Dirt instructional DVDs

[phoenix]

By way of an email from ThumperTalk, I saw an ad for some dirt instructional DVD's.

Anybody have comments on these or recommendations for other DVD's?

Yeah, I could read a book, but I'm a lazy bastard and am more easily entertained by anything on the boob tube.

http://www.shanewatts.com/product/dvd-dirtwise-shane-watts

[Mrs. DantesDame]

http://www.dualsportriding.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4

I have the first one of this series and would like to get the second one. The producer is an avid member of ADV and I like knowing that I'm supporting someone "I know"  

[Cablebandit]

http://www.dualsportriding.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4

I have the first one of this series and would like to get the second one. The producer is an avid member of ADV and I like knowing that I'm supporting someone "I know"  

x100

[phoenix]

http://www.dualsportriding.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4

I have the first one of this series and would like to get the second one. The producer is an avid member of ADV and I like knowing that I'm supporting someone "I know"  

looks like a different audience and mindframe than the video I was asking about.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

looks like a different audience and mindframe than the video I was asking about.

Well, you DID ask for other recommendations...

[phoenix]

Well, you DID ask for other recommendations...

yes, yes I did. Thanks for that.

Can you discuss what you picked up from the DVD you mentioned?

How does it apply to your riding style or to any dual sport ride?

Other than this coming from someone you know, why do you recommend this?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Can you discuss what you picked up from the DVD you mentioned?

How does it apply to your riding style or to any dual sport ride?

Other than this coming from someone you know, why do you recommend this?

The video goes into detail on the basics of riding on forest service-type roads, including some gnarly hill climbs/downhills. It is well filmed, showing real-life footage of the technique being described. The narration is clear and concise and seemed to be well ground (it's been a while since I've watched it or I could give you some more details). The biggest bite of knowledge that I picked up was front brake usage on loose terrain, especially when coming downhill. I haven't been able to put it into practice much, but the way it was explained and demonstrated gives me a lot more confidence in using my front brake.

To be honest, I felt that the first DVD was a tad too rudimentary. But maybe that's because I've already been riding on the dirt for a few thousand miles    Dan watched it with me and he thought that it was very well done (he's been riding a lot less than I have). I'm looking forward to getting the second one to see if I can pick up some more tidbits that go beyond what the first one did.

PS - the video is also geared more towards the bigger bikes, KTMs and BMWs, but the knowledge still crosses the boundaries of smaller bikes...

[swingset]

I've watched most of the DirtWise and also have Neduro's Dual Sporting DVD's. Both are excellent, but Watt's are geared much more towards racing and the instruction is definitely presented as such, for true offroad bikes...which is great if that's what your goal is.

If you're dual sport riding, the Dual Sport Riding video is more applicable. It's not as comprehensive as I would like, but it covers the basics very well and I got something from it.

Honestly, as a dual sport and offroad rider, I got more from this one than any other as far as increasing my skill in technical terrain:
http://www.itstrials.com/its_basic_dvd.html

I'm not a trials rider nor do I have a trials bike, but just learning a bit of the techniques, body position and overall methods of attacking obstacles has helped me more riding offroad than anything else. Like I said tho, depends on the kind of riding you do. I don't ride MX tracks or groomed dirt, but in the woods I've often times been confronted with downed trees and hills that needed conquering.

[DangerMoney]

I've got both of Neduro's DS DVDs. I found the first one, Dualsport Riding Techniques, very informative. Teaches all the basics and and more. The material is pretty concentrated. When I first got it I watched it three times nose-to-tail because there's so much. Can't go wrong with this one.

The second one, Advanced Dual Sport Riding Techniques, while teaching additional things, was a bit of a disappointment. A lot of time is spent with Ned's buddies talking about why they ride DS. I did learn additional things from it that I've used but less time is spent teaching since they're talking about how great DSing is.


http://dualsportriding.com

[swingset]

The second one, Advanced Dual Sport Riding Techniques, while teaching additional things, was a bit of a disappointment. A lot of time is spent with Ned's buddies talking about why they ride DS. I did learn additional things from it that I've used but less time is spent teaching since they're talking about how great DSing is.

Agree, could have been a little better in that regard. That's been true of many instructional videos I've seen. Netflix has quite a few in their library, btw, and of the ones I've found (mostly racing-related), they spend 80% of the time with spiffy music, cut-scenes, talking about things with very little mention of actual instruction and then the instruction is somewhat vague or not expounded upon. Geeze, hire a guy to do some graphics that show what you're talking about, I don't always know what some racers mean in their terminology. One guy said to "husk" the front end going into a turn. What? What's that? Thanks, that helps me greatly. I'll get right on husking my front end.

[leeo45]

Agree with almost all of the comments above.   Ned's dualsport videos are aimed at lower speed techniques and how to negotiate terrain on every size bike.   A lot of the example riding and skills drills are on larger bikes.    The drills he shows are great training and you can practice them almost anywhere.   A lot of them translate well to better street riding too.

Shane Watts' video series is targeted towards woods racers on full-on dirt bikes.   A lot of the skills and instructions are applicable to larger DS bikes, and most the drills, riding position instruction, and basic guidance are again applicable to any size bike in any off-road situation, but a lot of the terrain and trail conditions shown in the videos are too agressive for most big bikes.
  
Both series of DVD's are time and money well spent if you are able to learn by watching, listening, and then going out and practicing.    

** An additional note:   I have been to both Ned's and Shane's classes and that is what you really need to do if you get the chance.