What's the best bike for gravel?

[george formby]

120 rear?

I run the 120's on the 350 and 650.

It's a 4.10 so I guess about 110. Has the edge over the 130 704 it replaced, admittedly fairly worn. S'cuse the pun. Really noticeable in deep gravel, it hooks up very quickly if I'm not to mad on the throttle.

[Motu]

This is the best bike I ever used on gravel - long and low, it was built to go sideways. Ceriani's and Girlings, the best suspension around at the time, still better than some stuff today. I've never ridden a bike since that gave me the confidence of the stupid. And that's the message given many times in this thread, the bike that feels right to you is the best one for you in gravel.

[The Pastor]

This is the best bike I ever used on gravel - long and low, it was built to go sideways. Ceriani's and Girlings, the best suspension around at the time, still better than some stuff today. I've never ridden a bike since that gave me the confidence of the stupid. And that's the message given many times in this thread, the bike that feels right to you is the best one for you in gravel.

What is it?

[unstuck]

Looks to me like a Rickman Metisse with a T100 engine.

1974 vintage perhaps.

[neels]

I often thought an old twin shocker like an XT500 would be a blast. A bit like the street tracker idea. It makes sense, low, long, and stable.

I saw 5 of them lined up in a garage a couple of weeks ago, seems a shame for them not to be ridden (by me) (on gravel)

I've found the older heavy trail bikes seem a lot more stable on loose stuff at speed.

[Motu]

What is it?

1964 Rickman Metisse,powered by a 1973 T100C (Daytona) engine, Metal Profiles front brake and Triumph conical rear (with split sprockets). At that point (1977) I was running a 2 ply competition trials rear tyre - enduro riders are only just realising how good they are.

[Denniso]

Sounds like my DR650 on fat slicks is no good on gravel , damm better slow down next ride . Best bike I've ridden in gravel is GSX11000f , worst was Kwaka Z1.

[The Pastor]

1964 Rickman Metisse,powered by a 1973 T100C (Daytona) engine, Metal Profiles front brake and Triumph conical rear (with split sprockets). At that point (1977) I was running a 2 ply competition trials rear tyre - enduro riders are only just realising how good they are.

What do you think of an XT500 for the gravel?

Would love to buy this but i only have 2k! Why do sellers never give me 4 months warning!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=765488160

[Oscar]

What do you think of an XT500 for the gravel?

Would love to buy this but i only have 2k! Why do sellers never give me 4 months warning!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=765488160

I have an Xt500 and it's great on gravel.
A TT500 would be slightly betterer...

[The Pastor]

Maybe I should of made the title of this thread, best bike to ride FAST on gravel, as thats what I wanna do.

[Oscar]

Maybe I should of made the title of this thread, best bike to ride FAST on gravel, as thats what I wanna do.

Assuming road legal and 4 Stroke - you'll need a KTM big single - SXC625 / 640E / 690.

I also assumed that you wanted better than an even chance of surviving.
If not - 950SE

[The Pastor]

Assuming road legal and 4 Stroke - you'll need a KTM big single - SXC625 / 640E / 690.

I also assumed that you wanted better than an even chance of surviving.
If not - 950SE

Cool bikes, never ridden a KTM, will have to try some out.

[Motu]

There comes a point where too much power becomes a liability, too much wheelspin and not going forward. Low powered bikes are shit load of fun in gravel because you can thrash them with little wheelspin - it's fun powersliding out of a corner, trying to find traction, but being hooked up all the time is really fast.

The reason the XR750 is still winning on dirttracks after 40 years is because it makes just the right amount of power (about 95hp), any more and they don't go faster, just wheelspin.

[Ocean1]

There comes a point where too much power...

Oy! that'll be enough of that seditious nonsense, away wi' ye!

[NordieBoy]

A few years ago, NordieBro wanted to put his TT350 engine in a modern 250 frame for x-country racing.
Only 22hp, but lotsa torks. Peak WR250f torque comes in on the 350 at 3,500rpm. You need a 290cc kitted WR250R to get the same torque levels.

Then came the Freeride 350 with it's de-tuned donk all set up for mellow torque...

Ride the torque.

Torquey motors are good gravel motors.