video. Great follow up video.
Don't know why but for some reason it's super appealing to check out some new trails when you just left with plan to get a quick cup of coffee and running with too hot gear for offroad, no water, no tools, no snacks, no ropes.. But it does make you grow mentally to just accept the situation, think of available options, rest not to wear out - and finally come back home (and sometimes pick up the bike next day)
Every ADV, Dual-Sport rider should own an emergency Sat com device. It's the first piece of kit you should buy, before all the bling and flashy mods.
Appreciate the analytical approach. Been guilty of all mistakes at some point or another but looking back, not all in the same time, shame on you :P . Plenty of times got over my head alone on a trail that I had no business with the bike I was riding but compensated with an In-reach, plenty of water and afforded a few hours to get the GS unstuck from the ravine I went head on. What I'm trying to say ... treat all variables as a system, compensate on the ones you can improve easy and make a conscious assessment about the ones you cannot control. It's about the outcome not maximizing a single benefit, that will not improve your slope gradient. At this point, from the comfort of a chair, good starting matrix. The biggest point in my opinion, and it's got the value of an opinion, learn to do an honest self assessment every 30m min or so and realize when you need to pause and rethink about your capabilities: I can totally do this vs some doubts creep on the bottom of my brain and pushing it means going deeper on the rabbit hole with no return path. That is the smallest epsilon I found but it's still there hunting all of us.
A massive thanks for sharing!!! Glad you had a better second ride
Outstanding advise and real-world examples of how things can go very wrong!
Bringing a small bladder one for fuel and one for water is critical when exploring especially, if you do not know for sure how long the trail or how difficult. Also, bring both a paper map and download digital maps on your phone or a separate GPS unit can really save your bacon and help in critical decision making when trying to figure out if you should keep pushing or turn around on a trail. One other thing that was not mentioned and I have heard of this happening on too many other trips. The riders think they will be only out for a limited amount of time but due to unforeseen circumstances they ended up either spending the night on the trail or significant time on the trail like in your situation. Always bring enough food for 1 day just in case as well as shelter which can be as simple as a emergency blanket or tarp and a small first aid kit. Even if you have an emergency beacon system like SPOT. It can sometimes take a very long time not only for rescuers to assemble and get their gear together but to even reach your location if you are in remote wilderness areas. And last but not least. Get insurance that provides coverage for rescue from remote or dangerous locations. You don't want to get stuck paying 10's of thousands of dollars worth of bills because, you needed to be rescued.
Glad you mentioned it, I was watching the first minutes of video thinking guys were absolutely bonkers for doing that trail on those bikes.
I just fired up my BRP, it sat 5-6 years, planning on the Baja 1000 at or around 60 and it's only a few years away. Good advice for the novice. Planning is everything - Safety First! Nice ride gentlemen ..
Thanks for the video. I think it's worth highlighting what can go wrong. I don't have an adventure bike, but I have made some of the mistakes you mention on dirt bike (solo riding and getting stuck). Lessons learned. I'm a big advocate for the right bike for the type of ride. Having dragged a 250# dirtbike uphill, downhill, over downed trees, etc...I can't imagine any other options than hiking out if I was there with too large / heavy of a bike. I have a friend getting interested in starting trail riding, and I'm strongly encouraging him to try it first on a light weight bike (he's eyeing large BMWs).
Always have an emergency assist button. I used mine at one point to save a friend. Plan ahead. Always plan for the unexpected. And I I rely on paper maps all the time. I ride alone these days so I get to lift my bike if I go boom. But the DRZ is small. Mesh armor is great but I like riding in the mountains so not to bad on heat. Excellent review on desert riding and a lesson from real life mistakes.
This is a great video with an important message. Thanks for making it.
I just rode the white rim trail on adventure bikes. I experienced many of the same things you talk about. Mental preparedness fro the reality of what are about to attempt is the biggest factor
You gotta know your limitations and the bikes limitations. I can do really rough steep trails on my crf250l but there’s no way I would be able to do on my klr. Don’t be afraid to park the bike and hike up the trail to see what you’re in for, better to walk and see than get stuck on a really steep hill and have no way out. Learn to read a trail from a distance, see if it’s too rocky, steep, sandy,etc.
It's crazy to think an experienced rider like yourself was out of his element. Thanks for sharing your experience. I personally ride with a satellite phone but I realize that's not an option for most people. My thoughts are as long as you have water you'll probably be okay if you had to stay out there for the night. Glad everyone is safe. Good video with lots of good common sense information.
He's actually a noob which is what makes his videos chock full of teachable moments!
Missed you buddy, it's been a while. I haven't been on the bike as much as I want to and as a byproduct, I haven't been watching the videos either. Our riding season here in Maine is coming to a close with snow in the forecast this weekend. I look forward to next spring though. It's funny, my 11 year old found my youtube channel and has been grilling me as to why I stopped making videos. He asks if the gopro still works and is egging me on. Maybe I can get back on it ;) Keep up the good work Tyler, I'll try to pop in more and give you some youtube love!!
Great information, editing, and photography. Your video is tops!
Excellent and very relevant video. Had my own accident recently, and many points here are the same lessons I learned from/wish I had applied on the day of my mishap. Peace.
Thanks for sharing!
There truly is only one sin, letting your trustee steed sit there collecting dust!
Thirty years of riding motorcycles and this is the first year I've used helmet comms and they make riding unbelievably better. Worth every penny!!!!
Communication is key! You should consider amateur radio. You can take 2 meter ht (handheld transceiver) on the ride. That little radio can hit a repeater 25 miles away. That repeater could have a 100 mile output radius. You can find them for as little as 25 bucks or you can spend 200 and get one with GPS built in. That's the trick!
in my younger days, KLR 650 was ok for light Forrest/trail ride, now, fifteen years later, iv'e switched to 300/450cc featherlike enduro, cant be happier. 50+ pounds makes a LOT of difference ;) . my advice? let at least ONE person know where you're going, when and whats your ETA to next checkpoint. ride with trustworthy buddies( dont ask how i know :P ) , bring MORE water than you think you ll need, because you will drink all of it. if not you, then your buddy will. MAPS, MAPS, MAPS and knowledge how to read one and navigate with it.
My phone bricked for some reason while camping the night before. Then the road I told my wife I was going on was closed, so I took a route she didn't know about. Camped out, had about a pint of water left after breakfast. Very hot day in dry New Mexico. Got lost on my way out (stupid mistake). Took a road like yours that ran out in a field of boulders. Ground was smoking due to recent controlled fire burn. Got stuck getting turned around. Motor died, would not start. Killed battery trying to get it to start. Looked down, gas running out of carb onto smoking ground! Turned off petcock, grabbed sleeping bag, pint of water, last two granola bars and tarp and started walking. Luckily about 5 miles or so away a guy on an ATV passed by. Took me to his house, called my wife to come get me (3 hours away, starting to get dark). Guy took me back to my bike with a battery. By now weather had changed and it was 50 degrees and raining. Got to bike. I tapped on carb, joking that it would fix my carb float problem. Then, just for grins tried to start bike. Boom, the old KLR started right up. Muddy ride out, called the wife, rode home freezing but made it home. I now always have enough water for an extra day, a personal recovery beacon and tools and tubes to fix a tire. Little things add up and then your suddenly screwed.
I know it's important to adequately prepare and do your research (and I'm not trying to dissuade that attitude since safety is paramount) but the times I was in way over my head in the REALLY bad stuff have--in hindsight--been some of the most enriching experiences that not only allowed me to grow as a rider but as a person as well. And hell, they make for some good stories too!
One of the biggest mistakes frequently made is PHYSICAL FITNESS. Can't believe it wasn't mentioned here. :)
Plus there's the added benefit of weight loss, which might be the most frequently talked about issue in the ADV/Dual sport world. People spend $450 on a lighter exhaust can just to save 8lbs when most of the people I see on youtube videos could lose 20 or more and be healthier, stronger and faster.
If you're going to ride terrain like this on 250-450lb bikes, you must be in decent physical condition.
Squats, lunges, pushups, cardio, etc.
P90X or AthleanX (or others) are excellent programs that will get you started in the right direction.
Taking things for granted is a open invitation for Murphy to come and work his magic.
Great video! definitely raised my awareness.
Great video, This can save people's lives.
wow this sounds like the typical inexperienced boaters story down here in Fl.
New boat, new boater, goes out off shore, lacks enough fuel, only 2 bottles of water ( but plenty of beer), no food, no shade, only wearing a pair of shorts and no other clothes, no compass, no radio, no spare battery, no anchor, no safety/medical equipment, doesn't know where hes going, has to rescued by Coast Guard.
Did all that and far worse for 8 years as I traveled around Australia - much of it off-road & super isolated. Good video & fair comment. Well done. Papers maps? There wasn't anything else - just the sun, mountains & sea to navigate by. My XR250RF was far superior to the XL600 in anything technical, but I cracked the frame quite easily on the former.
I'm about to hit the desert with a Grom, by myself with no water or cigarettes.. please look for me if I don't get back here... Thanks for sharing.. Robert Jr NJ here XR 650 owner myself here and not trying to get stuck.. at my age.. 46.. no more excuses... But I really try to gear up for the ride than to try to save weight... My XR can easily carry another person.. .. I definitely want to bring tools and equipment to survive and solve problems.. it foolish not to on a 650 dual sport.. I believe.. Robert Jr NJ here XR 650 owner myself here and I am prepared for tuff times.. but never ready for them..
I always send my dad a picture of the trail and location I am. If I don’t talk to him by 9 then he can start to worry.
This is a very important first step. I always send my wife aerial photos with trail markings for any outdoor adventures, whether I'm on a motorcycle, a mountain bike or on foot. You also need some signaling tools. A flashlight, a mirror and a fire starter.
KLR footpegs.... The bane of my existence.
Very honest video with full of important info. Thanks!
I have been stuck on a rocky hill with a Xr650r fully loaded with camping gear . Had to unload the bike and move some rocks . I don’t go with out my Garmin Inreach. My favorite back up foods are Cliff bars and beef jerky . I don’t ride single track trails by myself .
I am a fan of Adventure motorcycling, and look forward to having an adventure bike / dual sport in the future. But, why would you take a dual sport on a trail like this? Use the right tool for the job.
I believe the lightest bike possible. I used to dual sport my old 250x and would go 70 mph on the highway for over an hour, ride the trails then come back. I'm still trying to remember the sprocket combo as it was a perfect balance
Now I have a KTM500, KTM 250 xcw, KTM 250 xcfw, a CRF450x and a CRF250x (tribute build to my old 250x)
The stupidest and most dangerous thing I've done to date is to ride a remote fire road alone. The first half was beautiful and easy, so I got overconfident and started tearing down the trail in 3rd gear on my mostly street tires when I hit sand unexpectedly. I was looking elsewhere and of course whiskey throttled, the front end started washing out and the bike jumped from right to left then back again as it plowed though the deep sand. Somehow I kept it upright but left the trail, climbed a very steep hill narrowly missing several trees before I stalled and came to a stop just inches short of falling down a steep hillside. I couldn't turn the bike around and used the clutch to walk it down backwards since the front brake was useless at that angle. I realized how stupid and lucky I was because l narrowly avoided serious injury while alone in a forest with no cell service in a country where no one knew who I was or what I was doing. If I'm alone, I slow it way down now, but I explore with a buddy whenever possible.
I ride regularly in Greece- a very hot country (late spring/summer/early autumn)
1/-I wear air vented mx trousers/shirt in WHITE full body armour/shorts with mesh /white mx boots/ white body armour- remove shirt if required.I use safety riding glasses as goggles are hot and your eyes can itch from the sweat
2/-I prep bike ,all gear night before and set off EARLY.conserve max energy.
3/i start with a thin plastic over jacket until i get to start of trail.No big silly heavy adventure jackets/pants for cold road/off road riding they are way way wayyyy too much.If you feel cold you can always put thin plastic jacket and pants back on(windy mountain etc) you will be amazed what a difference it makes.
4/ I try to stick to 3 - 4hours max (alone) you will still have some energy after this time .all day hard/fast riding heightens your chances of an accident due to fatigue.Also it gets hot after 11am!!
5/study map the night before and carry a paper map.Google maps satellite images is very useful and you can print off the terrain/trails/download offline.
6/if you have a GPS drop"breadcrumbs" as you go along then you can easily turn around and get the hec out if there is a problem.
7/as you lose most of the heat from your head carry a thin balaclava in case of emergencies.
8/Water in 2 separate places.One close to you one in another place.
9/consider hiring a welder and having a small luggage /rack system built if you have an enduro bike.I know some people are happy with big packed up backpacks.I find them distracting and hot.
10/i stay physically fit .if you are not reduce your ride times/expectancy accordingly.
More things to say - great video OP -some great comments and NEVER underestimate that trouble comes quickly .