Riding Gravel on a Sprotsbike

**Keystone19** · 13th February 2006, 16:47

Dunno if this is the right forum to post this but here it is...

Yesterday I had a brilliant ride up to Tawharanui Regional Park. Rode via Hwy16 and across to Warkworth and then through Matakana before turning off to the Regional Park.

Now for those of you who haven't been to Tawharanui, the last 5km of the road in is twisty gravel corners with one straight stretch through the middle. Although I rode the gravel by choice yesterday, sometimes there is no choice and we have to ride the gravel through road works or up the mates driveway or whatever. Thought I'd share my experiences in case someone finds it helpful.

Yesterday I rode in second gear and managed to keep a comfortable speed of about 40kph. By staying in the vehicle track, keeping a relaxed grip on the bars and just guiding the bike rather than steering it made the riding easy. Keeping it in second meant I could give it a little handful if need be.

Being a Vtwin I was able to use a lot of engine braking but still found I had to use the brakes on the odd steeper downhill corner. In these instances I tended to use the back brake gently in combination with the engine braking.

Anyone else got tips for riding gravel on a sprotsbike? I have to say I quite enjoy it and might have to think about getting a trail bike...

**skelstar** · 13th February 2006, 16:52

We discussed this on our trip eh KS?

We decided that grabbing a handleful of the front brake was a BAD idea, and if the back slides out then stomping on the brakes was NOT good, and putting a bit of power on (hence 2nd gear) WAS good.

Correct me if Im wrong.

I think the 'loosy goosy' thing is fairly important though.

**Mental Trousers** · 13th February 2006, 18:14

Standing on the pegs helps stop the bike from moving around much, and if the bike is on any sort of a lean weighting the outside peg gives you more grip and control over the bike.

**cowpoos** · 13th February 2006, 18:35

listen to uncles Poo's real good kids....I live on a gravel road...a longish one...

Okay first up...you can use a fair bit of front brake no worries...just not around corners...a slightly lower gear is good...and you could probally find u can travel much much faster...I usually sit on around 90-120kmph sweet as...

DON"T STAND UP!!!! because of your shit for purpose tyres u want the centre of gravity as low as posible...especially for any little slides as its much easyer to control...try to ride in the wheel tracks if possible...if you have to cross the centre of the tracks [looser stuff] take a bit of weight off the front handle bars by gripping your tank with your knees...smooth throttle...
and your bike will move abit so try if you can [it can be hard] to relax... back brake can be fine to use as long as your on a level piece of road if it has to much camber the back can [can] step out a little or alot...I personal don't use the rear brake on gravel unless I'm getting wheel spin going up a hill [a form of traction control...I keep the throttle about the same and apply alittle rear brake till the wheel spin stops]....and hav fun kiddies

**far queue** · 13th February 2006, 19:07

Originally Posted by Keystone19

I have to say I quite enjoy it and might have to think about getting a trail bike...

Yeah, that's the story swap the SV650 for a DR650, have fun on road and off

**Mental Trousers** · 13th February 2006, 19:23

SHould be more careful with explaining these things I guess. I should've added that you don't actually want to stand up as such, just put quite a bit of your weight through the pegs.

**far queue** · 13th February 2006, 19:57

Originally Posted by far queue

Yeah, that's the story swap the SV650 for a DR650, have fun on road and off

... or, you could try this ... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24632

**Milky** · 13th February 2006, 23:16

Originally Posted by cowpoos

I personal don't use the rear brake on gravel unless I'm getting wheel spin going up a hill [a form of traction control...I keep the throttle about the same and apply alittle rear brake till the wheel spin stops]

The man speaks wise words - I use that technique for most loose surfaces and it works a treat. Settles the bike down a huge amount, and even if you do not notice the rear spinning as such, try it out anyway. It smooths out the drive and stops the wheel skipping over large stones or ruts.

**scumdog** · 14th February 2006, 00:25

Hmm, two-up on my crappy Harley Sportster I wouldn't go faster than 100kph (the law says I shouldn't)
But I stick in about 3rd gear with foot hovering on the brake pedal.
Not meeting tractors is good too - especially if they are heading in th opposite direction.
And try and stay away from ruts and corrugations etc.

**Fishy** · 14th February 2006, 07:02

Originally Posted by cowpoos

listen to uncles Poo's real good kids....I live on a gravel road...a longish one...

Hey Mr Poos, do you have dusty shit all through your bike where cloths and sponges can't get at to clean? My driveway is 400m long, is dirt and gravel and it fuckens covers the bike in shit every time I go out.

How do you clean the inside of your front fairing area where the speedo and headlights n shit are? or is it all accessible on the gixxer without having to pull things apart?

**Krusti** · 14th February 2006, 07:55

Number 1.....look as far ahead as possible. If you find yourself looking just in front of your bike force yourself to look at least 100 m ahead. Goes for riding on any surface as well.

**Motu** · 14th February 2006, 08:03

Can't really help with the specific post - I don't ride sprotsbikes on seal,let alone gravel,so have no real clue to the troubles you'll get into....but I can guess.

A certain amount of speed is important,this smooths out the bumps,the bike will just float over them.It also gets the gyroscopic forces of your wheels working,this allows your bike to function as it was designed,not a 200kg dead weight that keeps wanting to fall over - dirt bikes have bigger dia wheels to roll over bumps better,and the gyroscopic forces come into play earlier.You can certainly use a lot more front brake than you think,but I use my rear brake a lot - after a gravel road dash my rear brake is smoking and the rotor blue,the front brake is just warm to touch.The rear brake acts as a sea anchor,pulling from the rear,keeping you pointed where you want to go.Over braking will produce a rear wheel slide,sometimes losing control over the rear wheel and you may not get it together in time to make the turn...so be careful.Entering a turn sideways is advanced stuff,and you need a clear view of the exit before you do that.

I use a lot of road,and when I can see through a corner will cut a right hander to the gutter,this keeps things smooth and gets you out of the loose stuff on the outside - use caution there,you need to be looking well ahead on gravel,scanning well ahead for clues on road condition,where it's going and oncoming traffic.Data inputs to your brain are far greater than you'll get on seal....one of the reasons I like to ride gravel,lots more is happening.I will sometimes ride the right wheel track completely as it is often smoother...corrugations happen at corner entry and exit,be aware they are there.Keep it smooth and loose,cross the wheel tracks under power...let it shake,it's no big deal and will settle down in the next wheel track.

Don't worry if it all feels too much - I've done a hell of a lot of gravel,it's what I go out and do when I ride - and I still have times when I find it diffucult going,on a dirt bike with knobs even.

**skelstar** · 14th February 2006, 08:06

Motu - I imagine that the camber of corners is significantly more pronounced on gravel? And perhaps would affect a bike considerably more as a result?

**Motu** · 14th February 2006, 08:35

For sure,they can be very difficult,and you can use them to your advantage.One a right hander you can see through (very important that bit) you can ride down the camber to the inside,then up the camber to the next left hander - the surface will be smoother and the line straighter.But a blind down hill off camber right is a real nasty one - you have to stay out wide because you can't see through to the exit,all the loose stuff is thrown to the outside.So you end up going slow and wobbling though all the loose stuff.DHOCRs and newly laid thick gravel are the worst stuff on gravel roads.

A series of cambered corners are good fun - straighten them out and hit them hard on full throttle and you can leap off the up cambers.