Gravel - do you go there?

[BigTed]

Hi yorl...

My sweet Little Miss STealthy is still a virgin when it comes to gravel.... 25,000km and all she's seen is the black stuff. With the ride across the countryside in March, I'm wondering how adventurous I should be from a sight-seeing perspective.

So, have you taken your ST off the tarmac much, what was your riding style in doing so, and how did you go?  I know it depends on "what type of gravel" (eg. ball bearings vs. rocks), but I'm keen to learn from others before I attempt it.

I have nightmares of losing either or both wheels, then struggling to get a good enough foot hold to get her upright again.

R.

[Brock]

I have ridden on gravel for short periods, but not far. The main trick i feel is to relax and to some extent let the bike do its own thing. keep the speed down, but not so slow that you will fall over at the slightest twitch.

I dont like the slow speed (walking pace) manouvering, like parking or backing out of a spot., Too easy to lose footing and go down.

[ruSTyEB]

Only once, whilst touring Stanthorpe wine region.

Was 2up and FULL with wine and luggage.   Took it easy. Didn't (need to) go over 50 clicks and as Brock said relax.  When cornering I slowed as not to lean too much.

Wouldn't do big rock stuff though as punctures more likely.

[StinkyPete]

It's also important to keep loose and relaxed hands on the bars.  The bike has inherent straight line stability, so let it do it's stuff and don't fight it as it wriggles around a little bit.

[alans1100]

I try to avoid dirt/gravel unless it's unavoidable. Going along tracks to scenic view points etc I don't have  problem with.

I have had a couple trips of about 12/14kms to get to a beach or two while living up at Karratha. 40 beach mile about 20kms south was a little rough (corrugated) in places otherwise at about 40kph the bike was ok.

[saaz]

I drive on gravel if it is on a route I want to take, so say 50kms of gravel would be ok if the end was worth it. For many years going to bike rally meant gravel, lots of it and not that great.  As Pete says, keep loose, be sensible. The ST handles gravel better than the rider usually.  In the really loose stuff, such as sandy roads, I was taught in a stay upright course to gently wiggly the bars to prevent the sand building up on the front wheel so you could keep on going. Worked the few times I went on really sandy roads, and that was 2 up with camping gear on for the weekend.

 Always look at where you want to go, not stare at the front wheel and stiffen up, as where you are looking is where you will end up.

[West Aussie Glen]

Rob you are certainly putting some kms on the bike. If you are thinking of doing some dirt you make like to consider the shock protector from:-
http://www.stx1300-accessories.co.uk/
Look under protection kits
I have one but still have to fiit. You need to remove the back wheel to fit it.

[Tackleberry]

Rob I used to be shit scared to ride on dirt as I never grew up on trail bikes likes a lot of blokes. 

As the boys have said, and I especially agree with saaz, the ST will handle the dirt better than you think.  The exact thing you're scared of (weight) is what helps it keep a nice true line.  Some of the things we did on the ST1100 on our work course scared the hell out of me and I would never had thought that the bike was capable of doing those things, but your bike will do them no dramas.  Just stay relaxed and let the bike find it's way. 

[Biggles]

I think that if the bike's wheels get in a rut it's best to go with the flow rather than trying to fight up out of it.  Having said that, I try to avoid ruts by staying on the high section.  Be sure to be on the far left coming to crests, because car drivers coming the other way may not!      

[bluehonda]

I live on a gravel road and can choose from one of two directions ( either 1.5ks or 4ks) to get to a sealed road. It's quite steep with blind corners and during lots of heavy rain I can't get out on the bike.  I also have to negotiate a dairy where the cattle use the road as a laneway.
Two important things are "target fixation" which has already been mentioned and also where on the road you ride.
The best place to ride is in the wheel track worn by cars and trucks (milk tankers and log trucks) because then you avoid the build-up of gravel but the track isn't always on the left side which means you'll end up in the centre or incorrect side of the road.  You do sometimes have to ride through the gravel to keep left.
You also need to remind yourself to scan for hazards because unavoidably we focus on the roadsurface where there's limited grip.
I know this topic may have been how to ride on gravel, these other points might help.

Brad