Grainbelt
Junior Member
I ride with a number of people who have 'adventure' bikes, be they VStroms, BMW GSes, KLR650s, or any others of that ilk.
On the way to meet some of them for a rally in WI, I took a detour to the Porcupine Mountains and camped in one of their 'extension' sites. Read: no services. It hailed Friday morning and the road out was a little greasy, so I just took it easy.
I took a day trip with some of the rugged adventurers, one old GS and two Wee Stroms. 'Are you sure? It'll be a few hours, we are trying to find some Rustic Roads, some might be gravel.' No big deal. Gravel is fun. :rockon:
I wish I had time that morning to change tire pressure and preload. Running luggage all weekend I had preload maxed and the tires at 36/40, not the best for gravel. That being said, the FZ6 does just fine on gravel. Keep it around 30 on the loose marbly stuff, and as fast as you want on the good hardpack.
On a few sections of relatively smooth and hardpacked gravel I was able to experiment with sliding the bike around the corners a bit, and it was massively fun. Get thru the apex, give it some gas to get the big 180 rear loose, and hunt for traction with the front. I really wasn't sliding much, but a little feels like a lot when you realize how expensive a drop will be.
Next time you wonder what is at the end of a gravel road, just ride it. The bike will handle it well and you just might like it. :steve:
On the way to meet some of them for a rally in WI, I took a detour to the Porcupine Mountains and camped in one of their 'extension' sites. Read: no services. It hailed Friday morning and the road out was a little greasy, so I just took it easy.
I took a day trip with some of the rugged adventurers, one old GS and two Wee Stroms. 'Are you sure? It'll be a few hours, we are trying to find some Rustic Roads, some might be gravel.' No big deal. Gravel is fun. :rockon:
I wish I had time that morning to change tire pressure and preload. Running luggage all weekend I had preload maxed and the tires at 36/40, not the best for gravel. That being said, the FZ6 does just fine on gravel. Keep it around 30 on the loose marbly stuff, and as fast as you want on the good hardpack.
On a few sections of relatively smooth and hardpacked gravel I was able to experiment with sliding the bike around the corners a bit, and it was massively fun. Get thru the apex, give it some gas to get the big 180 rear loose, and hunt for traction with the front. I really wasn't sliding much, but a little feels like a lot when you realize how expensive a drop will be.
Next time you wonder what is at the end of a gravel road, just ride it. The bike will handle it well and you just might like it. :steve: