GRASS/GRAVEL

[ebiter76]

So I've heard a lot about how dangerous grass can be for riders when its in the street, and I've personally heard from at least one rider who fell in the street due to loose gravel. I know things can happen to anyone and everyone's different, so I was wondering how big of a concern this is for an average every day rider?

 

[WEB]

not overly

just know what to do

no front brake

look where you want to go

 

[WheelyPerd]

We get a lot of gravel here, especially in corners. So always on the lookout for anything weird in the road.

I've had issues with wet leaves on the road, was while lane splitting.

Basically always try be as smooth as possible when riding. Wet grass is a like riding on ice

 

[Hippo-Drones]

In the road, if you are paying attention to the road surface and riding sensibly, you should not really have an issue with it, just don't target fixate and keep calm if it gets squirrrelly

 

[SighBored]

Against all instinct, try to stay off the brakes, or at least try not to grab a fistful of brake, modulate it.

 

[Meifesto]

Really depends on the speed you are going

 

[Pooley]

I mean I have had plenty of squirrely moments on gravel in the past but the only times I ever dropped a bike on gravel has been when I'm trying to park and my feet have slipped lol

 

[R-Rated]

Very concerning. Especially in the countryside with hills and curves.

Plus, if some low brow is not wise enough to not blow grass in the road while mowing then are they smart enough to not more over items that make shrapnel for tires?

 

[Gemini]

Really depends on the speed you are going

This. And this is also why I try not to push my own riding limits in the canyons. Every weekend a different turn has rocks. You just never know. So you have to be prepared for every turn to have rocky gravel, and I mean big rocks. That being said, be aware of the road in front of you, dont ride to the limit of your own ability. Increase the ceiling before riding faster. If you are riding all out to your ability, you wont be prepared for worst case scenarios. When commuting ride to like 30% of your ability and use focus on traffic.. when spirited riding for enjoyment, stay about 50 to 60% of your ability. When pushing your limits, stay at 80% max, is my opinion.

Edit: I wanted to add when riding new roads, stay in the spirited enjoyment range. Only push your limits on familiar roads you know very well.

 

[FloridaMan]

Just don't take blind turns to quick if you don't know what's around the bend.
Look at the dirt on this road.

 

[ebiter76]

Just don't take blind turns to quick if you don't know what's around the bend.
Look at the dirt on this road.
View attachment 4875

Yeah that definitely looks like a bad time waiting to happen.

 

[ebiter76]

I definitely appreciate all the advice, i'm looking into getting a dual sport 250 so this is just something that is always stuck in my head when thinking about riding on the street

 

[Gemini]

I definitely appreciate all the advice, i'm looking into getting a dual sport 250 so this is just something that is always stuck in my head when thinking about riding on the street

It's really not a big deal unless you're moving. Unless it's really bad for some unusual reason like the photo above, then you gotta take special precautions

 

[Moto Mengy]

Just don't take blind turns to quick if you don't know what's around the bend.
Look at the dirt on this road.

This is why I'm always very cautious on roads which are new to me. Until I know what hazards to expect I mostly ride the speed limit. Gravel, wet grass, dirt, potholes, all can be very dangerous when you aren't expecting nor prepared for them, but at reasonable speeds the danger can be mitigated a lot.

Now, if I'm on a road which I know very well, THEN I ride more aggressively.

 

[Madlad]

When I was a noob I ended up crashing because I didn't know the road. The road turned into gravel from a paved road right after the top of a hill. Basically what the the guys have said, as long as you know the road then riding normally is fine. You just have to be careful on unfamiliar roads

 

[Skant153]

grass, leaves, gravel, sand, dirt.. they all slip between your tires and the road. as long as you're not turning hard to trying to suddenly change what you're doing (braking, turning, etc) it's not a big problem. if you start to lose it on gravel, gun it. it's the only way to clear out what's under your tires and hope for traction.

 

[LandyVlad]

Wet grass is the slippperiest substance you'll ever come across in riding (or driving) - and that's saying something!

 

[MMVNJ]

Had a friend high-side after hitting some gravel. I think he hit the rear brake locked it up then released the brake, and went over. Luckily he only skinned up his knee a bit, but the bike needed some work.

There a few people in my area that are repeat offenders when it comes to blowing the grass into the road, one of them on a pretty sharp turn. Like others have said, don't push it to the limits, and don't panic if the rear end gets a little loose.

 

[Pooley]

Wet grass is the slippperiest substance you'll ever come across in riding (or driving) - and that's saying something!

It's pretty bad but doesnt come close to slurry/silage imo

 

[motosera]

It's pretty bad but doesnt come close to slurry/silage imo

Compacted snow is fun....