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NorthernPete · #1 Post by **NorthernPete** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:20 pm

I plan on riding my bike to work tommorrow morning (if its not snowing like Sunday.) I have a question though, I have about a 3 KM stretch of gravel to travel on to the mine, and a gravel parking lot that can get soupy if it does get rainy, would it be a good idea to use my center stand when parked? or would it not make a difference balance wise? Also, tips on gravel riding with a street bike would be helpfull.

-Holiday · #2 Post by **-Holiday** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:21 pm

i'd bring a little board or something hard to put under your kickstand.

or is this post a joke?

NorthernPete · #3 Post by **NorthernPete** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:24 pm

No, Im serious. (seriously!)

-Holiday · #4 Post by **-Holiday** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:26 pm

whenever i'd ride my nighthawk on dirt or gravel roads. i've just be really easy on the throttle, and i wouldnt use the front brake, at all.

And i didnt lean too much.

dieziege · #5 Post by **dieziege** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:26 pm

I thought the centerstand was worse than the side stand in gravel/loose stuff, 'cause with the center the bike can fall pretty quick where with the side it just digs lower and lower and lower and if it does go over it's less of a drop anyway.

I've been using my centerstand on cement (my carport) and the side stand on dirt/gravel (my driveway)... no problems so far.

+1 A foot/beer can being good in soft stuff.

liablemtl · #6 Post by **liablemtl** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:28 pm

Gravel: easy on the contols and inputs. Relax. The bike will bob and weave a little because of the uneasy surface. Relax and try not to fight the bike...

Parking... center stand should be fine if you can get it up on it. Side stand might be a little harder to keep the bike up if the ground is really soft. And if you intend to use the side stand, see if you can't find a small 1x4 board to put under it if the ground is soft and you can't get the bike on the center stand.

snwbrdr · #7 Post by **snwbrdr** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:33 pm

Definitely use the center rather than the side stand. my center stand ismuch more stabkle and does better in soft because it spreads the weight over a greater area. definitelyconsider a small board. stay off the front brake for sure. keep it slow on the gravel and if you are slow enough try to just use the bars to steer rather than lean.(i dont know how fast you're gonna take it.) dont get on the gas fast, ride in the cars ruts, if you ride the center where its high there is less traction(more rocks) and it would be easy for the front or back to dive into the car ruts anyway.

#8 Post by **t_bonee** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:33 pm

Like the others said, take one of those little parking disks or a piece of wood or something to set your side stand on.

On the gravel, drive slow, don't lean to much (if at all) and use the rear brake only.

NorthernPete · #9 Post by **NorthernPete** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:36 pm

Right on folks! thanks for the tips, the looks of the road this week its fairly packed in the tire ruts (Semi trucks full of rock tend to pack things down and it looks almost pavement like in there) and Ill try to find a little chunck of wood or crush a can for parking. thanks again!

camthepyro · #10 Post by **camthepyro** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:42 pm

snwbrdr
PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2006 5:33 pm Post subject:
Definitely use the center rather than the side stand. my center stand ismuch more stabkle and does better in soft because it spreads the weight over a greater area. definitelyconsider a small board. stay off the front brake for sure. keep it slow on the gravel and if you are slow enough try to just use the bars to steer rather than lean.(i dont know how fast you're gonna take it.) dont get on the gas fast, ride in the cars ruts, if you ride the center where its high there is less traction(more rocks) and it would be easy for the front or back to dive into the car ruts anyway.

How would using the center stand spread the weight out more? On the side stand you have two wheels and one piece of metal to keep distribute the weight on, with the center stand you only have one wheel, and two pieces of metal.