Riding on dirt roads

[jawntybull]

I have a trip planned down the Snowy Mountains here in Aus; around 1300km over 3 days with maybe 100km of dirt roads. The roads should be reasonably well graded.

I have a reasonably new GS500F, '06 model, new tyres fitted. Is the GS up to the task, particularly considering the dirt roads?

Also, has anyone got any suggestions for what to take on such a trip, in terms of bike spares, maintenance etc?

[natedawg120]

For a trip like that you will want tire plugs, spare chain, levers, oil and tools you would need just in case.  Basically if something breaks you want to be able to fix it well enough to get you somewhere to fix it.

As far as the dirt road parts the gs will do alright, if you have street tires you will notice that it wants to feel a bit unstable on dirt but a little common sense and you should be alright.   

[GeeP]

The GS will do fine on dirt/gravel roads.  The main limitation is rider skill, not the bike.  I ride the levee roads around St. Louis, which are mostly gravel / dirt.  I live on a 4-mile gravel road as well.

You'll find that the rear end wants to waggle back and forth, which is the main factor limiting speed on the straight sections.  The faster you go, the greater the displacement.  Keep a firm grip on the tank and a light but firm grip on the bars. 

Deep gravel "drifts" will wrench the bars from your hands if you're not careful.  Try to avoid riding into the deep gravel if possible, by staying in the tire tracks.  On new loose gravel, the shoulders and centerline will be deep and loose, making control difficult.

Beyond that, just keep your eyes out for all the usual stuff and don't make any sudden moves.  It's actually a lot of fun, with practice.  I suggest you go in search of a few gravel roads to practice on before making the "big trip".

BTW:  If a car starts tailgating you on a loose gravel road and won't back off, there's a quick way to make them change their mind.  Drop down a gear and roost 'em.   








What would I take?

Tire plug kit
CO2 inflator
Rain gear
Cell phone that works there
A good tool kit (with a socket set, wrench set, multi-screwdriver, etc.)  Make sure you have a wrench big enough to adjust your chain.  Replace the cotter pin with a "hair pin" of suitable size.
A roll of electrical tape
Some electrical wire (can double as a rope)
Multimeter
Service manual, or PDF version on a netbook

[ohgood]

blah blah blah blah ----


BTW:  If a car starts tailgating you on a loose gravel road and won't back off, there's a quick way to make them change their mind.  Drop down a gear and roost 'em.   

----some pretty pictures -----
blah blah blah

i love you man

[Jackstand Johnny]

I have a suggestion, take your fairings off! But seriously, I've gone done plenty of skechty roads with my 89 and it gets a little squirley at best.

[Weston]

I live 8 miles out in the dirt. I agree with what geep said. I will add though, if you have a side wind and the road is freshly grated (i.e. loose gravel) its not fun riding at all. Also if you happen to meet a semi truck.... you might want to just stop... or slow down ALOT... and hope you have a face shield .... face shields are also nice when the road is damp.

[Lukewarm Wilson]

Check your oil and nothing else I do those roads every year for the snowy ride and its generally not that bad you can sit on about 40ks and be fine although this/ i mean last year it was a little choppier then usual but still OK just dont grab handfuls of front breaks when coming into the bends and most are wide open with about 2-3ks of tight stuff but you will be fine. If your really worried take a puncture repair kit.

[jt_234]

The GS will do fine on dirt/gravel roads.  The main limitation is rider skill, not the bike.  I ride the levee roads around St. Louis, which are mostly gravel / dirt.  I live on a 4-mile gravel road as well.

I used to ride my KTM LC640 on some of those roads.

And double what he said about experience.  Find some to ride on before the big trip to get comfortable riding on gravel.  I find I use the front brakes a good bit less on dirt/gravel--have taken a few spills on my dirt bikes when I was a kid.  I had to learn the hard way. 

...and wet grass isn't fun if you have any grassy medians to navigate.

[Danny500]

Sounds like a good time!

Definitely bring a good tool kit (not that crappy kit that comes stock with the GS).
CO2 Tire repair kit.
GPS if you can.
Cell Phone.
Chain.
Rain Gear.
Space Blanket.
Extra pair of gloves, glasses/goggles.
Couple of bulbs for taillight, extra headlight bulb, blinker bulb.

In prep for the trip tighten down EVERY nut and bolt you can get a wrench on. Also, a good day or two before the trip, change the oil, filter, and clean and lube the chain... Then, put at least 50-100 miles on the thing LOCALLY before your trip... just to make sure everything's good to go.

The last thing you want on a trip is to lose a bolt, have a loose oil filter door (or drain bolt), or have your chain fail.

Dan

[jawntybull]

Just came back from my second trip down the snowys since I posted my original question; I can report...
- first trip, it poured with rain on the way down to Wee Jasper (where the dirt starts) - anyway I thought I'd tough it out. Within about 2km I slid sideways into a ditch around a corner - rear tyre was totally caked with clay mud, so had no sideways grip at all. Turned around with my tail between my legs and a bent gear lever.
- went back 4 weeks later, did the same track this time in the dry... deep gravel on corners and loose stuff for at least 20km made it hard work, but I survived. Got onto hard pack dirt and found it almost fun!! Altogether 4500km over 7 days, two trips, including about 100km of dirt. My conclusion is the GS can get by on dirt, but its not much fun especially with road tyres. In the wet - don't go near the stuff. My mate's KLR650 handled the dirt much better, so looks like I need two bikes!!

[Madbones]

Hey Jawnty,
                   We live ruraly in Victoria and mate getting to the bitumen from the farm is a bugger , especially now in summer all the roads are rutted. Shakes the bike to bits. Ive got two bikes . One for the road and another DRZ for the road and dirt. Its a good excuse to get another bike.   

[bill14224]

I'm inclined to agree with Madbones.  It depends on how bad those dirt and gravel roads are.  Can you find someone who knows those roads and ask?  I made a mistake last year when I went camping at Allegany State Park.  We went to see the fire tower.  No biggie I thought.  There's a dirt/gravel road that goes 5 or 6 miles up the hill to the tower, infested with randomly spaced potholes, tree roots, and ruts from rain washout.  I couldn't do more than 20 mph all the way up the hill. (or all the way back down for that matter)  When I got back, I promised myself I would NEVER do that again!