Rookie (Outeredge)

[Outeredge]

Just wanted to say hi to all....just bought a Suzuki 650SFV Gladius because my 120kms round trip commute was proving too expensive in a Pajero...trouble is, 12km of that is on a metal road so any advice or help regarding upkeep and tips for a road bike on gravel would be gratefully appreciated...also, thanks for the survival skill tips, this kinda help saves lives...

[Akzle]

an automatic oiler will be your friend. Depending how enthusiastic you are, gravel dust eats chains. Foam filter wouldnt do you any harm either, might give you another HP or 2 aswell

[jim.cox]

relax, be supple, let the bike move around under you

[Kage]

Just wanted to say hi to all....just bought a Suzuki 650SFV Gladius because my 120kms round trip commute was proving too expensive in a Pajero...trouble is, 12km of that is on a metal road so any advice or help regarding upkeep and tips for a road bike on gravel would be gratefully appreciated...also, thanks for the survival skill tips, this kinda help saves lives...

Just take it careful on the gravel and you will be ok. I have had a fair bit of metal riding in the last few months due to roadworks and the bike is handling it great (also have a SFV650 and kms about the same). I keep an eye on grit on the chain and a good clean and lube every week has been working well.

[Madness]

relax, be supple, let the bike move around under you

This.

To add to this, sometimes when things get hairy you have to over-ride the natural instinct to pull on the stop lever and instead feed a little more gas and ride through it.

12km twice daily though, I reckon you'll end up hooning it pretty quickly.

[Outeredge]

Thanks for the feedback people...much appreciated...

[russd7]

definitely look at an auto oiler for chain, used to do a lot on gravel and put a scott oiler on the bike and never had trouble with chain again, i did have it running slightly higher than recommended tho