From the bottom of my heart let me thank you for your efforts. I can tell you put a lot of yourself into making these videos not for the sake of making money, but improving other peoples riding. Thanks a bunch and ride safe!

I am a motorcycle rider coming from mountain biking and now your video makes so much sense to me. I have found my way in street motorcycling way faster than my mates that were not mountain bikers. Grip, front hard braking and tuning suspension is something that I had been doing way before riding motorcycles and when I started riding them it felt like a natural addition to my 2 wheel riding.

I started riding a mountain bike when I lived in Marin County 20 years back into the last century. and I remained obsessive about it well into my 60s. When I got bit by the motorcycle bug at 65 years old, I just knew a smallish dual sport was the way to go. Picked up a 10 year old KLX250S that had a 351cc top end and other power mods to it and fell in love. Just last spring after 4 years on the KLX351S, I traded it for a like new 2009 DR650. I ride it to N. Ga and on the gravel roads in the Cohutta Wilderness where all the gonzo downhill and single track I did in California 30 years ago translated perfectly to fishtailing up those gravel hairpins and gliding down deep gravel and rutted forest service roads, And yesterday I took my 40 year old Fisher mt bike out for a ride on a dedicated and paved rail to trail pathway. So I’ve come full circle, and you’re absolutely right. All those skills translate perfectly, once you compensate for the extra 325 lbs 😂. At 69 years old, I don’t have the stamina to pedal 25 miles up into those mountains. But now I have a throttle to twist and still have the attitude, awareness and some of the skills left to ride my DR, a big gasoline powered mountain bike, from downtown Atlanta into the forests of Appalachia. Yay. Once again you’ve proven yourself to be the beat motorcycle coach on KZfaq. Love you man! Thanks a bajillion for all you do.

So pleased to hear someone else saying this. Learning to slide and brake and turn a mountain bike has saved me while riding a road motorbike several times. It’s also huge fun.

Having been a mtb rider for years before becoming a motorbike rider, I can confirm it has helped me a lot improving my motorbike riding skills. I'd add that skiing has helped me a lot too: thinking and moving my body ahead of what's happening, avoiding getting too tense or literally freezing, when turning at high speed or maybe when encountering uneven ground, these are all skills that I inherited from either mountainbiking and skiing.

The entire bicycle segment made me nostalgic for my pre-drivers license days... Explains why the return to two wheels felt so natural. But also makes me wanna buy a bicycle. Good stuff all around.

I used to do motocross back in the day and when the kids got old enough we started mountain biking in o5. Got back into street motorcycling two years ago. My brake modulation is what I notice the most. No stabbing at the brakes so I can brake whenever I need to along with trail braking. Thanks Mark

Loved the idea of "using vision as a tool to slow down time"

My dirtbike has taught me a ton about grip, what it feels like to slide around, etc. and given the current market, it may actually have cost me less to buy a Husky 2 stroke than it would to buy a mountain bike!

Yes, you've made the connection! I'm 64 years old and I love the challenge of mountain biking--and I'm also a motorcyclist (Moto Guzzi V7 III Special). The skills required to mountain bike clearly translate to riding a motorcycle, especially on twisty roads, which are abundant where I live. Great to see your video because I've always believed its premise, too.

When I was roadracing, the most productive part of my training was riding my dirt bike. 50 to 75 mile laps was a great cardio and strength workout as well as getting more and more comfortable having the bike moving around under me. It also helped me work on maintaining focus. Riding a mountain bike offers those same benefits. Good stuff

Hi Dave, Really appreciate your videos and advice. I took a sport touring bike class you hosted several years back and got a lot out of it, Mike from Chicago.

Awesome as usual. Great tip to move front brake to right side. Doing that today! Thanks brother.

A fantastic learning tool for motorcyclists, thank you for pointing us to this !!!

I have been mountain biking and gravel riding for more than a decade before I started riding moto and it helped me a lot using what I learned mtn biking like looking ahead, slow speed body position and trail braking, the only difference is that a moto is around 450lbs than my 26lb mtn bike but yep everything you said is true!

Dude, you have such high quality content! Your delayed apex hooked me.

One of the most useful video's I have come across. Thanks!

I need to try it out! Thanx 4 the advice, Dave! I apreciate your mentoring very much. Keep on with what you are doing!

Great tips!! Thanks man!

Thanks for this video. After watching it I swapped the brake levers on my gravel bike and and started searching for a traction challenged surface to practice on. I took my bike to Cape Cod and tried it on the beach. The wet sand from a receding tide proved a perfect practice surface. The tire tread engaged the sand just enough to allow steady forward movement without sinking in. The lessons came as I worked to ride forward at a steady end pace. The application of energy to the pedals had to gentle, smooth and very consistent. Balance and steering also had to be very gentle or over I went. In a just a few miles I could roll nicely. Constant vigilance was a requirement. Very nice lessons all around for a motorcycle.

Great video. I’ve been mtb’ing for 40 yrs and have no doubt it has improved my riding senses. I now have a 1000w electric so not so physical anymore but quiet a bit of fun! I try and avoid jumps though on the road. Don’t find many flow trails in the South of England.

Flying down a steep fire trail at full speed definitely teaches you how to modulate your brakes to keep the bike under control. I agree with all that was said here and think the experience on a bicycle has enhanced my motorcycle riding, when I used to ride.

Great advice! I haven't ridden my bicycle for years. I should start riding again.

Dude great video. Thanks so much for putting these instructions out there for us. And the video shots are amazing by the way.

I love all your videos, but this one absolutely smashed a home run as far as I'm concerned. I have a 2018 R1, as well as a Giant Reign mountain bike, and Giant Defy roadie. Absolutely agree 100% with everything you said. I'm 57 years old, and ride rings around guys half my age. Thanks for yet another fantastic informative video.

This is seriously great content! Thank you

Love mountain biking. Good video, thanks.

A very intelligent video, much needed. Thank you!

Thank you, I never thought of this until now

Words of gold. Thank you. Thank you...

Thank you so much for this video. I started mountain biking three months ago and I have experienced everything you have stated. It has improved my fitness tremendously. It is great platform for me to constantly catch myself using my vision incorrectly. On the track I am at a plateau and it is currently very frustrating. Mountain biking is helping me cope with the situation, continue to get fitter and enjoy riding on two wheels.

Great video my man

Great video as usual. I am an avid road bike rider and I cannot stress enough how much it has helped my motorcycling. I did my first track day in May and I expected to be so tired that I couldn't ride the last couple of sessions. Actually, i rode in all of them and still had some energy at the end. I agree that the skills in mountain biking are more useful for low grip scenarios, but both are quite useful. Motorcycle or bicycle, Id much rather be on two wheels. Thanks again.

Youre so right with this film, it’s amazing how much hitting the trails on a MTB helps with riding all types of motorcycles. Also bloody good fun. 👍🏼

thank you for the advise. great video. will get into MTB soon.

I always try to practice my motorcycle riding techniques when mountain biking. In addition to practicing line selection and braking, I work on balancing on the bike while at a stand still. By the way, nice footage from the top of Jacob’s Ladder! I love the flowy trails of Corner Canyon!

Your hard work produces videos which both educate and inspire. Thank you so much.

This idea is 100% accurate. Mountain biking for years accelerated my learning curve for both street biking and dirtbiking.

I’ve been mountain biking for over 20 years before my first street motorcycle ride. I noticed the similarities right away. I’m all moto now, ebike, street moto and onewheeling trails which is my current favorite.

Riding dirt bikes on single track and trails has given me a good base level of skills that definitely transfer across to a road bike - I think the mountain biking angle is a great addition - I’m going to get one - thanks for doing these videos. They make a lot of sense! A kiwi rider

My MTB is a relic, but I still ride it all the time. I bet the light, responsive suspension of a modern MTB is an amazing tool for learning high and low-speed dampening adjustment, spring preload, etc. I suspect it translates directly to motorbike setup. Thanks for another great video. Fitness and endurance was always one of my biggest challenges while racing. I do have to give yoga a shout-out though ... I would have been a better racer if I would have been practicing yoga then. Probably more injury free, too.

Thanks , great content, Great job

Master great real teaching

I couldn't agree more. :) I'm a new Moto rider but have been a bike to work guy and a weekend trail rider for years, I can say it did help me a lot when I rode my first Motorcycle. Still learning though, but your video affirms me that I'm in the right path. Mountain biking is a joy + you get good health. :)

Probabky the most informative and best video to date - work on yourself is free 👏👏

As a senior motorcycle rider who has been on Medicare for a few years, I want to thank Dave for his instruction. I have the 1993 Specialized Rockhopper Expert depicted in the video, but Dave encouraged me to upgrade. I now also have a 2022 Specialized Rockhopper Expert with 29” wheels (vs. 26”), disc brakes, front adjustable suspension, 1x12 gearing, and modern geometry. I took up mountain bike (MTB) riding to improve my fitness, my two wheel skills, and to have fun. This video is spot on. My fitness is up significantly, my visual lead is improved, and I am fine tuning my use of balance, limited traction, and brakes. I am certain this will benefit my motorcycle riding as well. Thank-you, Dave!

Excellent video man ! Totally agree 🤔👌

I used to infrequently go mountainbiking with a friend of mine and had a blast. I'm definitely going to get into it now.

As a mountain biker wanting to be a motorbiker I'm glad this information is out there

THanks for the advice, but omg, i love ur dog!

My MTB hobby gives me that “bike feel” that I miss in between track days. Plus it’s the most fun way for me to keep in good shape. Great video 👍🏻

Thanks for another great video 📹 👍 Regards Tony from Spain

thanks for touch the topics of physical and mental fitness.

Ya! Great video! Love my pedal bike, I've done so much growing up. Got away from it riding on dirt. Then my first road bike, my dualsport expanded on that. Now with my first sport bike I've actually started to look at pedaling again. If found now that I'm getting older I have a need to work on those muscles that haven't seen a workout in years. So back in the gym I've been hitting up the spin and targeted training. This year I'm vowing to get back out on my pedal bikes, mostly the mountain bike for sure. Simply love that activity and this video has solidified my opinion that I need to be doing this more often. Keep up the great content 👏

great video,well done!

Works for Eli Tomac. I started mountain biking a few years ago to one have one more thing I can do with my kids and 2 improve my motorcycle riding. I think it definitely has improved my riding.

Great video. Fun to watch and educational too. Thank you. ✔✔✔✔ 👍👍👍👍

Such an amazing video! Truly informative loved it! And all your videos. U have taught me to be such a better rider. By shortening my learning curve.

Thank you so much I came across this video! I secretly owe my safe motorcycle riding skills to my love of bicycling since I was a kid, and up to now especially to my 2014 Specialized Enduro mountain bike that I ride on trails and roads also, and no one seem to ever know that, even my friends and family! I always think that the "spirit" of my mountain bike is inside the motorcycles I ride whenever I ride them: my 17 year old 2005 Honda XRM 110, 2014 ER6f Ninja 650, and my favorite 2013 Honda CBR 150R. I am so grateful for how in this video that thought and feeling with mountain-biking translated to motorcycling is presented. Kudos to CanyonChasers! ;-)

Mountain road and cross rider here, coming from BMX racing originally and I can say I approve of this video and how well you articulated the connection for moto riders. Keeping ones camera in tune year round is so essential, as well as the leaning sensation.

I love this video!!! I am a avid Mountain biker and Sport bike rider. I get a lot of the same joy on my MTB as I do on my Motorcycle. I’ve told a lot of skeptical friends that they compliment each other and teach me very similar techniques. Over the years tho I haven’t had an issue with dealing with the front brake being on the opposite side of the handle bars.. just like I haven’t had an issue changing my body position with both machines. Thank you so much for making this video! I really enjoyed it. I’m a even bigger fan of this Channel now :)

Very good hints 👍👍👊👊

I started mountain biking last year tremendous help, got a duel sport not long after as well!

One of the best among many great episodes.

Precious. Two years ago I broke my left foot. Once the bones were welded together again, I needed some way of recovering my balance. I got myself a brand new hard tail MTB, switched the brakes to have the front brake on the right, and did the local hills wearing my mountain boots. Yes, it has helped my motorcycle riding too. I had no idea that this was so highly recommended.

I grew up riding BMX and BMX racing and it made starting on a motorcycle very easy. I’m now starting mountain bike stuff

love the channel. every video is very educative and you are a very good teacher

Your dog must be in great shape lol, looked so happy following you around on the bike.

I agree soo much with this. Been riding MTB for the last 6 years. Made my motorcycle riding to much better.

Give this man a medal, I been riding bicycles and motorcycles for almost 40 years, this is the best video I ever seen, brilliantly explains and describes how cycling improves your motorcycling skills. Saludos desde Juárez Chihuahua México

I especially like practicing the slow speed manoeuvres and u-turns to improve my balance

Interesting. I see where this all fits together, now to find some time to mountain bike.

Riding big Adventure bikes off road, not just fire roads, has taught me so much about use of brakes and that front end feel you are talking about. My confidence riding a knobby tired 600 lb bike on road now in comparison to a year ago is completely different. I'm not a mountain bike rider but I can most definitely see the benefits. Great video, thank you.

AMEN for the front-right brake swap!! That saved my life (and an old lady)!

Have tried some mountain biking with a friend that trains with Olympians, I can attest that it is one GREAT workout. And of course we are on 2 wheels!

Avid mountain biker just learning to ride a motorcycle 😊👍🏻 thanks for this.

Thanks for opening my eyes to this perfect form of mc training. Thus improving my off-road adventure riding skills. I hope to add a newer mtn bike (my 25+ yr old Trek suck compared to the new stuff) soon and start riding bikes again as I look forward to moving to Central Oregon.

I hadn’t ridden a road bike for 30 years until recently. I would probably be a statistic by now had it not been for mountain biking during the intervening years. MTB gets your butt out of the saddle and your body moving searching for traction. I now ride my big heavy roadster in the dirt just for kicks. Love the channel

I've been mountain biking and racing on them for over 20 years . and couldn't agree more, just got my first motorcycle and am watching a ton of videos , the fundamentals are the same , and with time have become instinctive on the mountain bike. watching all these motorcycle videos have made me realize that, just have to get use to the extra 400lbs.

I did motocross back in the 70s-early 80s. Now I have a 950 cruiser and a mountain bike. One of the biggest lessons from the mtb world is how to quickly swerve to avoid obstacles and to make changes in direction while braking hard. This is especially important since here in California I do a lot of lane-splitting and cars to either side often hit you with a surprise move.

This is one of the best motorcycle related videos I've ever seen

This is awesome! First time I've seen a motorcycle guy link mountain biking to better motorcycling! I recently started mountain biking again and man what a joy! I totally agree with all you said in the video. Thanks!

Absolutely solid advice 💯. I remember being sent home on the first day of motorcycle lessons because my arms were so stiff, and the only advice the instructor gave me was to get an mtb and ride as much as I physically can. Came back a couple months later and finished at the top of the class. I still can't believe how much improvement I saw just by biking. Wish I saw this video earlier though 😅

Great video mate, definitely good advice there. I don't know where you live or if all that footage was yours as such, but it was wonderful to watch. I'm in Melbourne Australia, we have trails in the hills up here that are suitable. I'm a bit unfit myself these days, but that was very inspiring and great common sense. I'm really getting a lot out of your vids mate so thank you for all this

Pretty similar RE grip, riding off road taught me a lot and made me comfortable with the bike moving round under me. But yoga is also a good shout! mobility is massively beneficial and helps recovery!

It amuses the hell outta me that your initials are on the front of your race bike, thanks for the interesting and educational video Dave! ...also, flow trails - tell me more please!

Thank you sir.

Watching your videos I realized I do these riding techniques naturally already with the exception of trail braking. I have been working on trail braking on my daily rides. I rode mtn bikes A LOT in my twenties and dirt bikes most of my adult life so maybe I already had these skills in my repertoire from those activities?? I was utilizing them without even knowing it on my street bike. Trail braking has been a great addition to my cornering skills so far. Great video. 👍

Hello from Manila.. awesome exercise advise.. mt.biking and weight training..also the best cross country and downhill Mt riders cross train with dirt or Enduro motorcycles.. Keep the videos coming !!

Thank you canyonchasers for making such awesome videos,I’m a street rider and also a mountain biker and I absolutely anything that has two wheels and gears !

It's funny how the algorithm works. Watching MotoJitsu on his new bike lead me to MJ instructing Doodle which lead me to you interviewing Doodle in which you mention MTBing which got me here! 47, have mountain biked for almost all those years, have always wanted to ride motorcycle and only recently have gotten more seriously interested. I've always wondered if anything about mountain biking would translate to motorcycles, how much it would help, if it could pose problems when it comes to muscle memory and such. Until now I hadn't seen anyone make the compare and contrast, so glad I found this! Sounds like it should mainly help when it comes to learning to ride. I really just want to tour/ADV, but I would still deep dive into skill and drills on a regular basis. Which is how I have approached mountain biking over the last several years, each time out trying to improve techniques and so on. And you are so right about modern mountain bikes. Geometry is so much better, the components are amazing. Golden years of MTB! Great channel, subd!

great video

That curve is exactly what learning the piano as a senior looks like. It requires development of pretty much everything but the short term memory is pretty much what it is. I'm doing well but it's all about informed persistence.

Physical fitness has been an apex factor for my riding. I walk and run every day for some amount of time. I also stretch and keep myself limber for getting on and off my Tiger 1200. I find my confidence much higher when I have exercised and am limber enough to mount and dismount my ride in an elgant fashion. I used to look like a hog on ice getting off my bike when I couldn't even kick my leg up high enough to clear the seat. I am 5'10" with a 32 inseam, so I am mostly torso...

Rode rockets in my youth, now 20 years later I still want to ride them with a bad back. I've found core exercises to be extremely helpful. Might have to buy a mountain bike to use on trails (no mountains around here).

The two fingers on the brake felt pretty natural I jumped on the Motorbike. Also you can practice u-turns in the mtb bicycle. It helped me with the balance and speed control.

Another awesome awesome way of doing all this practice is buying a pitbike for track racing. All that adrenaline, slow and fast corners, open and tight corners, direction changes, hard braking, braking in corners etc etc, the list goes on. But instead of a 250kg bike, you´re on an 80kg bike that goes 100kmh max. You fall, you pick it up, you go again. It´s very difficult to break you or the bike. It´s also cheap to do , cheap to run, cheap to fix.Totally recommend it. You can do it every week and it costs peanuts.

Looking at this from the flats of a holland delta.. flat small forest trails and great tarmac, not so many trails unfortunatly. Still biking is good for condition and practicing tight turns etc.

I started mountain biking several years ago. One of the first things I noticed was how some techniques from motorcycling translates onto the mtb. I actually felt more comfortable trail braking when I started doing this on my Mtb.

Great video! I’ve been a mountain bike rider for as long as I can remember and this winter I purchased a fat bike. Now I can ride on two wheels all year long! 😀 (Which I can’t do on my motocycle her in Quebec Canada.) I also changed my front break lever to the right side. ;)