| Author | Message | ||
     Garyz28 |
Went for a ride Saturday with Jon aka "Growl". I mentioned that hadn't taken the Uly off pavement yet so he suggested a back road that traverses a steep canyon between two towns here in the foothills. I have been on the same road many times in just about every four wheeled vehicle I've ever owned, so I thought I knew what to expect. What I didn't know was that the first few miles had recently been covered with a deep layer of gravel. I had no idea how much gravel sucks on a motorcycle. I guess it gets better with experience because Jon didn't seem to be having any problem. I was in the rear and while trying to make a corner with particularly deep gravel I made two fatal mistakes. The first was focusing on the bank I didn't want to run into, and the second was grabbing the front brake. Well I did manage to stop short of the bank, but I dropped it in the gravel. No damage, except my pride. Shortly after that my oil light came on. I can't help but think it had something to do with the fall. I shut it off and let it set for a few minutes and when I restarted the motor all was well, and has been well since. The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful although we did stop to explore an old mine tunnel. Over all I had a great time and can't wait to try it again. (Message edited by GaryZ28 on December 03, 2007) | ||
| Hughlysses |
Riding on gravel is definitely a creepy feeling at first. You have to get used to letting the bike go where it wants to (within limits). Oh yea, and for all the complaints about the Uly's rear brake, it is MORE than enough to easily lock the rear wheel on gravel or dirt. Glad nothing was hurt. (Message edited by hughlysses on December 03, 2007) | ||
| Buellerandy |
before you know it, you'll be asking yourself "how far can I get my rear wheel to kick out on that next corner" | ||
| Garyz28 |
I'm sure I can get used to it. I remember when wind buffeting on the freeway used to make me tense up. I got used to that. The bike move around a little, but it's not like like it's hard to stay in my lane. | ||
| Dennis_c |
also helps to get your butt off the seat and knees bent in the deep gravel.good luck  | ||
| Garyz28 |
That sounds like a good tip! Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
mmmm dirt, mud, gravel.... the three course meal that my bike loves. She knocks down the local backroads fine. Get out on the dirt, you are missing a world of riding if you skip it. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
but there is so much fun on the gravel, so much to see, so many adventures!!! Here was my gravel road today. Just slow down, way down on the loose stuff. Remember that the throttle solves as many problems as the brake, use less front brake, more rear, then when on pavement. Also look where you want to go, not at what you don't want to hit, standing can allow weight distribution to front or rear as needed.  | ||
| Garyz28 |
I realized looking at where I didn't want to go instead of where I did want to go was a huge mistake. There are places on this road that if you went over the edge it would be years before anyone found you. I also learned to use the rear brake only in the loose stuff. I wish I would have taken some pictures. It's an old mining road that was built in the 1880's. It's about 15 miles of rocks and ruts which actually make it more interesting. Only the first couple of miles have been graveled. Actually it looked more like pulverized asphalt. It was black and much lighter in weight than crushed rock. Also very easily displaced when you step/ride on it. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Back when I got the Uly, I did my break-in, then had my first service just before going on a 750 miles ride from Florida to North Carolina, then back a few days later. At the end of the first leg, and start of the second leg, I used this area as a 'shortcut'. 1/3 the distance, but equal time !   I don't have my own pictures, so I used some from http://www.tailofthedragon.com/ |
