How bad is sand for bikes?

[ncrn]

I was out riding aimlessly today when I came up to the coast of the river seven, was happily cruising along when I came across a sign saying beach car park, so I figured I'd stop for a bit, went to go into the car park but it turned out the beach was the car park . I turned round and found a concrete car park, when I was sat there were a few golfs doing donuts in the sand (the beach was empty) and just generally dicking around.

I thought about taking the bike on the beach but I wasn't sure if I'd risk fucking the chain up or similar so I decided not to. But if I had would I have risked any damage or was I just being over cautious?

Also how hard is it to ride on sand?
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[MarJay]

Its very very hard to ride on sand on a bike. Even a bike with good off road tyres. Yes, and sand doesn't do chains much good, but then neither does road salt etc.

In terms of bike damage the worst that could happen is a clogged air filter really. But riding a road bike on road tyres on deep sand is not much fun.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Itchy]

Hard, even on my XT which had some huge knobblies on it it bogs in really easily , the trick is supposed to be to stand on the pegs and ride fast over the sand so you don't sink in.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Pete.]

On road tyres - forget it. It won't turn and it won't drive unless the sand is very hard. Hit any soft stuff and you'll have a lot of fun dragging it out.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[cyberglass]

I take the stom on the beach all the time with road tyres when i go kiting.
No problem at all just be carefull and keep it slow and dont make sudden jerks to turn.

The only problem you will have is if the sand is a little soft and the back end sinks and you will need a push to get out
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DL650 Vstrom 2004
DRZ400S 2003
Yamaha R1 2005

[G]

Unfortunately you'll probably need to be logged in to advrider to view, but: https://www.advrider.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=104970&stc=1&d=1172605190
If you can't see it, it's a loaded Africa Twin with supermoto wheels and roadish tyres. It is slighty stuck in sand, but they've got pics of the other bikes stuck too.

[ncrn]

Guess my old road biased ER5 isn't really cut out for the job then , good thing I decided to turn round I guess.
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[OssY]

Give it a go.... Dare ya...

[tatters]

I dont find riding on sand too differcult on a light bike, shift your body weight as far back as possible and slightly increase the throttle if the front end starts to dig in or slip from you, decreasing afterward so you dont go too fast, complete nightmare to stop quickly in for example when some pratt is walking in the middle of the track your riding.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[yen_powell]

Depends on the sand, all different sorts. At Pendine beach they let cars/bikes park on the beach plus the odd land speed record attempt.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[strag]

Pop to Weston Super Mare and have a go at this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGuAM8dXRK8&feature=PlayList&p=E561569D91D8AD8F&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=58
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carbon bling

[ncrn]

The beach I was on was only a few miles south of weston. It might be doable, I might go down there another day and give it a bash, if I do I'll go with someone who can take some video of me undoubtedly failing .
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[Hello there mandem]

Sand + Road Bike + One Yank = Funny Youtube Clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2lZCVDDTTQ

[.....]

If you do go in deepish sand just make sure you never back off the throttle quickly or you can go over the handle bars. I wonder how I know this?

Lean back, throttle on, let the bike move about beneath you as you stand on the pegs.