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Gravel roads
#141653
05/13/18 08:22 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81
digger
OP
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81 |
2006 XT225 all stock. Factory Cheng Shins with 3900mi. on them (Yes, time to change them). I love everything about this bike except it SUCKS on gravel roads. It is hands down the worst handling bike I have ever had for riding on gravel roads. Any ideas to get it to handle better on gravel? I don't do any off road riding. Signed: Puckered so tight you couldn't pull a pin out.
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141654
05/13/18 08:53 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,160
peejman
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,160 |
Race tech fork emulators and springs and a Works Performance rear shock.
Or just slow down and stand up.
This shall pass, be still and know. 2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141656
05/13/18 08:59 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81
digger
OP
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81 |
It's hard to go any slower than 10mph with a passenger and keep the bike balanced. LOL. Not the answer I wanted to hear pj. LOL
Last edited by digger; 05/13/18 08:59 PM.
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141658
05/13/18 11:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 470
onceona50
Member L4
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Member L4
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 470 |
How much air in your tires?
2018 XT250 New 06/12/18. Now at 13,900 miles.
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141659
05/14/18 12:46 AM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81
digger
OP
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81 |
22psi front 25psi rear. I have tried both more air and less air. Neither helped.
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141661
05/14/18 06:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 584
patuca
Bronze Member
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Bronze Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 584 |
I think the XT225 is a great handling bike on gravel roads but I also accept that the handling and performance of such a light and small bike is designed and optimized for a single rider.
To me the passenger provision on the XT225 is useful for temporary or sometimes emergency use but I know that carrying an extra person on such a small bike will severely reduce the handling especially on loose surfaces partly because of the huge change in weight distribution and center of gravity and partly because the rider can't apply the usual riding skills.
230 lb motorcycles with 15 hp and a passenger don't handle great no matter where they go.
"this will only take a second..."
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141662
05/14/18 12:13 PM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81
digger
OP
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 81 |
Just to clear things up a bit, the reason I made my original post is because I used to have a Honda XL125 which weighs basically the same as the XT225 and had only a little less power. The Honda could be ridden on a gravel road WFO if one wanted to with complete confidence. I rode many gravel roads doing 45mph-55mph because it would do it so easily. That bike was completely predictable and very easy to handle on gravel. So I know a bike can handle great on gravel. Now for those of you that want to tell me to get another Honda XL if I like them so much, I probably would except for the fact that they don't have a magic button and are a little down on power as compared to the XT. I believe the ill handling has more to do with the rake & trail of the XT than anything else. A better choice of tires may help some but I don't believe it will ever handle like my old XL. The only other bike I owned that handled as poorly as the XT was a 1974 Yamaha DT250. Yamaha got a lot of things right on the XT225 but the way they handle on loose gravel wasn't one of them. PS. It doesn't handle any better on gravel riding solo.
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141663
05/14/18 01:01 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,160
peejman
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,160 |
It's hard to go any slower than 10mph with a passenger and keep the bike balanced. LOL. Not the answer I wanted to hear pj. LOL With a passenger? Um... get a KTM? The XT's stock suspension is barely adequate for one person. It's woefully undersprung for 2-up riding, assuming you're both bigger than the average 4th grader. As you mentioned, the rake and trail make the bike pretty light on the front tire. When you add a passenger, it's going to be extremely light on the front tire and a real handful on loose surfaces. The only thing you can do is slide as far forward as possible.
This shall pass, be still and know. 2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141667
05/14/18 07:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,620
Muniac
Platinum Member
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Platinum Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,620 |
Although the bike has pegs and room for a passenger I think it's best as a single rider bike. I've ridden with passengers on several occasions and don't much care for the reduced handling.
As for gravel roads, they have their own personalities. Here we call it scree. Basically hard pan littered with small round stones is the riding surface. We run 15 PSI front and 10-12 in the rear. Expect the bike to dance around as the small stones roll from under the treads. Normal. With a little practice, you will get used to this and compensate. Riding out of the seat helps I think as it allows for better body adjustments.
The XT225 will handle gravel roads fine with proper skill. We ride them here all the time. Not my first choice but necessary on the way to better trails. Be safe!
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Re: Gravel roads
[Re: digger]
#141671
05/14/18 09:26 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 189
cogitech
Member L1
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Member L1
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 189 |
I guess it is true that "gravel" can mean many things. Perhaps that's why I don't really relate to digger's sentiments here. I've never had an issue with my XT on anything except icy asphalt (45mph on ice is a pucker moment!).
I ride offroad (trails, dirt/gravel forest service roads, etc.) 2-up quite a lot, sitting down, not aired down, and I rarely find myself "puckered".
'06 XT225, 2" hole in airbox, Z1 mod, 127.5 main jet, UNI air filter, Corbin seat, PIAA 500Hz, custom aluminum rear rack.
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Board Upgrade:
Board upgrade to V7.7.3 has been completed on Monday Feb 3rd 2020. Ride safely.
Enjoy the new software!
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