i just got a motorcycle after having taken the MSF course. i stay at my g/f's house a lot and she has a gravel driveway about 25ft long with about a 45 deg. angle. how do i get up and down the driveway safely? do i take the grass? either way im afraid ill dump it.
2007-07-12 02:49:53 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
this is all great advice, ill just have to clutch it easy and keep my feet ready and maybe "walk it" up for starters or something. i knew the grass would be a bad idea.
2007-07-12 03:14:19 · update #1
You can go on the grass, sounds like *** chewing from the girlfriend after it messes it up, or go slow on the gravel be very careful driving on it, on more suggestion it to get a ground pounder from a rental store company and pack the gravel down that would make the driveway tighter and safer have fun on that bike.
2007-07-12 02:59:46 · answer #1 · answered by Charles B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like everyone else said - stay off the grass.
Very slippery, even when dry.
On the gravel -
Very low engine RPMs
No quick acceleration
No quick let out the clutch
Keep the bike going straight, try not to turn the handle bars at all if possible.
Don't use the front brake at all.
Be prepared to put you feet to the ground fast, in fact...the whole length of the driveway, keep your feet on the ground to act as "out-riggers" and practically walk up the hill.
You might look silly, but you and your bike's safety are more important than how you look.
My driveway is about 30ft at about 30 degrees.
The drive is always filled with cars, so I have to ride on the grass.
Before I started using the walking method, I dropped 2 bikes.
I was going slow and they were junky 125s (and they weren't mine LOL), so no damage was done.
I just let out a "WOOPS, sorry" picked the bike up and went about my business.
2007-07-12 10:34:49 · answer #2 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go easy on the throttle, some newbies get scared in sketchy situations and get crazy with the throttle because they haven't mastered controlling it. Go easy on the front brake as well like was said before, don't take the grass you might have more trouble there, especially if its damp at all. If you're pulling up the drive, start with some speed so you don't have to throttle it up the gravel as much and hit it perpendicular so you're not leaning and end up washing out the bike.
2007-07-12 10:02:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't take the grass, you need to learn how to stay on the road. Take it slow with a steady throttle (but fast enough that you can keep your balance), stay on the uphill side, (if the angle is from side to side), and if you start to slide, you will have more area to correct yourself. If the road is sloped up and down, instead of side to side, it shouldn't be much of a problem, it still the same, don't slow down too or speed up to quick and you should have no problem.
2007-07-12 10:05:47 · answer #4 · answered by Jim F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what you REALLY need to do is make no engine or steering inputs going up or down the driveway.this basically means coasting straight in and out. get enough speed before hitting the gravel on your way up and just roll...
i have been racing off road for years and ride a streetbike as well. what you learnn in the dirt can really help on pavement. when crossing a creekbed off-road it can be algae covered as super slick, the only way across is to coast with enough speed to get across- no gas no brakes no quick steering inputs. good luck and keep the rubber side down!
btw do not stand on the pegs on a streetbike it is top heavy enough and you will never get your feet down in time...
2007-07-12 14:31:26 · answer #5 · answered by jonboy2five 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay off the grass. That can be slick.
On gravel, increase and decrease speed gentley.
Gravel is not too bad....just go slow for a while.
2007-07-12 09:56:50 · answer #6 · answered by Hekler 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i first got on a bike mine was clutch to it takes a while to get the feel of it. make shore you let it out slow so u don't pop the clutch give a little gas at the same time it will take a few times and when u get going it is very easy. don't get mad if u stall u have to not be afraid of dumping it so i would try it first on grass so if u dump it u or your bike wont get hurt.
2007-07-12 10:33:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would tend to stand on the pegs and just take it easy. Do it about ten times in a row so you get a feel for it, then you are golden.
2007-07-12 10:34:46 · answer #8 · answered by ninebadthings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same way you'd do it in a car. Slow and careful.
2007-07-12 09:58:09 · answer #9 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
slow.. and watch the brake... it will swing the @$$ on you ... just feather the clutch and roll on up and down
2007-07-12 12:45:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋