The simple skill that Ryan Fortnine was 100% right about | MiniTip Monday

🏍 - Llel Pavey
🎥 - Llel Pavey
🎬 - Joe Brashaw

---

The simple details of riding technique can make a huge difference to how easy riding off-road is. Hand position is one of the complex, nuanced details that can be tricky to explain, tricky to learn and so often overlooked.

Turns out Ryan F9 and Chris Birch both have it nailed and it's worth putting the effort in to correct in your own riding.

[lhurst]

Solid advice and it goes for all types of riding. Less rider inputs to the handle bars the better, you only make things worse wither it is 200mph or in deep sand. I try for a soft grip as much as I can, to fight rider fatigue, getting older now and my grip is less. Relaxed fingers and mostly pressing forward on the grips, as opposed to pulling. The key of standing is holding with legs/knees and using your core, keeping your balance with your handlebars leads to bad things man, bad things.

[AmitYadav-eens]

It's so heartening to see YouTubers sharing credit.

PS : I have been a subscriber of you & Ryanf9

[Somnifluous]

Fully agreed, I twist the control levers down on the handlebars so the controls are at my fingertips instead of requiring rotation of my arms to grab the levers. I do this on all bikes, street or dirt. This puts my hands more on top of the bars and resets my entire upper body into a more steady controlled stance. Another bonus is a noticeable lack of soreness and fatigue after long rides.

[brianq]

I was taught to hold the grips like I am holding a door knob to open a door. I've done it so long now, even when street riding on my Harley touring bike, that is how I hold the handlebar grips. The change I made recently was to not have the levers turned so far down so that I am putting more weight on the heel of my hand when using the brake and clutch. Thanks to Chris Birch for that one!

[rotorhead]

Birchy's training vids were also where I first heard the elbows up, one of the many things that's made a big difference for me, to make it muscle memory, so I always default to there, I made myself do it riding everywhere (street, dirt, highways) just so I'd be so used to it that it's where my body always goes to.

[camiloverland]

This is a piece of advice worth gold! I learned this from MotoTrek a year ago. Also ride standing is the best complement for hand positions. Good and clear video, you got a new subscriber.

[fenner-g]

Thanks something else I'll be practicing, I'm convinced the heels down video transformed my rut riding over the winter, ride safe 👍

[onerider]

It’s official; Ryan FortNine has now surpassed Chuck Norris in the living legend category. Get his name outchyo mouf and dhow some respect.

[Tony-zpxn]

I was already used to elbows out from mountain biking. When I started riding a dual sport, it just kind of carried over.

[GingerNingerGames]

Good video, but I've literally never had to think about this. I had trouble riding in rocks and sand once and my mates Dad said to me "sit over the back wheel, let the bars do what they want and steer with your weight" and that's pretty much all I needed to figure this out. I think people coming from cars get caught up in the bars being the steering, the bars are only part of the steering.

[styx]

I dig that Leatt ADV kit, it looks sick 😎

[SylvainSlyTherriault]

As Chris Burch says, this applies in the “attack” position, which applies both in hard/technical off-roading or road racing. Indeed, road racer also adopt that elbow out position.

[DuffersMcDuff]

Cool video... starting to ride more and more off road on my DE. Its the same on a Mountain Bike.. We call it the attack position. Its easier to maneuver the bike beneath you and this means you have to centre your weight over the bike. Then automatically you change your hand position. I'm glad I was a mountain biker first ..then got into Moto.. Although the weight difference is massive, the basic principals of traction and bike position seem to be the same.

Great content as always.

[Angry-Lynx]

damn, forced one hand riding drill is genius idea, no sarcasm, i have to try it ; itll force you that mx style body movement forward and back when accelerating and breaking ;

[frankiemaserati]

Some great advice + tips here. Been practicing the one hand drill - it definitely helps! 👍

[BigDaveTALKS]

Yes.. this is one of the first things that I drilled in my head. Elbows out and squeeze with the knees. I have my handlebars set up for a standing position. It’s not ideal for long distances but when I stand it really helps and it forces me to constantly look silly with elbows out when on a twisty road but hey, i have full control.

Side note, with elbows out while cruising I have noticed less head shake situations. When they do start to happen i pick them up and it stops. Maybe coincidence, but it works.

[Michael_Shay]

Great video, getting the elbows more out and wide has helped me a lot. I just need to work on keeping my grip relaxed in the technical stuff.

[gordonborsboom]

If you look at the side by side portion of the video of elbows in versus elbows out, you will notice how much more free the upper body moves to counter the motions of the bike with the elbows out.  
Elbows in clearly traps the body upright, preventing you from using the mass of the upper body for counteracting unwanted motions of the bike, so you are always behind in inputs and the bike wanders all over the trail.

[andrewandlm]

Best advice I was given was imagine your pushing someone away from you with both hands outstretched Infront of you.
Look at your hand position, they're tilted inwards... That's the position for holding handlebars and bench pressing.

[CupsColombia]

Well off to Punta Gallina tomorrow-the most northerly part of south America-there will be sand, a lot of sand!