Do not ride on gravel roads?

[SailnDive]

In the Do and don't section it says " do not ride on gravel roads" Well, I live on a gravel road and I have to drive on about 1/4 mile of gravel to get to my house! Most of the belt is covered but there is a short section that is not. Is there a cover made for that section? I'll bet a piece of gravel could do severe damage to the belt and drive wheel. Now I'll worry every time I drive on that short section of gravel road. My bike is an RTs.

 

[Chupaca]

There is....

check with spyderpops, a sponsor on the home page, who has those missing guards...:thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Your question got answered quick. :yes::yes:

 

[flaggerphil]

No, no! You're never allowed to ride on gravel...you have to give the bike back!

:yikes:

Or not.

 

[nesdspyder]

If it makes you feel better. I have 3 1/2 miles of gravel to the nearest tar road.:gaah: no problems yet. dealer said it is the chipped granite that will cause damage to the belt. the round rocks on a gravel road have not bothered yet.

 

[PistonBlown]

As Chupaca says the Spyderpops stone guard does the trick on normal gravel, stone chip etc.

Once you've got the belt guard fitted all you have to be careful of is very fresh tar and chip, by fresh I mean the tar has just been laid and is still hot and sticky. What happens then is the tar helps the chips stick to the tires and they shower everywhere . In that situation the worst is actually front left tire as that comes back towards the belt and of course the tar helps the chips stick to that as well. I'm the third rider I'm aware of in NZ who's damaged a belt after hitting that stuff.

 

[SethO]

I ride on them, harder than most people should and have been fine and I don't have a top belt guard, I did get a rock thru the first belt I had but it held up until I had my front pulley bolt break.

 

[Bob Denman]

You can ride on pretty near any surface worth riding on; as long as you don't kick something up to where it gets grabbed by the belt. nojoke
Take your time across that first and least piece of each trip, and you'll be fine. Spyderpop's belt guard would also help, and probably give you some peace of mind as well. :thumbup:

 

[Cleg]

Gravel Roads

Although I don't do it everyday, when it is necessary, I find traveling slower workst to keep the gravel where it belongs, on the ground and not in the bike belt track... Just sayin... Unfortunately, hot tar is just a mess...

 

[Vt. Rider]

I have to ride 3 1/2 miles of dirt road each time I leave the house just to get to the paved roads. I had the same question, but since there is no choice in the matter, I just take it a bit slower and watch where I go.

 

[Omcge]

I've been driving on a 1/2 mile gravel drive for 2 years and have had no problem.
I keep the speed under about 10 mph.

 

[AY4B]

Harley's have had the same exact belt for decades. Why are they not concerned?

 

[Pennyrick]

Harley's have had the same exact belt for decades. Why are they not concerned?

I believe the Harley rear sprocket run between 125 to 140 teeth whereas the Spyder has half that number. That makes it easier for a piece of gravel to lodge itself into the teeth as the spaces are wider.

 

[Rockwall]

Just go extremely slow.

 

[trikermutha]

I believe the Harley rear sprocket run between 125 to 140 teeth whereas the Spyder has half that number. That makes it easier for a piece of gravel to lodge itself into the teeth as the spaces are wider.

Harley rear sprocket is around 65 -70 tooth on rear sprockets..:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Anyone riding a "Belt-Bike", who isn't aware of this potential issue... WILL BE!! :shocked:

 

[trikermutha]

:dontknow:

 

[PaladinLV]

Harley's have had the same exact belt for decades. Why are they not concerned?

Maybe we're just smarter! :2thumbs:

All kidding aside, because of TWO wheels, we tend to travel SLOWLY on gravel so as to not kick the stuff up.
I notice the Harley Trikes go faster and there's allows a cut storm behind them.

I've taken the Spyder on gravel - no problems. If you start to hear the sound of gravel hitting the underside, just slow down.

AJ

 

[BajaRon]

My driveway is about 800 ft long. All gravel. I've never had an issue. Your results may vary...

 

[pegasus1300]

As Chupaca says the Spyderpops stone guard does the trick on normal gravel, stone chip etc.

Once you've got the belt guard fitted all you have to be careful of is very fresh tar and chip, by fresh I mean the tar has just been laid and is still hot and sticky. What happens then is the tar helps the chips stick to the tires and they shower everywhere . In that situation the worst is actually front left tire as that comes back towards the belt and of course the tar helps the chips stick to that as well. I'm the third rider I'm aware of in NZ who's damaged a belt after hitting that stuff.

I hate it when they chip seal (hot tar and rock chips) a road here. It is a very common practice in Utah and in rural Utah there is often no other way you can go except over the fresh chip seal. Will Spyderpops missing belt guard work with the Rivco belt tension device?