JohnG Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Ok, so this is probably stupid... But here's the deal. A buddy of mine near Sugar Grove lives in a house that has a long, rather steep drive that's mostly gravel with a lot of the larger stones in it. I usually put my car in first gear, just to keep from riding my brakes. I've been wanting to stop in and visit him on the bike (he has health issues) but I'm really concerned about navigating DOWN the driveway. I want to have both feet down for stability, so that negates using the back brake alone, and I'm thinking the front brake would be a recipe for disaster. What if I kill the engine and use the clutch to brake the rear end?Helpful advice needed, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4DAIVI PAI2K5 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 No brakes, balls to the wall is how I would do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Smooth steady pressure on front brake 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 easy touch on the front brakes, and keep it straight. Your rear brake would be all but worthless anyway if it's as steep as you're making it sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello dude Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 (edited) The linked brakes on your ride will make it a PIA. Edited October 26, 2012 by mello dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 yea in my experiences the rear brake has nearly gotten me in more trouble on gravel than the fronts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester3681 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Park the bike at the bottom of the hill and get some exercise. Remember, the Russians used a pencil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmutt Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Just start slowly with the front brake lever in hand, then once the bike begins to descend the hill be sure to ride the brake all the way to the bottom. Biggest problem would be big stones knocking the front tire around a bit so just go as slowly as you can in case there's trouble with that. You CAN use the rear brake in light moderation so long as you dont lock it up, and I'd wouldn't ride the clutch down with a dead engine as it could lock the rear wheel as well. Be safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHill Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Do the vfr's link brakes both ways or just front to rear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 The linked brakes on your ride will make it a PIA.actually linked brakes would make it easier, as it would auto-apply a little bit of rear, allowing him to keep his feet down.I really like how well my linked brakes work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello dude Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 (edited) ^^^ Both ways- I'm kinda at how steep is steep? I might be tempted to do the dirt bike thing - stand on the pegs and cover the rear brake. Its probly a gotta be there thing, but covering the front could an invite for a wash out.- Caveat for me - I yanked the linked brakes off my ride. - Hated them. Edited October 26, 2012 by mello dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 The linked brakes on your ride will make it a PIA.This is what I was most concerned about... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted October 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Park the bike at the bottom of the hill and get some exercise. Remember, the Russians used a pencil.Can't leave my bike up by the road. Can't see it from his house - afraid the country folks would snatch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Depends how long and how steep the grade.On a ride earlier this year, UP and I got detoured onto a shitty gravel (larger stones) road with steep incline and an even steeper decline. It was pretty hectic. Street tires are not meant for those conditions. We did the decline under 5mph, with little to no traction. At one point, I had both brakes locked and was still sliding down the hill out of control. My bike easily could of wound up on it's side.I've ridden dirt bikes in much worse conditions than that without issue, but I wouldn't do it again on street tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSB67 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 How steep can a gravel driveway possibly be? I bet you could ride it pretty normal. Bike is most stable with both feet on the pegs, the rear brake may be enough to control your speed depending on traction, but you should probably be prepared to use the front. Your dead-engine clutching sounds like a terrible idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shittygsxr Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 park the bike at the end of the driveway and walk to the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street pilot Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 I am of the opinion that anytime you get off road, switch to dirtbike mode and use primarily the rear brake, feathering the front if needed to slow even further. Keep your weight back as much as feasible, if you're not used to standing up don't.I suppose there is a point where a gravel drive is too steep for a motorcycle with slick tires, but I think you will find that limit going up.Don't over think it and stress yourself out. How would your 10 year old self handle it on a BMX bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHill Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 If a car stops and starts moving again, do they get stuck and dig up ruts? If yes, I'd be worried, if no you will be fine just stay in 1st and putt down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbot Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 sounds like a pain in the ass, just go in the car. that is, unless he is going to die, and he just HAS to see a 2001 vfr before he dies.(ok, if that is really the case, and he really wanted to see your bike before passing, i'm REALLY sorry, i didn't mean anything by it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05candygrand Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 sidenote(question): Why is everyone on heres' viffer RED?? Do they make other colors?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 sidenote(question): Why is everyone on heres' viffer RED?? Do they make other colors?? is 2 everyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05candygrand Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 is 2 everyone?Well......yeah!Everyone's I can recall seeing is red. Although....Ive never seen yours though. Can I safely assume it's not red? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBBaron Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Killing the engine and using the clutch to control speed is a nice way to ride down a steep hill. Even leaving it at idle in first gear will work well. Front brake works OK as long as you have a very light touch. If you are in first in idle the front should help to keep speed under control.I keep my feet on the pegs but thats probably easier on a Vstrom than a sportier bike.However I am no expert on riding heavy bikes off-road. Only done a couple steep hills. May want to ask in the Dirty Talk forum or on ADV rider. There are a lot of people doing crazy things with adventure bikes that are not that much more capable.Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flounder Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Buy some man pants for Christ's sake.. This thread is a waste 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rawlins87 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Faster=more stable.Drove a bike on a half mile driveway for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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