This may be a stupid question

[vintage]

:dontknow:Ok here goes...We use a friends cottage quite often that has a slight hill for both entering and exiting.. and it consists of the dreaded Spyder enemy "GRAVEL" My question is.. (I know.. stay off gravel) how much of an incline can a Spyder RT take on gravel? Will it spinout? Or would it be ok. (It"s about a 25 degree incline) Thanks Vern

 

[billybovine]

It really depends on how hard packed the gravel is. It also depends on how much speed you can carry up the hill. Best answer is to try it and see what happens.

 

[jerpinoy]

Try going backwards or reverse and easy does it.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

:yikes:.........I'm not a Math major but 25 Degree's would give pause to MOTOCROSSERS :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:..............I think you should recheck the angle. My friends driveway is Extremely steep but the Spyder does fine. You just can't start at the bottom at a dead stop.......Mike :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

ANOTHER WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

Try going backwards or reverse and easy does it.

:hun: :lecturef_smilie: ........Sorry but this makes No sense at all......Going uphill increases Traction to the rear Wheel ( good )....If you go in reverse ...you lose traction ( BAD )..........Or do you have the Front Wheel drive Spyder :dontknow: :yes:....................Mike :thumbup:

 

[finless]

FYI I have been on gravel roads many times due to no choice.
Just go slow and once you get off, check for rocks in the belt and pulleys before taking off down the highway!
Only one time did I find a pebble in the belt after checking once I got off the gravel road. Flicked it out of the belt teeth and all was good.

Bob

 

[donkes]

take it slow - you should do well.

 

[Chupaca]

As I see it..!!

your only problem is going up to the cabin. If you have a rolling start you should be fine. Like finless said you'll do well to check before you head back...:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Slow and steady... you should be fine. :thumbup:
If you spin the rear wheel; back off the throttle immediately, and see if the bike grabs traction. Then start rolling it back on: gently!
You can always back down; if things don't go as planned...

 

[cuznjohn]

a old partner of mine once told me, there is never a stupid question,,, only stupid answers, just take it easy and you will be fine. but the answer about a running start going up the driveway is a good idea, if you need to do it

 

[Firefly]

Bah... Gravel is not an enemy of the Spyder. I've ridden plenty on gravel.... without my belt guards in place... done fishtales, etc. on many gravel roads. No problems.

Going in reverse up a gravel hill as mentioned... NOPE... not gonna work well.

I also doubt it's a 25 deg angle....

 

[Bob Denman]

While a bit of a head start might be a good thing... :shocked:

It CAN be overdone! :yikes:

 

[OJ UK]

That wasn't our Joanie was it!!!?? :yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

It sure MIGHT have been! :2thumbs:

 

[vintage]

Thanks for all the replies everyone...we are going up in a couple of weeks with the RT.. and yes I was just going too give it a little speed to make it up the hill.. but as far as the angle...it is a little steep!! Will take pics!! Thanks

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Will it spinout? Or would it be ok.

It's very easy to get the Spyder to spin out on gravel even on the level! A little too much throttle is all it takes. Or, just a little extra throttle is all it takes if you want to do it on purpose! hyea:In fact, if you do it just right you can make an instant 90° turn and keep the inside front tire in one spot! :roflblack: Now, why would I know that?:dontknow:

 

[Brian Kay]

Angle versus Percent grade

Doubtful it's a 25-degree slope, or hill that the driveway is on. More likely to be 25%... If you think about it, a 1:1 slope is 45-degrees and you need climbing gear to get up a hillside like that. Most DOT's have a maximum of 4:1 side slopes or 25% grades, which is traversable by vehicles. A 25-degree slope is in the range of 2.5 to 1 (H:V)... Which is highly unlikely for any driveway, as gravel may have a tendency to slip or fall down the slope just due to gravity. Sorry... The civil engineer in me is coming out.

 

[murphybrown]

Slow and easy PLUS

Get Spyderpops Gravel Guard. :thumbup: I live on a gravel road...so no option for going in and out....not a steep hill, but incline...so just go slow and easy. Like others have said I have seen Spyder drivers spin out on gravel alongside highway....they are the full throttle or nothing driver :yikes:

 

[figmotoday]

Get Spyderpops Gravel Guard. :thumbup: I live on a gravel road...so no option for going in and out....not a steep hill, but incline...so just go slow and easy. Like others have said I have seen Spyder drivers spin out on gravel alongside highway....they are the full throttle or nothing driver :yikes:

ditto to putting on Spyderpops gravel guard, easy install and reasonable price