7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Riding Dual Sport and Adventure Motorcycles

When I think back to when I was a beginner dual sport and adventure motorcycle rider, I cringe at all the things I thought I knew but was totally wrong about. I had a lot of misconceptions about dual sport and adventure motorcycle riding that really hindered my progress, so if you're a beginner dual sport or adventure motorcycle rider, I want to pass on what I've learned to hopefully help you grow your off road motorcycling skills and confidence more quickly than I did. Here are the seven things I wish I knew before I started dual sport and adventure riding: 1. Street gear is fine to start (with exceptions). You don't need the finest, newest, or most expensive adventure motorcycle gear from Klim or Rev'it to get started riding motorcycles off road. If you're coming from street riding, most of your current motorcycle gear will work. 2. Beginner adventure motorcycle riders are afraid of things they shouldn't be afraid of. Your tires will not explode on the gravel. Going up steep hills on a dual sport motorcycle is totally doable. Dropping your off road motorcycle is perfectly normal. 3. Beginner dual sport motorcycle riders are not afraid of the things they SHOULD be afraid of, like lower-leg injuries. Wear good off road riding boots. 4. It's okay to not be a hardcore ADV rider. Most people aren't. 5. ADV and dual sport riding is a gateway to so many other cool activities like trail riding, motocamping, adv rallies, and even multi-day ADV camping trips on the BDRs. 6. RELAX. Don't get so fixated on the difficult terrain or challenges of riding off road that you forget to actually enjoy your surroundings. 7. I've met some of my BEST friends through the adv and dual sport communities. SUBSCRIBE for more adventures, how-tos, gear reviews, and moto shenanigans! http://bit.ly/dorkintheroad Check out http://www.dorkintheroad.com for all your dorky motorcycling needs! Want early access to videos and other perks? Become a channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrKYAp8fkN8yCbxcNK375rA/join Merch Store: https://teespring.com/stores/dork-in-the-road-2 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/adorkintheroad Twitter: https://twitter.com/ADorkInTheRoad Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=26709234 Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links: Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: https://bit.ly/3tYzpXq Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aDkk4z Revzilla: https://imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ MotoCamp Nerd: https://motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork Giant Loop: https://www.giantloopmoto.com/?ref=dork Save 20% on Gaia GPS Premium with this link: https://www.gaiagps.com/discounts/?fp_ref=dork Dork in the Road’s Riding Gear Picks on RMATV/MC: https://bit.ly/3t8fgOC Dork in the Road’s Dual Sport Mods on RMATV/MC: https://bit.ly/3yzVuws Dork in the Road’s Adventure Bike Mods on RMATV/MC: https://bit.ly/3zGFHxg Select music courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Use this link to get a free 30-day trial: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/vsdb0u/ Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description. Adventure Riding Gear: Klim Krios Helmet: https://bit.ly/2U8kYmn Klim Traverse Jacket: https://bit.ly/3v6Cju1 Klim Traverse Pants: https://bit.ly/2X5CIjP Klim Marrakesh Jacket: https://imp.i104546.net/jWa1jM Klim Marrakesh Pants: https://imp.i104546.net/kjAR10 Klim Inferno Jacket: https://bit.ly/3Ax4PWN Klim Inferno Pants: https://bit.ly/3lweKYy Klim PowerXross Gloves: https://imp.i104546.net/9WqejE Rev-it Sand 3 Gloves: https://imp.i104546.net/dorRqW Camelbak M.U.L.E.: https://amzn.to/3iXdewN Garmin InReach Mini: https://bit.ly/3v6D2vf Giant Loop Tracker Packer (Mount for InReach): https://bit.ly/3ayYFel Alpinestars Corozal Boots: https://bit.ly/3mNXEEY Giant Loop Neck Buff: https://www.giantloopmoto.com/product/giant-loop-bison-skull-daily-tube-by-blackstrap/ Trail Riding Gear: Fox Racing Raptor Vest CE: https://bit.ly/3BDUgmn Alpinestars Tech 7 MX Boots: https://bit.ly/3v6bFkU Klim Dakar Gloves: https://bit.ly/3BHkqEw Klim Dakar In The Boot Pants: https://bit.ly/2YOSWPf Klim XC Lite Jersey: https://bit.ly/3vgeYX2 Klim Viper Goggles: https://bit.ly/3lEe2so Fox Titan Race Elbow Pads: https://bit.ly/3FLOocU Filming Gear: GoPro Hero 9: https://amzn.to/3ByMolX Battery Pack for Helmet Cam: https://amzn.to/2YJFfRc GoPro Hero 9 Media Mod: https://amzn.to/3awIj5J DJI Osmo Action: https://amzn.to/3ADixaK DJI Osmo Action Mic Adapter: https://amzn.to/3BDsTIR Mini Tripod w/Ring Light: https://bit.ly/3FLrVg8 Helmet Mic: https://amzn.to/3mRPE5S