loud pipes,delusion!

[wollybugger]

Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. Joe Grove Jonesboro, Arkansas

[Michael Sutherin]

Slow and steady. No sudden movements, no sharp yanks of the handlebars. The back brake is your friend, the front...not so friendly on gravel. Nice and slow, seeee....that's the way we do it. Nice and slowwwww. Just enjoy the scenery.

On Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM, wollybugger wrote: Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. Joe Grove Jonesboro, Arkansas

-- Michael Sutherin @ Home

[guymanbro]

Hmmm... I gotta disagree with slow. Smooth, yes - but slow, not so much. Momentum is your friend in any deep conditions whether the deepness is made up of golf balls, gravel, mud, sand, or snow. When going straight, get your weight back on the back and your butt off the seat. When preparing for a corner, sit on the very front of the seat to help give the front end some bite. And get used to the bike dancing around under you. Let it dance, it's your partner. The more you fight the dance, the better chance you have of getting dumped by your partner. (also true at a middle school party) da Vermonster

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Michael Sutherin wrote: > > Slow and steady. No sudden movements, no sharp yanks of the handlebars. > The back brake is your friend, the front...not so friendly on gravel. > > Nice and slow, seeee....that's the way we do it. Nice and slowwwww. > > Just enjoy the scenery. > > > > On Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM, wollybugger wrote: > > > > > > > Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of > > my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. > > > > Joe Grove > > Jonesboro, Arkansas > > > > > > > > > > -- > Michael Sutherin @ Home >

[Jud]

What Tumu said. That, and anticipation. Look up the road, not at what is happening right in front of you. I ride gravel often at 45-60 mph, sometimes at 70 or 80. To do that, you have to be on the lookout for hazards: big potholes and ruts that can bottom your suspension hard if you encounter them at speed. You aren't going to be able to stop as fast, which means you have to start stopping earlier. Nor is there any reason to shy away from your front brake, but you have to use it judiciously.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "guymanbro" wrote: > > Hmmm... I gotta disagree with slow. Smooth, yes - but slow, not so much. Momentum is your friend in any deep conditions whether the deepness is made up of golf balls, gravel, mud, sand, or snow. When going straight, get your weight back on the back and your butt off the seat. When preparing for a corner, sit on the very front of the seat to help give the front end some bite. And get used to the bike dancing around under you. Let it dance, it's your partner. The more you fight the dance, the better chance you have of getting dumped by your partner. (also true at a middle school party) > > da Vermonster > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Michael Sutherin wrote: > > > > Slow and steady. No sudden movements, no sharp yanks of the handlebars. > > The back brake is your friend, the front...not so friendly on gravel. > > > > Nice and slow, seeee....that's the way we do it. Nice and slowwwww. > > > > Just enjoy the scenery. > > > > > > > > On Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM, wollybugger wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of > > > my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. > > > > > > Joe Grove > > > Jonesboro, Arkansas > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Michael Sutherin @ Home > > >

[getbent_net]

I used to go "slow" on gravel, which seems like sound logic but opens you up to all sorts of other problems. Lately I find the proper speed is whatever speed gets the tires hooked-up. Sometimes I sit, mostly I stand. Either way on "gravel" going straight, my weight is over the pegs with just a touch forward pressure. On a turn and most importantly I am pressing hard on the peg OPPOSITE of the turn while pressing the bars INTO the turn. The bike leans into the turn while my body stays more or less upright. Let's say you are on gravel and need to turn right. -My Right hand is pressing down into the turn, the left elbow is up and really not doing anything. -At the same time my left leg is supporting almost all of my weight, the right is just resting on the peg. (Or extended to bring extra balance or weight for a sharper turn) -While the left leg is hammering down on the peg my knee is pressing/twisting into the tank. My body position is more or less straight up and down as the bike does the leaning. -Let's not forget you are always looking where you want to go. I find if I look at the oncoming ditch, I'm going to get a very good look at it very quickly. Usually no brakes are needed, the turn, slippage of the rear, bite of the front can all be controlled with throttle and a touch of clutch. I have seen more adventurous riders demonstrate this right turn by taking the right leg off the peg and left hand off the bar. The first time I felt the balance and my mostly bald Metzlers 'hookup' during a turn, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. You'll be surprised just how solidly a bike locks into a turn. ((I found this video to be quite helpful-- http://www.dualsportriding.com/ Plenty of other tips and explanations of the physics of Dual Sporting as well. )) That's how I do it... so far so good for me. YMMV

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "guymanbro" wrote: > > Hmmm... I gotta disagree with slow. Smooth, yes - but slow, not so much. Momentum is your friend in any deep conditions whether the deepness is made up of golf balls, gravel, mud, sand, or snow. When going straight, get your weight back on the back and your butt off the seat. When preparing for a corner, sit on the very front of the seat to help give the front end some bite. And get used to the bike dancing around under you. Let it dance, it's your partner. The more you fight the dance, the better chance you have of getting dumped by your partner. (also true at a middle school party) > > da Vermonster > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Michael Sutherin wrote: > > > > Slow and steady. No sudden movements, no sharp yanks of the handlebars. > > The back brake is your friend, the front...not so friendly on gravel. > > > > Nice and slow, seeee....that's the way we do it. Nice and slowwwww. > > > > Just enjoy the scenery. > > > > > > > > On Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM, wollybugger wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of > > > my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. > > > > > > Joe Grove > > > Jonesboro, Arkansas > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Michael Sutherin @ Home > > >

[getbent_net]

I used to go "slow" on gravel, which seems like sound logic but opens you up to all sorts of other problems. Lately I find the proper speed is whatever speed gets the tires hooked-up. Sometimes I sit, mostly I stand. Either way on "gravel" going straight, my weight is over the pegs with just a touch forward pressure. On a turn and most importantly I am pressing hard on the peg OPPOSITE of the turn while pressing the bars INTO the turn. The bike leans into the turn while my body stays more or less upright. Let's say you are on gravel and need to turn right. -My Right hand is pressing down into the turn, the left elbow is up and really not doing anything. -At the same time my left leg is supporting almost all of my weight, the right is just resting on the peg. (Or extended to bring extra balance or weight for a sharper turn) -While the left leg is hammering down on the peg my knee is pressing/twisting into the tank. My body position is more or less straight up and down as the bike does the leaning. -Let's not forget you are always looking where you want to go. I find if I look at the oncoming ditch, I'm going to get a very good look at it very quickly. Usually no brakes are needed, the turn, slippage of the rear, bite of the front can all be controlled with throttle and a touch of clutch. I have seen more adventurous riders demonstrate this right turn by taking the right leg off the peg and left hand off the bar. The first time I felt the balance and my mostly bald Metzlers 'hookup' during a turn, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. You'll be surprised just how solidly a bike locks into a turn. ((I found this video to be quite helpful-- http://www.dualsportriding.com/ Plenty of other tips and explanations of the physics of Dual Sporting as well. )) That's how I do it... so far so good for me. YMMV

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "guymanbro" wrote: > > Hmmm... I gotta disagree with slow. Smooth, yes - but slow, not so much. Momentum is your friend in any deep conditions whether the deepness is made up of golf balls, gravel, mud, sand, or snow. When going straight, get your weight back on the back and your butt off the seat. When preparing for a corner, sit on the very front of the seat to help give the front end some bite. And get used to the bike dancing around under you. Let it dance, it's your partner. The more you fight the dance, the better chance you have of getting dumped by your partner. (also true at a middle school party) > > da Vermonster > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Michael Sutherin wrote: > > > > Slow and steady. No sudden movements, no sharp yanks of the handlebars. > > The back brake is your friend, the front...not so friendly on gravel. > > > > Nice and slow, seeee....that's the way we do it. Nice and slowwwww. > > > > Just enjoy the scenery. > > > > > > > > On Tue, Sep 7, 2010 at 4:31 PM, wollybugger wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of > > > my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. > > > > > > Joe Grove > > > Jonesboro, Arkansas > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Michael Sutherin @ Home > > >

[dooden]

Myself, I like to be aired down, then lots of throttle and power slides around the corners. Dooden A15 Green Ape

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wollybugger" wrote: > > Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. > > Joe Grove > Jonesboro, Arkansas >

[Robert]

  "Jud" judjonzz@...   judjonzz  wrote: > What Tumu said. That, and anticipation. Look up the road, not at what is happening right in front of you. I ride gravel often at 45-60 mph, sometimes at 70 or 80. To do that, you have to be on the lookout for hazards: big potholes and ruts that can bottom your suspension hard if you encounter them at speed. You aren't going to be able to stop as fast, which means you have to start stopping earlier. Nor is there any reason to shy away from your front brake, but you have to use it judiciously.  > This is great advice.  I would add one thing here. Often, a gravel road has solid ground and as long as you are not making a turn speed is not a big factor, even if you come upon loose gravel.  But when making a turn your speed is of utmost importance if there is loose stuff, whether it is sand on pavement, or loose gravel or rocks on a gravel road.  Therefore, watch the road ahead for loose stuff and get it slowed down to a speed that will allow you to keep traction.  (This is something that will take some time to develop skill.)  Failure to do so will mean you "streighten out the curve."  If you are trying to make time and are "pushing it" you will need to be proficient with all means of stopping--gears, and both front and rear breaks.  Once you start the curve, STOP trying to slow down--it is too late.  I once came upon a curve on a gravel road that was impossible to make at the speed I was traveling. The scary thing was that a barbed wire fence was directly ahead. I got on the rear break and made the bike slide and then laid the bike down.  The pegs dug into the road and stopped the bike short of the fence.  Had I hit that fence at the speed I was going it would not have made for a good day.  Robert   

 

 

[skypilot110]

Probably the first and final word on gravel is Practice. How you ride it will very depending on the road conditions and your skill/comfort level. The trick isnt in learning to go faster. The trick is in learning when not to. Most gravel roads allow a lot of latitude in how you ride but there are some places that are not forgiving. You need to learn how to recognize the difference or know to slow down when you cant tell the difference. Deep gravel is like deep sand in that you need to lean back and stay on the gas, hit the brakes or go to slow and you kiss dirt. Loose gravel on dirt is generaly the place to lean forward, practice throttle control and let the back slide a little. You cant fight the bike in either but how you attack each type is different. You will get both of these, and many more tricks, with a little practice recognizing the gravel or road condition. Once you learn to see the difference in gravels, or how it rides, you will learn what to do. One final thing. HARD ARMOUR, especialy on the thighs and elbows is a good saftey measure and that goes double for gravel. the Squishy stuff for the road wont help as much there

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wollybugger" wrote: > > Having again taken up riding, I try to include some gravel road on each of my rides. How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel. > > Joe Grove > Jonesboro, Arkansas >

[fasteddiecopeman]

Joe, "How about giving me your best tip for riding on gravel." Keep it UNDER your wheels! ; >} Now for REAL: if you get into deeper gravel, UP on the footpegs with your weight back to unload the front wheel, and use 'body-english' to steer. Cheers, Ed