Bret Tkacs - Podcast Details

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Around the Wheel with Bret Tkacs19″ or 21″ Wheels?Is a 21" front tire better than a 19" front tire? Guest: Bill Episode Summary: What if the right tire could transform your off-road motorcycle experience? Join me, Bret Tkacs, as I explore this question alongside fellow rider Bill, who is debating between a BMW 1250 GSA with a 19-inch wheel and a Triumph Rally Explorer with a 21-inch wheel. Together, we dissect how these choices impact performance on rugged terrains like gravel and rocks. We delve into how tire size affects bike suspension and handling for riders of different physiques. The journey doesn't stop at tires. We also explore the challenges and j...2025-01-1235 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsTrail BrakingTRAIL BRAKING: Expert Tips for Mastering Throttle and Brake Control Guest: Peter Shimm Episode Summary: Join us for an engaging and informative discussion with Peter Shimm, an experienced rider, as we explore the intricate world of trail braking techniques for street riders. In this episode, we emphasize the importance of blending throttle and brake controls to smooth transitions and stabilize suspension, showcasing the critical role trail braking plays with enhancing safety and handling in unpredictable street riding scenarios. Trail braking isn't just for the racetrack—it's a vital safety tool that every rider should have in their toolkit. Whether you’re nav...2024-07-1647 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsSuspension TalkTALKING SUSPENSION: AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF MAKING YOUR MOTORCYCLE RIGHT FOR YOU Guest: Hal Massey, an engineer and ADV rider. Episode Summary: Join us as we unravel the complexities of electronic suspension systems in modern adventure motorcycles with our guest, engineer and rider Hal, who brings his fresh experience with a Triumph Tiger 900 into the mix. We will explore how the evolution of suspension technology has led us from traditional manual setups to sophisticated computer-controlled systems that offer a variety of settings, even through intuitive pictorial interfaces. We examine how these advancements have impacted both novice and seasoned riders, and I...2024-05-1245 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsGS Trophy QualifierMastering the Adventure: Lana's Journey from Racing Cars to Motorcycle Excellence Guest: Lana Tsurikova, autocross racer and GS Trophy Qualifier participant (Lana on Wheels)Episode Summary:From the roar of race car engines to the heart-pumping thrills of off-road motorcycling, Lana's story isn't one you stumble upon every day. Today, she sits down with me and shares the her tale of transitioning from a car racing champion to a motorcycle adventure rider. Lana discusses her systematic approach to conquer the off-road terrain starting on a KTM 390 Adventure. She demystifies the journey of learning to ride and the art of picking yo...2024-02-2640 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsChoosing BootsCHOOSING THE PROPER ADV BOOT Guest:Â Â Brian Price, owner of Atomic MotoÂ (https://www.atomic-moto.com)Episode Summary:Join me as I chat with the owner of Atomic-Moto.com, Brian Price, to discuss everything you need to know about proper footwear for adventure riding. Brian shares his extensive knowledge about motorcycle boots, from their complex construction to size variations. We cover why a good boot is essential and how it can enhance control, reduce fatigue and even prevent accidents when riding off-road. You'll also hear Bret's personal experience with boots, including his initial purchase of an inexpensive boot, and why he eve...2023-07-1137 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsOld Guy ADV Riding TipsOLD GUY ADV RIDING TIPS Guest: Murrae Haynes, a lifetime motorcyclist who is currently 74 years old. Episode Summary:Get ready to unlock the secrets of continuing your adventure riding journey as you age, with invaluable insights from our 74-year-old guest, Murrae. We promise to transform how you see and handle the unique challenges of maturing as a rider. Together, we examine the shifts in mindset, the importance of self-assessment and risk management, and why riding slower might be a wise decision. Discover how choosing the right bike, planning your route strategically, and conserving energy can enhance your riding experience. Murrae s...2023-03-1028 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsTrail Braking with Yamaha Champ SchoolTRAIL BRAKING WITH YAMAHA CHAMPIONS RIDING SCHOOL Guest:Â Chip Spalding, business development manager and instructor at the nation's premier motorcycle riding school: Yamaha Champions Riding School.Episode Summary:Get ready to master the art of trail braking as I am joined by the business development manager for Yamaha Champions Riding School, Chip Spalding. Listen in as we debunk the misperception that riders should never touch the brakes in the corner and learn how trail braking is an essential part of riding technique. Chip elaborates on the critical role of trail braking in their curriculum and how 70-80% of their students ar...2023-01-3127 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsWhy teach four fingered braking?WHY TEACH FOUR FINGERED BRAKING? Guest: David Weed, currently an MSF-certified RiderCoach and RiderCoach trainer and formerly the lead technical specialist for the Washington State Motorcycle Program. Episode Summary:Join us for a fascinating chat with David Weed, a certified RiderCoach and instructor trainer with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). We tackle the contentious issue of four-finger braking in motorcycling. Listen as David demystifies the myth of four-finger braking, highlighting its practicality, effectiveness, and role in the MSF curriculum. From his insights, you'll understand that while the MSF doesn't prescribe a specific number of fingers for braking, it is essential f...2022-09-2736 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsWhat Boots Should I Wear?MX BOOTS VS ADV BOOTS Guest: Alex and Bret discuss some of the advantages and challenges of switching to a heavier boot for ADV riding. Discussion Points: 1.Â There is huge difference between motocross boots and boots that are marketed as an Adventure boot. Key Takeaways: - There is the challenge of getting away from boots that you can walk around in.Â Move into boots that actually protect your ankles if you fall down. Boots mentioned in this podcast are the Sidi Crossfire 3's - purchased on Amazon here. Disclosure: I only recommend products I actually use, and all opinions expressed in t...2022-08-2226 min

Around the Wheel with Bret TkacsTire TalkADV Tire Talk Guest: Jarrett King is an ADV rider and mechanical designer at Mitas Tires.Discussion Points:1.Â Air pressure â€“ should I air down before riding off-road?2.Â Why is the manufacturer's baseline pressure different from what's written on the sidewall?3.Â Can a rider increase or decrease the size of the tire on the bike?Key Takeaways:- Itâ€™s interesting to observe what people think they can feel and what they can actually feel when it comes to tires.2022-06-1737 min

Gravel Travel Adventure Motorcycling PodcastBret TkacsMy guest for this week is an expert motorcycle rider trainer and his primary focus is reducing the number of motorcycle related deaths through many different avenues including instructional videos on Youtube and his very own Podcast. Bret(bret@) is probably best known for his energetic and thorough presentation on Mototrek and now his very own Bret Tacks channel. His in-depth knowledge coupled with the ability to explain critical details has set him apart from most other experts in his field “As an instructor I teach riders how think problem through and explain the fundamental proc...2020-11-2037 min

Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto) RadioBret Tkacs' Adventure Riding Tips for Beginners - ADVMoto Live! #12Planning to finally hit the road and conquer that adventure trip you've been planning for years? Pack up and prepare for a full-throttle on as Brett Tkacs, our audacious guest for this episode talks about his adventure and offers hot tips for new ADV riders!Bret Tkacs is an expert motorcycle rider and trainer based in Puyallup, Washington (USA). Bret’s primary focus is reducing the number of motorcycle-related deaths through many different venues. Bret has written Washington’s newest basic motorcycle licensing curriculum, becoming one of few states that offer more than one program. He provides uniq...2020-09-0350 min

The Reserve TankClearing A PathIn this episode of the Reserve Tank we're talking with professional ADV Instructor, Bret Tkacs, about clearing the path to ADV. Bret Tkacs is a freelance writer, world traveler, professional ADV instructor, and former host of MOTOTREK. His students range from U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers to novice adventure travelers. Bret shares how to get into ADV riding through professional instruction and what resources are available to new and seasoned ADV riders. Bret has instructed courses internationally and shares what burining questions ADV riders have across the world. We also discuss what an ADV rider cannot leave the home...2020-08-1800 min

Adventure Rider RadioMotorcycle Grip Strength: Rider Skills | This Year on Adventure Rider RadioRIDER SKILLS: Hand Strength & Stamina Instructor: Bret Tkacs Having a strong grip is an important part of motorcycle riding to ensure you have proper control when it comes to the front brake, clutch and throttle. And when we stop riding for the season in the winter, or for other reasons, we need to make sure to maintain the strength in our hands, or when it comes time to ride again, you may experience weakness or hand cramping, especially in heavy traffic or when riding off-road. Bret Tkacs explains how to maintain your hand strength in the off...2017-12-2941 min

Adventure Rider RadioRiding Motorcycles for Slower Travel | Tight Turning Made Easier Riding Motorcycles for Slower Travel | Tight Turning Made EasierIt’s commonly said that you need to slow down to see more while travelling, well how about speeding up to see more? Helen Lloyd has done just that. She’s an engineer in the UK who loves travel, writing and photography. And she’d spent much time travelling on a bicycle until she decided to get a motorcycle. After riding through Africa on her bicycle she returned years later on a Yamaha XT225, and she discovered that moving faster meant slowing down. She shares with us how motorcy...2017-12-011h 29

Adventure Rider RadioWhich Peg to Weight? | Sena SR10 Connecting 2 Way RadiosRider Skills: Weighting Pegs When turning, which peg do you weight? Inside or outside? And which is correct? Do you steer with your feet? Bret Tkacs, riding instructor from PSSOR discusses the proper use of pegs for steering and controlling your adventure bike in the dirt. Sena Technologies: Chris Woodyard Bluetooth communication systems are fantastic for close range. But, for adventure riders when the trail gets dusty and you start to spread out, when the trails become hilly and more heavily treed, that’s where they fail. So, on this episode we find a way to c...2017-11-0349 min

Adventure Rider RadioDirt Travels 2 Up | Rider Skills: Faster Braking Beth and Kevin Young, 2uptogether, are so passionate about sharing adventures with each other that they ride 2 up, even in the dirt. The've been riding for 19 years, and are advocates for short adventures, close to home. Saying that motorcycle riding has made them closer, Beth & Kevin share their experiences with photographs on social media, hoping to inspire other couples to ride together. Twitter: 2uptogether Facebook: www.facebook.com/2uptogether Website: http://www.2uptogether.com Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1iOZraIRbM0VYpUg7PCeg Rider Skills with Bret Tkacs Skills Development Activity: Th...2017-08-041h 47

Adventure Rider RadioTrip Notes & Lessons Learned From a New Adventure Traveler | Rider Skills: How to Start a Motorcycle on a HillBrent Carroll: Read a Facebook Post, Bought a Motorcycle, Attended a HUBB Meet & Went on an Adventure Inspired by a Facebook post, Brent Carroll decided to get a motorcycle to do some adventure riding. After going to a Horizons Unlimited meet he was hooked on the idea of a long distance motorcycle trip, having met other riders who were travelling and exploring the world. In April, 2016 he set out from Virginia to Newfoundland, rode across Canada to Alaska and then down to Ushuaia. Being on the road for 13 months was a life changing experience for Brent, who came away...2017-06-081h 35

Adventure Rider RadioMotorcycle Sidecars: Your Next Adventure? | Rider Skills: Gravel Roads Driving A Sidecar Outfit: David L. Hough David Hough is the author of Driving A Sidecar Outfit, a text book published by the Sidecar Safety Program in 1997. He's also the director of the Sidecar Safety Program, which offers a Sidecar driving training program. David talks with Jim about learning how to ride a motorcycle with a sidecar and what's involved. DMC Sidecars: Jay DMC Sidecars is located in Washington in the United States and are the makes of motorcycle sidecars. Jay discusses which motorcycle you would need for a sidecar and other considerations. Website: www.dm...2017-04-281h 37

Adventure Rider RadioStuck Motorcycle | Best Recovery SystemsIf you venture off the pavement, there’s always the possibility that one wrong move and your bike is off the side of a trail or stuck in a mudhole. The question is, do you have what you need to extract your bike? People, winch, or block and tackle? We did some testing of three different systems, two of which you can take with you on any ride, and one of which is a good back up if not venturing too far, and it’s also ideal for loading your bike on to a trailer. We s...2017-04-071h 21

Adventure Rider RadioBack Country Motorcycle Routes: Adventure Travel by GPSBackcountry Discovery Routes and the Trans Canada Adventure Trail are planned and organized motorcycle adventure routes in the United States and Canada. Great scenery, culture and riding is what you get on one of these free off highway routes. Jim talks to Paul Guillien and Ted Johnson about the BDR and the TCAT. BDR: Back Country Discovery Routes | Paul Guillien Backcountry Discovery Routes is a non-profit organization establishing and preserving off-highway routes for adventure motorcycle travel in the United States. For each route, they produce a documentary DVD, a Butler map, and free GPS tracks. Website: http://r...2017-02-231h 13

Adventure Motorcycle PodcastSam Chisholm – Teach Me to Surf, I’ll Show You How to Ride a Horse & Bret Tkacs talks Rider Skills[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4510399/height/100/width/480/thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/legacy” height=”100″ width=”480″ scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] Surf Boards, Horses and Bikes Sam Chisholm is a helicopter pilot from Australia that was feeling the itch to have an adventure. He came up with a plan to ride a motorcycle from Argentina to Alaska, and so he quit his job and flew […]2016-07-1500 min

Adventure Rider RadioSkid Plates and Crash Bars - What Your Bike Needs with Teach McNeilSkid Plates and Crash Bars - What Your Bike Needs - Chris "Teach" McNeil No matter how much riding you've done or how experienced you are, there's always the possibility that your bike may go down. Be it from losing your footing while off-road riding or just from it toppling over for some random reason, you will want the best protection for your motorcycle. Motorcycle damage can be expensive, but there are after-market protection components available to minimize or prevent costly repairs, or perhaps even to keep from putting your bike out of commission. For the past te...2016-05-201h 19

Adventure Rider RadioProof Positive - Motorcycle Riding Good for the SoulProof Positive - Motorcycle Riding Good for the Soul Anyone who rides a motorcycle can probably tell you that riding a motorcycle isn’t just a form of transportation, it’s an experience. When you return from a motorcycle ride, you are energized and happy. Many motorcyclists refer to riding as their therapy. Feel bad? Need to sort out a problem? Ride. It works. Motorcycle riding releases endorphins which improve moods. Simple as that. Studies show that riding motorcycles, both on and off-road, have both physical and mental health benefits. In 2010, Tohoku Un...2016-04-011h 43

Adventure Rider RadioFind Your Way ‘Round and Don’t Fall DownSteve Mason - Llamas, Bananas and BearsFrom Argentina to Alaska, a ride that Steve and his two Scottish friends shared as part of a reunion after more than 20 years apart. An epic adventure, he shares some great tips discovered by doing the trip and talks about his experiences.Website: www.thelongwayup.weebly.comBooks: Ride to the Midnight Sun & Llamas, Bananas and Bears available on Amazon. Rider Skills - Riding In Sand - Bret TkacsImprove and master your riding techniques with some great tips from B...2016-03-111h 11

Adventure Rider RadioMotorcycle Fitness: Simple Solutions to Get Fit with Thom Rieck - Rider Skills with Bret TkacsThom Rieck is an Exercise Specialist at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. He’s a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer and PEAK Pilates Instructor. He has been working as a personal trainer for over 10 years and he’s also an avid motorcyclist. Tom has been riding since the age of 2, believe it or not, when his father took him out on his ’74 Honda CB 250 in a car seat. He now rides a 1995 BMW K75S, all on his own. Thom is currently working on a book called “Strength an...2016-02-181h 21

Adventure Rider RadioA Motorcycle Contest Rider / RIDER SKILLSLuis Castilla started riding a motorcycle as therapy to help him deal with the death of his parents. It was something he became passionate about and in 2014, Luis and a friend rode from Mexico City to the Arctic Circle and back on BMW motorcycles.Then in 2015, Luis Castilla entered the Discover More competition with Harley-Davidson. Imagine applying for a job where you get to ride a brand new motorcycle around Europe for three months, and you get paid for it! Not only that but you get to keep the motorcycle at the end of the trip.When...2016-01-281h 18

Adventure Rider RadioScooter Tramp Scotty: Living on the Road - Tipping the Scale between Freedom and StuffLiving From The MotorcycleSome go for a few months, some for a few years. Scotty Kerekes has been living on the road for twenty-one years. What started out as a soul searching experience turned in to a lifestyle for him. After being on the road for a year, Scotty realized that there was no turning back. He ended up selling everything he owned except for what fit on his bike, and hit the road… for good.Scotty tells us what it’s like to live on the road, he is very candid about the hardships and...2015-10-081h 07

Adventure Rider RadioShould You Attend Off Road Motorcycle Training School Class? GEMS and Allan Karl Goes to ChinaShould You Attend Off Road Motorcycle Training School Class? GEMS and Allan Karl Goes to China We look at off-road riding schools beginning with PSSOR this week with Bret Tkacs. Do you really need lessons to ride your adventure bike off road or can you learn through the school of hard knocks. After-all isn't that how the pros learned? Find out on this episode of Adventure Rider Radio.RELATED LINKShttp://pssor.com/pssor-home New Feature: GEMS Our new feature Gems, is a focus on great riding areas or destinations th...2015-04-101h 15