Gravel

[lizmcg]

I have a proactive question. I've read the cautions about riding on gravel and especially on the gravel-asphalt mixture that they put on roads that is loose to start with and is supposed to be tamped down by traffic over time (I can't remember the correct term for it). That's the stuff that's used in my development, and they do portions of road every year. Depending on the road and how much traffic it gets, it can stay loose for a long time. It's been a few years since they did the road in front of my house, and I'm worried that they'll decide to do it soon, so I wondered if anyone has any advice about how to cope with it. I can figure out ways to detour around some areas, but if/when they do my road, I'll have to travel on it for up to a half mile, maybe more. Any words of wisdom?

 

[Bfromla]

Keep slow. The tacky gravel may be worse & unavoidable, the main risk is a stone getting in the drive delt & does damage to belt &or sprockets:yikes: Additional belt guards will help but best is to just avoid gravel.

 

[beefybudds]

You could try this belt guard.

http://www.lamonstergarage.com/missing-belt-guard/

 

[Roadster Renovations]

Anytime I ryde on a road like that I will check the rear sprocket when clear for any embedded rocks. If you catch them fast enough, it usually won't cause any damage. I try to avoid those roads at all costs, if possible.

 

[Gray Ghost]

I have a proactive question. I've read the cautions about riding on gravel and especially on the gravel-asphalt mixture that they put on roads that is loose to start with and is supposed to be tamped down by traffic over time (I can't remember the correct term for it).

At least in this area, that is called chip seal. Here they put on a heavy layer of gravel and usually sweep the loose stuff off the road after a couple of weeks. I am hoping that the sweep routine is something they do on all the roads they seal like that as the road in front of my house was just done a little bit ago.

I did get caught on a stretch of road that I had to travel to get to work, ran into the road crew laying the gravel and no time to backtrack and take another route. I took it very slow and checked the sprockets. Didn't have a problem but it is not something I would do if there was anyway around it.

 

[BoilerAnimal]

No sweeping the excess pea gravel off the road around here. It's up to everyone to do their part to throw the excess off the road with their tires.............hopefully not at your windshield or face!

 

[TommyBwell]

That's the main thing I miss with my Spyder is riding on the forest service roads near my house. When I had an adventure touring bike it was my favorite thing to do. I'm afraid with the three tracks and forward feet position on my F3 even if I figured a way around the gravel issue it would not be as enjoyable.

 

[GearHd]

Adding the missing belt guard helps to almost eliminate that issue. Think of all the Harleys out there that ride dirt. My dad put 145k on a belt drive Harley and rode lots of dirt and chip seal and only changed the belt once for preventative maintenance.

 

[Bob Denman]

If they put this stuff on your road in sections: try your best to avoid the fresh parts, keep your speeds low, check your belt and sprockets, and purchase a belt guard. :thumbup:

 

[oldgoat]

The belt guard did not stop my belt getting holed.

 

[murphybrown]

Recommend Spyderpops: Gravel guard

and slowing way down when crossing (in our region they call it chip seal)....I live on graveled road...so lots of miles in and out over the years. I had Gravel Guards on both my Rt '10 and RTS '14.....so far Spyderpops (Harvey) has not completed the gravel guard for the F3....so I literally creep in and out...rock in belt not good!!

 

[lizmcg]

Sigh

That's what I was afraid of. Dunno what I'm gonna do when they get around to my stretch of road again. I HATE that stuff, even in my car or walking. They don't sweep the loose stuff off here, either. There's still loose gravel at all the intersections and driveway entrances from years ago. I looked at the belt guard back when I got my Spyder in April/May, but I chickened out. It looks like there's no room for error when sticking it on, and I'm a klutz, so I'm sure to mess it up. Dang!:banghead: Maybe I can just drive up and down in my car for 24 hours straight and pack the stuff down.

 

[kep-up]

Methinks y'all worry way toooooo much. Just ride the dam thing. What's gonna happen is gonna happen. It's oart of the challenge of just plain ol' livin'.

 

[Bob Denman]

Methinks y'all worry way toooooo much. Just ride the dam thing. What's gonna happen is gonna happen. It's oart of the challenge of just plain ol' livin'.

I like the way that you look at things! :agree: :2thumbs:

 

[Navvet]

Methinks y'all worry way toooooo much. Just ride the dam thing. What's gonna happen is gonna happen. It's part of the challenge of just plain ol' livin'.

I agree. I live at the back end of a 1.5 mile long rugged gravel road.

Most of the time my wife rides her F3 LTD and I ride my F6B. (I get to watch her ABS kick in on some of the steeper hills).

We just take it slow and enjoy the scenery.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[lizmcg]

Both outlooks work

I read a book a long time ago that said there were two kinds of people in the world. (1) Those who worried about everything and prepared ways to deal with the problems that might happen. They got through life just fine because 90% of what they worried about never happened and they were prepared for the 10% that did. (2) People who never worried about anything. They also got through life just fine, because 90% of stuff never happens, and when the other 10% did, there was one of the first type of people around (wife, passerby, SWAT, etc.) who had prepared for it. (Un)fortunately, we can't change our type, and we need both. Gotta admit, though, that the "2's" are probably happier! :clap::2thumbs: Thanks, everybody, for the input.

 

[Bob Denman]

I think that this outlook can apply to far more than just the weather! :thumbup:

 

[asp125]

Just ride, don't be too exuberant with the throttle and cornering to throw up too many rocks. You can wait for traffic to pack down or clear some of the loose stuff. The Spyderpops belt guard can mitigate things somewhat. That's about all you can do if you want to ride. Beyond that just roll the dice.

 

[AeroPilot]

Just did a couple mile stretch in our neighborhood..

Avoided that road this week, but I notice that it's mostly packed down so I'll be back on it tomorrow. In eveyones' journey there is going to be a little rain and a little gravel, just got to stay loose and roll with it.