Clarification: Having the correct spring rate on your suspension is great. I totally support that and have done MANY videos on proper bike setup. That isn't bling, and that isn't an "upgrade". That is proper bike setup and wasn't the point of this video. Put a pin in that. Now...2K worth of suspension "upgrades" won't help nearly as much as 2K of gas, tires, practice and instruction. I can promise you that :). Anyone that wants to argue that point is simply trying to justify the money they spent on suspension on their current (and past) bikes thinking it made more of a difference than it did. Hate comments GO!! Let em rip. Haha!

Man i just go my 50 year old buddy riding bikes and he text me the other day that “he hasnt felt this alive in 20 years” my dirt bike is the only therapist i speak with regularly

I started riding again at age 55 and enjoy every minute of it.

"Loose a little weight..." 🤣🤣🤣 Soo true!

The honesty is greatly appreciated. Physical fitness is also very important.

"If you're not scared, you're not doing it right!" Love it!

You nailed the “scared” part. I’ve been riding 40+ years and I scare myself every time I throw a leg over a bike, but when I get in the “zone” and overcome that fear, it’s awesome. Great video, keep um coming.

Better to be scared and go home at the end of the ride than be complacent and get hurt.

lol, every dirt bike rider i know says they're scared in some way or another - every new big jump.

"If you're not scared, you're not pushing yourself nearly enough." PREACH

The #1 is the one that is absolutely true in every way. well said!

There's no riding situation that's as scary... as the wife finding how much bike parts actually cost you!! 😆👍

Let’s be real, none of us buy an aftermarket exhaust for the extra power, it’s for the “Braap!”

Bike set up!!! suspension, tires, make sure bike is running right, sprocket sizes, handle bar position, all these fall under bike set up and don't cost much, oh and armour for your bike, the more protection, the less fear of wrecking things so you will feel more confident in pushing yourself. I love my force skid plate/pipe guard, I don't worry about 2st pipes no more, just hit it!

Great video. Quick snappy and straight to it. Keep up the great work Kyle!

Yess bloopers are cool! Very good job though. I’m totally scared too, in fact knee injury right now. I like your work a lot, thank you very much, straight from Quebec 🤘🙂

Always ride with a "learning" frame of mind.

Great video especially #2, I realized this the other day when someone said MX was the only sport where the machine mattered less than the man. Then I went back and watched a lot of races and realized it was always the better conditioned, the more confident or the guy who just wanted it more and put it in the work who was winning, the brand whatever it was, was an afterthought.

When you practice wheelies in your lucid dreams, it actually helps a shit tone When I first started learning to wheelie my 98 yz125 I didn't really get it, I had a couple lucid dreams where I felt everything, balance point, gas position everything, tried it after the dreams and I got it, last night I had a lucid dream holding it in the balance point for some good time, today ima go practice see if I could do it the same

Thank you for sharing, this really helped me 😊

Love this one! Especially the aftermarket part and go-fast mods point of view. It's very true, but I'm still gonna buy bling because it gives me something to do when I'm not riding. I like wrenching almost as much as riding.

Only thing make us better is practice Words 💯

Love ya content and some of the stuff you're doing is pretty rad and you're knowledge is good because of seat time..keep up the good stuff..

nice content as always , love it, cheers V!

Awesome bloopers. Thanks for sharing Kyle!

Good work, honest about riding. Great content.

Bloopers were a nice touch. Just goes to show that it isn't easy making these videos. It also shows how human we really are. Thanks for that.

At 225 pounds without gear - upgraded suspension is mandatory!

suspension definitely does do a lot. in the woods no it doesn't but on track, especially competitive racing, it definitely matters. you cant go out on a rough track and tru to jump everything knowing it's going to hurt when you land, it's a huge confidence booster as well because you know you can do more things know that the suspension can work a lot better. everytime i get a new bike i immediately get my suspension done and set up for my weight.

Solid list. I highly agree with not needing more power. Alot of people fall into that "trap" of getting a 450 and it being too much.

I would still spend money on the suspension but im a bigger guy and it makes a huge difference for me. I didnt grow up on bikes and was almost full grown by the time i started but it was night and day riding a bike for a year that was tuned for a smaller person and then getting my suspension tuned to my weight. I would image this is true for smaller people maybe just to a smaller degree. It made riding something I seriously considered giving up because it was not enjoyable to a life long hobby I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of and for the chance to give my kids something I never got the opportunity to have growing up.

Glad to see you clarified about suspension in the comments. Having your suspension set up properly will help you go faster (and do so safely, I might add), simply because the bike will react to the ride the way it was intended, for YOUR weight and riding style (not the manufacturer's target weight/riding style). And also like you said, this isn't a blingy upgrade. Although good suspension is technically an upgrade because your bike performs better than before, it really is just a par of proper setup. Tires, thanks for saying it! This is kind of a "frog-in-the-pot" situation. We get new tires, they're awesome, and we don't always notice when the performance factor slowly decreases with tire wear. Then when we finally replace them, we realize how bad the worn-out set was. Tires are your interface with the ground- super important. About a decade-and-a-half ago I had the privilege of running some true works tires on the bike I had at the time, thanks to having a connection with a supercross rider. It was a revelation, to say the least. It really showed me how big a difference a truly great tire can make.

Ok. This is for sure, THE BEST, BRUTALLY HONEST AND REAL VIDEO ever made about dirt bikes.

All great points. Bloppers are funny. We all need to laugh at ourselves. No one on this earth is perfect. Just have fun.😎👍 I'm scared to get hurt but I'm not scared to ride.

Thanks for this video!

As a fellow rider yes we are scared! Very true

Man number 1 got me. I’m on family vacation with the bike still at home wishing i was riding today 😂😂😂

Hahahaha love the bloopers Kyle so funny man let's see more

Thanks for this video! Definite confidence booster for a noob! 🏆

I like the bloopers at the end. It makes me feel better about my cringe worthy outtakes! Haha Even my final versions that I use are awful. I know how hard it is to makes these videos and yours have progressed so much over the years. Keep it up!

I just went trail riding yesterday and had the same thought about needing to be a little bit uncomfortable each time I go out in order to push myself and build a skill set. There’s a fine line there between pushing yourself and being stupid. But riding that line is great and worth the risk of injury to feel alive and like you’re getting better at something.

Dirt bike riding has a surprising amount of anxiety involved. But I love it so much!

Great content! On the 'aftermarket is different but not necessarily better note', I'm sure you've covered this elsewhere but folks should remember to get the horrible, stock TKC's tires upgraded on their KTM builds - you'll almost certainly experience improvement there. On the note you made about up your skill before buying tons of upgrades first, I couldn't agree more. Anyone watching this video is not going to be in the category of rider who's maxing out the bike because of their skill level - 100% with you brother.

I always have fun riding! I will call it a successful ride if me and the bike get back to the truck with nothing damaged! It’s also about the friendship with other riders. 👍

LEGIT, 100%. I’m a pretty experienced rider and everything you’ve spoken here is truth.

your right on there fella ,,,, i guess thats why im still riding my 2011 ktm 250exc , still trying to ride it right practice riding ever time i go riding . sure a new bike is shiny but i know it wont help me riding better . get out and ride . enjoy .cheers steve/Australia

Hey Kyle, nice vid!! I agree on all aspects.... except one. Make sure your suspension is set up for your weight and riding style. That is all....

Great video, 100% agree.

#1 is so true, the bloopers are always good

Your vids are amazing keep up the good work.

One of my greatest hold backs is being scared ... scared of wrecking my 9,000+ investment or my body that pays for the hobby through work. It sucks but at the end of the day accepting being a safe average joe rider having a good time in the bush is about the best I can hope for.

Love this list!!!👍

So true.. seat time and technique is the key. I have been smoke checked many times over the years by guns on shitboxes

I love the bloopers at the end 😂😂

Perfec videot!!! Could not said it better 🙂

Awesome video I wish this was out before I bought a 450 and ended up getting rid of it because it was to much power but now i have a 250 sxf

Myth #6: you don’t have to change your gear oil in your 2 stroke every 5 hrs.

Nicely done video mate!

Great vid!

Man this video is so awesome✔✔✔

Awesome number 1. So true. Stay scared. Stay pumped .

That bonus was essential. Young people need to hear and understand this.

It's awesome that you put all the subscribe, like, comment stuff at the end. I am certainly more likely to watch it after you've already entertained me. I wonder if that rings true for everyone. Also, I'm headed to your store to see if I can find a shirt I like, how many people stop a video at the beginning? "Oh yeah, I forgot, I need a shirt." 🤣

also i find an after market is helpful as it gives you a bit more over rev in bad situations

Good and true points

One of Kyle’s best videos. It’s a public service announcement. I’m scared of a young buck thirty years younger than me landing a jump on top of me on his 450 at the motocross track. Once I’m in my Vet 50+ class I’m good, but open practice can be a little sketchy.

Almost always aftermarket better but ive had my 350excf for about a year now and i wouldnt change a thing only put break away levers on it bc i would’ve just kept break them and sicass racing turn signals bc i broke the ones that stick out

I agree with you on bling, tires and power. But not on suspension and this depends on your level and how well your stock suspension works. Beginners should just ride. Intermediate riders on up can greatly improve comfort, speed and confidence by improving the suspension. I've been doing my own valving, mods etc... For 20+ years. And have ridden fantastic magic carpet to the most horrible (4cs) And everything in between. Good working suspension makes a huge difference everywhere on the track and trail! Currently I have a 20' 300 xcw and really one of the few bikes that needed only minor tweaks. Springs, raised the fork oil level with 5w And a .30 face shim on the shock rebound stack...very stoked. My speed, comfort and confidence are peaking. Not only that but I'm not working nearly as hard, so I can ride harder, faster....longer.

I agree with most of this video! But one example I can think of would be having Tubliss installed on your bike will definitely make you a better rider on rocks and rough terrain. Makes a huge difference!

🔥🔥🔥👊🏻 thanks man! 🙏🏻

When you think about it, you're controlling a machine over rough terrain, the whole time that same machine is trying to kill you. That is part of the fun. It's learning to conquer your fears. I actually feel pity for those who've never experienced it. And sometimes, that's the only "sane" thing in our lives.

Thanks you very much

Awesome video!

I call it throttle therapy Iam going to get some of it tomorrow afternoon I my bike back in December and from then Intel now I can tell have gotten a lot better rideing it so your right you have to put in the seat time to get better love the video man

Shane Watts on that TTR-230, what a legend! won the ISDE twice on a 125

Great video

Riding dirtbikes will make you a better driver and or rider in general being able to pick a route with precision and high speeds is a good skill to have

Hey Kyle, another cool video. What model Yamaha is that in #2?

I agree with everything you said but I did have my suspension done it didn't make me a better rider but I sure feels a lot better

Nice list.

New rider here. I must be doing great because I'm terrified 135% of the time I'm on my bike. I am a very confident rider on quads and wanted to start over with a new challenge so picked up a bike. Holy smokes, the easy trails are kicking my butt!

I knew you would get push back on the suspension comments, but you are 100% right, 99% of my bikes run stock suspension and even springs are not an immediate need. Most riders are in the stock range for springs. Wear out stock tires and get best tire for your terrain, adjust all settings to suit you. I do usually like more power but fully agree it is not a plus in most cases, I just like Tim Allen! Great video, keep it up

I agree tires is the best bang for the bike. That said, some bikes have terrible suspensions. Like my Xtrainer for example, getting that suspension upgraded is definitely money well spent. No matter how good you are and how much you practice, if a suspension is deflecting or bottom out through whoops, then that is dangerous.

I love when people are real! Inspiring.

Only thing I’d say differently is suspension, but only for the tuning to your weight/ riding style. Suspension is really great in that aspect it helps tremendously. And maybe the more power argument. I agree that more power isn’t always the answer but it’s nice to have quicker power and get you going quicker. If that makes sense.

Beautiful video

Love the bloopers

#5 True: Fresh tires over those who have worn tires is a huge plus, probably on every kind of dirt. Decades ago, I went to a Red Bud grass race, and it rained (back when the area was all clay). With a brand new set of Dunlop 752's, (and me finally racing to my potential.), in that sloppy muck, I won my first moto by about 45 seconds, and I never won before. So I admitted that one over 30 years ago. :) #4 Not quite true. When it comes to suspension and motor set up, if a bike is working better, (and you understand it), that allows you to become a better rider. I had/have a lot of set up to do for a 2019 YZ250 stroke to make it a good woods bike for a 5'9" rider. I will be faster on it when I am done. Suspension is done. Next step is to lower the power in the rpm range, to bark better when I crack the throttle (sandy whoops). But yea, there is no shortage of things you can do that won't improve your riding. I agree with that. Practice this way. Like JMB and Lechien did, (who were known for not doing much off the bike training). When you start getting tired, instead of hitting the gym all the time, figure out what you are doing wrong that makes you tired. JMB, Lechien? They figured out how to ride and not get tired. Smooth fast followed. My opinion. #3 The reason why you feel you are only using about 30% of the bikes capabilities, (power in this discussion), is because of the tighter terrain you are on. MX tracks today to me, are dirty road race courses with a jump in the middle of the straight. You would be wide open a lot on a smooth MX track, (for example, but the same with desert racing). Losing some wight? I will have to take that as good advise. I just learned heavier bodies hit the ground harder. Ribs are good now. :) Have not been hurt on a dirt bike for 25 years. I feel young again!!!! #2 Scary (for our own reasons). Yes, learning how to control fear is important, and we know we do have control. Maybe that is why we do it? I am not going to "push it" at 60 years old though. I am not riding to gain more skill. After 20 years off a bike, I am riding to get some of what I had back and get good exercise, and I don't have to scare myself to do it. Those days are done for me. #1 If you want to make money from riding experiences there are a few ways to do it. The choice is really yours. 1) You can become a pro factory racer, and with a lot of people trying as hard as they can for very limited slots, we all know the odds of that. 2) You can become a promoter, but you have to deal with the township and we simply don't have the property rights we used to have. 3) You can get into retail, selling other peoples products. 4) You can make products and provide services (after market). You can start a related business pretty easily. I never made it past the B class in MX (did not race enough mostly), but I did work on my own bikes learning suspension and 2-stroke motor mods. I stopped riding 20 years ago because I was busy with my new business,---porting 30cc 2-stroke engines for mostly RC cars. My point is, this is recreation, (what is left to us still, partly), and some of the last semi free enterprise left on Earth. What did Mitch Payton do after he broke his back? It is there, and it is created by us. Find/create that free enterprise,---and live. :)

great video

Love reason number one! 🤘

Well doing my suspension make a huge difference. And I only sent around 700 , including springs. It really depends on the terrain and kind of riding you do. I’m just a trail rider for the most part. But the mi. Sand and root were killing me. Know that I have it setup for were and what I ride on it really did make a big difference. KTM’s seem to get the most suspension upgrade cause the W is to soft and the XC is to stiff , I once committed if KTM make a bike with tha suspension in between the to it would be the almost prefect bike.

When dirt bikers try to act tough and say they’re not scared you know that they are really scared and lie or they just don’t challenge themselves.

I love the adrenaline rush!🤘

Bought a new 14 KTM 300 XC when I retired at the ripe old age of 57….. Now I’m turning 65 still riding the same 300….Threw some bling on the bike cuz this is my last hurrah in the moto world…Black rims /orange hubs and many anodized orange parts as well as Factory Connection reworked forks. You only live once so go for the maximum fun 👊

Thank you ! "Truer words were never spoken" is all I can say.........

Number 1 is the most thrue!!! Thumb up...

I work to ride and ride to live.. 49 years old still ripping in the mountains by myself on the husky factory edition 450

Nr1 Is so spot on 👍🏻

Can concur with the power situation I've only actually owned two dirt bikes, my entire life as I can no longer ride because I'm blind however, growing up as a teenager I had a little Suzuki DS 181 model. All I ever wanted was more power. Granted it was only a 100. I had tons of fun on that bike through my teenage years, about 10 years ago well 12 now maybe when I became an adult making my own money I went crazy and bought an 08 KX 450 because I wanted power due to health issues. I did not get to ride that bike but a few times, but what little bit I did learn Went a long way for the trail riding I was going to do that bike was not geared properly for that nor is it meant to be, and it easily had twice as much power as I would ever be able to use out on the trail, so yes this also goes back in my opinion to what are you using the bike for if you need a firebreathing motocross bike because what you're using it for his design for it then go for it But if all you do is ride trails, a big fire breathing for 50 is not going to hardly do you, Jack you're going to find very few places where you're going to actually be able to utilize even probably half the power that thing has this is from experience

I agree with everything except the suspension statement. If it's a brand new bike sure. But not everyone rides a newer bike. I ride pre 2003 green sticker 2 strokes cause CA is stupid and the bikes are still pretty good. But bad suspension is just as bad as old tires. I do have a newer red sticker 4 stroke. But honestly the smoker jetted right is more fun