How to Ride a Motorcycle on Dirt and Gravel Roads for Beginners - Easy Basic Techniques for Learning

If you want to learn to ride your motorcycle on dirt and gravel roads, this video is for you! Most of the world's roads are not paved! Professional #motorcycle instructor Dusty Wessels teaches you the basic riding techniques you'll need to #explore #off-road on your motorcycle safely.
Dusty at West38Moto west38moto.com
#adventure #bmwmotorrad
#gsadventure #beginner #novice #learning
00:00 Street Riders
01:20 Stand on the Pegs
03:06 Relax
04:18 Counterbalance
05:44 Trail Drumming Outro

Пікірлер: 258

  • @MOTOTREK
    @MOTOTREK10 ай бұрын

    Re: THE DRUMMER - Matt Jorgensen has been creating all of MOTOTREK's music since we started in 2017. For the first few years it's been just Matt's drums, but lately he's been adding a few more instruments to the mix. It was a blast finally getting Matt and his drum kit out in the forest for this cameo!

  • @jepomer

    @jepomer

    10 ай бұрын

    Matt Jorgensen's drumming caught my attention before the MOTOTREK's lesson part began on the first video I watched. A motorcycle channel without metal music. Great content, too! Great to see Matt injected into the video playing along with Dusty's low key comforting presentation.

  • @earthwormandruw

    @earthwormandruw

    10 ай бұрын

    epic!

  • @edmrocks2736

    @edmrocks2736

    8 ай бұрын

    I love this vid. Matt’s drums in the dirt is fk’n rad.

  • @Opposable_Thumb

    @Opposable_Thumb

    2 ай бұрын

    Live band during your video is awesome! 😂

  • @happygilmorides7353

    @happygilmorides7353

    2 ай бұрын

    Quality. Effort for a couple seconds show! Dedication right there 👏

  • @michaelangeloonassis2427
    @michaelangeloonassis242711 ай бұрын

    Okay but the bit with the drummer was hilarious and perfect, I thought it was an editing mistake at first!

  • @victorkelley5097

    @victorkelley5097

    11 ай бұрын

    Haha I thought the same thing, absolutely hilarious.

  • @theoldleafybeard

    @theoldleafybeard

    11 ай бұрын

    Absolutely got me! Hahahaha

  • @Tomix1980

    @Tomix1980

    11 ай бұрын

    same here. totaly same. found that soooo good and it toally got me :D

  • @richardscott982

    @richardscott982

    10 ай бұрын

    Got me too

  • @Mycatz

    @Mycatz

    10 ай бұрын

    Same drum set I’ve got. Good stuff!

  • @wipperwil
    @wipperwil10 ай бұрын

    How classy is that - to invite the drummer to actually BE there? Rock on captain!

  • @perrycalabrese3475
    @perrycalabrese34759 ай бұрын

    I ride Capitol Forest all the time. Here's the best tip: Slow down and enjoy the moment. Life is fast enough.

  • @Mickey_Bauer
    @Mickey_Bauer11 ай бұрын

    1:04 I was just about to say: "What's with the f@&$# music" and then there was a drummer on the trail 😂😂😂 Well done 👍

  • @genxlibertarian9656
    @genxlibertarian96569 ай бұрын

    Drum solo at 1:15 alone earned you my like.

  • @mahsikb
    @mahsikb11 ай бұрын

    Thank you drummer for all the wonderful music

  • @wallieshere
    @wallieshere10 ай бұрын

    off-stage drumming.. a whole new world of drumming!

  • @kkhalifah1019
    @kkhalifah101910 ай бұрын

    Never really paid any attention to standing up while riding until I got my first ADV motorcycle late last year. It wasn't a comfortable thing to do on the naked streetbikes and sportsbikes I had owned previously, but on an ADV it feels very natural. It's counter-intuitive somehow -- you think you're raising the center of gravity by standing up, but since you're actually shifting your weight from the seat down to the pegs, it feels more stable and you feel you have a hell lot more control in the pegs.

  • @erkful

    @erkful

    14 күн бұрын

    You are raising the cog…but you lowering the centre of effort.

  • @TimRHillard
    @TimRHillard11 ай бұрын

    Just be like water brother! Almost every physical endeavor, like sports, motorcycling, scuba diving, driving, etc. You can usually improve your performance, and especially speed if you just relax.

  • @VmanJeff
    @VmanJeff11 ай бұрын

    As an ole’ motorcrosser I was vaguely familiar with standing on my bike. Haven’t ridden off-road or raced since I was a indestructible teen. So this lesson came hard and fast as we went on the Colorado BDR recently. Riding a T7 felt like a big heavy dirtbike to me and I was WAYYYY more comfortable doing what you describe in this video! I felt much more in control and agile as we crossed Cinnamon Pass on the rocky, snowy, water funnel they call trails. Every tip you speak about came flooding back and as I gained confidence in the bike and my ability the terror or injury sank back and I could actually maintain the illusion of control. Cudos for your easily understandable explanations and props to the drummer lol I only post to hopefully reinforce to some other reader that standing, knee flex, body position and grip on the tank and bars are the way to go on many off-road surfaces so don’t get discouraged!

  • @darko714

    @darko714

    7 ай бұрын

    I learned to ride on a dirt bike, and I feel ya. As a young adult I would ride the shoulder to hack traffic jams on my Honda CB 550, and sometimes irate truckers or motorists would try to cut me off. I would respond by riding down the embankment into the drainage ditch simply because I knew I could. All the skills were still there, the only difference was that I was on a 500 lb. street machine with slippery tires, limited suspension travel, and minimal ground clearance. The beast still had awesome torque, balance, and the foot pegs were located perfectly at the center of gravity. Once I got used to the performance envelope, I had a good enough idea of where it would and would not go so that I never got into trouble.

  • @Davidlouis3
    @Davidlouis311 ай бұрын

    Brilliant Loved the drums 😂

  • @csgodenver
    @csgodenver10 ай бұрын

    DUSTY!! And yeah the drum interruption was awesome

  • @gerokron3412
    @gerokron341211 ай бұрын

    Matt´s groove is great!

  • @Porsche996driver
    @Porsche996driver5 ай бұрын

    Good starter coaching. The drummer rocks!

  • @Lemmingadventures
    @Lemmingadventures7 ай бұрын

    Good info. Out here in the desert you run into a few miles of washboard, then a few miles of deep sand and then a few miles of rocky, baby head stuff and so on. Desert roads are not at all consistent and riding in all these different terrains means mastering these skills is really important.

  • @That_Paul_Guy
    @That_Paul_Guy8 ай бұрын

    The drummer in the wilderness had me rolling. As usual, very helpful content.

  • @jmsask
    @jmsask11 ай бұрын

    I like the live drummer in this video. Great information on off road adventure riding 🍻

  • @peterharrison-edge6493
    @peterharrison-edge649311 ай бұрын

    I've watched them all, and this is my favorite. Love Matt, sweet kit!

  • @321-Gone
    @321-Gone11 ай бұрын

    Mostly a street rider at the time, I hit a gravel road after a long day on a lowered and loaded Harley at 50mph. Basically a hard tail. It was at that moment I puckered since there was ruts. I had mounted mid pegs along with my forward feet mounts to use the mid mounts when crossing xx tracks and other bumps. I stood up on them and it saved my behind.

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Excellent!

  • @kuhndj67
    @kuhndj6711 ай бұрын

    Standing is a great tool when riding offroad to tackle challenging sections at modest speeds... I find it helps with uneven/loose surfaces or loose rocks A LOT. I do think some folks overuse it (If I had a nickle for every guy I saw prariedogging on a perfectly smooth dirt road) and it does reduce your ability to execute emergency maneuvers (stop especially... can't hammer the brakes when standing) so should be used when appropriate and at modest speeds imo (I'm always under 20mph when standing unless I'm standing just to stretch for a few seconds). I also tend to avoid it on steep climbs... it just doesn't work as well for me as sitting for riding challenging climbs like Corkscrew Gulch in Colorado (very steep with switchbacks).

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Great observations! We recommend standing anytime the terrain gets technical.

  • @steampunknord

    @steampunknord

    10 ай бұрын

    I was thinking about the fact that I do much the same. I've gotten to a point of a 100kph+ on gravel and standing feels sketch af above 60. But I always thought it was because I was riding a street bike that made it feel sketch.

  • @diegopescia9602

    @diegopescia9602

    7 ай бұрын

    I think this should have been pointed out in the video. If you are standing when it is not needed, you will be more tired by that moment when it really matters

  • @mcearl8073

    @mcearl8073

    5 күн бұрын

    I see this all the time on BDR videos, the roads will be perfectly flat and fairly hard packed and a line of bikes with the riders standing up. I think maybe a lot of them are just doing it for the video.

  • @advmotoskillz
    @advmotoskillz11 ай бұрын

    Another great video! I like the emphasis on being “active” while riding. This really allows the bike to be more stable as you ride 👍🏻.

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Well said!

  • @ericsushi5320
    @ericsushi532011 ай бұрын

    Got a sub coz of the drummer. Best thing

  • @OperatorDrewski
    @OperatorDrewski11 ай бұрын

    1:05 hahaha i legitimately thought this was an editing error... then camera paaaannnsss left...

  • @enduromotorradtouren
    @enduromotorradtouren11 ай бұрын

    Finally a new video. I love the drummer, also the no-nonsense talk of Dusty. Lots of useful information in a short time. Thanks a lot, Günter, Nürnberg/Germany (just back from the Italian Alps on a small Beta Alp 200)

  • @williamwilson2748
    @williamwilson274811 ай бұрын

    Okay... The drum's were awesome.

  • @gregoryprice2593
    @gregoryprice259311 ай бұрын

    Normally I really hate any and all music in car/motorcycle videos, but the live drumming by Matt Jorgensen is definitely the exception!

  • @Scootir185
    @Scootir18511 ай бұрын

    I just moved to Mexico and have been forced to transition from a street/track rider to off road. Your vids have been extremely helpful though it's still very anxiety provoking when I'm in deep sand. More practice and time and things are slowly getting better. Thanks so much for the great beginner vids - priceless!

  • @LukeLifeCharms

    @LukeLifeCharms

    11 ай бұрын

    I live in Mexico as well and I know what you mean!!! Take it slow and you will be good

  • @Scootir185

    @Scootir185

    11 ай бұрын

    @@LukeLifeCharms Hey thanks!

  • @Piracanto

    @Piracanto

    8 ай бұрын

    Where in México? I’m in Guadalajara

  • @Scootir185

    @Scootir185

    8 ай бұрын

    Close to Cabo San Lucas@@Piracanto

  • @Piracanto

    @Piracanto

    8 ай бұрын

    @@Scootir185 Oh, pretty far. Let me know if you come down to Jalisco!

  • @justbeingmybestbob
    @justbeingmybestbob9 ай бұрын

    Panning to the drummer.... effing AWESOME!! That alone got me to subscribe, and the content is great too. Thanks.

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the sub!

  • @UnalFurkan
    @UnalFurkan11 ай бұрын

    amazing drum solo! I mean riding instructions...

  • @caioo82
    @caioo8229 күн бұрын

    Oh my, laughed really hard with Matt’s appearance on the end of first section hahahaha

  • @Yowzoe
    @YowzoeАй бұрын

    1:08 that was *hilarious* and totally worth the effort 😂 thanks!

  • @ty5642
    @ty564225 күн бұрын

    Loved the drummer bit!

  • @stibosis
    @stibosis9 ай бұрын

    Standard style bikes do surprisingly well off road as long as you don't go crazy even a sport bike with the right line does alright and half decent with the right tires

  • @carvalhonj
    @carvalhonj11 ай бұрын

    Best off road instructor ever👏🏼👏🏼 thank you…I learn a lot💪🏼

  • @scottlazar9731
    @scottlazar973111 ай бұрын

    what a great and simply put lesson. Totally broke it down, took the intimidation out of it, and I'm ready to start practicing on the miles of dirt roads in my area!!!!!

  • @garethjones1827
    @garethjones182710 ай бұрын

    Very good teacher. Lot of skill needed though, which comes with practice...

  • @mikemerrill175
    @mikemerrill17511 ай бұрын

    Good stuff presented well. Hope to see the drummer at your next training session.

  • @JulianSloman
    @JulianSloman9 ай бұрын

    Ha, when he said "Your bike" I was like... "My bike? My 2015 Honda CB300F is capable of this?" - And then I thought of the road I rode up a couple days ago - it was a city road under construction but I guess in a stable enough state that it was open to traffic? It was loose gravel on hard material (guess the layer below the paved part of the road) and it was a pretty steep uphill but I managed. had some potholes and it also made me spontaneously stand up a little for one of the bits. Pretty cool to think that with practice I could possibly handle more tretcherous terrain than that.

  • @got2kittys
    @got2kittys2 ай бұрын

    I grew up riding enduro, and trials. I now have a big cruiser, and every time I go on a dirt road, I'm reminded how Unsuitable my motorcycle is for even a gravel road. Best choice, get a good dirt capable bike, and not too big.

  • @obstinatejack
    @obstinatejack11 ай бұрын

    drum guy is too dope

  • @MaxVliet
    @MaxVliet7 ай бұрын

    1:10 not me looking through the ten hundred million tabs i had open to find the drum sounds 😂

  • @DatBikerDude
    @DatBikerDude9 ай бұрын

    Great video for beginners and those who think they're good riders alike.

  • @LittleRock_wunderer
    @LittleRock_wunderer11 ай бұрын

    Wow! Is he the guy who does the drumming since the beginning? I feel like the emphasis on percussion as the background music is one of the unique style of this channel! Glad to see things are moving forward!

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Yes! Matt's been doing the music since Day One!

  • @jayfuller2323
    @jayfuller23239 ай бұрын

    Thank you, Dusty. I'm learning one video at a time. It's nice to see Matt, great background instrumentals.

  • @JS-gb2tc
    @JS-gb2tc7 ай бұрын

    Cool video, thanks. You seem very skilled.:-) Now, "Be smooth in the knees, in the arms, in the hands, look far in front, etc." I think we´ve heard that a 1000 times. But I´m quite sure many people have THESE questions in mind : How to place your feet on the footpegs? Tip/middle part of the foot? Where is the wheight on the foot? Heels : Neutral? Low? Should you put pressure with the calves on the bike (keep it tight between your legs), or not? How to manage: - Rear breaking? - Shifting? Move the feet on the footpegs forth and back to do it? Sit down to do it? Not do it at all while riding standing? All fingers holding the bar? Or one or two fingers staying on front break and clutch? I think you should incorporate those infos in a video about offload riding. BTW, could you plz answer those questions ? You seem like the right person to ask! :-D

  • @firecharger
    @firecharger3 ай бұрын

    The drummer in the wilderness was rad

  • @rbrown1339
    @rbrown133911 ай бұрын

    Great video; thanks Dusty! Great to see you back on the channel. Looking forward to seeing you soon at your coming W38 COBDR tour. You guys always do a great job!

  • @johnnya390
    @johnnya39010 ай бұрын

    I agree standing gives you another layer of shock absorption. But i have to say after 40 years on and offroad its hard on the knees. And you're not racing. I see a lot of the motocross guys teaching kids to stand up. But i see a lot of the top riders still all over the bike and putting a foot down in the corner. I think ricky carmichael said it best at southwick a couple weeks ago. The bike will let you know when to stand up. It almost gives you a little shove with the seat. And this is at race speed. So i agree standing is a good thing. But It has its pros and cons

  • @AllTheOthers
    @AllTheOthers9 ай бұрын

    This is what the motorcycle was designed for, after all!

  • @chema1546
    @chema154611 ай бұрын

    Ok 👍👌 super

  • @adrianm.1910
    @adrianm.191011 ай бұрын

    Great video and drums! Thanks for sharing.

  • @roverroko306
    @roverroko30610 ай бұрын

    Awesome video, cool drums😊

  • @yojstamaria
    @yojstamaria11 ай бұрын

    you look like you're starting a new trend -- adventure drumming. 🤣🤣

  • @robertbarel896
    @robertbarel8967 ай бұрын

    Great video. the drum part is so much FUN

  • @scoutadv4568
    @scoutadv456811 ай бұрын

    Nice! Thank you, Mr. D!!!

  • @FerEste
    @FerEste7 ай бұрын

    1:09 almost died here 😂😂😂

  • @VeVeDegen
    @VeVeDegen10 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the tips! Super excited to learn and experience these offroad riding techniques!

  • @silviazencich6862
    @silviazencich68626 ай бұрын

    love this video. the explanation and finally the Drummer so GREAT!!!!

  • @jimtokheim1422
    @jimtokheim142210 ай бұрын

    Great video. I don't mind dirt so much, but loose gravel does induce a bit of anxiety. This helps.

  • @advmike
    @advmike11 ай бұрын

    GS cases are so big you can fit a whole drum kit in there! 😂

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    LOL

  • @chrisblenkinsopp8588
    @chrisblenkinsopp85888 ай бұрын

    Excellent...er...drumming...

  • @RiderRescue
    @RiderRescue10 ай бұрын

    Come for the motorcycling tips... stay for the drumming!

  • @jmoscosop
    @jmoscosop11 ай бұрын

    Great as usual

  • @ketovore1272
    @ketovore12725 күн бұрын

    looks like the Willamette Valley, thanks for the info. I learned to be extra careful about downshifting or engine braking on loose gravel

  • @davidmaynard1422
    @davidmaynard142211 ай бұрын

    Great (music) video! Extremely helpful.

  • @detansinn9882
    @detansinn98829 ай бұрын

    Solid and useful advice. Well done.

  • @uninterestingandmeh
    @uninterestingandmeh9 ай бұрын

    Great tips, thanks. As a newbie I'll try to make most out them 👍

  • @ShineBright__
    @ShineBright__10 ай бұрын

    Yes you opened a new word to me with this basics tricks to start off roadind Thank you Man !!

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    10 ай бұрын

    You bet!

  • @alvarosolis7837
    @alvarosolis783711 ай бұрын

    I love the drums!

  • @rokhimfauzami8578
    @rokhimfauzami85784 ай бұрын

    Love the drums 😂😂😂

  • @MadChalet
    @MadChalet10 ай бұрын

    Thanks! I've found myself unexpectedly doing dirt roads (maps didn't indicate what was coming) on my sport-touring and not knowing how to deal with them. Standing on the pegs isn't great on an ST, but I'll give it a try next time I run out of pavement. 👍

  • @deepakshirali
    @deepakshirali11 ай бұрын

    Great seeing you again, Dusty. May there always be juice in your tank. "...the way you ride your motorcycle makes the biggest difference..." I doubt any riding-guru has said that, but that's the truth! You've nailed it.

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Right on!

  • @CarlosUzdinet
    @CarlosUzdinet11 ай бұрын

    Excelente vídeo, buenas tomas para ver la posición y detalladamente explicado, gracias por el esfuerzo, seguimos aprendiendo.

  • @evanvancamp2781
    @evanvancamp27816 ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @robdotcom71
    @robdotcom713 ай бұрын

    Dusty.... fitting name for an offroad rider......

  • @user-yq5vx1qf3z
    @user-yq5vx1qf3z11 ай бұрын

    Great video!!!!

  • @pinchas9589
    @pinchas95893 ай бұрын

    Thank you very helpful

  • @johnfitzgerald4274
    @johnfitzgerald42746 ай бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @anesthetized7053
    @anesthetized70539 ай бұрын

    this was a great vid. i like the standing segment, you explained it better than a lot of people that ive seen. theres a gnarly dip around a manhole cover on my daily commute, its in the middle of a downhill paved road on a curve and every time i hit that part i stand up as my bike dips down into the divot. it feels so much less sketchy and i can load the suspention at the perfect time so i dont feel like im about to lose grip. ive hit it the same speed sitting down and i did not like that method. felt way more loose

  • @scottkirejczyk1544
    @scottkirejczyk1544Ай бұрын

    Great training video your videos are awesome thank you

  • @gpa1978
    @gpa19783 күн бұрын

    great vid i been riding for 16 years but little offroad

  • @paulchambers2296
    @paulchambers22962 ай бұрын

    Great review, thanks, just looking at starting some off roading for the first time, and yes, a little nervous!

  • @ritchieok29
    @ritchieok2911 ай бұрын

    Thanks for a great video.

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Glad you liked it!

  • @scottrineer4776
    @scottrineer477610 ай бұрын

    Awesome video (and music) 😊

  • @victorkelley5097
    @victorkelley509711 ай бұрын

    I hope you guys plan on posting more! Great content!

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    We will!

  • @lincolnkaden7758
    @lincolnkaden7758Ай бұрын

    Just found this channel… Love it!

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    Ай бұрын

    Welcome aboard!

  • @msims-yq3yd
    @msims-yq3yd11 ай бұрын

    Great video! The drum stuff was cool!

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Thanks a lot!

  • @slept-on_SP
    @slept-on_SP11 ай бұрын

    Love Capital forest! This makes me want to fabricate a skid plate and get some rubber more suitable for loose gravel for my bike.. I ride a naked 600 lol so the bike would be a bit out of its element on that terrain but with a decent skid plate I think it'd be manageable, id just have to be careful not to upset the suspension too much.

  • @taz473
    @taz47311 ай бұрын

    Excellent channel

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    11 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much!

  • @jarleabelhaugeek1217
    @jarleabelhaugeek12175 ай бұрын

    The drummer was so good! 😂😂😂

  • @nkwd007
    @nkwd00710 ай бұрын

    Great video guys. Drummer 1st class, well done for creativity and very good tips of course.

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    10 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much!

  • @NobodyWhatsoever
    @NobodyWhatsoever9 ай бұрын

    "Changing to an offroad tire ..." Yeahhhh, that ain't gonna happen for a lot of us lol ... And following up with technique is why I stuck around. I just bought my first motorcycle -- a naked bike -- and it has street tires with seemingly plenty of life left. A buddy happens to live down dirt and/or gravel roads. This video should help me, a new rider, with those trips out.

  • @garryr
    @garryr11 ай бұрын

    13 tiger 800. My arthritic knees won't let me stand for any length of time unless I lock my legs but I do when I can

  • @TheElrocker
    @TheElrockerАй бұрын

    Cool video thank you just got bmw 310gs to learn off road 👍

  • @MOTOTREK

    @MOTOTREK

    Ай бұрын

    Have fun!

  • @jarleabelhaugeek1217
    @jarleabelhaugeek121728 күн бұрын

    Very good video

  • @LazyGrayF0x
    @LazyGrayF0x10 ай бұрын

    My tip is plan where you want to go and let the bike do the how.

  • @ridemfast7625
    @ridemfast762511 ай бұрын

    As a new to off road rider, I appreciate this video teaching fundamentals. As a tall rider, how is the proper bar height/reach determined? I feel as if I'm leaning over too much reaching for the bars and bending my back when standing up but it could also be due to inexperience. 6'2" on a Husqvarna 701.

  • @briangc1972

    @briangc1972

    10 ай бұрын

    Motorcycles are designed for people less tall than you. So you need to change the handlebars, possibly add bar risers, and have the suspension properly adjusted for your weight; which may require changing the springs. I just put new springs in a 2023 Aprilia Taureg 660 with under 200 miles on it because my 180 lbs was too much for the factory springs (set for a 150 lb rider). It made a huge difference in the ride and performance on road and off road. You spent $8k on a motorcycle, now spend another $400 to make it fit you properly and handle properly under your weight.

  • @domanhha4587
    @domanhha45877 ай бұрын

    love music!

  • @flpsoto
    @flpsoto11 ай бұрын

    Nice drummer touch 😂

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