I Love Gravel!!

Finesse · August 29th, 2013, 04:18 PM

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!

csmith12 · August 29th, 2013, 04:22 PM

Cool stuff aint it?

You should search for a ninjette user named skippi. I miss his adventures.

ally99 · August 29th, 2013, 06:02 PM

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.

BlueRaven · August 29th, 2013, 06:12 PM

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

Motofool · August 29th, 2013, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finesse

.........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...

NevadaWolf · August 29th, 2013, 08:15 PM

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.

kxpower? · August 30th, 2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Cool stuff aint it?

You should search for a ninjette user named skippi. I miss his adventures.

Wow that man has balls of steel!

kxpower? · August 30th, 2013, 12:11 PM

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.

ChickenRun · August 30th, 2013, 01:31 PM

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.

Thorgrim · September 4th, 2013, 05:35 PM

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.

rasta · September 6th, 2013, 01:52 PM

One day we'll be able to ride in gravel like this guy... (skip to 1:45)

Link to original page on YouTube.

verboten1 · September 6th, 2013, 05:02 PM

I rode about 50 miles yesterday, gravel, rock, dirt roads.

On my klr. Average moving speed around 50 MPH

August 29th, 2013, 04:18 PM	#1
Finesse 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	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!

August 29th, 2013, 04:22 PM	#2
csmith12 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	Cool stuff aint it? You should search for a ninjette user named skippi. I miss his adventures. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

August 29th, 2013, 06:02 PM	#3
ally99 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	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. __________________________________________________ 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

August 29th, 2013, 06:12 PM	#4
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	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 __________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

August 29th, 2013, 08:15 PM	#6
NevadaWolf 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	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. __________________________________________________ <-- 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, 12:11 PM	#8
kxpower? 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	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. __________________________________________________ Oh god the bikes are multiplying!!!

August 30th, 2013, 01:31 PM	#9
ChickenRun ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: Orlando, FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250r SE (without stupid tribal decals) Posts: 110	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. __________________________________________________ "It sounds like a lawnmower." "Shut up no it doesn't."

September 4th, 2013, 05:35 PM	#10
Thorgrim War Hippie Name: Bob Location: upper east Tennessee Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): CB500F Posts: 156	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
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	One day we'll be able to ride in gravel like this guy... (skip to 1:45) Link to original page on YouTube.

September 6th, 2013, 05:02 PM	#12
verboten1 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	I rode about 50 miles yesterday, gravel, rock, dirt roads. On my klr. Average moving speed around 50 MPH __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

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