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Scared of gravel roads, mud, sand etc... what to do ? Scared of gravel roads, mud, sand etc... what to do ?
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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Lois Pryce, fueling up in Tunisia

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
fueling up in Tunisia



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  #1  
Old 15 Aug 2017
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Samy, if you genuinely fear these conditions you should ask yourself if riding a bike is what you want to be doing.

On the other hand, if it is just a little trepidation as a result of a 7 year lay off, then don't overstretch yourself. Try to think back to when you were riding before and work out what it was you really enjoyed about riding a bike and try and find rides that recreate all the good bits.

A few friends have given up riding bikes in their 60s just because they feel that they ride too slowly and find themselves thinking 'what if' as they approach a situation. As a result I only rarely ride with other bikes these days and even when I do I go at my own pace.
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Old 15 Aug 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnon View Post
I only rarely ride with other bikes these days and even when I do I go at my own pace.
Me too, and I am all the better off for it - essentially, motorcycling is a thoroughly selfish activity.
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Old 16 Aug 2017
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My wife used to hate dirt roads, we then spent a two week holiday on mainly dirt roads, at the end of the two weeks I only ever ate her dust.
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Old 16 Aug 2017
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I got back into motorcycle after about 30 year break at first I wasn't sure if I had a death wish or not. For me it got much much better with time. I read as much as I could about good safe ridding technique and I would practice slow speed ridding figure 8's and how slowly I could ride in a straight line. I think practice is the key even visualisation helps. I am also know learning to ride dirtbikes which has gone from fear to love.
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Old 16 Aug 2017
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Over the years, a couple of times I've had a scare on a bike, and thought, 'Do I really want to keep doing this?'

I find the best fix is to get up early on a weekend or holiday morning, get out on the road when there's not much traffic, start off on a long ride, and after the first few minutes I always find the answer is 'yes'.
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Old 16 Aug 2017
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it will come to you, give it some time. You are now scared of things which are the most fun in motorcycle riding. You need to ride regularly, I had also bigger brake in riding some time ago and when I resume riding, before each session I had to go to bathroom it's stress, normal thing, same happens before battle during war. You body prepares to fight.
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Old 17 Aug 2017
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As the guys say, practice is key to gaining confidence. If you can, find a place to ride the XT on the dirt unloaded with no pressure for speed and time. A useful technique is to STAND UP. Although this seems counter-intuitive it achieves several things: your legs can act as shock absorbers over big bumps to cushion your spine; by allowing the bike to move under you it's easier to control any slides or movements without throwing you off balance; and you can move your body weight forward or backward if you want to get more grip on the front or rear. In very soft sand or mud you want the front light so it doesn't dig in and the back heavy so it'll drive. On loose gravel you want the front heavy so it grips and the back light so if anything slides it's that one, which is easier to control than a front wheel slide.

Most of the time you won't need any special techniques though, especially on a fully loaded bike, and just riding at a pace you're comfortable with and picking your way across rough ground how it feels right will be fine.
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Old 13 Sep 2017
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Curvy roads
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Me too, and I am all the better off for it - essentially, motorcycling is a thoroughly selfish activity.
Meant to say, reference the curvy road aspect consider "counter steering" - a technique that deals with many issues related to successfully negotiating bends.

Also use a "balanced throttle" which does not refer to balancing carburettors but means to have the throttle slightly open using the appropriate gear while travelling around the bend: this gives a quick and easy method of controlling the road speed throughout the bend, if necessary in conjunction with the back brake.
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Old 15 Sep 2017
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Dirt & "off road": If you are scared of "off road" ride a smaller moto, like 250cc or even smaller. A 600cc moto is too heavy for slippery and rough roads that normally are called off road. Light weight makes a huge difference, making adventuring and exploring fun!

My wife loves riding her 250cc on glarly roads, after initially riding rough roads with a 100cc moto. I too enjoy my 250cc moto. I own another 250cc moto for overland travel that is located in South America. You can go far, and you will have fun on a smaller moto.

Ride solo, ride your own speed, and enjoy the adventure.

Big moto, 600cc or so, is for high speed gravel roads (smooth/well graded/solid) and for tarmac.

We live in a moto culture that says big is better, or that "once you are good" you'll prefer a bigger moto on rough roads. Ignore that advertising and culture.
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