5 things you were taught wrong in your motorcycle class

Summary

In this video, the instructor addresses common misconceptions in off-road motorcycle riding, emphasizing the importance of proper body mechanics for safety and efficiency. Key points include the correct wrist position for comfort and control, the dynamic foot positioning for different terrains, and the need to avoid squeezing with the knees for better mobility. The instructor also critiques the 'elbows up' advice and the overemphasis on peg waiting, offering a more nuanced understanding of these techniques. Ultimately, the video encourages riders to focus on fluid, controlled movements to minimize injury and improve their riding experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elbows up while riding is a misconception. The correct wrist position, not just raising elbows, ensures better control and less risk of injury.
• 😀 Most adventure bikes have handlebars designed for a seated riding position, making the natural wrist movement and grip critical for a more comfortable and stable ride.
• 😀 Having your wrists flat while holding the handlebars is essential for proper bike control, reducing strain on the wrist and increasing stability.
• 😀 Riding with elbows too high can reduce your ability to move fluidly and safely with the bike, limiting mobility and increasing the risk of rib injury in a fall.
• 😀 The 'balls of your feet' advice is only partially true. It’s helpful for new riders but not suitable for all situations. Dynamic foot positioning is key based on terrain and control needs.
• 😀 Riding in technical conditions like sand, mud, or rocky terrain requires positioning your feet more centrally, close to the controls, rather than just staying on the balls of your feet.
• 😀 Squeezing the knees to grip the bike wastes energy and reduces mobility. Instead, riders should lock in at the ankles and keep the knees relaxed while indexing against the bike for stability.
• 😀 Vision coaching that insists on 'eyes up' is incomplete. At low speeds, looking down is fine if done for the right reasons, such as planning tire placement and ensuring traction.
• 😀 Riders should always look ahead to plan their route but can look down to identify obstacles or traction zones. It's crucial to balance the two for proper control and confidence.
• 😀 Peg weighting as a technique for turning the bike is incomplete advice. Instability for direction change can be created by using the knee or body position in addition to the peg, based on personal riding style.

Q & A

Why is the common advice to keep elbows up while riding incorrect?

Elbows up is incorrect because it can cause an unnatural wrist position. When you raise your elbows, your knuckles may still be squared to the handlebars, which creates a sharp kink in your wrist, causing discomfort and potential injury. A flat wrist position is more natural and effective when riding.

What is the correct hand position when riding an adventure bike?

The correct hand position is to rotate the hands outwards, which keeps the wrist flat. This position allows for better control, as it mimics the natural grip you would use when holding a screwdriver or opening a door. It also ensures more mobility and less risk of injury.

What happens when riders keep their elbows too high?

Keeping the elbows too high can lead to decreased mobility and stability on the bike. It restricts body movement when the bike shifts, and in case of a fall, it increases the risk of rib injuries. The elbows should be slightly flared out but not excessively raised.

Is it always correct to ride with the balls of your feet on the foot pegs?

Riding with the balls of your feet is not always necessary. While it's beneficial for new riders to keep their toes in to avoid injuries from obstacles or crashes, experienced riders may shift between different foot positions depending on the terrain, like sand, mud, or rocky trails. The foot position should be dynamic and adjusted for the riding conditions.

What is the main advantage of riding with the balls of the feet for new riders?

The main advantage for new riders is that it helps protect the feet by keeping the toes in, reducing the risk of injury from rocks, sticks, or sudden falls. It also encourages a more stable and controlled foot position.

What is the problem with squeezing the knees while riding?

Squeezing the knees while riding creates unnecessary tension, which can reduce mobility and stability. It wastes energy and makes it harder to move fluidly on the bike. The correct technique involves indexing the knees gently against the bike without actively squeezing them.

How should riders lock in on the bike for better control?

Riders should lock in at the ankles, keeping their feet tight to the bike, and index their knees without actively squeezing them. This allows for more freedom of movement, especially in loose or sandy terrain, and reduces unnecessary tension in the body.

Why is vision so important when riding, and how should it be used?

Vision is crucial for planning and reacting to terrain. At higher speeds, your vision should be focused far ahead to plan your path. At lower speeds, like when riding in sand or rock, it's important to look down to find stable areas for traction, but also keep looking up to maintain awareness of your surroundings and keep the bigger picture in mind.

Why is the advice to always keep your eyes up while riding considered incomplete?

The advice to always keep your eyes up is incomplete because it doesn't account for the need to focus on the terrain at low speeds. Looking down at the right spots, like areas with good traction, is necessary for effective control, but it should be balanced with scanning ahead to plan the next steps.

What is peg weighting, and why is it often taught incorrectly?

Peg weighting involves shifting your weight onto one of the foot pegs to create instability in the bike, helping with directional changes. It's often taught as the primary method to turn the bike, but it is incomplete. Other methods, such as using the knees or counter-steering, can also create instability for turning, and the focus should be on understanding the physics behind shifting weight for better control.