FZ6 on dirt - Yamaha FZ6 Forums - International FZ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

Traf001 · 07-20-2008, 04:26 PM

I've had my FZ6 for about a year now and I'm planning a long distance trip this summer into the mountains. One of the rides I want to do is 30 miles of dirt road which is described as "suitable for any passenger car." I have the stock Dunlop 252's on my bike and am wondering if they will do OK on dirt. They don't need replacing yet. Should I plan to lower the pressures in the tires and pump them back up when I get back to pavement or just go for it? Thanks for any advice.

**Damnitsjeff** · 07-20-2008, 05:09 PM

I've had mine on gravel at low speeds but nothing more than a mile. It handled alright. As far as a long distance trek somebody on here will give you some good info on what to do like WRITEME43 or HAVBLUE are pretty wise fellas on these type things. Hold tight one of them will answer you for sure!!

The Rayman · 07-20-2008, 05:11 PM

If you're talking about fire roads/dirt roads, the kind cars can travel, no problem. I do it ALL the time. Just remember to go slow! It's not a KLR650.

Howattzer · 07-20-2008, 05:35 PM

Hi,

One of my favourite mountain passes has a 6 mile stretch of gravel road right in the middle. Go slow, and stay off the front brake as much as you can as it will slide out from under you if you grab too much brake.

teeter · 07-20-2008, 07:05 PM

Yep... what they said. I did a couple of miles on gravel/dirt this morning. It was fine in 2nd and 3rd gears at low rpms.

However, I fear mud. Some say "no problem", but I've barely kept mine straight and upright on mud. That's what the XT is for

DefyInertia · 07-20-2008, 07:21 PM

So anyone have an opinion on the best pressure to run for extended dirt roads etc.?

The Rayman · 07-20-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DefyInertia

So anyone have an opinion on the best pressure to run for extended dirt roads etc.?

For extended dirt road use I would run the lowest pressure recommended by the tire manufacturer. If you really run a lot in these conditions, I would look into an adventure touring tire like the Ulysses or 1200GS use... if the sizing is available.

Yamaha FZ6 Adventure Tourer... That would be cool.

DefyInertia · 07-20-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rayman

For extended dirt road use I would run the lowest pressure recommended by the tire manufacturer.

And what approximately would that be most times? Tire manufacturers will tell you to run about 30 lbs. +/- at the track but I've never seen anything on LOWEST recommended pressue. Highest is on the sidewall but where would you find lowest?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rayman

Yamaha FZ6 Adventure Tourer... That would be cool.

YouTube - FZ6 river crossing

The Rayman · 07-20-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DefyInertia

And what approximately would that be most times? Tire manufacturers will tell you to run about 30 lbs. +/- at the track but I've never seen anything on LOWEST recommended pressue. Highest is on the sidewall but where would you find lowest?

Although I said tire manufacturer I meant Yamaha's recommended pressure (which is almost always too low) 33front/36rear if memory serves me. I have noticed a difference in "dirt road" stability with lower pressures, but I don't change it often as I'm not on dirt for extended periods....usually.

Check this link for Metzeler Recommended Minimum Tire Pressures http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/p...s/default.page

**FZ6inNH** · 07-20-2008, 08:27 PM

We dirtbiked for a while on the Covered Bridge tour. No problem! 5 FZ6's without a spill along with a Ninja 500, an SV650 and a V Star 650.

Do you plan on taking a 12V compressor with you? Make sure you have an accessory outlet of the Battery Tender jack to use. It would be a bear to have to lift the tank to blow up the tires.

07-20-2008, 04:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Traf001 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lafayette, Colorado Bike: 2006 Yamaha FZ6 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0 Member #3152	FZ6 on dirt I've had my FZ6 for about a year now and I'm planning a long distance trip this summer into the mountains. One of the rides I want to do is 30 miles of dirt road which is described as "suitable for any passenger car." I have the stock Dunlop 252's on my bike and am wondering if they will do OK on dirt. They don't need replacing yet. Should I plan to lower the pressures in the tires and pump them back up when I get back to pavement or just go for it? Thanks for any advice.

07-20-2008, 05:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Damnitsjeff Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Princeton, IN Bike: 2007 FZ6 Posts: 166 Rep Power: 4 Member #1536	Re: FZ6 on dirt I've had mine on gravel at low speeds but nothing more than a mile. It handled alright. As far as a long distance trek somebody on here will give you some good info on what to do like WRITEME43 or HAVBLUE are pretty wise fellas on these type things. Hold tight one of them will answer you for sure!! __________________ 9 out of 10 Doctors say that I am allergic to "RAP" music!!!!

07-20-2008, 05:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
The Rayman Professional Cat Herder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Bike: 2004 Silver FZ6 Posts: 88 Rep Power: 2 Member #2907	Re: FZ6 on dirt If you're talking about fire roads/dirt roads, the kind cars can travel, no problem. I do it ALL the time. Just remember to go slow! It's not a KLR650.

07-20-2008, 05:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Howattzer Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kamloops, BC Canada Bike: 2007 FZ6 - blue Posts: 81 Rep Power: 5 Member #571	Re: FZ6 on dirt Hi, One of my favourite mountain passes has a 6 mile stretch of gravel road right in the middle. Go slow, and stay off the front brake as much as you can as it will slide out from under you if you grab too much brake. __________________ 2007 in faster blue, Pazzo Racing levers, Puig DB Racing screen, FE Kit, Motovan Sliders, Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's, Stainless Steel Scorpions, PC III, K&N filter, FZ1 handlebars. I think I am done.

07-20-2008, 07:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
teeter Frank Zappa the 6th Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Richmond, VA Bike: '06 FZ6 and '07 XT225 Posts: 334 Rep Power: 8 Member #804	Re: FZ6 on dirt Yep... what they said. I did a couple of miles on gravel/dirt this morning. It was fine in 2nd and 3rd gears at low rpms. However, I fear mud. Some say "no problem", but I've barely kept mine straight and upright on mud. That's what the XT is for __________________ "Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul." ~Unknown "If you don't ride in the rain, you don't ride." ~Unknown "I remember when you could hand a transient a dollar, they would hand you a few darts and you would pop a balloon in exchange for a Poison or Motley Crue mirror. You know, the good old days." ~ Tracey Vittorio, my sister Bikes: '06 Hyper-Fast-Red FZ6 (special 6-speed edition ) '07 Slow-Blue/White Yamaha XT225 (dual sport)

07-20-2008, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
DefyInertia Saratogian Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Bike: '04 FZ6N - Silver Posts: 1,912 Rep Power: 54 Member #419	Re: FZ6 on dirt So anyone have an opinion on the best pressure to run for extended dirt roads etc.? __________________ 2004 FZ6N / KTM 125 SX www.youtube.com/DefyInertia "Y'all Be Safe Out There" - KILLBOY My Rider Resume

07-20-2008, 08:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
FZ6inNH Moderator w/ Twisted Fate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Hampshire Bike: 2008 FZ6 Cobalt Blue Posts: 2,959 Rep Power: 49 Member #18	Re: FZ6 on dirt We dirtbiked for a while on the Covered Bridge tour. No problem! 5 FZ6's without a spill along with a Ninja 500, an SV650 and a V Star 650. Do you plan on taking a 12V compressor with you? Make sure you have an accessory outlet of the Battery Tender jack to use. It would be a bear to have to lift the tank to blow up the tires. __________________ -={FZ6inNH}=- . . Member #9 . . 2008 Cobalt Blue FZ6 -My Rider Resume Mods: Yamaha Lower Cowl, Racetech Springs w/15w oil, FAZR6 F.E. Kit, Puig Smoke Racing Screen, Tank Camera mount, Cortech Sport saddle and tail bags, dual headlight mod, Shogun Sliders, Yamaha Comfort Seat, Mild Airbox Mod, De-Stickered, and Custom Carbon Fiber SwingArm Decals

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