Riding Deep Sand Without Fighting the Bike
Sand riding is one of the most intimidating challenges for adventure motorcyclists and for good reason. In this video, filmed on a real sand wash in South Africa right next to Kruger National Park, I break down exactly how I approach, plan, and ride through deep, bottomless sand on a fully loaded adventure bike.
This is not a training field or a controlled environment. This is a real-world obstacle with no alternate crossing, where mistakes mean digging out a heavy bike or getting hurt. I walk through how I classify terrain, how gear and bike setup change the difficulty, and how to build a plan that connects a smart approach to a predictable exit.
You’ll learn:
1. How to classify sand terrain and understand risk
2. Why approach angle and exit selection matter more than speed
3. How to manage throttle, clutch, and rear brake in deep sand
4. Proper body position to keep the front tire on top
5. When a dab is acceptable and when it becomes dangerous
6. Why vision is the most critical skill for sand riding success
This video focuses on strategy first, technique second — helping reduce fear, conserve energy, and improve consistency when riding sand on large ADV motorcycles. Whether you’re preparing for BDRs, international travel, or just trying to build confidence off pavement, these principles apply anywhere sand exists.
Ride with a plan, commit to it, and keep your eyes up because attitude matters.
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