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Definitely helpfull used to ride dirt as a kid but don't remember much of those yrs lol and been riding road cruisers and rice rockets for yrs just got a Enduro and first day took a spill thinking just ride like ya normally do lesson learned lucky nothing broken on bike or body and taking in some videos and trying new things
Being afraid of gravel roads definitely resonates! One thing that really helped me was doing really slow figure 8 drills on gravel / dirt surfaces, and getting used to moving the bike underneath me while standing up. It makes it much less scary when the bike gets squirley because you get accustomed to the bike being leaned way over and not necessarily in line with your body.
Some great tips here. Another thing that has really helped me when standing and going through turns on gravel is to weight the outside foot peg. This was a game changer for me.
Hey Ben. 42 yo new rider here, got my XT 250 a few months back. Live in rural PA mountains, tons of dirt and gravel, thanx for the video!!! Great content.
I would love to see on a real gravel road vs natural gravel. While there were gravely sections, it’s a world away from a back alley, or better, a newly graded, 3”-5” deep gravel country road with a few wonky tractor tracks in it. I know all your advice applies, and the whole gyroscopic effect I understand. Yet I have decent scars from going down on a bicycle in gravel, and know that there is a limit to it all. And that limit can have little or no warning. All was well, next I’m picking stones out of hamburgered flesh.
Yup! Easiest way to turn the bike on thick gravel where the front end wants to keep pushing instead of turning. Doesn't take much throttle input to make it work.
It always baffles me to see like dakar riders just fly over any kind of terrain with seemingly ease, but as soon as i hit the tiniest bit of mud on a dirt road, i feel like im gonna fall... Although that is not exactly true anymore, because i am practicing and learning. Right now i am still concerned about cornering, especially tighter corners on (deep or muddy) dirt roads. But i love it though. Standing on the bike and letting it do it's thing is something i am pretty used to. I ride a 1200gsa
I crashed on a steep dry gravel descent simply because I could not slow down enough to take the corner at the bottom of the descent. Neither braking or a lower gear did anything to stop the bike from gaining momentum. Once off the bike it was even difficult to walk the road without falling over due to the grip being so bad.. I ended up getting a rock to bend the gear lever back into shape and rode out the way I came down - in the tyre marks I made going down - and headed home some 200 miles away.
Hey Ben. Just went out and did some gravel dirt riding today. You’re advice was spot on and helped me out! I was able to tackle some obstacles that I would not have been able to if I had not watched this video. Thank you sir!
I didn't hear my favorite...."Just Ride Faster"...... Thanks for helping n00bs learn this stuff! Great advice #1: Learn to stand up and practice it when it's easy, when the road is straight, etc, so you'll be comfortable when you need to stand in a hurry over obstacles. Good Advice #2: Lean the bike over to turn. If you lean it over far enough, with all your weight on the high side peg and your knee pushed firmly into the tank, the bike will almost turn itself!
I'm glad I found your channel. Soon I'll be selling my bike and getting an ADV type bike. It is awesome that you share these types of tips for riders new to this style. Thanks!
Thanks SO much for the basic gravel-riding tips. I've been watching YT videos for months ... and yours is the FIRST I've come across addressing gravel riding (which was scaring me, a newbee).
Excellent advice brother! Something I noticed and appreciate as I watch your video is that you stay to the right and gauge your cornering speed and position by sight distance. As a guy who enjoys riding Forest Service roads in timber, I occasionally approach a blind corner and suddenly have to confront an oncoming or stopped vehicle, or fallen tree in my 'lane'. No matter how good we ride, or how much we know our favorite roads, sometime in our riding future, on an otherwise perfect day, that horrendous obstacle will be there, just beyond our sight distance. Keep up the great work!
So tip number 6 in my book is use first gear and engine braking when you get to a downhill bit you don't know... You probably don't have much chalk where you are, but theres a lot of it where i am, and when it's wet in wintertime, no matter what tyres you have on, you'd be better off on ice. I went down a new-to-me trail just after christmas a bit fast -- and i don't mean fast at all, but maybe a bit of throttle in second, and whoopsie there's a big iron gate at the bottom. I literally just touched the rear brake and the bike went one way and i went the other. Neither the bike nor I was seriously damaged, but i twisted my knee which was sore for a surprisingly long time. which rings me to tip number 7 -- steer clear of "technical" stuff too soon in your riding career, and tip number 8 -- get knee braces. Especially if, like me, you're a 50+ squid...
Couple things. Another channel said to stand up and lean back to get weight off the front tire. I grew up on nothing but gravel and single trails. Never stood up, and never had a problem.
Stand-up, look-up, open up! First rule taught at off-road professional training. Standing up on the pegs gives you more control. Look up, look far ahead, let the bike sort out the road. Look down and go directly to the scene of the accident. Ride lower pressures on the tyres for better traction. To save your new adv bike, get proper training!
Agree with everything you brought up….and….learning to use the foot pegs to distribute your weight as you’re leaning into the corners rather than shifting your but around. It’s not always understood that your weight on the foot pegs is what helps shift your weight when standing up. This little hint helped me understand the weight shift more comprehensively.
Standing up, and letting the bike float under you by far is what I've found to be the most useful tip. It takes a bit to get used to, (I've ridden Harleys forever ) and it was a totally foreign concept for me to grasp at first. You actually use your knees pressed against the frame to steer. This makes life a hell of a lot easier. The opposite lean thing is still a thing for me to get used to too, but it seriously helps a lot. The one thing that I might add too, is to look ahead to where YOU WANT TO GO. If you see a big chunking rock, or branch, and you focus on it, you'll probably hit it. The bike is going to go where you're looking. (Yeah, I've chomped on a couple rocks) I've only started off road a couple of years ago on a Dual Sport, but it's an absolute blast. Be safe out there kids. Wishing y'all peace. Great video, thank you sir.
2:26 - I've had that moment on dirt where I DO let Jesus take the wheel (hands still on the bars of course, but I'm like "F* it! I'm dead" and just go ... I've always made it through. :) ... BTW - GORGEOUS ROADS ... your ride through the woods was phenominal!
My first experience with gravel was (predictably) a negative one. I was riding my SFV650 street bike through some unfamiliar hills, pulled over to observe the scenery, set down the kickstand and the entire bike just slipped and sunk into about an inch of gravel. Getting it upright again took a herculean effort for such a small bike; no matter which way I tried to lift it, it just slide around in the gravel. I ended up digging a hole in the gravel and pushing the rear wheel into it, then using that as an anchor from which I could leverage up the bike. Long story short: don't trust rocks.
Gravel is a bitch. I'm new to street riding even though I'm 53. Been riding dirt since I was a kid. Here is my noob tip, don't try to put your bike on the center stand on deep pea gravel. Lol.
I know you recorded this a while back, but it is much appreciated. I have made my triumphant return to the dirt after a 15 year break during which I just rode sporty bikes on the street. My new dual sport is a KLX300 and my other bike is an MT-10 (LOL). All the roads right around my house are insidious county graded gravel roads and they are kicking my ass. But I will not be defeated. Watching your videos and others plus daily practice are going to get me there. Thanks again, you inspire me.
Your a genius buddy if new bike riders keep going over your words of wisdom mate I'd say you have probably saved a few lives thank you from my heart ♥ there should be more experienced riders like you giving the young ones tips problem is they get a bike after a couple months they think there experienced there not they put a passenger on back and they try to show off its crazy no protection what's so ever again thank you
It’s really helpful that you aren’t someone who has been riding since early childhood. You can still remember what you were anxious about, what you had to learn etc so you understand the beginner’s mind. A high level expert cannot recall that since they overcame all of it so long ago. Imagine someone who started racing enduros or motocross at age 7 or 8 and now after riding at a high level for decades trying to teach beginners. In the field of adult education, it is a well known phenomenon that the person least able to effectively teach beginners is a high level expert. Counterintuitive but true. So at this point in your riding career (I am guessing your are an intermediate level rider) you are probably the perfect instructor for beginner and advanced beginner off pavement riders.
I would add that, depending on the looseness of the gravel, not to trun your handlebars to turn. Just weight the foot peg to the side you want to turn to. This is something you can practice on pavement.
why not just do it using the enduro technique? Loose surface, going straight --> load more on the back wheel, you dont want weight in front to make your front wiggle too much when going straight. Then if you need to turn from sitting position, move your weight to load your front again as your front wheel need traction and coutersteer as usual and let your bike lean but yourself stay streight (move your butt to the seat side). And if you in standing position weight internal (to the turn curve) foot peg and still do the steering input to make turn faster. If you just load foot peg, bike will eventually turn but slower. A few seconds of video here: th-cam.com/video/z5pQaM6EQ2U/w-d-xo.html
I just wanted to say that I enjoy your videos and you are helping me deal with off road camping alone, which is not something im comfortable with however seeing you do it is helping me cope with it.
In your video, around 2:27, you said "Relax and let the front end wobble". I have learned that consciously and intentionally smiling at the same time works wonders to relax.
I wanted to say thank you for the videos! I have enjoyed watching, and you give a lot of great down to earth advice. I have been riding cruisers and touring bikes for 20 years. I just purchased a new KRL 650. I have wanted to get into adventure riding for a number of years. Your videos definitely have influenced my decision to get into adventure riding.
I have ridden bikes forever but just got an ADV. We live down a gravel road in the Bankhead National Forest and the Sipsey Wilderness. I rode my sport bike down a pea gravel road before and it was terrifying. I was keeping my ADV at around 20 MPH until I followed my roommate on his dirtbike one day. We were going 50 MPH and it actually encouraged me to push my limits amd made me a better rider. We also ride through our pastures and I have learned to break traction and slide my bike a bit by trying to hang with him.
I just want to say that my dad and I watch your videos and I got so excited to see you taking off from the power dealership right near my house lol. I’m due to get my first bike next month. Thank you for putting out the content that you do! I hope to see you out there sometime!
I rode when I was younger and just recently started riding again. I have a heavy street bike now and honestly the scariest part of the ride home was the final 1/2 mile to home. Gravel road in the country; I keep it slow, steady and 100% upright especially when turning. I have no choice but to ride the gravel road coming and going. Ya'll be safe.
Thanks. Right now riding gravel/dirt roads in my mind I’m comparing it to walking on ice and waiting for the wheels to come from underneath me. I am starting to relax and gaining confidence slowly.
I rode dirt bikes for 14 years before riding on the streets, and loved watching the motorcycle road racing, but it looked to me like all the bikes were on the verge of losing traction, no matter what the speed. To my eyes, riding on the streets looked like riding on a frozen ice rink. 35 years later, and with 25 years of street-only riding, and my brain now tells me that riding on dirt looks like riding on a frozen ice rink. Funny how perceptions change. :)
Off road riding gives you so many skills that can save you on road. Being off road you’re so used to loosing traction, or the front washing out it becomes second nature to react to it on the road. No more butt clenching, you just naturally correct the situation.
This is the best, most useful (and beautifully concise) off-road instruction I've found. Without it, and as a total newbie to dirt despite 45 years on tarmac, I would not have been able to even attempt some of the Patagonia trip I did recently - even though I could not tackle the really gnarly stuff. Thanks so much.
I know this is an old comment but I am looking at a Patagonia trip and researching skills and happened upon your comment. What were the gnarliest bits and what do you wish you had focused on so you would have felt comfortable trying to do those bits? I recently got humbled as an 80% street rider 20% occasional nice gravel road rider in the Himalayas - what ultimately took me out was a truck merging and running me into a rock slide, but there were some gnarly sections and water washes that in hindsight I wish I had better skills with to tackle. I learned, on the trip and the support team was amazing but it was at a price. 😅
I live in Iowa, where they cover gravel roads in loose limestone. First time I took my dritbike out on the gravel it felt like I was floating on the road. Took me a little bit to get used to that feeling, but once I did, I don't even notice anymore. Great advice to keep your acceleration on straight lines, I know I have had a near wipeout from getting on the throttle while I was turning on the gravel road. Great advice!
As a newer adventure rider once the paved road ended, and hit a rocky road, more than just gravel, that handlebar was moving back and forth and my instinct was to hold tighter and to make it stop moving to go straight. Then watching your videos as well as others I learned to kinda let the front end do that and just help quide it to where I need to go. Now I need tips on how to navigate roads that are muddy, and have water puddles mixed in. Where I am at, the rainy season changes the roads drastically. I have a Honda CB500X and on two occasions have tipped over to the right because the back wheel spins and then it starts moving to the left pretty quickly causing to lean, then go down. Now I am paranoid if it has been rain and the road is muddy because it is so slick, similar to ice.
LOL. I LOVE your videos Dork! Especially the part about “don’t just let go of the handlebars, and let Jesus take the wheel”. I laughed out loud. I dunno tho, here in New Hampshire, I have ridden on a lot of snow covered roads on my KLR, and often have felt as though there was some kind of “higher power” keeping me upright in the snow. 😀 You call it “physics”... potāto / patáto. I agree on “trust your tires” too. My Continental TKC 80 Twinduros kept SO many bad things from happening to my KLR, I cannot wait to get my Gen III 2022 out there, on a set of them. Thanfor another “EXCELLENT” video Dork!
You forgot to mention the number one tip, grip with the knees, it holds you in place either standing or sitting and lets you relax your grip on the bars, big benefit is it keeps your body mass closer to the centre of the bike so you don’t get the pendulum effect from your legs. Gripping with the knees is number one off or on road, it works for braking, accelerating and cornering, pushing on the tank with your knee makes counter steering easier.
After tipping over yesterday in my first gravel, I am now here. Seem like great tips, thanks for sharing! Also, where was this filmed at? LOVE the location
I just had an accident (where I had to get knee surgery) on gravel with my bike (I live in bali so scooters are the main transport). I’m feeling very scared to ride my bike again. This video is awesome. It’s giving me some confidence to get back on, and what to do if I hit gravel again. Going to go try to ride right now. Thank YOU!!
Another "excellent" vid. Adv-noob here. Recently completed first 40+ mi unpaved shake-down/practice ride; Toledo to Harlan to Philomath, OR. Experienced/discovered every tip you covered in the vid. Skill development and confidence comes with time n practice. I get that part. #1 worry was fear of a breakdown, tire or mechanical. I packed tools, but still...that fear of the unknown speaks to a shortage of experiences. And I know there is a solution toward to bottom of my next tank of gas.
I just bought my first small adv bike and have been practicing quite a bit. I find it much more comfortable to ride standing up and I feel I have better control over the bike. I do need to change tyres though, mine are apparently 60/40 tyres. I am still doing research on what is out there for mostly gravel riding. I am finding that I am gripping too tightly on the gravel roads and when I do loosen up I get a better and less stressful ride. Thanks for your tips, they are very helpful.
we have a 10 mile gravel road between our house and camp, it has lots of corners, very very fun road. anyway when we were first learning one of the biggest mistakes we made was not looking ahead/scanning ahead. stay on the packed section too, on the big county gravel road we have there is always a flat, smooth section of it
Riding a mountain bike on offroad or gravel is a lot easier for me. I even ride at night. But when I'm on a motorcycle, it's waaay more challenging for me. This will help. Thanks :)
This was possibly the most useful youtube vid I have watched to date. Thank you. I have lived my entire life driving gravel roads… and, on a bike, I have feared gravel since 1972. There were no courses then and with my second hand street bike I learned how to pull wrenches more than I ever learned to ride. Then a friend was killed on gravel, the bike got sold and the two wheel skill level stalled. But just bought a little dual sport, took a course and am slowly learning stuff that’ll hopefully keep me vertical. Suspect you receive an overwhelming number of comments so may not see this one but I would love to know what bike you find the most stable on gravel. And what tires… Cheers! Keep up the good work
When I first got my bmw r1100gs I went into the mountains and traversed down a fire road. Got to a point were there was a long length that had been freshly hickly graveled. Great. As I tried to go it was very squirrelly. Then I decided to speed up and stand. Things got much more stable and it went fine after that. And no, it was not just a straight section.
Well, I had been looking for this kind of video all winter. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for a clear and concise video of what to do , going to replay it several times before I go out. Commit to memory . You are doing a great job , will support you thru Rocky Mtn .
Just ordered the map for bdr oregon #3. Bought a slightly used wr250r last weekend. Cant wait for riding season. Must wait for snow to melt. See you on the trail.
Ate shit in the middle of the Utah desert yesterday on my V-strom because I was trying to lean the bike through the turn, lost traction on the front end in deep sand, foot slipped of the peg and I whiskey throttled it all the way to the ground. Because I'm bad at riding. Thanks for the video, it helped a lot.
I picked up an SFV650 as my first bike after a decade without. I started on dirt and moved to street. My goal is to turn her into a modern UJM sort of scrambler. Explore what Alberta has to offer and decide on my next bike from there. I learned on the east coast where everything was twisties but out here its flat grid highways leading to real back country. I don't think one bike will do it all.
Great video, for some reason i started counting how often you said "Gravel" .. To help show the counter-lean you can attach a camera to the bike facing you, counter lean is a great skill for offroad and low speed manuvers anywhere .. I counted 34 Gravel's .. Meow
Love all the tips, thanks for going through this….it’s pretty reassuring to know that the slight slip is a normal feel of the bike enjoying itself 😌. Very cool videos so far that I’ve seen (newer subscriber) and love what you’re sharing with the community!
Thank you man, I am trying to put my wheels offroad with my 1090R... I need more confidence with my bike, but I am not in a rush. In my channel I am keeping all my trips, so I can watch it back to see my mistakes.. And I guess all biker makes a lot of it. 😄
As someone who grew up & lives on a long gravel road the only special thing I do besides not riding like a moron, is I lean forward a little bit to center my mass more evenly over my bike (vulcan s 650) just seems more balanced & controllable 😊
I really want to pick up a drz 400. Also as a first bike, I do want to travel gravel with it as where I work I travel gravel. I've rode mountain bike downhill and totally get the bike leaning over in corners as I feel I've done that unknowingly going fast when I raced on snow, its just keeping that center of gravity. Great videos as I've seen a few now and really makes me need a drz.
You made a good argument for standing up, as a means of actually feeling more confident when the bike is squirrelly underneath you. I tend to ride faster when standing.
Love your videos Dork! Lol I know exactly where you were riding, have ridden through there years ago on my TT600! I live just before the main gate, happy riding!
I dropped my KLR-650 on a sandy hill. I didn’t know the proper technique to picking up the bike. The bike kept sliding as I attempted to lift it, my adrenaline started flowing and I broke my bicep tendon. That is a tendon that attaches the bicep to the bone. My bicep curled up into my shoulder and I had to have it surgically reconnected. I recommend learning how to properly pick up a bike before you drop it. I replaced the KLR 650 with a KTM 500. The KTM is more powerful and weighs a couple hundred pounds less. That was 12 years ago. I still have my KTM plus a BMW 1250 adventure bike, a Harley Road Glide and a Harley Fat Bob. I am 66 years old and haven’t dropped the bikes, but if I did I know how without breaking my body parts.
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I used your link to get some stuff from Rock Mountain for my KTM. I hope it helps. Thanks for the content!
Thanks for the links. I'm happy to use them for you youtubers.
Much appreciated.
As a street rider for 20 years and now dipping my wick into dirt as an Adv rider, you channel is gold.
I'm happy you find it useful!
@@1DrBar HAH!
Seriously. I'm in the same boat. It takes a lot to make the transition, but dirt, gravel is a hoot.
Definitely helpfull used to ride dirt as a kid but don't remember much of those yrs lol and been riding road cruisers and rice rockets for yrs just got a Enduro and first day took a spill thinking just ride like ya normally do lesson learned lucky nothing broken on bike or body and taking in some videos and trying new things
Being afraid of gravel roads definitely resonates! One thing that really helped me was doing really slow figure 8 drills on gravel / dirt surfaces, and getting used to moving the bike underneath me while standing up. It makes it much less scary when the bike gets squirley because you get accustomed to the bike being leaned way over and not necessarily in line with your body.
That figure 8 drill is the best thing you can do to practice.
Some great tips here. Another thing that has really helped me when standing and going through turns on gravel is to weight the outside foot peg. This was a game changer for me.
How do you mean?
@@rkr6237 I think he means putting more weight on the peg.
Hey Ben. 42 yo new rider here, got my XT 250 a few months back. Live in rural PA mountains, tons of dirt and gravel, thanx for the video!!! Great content.
I would love to see on a real gravel road vs natural gravel. While there were gravely sections, it’s a world away from a back alley, or better, a newly graded, 3”-5” deep gravel country road with a few wonky tractor tracks in it.
I know all your advice applies, and the whole gyroscopic effect I understand. Yet I have decent scars from going down on a bicycle in gravel, and know that there is a limit to it all. And that limit can have little or no warning. All was well, next I’m picking stones out of hamburgered flesh.
2:10 this really made the point for me. The bike would continue upright if I was not on it.
You got a "subscribe" from me the moment I saw the Excite Bike intro. First time viewer, but I'll be back!
The one thing I would add would be to get comfortable breaking the rear tire loose. Steering with the rear end is both useful and incredibly fun!
Yup! Easiest way to turn the bike on thick gravel where the front end wants to keep pushing instead of turning. Doesn't take much throttle input to make it work.
It always baffles me to see like dakar riders just fly over any kind of terrain with seemingly ease, but as soon as i hit the tiniest bit of mud on a dirt road, i feel like im gonna fall... Although that is not exactly true anymore, because i am practicing and learning. Right now i am still concerned about cornering, especially tighter corners on (deep or muddy) dirt roads. But i love it though. Standing on the bike and letting it do it's thing is something i am pretty used to. I ride a 1200gsa
... let Jesus take the wheel... 🙏
Great tips! Now I wanna get out and practice 👍
I crashed on a steep dry gravel descent simply because I could not slow down enough to take the corner at the bottom of the descent. Neither braking or a lower gear did anything to stop the bike from gaining momentum. Once off the bike it was even difficult to walk the road without falling over due to the grip being so bad.. I ended up getting a rock to bend the gear lever back into shape and rode out the way I came down - in the tyre marks I made going down - and headed home some 200 miles away.
Hey Ben. Just went out and did some gravel dirt riding today. You’re advice was spot on and helped me out! I was able to tackle some obstacles that I would not have been able to if I had not watched this video. Thank you sir!
I didn't hear my favorite...."Just Ride Faster"......
Thanks for helping n00bs learn this stuff!
Great advice #1: Learn to stand up and practice it when it's easy, when the road is straight, etc, so you'll be comfortable when you need to stand in a hurry over obstacles.
Good Advice #2: Lean the bike over to turn. If you lean it over far enough, with all your weight on the high side peg and your knee pushed firmly into the tank, the bike will almost turn itself!
I took the klx down a rail road track that was being renovated, big chunks of busted cross ties and big loose gravel piles every where
I'm glad I found your channel. Soon I'll be selling my bike and getting an ADV type bike. It is awesome that you share these types of tips for riders new to this style. Thanks!
Thanks SO much for the basic gravel-riding tips. I've been watching YT videos for months ... and yours is the FIRST I've come across addressing gravel riding (which was scaring me, a newbee).
Excellent advice brother! Something I noticed and appreciate as I watch your video is that you stay to the right and gauge your cornering speed and position by sight distance. As a guy who enjoys riding Forest Service roads in timber, I occasionally approach a blind corner and suddenly have to confront an oncoming or stopped vehicle, or fallen tree in my 'lane'. No matter how good we ride, or how much we know our favorite roads, sometime in our riding future, on an otherwise perfect day, that horrendous obstacle will be there, just beyond our sight distance. Keep up the great work!
So tip number 6 in my book is use first gear and engine braking when you get to a downhill bit you don't know... You probably don't have much chalk where you are, but theres a lot of it where i am, and when it's wet in wintertime, no matter what tyres you have on, you'd be better off on ice. I went down a new-to-me trail just after christmas a bit fast -- and i don't mean fast at all, but maybe a bit of throttle in second, and whoopsie there's a big iron gate at the bottom. I literally just touched the rear brake and the bike went one way and i went the other. Neither the bike nor I was seriously damaged, but i twisted my knee which was sore for a surprisingly long time. which rings me to tip number 7 -- steer clear of "technical" stuff too soon in your riding career, and tip number 8 -- get knee braces. Especially if, like me, you're a 50+ squid...
In gravel, sand or mud squeeze the bike with your legs. It's amazing how much control/confidence you gain.
Couple things. Another channel said to stand up and lean back to get weight off the front tire. I grew up on nothing but gravel and single trails. Never stood up, and never had a problem.
Thing might be, to weight the pegs and kind of hover over the seat and not sink into the seat like a stone.
Good tips! If these borders open up I’m gonna come ride these roads this summer!
Stand-up, look-up, open up! First rule taught at off-road professional training. Standing up on the pegs gives you more control. Look up, look far ahead, let the bike sort out the road. Look down and go directly to the scene of the accident. Ride lower pressures on the tyres for better traction. To save your new adv bike, get proper training!
Agree with everything you brought up….and….learning to use the foot pegs to distribute your weight as you’re leaning into the corners rather than shifting your but around. It’s not always understood that your weight on the foot pegs is what helps shift your weight when standing up. This little hint helped me understand the weight shift more comprehensively.
Standing up, and letting the bike float under you by far is what I've found to be the most useful tip. It takes a bit to get used to, (I've ridden Harleys forever ) and it was a totally foreign concept for me to grasp at first. You actually use your knees pressed against the frame to steer. This makes life a hell of a lot easier. The opposite lean thing is still a thing for me to get used to too, but it seriously helps a lot. The one thing that I might add too, is to look ahead to where YOU WANT TO GO. If you see a big chunking rock, or branch, and you focus on it, you'll probably hit it. The bike is going to go where you're looking. (Yeah, I've chomped on a couple rocks) I've only started off road a couple of years ago on a Dual Sport, but it's an absolute blast. Be safe out there kids. Wishing y'all peace. Great video, thank you sir.
2:26 - I've had that moment on dirt where I DO let Jesus take the wheel (hands still on the bars of course, but I'm like "F* it! I'm dead" and just go ... I've always made it through. :) ... BTW - GORGEOUS ROADS ... your ride through the woods was phenominal!
My first experience with gravel was (predictably) a negative one.
I was riding my SFV650 street bike through some unfamiliar hills, pulled over to observe the scenery, set down the kickstand and the entire bike just slipped and sunk into about an inch of gravel.
Getting it upright again took a herculean effort for such a small bike; no matter which way I tried to lift it, it just slide around in the gravel.
I ended up digging a hole in the gravel and pushing the rear wheel into it, then using that as an anchor from which I could leverage up the bike.
Long story short: don't trust rocks.
Gravel is a bitch. I'm new to street riding even though I'm 53. Been riding dirt since I was a kid.
Here is my noob tip, don't try to put your bike on the center stand on deep pea gravel. Lol.
@@IRQ1Conflict Sounds more like a scooter than a motorcyle (w/center stand)
Well done. You hit on all the major challenges riding gravel.
I know you recorded this a while back, but it is much appreciated. I have made my triumphant return to the dirt after a 15 year break during which I just rode sporty bikes on the street. My new dual sport is a KLX300 and my other bike is an MT-10 (LOL). All the roads right around my house are insidious county graded gravel roads and they are kicking my ass. But I will not be defeated. Watching your videos and others plus daily practice are going to get me there. Thanks again, you inspire me.
Your a genius buddy if new bike riders keep going over your words of wisdom mate I'd say you have probably saved a few lives thank you from my heart ♥ there should be more experienced riders like you giving the young ones tips problem is they get a bike after a couple months they think there experienced there not they put a passenger on back and they try to show off its crazy no protection what's so ever again thank you
These tips are spot on - esp the one about standing on your pegs. It made the biggest difference for me right from the start.
It’s really helpful that you aren’t someone who has been riding since early childhood. You can still remember what you were anxious about, what you had to learn etc so you understand the beginner’s mind. A high level expert cannot recall that since they overcame all of it so long ago. Imagine someone who started racing enduros or motocross at age 7 or 8 and now after riding at a high level for decades trying to teach beginners. In the field of adult education, it is a well known phenomenon that the person least able to effectively teach beginners is a high level expert. Counterintuitive but true. So at this point in your riding career (I am guessing your are an intermediate level rider) you are probably the perfect instructor for beginner and advanced beginner off pavement riders.
Nice video Ben! Keep these videos coming please> I bought a KLX230 after watching your review
I would add that, depending on the looseness of the gravel, not to trun your handlebars to turn. Just weight the foot peg to the side you want to turn to. This is something you can practice on pavement.
why not just do it using the enduro technique? Loose surface, going straight --> load more on the back wheel, you dont want weight in front to make your front wiggle too much when going straight. Then if you need to turn from sitting position, move your weight to load your front again as your front wheel need traction and coutersteer as usual and let your bike lean but yourself stay streight (move your butt to the seat side). And if you in standing position weight internal (to the turn curve) foot peg and still do the steering input to make turn faster.
If you just load foot peg, bike will eventually turn but slower.
A few seconds of video here:
th-cam.com/video/z5pQaM6EQ2U/w-d-xo.html
I just wanted to say that I enjoy your videos and you are helping me deal with off road camping alone, which is not something im comfortable with however seeing you do it is helping me cope with it.
In your video, around 2:27, you said "Relax and let the front end wobble". I have learned that consciously and intentionally smiling at the same time works wonders to relax.
I wanted to say thank you for the videos! I have enjoyed watching, and you give a lot of great down to earth advice.
I have been riding cruisers and touring bikes for 20 years. I just purchased a new KRL 650. I have wanted to get into adventure riding for a number of years. Your videos definitely have influenced my decision to get into adventure riding.
I have ridden bikes forever but just got an ADV. We live down a gravel road in the Bankhead National Forest and the Sipsey Wilderness. I rode my sport bike down a pea gravel road before and it was terrifying. I was keeping my ADV at around 20 MPH until I followed my roommate on his dirtbike one day. We were going 50 MPH and it actually encouraged me to push my limits amd made me a better rider. We also ride through our pastures and I have learned to break traction and slide my bike a bit by trying to hang with him.
I just want to say that my dad and I watch your videos and I got so excited to see you taking off from the power dealership right near my house lol. I’m due to get my first bike next month. Thank you for putting out the content that you do! I hope to see you out there sometime!
I rode when I was younger and just recently started riding again. I have a heavy street bike now and honestly the scariest part of the ride home was the final 1/2 mile to home. Gravel road in the country; I keep it slow, steady and 100% upright especially when turning. I have no choice but to ride the gravel road coming and going. Ya'll be safe.
Thanks. Right now riding gravel/dirt roads in my mind I’m comparing it to walking on ice and waiting for the wheels to come from underneath me. I am starting to relax and gaining confidence slowly.
I rode dirt bikes for 14 years before riding on the streets, and loved watching the motorcycle road racing, but it looked to me like all the bikes were on the verge of losing traction, no matter what the speed. To my eyes, riding on the streets looked like riding on a frozen ice rink.
35 years later, and with 25 years of street-only riding, and my brain now tells me that riding on dirt looks like riding on a frozen ice rink. Funny how perceptions change. :)
Off road riding gives you so many skills that can save you on road.
Being off road you’re so used to loosing traction, or the front washing out it becomes second nature to react to it on the road. No more butt clenching, you just naturally correct the situation.
This is the best, most useful (and beautifully concise) off-road instruction I've found. Without it, and as a total newbie to dirt despite 45 years on tarmac, I would not have been able to even attempt some of the Patagonia trip I did recently - even though I could not tackle the really gnarly stuff. Thanks so much.
I know this is an old comment but I am looking at a Patagonia trip and researching skills and happened upon your comment. What were the gnarliest bits and what do you wish you had focused on so you would have felt comfortable trying to do those bits?
I recently got humbled as an 80% street rider 20% occasional nice gravel road rider in the Himalayas - what ultimately took me out was a truck merging and running me into a rock slide, but there were some gnarly sections and water washes that in hindsight I wish I had better skills with to tackle.
I learned, on the trip and the support team was amazing but it was at a price. 😅
I live in Iowa, where they cover gravel roads in loose limestone. First time I took my dritbike out on the gravel it felt like I was floating on the road. Took me a little bit to get used to that feeling, but once I did, I don't even notice anymore. Great advice to keep your acceleration on straight lines, I know I have had a near wipeout from getting on the throttle while I was turning on the gravel road. Great advice!
As a new TransAlp owner, this helped me.
Thanks.
As a newer adventure rider once the paved road ended, and hit a rocky road, more than just gravel, that handlebar was moving back and forth and my instinct was to hold tighter and to make it stop moving to go straight. Then watching your videos as well as others I learned to kinda let the front end do that and just help quide it to where I need to go. Now I need tips on how to navigate roads that are muddy, and have water puddles mixed in. Where I am at, the rainy season changes the roads drastically. I have a Honda CB500X and on two occasions have tipped over to the right because the back wheel spins and then it starts moving to the left pretty quickly causing to lean, then go down. Now I am paranoid if it has been rain and the road is muddy because it is so slick, similar to ice.
this video came at the perfect time. i was just looking up new tires that work bettter on gravel
Well summed up, thanks!
LOL. I LOVE your videos Dork! Especially the part about “don’t just let go of the handlebars, and let Jesus take the wheel”. I laughed out loud. I dunno tho, here in New Hampshire, I have ridden on a lot of snow covered roads on my KLR, and often have felt as though there was some kind of “higher power” keeping me upright in the snow. 😀 You call it “physics”... potāto / patáto. I agree on “trust your tires” too. My Continental TKC 80 Twinduros kept SO many bad things from happening to my KLR, I cannot wait to get my Gen III 2022 out there, on a set of them. Thanfor another “EXCELLENT” video Dork!
You forgot to mention the number one tip, grip with the knees, it holds you in place either standing or sitting and lets you relax your grip on the bars, big benefit is it keeps your body mass closer to the centre of the bike so you don’t get the pendulum effect from your legs.
Gripping with the knees is number one off or on road, it works for braking, accelerating and cornering, pushing on the tank with your knee makes counter steering easier.
let the gyroscope of a 21" front wheel keep you upright. Just point to the least resistance! Thank you for the video!
After tipping over yesterday in my first gravel, I am now here. Seem like great tips, thanks for sharing! Also, where was this filmed at? LOVE the location
I just had an accident (where I had to get knee surgery) on gravel with my bike (I live in bali so scooters are the main transport). I’m feeling very scared to ride my bike again. This video is awesome. It’s giving me some confidence to get back on, and what to do if I hit gravel again. Going to go try to ride right now. Thank YOU!!
Another "excellent" vid. Adv-noob here. Recently completed first 40+ mi unpaved shake-down/practice ride; Toledo to Harlan to Philomath, OR. Experienced/discovered every tip you covered in the vid. Skill development and confidence comes with time n practice. I get that part. #1 worry was fear of a breakdown, tire or mechanical. I packed tools, but still...that fear of the unknown speaks to a shortage of experiences. And I know there is a solution toward to bottom of my next tank of gas.
That breakdown fear can be alleviated quite a bit with a satellite communicator. That's why I carry my InReach. Worst case I can always call for help.
Thanks. I’m in Northern California love to get up there and ride sometime.
Good advice. Thanks for sharing.
The trees reflected in your phone screen look like they're chasing you in a low budget horror flick 😂
That ending view was awesome. Great tips too. The biggest change when I started riding on dirt and loose gravel was learning to stay loose. 👍
I just bought my first small adv bike and have been practicing quite a bit. I find it much more comfortable to ride standing up and I feel I have better control over the bike. I do need to change tyres though, mine are apparently 60/40 tyres. I am still doing research on what is out there for mostly gravel riding. I am finding that I am gripping too tightly on the gravel roads and when I do loosen up I get a better and less stressful ride. Thanks for your tips, they are very helpful.
we have a 10 mile gravel road between our house and camp, it has lots of corners, very very fun road. anyway when we were first learning one of the biggest mistakes we made was not looking ahead/scanning ahead. stay on the packed section too, on the big county gravel road we have there is always a flat, smooth section of it
Early congratulations on 40K!
Don't jinx it! 🤣
@@DorkintheRoadHA!
Riding a mountain bike on offroad or gravel is a lot easier for me. I even ride at night. But when I'm on a motorcycle, it's waaay more challenging for me. This will help. Thanks :)
This was possibly the most useful youtube vid I have watched to date. Thank you. I have lived my entire life driving gravel roads… and, on a bike, I have feared gravel since 1972. There were no courses then and with my second hand street bike I learned how to pull wrenches more than I ever learned to ride. Then a friend was killed on gravel, the bike got sold and the two wheel skill level stalled.
But just bought a little dual sport, took a course and am slowly learning stuff that’ll hopefully keep me vertical. Suspect you receive an overwhelming number of comments so may not see this one but I would love to know what bike you find the most stable on gravel. And what tires…
Cheers! Keep up the good work
Another good tip is just like in sand, shift weight to the rear instead of the front while standing up. Helps with that front end plowing.
When I first got my bmw r1100gs I went into the mountains and traversed down a fire road. Got to a point were there was a long length that had been freshly hickly graveled. Great. As I tried to go it was very squirrelly. Then I decided to speed up and stand. Things got much more stable and it went fine after that. And no, it was not just a straight section.
Very good tips for everyone!❤
Will definitely watch it tomorrow! Still carrying some marks on me left by gravel in rainy weather =)
Well, I had been looking for this kind of video all winter. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for a clear and concise video of what to do , going to replay it several times before I go out. Commit to memory . You are doing a great job , will support you thru Rocky Mtn .
Just ordered the map for bdr oregon #3. Bought a slightly used wr250r last weekend. Cant wait for riding season. Must wait for snow to melt. See you on the trail.
Beautiful view from up there!
Thanks Ben, lots of valuable info for anyone transitioning from street riding only to off road.
Ate shit in the middle of the Utah desert yesterday on my V-strom because I was trying to lean the bike through the turn, lost traction on the front end in deep sand, foot slipped of the peg and I whiskey throttled it all the way to the ground. Because I'm bad at riding. Thanks for the video, it helped a lot.
Don't remember if you mentioned it, but be very light with the front brake.
I picked up an SFV650 as my first bike after a decade without. I started on dirt and moved to street. My goal is to turn her into a modern UJM sort of scrambler. Explore what Alberta has to offer and decide on my next bike from there. I learned on the east coast where everything was twisties but out here its flat grid highways leading to real back country. I don't think one bike will do it all.
Great video, for some reason i started counting how often you said "Gravel" .. To help show the counter-lean you can attach a camera to the bike facing you, counter lean is a great skill for offroad and low speed manuvers anywhere .. I counted 34 Gravel's .. Meow
If you’re sitting, weight your outside footpeg. It will force the rear tire into the ground giving you more traction off road
You can do it while you're standing, too. That forces you to lean out over the bike and will make it so you can turn more easily.
Great video! Thanks!
Thankyou So much, this is very helpful
Thanks, Dork. I'll likely watch this video again when the snow up here in Spokane county melts. Basic instructions are so necessary. Thanks again.
I learned gravel riding across Canada!
Love all the tips, thanks for going through this….it’s pretty reassuring to know that the slight slip is a normal feel of the bike enjoying itself 😌. Very cool videos so far that I’ve seen (newer subscriber) and love what you’re sharing with the community!
Great tips, thanks
I have some really bad crowned gravel roads with all of the loose gravel on the crown. Makes for some interesting riding.
The best way I have found to describe making turns while standing is to push with your outside knee. That keeps your weight outside the turn.
Great tips! Thanks dork.
Thank you man, I am trying to put my wheels offroad with my 1090R... I need more confidence with my bike, but I am not in a rush. In my channel I am keeping all my trips, so I can watch it back to see my mistakes.. And I guess all biker makes a lot of it. 😄
As always enjoyed watching thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Nice tips 👍🏻
As someone who grew up & lives on a long gravel road the only special thing I do besides not riding like a moron, is I lean forward a little bit to center my mass more evenly over my bike (vulcan s 650) just seems more balanced & controllable 😊
Wish you still had the KLR. Loved the video’s.
Last year, my first adv season, I got a flat tire 10 miles into a 100 mile adv ride… 90 adv bikes and I find the nail in the gravel hahaha
I really want to pick up a drz 400. Also as a first bike, I do want to travel gravel with it as where I work I travel gravel. I've rode mountain bike downhill and totally get the bike leaning over in corners as I feel I've done that unknowingly going fast when I raced on snow, its just keeping that center of gravity. Great videos as I've seen a few now and really makes me need a drz.
02:26 “Let Jesus take the wheel …”. had me choking on my coffee 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Great video! WHERE IS THIS ROAD? I'm in Colorado, and you are on an even crazier road than I get on! I LOVE it!
You made a good argument for standing up, as a means of actually feeling more confident when the bike is squirrelly underneath you. I tend to ride faster when standing.
All great tips. Thanks very much.
Thanks for the newbie tips! Can't wait to get off road and try these helpful tips! Thanks! Ride safe!
Thanks for watching!
Counter-leaning also works great for tight parking lot maneuvering. There’s a good video on youtube of a police officer demonstrating on a course.
Love your videos Dork! Lol I know exactly where you were riding, have ridden through there years ago on my TT600! I live just before the main gate, happy riding!
I dropped my KLR-650 on a sandy hill. I didn’t know the proper technique to picking up the bike. The bike kept sliding as I attempted to lift it, my adrenaline started flowing and I broke my bicep tendon. That is a tendon that attaches the bicep to the bone. My bicep curled up into my shoulder and I had to have it surgically reconnected. I recommend learning how to properly pick up a bike before you drop it. I replaced the KLR 650 with a KTM 500. The KTM is more powerful and weighs a couple hundred pounds less. That was 12 years ago. I still have my KTM plus a BMW 1250 adventure bike, a Harley Road Glide and a Harley Fat Bob. I am 66 years old and haven’t dropped the bikes, but if I did I know how without breaking my body parts.