Around the Wheel with Bret Tkacs

Around the Wheel with Bret Tkacs episodes:

• 02.26.2024

  GS Trophy Qualifier

  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...

  
• 07.11.2023

  Choosing Boots

  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...

  
• 03.10.2023

  Old Guy ADV Riding Tips

  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...

  
• 01.31.2023

  Trail Braking with Yamaha Champ School

  TRAIL BRAKING WITH YAMAHA CHAMPIONS RIDING SCHOOL Guest: 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...

  
• 09.27.2022

  Why 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...

  
• 08.22.2022

  What 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.  There is huge difference between motocross boots and boots that are marketed as an Adventure...

  
• 06.17.2022

  Tire Talk

  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...

  
• 03.28.2022

  Large & Tall Bike Setup

  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. ...

  
• 03.03.2022

  Invest in Experience, Not Farkles

  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...

  
• 09.20.2021

  Stop Being Complacent

  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...

  
• 08.10.2021

  How to Manage Fear

  HOW TO MANAGE FEAR WHILE RIDING A MOTORCYCLE. Bret Tkacs discusses a subject that every ADV motorcyclist has faced - how to manage fear.  This is a subject that’s widely discussed, but only in general terms – until this podcast.  Learn...

  
• 04.15.2021

  Is Suspension Worth the Cost?

  IS ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION WORTH THE COST? Suspension is undoubtedly one of the most critical aspects to your motorcycle, and many people talk about upgrading their suspension.  However, since the cost can be up to $7,000, it's important to know what upgraded...

  
• 04.01.2021

  Riding While Hurting: A Talk on Aging

  RIDING WHILE HURTING: A TALK ON AGING Adapting to the realities of age is important in the ADV world, where it’s too easy to get hurt if you’re not developing the correct muscles, use the correct technique, or your bike is...

  
• 03.04.2021

  How to Choose a Motorcycle Training Class

  How To Choose A Motorcycle Class Washington State has two state-approved motorcycle basic rider education curriculums.  One is through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and the other is the Motorcycle Education Program (MEP), which Bret wrote for Puget Sound Safety.  There...

  
• 02.18.2021

  What to Expect as a New ADV Rider

  What can you expect as a new ADV rider? Many people who first start riding ADV bikes can credit their knowledge to riding dirt bikes as a child.  But what if this is the first time you've ridden anything in the...

  
• 02.04.2021

  Are You Miscalculating your ADV Skills?

  Are you Miscalculating your adv skills? Paul Solomonson, dueling counterpart in the recent video "Mosko Moto vs Lone Rider", talks with Bret about rating yourself as an ADV rider and some of the common ways riders miscalculate their skill level.Paul Solomonson...

  
• 01.21.2021

  Top Tips for Adventure Camping

  Top Tips for Adventure Camping You don't need to travel far and wide to be an ADV motorcyclist, nor do you need to travel with an expensive motorcycle.  Adventuring is about travel, discovering, and wandering, and these tips will help make...

  
• 01.07.2021

  Is Motorcycle Safety Training a Myth?

  Does Motorcycle Training Create Safer Riders? Does motorcycle safety training really teach what it's intended to teach?  In this episode, Bret Tkacs speaks with Chris Johnson, owner of Washington Motorist Safety Training, about whether motorcycle safety education is real or a...

  
• 12.24.2020

  What’s Going On With Jesse Luggage?

  What's GOING ON WITH Jesse Luggage? Jesse Luggage is now owned by Jared Maxfield who is revitalizing the brand into Jesse Adventures: a one-stop resource for the ADV community.  In this podcast, Bret and Jared discuss what it's like being one...

  
• 12.10.2020

  Essential First Aid Tips for the Adventure Rider

  In this episode, Jesse Pacht discusses some essential first aid tips that adventure riders should know prior to going on an ADV ride.  Adventure riders are often beyond cell service or immediate help.  Discover how to prepare mentally, determine what...

  
• 11.26.2020

  ADV Motorcycle Education

  ADV MOTORCYCLE EDUCATION A discussion about the value of motorcycle education for ADV riders. Greg DiBernardo and I chat about how you can learn on your own, using resources that you can find for free. We also discuss how much professional...

  
• 11.12.2020

  What Inspires Bret

  What inspires Bret In a twist of tradition, I get interviewed by another podcaster from South Africa (JJ le Roux from Gravel Travel) about my background and what drives me to train riders. I ramble on about what inspires me as...

  
• 10.29.2020

  Trail Braking

  Trail Braking is the riding technique every rider should be using on the street. Join Bret Tkacs and Patreon supporter Peter Shimm in a detailed discussion of how and why you improve your trail braking skills. Although many riders oppose the...

  
• 10.15.2020

  Embracing Sand

  Embracing Sand This episode brings you Zak Parrish, the rider of an Africa Twin DCT nicknamed the "Lawn Dart" after a learning experience where his bike became planted in sand. Bret and Zak dive into the challenges, techniques and skills needed...

  
• 10.01.2020

  Overcoming the Odds

  Overcoming Odds In this episode, Bret Tkacs chats with Patreon supporter Jose Real (retired, disabled U.S. Army) who broke his back while serving his country and was informed he may not ever walk again.  In response, Jose worked through his depression...

  
• 09.17.2020

  Foreign Travel

  Critical Skills for International Travel Patreon supporter Mark Wallace is a world-renowned photographer / video blogger and has been traveling the globe since 2014.  Bret and Mark discuss their top requisite skills for international travelers, however this information is equally useful...

  
• 09.10.2020

  Controlling Fear

  Controlling Fear Bret's first "Around the Wheel" podcast features a discussion between Bret and Patreon supporter Professor John DeCarlo, a professional educator, veteran flight instructor, former police chief and ADV motorcyclist.  Listen to an excellent discussion on learning theories and how...

  
• 10.08.2019

  Choosing a Motorcycle

  Which is the perfect motorcycle?  Bret uses a detailed process to select the right motorcycle for himself.  It all comes down to what you need the motorcycle to do - Touring?  Off-road?  Commuting?  Traveling internationally?  Performance?  The right motorcycle can...

  
• 10.08.2019

  Choosing a Motorcycle

  Which is the perfect motorcycle?  Bret uses a detailed process to select the right motorcycle for himself.  It all comes down to what you need the motorcycle to do - Touring?  Off-road?  Commuting?  Traveling internationally?  Performance?  The right motorcycle can...

  
• 10.01.2019

  Avoiding Border Bribes

  Bret has traveled through 49 countries, most of them by motorcycle, and with very few overpayments, bribes, or harassment.  He discusses the following points that he has learned from his extensive travel, and through his mentor, Miguel.  Topics discussed in...

  
• 09.29.2019

  Crashes

  Unfortunately, crashes are a significant reality for motorcyclists.  The good news is most crashes are our fault.  In Washington, 75% of fatalities were riders in a curve, with no other vehicles involved, which means they had complete control over the...