Anyone have any good tips for driving on dirt and gravel roads. Just dropped my bike on a buddy’s driveway (gravel road) this afternoon after changing the oils. Went up the little hill and went to turn right and the bike kept going straight. When I took off I was thinking speed to 1) get up the little hill and 2) so as to keep the tires above the gravel and so they won't dig in - I was wrong. Oh, I know to stay off the front brake in these conditions - don't ask how I know that one.

Thanks.

 

a. Slow down
If you went straight on a turn, your going too fast.

I live on a dirt and gravel road...

 

Ever ridden a dirt bike?

Hit the rear brake, power slide work the clutch brake and throttle.... takes some practice though and the physics are somewhat different... but same principals.

 

Just take it slow. I live on a dirt/gravel road with a gravel driveway.

Only time I had a close one was when my town put down large, 2" gravel while I was at work. It was piled upby the cagers' tires. As long as I stayed off the piles, I was ok. I just got mad every time my tires kicked up a lareg stone. I just bought the bike last year!

 

Nothin' like coming onto a surprise stretch of really fresh gravel, gotta slow down & be very steady.

 

As others mentioned...slow an' steady. If ya went straight, then you wuz a leeeeettllleee hard on the throttle!

 

Sorta like riding sand on a dirt bike, let your bars move a little, and stay off the front brakes, and slow down for any kind of turns, and speed up a little going straight. 3/4 mileof dirt beforeI get to the hard pack at 4:30 AM[:@]Do it enough it becomes 2nd nature

 

Montana Hiways seems to have a penchant for digging up the entire roadway after you've ridden miles past the last detour point, with no warning until you hit it. They don't leave any lane paved...they just rip up the entire dang road. Last year, we hit 20 miles of big rock approaching I-90 at Columbus after leaving Red Lodge. This year, they did the same thing on Hwy 12 west of Helena. Man, I hate that stuff! I've found that keeping it loose and letting the bars do their thing and staying off the front brake, not to mention doing a death grip with my cheeks on the seat, seems to work.

 

Hey man been there done that. Yep slow is the answer.

 

I have a half mile of sand road from my house to black top. When it hasn't rained for quite awhile the road has spots that get soft and powdery it can be a bitch.I only weigh a 150 pounds and ride a RKC.One thing I would add to the slow advice is don't tense up on the bars or you will over correct. When the scoot wants to follow a car tire rut let her go where she wants just be ready to put foot down if need be.