Difficulty with gravel driveway for a learner?

[raitho]

Hey guys

I am pretty interested in sitting my learners and getting my first bike but I had a slight concern about my driveway. It is a fairly long uphill gravel driveway with grass in the middle. It often gets deep holes in it from cars going down and digging them out. I'm wondering if I will have much issue with this as a learner? Here is a picture of the driveway:



Behind me in this picture is then a steeper concreted driveway which goes into the garage.

While making a topic I figured I would also ask about what bike I should get. I have done some searches through these forums and online but I seem to get varying answers. I am 6ft 2 and weigh about 75kg.

I started off looking at a GN250, my understanding is they are cheap to run and maintain and they are a great leaners bike. However I would do a fair amount of motorway and open road riding so would this be an issue on a GN250?

I then started looking at the Suzuki Bandit 250 as it seemed to have a bit more grunt but after looking around it appears they have an issue with their carbs which can cost a bit to repair.

I next started looking at a Honda VTR 250 or Suzuki Hornet 250 however the price on these jumps a bit from the GN250 and Bandit and there are not many in my area.

Are there any other bikes I am overlooking?

Thanks for the help

[Ocean1]

Bikes I can't help you with much, except to suggest you look at Yamaha Scorpios although at that height a lot of the classic learners bikes might be a tad small.

The driveway looks easy enough, certainly pay to practice with any new machine on it slowly though. Can you navigate it OK on a pushbike? Does the concrete get green snot on it in winter?

[Oakie]

Driveway looks OK. To be honest you'll probably have more difficulty coming down rather than going up.

[BMWST?]

at 6 2 most learner bikes will be a bit small physically but learners are now allowed a list of bikes up to 600 or 650 or so ,based on a allowable power to weight ratio.The secret to that drive is to keep as straight and steady as possible going up and coming down,just go real easy on the front brake,it may be that engine braking alone will keep you at a good speed.Trail type bikes are physically bigger .

[EJK]

Driveway looks OK. To be honest you'll probably have more difficulty coming down rather than going up.

+1

Be cautious with the front brakes coming down. Utilise rear brakes more.

[sketch]

mate of mines driveway was alot worse than that, first time i went up and down it it was terrible, now (couple of weeks later) i scoot up it like the ninjas a dirtbike, ul be right

[raitho]

Bikes I can't help you with much, except to suggest you look at Yamaha Scorpios although at that height a lot of the classic learners bikes might be a tad small.

The driveway looks easy enough, certainly pay to practice with any new machine on it slowly though. Can you navigate it OK on a pushbike? Does the concrete get green snot on it in winter?

Not really any green snot during the winter although it usually gets water blasted once a year so I'd imagine that stops it. Going up on a pushbike is fine, a bit bumpy, occasionally back wheel will spin when I put to much weight on a pedal.

mate of mines driveway was alot worse than that, first time i went up and down it it was terrible, now (couple of weeks later) i scoot up it like the ninjas a dirtbike, ul be right

This gives me confidence Just have to get used to it I take?

[DrunkenMistake]

Ask Hayd3n for a photo of his pain in the ass driveway,
Once you get used to it, you will be sweet as pie.

As suggestion above, utilise the rear brake and take it easy on the way down

[sketch]

and as for a gn........ well its not a bike that id have myself but plenty of ppl get along on the highway ok on em, talk to bosslady she takes hers to the track and take a look at this thread for a "whats possible" aspect

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130537941

[hayd3n]

Ask Hayd3n for a photo of his pain in the ass driveway,
Once you get used to it, you will be sweet as pie.

As suggestion above, utilise the rear brake and take it easy on the way down

who needs a pic when i have a video
<http://s642.photobucket.com/user/hay...10868.mp4.html
the old yzf600 , ahh i still miss that bike

[hayd3n]

i find on MY driveway , in ice/snow , moss no brakes is the best option , even my neighbour cant get the holden out of his driveway but the ol hornet no troubles

after some practice i can roll/throttle in and out of my driveway without needing brakes, until im at the top of either end

[DrunkenMistake]

i find on MY driveway , in ice/snow , moss no brakes is the best option , even my neighbour cant get the holden out of his driveway but the ol hornet no troubles

after some practice i can roll/throttle in and out of my driveway without needing brakes, until im at the top of either end

didnt you almost over shoot the end of the driveway heading back to the house one time? or was that someone else?

[hayd3n]

didnt you almost over shoot the end of the driveway heading back to the house one time? or was that someone else?

i think i managed 50 /60kph and ended up hitting the concrete wall albeit slightly

[bosslady]

and as for a gn........ well its not a bike that id have myself but plenty of ppl get along on the highway ok on em, talk to bosslady she takes hers to the track and take a look at this thread for a "whats possible" aspect

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130537941

If it's a sole commuter you'd be alright, not the best considering your height but if you're wanting cheap and cheerful this is it? if you're wanting it for fun, maybe not so much. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, cheap n easy to maintain, sold. If you want it for any other reason then you'll be S out of luck, as for the driveway, no idea! as for open road speeds I am only 9 or so kg lighter than you and it gets up and goes 100kmh just fine.

[pjpnz]

Riding in gravel... always watch where you WANT TO GO. Do not look at the grass strip, cos that's where you'll head. Seems elementary, but real important.