How hard will I find gravel on my GSX-R?

**jonnyk5614** · 19th June 2015, 16:06

I've ridden a lot of gravel in Vietnam but pretty rarely in Auckland (there isn't really any!).

Vietnam was pretty much a farm bike. The Gixxer thou is a bit different....

Will I get in any major trouble tackling good gravel (I want to do the Forgotten World Highway).

Cheers

**Ender EnZed** · 19th June 2015, 16:16

You'll be fine. The Forgotten World Highway isn't gravel for long and it's usually in good condition.

Big wide road rubber is always going to feel a bit shit on gravel but it's not that bad with a bit of confidence. Keep the speed up high enough that you don't need to use first gear.

**pritch** · 19th June 2015, 16:25

There is only about 12K of gravel in the Tangarakau Gorge. Unless the grader has just been through it'll be more like hard dirt, you should be fine. If you are heading south don't have a dark visor down when you enter the tunnel.

The main thing throughout the whole SH43 journey is to stay on your own side of the road and the advisory speed signs that say 15 or 20kph actually mean it.

**jonnyk5614** · 19th June 2015, 16:38

Cheers guys

Generally speaking, if it is a legit road and I take it easy, I won't actually get stuck on gravel in NZ?

**jonnyk5614** · 19th June 2015, 16:46

And I'm guessing 90 mile beach really is a No no.....

**Ender EnZed** · 19th June 2015, 16:50

Originally Posted by jonnyk5614

And I'm guessing 90 mile beach really is a No no.....

I'd give it a go on someone else's GSXR1000. Probably not my own.

**haydes55** · 19th June 2015, 18:17

Gravel, hard packed sand, grass are fine on any bike.... If you have enough skill you could take a GSXR1000 over some sand dunes.

90 mile beach, take it easy, no worries. Just make sure you wash the bike thoroughly afterwards.

Forgotten worlds highway.... Peice of piss. The bigger issue is gravel on the corners that shouldn't be gravel, and the sections of tarmac being replaced with straight tar.

Sent from my HTC Desire 310 using Tapatalk

**mossy1200** · 19th June 2015, 18:21

Stress less.

**Gremlin** · 19th June 2015, 20:58

Gravel roads aren't like sealed roads. They can be anything from hard packed (where it's easy to do 100+), to the grader has been through and it's like riding on marbles, to they've laid down a fresh layer and you should put your togs on coz you're going swimming

Hard pack, easy on the GSXR. Grader has just been, you're probably going to struggle. Fresh layer... hahaha you better know what you're doing

Your skill/experience will make up a big component, and it's not like you're the first to do it.

I would suggest a radiator guard if you're going to get all keen about it, but realistically, just buy an adventure bike and go anywhere... cheaper when you drop it.

**Voltaire** · 19th June 2015, 21:09

Originally Posted by jonnyk5614

I've ridden a lot of gravel in Vietnam but pretty rarely in Auckland (there isn't really any!).

Vietnam was pretty much a farm bike. The Gixxer thou is a bit different....

Will I get in any major trouble tackling good gravel (I want to do the Forgotten World Highway).

Cheers

Vietnam...home of the Honda 150

, quite a bit of gravel in Auckland now taking in the Kaipara.

**Paul in NZ** · 19th June 2015, 22:05

How hard will you find it? Pretty bloody hard if you fall on it ... But yes - take it easy... You will be fine

**BMWST?** · 19th June 2015, 22:12

sh 43 is like....its forgotten,you will almost certainly round a corner to find rocks in the middle of the road.The gravel bit is pretty clean at the moment(queens birthday weekend) I would imagine that bit could be a bit slippery in the wet.There are plenty of wild goats too Some awesome views and history abound.I think there is a waterfall worth looking at very near the moki tunnel

**FJRider** · 19th June 2015, 22:15

Originally Posted by jonnyk5614

And I'm guessing 90 mile beach really is a No no.....

Why ... ?????????????????????????????????????????

**FJRider** · 19th June 2015, 22:20

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

I'd give it a go on someone else's GSXR1000. Probably not my own.

Salt is good for the body .. not for the bike. Pick your track below high tide level ... and few issues should remain.

But it is better on somebody else's bike ...