August 29th, 2013, 04:18 PM | #1 |
ran when parked
Name: Katie
Location: DC/MD
Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14
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I Love Gravel!!
I just started going to a new place that is at the end of a driveway that is approximately 1/4 mile of gravel. The driveway is straight, but up and down hill, and at the end of the driveway you have to make a right turn into the (also gravel) parking lot. The size of the gravel varies greatly from tiny chips to pretty good sized rocks and there are several potholes to deal with as well. It's not packed down very tightly either. For the first few times I went, I actually parked my bike at the end of the driveway on the shoulder of the road because of all the hype and horror stories I've heard about ninjas on gravel. But today I decided that I need to really learn to ride and I can't do that without riding on more than just pavement! So I went for it...
It was totally fine! I went about 10mph, I kept both feet on the footpegs and just sat up and kept my body as relaxed as I could. Honestly I felt worse riding on grooved pavement like right before they pave the road, than this gravel driveway, even though the gravel looks really bad to ride on. The bike felt really fine... It wiggled a tiny bit finding the right path but I had totally psyched myself out and my bike was like 'shut up I got this just sit there.' Doing the right hand turn was no problem, I just used some clutch control and a tap of the rear brake and all was smooth. It was actually fun! Could have helped that my tires have good tread and I went super slow and mostly straight. But I just wanted to share that not ALL gravel roads are going to immediately kill you upon contact! |
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August 29th, 2013, 04:22 PM | #2 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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August 29th, 2013, 06:02 PM | #3 |
Ninja chick
Name: Allyson
Location: Athens, GA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 4
MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15
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Gravel is badass! I just rode about 7 miles each way on a grooved, twisty gravel road to get to a river where I was meeting friends to kayak. It was kind of fun feeling the rear slip and slide around back there! But yeah, staying loose is key. And use rear brake only. Never use front in gravel! Grip with your thighs to stay as one with the bike and as loose on the handlebars as you can.
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Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson |
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August 29th, 2013, 06:12 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Lil One
Location: NB Canada
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.
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I had to drive in a dirt road with gravel on Sunday to visit an old friend at her place. Was a bit nervous at first but went in very slow and positioned myself close to the tank relaxed. Was surprised it wasn't as bad as i thought. Good to know you had fun
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I'm not small, I'm fun sized |
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August 29th, 2013, 07:01 PM | #5 |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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August 29th, 2013, 08:15 PM | #6 |
Certified looney toon
Name: Teri
Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV)
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 16
MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14
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Gravel, dirt, washboard, pot holes, degrading pavement, the ninja can handle them all as long as, like you said, we riders listen to the "'shut up I got this just sit there."
I rode out on a dirt road to a lake to meet some friends for camping and kayaking. Just kept an eye out on the road for anything unexpected and helped line her up right.
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<-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
August 30th, 2013, 12:08 PM | #7 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jesse
Location: Maryville, TN
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ugly 89 frankenstien special ex250, and the "Zooks" : 1982 GS450 and 1979 GS1000 Posts: 327
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Quote:
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Oh god the bikes are multiplying!!! |
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August 30th, 2013, 12:11 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jesse
Location: Maryville, TN
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ugly 89 frankenstien special ex250, and the "Zooks" : 1982 GS450 and 1979 GS1000 Posts: 327
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A quick reminder about braking on loose surfaces: you can (and should) use both brakes evenly off road. The rear may be enough to get you by but if you actually need to stop it's not enough. Working with friends new to mountain bikes, I remind then that you "steer with the rear and stop with the front".
Practice using both brakes on all kinds of surfaces so you know how the bike reacts.
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Oh god the bikes are multiplying!!! |
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August 30th, 2013, 01:31 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Brandon
Location: Orlando, FL
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110
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Great job at practicing your riding skills Construction workers have recently dumped about a 20 foot stretch of gravel at the entrance of my apartment complex, where you gotta make a sharp turn to enter. Needless to say I didn't know they had done this, and I had yet to ride on gravel before, so yesterday when I came swooping in my rear immediately fishtailed...but grabbed I'm guessing a small un-graveled patch of road. Gave me enough time to straighten out and recover from a mini heart attack.
So now I hate gravel.
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"It sounds like a lawnmower." "Shut up no it doesn't." |
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September 4th, 2013, 05:35 PM | #10 |
War Hippie
Name: Bob
Location: upper east Tennessee
Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): CB500F Posts: 156
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Gravel on my current CB500F? "Oh, Holy ****! Don't go down, don't go down, don't go down, Oh Holy **** don't go down ..."
Gravel on my old Bultaco Pursang? "Bring it, bioyatches, watch my roostertail!" The differences in riding platforms is so astounding that there's just no direct comparison that works. This is, I think, the conundrum that "adventure" riders face every day. Do you prepare for a watergun fight, or paintball wars? The best chart isn't going to tell you that with any accuracy. |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
September 6th, 2013, 01:52 PM | #11 |
Your face
Name: Wes
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.
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One day we'll be able to ride in gravel like this guy... (skip to 1:45)
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September 6th, 2013, 05:02 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Monroe, MI
Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - June '15
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I rode about 50 miles yesterday, gravel, rock, dirt roads.
On my klr. Average moving speed around 50 MPH
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'82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less. |
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