RIDER SKILLS: What to Do When the Front Wheel Starts to Wash Out
4/16/202649 min
When the front tire starts to lose traction or the bike suddenly feels like it’s about to go down, most riders react with some kind of defensive move that feels instinctively right. But is it? In this Rider Skills episode, Clinton Smout joins Jim Martin to look at what’s really happening in those split-second moments when an adventure motorcycle starts to let go off-road — and why what feels like a save may not be one at all.
🔗 Show Notes & Links:
Find photos, links, and resources related to this episode on our website at Adventure Rider Radio.
🎧 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:
We release new episodes of ARR every week on Thursday and of RAW on the 21st of every month—full of inspiring stories, expert advice, and insight from the world of adventure motorcycling. Hit subscribe so you never miss out!
💡 Got an Idea?
Have a guest suggestion or topic you’d love us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email through our website.
⭐️ Leave a Review:
Enjoying the show? A 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app goes a long way in helping others discover the show.
📱 Follow Us:
Join our growing community on Facebook and Instagram. Let’s stay connected!
🙌 Support the Show:
Love what we do? Help keep the adventure alive by supporting us. Your contribution allows us to keep bringing you great content week after week.
📤 Share the Show:
Know someone who would enjoy this episode? Share it with them! Word of mouth helps us grow and reach more riders around the world.
📬 Join Our Newsletter:
Be the first to hear about new episodes, bonus content, and more! Sign up for our newsletter at Adventure Rider Radio.
🙏 Thanks for Listening!
We truly appreciate you being part of our adventure community. Until next time—ride safe and keep exploring!
Clips
Showing 10 of 13Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJim Martin· Host0:00
[upbeat music] It's one of the most unnerving feelings you can have as a rider. Going along gravel or dirt, coming into a corner, and the front end starts to slide, and in that instant, you know what's coming next, or at least you think you do. So you react. You let off the gas, maybe put a foot out, or some other quick move to try and save it. But is that really the right move, the right thing to do? I mean, riders go through this all the time, yet it's something you almost never hear discussed in a clear way. Well, on this episode of Rider Skills, Clinton Smout from Smart Performance Center joins me to talk about those split-second moments when the bike starts to let go, what may actually be happening underneath you, and why what feels like a save may not be one at all. I'm Jim Martin. This is Adventure Rider Radio. Stay with us. We got a good one for you.
Clinton Smout· Guest0:51
[upbeat music] I'm Ted Simon. Jocelyn Snow. Austin Vince. Helge Pedersen. Brad Johnson. Sam Manicom. Charlie Boorman. Simon Pavey. Robert Schwarz. Rinalie Schoemaker. Jimmy Lewis. Lyndon Poskitt. Tiff Nico.
Chris Birch· Soundbite1:05
Chris Birch.
Clinton Smout· Guest1:05
Simon Thomas.
Lisa Thomas· Soundbite1:06
Lisa Thomas.
Clinton Smout· Guest1:06
Graeme Jarvis.
Jim Martin· Host1:07
Clinton Smout, and you're listening to Adventure Rider Radio. Experienced riders choose the Cycle Pump Tire Inflator made by Best Rest Products for one reason, because they can count on it when they pull that out of their pannier, no matter what. They're so tough, they're warrantied for life. Best Rest has loads of other moto-specific products like the hex wrench, which is a combination