Anyone take any dirt roads with their XS???

[DGXSER]

Damn it! I proof-read that like 4 times and still messed-up! It should read "Deep loose gravel = NO good." Sorry folks...

The eye sees what fits...I never noticed the error.

[trbig]

are you rocking a vetter in that photo?

EPIC shot either way

It was a Shoei fairing. A bit smaller and lighter than a Vetter, but on the back, I had a good hundred pounds of gear.

[Crusty Snippets]

Dirt road

Two problems.
The tyres and the weight.
These newer tyres roll and slide on the loose stuff very easily. Then the weight of the bike makes it fall down.
Try to ride with little lean. Ease the controls. A locked front or back brake will tend to drop it,because of the weight.

I rode my 370 pound SV650S Suzuki on an ugly stretch ( 30 miles one way ) of road. Was okay but the older style tyres ( Dunlop TT100 ) were much better in the loose stuff.

A 650 Kawasaki with trials universal tyres would be a good idea.

Unkle Crusty

[sparkfly88]

Well, If I decide to do this....I will make sure I turn the gopro on...

[GLoweVA]

Took a "shortcut" going south off Berman Rd to get into LaBelle. Came upon a road grader 5 miles down the farm road that was grading the ruts and smoothing out the sand. His eyes just about popped out of his head when he saw 7 or 8 motorcycles come charging down the road.

Jeff

Jeff, was that Bermont Rd? (Fla-74)
Then you probably took Fire Tower Rd (731) south to Labelle.
Yep, pretty straight.
You should have just shot over to Fish Eating Creek and came down 29 all the way to Everglades City.

You know what they say about Hindsight....

I would have loved to join you guys on that trip.

[ViperRon]

Some small suggestions for the loose material roads. First make sure you have no drag from front brakes. If you have a brake that drags or locks just a little on pavement it can throw you on sand gravel etc. Tire pressure being a little low on the front and rear can help with traction. A hard tire on the front will slide in a minute. Your main skill is balance at low speed. Practice in a parking lot with lines driving very slow keeping on the line.

I ran dirt bikes years ago at high speeds on dirt roads sideways spinning arround curves etc it all depends on balance. Do not look at the road up close or under you that can throw you off balance keep a forward view.