Coping with loose gravel

Message

TxRider · #1 Unread post by **TxRider** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:39 pm

Any suggestions for the above? I've recently crossed over from the Suzuki SV which was a sport bike position to an M109R which is a much heavier cruiser.....tons of road work has popped up down here in Tyler,TX.

#2 Unread post by **Skier** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:41 pm

Practice. Go take those gravel roads. Put some miles on gravel and you'll understand how things work with the new bike. As a bonus this will also help you handle gravel on pavement so your poor bike doesn't get all rashed up.

VermilionX · Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:46 pm

go really really slow or avoid them like the plague.

i just scratched my bike bec i was going too fast for the gravel.

also, try not to use the front brake too much.

Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:47 pm

I hate gravel, however, I am getting better at it.

Keep your elbows loose and let your front wheel find its way through as you go slowly through it.

#5 Unread post by **Skier** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:54 pm

VermilionX wrote:go really really slow or avoid them like the plague.

You ever think your inexperience bit you again?

Or do we need your mechanic to tell you this as he's cleaning your bike's chain?

VermilionX · Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:56 pm

Skier wrote:
You ever think your inexperience bit you again?

nah, i should have known better, i rode on loose gravel several times before. i just did a dumb move that day.

i dunno if that qualfies as inexperience... more like stupidity.

JC Viper · #7 Unread post by **JC Viper** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:58 pm

Don't be abrupt with the throttle, try to be loose not stiff so you can get a better feel for the tires' reaction.

I now hate gravel for the scratches on my pipes and under the fenders. Better slow into a turn and faster out than scrubbing off speed while slanted.

oldschoolorange · Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:18 pm

I just sit a bit farther back on the bike as it helps take weight off the front end, Stay off the front brake. I remember with my dirtbikes I could get a sweet drift going coming out of a yurn

TxRider · #9 Unread post by **TxRider** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:27 pm

Thanks for the advice, and I never thought about the weight in the front bein a problem. I was more concerned about the stock 240 rear tire floating out from under me as i turned.

This construction is nuts though they are repaving a highly used section of roadway around here, and no loose gravel signs just a brief "brake for roadworkers" and then you're surrounded by flying rocks!

#10 Unread post by **bok** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:22 am

unexpected gravel is a problem. but if you know it's there, it's not so bad.

my tip for gravel is to grab a dirt bike and go ride in a gravel pit for a while and see how it feels. then take your own bike on a fairly unused gravel road or back alley if you can and take it slow.

to me, gravel feels like those stripped bits of pavement where your tire is sitting on tops of all the (VVVVVVVV) in the pavement but with gravel you get even less contact ( VV V VVV V ) so you can't make as aggressive inputs to the bike unless you are really accomplished at riding on gravel.