Are you scared of gravel roads??

Let me start by saying that I love my GPS!! How can you not love a little box of electronics that gives step by step instructions and provides you with your current location at any given time? This thing has allowed me the freedom to roam free on my own and just find my way back home with a push of a single button whenever I am ready. The downside is that you can't trust the routes 100% of the time and often have to do u-turns and re-routes once you get to the smaller less travelled roads since they may not be suitable for bikes. On my last few solo rides I decided I wasn't going to do any u-turns and would just follow the initial route regardless of how shitty the roads were. As expected my route included some suspect gravel roads but since none of them was more than 2 miles long I decided to stay the course. Some parts of the roads were bad with deep ruts and some parts narrow but overall it wasn't terrible as long as you maintained speed and picked a good line to follow. I kept my speeds to under 20 mph and found much of the ride through the woods peaceful and relaxing. I know it takes only one little slip up to go down under these circumstances but I felt totally in control and safe. I am 37 years old now and have been riding bikes since I was 10 years old. My first streel legal bike was a 85 Honda XL 350 dual sport. When I was 15 years old I used to take that thing offroad and abuse it. That bike was a heavy beast but it took me to some far out places that you would never get to in any other vehicles. I can definately say it made me a much better street rider today. So anyways, I am just curious to know how many of you turn around when you see gravel roads and how many of you just say Fook It and take your chances?

Pics are welcome showing your VFR off road.



Rollin

 

I have taken my VFR down some gravel roads, although I do tend to avoid them. My old 1975 KZ400 wasn't to bad on dirt roads and I had it up to 40-45 ish running through a deserted state park near me. I run into alot of backroads on the VFR that are choppy enough to make me want a suzuki v-strom though... I would be hunting for gravel roads on one of those.

 

I try to avoid them if at all possible, I have however reluctantly found myself on a couple. I take it slow, but not too slow, make sure I pay extra attention to where I am going so I don't have to make any sharp turns and hope I get off the road as quickly as possible.

 

Let's face it. We arent riding CRF250s these things are heavy. Of course, you are going to ride it differently and slower on gravel. We were out on a gps ride and found ourselves on a gravel road. It was kinda a surprise since the change over from asphalt to gravel was on exit from a turn. Lucky nobody fell. We too it easy for a bit but turned around so we didnt get stuck on a long gravel road.

 

The fastest I've gone on a clay gravel road was 100mph. It was not a planned excursion just one of those happen chance things. The Interceptor became a dirt bike in milliseconds. Handled pretty good til I could get it down to 70mph and get up on the center hump that was all clay and away from the gravel pot holes. Braking was much better up there. Thank you Montana good bye Wyoming.

Normally it doesn't bother me. Speed is what ever for the conditions 25-40ish.

 

not thay I like them but I have been on few when I don't have a choice espcially since my girl lives down one. Little old lady scare me more

 

Radial tires ain't at thier best on gravel. Anybody run knobbies on a Wing?

 

gravel road trip


last memorial day rode ~20 miles of gravel fire road to go hike and fish.
washboard road sucked. getting skunked at the lake sucked worse.

 

I wouldn't even consider it.



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If anyone was out at the Taft Grand Prix back in February and saw a white 6th gen out on the course...
It was me:vtr2:

 

What he said!

 

I live in the middle of nowhere, so I spend some time on gravel. The tires absolutely hate it. A few things that help for me: Grab the tank with your legs, so your arms can relax. Keep hold of the grips with your hands, but let yours arms relax so the bike can do its thing without you fighting it. It's going to wander around a bit; let it. Slow down by pulling in the clutch, but keep enough speed to get through, especially if it's sandy. Sand is the worst. Careful with the front brake, better to start with the rear, especially downhill.

And when you get home, celebrate your adventure by cleaning and lubing your poor chain.

There are people who wouldn't consider riding in the rain. I love riding in the rain. There are people who will turn around when the road turns to gravel. I like to find out what's at the other end, though it's always a relief to get back on pavement.

 

Slow and Steady

I have ridden in some mixed sand / gravel / uphill /downhill roads in the mountains north of me. I find that taking it easy(10-25 MPH) and letting the bike wander slightly works best, also, rear brake and keeping the gear low. The bike did great even at its weight, no close calls. +5 on chain service....

 

My ex and I were riding two-up on the CB1100F in Oregon when we came upon a graveled section about 40 miles up the road we were following. The choice was to go back the way we came (no turn offs) or follow the gravel in the hopes it wasn't too long of a stretch. At that time, the bars on the F were reversed Clubmans, so it was a little bit dicey for the next 10 miles of gravel. That poor bike is also air cooled, and it gets hot at anything less than about 20MPH. We made it with no mishaps, but I don't need to do it again on a street bike.

 

How about using those dirt/gravel roads after putting on new tires. The dust 'll suck that slippery stuff right off

 

I try to avoid them, but if I got to, then I got to. Slow and steady wins the race. Sand & ruts that are bigger than your bike tire sucks.

 

I'd rather ride on dirt/gravel roads than over the metal grating found on some bridges.

 

I'm willing to take them (~ half speed) unless they have a really thick (1" or more) layer of gravel.

The bikes are just so heavy and it's so easy to spin the tire in the deep stuff......just not worth it.

 

Don't the gravel roads sandblast the paint on your lower fairing?