[skeleton]

I have the stock Bridgestone BT020 tires on my FZ6. I have noticed a fair number of small cuts in the tread of the tires - 20 in rear, 10 in front. The cuts are about 1/4" wide and probably about 1/8" to 1/4" deep (still within the raised tread material).

I am not worried about these cuts; I am just amazed at how prolific they are. My guess is they are originating from gravel that I deliberately ride on (I like to practise slow speed maneuvers on gravel as a safety exercise).

My questions are:

1) How common are such superficial cuts with you guys?

2) Are other brands of tires less prone to cutting (ie: touring tires, but then they would be less sticky: yes/no)?

3) Aside from the obvious precautions, should riding on gravel roads be absolutely avoided?

 

[Fuzz Bomb]

I hate gravel. Hate it. Do you have any hints for me? (not to hijack the thread, I want the answer to that too!)

 

[segue00]

Ummmm--- avoid gravel? :lao

 

[Heavy FZ6]

I hate gravel. Hate it. Do you have any hints for me? (not to hijack the thread, I want the answer to that too!)

Ride for a while in mud. Gravel seems easy afterwards. :lol

 

[Kneedragger]

Ride for a while in mud. Gravel seems easy afterwards. :lol

Then try snow. Mud seems easier afterwards.
http://forums.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=271549
http://forums.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=264599

I've got the stock Dunlops for another two days then the Metz Z6's go on. I have noticed lately a few tears in the tread, most likely from minor gravel patches I've routinely hit lately. I think if you really want to spend time on gravel another tire choice is in order...

 

[Fuzz Bomb]

Yah, that's what my friends say- "Come out and crash dirt bikes with us!" Oh, that sounds fun.

 

[Heavy FZ6]

Then try snow. Mud seems easier afterwards.
http://forums.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=271549
http://forums.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=264599

Once you go black ice you never go back! I've shopped everywhere and nobody makes snow tires for our bikes. I could double my riding season with a good set of snows!! :lol

 

[skeleton]

Then try snow. Mud seems easier afterwards.
http://forums.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=271549
http://forums.sportbikes.net/forums/showthread.php?t=264599

I've got the stock Dunlops for another two days then the Metz Z6's go on. I have noticed lately a few tears in the tread, most likely from minor gravel patches I've routinely hit lately. I think if you really want to spend time on gravel another tire choice is in order...

Kneedragger,

Read your thread. I tried snow this year in January when we had two weeks of snow. It was fun at first, as I rode thru virgin (sticky) snow. Soon as I hit the car tire ruts the wheels slid every which way - scary as hell. It took me 5 minutes to ride it up-slope (5% grade) 10 feet into my garage. I quit at that point, and finished my adventures on a bicycle. (Donuts, etc are alot safer on ice and snow with a bicycle.)

Anyway, I have lots of fun practising on gravel. It is astonishing how little brake must be applied to avoid skidding on gravel. I haven't measured my braking distance, but I would guess about 20x longer compared to asphalt. But, all that fun has led to alot of little cuts on my treads. I don't want to give up the fun/practise - so perhaps at the end of the summer I will buy some new tires.

opcorn

 

[04Fizzer]

Once you go black ice you never go back! I've shopped everywhere and nobody makes snow tires for our bikes. I could double my riding season with a good set of snows!! :lol

Chains baby!

Or get some studs. lol

 

[Heavy FZ6]

Chains baby!

Sure, chains, the solution to everything...according to my wife, and now you!

(I'm kind of partial to silk scarves or leather straps.) nfloor

 

[segue00]

They make tires especially for dirt bikes-- It handles better on gravel mud and snow, even!
And they make studded tires for ice, too.

 

[04Fizzer]

Sure, chains, the solution to everything...according to my wife, and now you!

(I'm kind of partial to silk scarves or leather straps.) nfloor

:needpics

 

[Fuzz Bomb]

I (no surprise) do not have nicks in my tires. Several cager friends of mine have given themselves flats by driving in fresh gravel this season. Seems like you could achieve the same fine results, if you try hard enough.

Hmm. So then you can try fixing a flat too.

 

[Heavy FZ6]

:needpics

Trust me, you're better off without pics!

Those pics would change this thread from useless to vomitous!

 

[Kneedragger]

It was fun at first, as I rode thru virgin (sticky) snow

You took a b***** chance than I could! I never intentionally rode through snow. I knew that would get me in trouble fast. My problem was being impatient waiting for local roads to clear.

I'd love to try mud/gravel on a dirt bike. Looks like a lot of fun and a great way to develop sliding skilz. When the right opportunity to try dirt comes up I will definitely jump on it. Or maybe get a dual sport so I can put on studs for winter riding. But for now my budget limits me to one bike... :cry

 

[04Fizzer]

Trust me, you're better off without pics!

Those pics would change this thread from useless to vomitous!

Nah dude...I'm talking about pics of your wife. I sure hope you aren't!

 

[Heavy FZ6]

Nah dude...I'm talking about pics of your wife. I sure hope you aren't!

Probably best for me to just let this whole thing die!

 

[04Fizzer]

You took a b***** chance than I could! I never intentionally rode through snow. I knew that would get me in trouble fast. My problem was being impatient waiting for local roads to clear.

I'd love to try mud/gravel on a dirt bike. Looks like a lot of fun and a great way to develop sliding skilz. When the right opportunity to try dirt comes up I will definitely jump on it. Or maybe get a dual sport so I can put on studs for winter riding. But for now my budget limits me to one bike... :cry

From time to time I really wish I had a dirt bike again. Unfortunately, I can't justfiy an ATv AND a bike since I can only ride one at a time.

 

[ChesterMaddox]

Tried to talk the wife into an ATV but decided on the Fizzer. Just put some knobby's on the front and back for winter driving you should be ok!!