How to Ride a Motorcycle on Gravel

[@warriorgoddesscrystalgeome6337]

Thanks so much, was riding on my Kawasaki KLX 230 yesterday on the loose gravel road and I am new to riding on the gravel, and I appreciate the tips. I’m starting out on a lighter bike to get the hang of riding in the dirt and filling the ground loose underneath me, before I get confident to get on my Kawasaki versus 300

[@advmedic7620]

Now worries, glad I could offer a little unqualified advice. Love the KLX. Might be buying one this year. I also may say that steering with the rear is something that once you get the hang of it, you will never go back, so much more fun and kind of addictive. Thank you for commenting and watching.

[@sloppydawgsdcl4929]

Buying a 2014 suzuki DR650 this week thanks for the tips I live about .5 mile off the main road all gravel I have turns and hills to so trying to get my info first!

[@advmedic7620]

Congrats on your first DR and thank you for the kind words and for watching. Let us all know how it goes for you and feel free to ask any questions.

[@ImNotStalkingYou]

Keep your weight on the front tire, keep your center of gravity straight up (have to lean on uphill side of bike with bike leaned into turn on corners) drive it like a unicycle and the rear will follow.

[@advmedic7620]

"Drive it like a unicycle", can't think of a better way to say proper body position. Thank you for watching.

[@derekbender]

Hey great video! I’d be tempted to ride the dirt next to road in this video. 😂

[@advmedic7620]

Give it a shot, it can be a lot of fun. Thank you for commenting and watching.

[@billcharlene1450]

Great advice, just got XR650 and trying to empliment these techniques.. Tend to poop a little when tires dance around on the dirt lol!. Come from 14 years on a Harley so trying to get used to allowing bike to slide around a little.

[@advmedic7620]

I can understand the excrement when the rear gets loose. It takes some getting used to, or at least some practice to limit excrement, but I am not coming to enjoy getting loose in the rear and it is making me a better rider. Best of luck, ride often, and hope to see you out there.

[@805gregg]

I rode my DL1000 from Pyramid Lake to Garlock Nv with a V-Strom group, about 50 miles or so of decent gravel, I was lead rider, and kept going faster, and faster, until I hit 100 MPH, then I thought how that would feel if I went down, the first guy to show up says wow, I hit 110 MPH, there is always someone that goes faster. The best thing for sand or gravel is to ditch the skinny 21" pizza cutter front tire and get a wide 19" for the front, better off and on road

[@advmedic7620]

Great tip, thanks, never thought a smaller and wider tire would make such a difference. Something I learned from a ride yesterday was getting your bit back a bit whether in the saddle or standing, it improves the handing in most slick terrain like snow, graven and soft sand.

[@diegopescia9602]

Great content. Thanks!

[@advmedic7620]

Thank you for your comments and for watching.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Nice video Bud very informative, thanks for posting

[@advmedic7620]

Thank you very much. It is always great to hear some feedback. I have a ton of new videos I am currently cutting. Will have more out next week. Keep Ridin"!

[@jimmaclellan1793]

Thanks for this valuable info. Good presentation!

[@advmedic7620]

Thank you for your comments and for watching.

[@ImNotStalkingYou]

Also make sure your bars are rolled forward so your front doesn't feel like you are riding a chopper. Never ride faster than you want to crash. Need to get straight rate springs and heavier fork oil in the DR if you haven't yet. The stock springs are WAY too weak

[@advmedic7620]

Thank you for the feedback. I don't necessarily agree with rolling the bars forward, at least when you are a smaller person like me. The rider triangle is very important, and that geometry is key. Also I absolutely agree on the suspension. I have completely redone mine with progressive springs, revalving the rear and plex valves up front. This all done with better oil, 10W if I remember correctly, and sag set properly makes a HUGE difference. Thank you for your comments and for watching.

[@ImNotStalkingYou]

@@advmedic7620 Wow I'm jealous :) I would love to revalve mine. Maybe next year

[@advmedic7620]

@@ImNotStalkingYou It's not as bad as it sounds, and it is great to get to know how your suspension really works. It also changes the performance of the bike completely.

[@followtheciaence]

I would get the Cogent Dynamics stuff.

[@advmedic7620]

They have some great items. Do you use their valves or ??? I have the FFRC gold valve and proper springs on the front and procycle rebuild on the back. It works well for me.

[@followtheciaence]

@@advmedic7620 Those are a huge improvement too. Great videos, looking forward to new ones

[@advmedic7620]

Thanks very much. More coming next week.

[@advmedic7620]

Please leave me a comment on how you see the differences of riding on gravel with a large adventure bike, and heavy dual sport or even a light dirt bike. Is it all about the suspension? Or do you think it is more about the rider?

[@ckkrons2338]

Your comments are solid. I have rode gravel most on my R1200GSA, starting to on my DR650 bought last month. From my limited experience...picking your line is critical to stay on the hardest packed stuff. Tire selection too, I prefer a more 50/50 tire like a TKC80 (or similar)...Deathwings on my 650 were not confidence inspiring!

[@advmedic7620]

C K thank you for your kind words. Love the GS, definitely one of my bucket list bikes.

[@ckkrons2338]

@@advmedic7620 mine is a 2007 with 34k miles I bought this summer for $5000. Oil cooled ones are pretty reasonable cost-wise and simple enough to fix on your own. Great bike...although not so much in sand or mud unless your last name is Tkacs.

[@advmedic7620]

C K absolutely, Bret keeps telling us anyone can ride like he does, We just need a few thousand more hours of practice. Thanks again.