How and why you stand on your adventure motorcycle offroad 

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Best part of the vids: helmet to hat transitions

That's the smoothest helmet to hat transition i've ever seen.

You can't even freeze frame a hatless Tkacs in the wild. Legend has it that those who see it are never the same.

I love your motto! “Smile while you ride, attitude matters!” When I was taking an adventure course I was trying to be the best and I dropped the bike in the very first exercise. Then the instructor told me: breathe, talk, sign or do whatever you want to relax and have fun. But most of all, smile! Man that made a whole world of difference!

Your the first guy I've seen with a 1200 GS that actually takes it off road and does it well. Much respect.

Ages ago when I learned to ride, my instructor was also an army MP instructor. The bike was an XT250. After a few lessons we went to a forest and we spend that lesson driving off-road, he learned me how stand up because that was important if I ever had to tackle a difficult situation on bad or very dirty roads. I think that helped me a lot later. I learned to ride in the winter, my exam was delayed already twice by snow. The third time it was cold (-5 C or so) but dry. However a few minutes after start it started to snow a lot. The examinator signed me to stop (pre-headset times) and told me to follow the bike in front of me (the instructor of that bike switched with the student) I took a standing position and followed that bike back to the startpoint. My rear wheel had a bit a mind of its own but standing that was not a problem. The examinator was impressed by this, he said, if you can ride under this conditions like you just did, i am convinced you deserve a licence. It helped me later many times (daily driving to work for many, many years) I think, this position is something everybody should now. :-)

"... back end of the age scale" LOL, so true. Thank you for pinpointing where I'm going wrong on the standing position, it had me foxed until you said it in this vlog.

I got my first ADV bike back in May, a G310GS. I started practicing standing as I'd never done it before on previous bikes. It's gotten to the point I'm more comfortable standing than sitting, even on the street. I do it when approaching intersections or any area I want a better view of traffic ahead and to the sides. My comfort level in congested areas has increased significantly.

By far the best instructor I saw at Mototrek. I watched every single instructional video you hosted there and that's why I'm following you here. I've learned a ton from you and it helped me improve my riding a lot

"on the back half of the age scale" 🤣🤣🤣👌🏻

I love that last advice ; when sometimes Im not having fun anymore(fatigue, hunger, not feeling well etc..) I always immediately head home

"Back end of the age scale" I nearly spit out my coffee with laughter lol. Truer words have never been spoken.

That mud riding at 9:55 is crazy, it's amazing how much control you maintained while the vine is going straight sideways!

Rode dirt bikes as a kid, and then cruisers and racers for the next 40 years. Got tired pf ADVing my Harleys, so got a KLR. Now I do a lot of standing up practice on fire roads and ranch roads. This is great info; thanks!

It's interesting that you said "always smile when you ride". I lived and traveled in Asia for years and I noticed that people riding motorcycles always had a smile. This was not always the case for electric scooters. However, motorcycle drivers always had a smile. It did not matter if it was a Korean delivery driver with 6 cellphones on his makeshift dash in the freezing cold, a Thai messenger swerving in and out of traffic, an old Chinese lady doing her shopping, a Malay teen planking, a Indian motorcycle taxi, or a Cambodian father picking up his kids from school. All of them had smiles on their faces. I always looked and I could never could find a single frown on a motorcyclist. It makes sense. Motorcycles are just fun, it's that simple.

One of the places I most commonly stand is in grocery store parking lots just so that I'm more easily seen. It's also easier to make sharp U-turns to grab a parking space. Oh, and also on steep, rocky terrain. :)

"Back side of the age scale ?" I resemble that remark !

Guruji...a learner fro India🙏

I’m so in love with my ADV bike, switch from a Harley to a Africa twin and it feels so comfortable, gives me a better vibe!

Always amazed at your transition not from seating to standing on a bike but from your helmet sneakily to your cap

I'd say there's a specific time and place for "looking like you're taking a dump on your bike", but it's not a neutral pose. It's a specific position for very specific circumstances, and you're right. It does make your legs burn so it shouldn't be used long term.

Bret, I get it. I asked in another video, why do you stand? YOU told me for control. I fully get it now watching this amazing video. Thank you again. Your videos are fantastic.

great quality, I´m more of a road biker but when I do go offroad your advice is much appreciated, keep em coming

the "helmet to hat transition" signature move! nice!

I was standing and cooking a burger when I watched this video , now I will sit down and pay closer attention as I watch it again .

I now understand about riding “loose”. I’ve got zilch off-road training. Just not available in my area (or budget). But I’m taking baby steps. Was riding my R1200GS over the summer and going up a steep uphill dirt/rock switchback when all of a sudden I was facing a series of huge (1’+) rocky ruts and no way around them. I knew to keep the momentum going but I had little time (and no instincts) to do anything else. All I could really think about was how I was going to fall. That bike jumped up and down like it has never done before and my weak little arms were moving like Gumby, up, down, sideways. I’m not sure how I held on, but I did and damn if that bike didn’t save my butt! And my Gumby arms paid off! That, and I was sooooo lucky. Now I just need to practice, practice, practice. Thanks for the excellent visuals!

Thank you Bret, thank you thank you for your comments on the Centre Of Gravity myth!! In my quarter of a century as a professional rider, I have lost count of the number of professional instructors who say "Standing up lowers your COG" when patently the opposite is true. Stand up, raise your COG, increase control. Keep up the good work my man. Cheers from downunder.

Thanks for your smile and attitude, Bret!

Thanks Brett! Another great video with valuable information. I like standing even when the going is good just to be able to see more. This time of year it's nice to see down in the creeks and gullies that you cannot in the summer. Thanks again!

I love your videos. I've learned so much! Especially for loose ground control and offroading. Thank you so much ❣️

Damn Bret, I wish I was 30 years younger and learned this the day I started riding off road instead of learning the hard way for 25 years and watch this now, confirming that I'm in the right direction. Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️❤️ wish this will be used in Swedish traffic schools!

This video has shown us some of the amazing riding skills you have. Loved watching every second of this video. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing, Bret. I’m glad you did this vid as I know this topic of standing up vs sitting down has come up a few times here and there in some of your last podcasts and such and it was a good refresher (for me anyways) for you to go thru the technical aspects of the standing part. Thank you. Look fwd to the drone work ! Can’t wait to see ! Thx again Bret. Keep smiling’ 🙂

Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Thank you

You seem to approach everything like a true professional man, glad I found your channel. Keep riding safe.

I watch these videos just to watch Bret switch his helmet for his hat....slick!

Excellent video quality Bret. Nice work. Love the tips.

Thanks for the motto, right now more important than usual. Ride safe - smile broadly

Great to see you back on the GS Bret!

Thanks for the tips....Attitude is the best advice!

Beautiful place! Great teachings! thanks

Great to see the drone footage! If you haven’t already obtained your FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, you need to - for any commercial (furtherance of a business) drone usage. Yes, including a monetized RU-vid channel. It’s a pretty easy exam and you’ll learn a lot preparing for it (just passed mine today). Happy trails!

Enjoy your very important tips

Back half of the age scale-you cheeky bastard!!!!

"Sliding down diagonally" - good point. And I learned that it's okay to sit down sometimes to conserve energy. Thanks for your advice, Bret. Greetings from Nürnberg/Germany, Günter

Great to see you on the GS !

Excellent reinforcement of techniques I have been working on. Transformed my confidence when riding a big bike (GS) off-road. COVID situation in South Africa is “dynamic” - be careful and stay safe!

another brilliant video... by now I can objectively say you're by far THE BEST out of all out there who do the same thing, not even gonna name some of them .... great work, keep up, and thank you for sharing knowledge in such a great way.

Awesome video! Love the Skydio 2. Can’t wait to see you using it!

Excellent overall lesson in standing and especially the benefits of standing. Seems a lot of riders never reach this point in off-road adventures. Thanks.

Thank you Bret Tkacs for info about drone! That's what I was looking for. Now I will have to save money for it. Excellent short clips. Please keep doing it. We appreciate that.

@Bret Tkacs I commend you on the level of skill you're swapping the helmet for the hat without the mere mortals (unless they're David Copperfield) noticing the slight of hand. It rivals the level of expertise you're dismounting the bike. If you launch a series of podcasts on how to swap the helmet with the hat, I betcha, you'll hit 1M viewers in no time. :) P.S. When I tried your trick, between removing the helmet and putting the cap (I don't have a hat :( ), two pigeons managed to poop on my head. I have a looong way to go (Although I did master the trick of mounting women and dismounting motorcycles).

Congratulations on your new drum that is so cool like a dream come true!

Thx Bred! You answered my questions about risers and standing position on my 1150 GS. I'm 185, 6ft 1in. So I don't need any of them. So cool... Will practice more standing... Great work with all your vids! Keep up!!

Awesome video!!! Thank you from Tennessee.

Very good information ! Thanks

That new Skydio 2 is pretty awesome!

Your snow and mud must be a lot stickier than mine 😝

Great tips , your videos really helped me (new adv rider). THANK YOU!!!

I really appreciate these videos!

5:03 “Let’s face it, if you’re riding one of these motorcycles, you’re probably at the back half of the age scale.” 🤣 Love the balance of humor and instruction. Thanks!

Great video as always.

The Skydio is amazing in what it can do. Definitely the perfect Drone for motorcycle footage. Nothing else comes close. Looking forward to seeing it in use in your videos.

Great video! AND It takes a while to get comfortable and really use standing on the pegs to steer in some harsh low traction places and even MORE time to get used to KEEPING your feet on the pegs as long as possible and trusting the bike and your skill. Uphill/downhill, bumps, and riding side hills sure gets easier standing in the proper way. As always, there is more to learn/refresh and practice no matter how long we ride. I have ridden 50+ years and STILL practice to get better as bike tech has changed and what even big bikes are capable of is amazing. Thank you for your great series and helping us all be better riders and have even more fun! Take care and ride hard my friend!!! (*I wear the same kind of hat too. We better keep it a secret that it makes you a better rider!)

Thank you so much for this great video Bret. Also thank you for explaining about the 2:30👌

That hat transition though!

Love your channel, Brat

One of the rules in Moto/off-road says you can see your front number plate when standing in the attack position. Learning to stand is one of the most difficult things to teach. You have so little control when sitting compared with standing. Especially in technical situation. We should almost always stand when going down hill.

South African visit, that's good news. Excited to meet you!

Much like being centered while downhill skiing, it seems. Great demo and info!

Thank you!!!! LOVE!!

awesome advice, keep it up!

Amazing stuff again. Congrats and tk you.

Bret, nobody who has seen you riding your bike offroad will EVER doubt the capabilities of the GS. 😎

Your riding skills and advice is amazing, but to me the fact that we never see more than a second of head while switching between helmet and cap is even more impressive.

Hey Bret prepare a trip to Brazil and of course a nice Training for us here!!!!!

Good Stuff ! ThankYou !

Great vid Bret 👍 Also awaiting "helmet to hat" transition tips & tricks video... Keep up with your great vids. Guys pls like & share for support 👍

Good job.. good pointers..

Awesome!!!

Another great video man!. Bret's best skill....less than one sec. from helmet off to beret on!...🤣😂

An excellent informative video. I've just started light off-road riding and have been a bit nervous about standing. I'm in my early 70's andalthough I'm pretty fit and active I have a gammy left knee following replacement surgery plus a weak left ankle after an accident. However, I ride a Honda NC 750X DCT so fortunately my left leg doesn't get much use allowing me to concentrate on your tips for standing. I especially like the idea of those grip pads on your tank side area and am going to investigate how I can apply something similar to my bike so that I can better grip with that gammy knee. Thanks for sharing these tips.

Be proud of that head Bret!!!!

Thanks Bret! And yah, I’ll be 😎😎!

Thank you sir

You always do great videos, Brett. Gee you have cold winters there.

Nice continuation of the weightless rider...love the 21”...the lack of that and the extra weight is why I bought the 800...did I see a few studs on the front?...congrats on the drone.

Thanks

Bret you Da man !

Lookin great!

I tried once now. Not much occasion for that at my place. Full of fear and much cramped but i did not sit and paddle with the feet and i did not fall. Still proud of that. Could have been faster but could also have fallen by hitting one of the walls. Kind of halfpipes of very fine sand for the tracks with higher middle and sides.

Bret - master of unnoticed wearing a cap ;)

Very nice video - I see you have your own brand now. Every instructor gives several reasons for standing. Some quote physics but make no sense. One reason I've never heard from an instructor is that standing keeps your feet on the pegs. It seems simple, but if your feet aren't carrying weight they slip off the pegs. While sitting you can load up the outside peg to make a turn, but you won't have the strength to load the pegs for long. It's pretty common to get lazy and sit down when the road looks good, but a hidden rock can throw your feet out of contact and your down before you know it.

Itchy boots just arrived in South Africa. Wow, that would be a great collaboration 👍 thanks for all the tips very useful information

Could you say something (make a video) about contact with the pegs/pedals i.e., foot angles when standing to the levers. Would be much appreciated.

Perfektly explained, Bret. I still have the tendency to rest myself on the handlebars when I' m getting tired, but l'll work on it. A bit out of topic: even in the concret jungle, when I need to see what is happening ten cars in front of me, I do not hesitate to stand up. I love to use the ergonomic advantages of my R1100GS at any time.

Great video 👌👍 Hope we can see you in South Africa 🇿🇦 soon

What a fantastic looking bike.. 🕳️

Well done Bret, I always enjoy how to present your topic. The South Africa sounds like it will be excellent, looking forward to a report. If you ever want to come to Azerbaijan we should talk.