Modern Vespa

...gravel incline/decline?
Throttle/break along with "duck walk" work?

Stay out of gravel would be my advice

The same as any other two-wheel vehicle...

Badly.

I try to avoid gravel roads, but especially in campgrounds, they're often the only way in or out. I never had to duckwalk it, but I maintain a nice, careful, even pace going uphill and downhill. I keep a very even application on the brakes going downhill, and often won't even start the downhill run unless the road is clear to the bottom. I want to ride down, not skid down.

Carefully!

The reason I ask is because a hope of mine is that if I acquire a Vespa in time, I would be able to travel from Northern Minnesota to Northern Illinois to the summer camp where I volunteer annually; this camp has all gravel roads and the entrance to the camp is a curved, ascending, gravel grated road-which also serves as it's exit. Wondering if this would be feasible.

It's doable at low speed. You might want to ride in the grass beside the road or in the raised grass centre. You never want to touch the front brake when you are on gravel.

Cheers,
Bob

The bigger the wheels the better. I hate hate hate loose gravel on the LX. Hard packed is OK. Good excuse to buy the new Sprint

No side of the road to ride on, nor grass...slow and easy would have to do!

How often would you have to go in and out of there? If it is just once for the season, do it slowly and you'll be fine. If every day, you may want to test this first on a similar road to really know.

It is doable but I never felt safe in such conditions. Whiteknuckler!

Riding on gravel isn't so bad. It would be easier if the riding position were less cruiser-like in that it allowed one to more easily transfer weight to the feet, or "stand on the pegs".
I deploy the passenger pegs to accomplish that, and it helps not only on gravel, but in high speed cornering.
The Vespa is capable of 30-35mph on most gravel roads, and the front brake can be used judiciously. The bike will squirm a little, let it, keep loose. It's really kind of fun. -durant

Yup. Sure enough. A campground road. Just like I figgered.

Like others have said, you'll be OK if you take it easy and watch your brakes.

I've scrabbled along gravel roads on both scooter and motorcycle (I though the scooter was easier...just because of it's comparative lightness) with full loads of camping gear.

At Sturgis last summer, the road to my campsite had a fairly steep, but straight, gravel drive. I had to ride it several times per day and I don't recall anyone dumping their bike. They were just careful.

The thing that concerns me most about gravel campsite roads...
Kids.

They're like deer. You just don't know when they're going to dart out in front of you when you're trying to mince your way to your tent. You jump on your brakes to avoid hitting them (You have to, the parents will get awfully upset if you run them over) and try to stay upright.

Beware of big family campgrounds.

It will do awesome if the rider is proficient.

If the road is anything like this, you'll be fine.

http://goo.gl/maps/d5nNK

I had no problem on this stretch of dirt road on my LX 150. I could easily maintain a speed of 60 to 80, only slowing down to 30-40 km/h before curves. After all, it all comes down to how experienced a rider you are. Easy on the brake. Use the throttle instead and let the engine do the braking.

I've ridden in gravel. It isn't that big of a deal. And I'm a relative newbie to riding. I only got my scoot in September. I don't think I would ride at 50 mph, but a safe and sane 15-20 mph isn't too squirrely. Keep it slower, no hard leans in corners, and you'll be fine.

There are some roads around St Cloud I can take my LX150, but I was running a Heidenau K58. Better grip as they are an aggressive tread. The upcoming front skin won't be so aggressive to I won't likely ride those washboard roads beyond a speed of twenty mph anymore.

You can go too fast, but it's not easy to go too slow on those roads. If you're rolling, you're good.

Harv

By the time you go from Mn to IL the road into the campground entrance will seem like a parade route.

On gravel? The smaller the wheel, the worse it is.

Never ever, even think about giving the throttle a "little" goose to help get your scoot rollin. Ever.

exactly the conditions my scooter is tyred up for and was ridden in. It also accounts for a scratch or two. Heidenau K58 tires are now mounted. Excellent on gravel, superb in cold and wet. WITH a mounted spare. If you're mechanically inclined we could jump the price up and sell you the whole maintenance kit and even a cold weather lap blanket called a Thermoscud. I am starting to part out the bits and pieces. Including a spare exhaust. $500 retail item.

Riding gravel is fun... just take it slow and when the gravel gets really slippery take your legs off the scooter and use them for balance and if necessary stop and hold your self straight up... kinda of like riding in the rain i enjoy both

We have a lot of gravel roads in our parts and I've ridden many miles on my gts down gravel roads without a hitch. Don't grip the bars and don't accelerate or decelerate rapidly and look ahead and you should have no issues. If you fret before embarking down gravel, it's going to be an issue.

I ride steep mountainous gravel with a GTV and LXV on portions of my Rocky Mountain routes. And sometimes the gravel or sand is moist or wet. Keep your feet low and wide in order to improve balance - like a tightrope walker's pole. Don't use the foot tray. Go slowly enough to put your foot down at any time. No front braking. And start with the wheel straight, then steer. If you are too close to the edge to start straight, get off and align the bike brute force.

Downhill is more difficult.

Not so bad. Slow down and enjoy it.

Would that it were that easy!

I have a fairly steeply sloping gravel driveway (can't pave it because of coastal impermeable surfaces regulations) and deal with it every day.

It's a bit of an exaggeration to say you absolutely shouldn't brake on gravel. I have to! Just make sure your braking is very gentle and that the front wheel is not turned when you apply the brakes.

Although it's not considered good riding practice generally, on my deep gravel I keep my feet out as "outriggers." I'm never going any faster than a walking pace, and they have saved my bacon a few times when the scooter has sideslipped. Going steeply uphill in deep gravel, it is essential to keep some momentum up. If you stop and try to start again, you'll quickly find your rear wheel up to the axle in gravel.

Heidenau k58 is your best tire for off roading.

Ural is the best bike for off roading. Of course it has three wheels to help.

EVERYTHING off highway is gravel it seems, in Minnesnowta. Wisconsin has tons of paved country roads. A throw back to the 40's and war effort to get the milk off the farms.

No chance at all I'd say!

http://youtu.be/dBdx1N0T15M

"I was at 2600 meters (8,000 ft) ... when I heard the sound of a vehicle with an engine. I was astonished to see a Vespa going up the trail..."
Bloody Italians.

Awesome

Try not to worry too much and enjoy riding, slowly where you have to and fast where you can. You probably won't die but you may surprise yourself!

My drive is steep sloped with Gravel, I have to duck walk it down to avoid wheel spin and just sliding down. I avoid anything but tarmac is possible.

its not the ride that will have issues, its the rider.

I cannot tell you how much I miss the roads in Wisconsin. Not so much the amount of deer in that state, but the glorious riding one can have merely by hitting a numbered highway. I miss the scenic highways too.

You're so close to those roads I envy you.

Harv

wish I had a 250...

Do it! I'll truly miss mine, but looking at it in the garage got depressing. Time to move on. The 150 would be perfect for the Wisconsin "alphabets".

The one fitty would be great on those roads, but getting there from central MN would not be so much fun.

Bombing the hills and valleys around Mad City.. The bluffs...

sigh

I miss Waukesha county even though it's changed

Harv

I'm blanking on his name but there''s a guy from one of the Scandinavian countries who off roads and does many trips out in the wilderness. He seems to do fine. Slap some Heidenau 58 SnowTex's on it and you should be ok. Here's a pic of the scooter i rented in Colonia Uruguay and a pic of the streets. Note the rear tire. Best scooter town in the world. Cars aren't allowed on most streets there. You either walk or ride 2 wheels. 8) If i didn't kill myself i'm sure you'll fine.