Potential newbie and a question about dirt roads...

jsaund22 · 06-25-2010, 10:33 AM

Got the right forum this time...

Well, I finally got the wife to slip up and agree to me getting a motorcycle, and I fully intend to hold her to that. I just have to get my house in Atlanta sold first...

My question is this: I live about a mile down a good old Georgia dirt road. I am wondering how a cruiser type bike would handle getting from my front yard to the closest blacktop. I know I'll be washing constantly, and I'd never ride when the ground is wet after a rain, but just on a daily basis how hard on me would this mile of dirt be? I'm a big guy, and pretty strong, and I've driven dirt roads since Kindergarten (that's another story about how I'm 34 and have been driving for 29 years...). I probably put 100,000 miles on 3- and 4-wheelers when I was a kid. I know that doesn't translate, but the point is that I'm intimately familiar with dirt roads. I will be getting a motorcycle, so I'm really just looking for some advice on handling the conditions between me and the blacktop.

Now if I can just get that house sold...Anybody looking for a great deal on a house up by Lake Lanier?

NoviceRider550 · 06-25-2010, 10:53 AM

Yeah I posted in the wrong forum too - still haven't figured out where to post my question - anyway. I've only been riding for 6 months but what I do recall from my rider course is that when it comes to loose gravel, dirt roads, etc the idea is to maintain a steady speed. Considering the ground is not as solid as pavement there is a higher propensity to lose traction. So I'd say when you're on the dirt road take it easy keep it in 1st or 2nd. Then once ya hit the pavement - let loose! Hope that helps.

jsaund22 · 06-26-2010, 12:18 AM

Thanks for the reply. That's kinda what I thought, but just wanted to ask.

markk53 · 06-26-2010, 09:08 AM

On a street bike run in the tire tracks of the cars where the gravel is thin. Heavy gravel can cause wider tires to wash out. Go slow and take it easy. Look ahead where you WANT to go, don't watch the front tire. It's a natural urge to look the wrong place.

A mile isn't bad, as long as they haven't graded all the gravel out into the road in a thick layer. Even on dual sports we usually try to ride in the car tire paths where the gravel is thinnest.

jsaund22 · 06-26-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markk53

On a street bike run in the tire tracks of the cars where the gravel is thin. Heavy gravel can cause wider tires to wash out. Go slow and take it easy. Look ahead where you WANT to go, don't watch the front tire. It's a natural urge to look the wrong place.

A mile isn't bad, as long as they haven't graded all the gravel out into the road in a thick layer. Even on dual sports we usually try to ride in the car tire paths where the gravel is thinnest.

Well, at least I don't have to worry about gravel. Everything down here is sand!

The tire paths are the natural places to ride, and I've found myself paying more attention to "where would I want to be riding right now" as I come and go from the house. The real problem is that these sandy roads washboard almost as soon as they've been graded.

67fire · 06-27-2010, 01:49 AM

Street bike tires and sand DO NOT MIX!
Knobbies on a dirt bike don't even like sand.
The ONLY way to ride on sand (AKA a SEA of ball bearings) is to ride FAST and stay on top.
Find a Dual Sport or Adventure type bike that you like.

Eric

aaronrkelly · 06-27-2010, 05:38 AM

Is it dirt or sand.....I read both.

Gravel and dirt roads.....no issue. Sandy dirt....no problem. All out sand...big problem.

I go where I want to go.....sometimes there is something I want to see down a gravel road. Ive road as much as 20 miles on the gravel on either a Honda Goldwing or my Victory Vision to see something....Ive never put the bike down on the gravel.

I keep a steady speed.....keep an eye out for potholes.......stay "loose" on the grip and let the bike flow with the road (within reason).

I see no problem with 1 miles.....I suspect even 1 mile on a sport bike would be no problem.

markk53 · 06-27-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsaund22

Well, at least I don't have to worry about gravel. Everything down here is sand!

The tire paths are the natural places to ride, and I've found myself paying more attention to "where would I want to be riding right now" as I come and go from the house. The real problem is that these sandy roads washboard almost as soon as they've been graded.

Sounds like you've already got a handle on it. Just slow up to what suits the washboard condition.

The "look where you want to go" applies in all conditions too. I've threaded pot holes in the road with inches between them that way. You truly do go where you look. That was taught me early on in my trials riding at 18, back in 71. That plus the off road classic about not worrying where the rear wheel is, it will follow the front. Pretty much always proved true.

For goofing around and practice I'll look inches to the side of those black spot tar patches down the road and will find I pass right over the spot I glanced at. This has saved some "down time" dual sporting. I find myself getting a bit goofy on a gravel road, kind of working off toward the edge and a washed out rut just because of the marbly conditions of the gravel. I concentrate on looking exactly where I need to be and may apply careful modulated braking. Just missing the "abyss".

jfurf · 06-27-2010, 08:09 PM

A cruiser will be able to handle dirt roads. That doesn't mean it will be the most fun tool for the job. Cleaning them is a huge pain in the ass and they have very short suspension travel.

Plus cruisers are for old men.

You need an R1200GS.

On a serious note, have you considered a dual-sport bike. I know a lot of people swear by the Suzuki DR650.

jsaund22 · 06-27-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfurf

Plus cruisers are for old men.

I'm 34, but my wife can tell you that I'm becoming a crotchety old man well before my time!

Yeah, I know it'll be a pain to clean. I've already come to terms with that. Everything is a pain to clean when you live in the country, but I spent 5 years in Atlanta and discovered something very important -- there's nothing like being where you belong, and I belong in the country!

And when I say sand or dirt, I'm not taking about beach sand or garden-type black dirt. Down here, we've got this strange mix of sand and Georgia red clay that is sandy until it's driven on, then it packs fairly well. The only problem is the washboarding.

Thanks for all the tips guys! I'll probably be more of a lurker until the time to buy gets nearer, but I will be around.

06-25-2010, 10:33 AM	#1
jsaund22 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 4	Potential newbie and a question about dirt roads... Got the right forum this time... Well, I finally got the wife to slip up and agree to me getting a motorcycle, and I fully intend to hold her to that. I just have to get my house in Atlanta sold first... My question is this: I live about a mile down a good old Georgia dirt road. I am wondering how a cruiser type bike would handle getting from my front yard to the closest blacktop. I know I'll be washing constantly, and I'd never ride when the ground is wet after a rain, but just on a daily basis how hard on me would this mile of dirt be? I'm a big guy, and pretty strong, and I've driven dirt roads since Kindergarten (that's another story about how I'm 34 and have been driving for 29 years...). I probably put 100,000 miles on 3- and 4-wheelers when I was a kid. I know that doesn't translate, but the point is that I'm intimately familiar with dirt roads. I will be getting a motorcycle, so I'm really just looking for some advice on handling the conditions between me and the blacktop. Now if I can just get that house sold...Anybody looking for a great deal on a house up by Lake Lanier?

06-26-2010, 09:08 AM	#4
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,232	On a street bike run in the tire tracks of the cars where the gravel is thin. Heavy gravel can cause wider tires to wash out. Go slow and take it easy. Look ahead where you WANT to go, don't watch the front tire. It's a natural urge to look the wrong place. A mile isn't bad, as long as they haven't graded all the gravel out into the road in a thick layer. Even on dual sports we usually try to ride in the car tire paths where the gravel is thinnest. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T

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06-25-2010, 10:53 AM	#2
NoviceRider550 Motorcyclist Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 13	Yeah I posted in the wrong forum too - still haven't figured out where to post my question - anyway. I've only been riding for 6 months but what I do recall from my rider course is that when it comes to loose gravel, dirt roads, etc the idea is to maintain a steady speed. Considering the ground is not as solid as pavement there is a higher propensity to lose traction. So I'd say when you're on the dirt road take it easy keep it in 1st or 2nd. Then once ya hit the pavement - let loose! Hope that helps.

06-26-2010, 12:18 AM	#3
jsaund22 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 4	Thanks for the reply. That's kinda what I thought, but just wanted to ask.

06-27-2010, 01:49 AM	#6
67fire Banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 4,417	Street bike tires and sand DO NOT MIX! Knobbies on a dirt bike don't even like sand. The ONLY way to ride on sand (AKA a SEA of ball bearings) is to ride FAST and stay on top. Find a Dual Sport or Adventure type bike that you like. Eric

06-27-2010, 05:38 AM	#7
aaronrkelly Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: southern Iowa Posts: 2,450	Is it dirt or sand.....I read both. Gravel and dirt roads.....no issue. Sandy dirt....no problem. All out sand...big problem. I go where I want to go.....sometimes there is something I want to see down a gravel road. Ive road as much as 20 miles on the gravel on either a Honda Goldwing or my Victory Vision to see something....Ive never put the bike down on the gravel. I keep a steady speed.....keep an eye out for potholes.......stay "loose" on the grip and let the bike flow with the road (within reason). I see no problem with 1 miles.....I suspect even 1 mile on a sport bike would be no problem.

06-27-2010, 08:09 PM	#9
jfurf Verified Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 61	A cruiser will be able to handle dirt roads. That doesn't mean it will be the most fun tool for the job. Cleaning them is a huge pain in the ass and they have very short suspension travel. Plus cruisers are for old men. You need an R1200GS. On a serious note, have you considered a dual-sport bike. I know a lot of people swear by the Suzuki DR650.