Riding on Gravel

[srubin5]

I just started riding a motorcycle a month ago (Gs 500), I have ridden on a scooter for about a year.

If anyone has any tips on what the best thing to do when riding on gravel. I would greatly appreciate it.

My apartment building has a indoor garage, but the problem is that my spot is on the second floor, and to get to the second floor I have to go out of the garage ride on gravel and go up to the second garage. also when i leave the garage i have to ride about 100 feet on gravel to get out of the parking lot in the back of the building.

Thanks in advance

[jonnythan]

Go real slow. Be real smooth. Don't lean the bike over.

[Scoutmedic]

Yep, slow and easy with no leaning. Also, stay loose and expect the bike to wobble a bit as the tires slip around on the stones.

[Dragonhawk]

If anyone has any tips on what the best thing to do when riding on gravel. I would greatly appreciate it.

Don't fall. It sucks.

[Wrider]

1. Gingerly approach gravel and stop on top of it...

2. Gently rev motor to redline...

3. Drop clutch as smoothly as possible...

4. Watch rocks and motorcycle fly in opposite directions!
Sorry, couldn't resist... Had to say it...

Anyway, yeah, just do like the other posters say, use your handlebars to steer, no matter how weird it feels, and I personally tend to keep my feet down near the ground, legs bent so that they can act as outriggers...
Wrider

[JCS]

Go easy but a little speed will help stabilize the bike. It will move around under you. Don't worry. Let it move. Put your feet on the pegs. This will help you shift your weight if needed. You cannot do this with your feet flapping in the breeze. Go very easy on the front brake or avoid it mostly. Use the rear brake. Going too slow actually makes it harder to deal with gravel.

[jonnythan]

Interesting that this discussion came up when it did. I went for a ride this evening and ended up doing about 2.5 miles on a dirt/gravel road. I kept it slow (~25 mph in a 45 zone), took the turns wide, used the handlebars and did not lean the bike over. It wandered around a bit and felt unstable but I stayed up.

[flynrider]

Keep your arms loose. Grip the tank with your knees. No sudden movements on the handlebars, brakes or throttle.

[IcyHound]

Slow, relaxed and straight. I have about 300 feet of gravel driveway I go up and down every day. I turn around very slowly with my feet down.

[Sev]

Actually, you want to keep up a little speed if you're going to be leaving the gravel (won't have to stop on it). You'll find that if you keep your speed up the gravel will resist crushing, and inertia will prevent your front end from flapping all over. All in all it becomes a much smoother ride. BUT, you need to have confidence in your bike, and you cannot stop or turn quickly.

Going the other way... keep it slow, it's scary, but best.