How to ride a motorcycle on gravel

Perhaps part of the road is damaged and not yet repaired, or a truck has passed right in front of you. This can cause gravel to enter the road. Many motorcycle accidents are due to this phenomenon, especially when cornering. 

Many drivers say they have had bad experiences in a similar situation before. Surely you know how to ride a motorcycle. However, gravel is more difficult to drive. How to drive on a gravel road? This is good, because in this article, we will show you how to maintain control of your car and thus keep you safe.

Concentration will help you prepare better.

Quite often you are told to stay focused while riding your motorcycle. This is good, but when driving on gravel you need to be extra careful not to get into an accident. 

By staying focused, you will always be aware of the danger. You will be able to observe from afar that part on which you will need to pay more attention and take appropriate action to the situation. Therefore, it is very important to be vigilant throughout the journey. Even if this is your usual road to work.

The right reflexes for acceptance

You should see a road sign with a gravel ledge on a yellow background to warn you of the danger. Therefore, you should pay attention to the various road signs that will inform you that you are going to drive on gravel. 

As soon as you see the sign, slow down to avoid causing too much dash. Also, accelerate slowly so as not to lose control of the car. If it is not prohibited and does not primarily affect your safety, cut off the path to make it easier for you to drive. This is to keep the bike as vertical as possible.

Hold the steering wheel correctly for better control

Of course, you must have a firm grip on the handlebars of your motorcycle. However, do not be too tough so as not to strain. Instead, adopt a flexible and relaxed posture that allows you to control the direction of movement of your machine. This is all the more necessary if you are going to ride on gravel for a long time.

Chips destabilize your car, so you have to correct them on the handlebars. To do this, do not try to resist them. Just try to keep your speed and not fall.

Ability to play between accelerator and brakes

Of course, it is wise to brake before entering a difficult section of the road. However, do not do this all the time to prevent the motorcycle from coming to a complete stop. You can still lean on one leg, but you need to provide minimal acceleration if you want to keep the bike in balance. 

Remember that the most important thing is to keep your car stable in order to have maximum control, especially on the steering wheel. You can easily find the correct rotation speed by balancing acceleration and deceleration. The first time is always difficult, but the more often you encounter similar situations, the more you will know how to cope better next time.

Exercise caution when approaching bends

Driving on gravel when cornering is another matter. First, you need to consider the driving parameters during normal cornering. At the same time, you need to be careful not to fall. As for speed, the procedure is the same as for straight gravel driving.

Always look into the distance instead of focusing on what's ahead of your bike. Also, do not lose sight of the oncoming lane, as a vehicle may appear at a bend. Assuming it's too much on your side, you can easily avoid it.

Control your motorcycle

Loss of vehicle control means to the driver that he is in danger and an accident could occur. This is why you need to make sure that you are in control of your vehicle all along the road, regardless of the circumstances and conditions of the road.

In particular, when there is gravel on the road, you should avoid falls by adjusting your driving style, that is, the speed and position of the motorcycle. Falls are often the main cause of serious accidents, especially at high speeds. Even in a normal corner, you can still skid, so imagine if there is gravel on the road on top of this.

Have clear ideas so you can improvise and avoid the worst

You are not asked to think for a few minutes about what you are going to do, since every decision must be made in a split second. On the contrary, you should coordinate your thinking and actions well so that you do not perform inappropriate gestures, such as accelerating or jumping off the bike while walking.

First of all, you need to keep your cool. Already, if you panic, this is one less energy than you wasted. Plus, you can make the best decision with all your heart.

A Few Tips That Will Help You

As the saying goes, a wise man is worth two. While you don't need to ride on gravel, it's a good idea to remember that it is always safe to wear protective gear. A pair of gloves for the hands, protecting the shoulders, elbows and knees, not to mention the buttocks and ankles. 

It is also recommended to wear shoes and a jacket that are suitable for riding a motorcycle. This can be a simple precaution, but it can go a long way in avoiding death in an accident. Finally, be careful not to overdo it with the accelerator.