Riding on gravel - sportbike

[Ocean1]

Ah, the various flavours of gravel...

Couple of things I've noticed, there's usually traction in the wheel ruts where there's no gravel. You can use any heavy gravel on the outside of a corner as a berm. The bits where there's just a single layer of stones over the base is often the most trecherous.

[vifferman]

As an experienced gravel rider the issue to me when I venture on to gravel with the VFR is how squirrely it is on the road tyres - the rounded profile is great for side grip when leaning on seal but man does it make them feel loose on gravel - so like you say you have to keep it as upright as you can and keep up the momentum so inertia keeps you running as straight as you can.

True, and keeping the speed up also makes the bike more stable. I found when riding the VFR two-up up to Cape Reinga (and on several gravel roads around there - a total of about 60-80km on gravel) that it was much better over 90 km/h than under, and it tended to 'float' over the bumps better. The DCBS was great when braking - used the front brake lever to scrub off speed, then just the back brake pedal, as even stomping fairly hard on it it didn't lock up either end.

While I'd still rather ride a trailie/adventure bike on gravel, or the VFR on tarmac, I got to quite enjoy it once my confidence grew. Best bit was some guy on a quad that came out of a side road, and had this, "Heh - I can take him!" look on his face, and I literally left him in my dust. (And no, it wasn't a farm bike.)

[scumdog]

I used to run my CBX750 on gravel in the past! Scared my sphincter shut for many k's. Down here we have Clutha 'round' river gravel like small ball bearings spread on the roads! Slight power, keep it up right, have some way of keeping the sweat out of your eyes and do it often. This seems to help the body to learn what to do. Cheers.

True about the Clutha gravel, ride on that and you can ride on anything.

Lotsa weight on the pegs help.

[Lil_Byte]

Have found just hanging on and staying away from the deep gravel seems to work. But then was bought up on gravel and didn't see those black roads til I were 27 or there about.

Things are pretty basic in the middle of the deep south

[Katman]

I can't believe it took till post #15 before the most important factor was mentioned - stay relaxed.

[Solarwind]

My first ever crash was on a hairpin intersection on gravel due to recent roadworks, the rear end just slid right out from under me at about 10kph, crushed the fairing and exhaust all down one side of my Ninja 250. The gravel was only partly to blame, my inexperience and inattention contributed.