Around the Wheel with Bret Tkacs

Mastering 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

CHOOSING THE PROPER ADV BOOT Guest:  Brian Price, owner of Atomic Moto (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.

OLD 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

TRAIL 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 debun

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 i

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. 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. Move into boots that actu

ADV Tire Talk Guest: Jarrett King is an ADV rider and mechanical designer at Mitas Tires.Discussion Points:1. Air pressure – should I air down before riding off-road?2. Why is the manufacturer's baseline pressure different from what's written on the sidewall?3. Can a rider increase or decrease the size of the tire on the bike?Key Takeaways:- It’s interesting to

LARGE & TALL BIKE SETUP Guest: Kip Kyler stands 6’4” with a 38” inseam who is riding a Husqvarna 701. He has made a few adjustments to accommodate his height and weight, but still feels cramped in the cockpit while riding. He has reached out to Bret to find out what other adjustments he can make and what kind of suspension he may need to install. Discussion

INVESTING IN EXPERIENCE When taking riders overseas on motorcycle expeditions, Bret has been surprised to note that participants don't have the problems he would expect them to have. In fact, less-experienced riders quickly develop their skill sets and become confident off-road riders very quickly - much faster than in any traditional training environment. Bret dives into this

AVOID DANGEROUS COMPLACENCY Sometimes riding can be not very exciting or even downright boring. The excitement of reacting to everything on the road fades away once you feel you've encountered most situations and feel comfortable with the threats that are common to motorcyclists. However, this natural progression can lead to a dangerous lack of focus... and that's when the cur