How not to slide the rear tire in gravel?

[brandonmccann]

Alright,

So any time I've ever dropped my bike is due to gravel. First time was because I didn't pick out a good spot in the road to stop, and the other 2 were because no one ever mentioned that you should stop with both brakes, unless you're in gravel.

Anyways, I've finally mastered how to get into my driveway but there is still one problem. My driveway is down hill, with loose gravel. Once I come down the hill, I have to stop fairly quickly or I'll hit the curb of my yard. The issue I'm having is that I can't seem to not slide the rear tire when making that stop. As loose as the gravel is, and as touchy as my brakes are, I can't seem to find a good method. Here's how I come into my driveway and maybe someone can give me some experienced input:

Going down highway, I'll move over to shoulder. As I am coasting to the turn into my house, I'm shifting down to first. At the turn, I stop as to be able to have total control of the throttle. I gently pull in the clutch to better lower my speed and go into my driveway slowly. At the bottom, I squeeze the rear brake and the tire slides around a bit until I come to a stop.

[crofrog]

Originally Posted by brandonmccann

Alright,

So any time I've ever dropped my bike is due to gravel. First time was because I didn't pick out a good spot in the road to stop, and the other 2 were because no one ever mentioned that you should stop with both brakes, unless you're in gravel.

no you're still suppose to use both brakes.

Going down highway, I'll move over to shoulder. As I am coasting to the turn into my house, I'm shifting down to first. At the turn, I stop as to be able to have total control of the throttle. I gently pull in the clutch to better lower my speed and go into my driveway slowly. At the bottom, I squeeze the rear brake and the tire slides around a bit until I come to a stop.

The tire is easier to control with the clutch OUT and if the tire slides around some who cares?

[Aj Mick]

Slam the rear brake on hard, and lean the bike over to slide around to a stop in fairly short order..... I've done it often enough. It was recommended practice for an emergency stop back in the days of yore, when brakes were nothing flash, and ABS was unknown.....

But seriously, it sounds like you need to find yourself someone who can teach you a bit; get some lessons. There is only so much you can learn from an intent forum, or reading a book. Most learning is achieved by doing.

Take it easy going down that hill; to control your speed you'll probably be better mainly using the rear brake (and a low gear), with just a little front. When you need to stop, squeeze a bit more on the front.

On the road, with gravel you have to anticipate well in advance, and make your inputs gentle. Don't pull the clutch in and coast. Just back off the throttle and gently drop down through the gears as you slow down. By the time you get to where you want to turn you should be in the right gear.

[BlueLghtning]

As CroFrog said, both brakes. It just takes more attention on gravel not to lock them up, Your front brake still provides more stopping power, even in gravel.

It does sound like you are picking up too much speed down hill with the clutch in and then applying only the rear brake on gravel surface which is going to to slide on you. Leave it in 1st gear use the motor to maintain a slow down hill speed and smoothly use both brakes to stop or even maintain a slower down hill speed if the engine isn't keep you slowed down enough.

Sounds like you could really use some time in a dirt bike class to learn some off road riding techniques and learn how to brake comfortably when traction is less than optimal.

[corndog67]

Brandon, you sound like you are real nervous riding your bike, and that nervousness turns into an accident waiting to happen. You need to practice, and it seems as if you are freezing up when you hit the gravel. Personally, I grew up on dirt bikes, so sliding things around doesn't bother me a bit, in fact, I do it on purpose. Do you know anyone that will let you practice on their dirt bike? Once you get used to sliding around on a dirt bike, it transfers to street bikes pretty readily.

[It'sNotTheBike]

Originally Posted by brandonmccann

Alright,

no one ever mentioned that you should stop with both brakes, unless you're in gravel.

The issue I'm having is that I can't seem to not slide the rear tire when making that stop. As loose as the gravel is, and as touchy as my brakes are, I can't seem to find a good method. Here's how I come into my driveway and maybe someone can give me some experienced input:

Going down highway, I'll move over to shoulder. As I am coasting to the turn into my house, I'm shifting down to first. At the turn, I stop as to be able to have total control of the throttle. I gently pull in the clutch to better lower my speed and go into my driveway slowly. At the bottom, I squeeze the rear brake and the tire slides around a bit until I come to a stop.

1. There is no hard and fast rule for when to use only one brake or when to use two.
Riding in the real world cannot be reduced to a simple set of rules because
there are too many variables.


2. It's not clear from your description but it sounds like you are riding DOWN hill
when your rear tire locks up and slides. When riding downhill the weight on
the wheels of the bike tends to transfer off the rear wheel and onto the front wheel.
Riding downhill makes the rear wheel even more likely to lock up and slide, so if
you don't want the rear wheel to slide you need to use the rear brake carefully.
I understand you probably don't want to use the front brake because if the front
wheel locks a crash might follow, but if you can learn to use the front brake well
you'll discover that the brake can slow the bike without locking the front wheel
and that the front brake is a very useful thing.


3. It sounds like you need to approach the point in your driveway where you want to
stop completely at a slower speed. The more slowly you approach your stopping
point the less likely it is that you will suddenly lock the rear wheel when you use the
rear brake, because you won't need to change your speed as drastically to bring the
bike to a complete stop ( the change in your rate of negative acceleration will be less
over a given period of time ).


A rear wheel sliding is not necessarily going to make you crash. Sometimes it is
desirable to lock the rear wheel in order to make the bike do what you want.
But that sort of technique sounds like it might be a bit ahead of your current
skill level.


================================================== =====


As others have mentioned above, it sounds like you should take a riding course.
A course which involves situations with less than perfect traction and is taught by
a professional instructor and which provides small light weight easy to handle dirt-oriented
motorcycles for you to learn on would be ideal for you.


A good instructor can watch you ride and pick up on some of the things you need to
change in your technique. I don't have any affiliation with a riding school so I have no
hidden agenda making this recommendation to you. The fee for such a school is usually
reasonable and it could be some of the best money you ever spend, if it keeps you
out of the hospital.


Bottom line : you will NOT learn how to ride better by reading stuff on the internet.
You will learn to ride better by riding and practicing your technique. And if you are taught
proper technique by an instructor who is competent, and you practice what you are taught,
your riding skills will improve and you will be much less likely to crash in gravel.



.

[It'sNotTheBike]

Originally Posted by Aj Mick

Slam the rear brake on hard, and lean the bike over to slide around to a stop in fairly short order.....

And maybe he should also do a "stoppie" and a tail whip to reverse the direction
of the bike, and then break-dance on the bike, like Taddy does when he wins an
endurocross event


.

[foxtrapper]

I'll agree, you need more practivce. So you become comfortable with sliding in gravel. It really is quite controllable.

That said, I'd also say you need to start braking earlier, and gentler, so you don't break the rear end free. It's not much different than stopping in the rain, you brake earlier and gentler.

[DAKEZ]

Originally Posted by foxtrapper

I'll agree, you need more practivce. So you become comfortable with sliding in gravel. It really is quite controllable.

Oh good. A new technical term.

[PhilB]

Pave your driveway?

PhilB

[Offcamber]

I to have to turn off a main road onto my gravel driveway. My method to keep from washing out the front end is as follows. When making a left in I slow down (assuming I don't have to wait for traffic) then make the turn square enough so I am going almost straight when I hit the gravel.

When making a right turn I start slowing well before the turn and signal to give any cars behind me ample warning I'm turning. As I approach the driveway I drift left to the center line then turn as slowly and as tightly as I can so I am almost straight when I hit the gravel.

My driveway goes up hill steeply from the road so as soon as the turn is completed I'm back on the gas to accelerate up the hill....then I have fun sending a rooster tail of gravel out behind me

This method works for my YMMV

As for stopping down the hill use the engine to brake you with adding in some front brake to control the speed...go slow

But as others have stated....practice more. Caution is good fear will hurt you.

[foxtrapper]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

Oh good. A new technical term.

If that misseplling got you excited, just wait until you see the others I have in store! I'm *good* at typos.

[monkeythumpa]

Originally Posted by PhilB

Pave your driveway?

PhilB

Easier than that...get some decomposed granite and a tamper. It'll firm it right up.

[Pantah]

Originally Posted by monkeythumpa

Easier than that...get some decomposed granite and a tamper. It'll firm it right up.

Now there is a cheap and brilliant solution.

[Crisis management]

I'm with Crofrog, learn to use all the tools in your inventory (both brakes) and you will have to get used to sliding around a bit, it doesn't hurt and is usually a lot of fun.
I assume you are on a road bike and fat tires don't really behave well in gravel, but it's just another skill to learn. I ride a road bike happily on gravel and other than having to brake a bit earlier there is no difference between it and a dual sport bike / tires.

Find a straight, flat gravel road and practice braking and turning until you get used to the feel of less traction, don't over do it, 15 minutes practice at a time. If you can't find a gravel road use a grass field / yard... for added excitement wet it first!

Have fun!