Advice on riding off road - Scary!

[RicoChet]

Hey Guys! So I found some roads near by where I live that have some unpaved roads. By unpaved, I mean secondary roads off the main highway or streets that are hard packed dirt --- So I tried turning onto one and within 100 feet I got incredibally scared shitless because it felt like I was riding on pure ice. I couldn't even keep it pointed straight. The road was hard compact stuff but it was completely completely covered in hard stones, like large gravel and felt like the bike was literally going to just slip from underneath me. What kind of tires are appropriate for this?

I've found that there are other roads that are way easier to ride, such as an unpaved road... just brown roads with no stones or gravel on them, I feel perfectly fine on.. but holy crap that one road with the large gravel just spread evenly around it, was terrifying for me.

I am currently running Anakee 3 tires which seem great for the street, I can honestly say I will be doing 90/10 road/dirt riding but just wondering if you have any tips for me.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Ive been in your shoes before... After an hour or so riding on that stuff down near Big Bend, TX I was tearing it up like crazy and having a great time... By the end of the day, 200+ miles on dirt it was like old hat..... I would suggest some K60 tires and just practice... After a few hours it will just get better and better for you. Don't ride over your head and just go have fun, even if that is at a slow pace.. It will come to you ! Don't NOT go ride on it, you would be really missing out ! I would suggest find a safe section, ride slow on purpose, and force yourself to ride loose. Try standing, sitting, and moving around on the bike... Even if your riding at 20 mph.. Try not to ride tight and stiff armed, you will be worn out in five or ten minutes.. Try and ride loose, slow, fun..... The pace will come..

 

[holligl]

Your avatar photo looks like you have it down pat!

 

[AZ Dean]

Hey Guys! So I found some roads near by where I live that have some unpaved roads. By unpaved, I mean secondary roads off the main highway or streets that are hard packed dirt --- So I tried turning onto one and within 100 feet I got incredibally scared shitless because it felt like I was riding on pure ice.

Yeah, it kinda does feel like that, but it isn't. You just have to loosen up and let the bars deflect a bit as they roll over the gravel. Above walking speed, inertia wants to keep the bike upright and moving forward, so unless the road has semi-deep sand that can grab the bars and turn them, you aren't likely to just fall at any second. Next, keep your inputs small and light. Switch the drive mode to Touring to soften the throttle inputs and use mostly rear-brake. Lastly, remember that the counter-steering method you use to turn on the street doesn't work as well (or at all) here. Turn by leaning the bike in the direction you want to go.

I couldn't even keep it pointed straight. The road was hard compact stuff but it was completely completely covered in hard stones, like large gravel and felt like the bike was literally going to just slip from underneath me. What kind of tires are appropriate for this?

I've done a couple hundred miles of dirt/gravel/rough roads on the stock Bridgestones. It does help to drop pressures down into the high 20s/low 30s. I switched over to knobby tires that provide much more grip and a more secure feeling while riding off-road. I don't feel like I have given up much on-road performance at all, though tire life is decreased. They are much cheaper than most road tires as well. I am currently running the Shinko 805 in the rear and the Mitas MC-60 in front. VERY happy with this combo for the last ~5,000 miles.

I've found that there are other roads that are way easier to ride, such as an unpaved road... just brown roads with no stones or gravel on them, I feel perfectly fine on.. but holy crap that one road with the large gravel just spread evenly around it, was terrifying for me.

I am currently running Anakee 3 tires which seem great for the street, I can honestly say I will be doing 90/10 road/dirt riding but just wondering if you have any tips for me.

Really it is just a feeling you have to adapt to. Start out slow, using the techniques I mentioned above and simply spend some time on those roads getting used to how the bike handles and feels.

 

[Terminus]

::026:: on what Tabasco said. When you are on dirt, sand, gravel, etc. the bike will feel like it is wandering a bit. The key is to relax and not fight it. The bike will float a bit, and will not feel like the straight line stability pavement provides. Just remember cornering and stopping are even more affected with sand and silty compacted roads as well so keep the speed down especially if you don't know the road. That is what works for me and how I learned back in the day. Take it slow at first and it will take a bit of time for it to feel "normal".

 

[RicoChet]

Your avatar photo looks like you have it down pat!

That's not me, that's who I aspire to be lol

 

[yoyo]

I'm not the greatest off roader on the S10 but I've done a bit on smaller bikes, as said try to keep a loose grip on the bars, head up, don't look at the front wheel. The best advice is to find a bit of trail you like and practice it a few times, make that a lot of times! Keep going up an down it'll build your confidence, you soon get used to the bike moving around. Enjoy!

 

[Sierra1]

That's not me, that's who I aspire to be lol

::025:: Then find THAT guy....because he obviously has it figured out! I too aspire to be ABLE to ride like that. ::001::

 

[Checkswrecks]

When in doubt
Gas it out



Any chance of taking a dirt course or at least borrowing a dirt bike to practice on?

 

[RicoChet]

When in doubt
Gas it out



Any chance of taking a dirt course or at least borrowing a dirt bike to practice on?

In the next month? Probably not... Baby RicoChet is coming in July and I suspect I will be busier then normal in the next few months... years

 

[RicoChet]

I'm not the greatest off roader on the S10 but I've done a bit on smaller bikes, as said try to keep a loose grip on the bars, head up, don't look at the front wheel. The best advice is to find a bit of trail you like and practice it a few times, make that a lot of times! Keep going up an down it'll build your confidence, you soon get used to the bike moving around. Enjoy!

Sound advice! Will try to do !!

 

[bob dirt]

I found turning the traction control off helps when you have to gas it out. I learned that on my Alaska trip. I still feel like a novice. I go out and practice when I can. If I can make it through the entire CDT in July, I'll probably have the confidence I lack now.

 

[HeliMark]

In the next month? Probably not... Baby RicoChet is coming in July and I suspect I will be busier then normal in the next few months... years

First off. ::012:: ::008:: You are in for a wonderful time.

Second, in my limited experience, off road with the traction control on while on a rocky road will make things more difficult. The traction control on the bike is pretty good, and usually I have it in #2, but last month going up a small hill with some bumps and rocks almost did me in. I had forgot to turn the TC off and ended up trying to find that speed where I could make it up the rest of the hill, but not fast enough for the TC to do its thing. Once I got to the top, I shut the TC off and had no more problems.

Mark

 

[BaldKnob]

Knobby tires will do the most to get comfortable with these big bikes offroad. As stable as the Tenere is, with street tires, the front wants to tuck with any loose, soft and/or wet off-camber surfaces. It forces a lot of attention and input at the bars/body position. Knobs help to keep you floating on that stuff and gives a bit of control in the process. Shinko 804/805's. Get some. And shut the TC off. Have fun!

 

[limey]

I was like that at first but hanging out with the guys south of the border was a quick learning experience. You like an hr form my place we should meet up one night or on the weekend and hit some Backroad's.

 

[magic]

Knobby tires will do the most to get comfortable with these big bikes offroad. As stable as the Tenere is, with street tires, the front wants to tuck with any loose, soft and/or wet off-camber surfaces. It forces a lot of attention and input at the bars/body position. Knobs help to keep you floating on that stuff and gives a bit of control in the process. Shinko 804/805's. Get some. And shut the TC off. Have fun!

Good solid advice here. If you're riding off road you need off road tires. Traction control turned off especially in sand. Traction control on 2 for gravel works for me. Those 90/10 and 80/20 street tires just do not work off road. I tried it with the OEM Battlewings and it wasn't pretty.

 

[RicoChet]

I was like that at first but hanging out with the guys south of the border was a quick learning experience. You like an hr form my place we should meet up one night or on the weekend and hit some Backroad's.

Hey Paul! That sounds really great, I hope I can find some time to do that and visit you again! Do you know any beginner friendly roads you would be willing to show me? I'm talking real beginner stuff! ::26:: O

 

[AVGeek]

All good advice here, but a big one every one missed is to STAND UP! By standing up, you transfer the center of gravity from the seat to the foot pegs, and you can provide steering input with the strongest muscles in your body. Keep your knees slightly bent to help with the bumps. And until you get more dirt oriented tires, air down off pavement, it makes a huge difference to allow the tires to conform to the surface, rather than skip across the top.

 

[RicoChet]

All good advice here, but a big one every one missed is to STAND UP! By standing up, you transfer the center of gravity from the seat to the foot pegs, and you can provide steering input with the strongest muscles in your body. Keep your knees slightly bent to help with the bumps. And until you get more dirt oriented tires, air down off pavement, it makes a huge difference to allow the tires to conform to the surface, rather than skip across the top.

I've tried standing up a couple of times, doesn't feel too bad, but I think I may need a second opinion on my positioning. I am not sure If I am standing up correctly as I've heard you need to not be leaning over the bars.. either my arms or short or I need risers because I can't stand straight up, I have to bend forward a little, I am not sure how far forward I am leaning over the tank.. I think this is incorrect. If I stand up perfectly straight to keep weight off the front, my arms are completely 100% extended and I don't think thats good. Tips?

 

[Terminus]

I've tried standing up a couple of times, doesn't feel too bad, but I think I may need a second opinion on my positioning. I am not sure If I am standing up correctly as I've heard you need to not be leaning over the bars.. either my arms or short or I need risers because I can't stand straight up, I have to bend forward a little, I am not sure how far forward I am leaning over the tank.. I think this is incorrect. If I stand up perfectly straight to keep weight off the front, my arms are completely 100% extended and I don't think thats good. Tips?

I think quite a few of us have installed risers. It helps both from comfort perspective while sitting down and functionally easier to stand and operate effectively.