What do YOU do when you see sand/gravel?

[Wacked2882]

Just wondering if anyone has any pointers with slippery stuff in the way of turns. From my experience there are two ways to do it, straighten the bike up, slow down and go over slow or just get through it as smoothly as possible with the throttle cracked on to keep traction on the rear tire. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Of course you could just avoid it but thats not the point here...

I just layed my bike down on some gravel at like 5-10 mph and it scratched the bike up pretty good and I was just trying to get some advice for myself and for others.

[PC Doc]

If I come across some sand or gravel in the line of my turn, I ease up on the throttle and try not to lean into the turn as much if that makes any sense... Sometimes you don't have enough time to correct it no matter how skilled a rider you are. Keep your eyes out ahead of you to see the hazard before you're right on top of it if you can.

[RACER X]

well, basically try and get and keep your bike as vertical as possible before you "hit" the stuff.once your in the stuff keep the same position, don't brake, don't accel, don't turn more then already doing......

[JESTER600]

When in a turn I try to let off the throttle a bit to bleed some speed off and bring the bike a little more upright. Had the rear step out a few inches one time but thats it.

[ZX7R95]

I go straight and dont throttle or brake. If that means riding through a ditch and into someones front yard then so be it

[dennisred69]

lean up as much as possable no brakes, dont hit the throtel

[brentsR6]

Originally Posted by RACER X

well, basically try and get and keep your bike as vertical as possible before you "hit" the stuff.once your in the stuff keep the same position, don't brake, don't accel, don't turn more then already doing......

exactly what i do

[ZeuSeason]

I hang on for dear life and hope my personal protective equipment works!

J/K...just keep the bike upright. If you are in a hard turn, just reduce the lean angle as much as you safely can.

[Wacked2882]

hey this is some great info guys, anyone got anything else?

[scorpion12]

My subdivision has roads that have a lot of sand... I expect this and take the turns slowly and upright.

If you're railing through a turn and are surprised by gravel or sand, pre ride the road so there is less chance you're surprised by sand or gravel...

[Twinsen]

I don't think anything else can be said, everything has been covered.

* Always look seconds ahead for possible road hazards
* If unavoidable, lay off throttle, straighten up as much as possible and relax
* If in a turn and surprised by a harzard, reduce lean angle as much as possible, and lay off the throttle and barely use the front and rear brake if at all.

I was out running an 11 mile twisty road the other day and I came up on one point where there was dirt and gravel on the whole side of the road I was travelling. I was doing about 70mph, but I saw the dirt trail in time to do a quick dual brake (both brakes) before going into the turn, let off the brakes and entered the turn at about 25-30mph and managed to make it through unscathed. I would have hated to go down for something like that. Hell, I don't want to go down at all what am I talking about?! :p

[BLEEBO]

I usually just panic, shut my eyes and hope that everything works out OK

[TheHub02ss]

Does anyone have any tips for riding on gravel roads? Common sense says go very slow but I live on about a 1/2 mile gravel road and will be getting a 250 ninja this fall. Any pointers would be very helpful.

Jayson

[sjlee]

Originally Posted by TheHub02ss

Does anyone have any tips for riding on gravel roads? Common sense says go very slow but I live on about a 1/2 mile gravel road and will be getting a 250 ninja this fall. Any pointers would be very helpful.

Jayson

Ride slowly and at a constant speed... accelerating too much may cause the rear wheel to start slipping. If you have to turn, keep the speed way down and try to keep it as upright as possible. Also, don't mash the brakes, they'll lock up pretty easily on gravel.

[cole]

The road in front of my house right now is ripped up because they're doing construction and I have to ride over it everyday. It's fairly hard packed gravel. It's not a big deal at all, I usually do 50-60 km/h on it and stay in good control.