Common Myths: Tires, Foot-Out-Forward, Standing 

I've said it before and will continue to say it; your adventure videos are the best on the web! You pass on quality information and true insight! Thank you.

Good comments on tire pressure. I do find more stability in sand when aired down about 5 pounds or so. Have a small compressor to air back up.

Second year rider here ... and these videos are GOLD ........ Really cuts through the BS !Thx!

Very informative videos guys, I spent a lot of years racing Enduro so would like to think I have some degree of off-road knowledge but have only just got into riding Adventure bikes and these are a whole new ball game. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

Great channel. I'm a new rider and looking into adv in the next few years. Great advise and I'm learning a lot. I will take an adv course that we have up here in Ontario.

I love that we get to hear you inside the helmets talking adds a layer of feeling included in the conversation and intimacy for the video. I feel like I could inject something into the chit chat.

Parts 2 and 3 of Bret and Paul's ride are coming very soon!

Shadow spotting for humps in the bitumen is EXTREMELY important on high speed back road highways. Not for pot holes but for the humps that heavy trucks create on the centre line. For every hole there is a hump. Hit one of these humps at 80 to 100 plus miles an hour (130 to 170 km’s an hour) and you are airborne for 5 metres or more. A very unnerving feeling when not expected. The Bruxner Hwy in Northern NSW Australia is a perfect example. And the reason I went back to ADV’s from Sport Tourers.

Bought my V-Strom with Shinko 805s. They were pretty worn, the rear was pretty much done. I figured that I'm not going off road much if ever, as I think a 1000cc bike is too big to be a true dancing partner anyway. So, I put on Conti Road Attack 3s. What a difference!! The change was like night and day! It gave me an immediate boost in confidence and just made the bike way more enjoyable with WAY less road noise. So, putting on tires that truly reflect what you plan to do with your bike and where you plan to do it will definitely enhance your experience.

Once again you nailed it. My highlight of the year will be taking one of your classes

Thanks for an entertaining discussion. Good work.

One more thing about standing up, not only you see better but you are also visible to others! Especially riding in countries or areas that are not used to motorcycles, seeing a big ADv bike with a person standing up, that increases the awareness of other drivers. When i am in traffic in small towns in out of way places, where lets face it, driving is dangerous, i ride with all lights on, (high beams on daylight and i generally avoid riding close or after sunset and before dawn), standing up.

I've ridden street bikes for the last thirty years and just recently got an F650 GS and have learned an incredible amount from your videos. Thanks.

Brilliant! More please! Your videos have been game changing for me!

Great video, perfect outcome. Keep up the good work Bret!

Thank you very much guys... I am slowly saving money to get a 1200gs and going on my own adventures, all this advice helps me out a lot.

Thanks MotoTrek, these are great topics for me as a new adventure rider.

Man... you have a killer series here. Please keep up the great videos.

Love these videos. You rock!!!

Brett, your ADV skills videos are probably the best on the Internet. Thank you!

I agree with the three items you brought up. Here I offer three more: 1) Counter-steering does not work on dirt. My answer: Nope. Counter-steering is the only way a motorcycle turns no matter the speed or the riding conditions. 2) Peg weighting is necessary to change direction on an adventure bike when riding at normal speeds. My answer: Nope. Pegs offer a lot less leverage than handlebars to lean a bike and hence make direction changes. The only way peg weighting helps is because it induces counter-steering (try it, when you push your right foot down your right arm will push on the handlebars, hence, counter steering... it is just the natural reaction to keep balance while standing for the people who have not developed the purposeful use of counter-steering (everyone counter-steers, but not every one knows they do it and not everyone engages it purposefully. 3) You have to weigh the front tire for dirt and gravel curves or the bike will wash out (low side). My answer: Nope, quite the opposite, sit down and accelerate as soon as the bike starts the curve (that is, before the apex when on gravel roads). No wonder motocross and flat track riders always sit when on curves and under acceleration... It is not different for an adventure bike, the physics do not change form one to the other. They are still two-wheeled vehicles... The thing is, when one accelerates through a curve the bike will settle its chassis nicely, the rear tire needs traction for this to happen properly, and the front will do less of a steering job, even if you are not sliding the rear out like a maniac (although that is fun...), hence will be less prone to wash out. As a matter of fact, when you are thinking you are going too fast and the bike seems like it is running out of road and going on a tangent to the curve, instead of slowing down, throttle it! The bike will tighten the curve as and be very solid. When in doubt, throttle it! Other comments about standing up: Standing up helps a lot when going through very rough terrain, where our knees help soften our weight and we help the bike's suspension go through the terrain, keeping the bike more grounded. It helps for for visibility, like you guys mentioned (I use it a lot when going on up and down roads and I want to know what is behind the next small hill). However, I see people standing up as soon as they hit gravel, and sometimes smooth gravel at that. Which is okay if that does it for the rider, that is, they like riding that way... However, here goes a word of caution for the people who stand up and then hunch forward putting more weight on the handlebars on smooth gravel roads: their rear tires will lose traction... It can be very dangerous, I've seen guys wobble or crash in front of me when doing that on gravel roads. Note on the above: I've seen plenty of great riders doing exactly what I explained above, but they do it on purpose because they do want to show off the rear tire spinning. But they do it for TV adds on adventure bikes, for example, they want to show off how the bike can slide the rear... But those guys know what they are doing, they know how to control the slide. But for regular riders, like is my case, watch out... the rear may pass the front on a moment's notice. The proof that this is the case is that stunt riders do exactly that on pavement to have the rear tire spin to a crisp... They stand up, hunch over the handle bars, and go full throttle... If that stand up position helps lose traction of the rear tire on pavement, imagine what it does on gravel... Dangerous unless you know what you're doing, of course! Thanks guys.

I use a TKC80 on the front for better grip in the loose stuff, but an E07 on the rear as a compromise between off-road grip and on-road longevity. A TKC80 rear just doesn't last long enough on the tarmac. Foot out? Nah, I'm on a 1,000cc adventure bike, I keep my feet and legs in where they are protected by the crash bars and panniers. My bike weighed 252kg when I bought it, then I added crash bars, panniers and other stuff - I don't want that weight breaking my leg. Standing - I stand with straight legs for vision or just to give my butt a break for a couple of minutes. I stand with bent knees for bumpy stuff so that I don't get jarred so much . I also sometimes stand for tricky stuff when I want to more easily move my body weight around. Standing for no reason seems a bit silly, it is always good to know what you are trying to achieve when you do something.

Glad I found this channel I’m downloading all for later use

..always great. Thanks guys...

Another outstandingly educational take on ADV riding. Thank you!

So glad I found this channel!!

Excellent as always

This is a great channel. Glad I found it. He has great delivery.

Love this channel, so much great information. I'm learning so much! Thank you!!

Another great videos.. Best adv content channel i've seen..

Outstanding stuff, and great presentation. No quibbles with anything you said.

Great videos, not just the content but the filmmaking as well. Not sure if it's been said, but the original music really sets the quality much higher. It's great when good content is a pleasure to watch as well!!

Love the videos. Really learning alot.

I liked the style of the "Common Myths" series a lot! Thanks mates. Mike

Thanks! Please keep with this set of videos! (Sorry for the delay on the like+comment, I was riding around Andalusia 😬)

Great job guys! Awesome video!

I stand for the reasons you (both) state, but also to shift my weight forward and aft on the bike to weight or lighten one end or the other.

Another great video!

I often stand on my KLR when on the highway just to get some blood flow back in my a$$ after it goes numb, usually "lock in" when doing it for that reason. On the dirt or in the rough, you're right about keeping things flexible, kind of making yourself an extension of the suspension. Too bad my Harley is not ergonomically convenient for standing up on. I've been riding for more than 49 years now, you're giving some great advise in these videos.

thanks for the advises

I am blessed to live on the Space Coast of Florida. The disadvantage as an ADV bike rider is once I go offroad there is a high likelihood of encountering fairly deep sugar sand or mud on the same road or trail. That is why I always shop for the mythical 50/50 unicorn tire with great mileage, wet traction on road, mud traction, and deep sand traction. I just pulled the trigger on a Motoz GPS rear and Dual Venture from tire for my KLR650. The Mitas e07+, Dunlap Trailmax Mission, and Shinko 700 were on my short list for a few weeks. Any of then would have been a significant offroad improvent over the Mitas MC24 Invader. I may ride 98/2, but I want as close as I can get to 100% offroad without buying a tire that is dangerous on the street or wears out in a few thousand miles. I passed on the Mitas e07+ due to a few reviews indicated the front tire can wash out in sand without warning. I've never rode the same tire twice so I still may ride the e07+. Fortunately I am more interested in moto and primitive camping than pushing my riding skills offroad, so any tire that helps my mediocre offroad skills is welcome. Brett your skills videos are probably the best on the Internet. Thank you!

Better not make a drinking game out of these videos or I'll be in real trouble... think I've fallen for most of these so far haha! Thanks for all the info & the entertaining way you deliver it all :)

I’m not much of an adventure rider. However, I cannot fathom riding across railroad tracks without standing, even just for a little. #1...I can view down the tracks easier to see if train is coming. #2...as the bike gets disturbed from riding across the tracks, it’s ALMOST as if the frame is unsprung weight, and my body is sprung weight, and my limbs are springs/dampeners. Don’t know where I picked it up, always seem to have done it. Maybe MSF course? Maybe Total Control? Maybe figured it out on my own? Wish I could remember.

I know why I stand on the pegs that you didn't mention: It often offers better balance when going up steep and rocky slopes. It also helps to keep my legs loose versus sitting for long periods. And, standing on the pegs is enjoyable as it gives the sensation of being disconnected from the bike...after all, I am out riding for the enjoyment of riding.

I love these ride out vids.

I like the myth about an adventure bike has to be a 250 kg, 120 HP behemoth, because a manufacturer paints adventure on the side of the bike. An adventure bike is any bike you are riding at the time, the adventure is the ride, really do wish people would stop believing the marketing hype of you need brand X to call yourself an adventure rider.

I ride in NJ pinebarrens and I can tell you, the amount of sand and mud here is incredible and you will fall on non-knobby adv tires

Thanks. That's helpfull. Two questions I had answered. Beaut.

that's some good common wisdom here, thx for that

I dealt with 8,000 miles of K60 buzz on the road for no real reason - they were better on the gravel roads but I only do that occasionally . I switched back to Tourances and my GS is fun to ride again. Much quieter ride and HUGE difference in turns on pavement.

Great video! How bout the pros/cons of the Leatt neck brace both of you are sporting?

Hi great info Alps how can u tell if your front suspension on your adv is stuffed

Lost the front wheel on my gs making a left turn on dry grass. Even though I focus o keeping my feet on the pegs, I instinctively dabbed, (stomped) which was just enough to regain traction and keep me upright. Apparently not recommended, but it worked in this case.

Plus, it is easier to fart when you stand up.

Hi, mate! Thanks for the video and congratulations for the channel. That's a puig windshield on the 1200 GSW?

nice one!

I have great respect for your info and I have learnt loads but tyre pressure for me is a very big variable, If its proper wet and muddy and/or tyre is worn I regularly run my old cast alloy GS12 at 18psi no problem with considered riding,no luggage, like riding on blancmange on the road but you get used to it. I do hear that big KTM rims really dont do low pressure very well. Keep it up top 3 Channel.

im going to put nobies tires on my 250 ninja and call it a mini versys. BTW love the channel

Ohh and standing up to keep the blood flowing and muscle relaxed.

Hey. would it be possible to detail your handle bar installation (gps / phone / the diferent mounts you use)? your videos are great. thanks a lot

Very good advice, especially for novice riders. You can never learn too much when your life is on two wheels. Any advice about riding with one hand? No hands?

Mind if I put my leg up for counter weight during slow speed turns? high speed turns? Aside from lower COG and less bounce on the body, standing for vision, to be seen and to have more breeze especially in our hot country, that okay?

Sorry guys, you are wrong on 2 things: 1st: Moving the leg to the front to ad weight to the front wheel is a essencial riding technique even with Bigger Enduro bikes. Efficient way to add grip to the front wheel. 2nd: Standing position is in many cases standard position. e.g. climbing hills, or fast Rally-Style offroadriding. Maybe you should declare your movie better as "beginners guide". But thanks anyway for making cool movies.

great video as always , what do you set up your blogging helmet ( audio ) & ( video ) also I am having a hard time choosing a GPS any subjection that won't brake the bank

One of the problems I'm seeing with aggressive knobby tires in Adventure Riding is a complete misconception of how much "mileage" you'll get out of the tire. Guys are basing their mileage on tread depth, and claiming to be getting thousands of miles out of a tire, when in actuality the knobs were rounded off long ago, and their tire no longer has effective grip. Problem can be compounded by guys submitting reviews claiming amazing mileage when in reality they aren't using the tire for its intended purpose (they stick to mostly pavement with an occasional gravel road thrown in every once and a while).

I understood the example of standing on the pegs for better visibility, but maybe I've been doing it wrong all these years. The reason I get on the pegs beside a better vantage point during a technical stretch off road is to counterbalance. If my bike leans to one side, I can shift my weight to keep the center of gravity in the center. Is this not why most people ride the pegs?

Only thing I'd say about standing is yes it gives a better view and don't lock your legs...I agree. But also it's whatever the rider feels most comfortable with too and also what terrain. If you're going through some narrower ruts and you can easily lose your balance, therefore sitting down is sometimes more comfortable and easier to control the bike, but if the bike does begin to drop and you're going slow then sitting and putting your feet down can save the day...but stress only when going slow. Also there's a big difference between compacted trail riding and rutted/potholed dirt tracks or riding through forests where there can be a lot of low branches to contend with, so sitting down usually works better. But totally agree, the riders need to understand why they're doing it and when it's appropriate but ultimately just do what is most comfortable for them

funny as shit. I stand lots of times cause my ass gets sore and runs out of blood...I love the advice on throwing a leg! Hilarious. I have never had any good come from putting my leg out instinctively. I have this mantra in sand "breathe eyes up, stay on the pegs, breathe eyes up, stay on the pegs"

What kind of Helmet cam/Communicator(I'm guessing) are you using?

Thats why i use "TKC 70" tires! :)

VERY GOOD video, with all great points. Hey, *y'all* are the professionals but just proved a point that I have stuck hard to for many years in reguards to sticking a leg out! hahahaha! I stay on the friggn *pegs* and every time the bike has gone down I have been able to bring my leg *up* bringing my knee closer to my body and (for the lack of a better term) barrel roll off of the bike when it went down. May or may not be "right", but so far it's allowed me to walk back to the bike, pick it up, and ride on down the trail. Hey, sometimes crashes just happen off road............with me anyways! hahahaha!

Where are you guys riding in this video? At first I thought it was the Skokomish Valley Rd, but then realized it isn’t. Are you out near Rainier?

When I stand up, I mostly do it to stretch my legs for a bit. And it kinda feels good, like you're flying or something. lol

I have a question: about tires, many manufacturera claim they put out the bike with "mix terrain tires" or "all terrain tires", how much should one belive those claims?

...Bret, what camera did you use at the front, filming back at you riding? It’s very clear, great stability, good field of view, and great color saturation

Great videos, enjoy them a lot very informative. The question I’m left with though is that if the majority of riding is done on paved roads and hard packed dirt, and you are suggesting 90/10 tires are fine for most situations and that these big 800 lb + bikes will snap your leg if you attempt to prevent one from falling over, is why are these big adv bikes relevant or useful for the type of riding you describe. There are plenty of smaller displacement, lighter, capable bikes that won’t leave you crippled should it fall on your leg lol ... just saying.

One thing I never hear mentioned about standing is that it keeps your feet on the pegs. If you're sitting down and the front washes out, or you hit an obstruction, you may suddenly find yourself with only one foot on the pegs. It can be from a bad reflex to take a dab, or you can just get bucked off. Center of gravity, as I've heard it described, is fake science. I loved your bike lifting video. The kneeling method is a back saver.

Standing - penny dropped for me when I listened to Rossi talking about driving an F1 Car. Especially on roads you don't know the vertical parallax gives you a way better idea of where the road is going when you are higher up.

Loved the video - very nice information. Though I have a question, how did you get the voice recorded for both the bikers together. What software did you use? Or what's your setup.

All motorcycle tires will slip somewhere. Ask yourself based on the hazard assessment below where would you rather that happen. Road hazards: high speeds, high lean angles, trucks, cars, slick wet surfaces Off road hazard: getting stuck

Hi guys how do you get it so quite under your helmets or is your sound equipment

4:25 I have a question. In the video it is said, that it is the tire pressure from the manufacturer of the tire you must use. I have learned that it is the pressure recommended by the bike manufacturer that is the correct pressure..? I mean, one bike can go with many different tires, but has to keep the same pressure as recommended by the manufacturer of the specific bike.. or? Thanks for taking your time to make all these informative videos

My TOP limit for adventure bikes are 500cc, I’ve been riding since 1962. Had the BMWs KTMs, no thanks. Riding a KLR650 until the 390 duke adv comes out. Don’t want the weight or cost or maintenance on those big pigs. I live in Utah, we have it all here. I’ve ridden all over Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana with no problems at all on a 35hp KLR650. You go over 65mph on these back roads and the cops will nail you to a wall.

I run a Motoz Adventure tire on my 790. Yes most rides are pavement and the tire is 80/20. Just remember it’s the 20% that always F*** you on the ride, so it’s better to suck up the vibration and have a peace of mind. Lol

What?! No dirt?! I’ll be here waiting for parts 2 and 3.

Hey bret!! I was one of the morrons who droped a leg xD btw, can you show how you mount that gopro facing you?? Is it on the windshield? How is it so stable?? Thank you!!

The number One reason for me to stand up is to let my bum rest from the seat and to get some air into my helmet. This happens a lot on highway rides, since they tend to be lengthy. Vstrom 1000 is comfy, but not like a car.

how do you guys stand on the bike while riding offroad without feeling tired?... i got up after just couple of minutes i was exhausted handling the riugh terrains... force me to sit back down... can share some tips on how to be able to stand without getting tired easily?

I stand up off pavement so I can jump clear when my bike wants to lay down and take a nap... aka crashing :)

I stand up when my legs feel cramped or my butt gets sore anything else is a bonus ! Ha ha ha

What kind of communication kid are you guys using? Because that has in build camera right?

Looks like out towards Aberdeen

I'm still for disabling the ABS at the forward wheel too. If you was able to stop your bicycle when you was ten years old then you can do the same with a motorcycle. Otherwise, driving a bike in the european Alps with ABS at the front can turn the ride in a quite interesting experience.

"don't go crazy" best advise EVER

I’m good around 30 on my Tenere 700 all the time.

Loved the videos, continue this avenue of displacing BS and increasing skill. Boobtude is sorely lacking. Great job!!!

4psi rear. 6 psi front. Er, 85 kg trials bike....

I dont put foot down - Both feet on pegs = Much better control - Less broken bones etc -

The camera that you wear on your helmets is Sena 10C?

Can u explain about your gear?