Moto Adventures With Bart

06/04/2024

The Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-North) is the 13th route developed by the BDR organization for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle...

05/18/2024

The newBackcountry Discovery Routes. So exciting!

The Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-North) is the 13th route developed by the BDR organization for dual-sport and adventure motorcycle...

05/15/2024

05/14/2024

I had an incredible private training experience with my motorcycle instructor, Bret Tkacs, exploring a desolate area of Idaho and Oregon on our Ducati Desert X motorcycles! The thrill of navigating - while being thought - through the high desert terrain was an amazing experience. Huge thanks to Bret for the expert guidance and unforgettable private training experience. Check him out !

In this short film my mentor@BretTkacs and I explore some of the desolate landscapes in eastern Oregon. This ride came after two days of private training in ...

05/10/2024

I took my wife for a scenic tour this afternoon. we had great view of Mount Rainier Mount Adams and Mount Saint Helens. I took Forrest route 71 connected to 7174 and then 73. Ended with a late lunch in Morton.

05/10/2024

Much needed exploration of the Gifford pinchot, FS 71, FS7174, FS115. Hit snow at 2500feet, Blocked at 3000feet.

05/02/2024

Anyone that has similar experiences with the Garmin

04/22/2024

Please help K9 Falca battling Cancer!

Rallying for Falca: Cancer Treatment and Immunotherapy Fund Dear… Bart de Gols needs your support for Falca's Chemo Fund: Because She Is My Home and Heart

04/12/2024

Pretty good Idea NATO had. Runs on Diesel, biodiesel, kerosene and Jet-fuel.

-Check out shopify here http://shopify.com/bikesandbeards SUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/ Check out these other Adventures: Did I just L...

04/08/2024

Nice spring ride to the local dam.

04/08/2024

I love my XD-4, looking forward trying the upgrade.

04/08/2024

Looks like a super cool route!

04/06/2024

My explanation of why standing up on your motorcycle doesn’t lower the Center of Gravity.

When we're talking about the center of gravity (CG) of a motorcycle with a rider, we need to consider the whole system - the bike itself and the rider as one unit.

The CG is basically the point where all the weight can be thought to act, the balance point if you will. Now, when you're just sitting on the bike in a normal riding position, both your body's CG and the motorcycle's CG are relatively low to the ground. This makes the combined CG of the bike+rider system pretty low too, which is great for stability and control. But here's the key thing - when you stand up on the pegs, even though your body mass is in a lower position compared to the bike itself, your personal CG actually shifts way up higher above the ground. And since you are part of that overall bike+rider system, raising your body's CG height like that inevitably raises the overall system CG as well.

From a physics standpoint, the height of an object's CG depends on two main factors: 1) the locations of all the masses that make it up, and 2) the heights of those masses above the base or point of support. When you're standing, yeah your mass is lower relative to the bike, but you're raising that mass much higher above the ground level.

That increased height contribution outweighs the lowered position relative to the bike in determining the system's overall CG height. Some people mention the concept of leverage too, which does come into play when standing. By raising your mass up higher, you're increasing the leverage your weight has against the tiny tire contact patches that are the bike's base of support.

More leverage like that can definitely affect maneuverability and potential for lifting wheels, etc. But it doesn't actually lower the CG itself. The misconception may come from things like skiing or surfing, where crouching down close to the ground legitimately does lower your CG height above the base. But on a motorcycle, the height increase from standing up dominates over any lowering effect from the changed position relative to the bike.

While standing on the pegs may feel like it's lowering your center of gravity compared to sitting on the seat, the actual physics shows that it raises the combined CG of the entire bike+rider system by increasing the height of your body mass above the ground. There's actually a really good reason why standing up can help in certain situations like loose or uneven terrain, even though it raises the center of gravity. When you're just sitting on the seat, all your weight is getting transferred straight down through the suspension into the wheels. But if you hit something gnarly like a bump or pothole, that impact force gets driven right into your body without much give. Not very comfortable! But when you're standing on the pegs, your legs basically act like an extra set of suspension components! As the wheels roll over obstacles, your knees and ankles can bend and flex to absorb some of those impact forces before they get transmitted to your body mass. You're using your body's natural suspension abilities!

That improved impact absorption helps keep both tires loaded down more smoothly and evenly on uneven terrain. With better traction available, you've got way more control for picking smooth lines and not getting bucked around unexpectedly.

Plus, from the standing position you can shift your weight more freely between the front and rear wheels to fine-tune the traction balance as needed. Little body positioning adjustments let you prevent excessive weight transfers that could cause swapping traction or spinning out. And if you do start to go sideways, having your mass up higher and less locked into the bike actually lets you use more dynamic body movements to regain control.

Your ability to shift weight becomes the primary way to influence chassis balance rather than just getting shoved around by the wheels. So, even though the higher center of gravity makes you more prone to tip-over scenarios if you're not constantly making adjustments, the upside is you've got way better tools to effectively use your body's mobility and flexibility. The drawbacks of the raised CG get outweighed by the benefits of superior weight distribution, impact absorption through your legs, and having those extra body positioning adjustments in your toolbox. Just some food for thought.

Moto Adventures With Bart

03/27/2024

Awesome footage!!

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the 2021 FIM World Superbike Champion, recently traded the road racetrack for an off-road challenge aboard the next-gen BMW F900GS adventure bike. Keeping him on his toes was four-wheeled DTM racing series competitor Ayhancan Güven who also left his familiar asphalt racetrack...

03/20/2024

Pretty awesome!

03/20/2024

Great day to view some local scenery.

03/20/2024

Wow, pretty big news!

Pierer Mobility AG, KTM’s parent company, continues its expansion spree by taking over yet another brand. In an investor’s report, the Austrian group announced it has acquired a 50.1 percent stake of MV Agusta, officially gaining majority control over the storied Italian motorcycle brand. The st...

03/11/2024

Rent my bikes!

03/11/2024

My experience starting off the training course with Bret Tkacs - Moto Guru was an eye-opener for my adventure motorcycle skills and really changed the approach I had started to take when dealing with personal challenges.

I suppose, being perfectionistic and my own harshest critic, Bret's coaching just vibed with my motto: "Be a splitter, not a lumper." Bret does an excellent job of making very difficult skills into bite-sized, digestible chunks so the student will be very successful. My first individual private training sessions were in 2021 on a multi day tour at the WA BDR. I asked Bret to prepare me to the Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) type of riding. His tailored approach and insightful feedback provided me with the tools and confidence needed to tackle this challenging terrain. Bret’s guidance was invaluable. He adapted the training to target my specific needs, ensuring significant improvement in my technique and confidence in sand environments.

My second experience with Bret was on his 2023 WA Adventure Training Tour were we tackled section 2 and 3 of the WA BDR. The Adventure Training Tours was an eye-opener in experience adventure riding, exploration, camaraderie blended with learning. The tours had something special with the ratio of the instructor to the student. Two other instructors (Paul and Greg) were on hand to ensure that each student received plenty of one-on-one time in which personal instruction and feedback were given regarding the student's progress and stumbling blocks. This level of rare attention was an instrumental factor in elevating everyone’s riding capabilities. It was very clear in every session that Bret really was passionate about adventure riding and growing each student. His way of setting the learning environment to be supportive while pushing us at the same time out of our comfort zones had a great influence on my riding, and most importantly, my way of dealing with overcoming the challenges.

My third experience was another individual multi day private training event. I asked him two things, Improve my skill in my new bike, a 2023 Ducati DDX and to train me in sand riding, this time in an intensive manner to actually acquire the skill of sand riding. Bret's mentorship proved very useful. He customized the training according to the specific needs I had explained to him, and great improvement was observed in the development of my technique along with enhanced confidence in sand. We ended the three days with an amazing adventure ride combining exploration and the new skills learned.

For anyone whose adventure-riding skills are to be taken to the next level—whether that means getting ready for BDR riding, conquering that sand, or just plain overall improvement—there is no better unmatched training experience than from Bret and Tacks Moto Guru. For me, this has been a transformative journey, combining expert instruction with personalized feedback and the beauty of our tours. Thank you, Bret, for sharing with me all that my ride can be and so much more and I look forward to many more private training days.

Bart De Gols

02/29/2024

In this personal reflection, my journey from the shadowy depths of the ocean to the expressive gaze of our canine companions has been a profound exploration of both the unknown and the deeply familiar. Starting as an extreme exploration and experimental diver, I was drawn into the silent, mysterious

02/24/2024

Great to say hi to my favorite mountain.

02/12/2024

New definition of ADV Bike!

01/23/2024

Reflecting on one of the most exhilarating moments of my life: May 24th, 2004, marked the discovery of the Coelacanth in Manado Tua, Indonesia, during a National Geographic expedition. It was a heart-stopping and awe-inspiring experience that ignited my passion for pushing the limits of deep sea exploration. Today, I find myself yearning for the adrenaline-fueled days of Extreme Deep Exploration Diving, craving the rush of being on the edge of life and discovery.

The thrill of venturing into uncharted waters and uncovering the secrets of the deep sea continues to resonate deep within me, evoking a powerful sense of longing. The unforgettable impact of that discovery in 2004 has left an indelible mark, fueling my unyielding love for high-stakes exploration and the pursuit of the extraordinary. As I reflect on those pulse-quickening moments, I feel a renewed sense of determination to seek out the edge of life, to embrace the unknown, and to push the boundaries of human potential.

While my Extreme Deep Exploration Diving Days may be a thing of the past, the memories and lessons learned during those heart-pounding expeditions will forever hold a special place in my soul. The spirit of adventure and the relentless pursuit of the extraordinary remain alive within me, propelling me to seek new opportunities to embrace the pulse-quickening thrill of life on the edge. The hunger for exploration and the unyielding drive to push past the limits of what is possible continue to guide me, inspiring me to keep living on the edge and to revel in the magnificence of our planet’s most awe-inspiring frontiers.

12/24/2023

Merry Christmas to all my friends, followers and supporters.

12/21/2023

Good Morning!

11/23/2023

Wishing all my followers a joyful Thanksgiving! May your homes be filled with warmth, gratitude, and the delightful company of your motorcycles.

10/22/2023

Some truth in this picture 🙂

10/17/2023

If you ask most smart or successful people where they learned their craft, they will not talk to you about their time in school. It's always a mentor, one that transform doubt into confidence, that get’s you back out of your head when you are stuck in it, one that allows for an educated period of experimentation or trial and error, one that get’s you always up the hill. I started Adventure riding in may of 2021 and all my achievements are thanks to my incredible mentor Bret Tkacs - Moto Guru .

10/16/2023

The Desert X where she belongs - Queen of the sand.

10/14/2023

In this short film my mentor Bret Tkacs and I explore some of the desolate landscapes in eastern Oregon. This ride came after two days of private training in Sand, a terrain feature that intimidates me. In the two years that I have been working with him he got to know me a bit better. This ride came at the right time, at the right place with the right guy!



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