Fear of gravel

[hobs]

After having come down twice in my riding career, when doing a right turn (crash on the right side( and doing a left turn (crash on the left side) at 'T' intersections with annoying damage to the bike and considerable bruising and hurts to each alternative side on my person (was wearing all the right gear at both events and able to walk away and remount), I have now developed a morbid fear of loose gravel on the road, you know, the triangle of gathered gravel at 'T' intersections put there by turning motorists as they negotiate their respective turns. My question is when making a right turn, which side of the gravel do you go around on when approaching the 'T'? If you pass the gravel on the left, you swing out wide to make your turn, or if passing on the right, you cross to the other side of the road and cut the corner. My heart misses a beat every time I approach a 'T' intersection and I see a pile of loose gravel on the road where I need to turn. Is a phobia I want to master and enjoy my turns without stressing out.
Have tried to explain it as best I could and hope you understand what I am asking. With no riding 'buddies' where I am, thought I glean some wisdom from you guys.

[Brock]

Cant say that I have noticed this condition, so dont have any preconceived plans.

I am thinking that because you have been bitten, you are overly sensitive to the gravel build up. Try to ingnore the gravel, and look at where you want to go. If you fixate on the gravel, that is where you will wind up. It will take a little practice, but give it a go.

[HunterTodd]

Hey Hobs,

You are not alone brother. I have pretty much same fear which is odd considering prior to the ST I had only ever ridden dirt bikes most of the time on dirt!

My phobia is parking the bloody thing. It does my head in.  Riding it even at ultra low speed I am fine but maneuuvring with the feet down into a park, particularly when there is gravel around makes me break into a cold sweat. I have a ripper of a parking stuff up where I was left with the choice of ramming a Harley or driving over a hundred foot cliff on Thinderbolts way.
With some very spectacular rding I avoided both but it caused me to get the Dudley award on the last trip and basically it was because I tensed up as I approached the parking situation on gravel.

I think if you prempt what is going to happen it makes it worse and it becomes a self fulfilling prophesy so my advice would be to try to relax . Not easy I know but it seems to have worked from me. Next time I get the chance to ram a Harley it won't be an accident!
Take care,
Todd

[ST.George]

G'day Hobs,

Your fear is justified. Loose gravel can be equal to an oil patch on a wet road for potential arseovers.

I had a similar experience on the way to Jenolan Caves on a hairpin curve recently. I was not expecting such a hairpin and decided to stop and look at the curve b4 proceeding. I noticed lots of gravel spread over the road by vehicles squeezing past each other. I was way too far to the left to take the curve correctly so I decided to ride up the slope just to the right of the curve and then go very slowly backwards until I could go forward after pointing the front of the STeed roughly in the direction of the exit of the curve. However, due to the gravel on the curve the STeed started to slide backwards as well - but not so much as to go over the edge and all was ok.

After this incident, I thought about how I would handle a situation like this next time. I came to the conclusion that I should approach the gravel slowly and go as wide as possible around the curve. I would ride the clutch in first gear with enough revs to ensure no stall and not touch the front brake at all.
I would control the speed with the rear brake and clutch.
This is similar to controlling an ST around a roundabout where the 1300's fuel injector surges can also be controlled using the same technique.
The idea, on gravel,  is to have maximum steering control at slow speed and to remain as upright as possible so the bike doesn't slide out from under.
Slow speed, controlled revs, right hand only concerned with controlling revs - not braking.
The same technique can b used on a gravelly T-intersection.

The technique can be practiced in a quiet parking lot by doing figure eights and seeing how small u can confidently get them. Be aware tho that overconfidence may cause errors and the STeed will fall over, as has happened to me.

The club has many more experienced riders than me tho as I have had my mc licence for almost 40 years but have only had a mc for 11 of them, so others might be able to verify this advice and perhaps add other tips as well.

BTW the best piece of advice that I heard reiterated recently was from JohnYTED who said something like "in a dangerous situation always look at where you want to go and not at the problem you're trying to avoid".

And as far as slow speed parking goes, whenever I'm in an unfamiliar location I stop in a straight line and take in the situation and then do the parking manoeuvres using the slow speed techniques described.

Hope this is of assistance.

[Brock]

One thing to remember when riding on a loosesurface is not to tense up or fight the bike. The bike will usually twitch a bit but will eventually go where you want it to. Again, dont look at the front wheel, look where you want to be..

When riding on gravel roads, dont go at a barely walking pace crawl. You have lost the advantage of the gyro effect of the wheels. Try riding at about 40 Ks, and relax, look well ahaead for changes in road directionso that you will be ready for the turns.

[Sicman]

Hobs those t intersections are very common out western NSW and you also get the y shaped intersection due to the buildup of stone or gravel in the middle of the intersection.
I move to the left side of the road or lane as i approach the intersection and pick the line I think will offer the most grip. I have even turned right from the left side of the road as it was the safest for me, even tho it might have seemed strange to car drivers. Hope that helps

[Biggles]

There's no need to dive all over the road to avoid the gravel.  Since you're only doing less than 20 kays, plan your preferred route regardless of the gravel then straighten up and hold zero thrust while you cross the loose section.  Once clear, accelerate gently until you're confident about your line and traction.
If the gravel is inches deep, then I'd avoid it, but mostly it's only a thin layer.

[Couch]

Lots of good advice mentioned, we all have a dread of loose gravel, even more so when making a turn at low speed, if parking the bike in an area covered in gravel I try to approach slowly and keep the bike as upright as possible, keeping the bike in low gear and riding the clutch so as not to stall the motor, it's worked so far!  I did hit a loose gravel patch once when going through some twisties at Port Arthur, it was a thin layer of gravel on a fairly sharp right hand bend and I didn't see the patch until I hit it, I had the bike on the lean and the back wheel moved sideways about 6 inches, it actually felt like it moved much more than that and it frightened the daylights out of me, I try to look well ahead into my corners to where I want the bike to go but I do find myself constantly checking the road directly ahead as well. We have a couple of gravel quarries in our area so there's sometimes loose gravel lying on our local roads until the council gets around to cleaning it up, every time I leave home I have to travel downhill to a T junction at a major road and on two occasions I've gone down previous to my ride with a large heavy broom and actually swept the gravel off the road myself, I even have to be careful how fast I come down in the car, we came down in a hurry once in the Ambulance, hit the brakes and skidded half way across the road, nothing was coming fortunately.........I wasn't driving I might add!!

[Neale]

The technique mentioned by St George is the most reliable if the gravel cannot be avoided.  I have done a few advanced riding courses and have found that once taught and mastered, the combination of revs and rear brake at low speed gives great control of the bike in tight situations. As Gregory said, once you practice up a bit, you can turn around on two bob. I use it regularly when cornering, especially on roundabouts, it gives you great control for a tighter turn at constant speed.  It is not detrimental to the wear and tear on the rear pads either and worst case means changing them at the same time as the front pads. Next round about you do, give it a try. Stay off the clutch, apply the rear brake and just accelerate around. You'll find you can maintain great control and line for a smooth exit with fine adjustments to the amount of brake used.

Cheers,

[Couch]

All good Neale, but not sure about no clutch!!  St george's comment is the same as mine, ride the clutch!   Mate, I'd be too concerned about stalling the bike if I never had clutch control and if you stall when leaning the bike then there's only one way ya gunna go! I guess if it works for you, go for it, but I'd like a little clutch control as well.

[Neale]

Riding the clutch is fine if doing the really tight manoeuvres and turns, however, when cornering and negotiating roundabouts, clutch isn't necessary as you are moving faster. I avoid riding clutch whenever I can cause in the long run, it's not good for the clutch. To each his own.  If you are happy riding clutch, go for it I say. At least you are still riding. Always a plus. 

[ST.George]

My STeed surges at low speed in first gear with the slightest of throttle twists and has put me in scary situations a cupla times. One time I was surprised by a snake of trolleys in a parking lot that was almost out of control and another time I was going down the gears to a causeway creek crossing and a tight turn and a surge nearly threw me into a creek. So I always ride the clutch in those situations. Neale's STeed is much newer than mine so possibly the surges have been resolved in those.
Or, maybe my injectors need some attention. 

[johnnyYTED]

 
Gravel,, hey its "STRALYA" mate. got lots of it . I really dont give it a second thought, these days. but.... back in the 80's I rode 36 k's twice daily on gravel rds out the back of Kingaroy for 4yrs, every now an then I'd have a "WHOAA" moment, hitting a thick patch,  and after yrs of adventure riding  with trailer in tow it all becomes second nature,gentle front brake (if towing) slow down lQQk well ahead and DONT panic.   the only extra consideration I have to watch with trailer is where those wheels hit the loose stuff as a slide can drag the rear wheel past no return,,, a lot a good advice above   and also  confidence is an important asset also.
  geez now I'll hit gravel and 'think about it

[Couch]

I agree with you Neale, I wouldn't use the clutch when negotiating a roundabout, or taking a corner, unless of course it became necessary, my comment about using the clutch was relating to slow manouvers on a surface with loose gravel.

Riding the clutch is fine if doing the really tight manoeuvres and turns, however, when cornering and negotiating roundabouts, clutch isn't necessary as you are moving faster. I avoid riding clutch whenever I can cause in the long run, it's not good for the clutch. To each his own.  If you are happy riding clutch, go for it I say. At least you are still riding. Always a plus.