RIDER SKILLS: The Power of the Dab

Clinton Smout is the rider-skills instructor quoted in this segment, representing the Smart Performance Center. He’s used as the authority for how to think about balance and using the dab as a skill tool.

Smart Performance Center is the organization Clinton Smout is associated with in Ontario, Canada. In this episode, it’s presented as a training/skills resource for improving rider balance and technique.

In this context, “balance” is the rider’s ability to keep the motorcycle stable and under control during low-speed corrections or when traction and body position aren’t cooperating. The segment claims balance can be improved through training, rather than relying purely on instinct.

Ontario, Canada is referenced as the location of the Smart Performance Center. It provides geographic context for where the rider-skills instructor is based.

BMW is a major German motorcycle and car manufacturer known for performance-oriented engineering. In this segment, it’s mentioned because Clinton is a certified BMW instructor, tying his training to BMW’s rider-education program.

The GMC Yukon is a full-size SUV built for carrying people and gear, which makes it a common choice for long trips like a multi-day ride to places such as Alaska’s Yukon region. It’s significant in this kind of conversation because it can function as the family/crew vehicle and the “base” for transporting riding equipment and supplies. That’s why it may come up when someone talks about planning and logistics for an extended adventure.

The Honda XR650 is a long-running dual-sport/enduro-style motorcycle line from Honda, known for being durable and capable on rough terrain. In this segment, it’s specifically called out as a vintage bike used on the Alaska/Yukon riding trip.

Kovey is the motorcycle brand/model name the rider mentions as having a “brand new Kovey 450 rally” available as a spare. In this story, Kovey is important because it’s the specific bike used to keep the trip going after the original machine failed.

A carburetor is the fuel-mixing device that meters gasoline into the engine using airflow. In the segment, the host explains that dirt settling at the bottom of a tank can get sucked into the carburetor, causing running problems after the bike has been sitting.

An electrical short is an unintended low-resistance path in a circuit that can cause abnormal behavior or stalling. Here, the bike runs fine in some directions but stalls when turning right, and the speaker suspects an electrical short is the cause.

A kill switch is the handlebar or control switch used to shut off the engine quickly (often by interrupting ignition or power to the ignition system). The host says they took the kill switch apart and checked it while hunting for the electrical fault.

A wire harness is the bundled set of wires and connectors that routes electrical power and signals throughout the motorcycle. The host describes cutting the sheath off the entire wire harness to inspect for a hidden wiring issue that could explain the right-turn stalling.

A relay is an electrically controlled switch that uses a small signal to control a higher-power circuit. The speaker wonders if a relay with a switch could be responsible for killing the bike, which is a common diagnostic thought when chasing intermittent electrical faults.

TKC 80 is a specific tire model (from Continental) commonly used on adventure and dual-sport motorcycles. It’s known for aggressive tread that works on loose surfaces like dirt and gravel, while still being usable on pavement.

Tire irons are the metal tools used to pry a motorcycle tire off (and back on) the wheel rim. They’re especially important when the tire is stiff and needs leverage to break the bead and seat it correctly.

In tire mounting, lube is a lubricant applied to help the tire bead slide and seal against the rim. It reduces friction so the bead can seat evenly when air pressure is applied.

Wedges are small pieces used to hold the tire down on the rim during mounting. Keeping the tire pressed helps you work the bead over the rim with less force and fewer tire-iron moves.

The tire bead seats when the tire’s inner edge locks against the wheel rim at both sides. When it seats properly, inflation pressure causes a noticeable “pop” as the bead forms the seal.

“DAB” in slow-speed motorcycle riding refers to the rider briefly touching a foot down to stabilize the bike. The “power of the dab” is the idea that a controlled dab can improve balance recovery and prevent a low-speed tip-over.

Counterweighting is shifting your body weight to oppose the bike’s lean or momentum, helping keep the motorcycle upright at low speeds. It’s a key part of slow-speed control because the bike doesn’t have much gyroscopic stability when moving slowly.

The front brake is the motorcycle’s primary braking system because the front tire can handle a large share of the braking force. Proper front-brake use is crucial for controlled deceleration and for techniques like controlled wheel lift.

Threshold braking is braking right at the limit where the tire is about to lose traction (without fully locking up). On a motorcycle, it’s a technique for maximizing stopping power while keeping the bike stable and steerable.

A stoppie is a controlled maneuver where the rider uses the front brake to lift the rear wheel off the ground while slowing down. It requires careful balance and timing so the bike doesn’t flip over.

Yamaha’s WR 250 is a lightweight dual-sport/enduro-style bike known for off-road capability and manageable power. In this segment, it’s the rider’s bike used to attempt a stoppie.

A skid plate is an under-engine protective panel designed to shield the bike’s lower components from rocks, logs, and impacts during off-road riding. Here, the second rider “smashed into the skid plate,” implying it was the contact point.

Slow-speed riding is where small steering and balance inputs matter most, because the bike has less gyroscopic stability. Skills like balance control and weight placement are tested more intensely at walking pace than at higher speeds.

Peg waiting is a slow-speed technique where the rider uses the foot pegs as a reference point and times weight shifts to stabilize the bike. It’s closely tied to balance and steering inputs during maneuvers like tight turns or controlled stops.

A throttle lock is a device that holds your throttle position so you don’t have to keep your hand applying pressure. On motorcycles, it’s often used to reduce fatigue on long rides by letting you “set” a steady throttle opening.

A “cruise control alternative” is a device that mimics the function of cruise control—maintaining a steady speed or throttle setting—without the bike having factory cruise control. On motorcycles, throttle locks are commonly used for this purpose, especially on adventure bikes.

Loveland, Colorado is the location where the Overland Expo Mountain West event is being held. For listeners planning to attend, it’s a key geographic detail tied to the event’s dates and venue.

This refers to a dedicated training zone for ADV (adventure) riders, where the event runs hands-on sessions. It’s a structural part of the event format rather than a technical automotive concept.

“Tire changing in the field” means swapping a motorcycle tire outdoors, typically with limited tools and no workshop equipment. For adventure riding, it’s a key skill because punctures or tire damage can happen far from help, and being able to change a tire can be the difference between continuing the ride or being stranded.

Roadside repairs are fixes you can perform when something goes wrong during a ride, typically away from a garage. In rider training contexts, they usually focus on practical, field-ready procedures so you can get moving again safely.

Handlebar turning refers to using the steering input at the handlebars to change the bike’s direction. In slow-speed riding, it can strongly affect balance, so riders often learn how to apply small, controlled inputs rather than large abrupt ones.

Peg steering is a riding technique where you use the foot pegs and body position to influence the bike’s direction and balance, rather than relying only on steering the handlebars. It’s often discussed as an alternative or addition to more direct handlebar steering, especially at low speeds.

Body shifting is the deliberate movement of the rider’s weight to help control the motorcycle’s balance and steering response. The segment links it to how steering inputs can “rear its head” at slow speeds, requiring the rider to compensate with weight placement.

Speed changing is adjusting your pace (often by modulating throttle and braking) to keep the bike stable and pointed correctly through a turn or on unstable surfaces. In off-road riding, small speed changes can help the bike regain balance when it starts to wobble.

Loose terrain refers to surfaces where the tire can’t maintain consistent contact—like gravel, dirt, sand, or mud. Because traction changes quickly, riders often need to manage throttle and speed to prevent wobble, slide, or wheel spin.

Big wheel spin is when the rear tire loses traction and spins faster than the bike is actually moving forward. On loose surfaces, too much throttle can trigger wheel spin, which reduces grip and can make the bike harder to control.

“Trials” refers to motorcycle trials, a discipline focused on slow-speed balance and precision over obstacles. When the host says “hanging your foot out like a trials thing,” they mean a body-positioning technique used to keep the bike stable when it wants to tip.

In this context, the “V” is a body-position reference for counterbalancing during a left turn. The host describes the bike’s lean as one side of the V and the rider’s body position as the other, to keep the combined system stable.

The front axle is the main structural point where the front wheel assembly is supported and where the bike’s front end loads are transmitted. In this segment, the host explains that putting weight on the front axle increases the front tire’s grip by improving how force is applied to the contact patch.

Traction is the grip between the tire and the surface, which determines how effectively the bike can accelerate, brake, and corner without slipping. Here, the host ties traction to weight placement: more load on the front axle helps the front tire “bite” and maintain grip.

A "foot dab" is a motorcycle riding technique where you briefly put a boot/foot down to the ground to stabilize the bike when you’ve lost balance. The goal is to create a moment of traction so you can push the bike back upright and avoid a fall.

The "side stand" is the kickstand that supports a motorcycle on one side when parked. The speaker references the bike leaning over where the side stand used to be down, describing how riders may still be misbalanced when they start moving.

A “Roy Rogers start” is a teaching nickname for a specific motorcycle launch technique used in rider training. It describes how you position your feet and body relative to the bike while you begin moving, before you fully commit to the normal riding stance.

First gear is the lowest gear ratio in the transmission, designed for low-speed movement and easy starts. Beginners often use first gear because it provides strong torque at low wheel speeds when engaging the clutch.

The clutch is the control that connects and disconnects the engine’s power from the transmission. In a motorcycle start, you use it to smoothly engage first gear so the bike can move without stalling or jerking.

A foot peg is the platform on a motorcycle where the rider places their foot for balance and control. During learning, riders may temporarily place a boot on the peg (or use it like a “stirrup”) to stabilize the bike while coordinating clutch release and body position.

Trials riding is a motorcycle discipline where the goal is to move through obstacles with minimal mistakes, often at very low speeds. Riders navigate sections like hills, turns, and logs while trying to keep both wheels and the bike under control. It’s judged heavily on balance and precision rather than speed.

Observed trials is the format of trials riding where a rider’s performance is watched and scored in real time. The rider attempts a defined “section,” and officials track errors like dabs. This makes technique and control measurable rather than just subjective.

In observed trials, the course is broken into short, defined “sections” that riders must complete. Each section can include different obstacles (like hills, turns, and logs), and it’s typically ridden quickly—often in under a minute. Scoring is based on what happens within that section.

A “minder” in trials riding is an official who stands trackside and watches the rider’s technique closely. They monitor the rider’s maneuvers through the section and record mistakes such as dabs. Their scoring is communicated visibly to the rider and audience.

Here, leverage refers to how effectively your body position and foot contact can create a stabilizing force. Being closer to the bike reduces your leverage, while being farther away increases it, making it easier to correct the bike’s balance.

Lean angle is how far the motorcycle is tilted from upright. The amount of lean affects how likely the bike is to fall and where your support (like a dab) needs to happen to counter the tip.

A "locked knee" means keeping the leg stiff with little to no bend. The speaker emphasizes using a controlled, stiff leg (not floppy) so the dab provides a stable, reliable support point rather than a weak, unstable one.

Upper body positioning is part of the coordinated body mechanics used to recover from a tip. The speaker describes moving the upper body and hips together to help stand the bike back up after the dab.

Hips are used as a leverage point for shifting the motorcycle’s balance during low-speed recovery. Moving your hips in the direction described helps counter the bike’s fall and supports the stand-up correction after the dab.

This is a training cue for the direction and feel of the foot movement during a dab recovery. The speaker uses the soccer-ball analogy to emphasize moving the foot in a way that clears the bike rather than getting trapped under it.

Cyclops Adventure Sports is an aftermarket lighting brand focused on adventure motorcycles. In this segment, they’re presented as making turn signals and other lights that improve visibility and durability for off-road use.

“Full flex blinkers” refers to turn signals designed to flex on impact instead of snapping off. The idea is that they can bend and spring back when the bike hits branches or obstacles, which is common in off-road riding.

A “spring loaded flexible stock” describes the mounting stalk for the turn signals that uses spring action and flexibility. This design helps the signals absorb impacts by bending and returning to position.

“White running lights” are lights that stay on when the bike is operating, separate from the turn signal flashing function. In this setup, the turn-signal units also act as white daytime/position lights to improve visibility.

This describes a multi-function rear lighting behavior: the units provide red running/position light illumination and then switch to brake-light intensity when braking. The host is emphasizing that the turn-signal hardware also contributes to rear visibility and safety.

“Auxiliary lights” are extra lighting units mounted in addition to the main headlight, often used to extend the beam pattern or add visibility for off-road riding. They’re commonly used for spotting hazards on dark trails or unlit roads.

“LED headlight bulbs” are replacement bulbs that use light-emitting diodes instead of the original filament/halogen source. LEDs typically offer brighter output and faster response, which can improve night visibility on motorcycles.

“CAN bus ready systems” means the lighting/electrical accessories are designed to work with a motorcycle’s Controller Area Network (CAN bus). This helps prevent common issues like flicker or bulb-out warnings by communicating correctly with the bike’s electronics.

IMS Products is an aftermarket manufacturer known for motorcycle off-road components. Here, the host specifically mentions IMS foot pegs as a way to improve rider control when standing.

“Painted lines” are used as a visual guide for low-speed accuracy drills. Following a line helps riders practice steady steering and consistent balance inputs without needing high speed.

Using “two fingers” on the clutch lever is a technique for fine control at low speed. It can reduce fatigue and improve precision when you’re modulating clutch engagement during balance practice.

“On and off the throttle” refers to rapidly changing engine torque by opening and closing the throttle. On many motorcycles—especially larger ones—those abrupt torque changes can make low-speed control feel jerky.

“Creative V” appears to be a named rider-body-position cue for cornering balance. In this context, it’s tied to how the rider shifts weight when the motorcycle is leaned.

“Hang your body off” is a counterbalancing technique used when cornering, where the rider shifts their weight to the outside of the turn. This helps the motorcycle stay more stable and improves balance when the bike is leaned.

A “tank bag” is a motorcycle storage bag mounted on or near the fuel tank, typically held by straps or magnets. The rider mentions putting their head down on the tank bag while dust settles, showing how it can be used as a brace during low-visibility conditions.

“Third gear” is a specific transmission ratio on a motorcycle, used to balance engine power and control. In sand, choosing the right gear helps keep the engine in a usable power band so you can maintain momentum without bogging down.

In off-road motorcycle riding, a “dab” is when you quickly put a foot down to stabilize the bike when traction is poor or the bike starts to tip. Here, the rider dabs to stop the front end from falling left after hitting deep, soft sand.