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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: nick949 on August 05, 2017, 02:53:12 PM

Title: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: nick949 on August 05, 2017, 02:53:12 PM
Sorry it's just a FB link, but it's a safe one to my album of 20 pics. 

Who'd have guessed I like riding gravel roads?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2008367696058892.1073741855.100006570435381&type=1&l=801ba7b4b3 (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2008367696058892.1073741855.100006570435381&type=1&l=801ba7b4b3)

Nick
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: Guzzistajohn on August 05, 2017, 02:58:47 PM
Wait a minute, facebook is evil isn't it?  Sure looks like some remote places, peaceful I bet :thumb:
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: harjp_az on August 05, 2017, 05:34:12 PM
Great pics. Good to see a cruiser on dirt!

I have avoided asphalt ever since I started riding. But I couldn't help buy the '97 California I just picked up. Who knew that MG made riding a big bike fun?! But I'll be taking my new bike on the dirt forest service and county roads throughout Arizona. Too many to pass up.

(http://thumb.ibb.co/gQLXPv/IMG_20170309_202242.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gQLXPv)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cutVBa/IMG_20160730_100006092_HDR.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cutVBa)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/iZjFcF/IMG_20160702_084624914.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iZjFcF)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/gdyxra/20170805_123259.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gdyxra)
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: Peter949 on August 05, 2017, 06:34:50 PM
 Captivating photos of the seemingly endless forests when traveling the gravel roads of Labrador.
 :thumb:

Peter
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: cookiemech on August 06, 2017, 04:46:16 AM
Beautiful photos, nice bikes!
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: JJ on August 06, 2017, 07:47:41 AM
Answer?  Any qualified Dual-Sport bike will do...

Here is an example of what NOT to ride on a New Mexico gravel fire road...and especially after a MONSOON!!  :laugh: :grin: :wink: :shocked: :huh: :rolleyes: (I learned the hard way...)  :shocked:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cQpcba/IMG_6364.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cQpcba)


I should have been on one of THESE!!  :thumb: :1: :cool:  1999-2001 Quota 1100 ES


(http://thumb.ibb.co/bYQDzv/Screen_Shot_2017_08_07_at_6_21_29_AM.png) (http://ibb.co/bYQDzv)
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: lorazepam on August 06, 2017, 11:17:04 AM
Great pictures! I would love to get up there, and try those roads. I avoid Canada after being banned from entry for a year, and getting "special" treatment any time I I have tried to return.
I did not have the proper paperwork to enter the country for an emergency repair on a piece of equipment. They take that very seriously up in the great white north.  :whip2:
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on August 06, 2017, 11:37:59 AM
Great pics. Good to see a cruiser on dirt!

I have avoided asphalt ever since I started riding. But I couldn't help buy the '97 California I just picked up. Who knew that MG made riding a big bike fun?! But I'll be taking my new bike on the dirt forest service and county roads throughout Arizona. Too many to pass up.

(http://thumb.ibb.co/gQLXPv/IMG_20170309_202242.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gQLXPv)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/cutVBa/IMG_20160730_100006092_HDR.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cutVBa)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/iZjFcF/IMG_20160702_084624914.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iZjFcF)


(http://thumb.ibb.co/gdyxra/20170805_123259.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gdyxra)


Err... An (original) Eldorado isn't a "cruiser". It was a touring bike (advertising read "built for unlimited touring") when it was introduced and could also be called a "standard". IMO, the Guzzi "cruisers" started with the V65SP in small-blocks and the California III in big-blocks.
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: nick949 on August 06, 2017, 06:21:59 PM
This one is a real touring bike - and it does remarkably well when the going gets a little iffy.

another bunch of photos from today: 454 miles by Convert 

There is something rather wonderful and deeply satisfying about getting up before sunrise and riding an old bike all day. In this august company my 41 year old Guzzi Convert is a mere whippersnapper but compared to the pantheon of Harleys, Victorys and Goldwings I saw on this holiday Sunday, it was positively geriatric.
   I was heading for the Elephant Lake Road, which I heard was a good one (actually OK, but nothing special), but first I had some cross-country treks planned, using logging roads through some undeveloped country.  After riding 18 miles in on a single-track gravel road, I go skunked (not literally) and had to retrace my steps. The pictures and captions tell the story.
   The Convert is a surprisingly good steed for unpaved roads. I was a bit unsure of the linked brakes at first - on the Eldorado and Nuovo Falcone I rely on engine braking and the rear brake so as not to lock up the front wheel on the loose stuff.  I needn’t have worried. The braking on the Convert was predictable and safe, plus the instant access to full torque that the auto-trans provides means it’s easy to use the throttle to get out of trouble.
   Back on the paved roads I cruised all day with the speedo needle pointing due north (60mph), a few notches up from one Hoseason. I’m glad I was wearing my chaps, chaps, as the right cylinder has a mystery leak which sprays a gentle mist of hot oil on my shin. The amount is trifling - perhaps an egg-cup full through the day, but it’s unsightly. It appears to come from somewhere near the plug, but neither the valve cover nor the cylinder head gasket seem to be leaking and the spark plug is tight.  None of my other Guzzis leak and I have no experience with such things. Perhaps some of you Brit-bike folks have some helpful ideas about how to track the source of a mystery leak?
   In 454 miles and 11.5 hours (about 10.5 actually riding) I didn’t have a single moment that raised my blood pressure (I don’t count little slips on the gravel - they are expected and normal) and not once did I say ‘stupid arsehole’ about another driver - no, not even under my breath. Good day.

pics:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2008952269333768.1073741856.100006570435381&type=1&l=74474821a9 (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2008952269333768.1073741856.100006570435381&type=1&l=74474821a9)

Nick
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: harjp_az on August 07, 2017, 12:02:15 AM
Err... An (original) Eldorado isn't a "cruiser".
I stand corrected.
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: chuck peterson on August 07, 2017, 06:49:12 AM
Ha! Another convert from loops...pun intended

Unique feature of the vert? No stalling...just gas it some more instead of lurching to a stop in gear and falling over...think about that for chunky gravel rock strewn stuff...

I've bashed around all over vt and nh gravel roads with DB bags and windjammer and it never really cared

Thanks Nick
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: nick949 on August 07, 2017, 07:30:52 AM
Ha! Another convert from loops...pun intended

Unique feature of the vert? No stalling...just gas it some more instead of lurching to a stop in gear and falling over...think about that for chunky gravel rock strewn stuff...

I've bashed around all over vt and nh gravel roads with DB bags and windjammer and it never really cared

Thanks Nick

Hi Chuck,
    I have an article coming up in RealClassic magazine comparing the Eldorado to the Convert for my kind of riding.  You'll have to get the mag to read the punchline  :evil:

Nick
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: vintagehoarder on August 07, 2017, 07:38:57 AM
This guy takes it to heart!  Safe FB link from my Guzzi group page.

https://www.facebook.com/ibaby/videos/vb.1623216384/10211814425909097/?type=2&theater (https://www.facebook.com/ibaby/videos/vb.1623216384/10211814425909097/?type=2&theater)
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: harjp_az on August 07, 2017, 08:01:59 AM
This one is a real touring bike - and it does remarkably well when the going gets a little iffy.

Nick
Great report!

Stupid me and Facebook.....I keep looking for the Like button.
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: nyITguy on August 07, 2017, 08:06:39 AM
Stupid me and Facebook.....I keep looking for the Like button.

Same here!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: Motormike on August 07, 2017, 08:22:04 AM
Nick, I enjoyed your book, "Beyond The Coffee Shop."  A good read.
Title: Re: Proper bikes for gravel roads
Post by: JJ on August 07, 2017, 08:27:28 AM
As I said previously, I should have been on one of THESE!! 1999-2001 Quota 1100ES!   A very capable and cool classic Guzzi!  :thumb: :cool: :1:


(http://thumb.ibb.co/bYQDzv/Screen_Shot_2017_08_07_at_6_21_29_AM.png) (http://ibb.co/bYQDzv)