ADV Off-Road Motorcycle Skills

The cowboy mount is a favorite of mine. I use it off-road on sinking and unlevel surfaces as well as on-road for ease and comfort. The motorcycle cowboy mount, also known as the rolling start or pull-away mount, involves mounting your bike while in motion. It requires balance, momentum control, and the confidence to learn…

We spend a lot of time learning proper off-road riding techniques, but what about getting on and off the bike in rough terrain? For tall riders with flexible joints, this might be the easiest part of the ride. However, for many, this can be quite a challenge.  Learning how to mount a motorcycle off-road involves…

Bike lifts are like snowflakes … No two are exactly the same. Rocky trails, slippery mud, or loss of balance can send us down. So, having a few solo lift techniques in our adventure skillset can make all the difference. 3 Adventure Motorcycle Lift Techniques for Solo Riders Lift Type Benefits Precautions Back Facing Squat…

One of the most important aspects of motorcycle riding, whether on or off-road, is line selection. Simply put, this is the process of choosing the safest and most efficient path through an obstacle or terrain. This is especially important when riding off-road, as there are typically more obstacles and rougher terrain to navigate. Line selection…

If you feel like you already have excellent foot, knee, and hip posture yet still lose balance on tight turns or fail to keep traction on hills, this article is for you. An off-road rider’s upper body position plays an equally significant role as we strive to maintain balance, comfort, and control. Use your upper…

The importance of using knees and hips to control your bike during standing riding can not be overstated. Many riders make the mistake of using only their arms to steer and control the bike; this leads to fatigue and poor control. By using your knees and hips to guide the motorcycle, you’ll be able to…

There is no singular “right” way to position your feet on an adventure motorcycle when riding off-road. However, there is a “range” of foot placement options available to match differing riding scenarios. Bike setup, foot size, peg choice, and terrain are just a few of the factors that influence the optimal foot position for an…

If you’re looking to improve your motorcycle skills, you don’t necessarily need a large training area. In fact, a small training space can still provide everything you need to develop your adventure motorcycle skills, with greater focus and purpose. All you need is a garage, a driveway, or a small vacant lot to fine-tune your…

Gear changes are a necessary part of motorcycling for those of us who have not gone the way of the DCT or electric bike. Shifting gears efficiently allows riders to deliver the correct power output to the rear wheel when needed. This skill is essential to be able to keep that ever-crucial momentum needed to…