How to ride a heavy bike

[Zubb 1174]

I'll never forget the lightbulb moment when I realized that I could zoom across the country on a wonderful full sized ADV bike, and then actually ride it off road, comfortably, confidently and safely.  It was incredibly liberating.  I have since logged several hundred thousand miles on two wheels crossing the country many times to ride dirt, gravel, sand, imbedded rocks, ledges, ruts, steeps, etc.  Todays modern adventure bikes are spectacular, and while it's easy to get caught up in nuance . . . I can't think of a single one that I would hesitate to climb on and go to the ends of the earth.  

Look, I'm as excitable as the next guy when we start talking about the next new latest greatest wonder-bike.  Having just finished a couple laps of the IDBDR, I'm tempted to raid the piggy bank and buy my next War Horse (I do seem to trade up every couple years, and it's about that time).

There's one thing though that will never change, and that's the need for MASTERING balance.  Balance is fundamental.  And very few of us will ever master it.  We cheat it with speed.  Especially if we've spent our lives racing or desert riding on skinny bikes (not that there's anything wrong with that).  But the bigger the bike, typically the slower we have to go when things get technical (and they always will).  The better your balance skills are, the lighter your bike will feel and ride.

My son Adam "Gerty" talks about this in his first guest appearance on the MotoTrek channel.  Hope you enjoy it, and are hopefully inspired by it.

 

[Zubb 1174]

Gerty is the only guy I ever coached that figured out Borrego sand in literally 5 minutes. Because…. He understands balance. 

Edited October 11, 2024 by Zubb

[MacDuncan 138]

Hey Zubb, super cool that your son is a moto star also. .    Great vid.

A few fellas from SDAR may have ridden the Idaho chimney this Summer also, hope you saw them for a brew together.  And maybe "chimney" has a special meaning for this Summer as I heard Idaho was often toasty Hot, but you must like it if you did it more than once!  

Although a bit different than the theme in Gerty's video, I just returned from a 2400 mile loop on a big bike, and I too found that balance was important .......  going 87 mph across Utah on Interstate 70 when you want to cruise with just one finger on the controls - haha.

Cheers, and safe travels.  Mac

 

[Zubb 1174]

Hottest summer on Idaho record. I had to re-route the Sept tour several times the week before the ride. Fortunately Idaho is full of options. Magruder was closed. Then  right before we got to Elk City, it rained for 1.5 days and put the fires down enough to open the corridor! Which also meant the first 4+ days were dust free riding. 
 

[Bagstr 295]

Everyday,,,

Would Love the Log Cross instruction,,,

    💪

[Ptkatoomer 118]

OK, so your son definitely has the skills (shoot, I'm trying to learn how to do it on my 350!)

But, what about you......  . No vid, no proof, didn't happen.

[Zubb 1174]

He's way better at balance than I am.  No contest.

[Zubb 1174]

15 hours ago, Bagstr said:

Everyday,,,

Would Love the Log Cross instruction,,,

    💪

it's called "ramp building".

[Mr.JAJA 454]

1 hour ago, Zubb said:

He's way better at balance than I am.  No contest.

He is younger, he is your SON.

[Mr.JAJA 454]

On 10/11/2024 at 6:36 AM, Zubb said:

 

 

If you look more fare ahead to the horizon, it will help you to to balance. I learned this during windsurfing. Standing on the board in the waves.

Edited October 19, 2024 by KTMrad