Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A very common off road motorcycle riding misconception that I myself was guilty of for WAY too long was the idea that you should only use your rear brake when going downhill on loose surfaces.
People fear losing traction or going over the bars when using their front brake while riding a motorcycle on a loose surface, which completely ignores the wide area in between those two extremes where you’re just using the front brake safely and effectively.
ADV front brake use is essential for safe riding.
I would go as far as saying that maximizing front brake usage is one of the most important skills for riding off road safely and successfully. If you don’t have this down, it will severely limit your confidence and skill ceiling as a rider
Let's go over why you should not avoid your front brake while riding offroad as well as some tips and exercises to help you build confidence and skill when it comes to applying front brake while riding an offroad motorcycle. We'll also cover the one situation where you actually should not use your front brake while riding a motorcycle off road.
The most important thing is to be mindful and focus on practicing using your front brake every time you go out. You don’t need to master this right away, but it’s important to keep working on getting better at using your dual sport front brake. Your off road riding confidence will skyrocket when you can stop worrying about careening out of control down a hill or over a cliff because you know how to stop.
This is an essential off road motorcycle braking tip. It's one of the foundational skills for learning to ride a motorcycle off road.
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Channel Sponsors:
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
Flying Eyes: flyingeyesoptics.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad")
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Quad Lock: Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links:
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: tinyurl.com/23sjhhwr
Flying Eyes: flyingeyesoptics.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/dorkintheroad
Amazon: amzn.to/3aDkk4z
Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
Save 10% on butlermaps.com with promo code "dorkintheroad."
Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Save 10% at seatconcepts.com with promo code "DRKNRD25"
Cardo Systems: cardosystems.rfrl.co/e2vdy
(use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10%)
Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description.
FULL DISCLOSURE: MotoCamp Nerd pays me to create content for his YouTube channel. This isn't a "sponsorship" per se, but it does mean I use their products exclusively and may impact my opinions about camping gear. Fortunately their stuff is good so I'm happy to recommend it, but just FYI.
Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.
A very common off road motorcycle riding misconception that I myself was guilty of for WAY too long was the idea that you should only use your rear brake when going downhill on loose surfaces.
People fear losing traction or going over the bars when using their front brake while riding a motorcycle on a loose surface, which completely ignores the wide area in between those two extremes where you’re just using the front brake safely and effectively.
ADV front brake use is essential for safe riding.
I would go as far as saying that maximizing front brake usage is one of the most important skills for riding off road safely and successfully. If you don’t have this down, it will severely limit your confidence and skill ceiling as a rider
Let's go over why you should not avoid your front brake while riding offroad as well as some tips and exercises to help you build confidence and skill when it comes to applying front brake while riding an offroad motorcycle. We'll also cover the one situation where you actually should not use your front brake while riding a motorcycle off road.
The most important thing is to be mindful and focus on practicing using your front brake every time you go out. You don’t need to master this right away, but it’s important to keep working on getting better at using your dual sport front brake. Your off road riding confidence will skyrocket when you can stop worrying about careening out of control down a hill or over a cliff because you know how to stop.
This is an essential off road motorcycle braking tip. It's one of the foundational skills for learning to ride a motorcycle off road.
SUBSCRIBE for more adventures, how-tos, gear reviews, and moto shenanigans!
bit.ly/dorkintheroad
Want early access to videos and other perks? Become a channel member: youtube.com/channel/UCrKYAp8fkN8yCbxcNK375rA/join
Dork in the Road stickers and other merch available at: motocampnerd.com/collections/dork-in-the-road-merch?ref=dork
Teespring Store: teespring.com/stores/dork-in-the-road-2
Instagram: instagram.com/adorkintheroad
TikTok: tiktok.com/@dorkintheroad
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/user?u=26709234
Channel Sponsors:
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
Flying Eyes: flyingeyesoptics.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad")
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Quad Lock: Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links:
Brake Free: brakefreetech.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save $10 with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: tinyurl.com/23sjhhwr
Flying Eyes: flyingeyesoptics.superfiliate.com/DORKINTHEROAD
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad")
Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/dorkintheroad
Amazon: amzn.to/3aDkk4z
Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
Cyclops Adventure Lighting: cyclopsadventuresports.com/?AffId=15
(save 10% with promo code "dorkintheroad)
Save 10% on butlermaps.com with promo code "dorkintheroad."
Save 10% at quadlockcase.net/discount/dorkintheroad with promo code "dorkintheroad"
Save 10% at seatconcepts.com with promo code "DRKNRD25"
Cardo Systems: cardosystems.rfrl.co/e2vdy
(use promo code "dorkintheroad" to save 10%)
Thank you for supporting the channel by clicking on the affiliate links in this description.
FULL DISCLOSURE: MotoCamp Nerd pays me to create content for his YouTube channel. This isn't a "sponsorship" per se, but it does mean I use their products exclusively and may impact my opinions about camping gear. Fortunately their stuff is good so I'm happy to recommend it, but just FYI.
Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice.
