Technique Clinic

[OV Lander]

Surely I can't be the only one who is new to Adventure riding and finding it difficult to find books on solid adventure riding technique?

Am I the only one out there at the weekend trying to learn their gravel and off road skills by trial, error and feel?

Some rides feel really great, solid and confidence boosting...
...other rides just don't click. Tyres roll seemingly tractionless over the metal surface and the confidence takes a dive.

Within our group we have many years of experience and technical knowledge (but hey, who's counting?), and I have found myself thinking it would be a good idea to have a single thread to paste and answer questions specifically on riding technique (this is where are more senior members will tell me which thread I should be reading... apologies in advance if this is the case).

Would people see value in having something such as a "Technique Clinic" as a Sticky Topic?... ...I know I'd value such a space and would learn heaps from other peoples questions.

To get the ball rolling I thought I'd raise the two things that are getting me to think most whilst out there on the metal:

1 - Cornering on Gravel:
So what is the best technique for people to start developing?
- Stand?
- Sit?
- Front or rear brakes?
- Counter steer?
- Lean the bike or keep it upright?

2 - Slowing down on steep downhill gravel:
- Afraid of locking up the front wheel;
- Worried that the back wheel will lock and come alongside.
- What should I be thinking to best coach myself?
- Where should my weight be - front or back?

I'd really appreciate your input as I'm very keen to tap into the knowledge here, and really keen to improve my technique, safety and enjoyment of the ride.

Cheers in advance.

[Padmei]

Good questions OV lander. You can be sure that there are many others out there that want to know the answers to these questions.

I am new to Adv biking & find some things like the front wheel floating over fresh gravel quite freaky - not knowing if this is what it's supposed to feel like.

I guess a lot of it is experience but from some questions i've asked I know there are some good instructors out there amongst the kiwibiker crew.

I have signed up to an upcoming Kawasaki off road course travelling thru NZ so will hopefully glean some info from that.

[JATZ]

I have signed up to an upcoming Kawasaki off road course travelling thru NZ so will hopefully glean some info from that.

Where do you sign up for that ? I'd be keen on that sort of thing

[Denniso]

The single most important thing I have found on gravel , by trial and a heap of error is to stay relaxed and don't fight the bike . Once you can do that then you can start to have fun and concentrate on developing your own riding style that suits you , listen to the advice of others but keep in mind that they will probably have a differant style of riding to the one you will come to be happy with . ( I wouldn't expect too many people to enjoy or endorse my preferance for cut slicks and loads of throttle , but to each there own ) After years of sports bikes I have found the most fun on gravel roads and now my thou just gathers dust waiting .

[Padmei]

Mike Cotter is touring & doing clinics in conjunction with Kawa NZ for motorcrossers. He can be reached at madracing1@xtra.co.nz

Not sure of dates etc but think it's for greenies -not sure on others. He mentioned Gonzo may not make it thru some parts of the track - I just laughed -hahaha like that It's to be held on a motoross rack I think.
Contact him & see.

[monchopper]

There are various techniques for all areas of bike riding. But it's mostly about miles, miles and more miles. Experiment with different techniques and you'll find something the suits you and most importantly be honest with yourself about where you're at ability wise and don't let your confidence exceed ability.
If you're not having a great day except it but still enjoy it (it'll be much worse if you have a nasty off). There are hundreds of reasons you might be having a bit of an off day from tiredness to tyre pressure.

I think learning to do some controlled slides with the back wheel locked is a good idea. Start off slow and get faster as you get a feel for it. Also try locking up in a straight line and using a various amounts of front brake. (Cheaper to try this with a near knackered tyre!)

Never go downhill in a higher gear than you'd go up in.
In adverse terrain stand up and look ahead. Never get fixed on the front wheel.

I like to setup into a corner with a slight counter steer to set the ball rolling but know plenty of riders that don't like counter steering. Try getting some of your body weight on the outside footpeg, I find this helps controlling and preventing slides (It took me ages to get this).

Have a look on http://www.thumpertalk.com for some good discussions.

I ride a smaller bike over generally rougher terrain (road legal trail riding really) I'm sure there are different techniques for the guys on the bigger DS bikes. Ask, listen, try, use if like, disgard if not.

[monchopper]

Another thing which alot of people don't bother with but is one of the most important things is suspension.

Get your suspension setup (repeat 3x). Most bikes these days have 'clickers' which adjust the dampening. Play around with them. Well setup suspension will keep you fresher longer cos you're not fighting the bike as much.

Many people buy a bike and just start riding it. You'll be amazed at how much more control you have everywhere, especially downhill braking and cornering!!

[warewolf]

I'm no expert but I've done lots of it and been to quite a few courses.

First up, let me say everybody hates shallow loose pea gravel (deep is more fun, it acts like sand).

Secondly, being taught by someone who knows what they are doing is far more productive than your own trial and error. Go do some training if you can, preferably trail/enduro it is closer to adventure than motocross. Not really any professional adventure training around. The price of a training course or two and a fresh set of tyres will do way more for your skills, speed & pleasure than a loud pipe ever will...

Thirdly, as general rule, riding off-road (anything non-tarmac) you have to get used to the bike moving around, and you balancing the bike. The bike is no longer "fixed" to the surface, so the techniques are different (or less forgiving of errors).

1 - Cornering on Gravel:
So what is the best technique for people to start developing?
- Stand?
- Sit?
- Front or rear brakes?
- Counter steer?
- Lean the bike or keep it upright?

Sit or stand in the corners is a personal preferences. Greg Power taught stand everywhere unless resting on straight flat easy stuff (trials technique); Nick Reader taught go to a sit on the corner entry/approach (motocross technique).

Front/rear brakes... well sharp corners you brake-slide around, so that'd be rear brake. The amount of braking comes down to tyres versus surface, if that's not an obvious thing to say. Preferably do it in a straight line first, then tip in to the corner. Remember, if you think you have enough traction to brake, then you've definitely got enough traction to corner, which is a better option.

Counter-steering is not optional. You pretty much can't steer a bike without it. However you can be subtle to the point it's not noticed, or extremely aggressive. The faster you want to turn the bike, the harder you have to counter-steer.

Off-road you generally tip the bike in more than the body, weight the outside peg. Most off-road tyres have more gaps at the edges; the opposite of sports road tyres. This is often more so with radial dual-purpose sports tyres for the big trailies.

2 - Slowing down on steep downhill gravel:
- Afraid of locking up the front wheel;
- Worried that the back wheel will lock and come alongside.
- What should I be thinking to best coach myself?
- Where should my weight be - front or back?

As for cornering, brake beforehand, aka "control your speed".

Locking the back won't cause it to come around if you are holding the bike straight and balancing it. In fact if it is really steep, then holding the back locked is one less thing for you to think about, and you can spend more concentration on feathering the front to the traction limit. On a loose surface, a locked wheel stops better than not, due to the snowplough effect.

Stay centred on the bike. Don't lean forward/back, but rather stay upright and let the bike come to you or fall away on the hills. Shift your hips more than your shoulders: bend zee knees to get your weight up front, poke your bum out to shift weight back. Weight over the front on corners.

Above all - have fun!

[Balrog]

I found this DVD very good for learning the basics.

[Frodo]

Where did you get it? Through the website?

Can I borrow for a look?

Thanks

[James Deuce]

They're an uncommunicative bunch, who spend more time riding then the rest of us put togther.

To become one I think you are supposed to crash your arse off for years as a learning experience, then become super grumpy.

You're supposed to "do" not "read", you see.

[twotyred]

I found this DVD very good for learning the basics.

I've been planning on getting this too, it's put together by Neduro from ADVrider and there is much info and praise for it over there.

[JATZ]

Where did you get it? Through the website?

Can I borrow for a look?

Thanks

Ordered a copy the other day, your more than welcome to borrow it after I've had a look at it.

[Padmei]

Ordered a copy the other day, your more than welcome to borrow it after I've had a look at it.

You must have one hell of a library by now Jatz. Do you issue cards?

[young1]

The most important thing that I find when the going gets rough etc is to stand up, this lowers the centre of gravity on the bike, it will let the bike move around without you noticing it as much etc