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Thread: Joy of not being limited by gravel

  1. #16
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    20th June 2011 - 20:27
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    Out Riverhead ways. And a WW2 tank trap by Hamilton.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Katman View Post
    but once again you proved me wrong.
    Quote Originally Posted by cassina View Post
    I was hit by one such driver while remaining in the view of their mirror.

  2. #17
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    30th January 2004 - 11:00
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bonez View Post
    Somewhere in the Wirerapper.....
    Nah that can't be the Wairarapa. There's not a vineyard or Cafe in sight?
    Happiness is a means of travel, not a destination

  3. #18
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    30th January 2004 - 11:00
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    Yea ha we've booked our sailings for the Molesworth & Rainbow valley trip and going to explore as far as the roads will take us at the top of the South around Collingwood. So looking forward to this summer escape.
    Happiness is a means of travel, not a destination

  4. #19
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    24th September 2004 - 06:46
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    Quote Originally Posted by MD View Post
    Nah that can't be the Wairarapa. There's not a vineyard or Cafe in sight?
    That's the posh half. The other half has better roads and no vine yards.

    Just saying...

  5. #20
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    27th August 2019 - 21:25
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    I've never ridden on gravel, but intend to. I imagine that it feels a little bit floaty? any advice?

  6. #21
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    25th January 2008 - 17:56
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    Wear a life jacket!
    For when it stops floating!
    The thing about owning a big traily, you can go pretty much anywhere you want, as long as the skill set is sharpish.
    Treat gravel with respect, don't fear it, ride calmly and feel what's happening, it'll come.
    Every day above ground is a good day!:

  7. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Danger Mouse View Post
    I've never ridden on gravel, but intend to. I imagine that it feels a little bit floaty? any advice?
    The key difference is crashing on gravel usually hurts less.

    And bugger all chance of a speeding ticket
    Happiness is a means of travel, not a destination

  8. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by Danger Mouse View Post
    I've never ridden on gravel, but intend to. I imagine that it feels a little bit floaty? any advice?
    Step by step. The bike will move around on gravel, don't fight it, but work with it. Let it move in some bits, try to anticipate when it isn't a good time.
    On narrow winding roads, expect the local traffic to not expect you, so ride with caution (and quickly get out of the way of B trains, tractors etc).

    The road surface will vary from slimy mud to well worn/compacted gravel to freshly graded gravel (urgh) to meeting the grader etc. Tyre choice is more tricky than road tyres, do you go groove based or block based, do you use different tyres on front and rear for different pros and cons. Ultimately, the best 2/3 of NZ are off the sealed roads, so get out and start exploring
    Quote Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
    It's barking mad and if it doesn't turn you into a complete loon within half an hour of cocking a leg over the lofty 875mm seat height, I'll eat my Arai.

  9. #24
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    3rd February 2004 - 08:11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gremlin View Post
    Step by step. The bike will move around on gravel, don't fight it, but work with it. Let it move in some bits, try to anticipate when it isn't a good time.
    On narrow winding roads, expect the local traffic to not expect you, so ride with caution (and quickly get out of the way of B trains, tractors etc).

    The road surface will vary from slimy mud to well worn/compacted gravel to freshly graded gravel (urgh) to meeting the grader etc. Tyre choice is more tricky than road tyres, do you go groove based or block based, do you use different tyres on front and rear for different pros and cons. Ultimately, the best 2/3 of NZ are off the sealed roads, so get out and start exploring

    All that plus dont hold the bars too tight - and put a bit of trust in the three gyroscopes (wheels and crankshaft) that assist in keeping the bike upright
    it's not a bad thing till you throw a KLR into the mix.
    those cheap ass bitches can do anything with ductape.
    (PostalDave on ADVrider)

  10. #25
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    4th October 2008 - 16:35
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    Do your absolute best to stay in the least gravelled part of the road.If you have to cross a thicker gravel "ridge" then a slight application of the throttle seems to help the front wheel float up over it,but keep looking ahead,you dont want to be applying throttle as you approach a gravelled corner.Your stopping distances on gravel will be much longer than on the seal.Clean dry dirt how ever has a lot of grip.And keep as far left as possible approaching blind corners!

  11. #26
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    9th December 2005 - 20:11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gremlin View Post
    Took a long weekend last weekend, Thurs to Tues. Went all down the west coast of the NI Raglan to Awakino, inland a bit through Kiwi Rd, slogged the rain on Friday to Wellington. Sunday was Martinborough and north up through Puketoi etc, Minginui and Waikaremoana on Monday, then Motu to wrap it up on Tuesday before the hike back to Auckland. Good times!
    Done this Kiwi Road last week. Talk about a road less travelled. Awesome especially the Eastern end, 1st /2nd gear stuff.
    Never saw another bike / vehicle in 2 hours very remote, if you went off the edge it would be months before they found you, if ever.

  12. #27
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    24th September 2004 - 06:46
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    Quote Originally Posted by rocketman1 View Post
    Done this Kiwi Road last week. Talk about a road less travelled. Awesome especially the Eastern end, 1st /2nd gear stuff.
    Never saw another bike / vehicle in 2 hours very remote, if you went off the edge it would be months before they found you, if ever.
    Yip. Great isn't it? Yey the usual KB moaning minnies still bitch about roads being too congested with tourist and cage drivers lol.

  13. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by MD View Post
    The key difference is crashing on gravel usually hurts less.

    And bugger all chance of a speeding ticket
    The key word is "Usually" ...

    It has been done ...
    When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...

  14. #29
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    1st September 2007 - 21:01
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    Quote Originally Posted by Danger Mouse View Post
    I've never ridden on gravel, but intend to. I imagine that it feels a little bit floaty? any advice?
    Just go do it ...
    When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...

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