6 Tips for Riding Through Gnarly Gravel & River Rock - Let Your Adventure Bike Steer Itself 

I'm so grateful for this content. I recently got some health news that means I have less time to acomplish the dreams I've had for a long time. These videos have helped me tap into the skills that I developed some time ago before life got in the way. This content is high quality, well structured, and really engaging. In the absence of oodles of time , watching this series has conquered the base level of anxiety that prevented me from having a go and an awareness of the situtions I need to pay more attention to when I'm out there. It's not a riding course, but man it really helps to know when to focus and the skills transferrable from road bike handling to adventure bikes. Live hard fam, be safe and don't wait for the perfect time to follow your dreams. Thanks again to Mototrek for this resource. Super valuable.

Ironically, I was watching this video on Saturday for no particular reason. Sunday morning, I am riding my very NON-adventure 1987 Honda Rebel 250 and the GPS took me onto a remote English farm road. It was raining, the road was two small tracks of mud, big rocks/broken brick and unknown puddle depths. This video really helped me get through the two mile trek to my destination.

...my 600lb GSA and I are most afraid of this kind of terrain - watching you go thru it is both inspiring and I found myself muttering "how does he expect us mere mortals to do that?" in any case, much thanks for all you do!

This is definitely off topic, but the drum tracks on these videos are F#%$ing tasty! (Great tips also!)

"You need to keep in mind you're not actually the one in charge." That realization is a quantum leap in (virtually) no grip riding like loose rocks, sand, accumulated snow, etc. You have to let the bike do it's thing. Trying to boss it around is what will get you in trouble.

Wow, so spot on Bret. I know you are the one in the lens, I also know there’s someone behind it, maybe someone handling your sound, and then there’s all those late nights with you editing it all together - it’s all so deceivingly simple for those of us out here in Television Land - so hats off to your WHOLE team! Thanks for sharing what is what I consider to be some of the best YT content I’ve seen.

This is common on gravel roads in the forests around where I live. Land owners put similar material to this on the roads then they count on the timber trucks to pack the material for them but it's common that you get there first on the bike on the loose material. I used to hate that kind of surfaces but it has been getting a lot better with practice.

As usual, Matt Jorgensen's drums really take your videos to another level.

The BEST video ever on this topic. As a new rider I’ve been told I just lack confidence. No, I lacked KNOWLEDGE, until this video. Knowledge leads to confidence. 🎉

Bret, you are born to explain things the best way possible! Very well done

I look at myself as a relatively skilled driver. But I take myself to watch the movies over and over again. You inspire further training, exploring new areas, and really take the adventure segment to a whole new level for us happy amateurs. Keep up with this, it is absolutely magical to watch. Thank you

Another great skills video. Thanks Bret !

Another really fantastic video, Bret. Super impressed with what you release. Thanks!

Still watching your video Bret Tkacs after two years and after you're on your own channel..means that you're really good at it .. congrats

Every time I watch your videos, I learn something new everytime that then improves my riding... Thank you Brett.

Good one brett. Nice note about not airing down. Skill and practice carry through

Thanks Bret, great video as always. I think I'll go practice this technique this weekend. Ride safe!

Thanks Bret, love your videos. Reminds me off having to switch my weight back on my snowboard through the woods back in the day, and not worrying about correcting every stroke when out paddling! Cheers, Ian

Yay 17" rims and skill will get me through, ahhhh need to practice the skill bit as a bit rusty not been off road for 15 years!! wish me luck gona practice this week on a xt660x with 50/50 street tyres, love your videos Bret a true inspiration.

Gotta love them drums

Couldn't do that in my dreams... Thanks again for the lesson & motivation

Once again, I will never forget a single moment of instruction from this video. I'll put put it all to use this summer. Bravo!

Cool video, very helpful. Awesome that you showed a little Versys action! Thx for that. Cheers 🍻

Great lesson well taught. My riding days are past but I am sharing this with the younger members of my former riding community. Thanks !

Great stuff! Thanks! I've had my motorbike licence since 1978 and I'm only just starting to really learn bike control.Today was my first day on riverbed sand and gravel, inspired by watching this vid. I feel like I learned a lot. Thanks again. I'm looking to overcome gravelly steep downhill fear, that's next.

Thank you for these videos!! I've rewatched a few already. I bought a Tenere 700 this year, and already humbled myself with some slick mud and a tree. Oof. I come from 10 years of street riding, touring, across NZ and North America, and a lot of those years commuting. I've also gotten a LOT of bad advice from very good, experienced street riders. (myself was one of them) 5 or 6 times have you casually explained something that was explained to my wrong in person. Can't wait to binge all these videos.

was missing your videos, glad your back

Hell, that's what our roads around here look like. My new Triumph Scrambler 1200XE goes over them like a 450 dirt bike.

Very helpful for me! I really look forward to your videos. Thanks Bret.

Loose gravel like this river bed is the work of the devil! I have a hate/hate relationship with this stuff. And it's everywhere. Forest, desert, and everywhere in between. Thanks for the lesson.

Thank you, we learned a lot from your practices.

Fantastic riding ability....it's not all about speed, it's about skills and confidence. your videos show real life tracks and situations in which adventure riders may come across, skills and confidence enables us riders to travel where we need to. I used the weightless rider technique on my Triumph XCA and hold the grips with only a thumb and a finger up a steep muddy track great tip indeed.

Your 'How To' playlist is exceptional, thanks very much for the content!

You make it look so easy. Riding on those surfaces is tough on the head. Exhausting.

Great tips! they'd have come handy last year when i went uphill on loose rocks and gravel. Thanks I think I've got a better idea of what I need to do now. Greetings from Spain.

More excellent tips! Thanks so much for posting these.

I like the way you handle that Panzer over everything and the way you explain, straight and simple. Thanks.

We take deep sand trails on small canyons which act in a similar way to this terrain. Usually (since we ride small displacement bikes) we just go 3/4 throttle in 1st or 2nd and push through. It is helluva fun once you remember that you're not so much in control as you think and apply little pressure on the handlebars.

Truly helpful information! I can't envision long patches of river bottom in my near future but there a lots of gravel roads all over northeastern Missouri where I live. I really want to avoid dumping my bike, as much for preserving my newer ride as for preserving this antiquated rider.

Much appreciated! Thanks sharing your experiences & advises with all of us ! Your input is invaluable!

You earned a subscrber! im not an adv biker but go through this type of rocks going to work with my street bike😊 helpful tip!

rock on bret, and you have mad skills

Great lesson Bret. I'm commenting on this video just because I like to comment but I really have nothing to add, You've covered it very well and I hate when you do that. Thanks alot.

Thanks for this very well made instructional. I appreciate your clear instructions and advice. When next I have the chance to ride on loose gravel or rocks like that, I feel confident that I’m going to be doing the right things after watching your video. Good to know, otherwise it’s just guess work on my part. I love being given clear instructions like this because I’m impatient to master these skills. I feel once I know what I’m supposed to be doing I can concentrate on getting the feel of the bike. I’ve waffled on too long but I feel you’re a good teacher and I wanted to let you know that these videos are appreciated. I’m writing this from the UK btw. You’re famous internationally now! 😀

Thanks for the tips Bret! I've dropped my 1200RT twice in deep gravel, both times with friends/family looking on. I'll take myself out of my comfort zone and practice some of your tips since even on a road touring machine...gravel happens.

Great stuff! I was surprised to hear your advice about tire pressure and riser bars. But I liked the points you made in defense of your opinions. Thanks Brett!

I started riding off road few days ago, and this video is really helpful for me

Thanks a bunch for the video! This will help a ton

Very good video man! I have a bigtrail and I'm improving my skills on dirty roads!

Thank you Bret - !! a great teacher, I would love to take some courses with you.

I watch this video several months ago and while on a 400 mile loop ride I ended up in this very element by Surprise. Front wheels started swinging wildly from side to side and I remembered your teaching did what you said road 200 more yards and I didn't crash, I would not have made it without your teaching. Thanks.

Would love to see more tips featuring the versys. Really shows how the rider has more impact than the bike. Cheers.

Awesome content as usual ! 🙌🙌

The drums make me think of "Take Five" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet"....everytime. Love the videos - thank you for putting in the time an energy into making such high quality content!

Amazing skills and tips - thank you. Now on to practice!

very good video, thanks :), I really appreciate all the detailed info you give, it is a lot of logic and sense in it and I agree 100% with you.

Great Video. This is my second favorite channel on RU-vid next to my own, LOL. This isn't where I choose to go play and have fun, hahaha. Big River Rock is the worst. Thanks for the Vid.

As, usually, perfect lesson!!!

AMAZING VIDEO.. THANK YOU BRET

Another great video. Thanks Brett.

i love your Videos ! thanks for your great work ! keep going.. there are thousends of Drivers out there to learn your amazigng skills like i did !

Another great video with valuable tips. Thank you! :-)

Thank you so much for the education!

Bravo. Great instruction!!🎉

Você é o Cara. Parabéns!!!

Bret dude, I think you are the only one that spoke the truth. Skill will get you through terrain like this. Most say that you need a super specialised offroad vehicle. Btw very good explanation and really informative and helpful. Thanks mate

Excellent. That said, a comparison video between ‘17 and 21’ wheels would be interesting. Also, a similar comparison between a “real” adventure bike and something like a DL650 V-Strom. I’ve ridden both the GS and the Wee ‘Strom in rough stuff; the GS did its job but the ‘Strom was surprisingly adept (poor thing) and kept up with the big boys well. Maybe too well. Had the ‘Strom better suspension it would have been my choice of mount. But, I’m not an expert rider. To see it being abused professionally would be a treat!

Great tips, awesome footage!

Fantastic, as usual! 🎉🎉🎉👊

Great videos, very helpful.

Thank you very much guys for making such informative videos.I don't have any off roading schools near me.I am going to learn from your videos.

Man, you're a monster!!!!! Maybe next life I can ride like that!! Awesome channel, it inspires me to go on a off road ride, totaly out of my comfort zone. Thanks for being there.

Again thanks for those important tips... greetings from La Paz - Bolivia

Excelent video. Very well explained

0:22 Awesome control !

Awesome sound track

Great vid, super helpful 💪

I'm just here for the drums.

Nice piece of drumming there at the end. Nice video with a lot of good tips.

Directional Suggestion... Great Statement

Ugh, deep gravel! I'm usually 2 up with the missus, which adds a whole nother element to a sketchy stretch. Your videos have helped me level up as a rider, and in this case, might save my marriage. Surprisingly, she's not a fan of taking a digger into hard rocks. Go figure.

The music as always great :)

Thank you that was very insightful

Thank you for this! I accidentally ended up riding on railroad ballast recently...wish I'd seen this before then!

Thanks! Great video!

Coming off a cruiser and onto an adventure bike, these videos are key.

Like how you changed panniers and luggage for different clips , haha . All joking aside what you're saying makes sense and I have used similar techniques when mountain biking mainly easing up on the bars . Mountain bikes are way lighter and react differently than 400lb and up adventure bikes but I think you should've went over to the trees and hacked some branches out to "stick" under that hopelessly stuck front tire , lol . Love this channel . Great advice to help shorten the learning curve for newer riders like moi . Thanks .

Excellent riding lesson. Outstanding drum music.

Very well explained,

Como siempre sos muy claro y trasmitis la idea muy bien

Great tip about follow the bike

Amazing

Thumbs up very nice Tips Thanks for sharing Peace

Most useful Channel 👍🏼

Thanks Bret 👍👍👍👍

Hello. Watching You from Poland. You said rider has to 😊 polish 😊 skills before get to riverbed. Yes a agree. But i have a story about skills. There is Polish sport journalist and writer who decided to go around the World on motorbike. He got this idea in January and started in April - i think it was in 2008. Till January 2008 he never ride a motobike. In few weeks he and he's friend got driver licences, found sponsors and organized everything. They started in Poland and rided east. It is so typical for Polish people. Spontaneity.

Fantastic 💪

Cracking stuff as ever.

Great tips. Thanks! Mitas E07's?...love those tires! I run the E07+'s on my GS rallye...love those tires!

Good advice! More cow Bell !😉