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Gravel
Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:05 pm
by IcyHound
I've not seen a lot of discussion about gravel driveways. We have one. I've seen people comment in passing, so I take it that it is not a world shattering problem?
We are planning to pave it in the spring, but we may get the bikes before it is paved. Even if we pave the driveway, the parking area to the shed (Where the bikes will be garaged) is still going to be gravel.
I assume its something one takes with caution and not at high speeds.
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:45 am
by MotoF150
I treat riding a bike over gravel like riding on ice, as long as you hit it straight, no sudden turns or apply the brakes hard you can ride over gravel normally
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 3:20 am
by Loonette
Stay relaxed so that your arms can act as buffers for any "bips" that a rock may produce. Keep a steady amount of power to the throttle - coasting is worse than drive power, but you don't want to jerk the throttle or go too fast. If you need to apply the brakes for any reason, make sure you front wheel is relatively straight, and again, be steady with the brakes. You'll get used to it rather quickly, and it will then become a very natural part of your riding.
Cheers,
Loonette
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:00 am
by KingRobb
Loonette wrote:Stay relaxed so that your arms can act as buffers for any "bips" that a rock may produce. Keep a steady amount of power to the throttle - coasting is worse than drive power, but you don't want to jerk the throttle or go too fast. If you need to apply the brakes for any reason, make sure you front wheel is relatively straight, and again, be steady with the brakes. You'll get used to it rather quickly, and it will then become a very natural part of your riding.
Cheers,
Loonette
yeah staying relaxed and steady is the key
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:22 am
by Flting Duck
As stated, stay relaxed, no sudden moves.
As much as possible, I avoid using the front brake on gravel or potentially slippery surfaces.
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:39 pm
by mgdavis
A little bit of speed helps your stability, be wary of the front brake.
Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:30 pm
by IcyHound
The funny thing is that my profecent motorcycle book adressed the subject about 10 pages after I wrote the post, making me feel rather silly.
We do plan to pave all the way to the shed, but it may not be for a month or so after we get the bikes depending on weather.
Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:13 pm
by Kal
To be honest if its isnt that much of a distance I'd 'powerwalk' it.
Bike in first, both feet just above the surface and take it real easy.
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:29 am
by isnowbrd
Or if you want to have some fun, grab a handful of throttle and drop the clutch.
You may want to wait until you have lots of gravel riding experience before doing this.
Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:53 pm
by WyoRider
A gravel driveway is fine unless it is too deep. My wife found out the hard way at her friends house and got buried in their gravel driveway and dumped her new Aero. Ouch!
That big chrome single pipe kept her from falling completely over and taking out the lights but there is a nice ding in the pipe now.
