Bought my first bike today
Been lurking the fourm for about a month finally bought my bike today so i figured i would post. I bought an 08 250 ninja only 256 miles on it the old owner couldnt afford payments on it so he had to give it up. Been saving up for the bike all summer (im only 18) bought a Scorpion XDR assault jacket, Icon air frame helmet and a pair of gloves from shift. I only have an old pair of boots right now for riding when i get some money i going to buy some riding boots and pants as for now my jeans will have to do. Can you guys recommended a good pair of pants that i can either wear comfortably off the bike or that will go over my pants and come on and off easily.
*edit should probably mention that i did infact already take the motorcycle saftey course
Congrats...and good job,
Congrats...and good job, included pics first post!
****We know yesterday existed because we remember it, the future we can not predict as it has yet to happen, and the moment you say now it becomes the memorable past...so WHEN in time do we exist?****
Nice bike you got there!
That red 250R seems a popular choice among our new members. Three in, what, a week or two?
Welcome, and hope you get thousands of miles of fun outta that thing!
As far as pants go, what's the weather like where you live?
Well i originally wanted the
Well i originally wanted the blue one actually but no dealer around me had a used blue ninja so it was either spend $1.5k more for the blue 2010 or get the red with 256 miles on it was a pretty easy choice lol plus i figured the red would be more visible to other drivers. I was actually surprised by how nice the red looked in person i didnt really like in the pictures i saw of it. I live in NYC so its going to be getting cold here pretty soon i was looking at Shift Torque street jeans do you think they would provide enough protection?
I own the Shift Torque Jeans
And to be honest, I was pretty disappointed with them. I don't really wear them anymore, so it's $100 just sitting on the shelf. In particular, they aren't really any better than normal jeans: only a bit thicker, with a few impact-area reinforcements. The fit was also horrible for me.
One thing to realize, especially in NYC (my girlfriend went to NYU for a while, so I have my fair share of year-round experience there), is that it gets COLD. Riding a motorcycle makes cold worse by up to 15 degrees, so on those days when it's 45, you will freeze your ass off on a motorcycle. I recommend overpants rather than riding jeans for that reason: they're warmer, waterproof, and offer more protection. In that case there's lots of variety available in the $70-$150 range, so I'd just check out your local dealers' selections and see what fits your body and riding style.
Alright i will do that then I
Alright i will do that then I am going to have to find a place then cause where i bought the bike I wasnt to crazy about the gear they were selling there. Anyone in nyc area know a good place to buy gear? What do you think about buying the pants online i bought my jacket online and it ended up fitting fine I just followed the measurements they said to perform on the site.
Congrats on your new
Congrats on your new motorcycle, it's freakin' beautiful :D
I want one really bad. How much did you get it for OTD? Straight up cash or credit?
Thanks I bought at a
Thanks I bought at a dealership here it was $2999 but after NY state taxes and a bunch of other crap it was a little over $4000 so now I am broke after saving for 6 months lol. Went on my first ride today I had the bike shipped since I live an hour drive on the highway from where i bought it and was to nervous to ride on the highway my first time. Turns out it was a good choice i definitely didnt feel very comfortable my first ride, and i already realized that I am in fact invisible 2 people just straight up walked in front of me in the middle of the road wtf, I am gonna ride around my house for a week or so till i feel comfortable and then start to branch out from there.
Price Now?
I am thinking about going to college at the University of Rochester. I live here in California which already has enough problems, but I was wondering how traffic conditions are in New York for riding if I do happen to get a bike freshman year. Would you recommend it over the GS500f and how is the ride when you use the freeway/highway?
Not from NY but my sister
Not from NY but my sister lives in Rochester so I'm familiar with the area. There is a huge difference between up-state and down-state(NYC) in NY. The suburban area around Rochester is pretty small and the area is pretty rural otherwise. And you are close to some pretty good riding in the Finger Lakes region and the other hilly regions nearby. The city is pretty small so its easy to get out of. Nothing like the urban areas of CA. Outside of a moderate rush hour traffic is usually not too bad.
However riding is more of a 6month thing in Rochester. It is the snowiest major city in the US! :)
As for the 250r, I have an '06. It has a surprising amount of power. Plenty to out accelerate all but the fastest cars from a stop and exceed any speed limit. It is pretty light and the fairings make it easy to be blown around but it is still very capable on the highway. Best part is they are cheap and readily available. Just about the most common bike out there. And insurance is cheap too.
Craig
Welcome; Nice purchase
Hey, I picked up a black '09 last month and just hit 1,000 miles.
I got the Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 pants. I wish I had bought online, because I really need the "short" but the dealers here all had weak selections, so I basically took the best fit available. I love the pants, but they offer basically zero warmth/ rain protection. I wish I had bought some with a zip-in liner.
Good luck with it! JM
=]
That is a good choice...ive been thinking about the 500 myself...gah! i am jealous
myspace.com/vienna_rossi
Well I was riding today it
Well I was riding today it had rained early in the morning but I needed to take my bike to insurance office to get pictures taken of it. Anyway everything was fine starting to feel really comfortable on the bike i go to make a turn i slowed down, started looking through the turn giving it a little gas and I went down idk what i did wrong i am thinking maybe i looked down because the last thing i remember saying to myself is my knee feels close to the ground or maybe i was going to fast in to the turn. The damage wasnt to bad i was wearing all my gear despite it being a short ride my shoulder hurts but other than that I am ok. The bike is still running my left front blinker fell off, scratched the paint and in the process of picking it up I actually dropped it on the other side breaking the front right blinker aswell some how the paint was fine on that side i think i was more pissed about doing this than anything. I was pretty shaken up by the whole incident but eventually i got on the bike and rode it home.
Obviously you guys werent there but why do you think i went down did i go in to fast or was it the damp pavement causing my bike to lose traction on the turn.
Hard to say why you fell but
Hard to say why you fell but damp roads can be incredibly slippy. Soaking wet roads offer only slightly less grip than dry (allegedly, I'm not out there testing this you understand), but damp roads can be like ice. I live in downtown Seattle and every time the roads are damp it looks like the Exxon Valdez crashed out there. Does not appear to matter how much it has been raining in the days before. At this time of year you also have wet leaves adding to the fun. In short, try to keep the bike as upright as you can in corners. Better safe than sorry, especially at this point in your learning curve.
Sounds like a loss of traction
Your hunch that this was caused by a slick road surface sounds probable. Too much speed is the other side of that coin, the faster you're traveling, the more lean and traction are required to carve through the turn.
Wet pavement can have very inconsistent traction. Wet asphalt can be very rideable, but then you hit one of those big fat painted arrows and it's another world.
Glad to hear you came through OK (as well as the bike avoiding major damage). Hang in there and take it slow while you get used to what the bike is capable of.
Yeah I pretty sure it was the
Yeah I pretty sure it was the wet road but the fact that I am not a 100% sure is making me a little nervous that i will make the same mistake again I cant tell you how furious I am with myself for dumping the bike/hurting my shoulder
Hey, don't beat yourself up
Hey, don't beat yourself up about it. It's a common statistic that every new rider drops his bike within the first year. The only thing I would suggest is getting frame sliders! It could/should have prevented your paint getting scratched and your blinkers. They're totally worth the price in comparison to a fairing & blinker repair. Or spend an extra bit of money and get a full crash kit.
But as for the actual accident, I'd say it was a combination of a wet road and too much lean. But then again, I wasn't there (like you said). You just have to be extra careful on road conditions from now on.
I am going to go with answer
I am going to go with answer choice C ) not enough information.
I would tend to disagree with the others based on the simple explanation you gave. First you said you had slowed before entering into the curve. This is a correct thing to do. You didn't say anything about running out of road, so I would be not be inclined to think you were going to fast for traction. Despite what some popular belief is unless you hit the road immediately after a first rain, theres leaves or debris in the road your not going to out lean the traction in the wet. UNLESS you basically dove so hard that you ran out of tread patch and started running the sidewall. In which case your though of knee being to close would have been more "was that the road that hit my knee" not "Wow it feels close". Or like someone above mentioned you hit some painted portion.
I would be more inclined to think your instincts got a tad spooked, as soon as you thought you were to low in a lean most beginners ( did it myself until I took the same turns over and over to force the reaction out with habit) first instincts are to tap the brake (sport bike riders from what I understand rely a lot on the fronts) to slow up thinking it will allow them to stand the bike up more. That and add in the possibility that you stated of maybe looking down in that moment likely gave you the results you were given.
I ride a cruiser and in the rain ...a lot! Enjoy it tremendously to! Folks on here thought I was nuts the first time I did and posted it on here. Many a time I have scraped my floor boards and dove into turns faster then I probably should have in the rain. Luckily I can't seem to brake traction cause I get into it pretty good. Now I know that street surfaces, paving, has some to do with it but I have yet to see anything other then a cobblestone road, gravel road, painted road, or steel grates and covers give bike tires a hard time with traction.
Trust me in NO WAY do I suggest any one pushing their skills like that. It is likely to catch up to me one day. However, just based off my own experiences I just think it was a little inexperience and natural instinct that got you down. Like Tara stated though, get you some frame sliders and what ever protective pieces there are for sport bikes to help keep the bike in good order so you can learn to ride and not spend a lot of time about worrying over scratch and dents.
****We know yesterday existed because we remember it, the future we can not predict as it has yet to happen, and the moment you say now it becomes the memorable past...so WHEN in time do we exist?****
I will definitely look in to
I will definitely look in to those frame sliders thanks for the advice. As for what Munch said i am a 100% positive that i didnt tap the break when i felt my knee close to the ground but the more and more i think about it I do think I may have looked down slightly to see how close i was but again it happened so fast I cant even recall it a 100% I am not even sure how fast I was going in to the turn it had to be 20-25mph which i thought was slow enough for the turn i was about to go in to but clearly not.
Went to the doctor today about my shoulder not broken/separated told me just to take it easy the next few days which is good as for the damage to the bike I am bringing it to my mechanic sometime this week he said the damage wasnt to bad so hopefully it wont cost to much.
25 mph through a turn means
25 mph through a turn means you were going plenty fast...Unless you had the whole road clear, you shouldn't have tried that. But I'm just another newbie like you, so I'm not really speaking from experience.
As for the costs, it may be really high if the mechanic wants to give you brand new fairings. Those things are so overpriced. As for tailights, those can be inexpensive if you shop at the right place.
Well the turn wasnt all that
Well the turn wasnt all that sharp and the whole road was clear but I probably shouldnt have turned so fast, the fairings arent broken i just scratched the paint as for the overall price it shouldnt be to bad my uncle is friends with the guy doing the repairs and he also owns a body shop so the re-painting shouldnt be that bad either.
Yeah, having mechanic buddies
Yeah, having mechanic buddies will get you a long way!
yea man, thats too bad about
yea man, thats too bad about your spill. Like Eon, i also live in Seattle and have been riding in the rain (im on a 50cc scooter) and it can play tricks on you. a few weeks ago i was turning onto my street in the rain and my front tire slipped out a bit while making the turn. it happened so quick i didnt even have time to react, but the good new was i didnt go down... i think i hit a patch of wet leaves. im almost certain i would have spilled if i had been going any faster/leaning harder. so, its good be really conservative with your riding in wet conditions.
also, i agree with Munch. it could have been for any or many reasons. i do find it pretty amazing that where you point your head or look, the bike will follow... maybe looking down in turns like that really is telling your bike "im going down."
Havent posted any updates in
Havent posted any updates in awhile, turns out that pain in my shoulder was a partial tear of my labrum in my left shoulder which has really affected my job, I work at a gym as well as my other hobby weightlifting. Anyway i got the bike back the other day and the weather has been unseasonably warm so i rode the last couple of days felt pretty good to get back on. Bike still looks new you cant see the scratches unless your close up to it and it is on the bottom of the fairing, it would have been $400 to get it repainted so I decided not to after spending $300 on the other repairs to the bike. Feel like I am a better rider after the crash and i dont really mind the money lost I just want my shoulder to finally heal its been 2 months doctor said another couple of weeks.
Good that your bike up on 2
Good that your bike up on 2 wheels. Its crazy how things go....
I guess in a ironic way its true what they say "what don't kill ya will make you stronger" ...being that you feel you are a better rider now. Got the first spill out of the way and gives you a better understanding of things. Way to hang in there and saddling back up!
****We know yesterday existed because we remember it, the future we can not predict as it has yet to happen, and the moment you say now it becomes the memorable past...so WHEN in time do we exist?****
Yeah i honestly was about 99%
Yeah i honestly was about 99% sure i was going to sell the bike after the crash and the fact that my mechanic had the bike for about 2 months (long story) really made me hesitant to get back on it, but when i went to go back it up on Thursday the second i saw it i knew i was keeping it and couldnt even remember why i wanted to get rid of it.
So i want a new exhaust I am looking at YoshimuraTRC Slip, Two Brothers Racing V.A.L.E. they are both slip on any of you guys have a preference? They are about $10 different in price at motorcycle superstore so thats not a factor just want the best one. Also i put my bike in the garage till weather gets better in a few months what should i do with the gas should i just drain it out, what is the name of the liquid you throw in the tank that keeps it good throughout the winter i am drawing a blank for some reason.
Perhaps
Sta-bil?
The first time you go down is the hardest time, and you really feel the tug of not continuing riding. When I dropped my bike, I remember that twinge of hesitation about getting on it again.
I wonder how many people have their first spill and never ride again? The woman I bought my Buell from went through something similar...after about a mile riding in traffic, she parked it in her garage and that was it until I bought it from her a year later.
Yes that definitely it lol
Yes that definitely it lol thanks. It would be interesting to see how many people stop riding after there first fall, I imagine the severity of the fall is what would keep the person from getting back on how bad were her injuries after she fell?
A lot of people simply aren't
A lot of people simply aren't meant to ride. Often times dealers, friends, ridercoaches...whoever, tend to tell us that we can learn and we'll be ok. Unfortunately, many of us who probably shouldn't be riding end up in an accident and what they knew all along (they shouldn't be riding) comes rushing out right after the accident.
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
What skills do u think
What skills do u think certain people lack the make them unable to ride?? I took the MSF with some out of shape men and women in there 50s and most were able to ride with no problems, I don't understand what you are saying.
Perhaps he meant state of mind rather than skill?
Well I don't think he actually mentioned lacking skills. I won't try to put words in the OP's mouth, but I think for some people it is a mental thing. The eldest of my two sisters would be a good example of this. She purchased a scooter for herself with the intent of riding it downtown. She thought she would save gas and parking by commuting in what she thought would be a fun and fuel efficient way. As it turns out, the first time she took it outside her neighborhood and into traffic it terrified her. Now she takes it only around the neighborhood. She still says it scares her. Here is a case of someone who probably shouldn't be riding.
Just read a forum post over the weekend. I can't recall if it was here or elsewhere since I read a few. The poster purchased a used bike with almost no miles on it. Apparently the original purchaser bought the thing, rode it home, decided it wasn't for her, and garaged it until the new buyer purchased it. Another case of someone who probably shouldn't be riding and realized it.
If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be. ~Author Unknown
Skills to
Skills to lack....
Balance
Fear management
Stress management
Concentration on tasks at hand
Inability to quit texting
Visual (blind spots, legally blind, cataracts, tunnel vision etc) limitations
Hand, eye, feet coordination
****We know yesterday existed because we remember it, the future we can not predict as it has yet to happen, and the moment you say now it becomes the memorable past...so WHEN in time do we exist?****
I think most people CAN ride.
I think most people CAN ride. Here are some things, in no particular order that I've seen over the years that might "preclude" people from being safe riders:
1) Right mental attitude, which includes accepting and managing risk, understanding their respective personal limits, and accepting 100% responsiblity for everything that happens to them on a motorcycle. It sounds funny, but you will be safest on a motorcycle when believe that everything that occurs when you're riding is YOUR responsibility. Otherwise, you're toast.
2) Situational awareness. Part of this is described above, but there are a lot of things that are happening when you ride a motorcycle, and you need to be aware of all of them. Many people struggle with this..they can't seem to process all of the information that they are revieving as they ride (or drive) and get into trouble because of this. If you know someone who has a lot of car accidents, whether it's their fault or not, they might not be good candidates for motorcycling.
3) Coordination. Lack of coordination alone shouldn't preclude someone from taking the class and learning, but the skills needed to safely operate a motorcycle are perishable. If you don't right often enough, and you don't practice ALL of your skills, EACH time you ride, then you're going to get in trouble. If you lack the coordination neccesary to manipulate all of the controls, you're going to have problems. Not everyone can dribble a basketball or play ping pong. Having said that, everyone SHOULD be able to learn, but then those who struggle the most must practice the most.
I can think of few physical limitations (legal blindness, paraplegics, quadraplegics) that would preclude a person from riding. I know of people with missing limbs for instance that ride, and I know of one who won a national flat track championship...with one arm!
Hope that helps...
Allen Dye
MSF Rider Coach
Track Day Instructor
Ironbutt Rally Finisher '03-'05
KAWASAKI NINJA 250CC IDLING
IT IS A 250CC 2005 KAWASAKI NINJA
WHEN I START IT UP IT STARTS GOOD BUT TO START IT I HAVE TO CHOKE IT
IT IDLES REAL HIGH
BUT WHEN I BRING THE CHOKE BACK DOWN TO REGULAR POSITION THE BIKE JUST CUTS OFF
COULD U MAYBE TELL ME WHAT COULD BE WRONG
THANKS
A pair of tips for ya
1) Quit with the all-caps. It reads like you're very angry.
2) Move this into it's own thread in the "General" section.
First tip is good
Please do not speak in all caps.
Also, are you trying to start it in the cold. My KLX250s has the same carb and engine as the 250cc Ninja. They are a bitch to start in the cold. Have you had it for a while and this is new or did you just come into this bike and trying to fire it up. I usually keep the choke out till it reaches about 5k RPM when it is cold. If it has sat for awhile get some carb cleaner in the tank and drain the bowl on the carb if you have trouble starting. It is a little Allen screw on the bottom of carb. Again let it rev for a while with the choke when it is cold.
How Long
are you keeping the choke out? As Bouncingradical says, carbed bikes can be very cold blooded and need time to warm up, esp. in the winter...you have to give it a fair amount of choke...or however one describes using it...maybe it's *not* giving it choke, but you know what I mean. ;-)
Your owners manual should tell you, when using the choke, what rpm range to keep in the engine in while you're using it.
Pull the choke out when you start it, and then gradually back it off to keep the rpms in that range as the bike warms up. Pretty soon, it's all the way in and the bike is running fine.
Skills to
Skills to lack....
Balance
Fear management
Stress management
Concentration on tasks at hand
Inability to quit texting
Visual (blind spots, legally blind, cataracts, tunnel vision etc) limitations
Hand, eye, feet coordination
^this
I'd be inclined to say its has as much to do with character flaws rather than skill sets-
Some things just come naturally to people than others also: I.E: my roommates a fighter- I'm not- I'm a dancer. Fighting comes naturally to her- she's quick- has good judgment and lightening fast reflexes that traininly only enhances what comes naturally AND her character makes it a good fit. She's agressive when she needs to be and confident but not overly assertive as a whole.
I'm agressive but in the wrong way and I don't read people's bodys well when they go on offensive and it gets me into trouble. I can on the other hand transmit emotion through dance where she has no ability for that- I have good balance and smooth transitions from one thing to the next.
Both of which take a lot of training to bring the best out- but we have characters that FIT what we do.
I suspect a lot of people don't take all the factors into consideration.
Dancing, playing with my pony and playing with my lady.
Work hard, play hard
Life is sweet... very sweet.