A lesson in braking offroad on your motorcycle 

Fastest helmet to hat transition on planet earth. Same level as his riding skills. Total PRO.

Legendary helmet to hat change!! It’s fun to watch, and then there’s so much to learn for a seasoned pro.

From all off road drills, this is the one I am really good at. Everything else...I suck bad. LOL

I had some very fundamental issues while taking your training course that continued beyond the course to simple street riding. I was on a new bike and though I thought I had adjusted the controls, I decided to start at the beginning again and check the control positions. I found the break pedal way too high. Each time I moved my foot to the pedal the natural bend of the leg put instant pressure on the brake. That's why I kept locking up the rear wheel when I was simply trying to position my foot and that's why my simple stops felt uncontrolled. I didn't feel myself pushing on the brake pedal, but I was. I lowered the pedal down (maybe a bit too low but I'll adjust as I continue to ride) and my rear braking suddenly felt back in control again as if I was on my old bike. Now I can go back and practice body position and clutch/throttle control without worrying about my rear wheel locking up and coming out from under me. Lesson learned; make sure my bike fits me and not try for me to fit my bike.

Great video! The detail of trying to balance only with your ears when you look down - such a simple fact we should all remember. Thank you!

Amazing instructor. He is definitely one of the best out there when it comes to off-road riding skills.

Thanks Bret. Great instruction as always.

Reminds me of our braking lesson on the wet grass at Penmerryl Farm last month. It was interesting seeing the braking difference with ABS ON/OFF and in the different riding modes. Bikes in the shop getting a new alternator (eventually). Looking forward to riding/practicing again soon. Definitely going to get a set of those WildAtHeart short levers...

As you point out it's all about finesse. And that takes hours of training. People like to buy a shortcut and choose technology instead of a course. Until they find out that it's training, training, training that makes them a better rider. You're a great instructor, Günter/Nürnberg

Great Video. Thanks again Bret.

Good to see Om 🙏🏽🙏🏽 on your helmet. Well great content and ore power to you. Love from India 🇮🇳

I always wondered what the back pocket on the jacket is for. I need to fill it with hats and practice my braking!

Really great video! Very important lesson as this is not intuitive. Braking is much more important than speeding 🙂

Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this. Your videos are always informative.

Appreciate your stuff, Bret!!!

Thanks for this, Brett!

Great lesson! Thanks for putting this together

Today A rider I met showed me the Sam levers. He was bragging on them too. Look like a good size and still strong.

Thanks a lots helping us with tips

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

Another great video! Thanks Bret!!

Great video. Thanks

Thanks for sharing.

Bret! I was wondering where you went! I didn't realize you changed channels. This and all your videos are so helpful. Thank you for taking the time for the community.

Another great video

Thanks for your videos 🔥 I'm living in southern Germany not far from the Alps. Mostly riding on paved roads, but using any oppurtunity to go on gravel but no real off-road trails so far. I'm learning a lot from your videos.

Thanks Bret. I'm a bit nervous to go out and practice solo for reasons of dropping the bike, injury, etc... I'm hopeful with more time and experience I'll gain the skills to get past that fear of riding or practicing solo. See you soon in Plain!

Thanks for another informative lesson. Great to see you out and about. I really need to come out to your neck of the woods and right with you.

Love the video Bret. Would you consider doing a part 2 follow up for seated max braking on the street?

Great tips...as always! Thanks! 🖖🇵🇹

thank you.

Good stuff! Thank you!

This was really good.

Wild at Heart hand controls! I have those on my Expedition.

Great video. For levers, the best I've found are just shortened stock levers, at least on my KTM I love those. They're nice and thin, not bulky like a lot of aftermarket levers. Cut the end off, clean it up so it's not sharp, done.

Great tips, thx a lot! 🤩

That's exactly how to brake on a mountain bike, but that's usually to put more grip down to reduce skidding

need to check where I am looking thanks as always.

Good off-road braking tips" keep in mind while standing either straight up or leaning back almost all your weight is still on the foot pegs"

When ,if ever, can we expect You in UK for some training courses? It would be such a great experience.

I agree with most points except from the "pull the clutch in" part. Engine braking in four strokes is one of the major advantages in braking with these bikes. I am able to quickly downshift and engine brake the rear wheel (into even a slide) reducing the importance of the back brake (which I also apply). Engine braking is a crucial part of braking a four stroke motorcycle why cancel it? Moreover, the front brake should be squeezed not grabbed and, optimally, never allow the front wheel to lose traction. Squeezing the brake vs grabbing it, allows the front forks to gradually dive (vs instantly dive) which in turn progressively increases the contact patch of the front tire and thus its traction. A violent transition from rolling to braking is more likely going to end up skidding the tire which is not what you want. Hence squeezing not grabbing (and then letting it go) is advised.

Awesome refreshment, need to check those lever, cheers VV

Nice vid.

Thanks!

Come to the ABR festival in the uk bret. Would be great to hear your talks...

Whether its brakes on a motorcycle or a mountain bike, I love brakes with good modulation. The rear brake on my DR650 is like an on/off switch. At least with current brake pad and rotor setup. I just got a V85TT and not only is the rear brake more powereful, its far easier to modulate the brake with a fine touch.

🕉️ Om shanti. 😊 Another great video Brett.

Thanks for including the helmet to hat transition you are famous for.

Image quality of this video is great

Again great explanation 🙏👍. Will you do that eg for / with DCT HONDA Africa Twin Adv. ?

now THAT was the ultra-pro speediest helmet to hat transfer ive ever witnessed !! another excellent informative educational video !! THANK YOU

Hey Brett, what goggles are those? They look fairly trim and easy to fit into different helmets. Also, glad to see you out enjoying the nice weather and making another informative video for us! Nice DesertX!

Sports bike riders will tell you hot to brake with conventional forks to weight the front wheel. I've seen ADV Norden rider show his braking style for good composure. I've seen MX riders getting mass start towards thefront of the bike by holding inside leg forward and sitting on top of the gas tank. Always appreciate someone throwing a leg over a new bike and pointing the finger.❤

Look at you rear brake turning that big bike. It looks like a small, light dirt bike. You really seem to like the Desert X. I've seen a lot of good things about it.

谢谢from china

And smile while braking, because attitude matters. 😄

Excellent video. Are those stock hand guards?

The ADV physiologist ha. Just as important as in the NFL. The “weightless rider” always in balance.

👍💪

Thanks for the lesson. Do You see any problem with shifting weight to the front (as opposed to the instruction in video) when braking aggressively on grass with knobby tire? Seems to keep traction better in this specific situation - shorter brake distance... Any thoughts ?

Question: if you are standing, the weight of your body is only transmitted to the bike via bars and pegs. I see where leaning forward can increase front bias and thus traction, but how does leaning back increase rear bias to the rear axle? Is it because of pivot leverage from unintentionally pulling the bars, which would then lighten front bias/traction? Leaning back may actually lessen the load on the pegs. Ive done this all my life but I dont understand the physics of it. The more I ride the more I prefer a central attack position for everything.

👏

Come on, we all know it's not the rider, it's not the time on the bike, it's all about the HAT!! :) Thanks for the vid!!

what's those levers on the X?

Nice jacket , what model is that ?

What can you do when you need to brake and stop on a somewhat steep upward trail? The bikes weight makes it want to slide backwards with the brakes completely engaged?

Why do you put your right foot down when you come to a stop when you are supposed to finish the stop with your back break only

Yet somehow, the "front brake isn't for off-road" fuds are still around.

I have watched the intro 15 times, I still can't understand how the helmet melted into a hat.

...I'm just here for the "Helmet-To-Hat" transition. Any chance you'll do an instructional video on that, Bret?🤣 J/K! Keep up the great vids!

;-)

It looks like you are locking up the back wheel to stop? surely that's not right tho?

and you keep a little secret lol

if any indians are watching then notice the 🕉️ on his helmet

My poor little brain has trouble with your comment that standing allows weight shift to the back wheel as needed...while your bum might shift backward & forward relative to your feet on the pegs, they are just hinging on the pegs. Therefore it is the hands gripping the bars that transfers this weight shift to the rear. So why can't this be as easily accomplished by sliding back in the seat ?

Thanks!