Does anyone have any tips for riding a street bike in gravel?

Question

I wrecked in gravel today and did some minor damage to my bike and bruised my ribs. This happened as I braked to reenter the pavement. I need some tips on how to ride on gravel.

Answer 1

Go slow and only use the rear brake. Too much front brake can get ugly on gravel.
Hope the ribs heal fast.

Answer 2

Stay off the front brake, if at all possible. If the rear comes loose while braking through a turn, you can countersteer, let off the brake, and pull in the clutch to hopefully regain traction (if you have enough road to work with). Whereas, if you lose the front tire, your bike will lowside without any chance of recovery. If the rear starts skidding while going str8, just let off the rear brake a bit, and if you really need to stop, then gradually add front brake. Same goes for wet weather.

Answer 3

Ouchies, bruised ribs! Sorry to hear that, my friend! Now that you see lots of people drop in their views, suggestions and their experience in riding their motor bike or street bikes.

Let those bruises heal first, and study how to avoid freak accidents while riding your bike...Perhaps google it, hopefully someone can guide you to the right website on how to ride safely on gravel or any type of pavement with your street bike.

Happy bike riding when you have all the wisdom on bike riding without accidents in the future.

Answer 4

Only use the rear brake when riding in gravel. The front wheel should be 45 degrees to the pavement when entering said surface.

Answer 5

Musicman, a steady progression from throttle to brake and vice versa will keep the bike upright.
I wouldnt use the front brake at all in this situation and I would keep the speed down so you can maintain control!

The same applies on the grass!

I would not steer your bike by leaning but use the bars and physically turn if you had to. You can asist in balance by moving off the seat slightly to put some weight on the inside of the turn.

Iv'e done it numerous times running off the racetrack at 80 to 100 m/h.

Good luck next time,

Troy.

Answer 6

man you shouldn't use much if any front brake on any slippery surface. they provide over %90 of your overall braking power with the front tyre having a contact patch smaller than your fist.

i know as i have dropped my bike 5 times from using to much front in slippery conditions whilst turning. i can tell you that it is not fun scraping gravel and dirt from your skin.

i have since learned and haven't come off for 3 years now. touch wood.

best to be safe and don't do anything drastic with the front (steer or brake) when on slippery or unpredictable surfaces.

have fun riding and stay safe.

Answer 7

Another thing to be wary of, if you have had to ride any distance in gravel (especially dry, dusty gravel), is that when you get home have a good look at your chain; which may have picked up a lot of dust and will need a good clean and re-lube. Road bike chains are not like dirt bike chains, and are not designed to get dusty.

Answer 8

tip 1: dont! tip 2: since you can't always avoid it, ride slo-o-o-w on gravel. avoid sudden lateral moves. use BOTH brakes when slowing or stopping, but use them both gently. using only the rear brake on gravel is an excellent way to slide the bike out from under you. remember that the act of slowing and stopping shifts your weight forward. this lightens the rear end (making it slide easier) and weights the front end (putting most of your stopping power in front).

Answer 9

Do this! dont do that!... now how do you make up your mind which to go with.....??

we have lots of gravel roads in Australia.. & there all different..

so hard road / compacted gravel .minimum front brake & leaning in the corners is OK.. slow down before the turn & speed up as you go round..

medium surface.. mixture of hard & soft.. go slow & pray..LOL. take it really easy on surfaces that change..

soft gravel.. the bike tends to sink as you slow down & ploughs the front wheel.. so in a straight line you can go reasonably fast( keeps you on top of the gravel) but you need to slow down before you turn. speed up as you turn.. this lifts weight of the front.. & sinks the back, accelerate ( it dosnt matter if the the back end steps out a bit) counter steer to get around the corner...SPEEDWAY..LOL.. good fun hanging the back out once you get the hang of it..

Answer 10

Easy on the throttle, don't use too much front brakes, corner slow, and don't give it gaswhile turning. Also, wait until you've been on pavement for a few seconds before you are hard on the throttle. Dirty tires don't hook up on pavement.