The Pro Rider Technique to make you a better rider! | MiniTip Monday

Footage from KTM, Pol Tarres & Toni Bou.

🏍 - Llel Pavey
🎥 - Llel Pavey
🎬 - Llel Pavey

-

The detail of riding technique is an interesting one. Does it matter that much? Some riders aren't that worried and still do incredible things on a motorbike. Some people do it perfectly and aren't that good.

For me, the detail does matter because it changes your ceiling. Putting your feet consistently in the same place helps you get to where you can. Foot position on the footpegs is on of these little details that can really help you improve quickly and stop you improving if its bad.

And if Chris Birch cares about it then you probably should too.

[orical]

One of the biggest things that helped me riding off-road was always keeping my head up and eyes looking 'in the distance' - not right in front of me etc. really helped a lot riding ruts and loose gravel. I found I relaxed more too and I could plan my desired path earlier and allowed the bike to 'move' and find its own needed path over things.

[tahrast]

this is 100% true. Follow the idea and train. Miracles happen and speed becomes safe.

[MrBigPipesYT]

Hell yeah. That dude is SO GOOD! Just recognizing the body positioning and clutch/throttle control. Hell yeah. This is extreme human performance in technique and physical conditioning.

[inrptn]

Getting really good MX-style boots helped me with this a lot. My first three years of riding I was using basically street boots and then some very low-end off-road boots. After I got some top of the line Gearne boots (not promoting Gearne, that's just what I chose) it became much easier to hinge my heels of the back and still have great stability and not get tired quickly.

[rideadventure]

Thanks for the focus on this crucial but often overlooked technique. I am 6'5 and as flexible as a plank. My feet are a long way away but definitely need more attention when riding to get my hip action right. 👍

[thedougies]

Thanks Lel, as a more novice off road rider I really value tutorial type content like this. And I 100% feel the difference & increased confidence in my control of my bike off road using this foot positioning & technique. I can’t ride any other way now or I feel less stable, cheers mate 🤘🏻

[Driftuner]

As an ex-motocrosser it also needs to be said: please do yourself a favor and only use this technique when riding with proper offroad boots. If you do this with any type of "bendy shoe" you might hurt yourself

[taketh]

Not sure if it just me, or most/any older guys, but after not riding for 45 years and working in an office environment, though i did a lot of running, when i got back into riding I had a hard time. Though i remembered how to move, I could not do it. Though my feet were placed correctly, I could not get the hip hinge part correct, corrupting my riding position and making everything, from adjusting the suspension, to feeling comfortable in corners, very inconsistent and difficult. It has taken me about three years of exercise, stretching and riding to finally feel my weight be in the places from my 1970s memories. The point is, the leg strength and hip flexibility required to attain the proper position is often pointed out but rarely mentioned as being unattainable for more than a few minutes without training.

[k_plax]

Good tip... and this comes back down to exercise being a crucial and often overlooked part of the basics of learning to ride better

[RideXplore]

Indeed it feels like this is the best way to position our feet. But my problem is in technical sections where I need to cover the rear brake! What's the best way to place the feet in this scenario? Cover the brake with the right foot and stand on your ball with the left foot? Most f the time you need to brake with the rear.

[glossblack]

I started doing this about 1 year ago and it felt really strange and unnatural. But after practicing a lot it now feels really good and my riding has benefited. For anyone starting out, it might take a while, but its worth persisting. Great video. Cheers

[ishootmotion]

I see you have the same issue I do but I haven't heard any talk of this online. 1:22 THE SIDE STAND GETS IN THE WAY! As my heals drop it pushes down on the side stand and it automatically cuts power or stalls the bike when I'm going through some gnarly bits on my 890 adventure. It's absolutely frustrating and quite dangerous, ultimately forcing me to ride improperly on the arch of my feet instead of on my toes. Is there any way around this? Does anyone else have this issue? It's happened to me on multiple adv bikes but there seems to be no talk of it.

[nickproud]

Great vid. I’m 6’9” on a GSA and constantly working on body positioning especially my big feet.
I find it difficult as I’m always bent at the hips when standing on the pegs and often makes me feel I’m leaning too far forward.
Always working on my body around the bike 👌👌👌

[theblacklancer]

Great stuff Llel, be practicing that soon.

[dariocp]

When are you talk to us about boots? What’s your recommendation based on truly adventure riding. The sole for example, what kind of sole do you recommend to use.. You should do a video about this. Cheers mate! Incredible job as always!

[TheBikewanderer]

By pushing your heels down, you are giving up some spring-ability in your lower legs. this is probably fine for most gravel road riding, but when you get into more rough terrain it is helpful to have more flexibility and be able to move more independently from your bike. You can also see in the opening shots that none of them are pushing their heels down to the point of no flex in the ankle.

[CupsColombia]

Can't beat a bit of Billy.And I'm off to Mompox today so practice is inevitable-happy days

[scrambledpegs]

Excellent video...FYI if the engine starts chopping with feet in this position, your heel could be activating side stand engine cut out...ask me how I know!

[ryanmalone]

Very interesting. I use Twin Pegs which gives me a stable and comfortable platform for standing a lot. Never considered this aspect. Will need to flip one of the pegs up and test it out.

[nikhayes]

I have strained my Achilles this way though... Back when I actually used to ride more jumps and whatnot on an MX track I guess. But on my adventure bike I don't like wearing my MX boots which do help, because they scratch and ding the side cases. I prefer to just be able to jump on my ADV bike as I am 90 /10 street bias on the ADV bike. And wearing a size 14.5 Wide she doesn't help with finding good boots for a decent price.