Gravel

Message

IcyHound · #1 Unread post by **IcyHound** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:05 pm

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.

MotoF150 · #2 Unread post by **MotoF150** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:45 am

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

Loonette · #3 Unread post by **Loonette** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 3:20 am

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

KingRobb · #4 Unread post by **KingRobb** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 4:00 am

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

Flting Duck · Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:22 am

As stated, stay relaxed, no sudden moves.

As much as possible, I avoid using the front brake on gravel or potentially slippery surfaces.

mgdavis · #6 Unread post by **mgdavis** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:39 pm

A little bit of speed helps your stability, be wary of the front brake.

IcyHound · #7 Unread post by **IcyHound** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 1:30 pm

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.

Kal · #8 Unread post by **Kal** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:13 pm

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.

isnowbrd · #9 Unread post by **isnowbrd** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:29 am

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.

WyoRider · #10 Unread post by **WyoRider** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 3:53 pm

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.