At the dealership. Buying my first bike!

[Fenixgoon]

sweet bike, FBB! :thumbsup:

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I dropped my brand new bike.

*sigh*

The right turn signal plastic housing busted open and there's now a scuff on the plastic seat area from where it landed on the curb.

Was following a van in a parking lot. When I was in the middle of the 90 degree turn at maybe 4mph the van suddenly slammed on the brakes and I wasn't able to turn the front wheel straight before coming to a stop. The bike leaned to the right and toppled on the right with me under it a bit.

Take aways:

1. Do more low speed precision drills to hammer muscle reflex on how to stop a bike without having it topple over.

2. Practice saving the bike from toppling over, possibly in a grassy field. I need to get used to overcoming the weight, and picking it back up for when I drop it again.

3. Follow further away than what I think I may need.

4. Practice straightening the bike out before each stop. The MSF class actually drilled this, but it was:

a. faster speed = easier
b. we anticipated it and it wasn't a surprise

 

[amdhunter]

I dropped my brand new bike.

*sigh*

The right turn signal plastic housing busted open and there's now a scuff on the plastic seat area from where it landed on the curb.

Was following a van in a parking lot. When I was in the middle of the 90 degree turn at maybe 4mph the van suddenly slammed on the brakes and I wasn't able to turn the front wheel straight before coming to a stop. The bike leaned to the right and toppled on the right with me under it a bit.

Take aways:

1. Do more low speed precision drills to hammer muscle reflex on how to stop a bike without having it topple over.

2. Practice saving the bike from toppling over, possibly in a grassy field. I need to get used to overcoming the weight, and picking it back up for when I drop it again.

3. Follow further away than what I think I may need.

4. Practice straightening the bike out before each stop. The MSF class actually drilled this, but it was:

a. faster speed = easier
b. we anticipated it and it wasn't a surprise

Ouch that sucks man. I am kinda glad to see you get the bike though! Everyone was doubting you, even me, but I kinda was hoping you'd pull through. lol

 

[madeuce]

I dropped my brand new bike.

*sigh*

Should be easy to fix the turn signal. Lots of replacement plastic on ebay to repair the scuff, but it's probably a perfect place to put a decal anyway

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Should be easy to fix the turn signal. Lots of replacement plastic on ebay to repair the scuff, but it's probably a perfect place to put a decal anyway

Haha, that's true. I'm not too worried about it. The turn signal lens popped off, but the screw that holds it to the main housing stripped off, so I will have to replace the entire housing. Of course, there's always super glue...

Decals are sweet

Another take-away:

I will probably need to get the bike lowered. I am still on my tip toes, and if I were able to get flat footed I would NOT drop this bike. The practice bikes in the MSF class were lower cruiser types and I had no problem power walking them backwards, forwards, and preventing topples. I'm having a very hard time walking this bike forwards, backwards into parking spaces, and of course, preventing it from toppling over. By the time my foot is flat on the ground, the bike's already at a pretty good angle where the weight could overwhelm my leg.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Haha, that's true. I'm not too worried about it. The turn signal lens popped off, but the screw that holds it to the main housing stripped off, so I will have to replace the entire housing. Of course, there's always super glue...

Decals are sweet

Another take-away:

I will probably need to get the bike lowered. I am still on my tip toes, and if I were able to get flat footed I would NOT drop this bike. The practice bikes in the MSF class were lower cruiser types and I had no problem power walking them backwards, forwards, and preventing topples. I'm having a very hard time walking this bike forwards, backwards into parking spaces, and of course, preventing it from toppling over. By the time my foot is flat on the ground, the bike's already at a pretty good angle where the weight could overwhelm my leg.

Then don't flat foot it. You never want to lean a bike over to the point you cannot easily support the weight of it.

Oh, and get some frame sliders.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I dropped my brand new bike.

*sigh*

A good reason you should have bought an used bike to beat on and practice.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Then don't flat foot it. You never want to lean a bike over to the point you cannot easily support the weight of it.

Oh, and get some frame sliders.

Frame sliders aren't exactly common for Ninja 250's because the frame protects the engine components well enough, the sliders have no good mounting points, and they really wouldn't protect the fairings anyways.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I dropped my brand new bike.

Happens to us all. I dropped my first bike a few times.

I'll second Jule's recommendation for a Battery Tender brand float charger. Motorcycle batteries are tiny things and a bike's alternator doesn't put out much extra juice so it's easy for the battery to get low if you're not riding much. I don't keep my bike on the tender during riding season when I'm on it every day or two, but if I'm going to be off of it for 4 or more days I'll plug it in.

ZV

 

[james1701]

Don't feel bad. The night before last, my Vulcan flipped over in the yard. It was midnight, and I just got hot from working a 14 hours shift, I got off the bike to open the building doors to put it in for the night, I turned around to set my helmet down, when I looked back it was on the ground. I don't know if it slid off the patio block the kicks stand was on, or I just did not get the stand down all the way before I dismounted. Everyone takes a spill on one, its just a question of how bad.

Two things for you to take away from this is #1, don't follow so close and #2 don't hit your brakes while turning. You can't do both at the same time, they flop over.

 

[jlee]

I dropped mine a couple months ago too - large rock embedded in the lawn, wet grass...back tire hit it at an angle on the way up to the barn. Tail slid right out and dropped the bike onto the frame slider. Other than snapping the rear brake lever, no harm done.

I'm not sure how effective they are on a full-fairing bike, but they do make them - link.

 

[StageLeft]

That bike looks fun.

 

[roguerower]

Nice looking bike, too bad you dropped it. Nice to know you aren't completely full of shit.

You live, you learn.

 

[soccerballtux]

Ding ding ding. Got it. Last year's model on sale for $270. Kinda wish it had a better design though. Eh. Supporting the little cycle shops I guess.

Great pics. What camera do you have? Very good.

You've got me all excited to go buy the bike I've been eyeing for the last week. My friend just took me out to a parking lot to drive his around a little. Got 20 minutes in before the carpet store manager came out and shoo'd us away.

 

[soccerballtux]

Happens to us all. I dropped my first bike a few times.

I'll second Jule's recommendation for a Battery Tender brand float charger. Motorcycle batteries are tiny things and a bike's alternator doesn't put out much extra juice so it's easy for the battery to get low if you're not riding much. I don't keep my bike on the tender during riding season when I'm on it every day or two, but if I'm going to be off of it for 4 or more days I'll plug it in.

ZV

Car alternators play with 1000w. His bike will be fine, it can handle a 65w drain while he's riding.

Sheesh, you Mechanical folk...

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Car alternators play with 1000w. His bike will be fine, it can handle a 65w drain while he's riding.

Sheesh, you Mechanical folk...

A car alternator, yes. A bike's assumes a much smaller load. The stock alternator on that bike is only 180W, and only puts out 6A at 1000RPM.
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Alternator_Information

 

[Zenmervolt]

Car alternators play with 1000w. His bike will be fine, it can handle a 65w drain while he's riding.

Sheesh, you Mechanical folk...

A car alternator, yes. A bike's assumes a much smaller load. The stock alternator on that bike is only 180W, and only puts out 6A at 1000RPM.
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Alternator_Information

Demon-Xanth has it.

So, 6 amps at 1,000 RPM.

Amps = Watts/Volts

Headlight = 55 watts = (55/12) amps = ~4.5 amps.
Positional bulbs (indicators + tail) = 5 watts * 5 bulbs = (25/12) amps = ~2 amps.

At 1,000 RPM, the lights alone are drawing more amperage than the alternator is supplying which means that, at idle, the battery is actually being very slowly discharged. Once at speed, it can handle more, but it's not something he'll want to put much (if any) additional load on.

Additionally, the battery, being physically small, has a very limited amp-hour capacity. Even bikes have a bit of a parasitic draw when off and the battery can't sit like that for more than a few weeks reliably. The people I know who keep their bikes on a battery tender manage to get 4 or 5 years out of a motorcycle battery. Those who don't tend to be replacing batteries every other year. In practice, consistent use of a battery tender can double the life expectancy of a motorcycle battery.

ZV

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Demon-Xanth has it.

So, 6 amps at 1,000 RPM.

Amps = Watts/Volts

Headlight = 55 watts = (55/12) amps = ~4.5 amps.
Positional bulbs (indicators + tail) = 5 watts * 5 bulbs = (25/12) amps = ~2 amps.

At 1,000 RPM, the lights alone are drawing more amperage than the alternator is supplying which means that, at idle, the battery is actually being very slowly discharged. Once at speed, it can handle more, but it's not something he'll want to put much (if any) additional load on.

Additionally, the battery, being physically small, has a very limited amp-hour capacity. Even bikes have a bit of a parasitic draw when off and the battery can't sit like that for more than a few weeks reliably. The people I know who keep their bikes on a battery tender manage to get 4 or 5 years out of a motorcycle battery. Those who don't tend to be replacing batteries every other year. In practice, consistent use of a battery tender can double the life expectancy of a motorcycle battery.

ZV

I don't think there's any point in ever arguing with anything you ever post.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Great pics. What camera do you have? Very good.

You've got me all excited to go buy the bike I've been eyeing for the last week. My friend just took me out to a parking lot to drive his around a little. Got 20 minutes in before the carpet store manager came out and shoo'd us away.

Its in his sig.

D300, 11-16mm f/2.8, 17-55mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR

 

[Zargon]

nice pics!

 

[roguerower]

demon-xanth has it.

So, 6 amps at 1,000 rpm.

Amps = watts/volts

headlight = 55 watts = (55/12) amps = ~4.5 amps.
Positional bulbs (indicators + tail) = 5 watts * 5 bulbs = (25/12) amps = ~2 amps.

At 1,000 rpm, the lights alone are drawing more amperage than the alternator is supplying which means that, at idle, the battery is actually being very slowly discharged. Once at speed, it can handle more, but it's not something he'll want to put much (if any) additional load on.

Additionally, the battery, being physically small, has a very limited amp-hour capacity. Even bikes have a bit of a parasitic draw when off and the battery can't sit like that for more than a few weeks reliably. The people i know who keep their bikes on a battery tender manage to get 4 or 5 years out of a motorcycle battery. Those who don't tend to be replacing batteries every other year. In practice, consistent use of a battery tender can double the life expectancy of a motorcycle battery.

Zv

rabble!!! Rabble rabble!!! Rabble rabble rabble rabble!!!

 

[EightySix Four]

I don't think there's any point in ever arguing with anything you ever post.

There's been a few times, but it's very rare

 

[angry hampster]

Careful, FBB. Always keep a bigger following distance on a bike than you would in your car.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

The bike is growing on me more and more. I love it when things that used to be so foreign just two days ago feel like they're getting more and more familiar. I've done about 250 miles on it so far and doing my best to break in the engine properly by varying the RPMs a lot. Usually start at 4-5K, gas it up to 9, 10, or 11K, engine break it down to 4-5K, and repeat over and over again. People on the roads are looking at me funny. I worry about that initial 60 miles though bringing it back to my house on the highway with the RPM never really changing from 9K. I hope that initial 60 miles didn't screw up the engine.

I've been riding it around a lot and getting lost basically everywhere. I'm really starting to get the feel for riding - the shifting and braking and turning are becoming natural to me, although I still lose track of what gear I'm in all the time. Stopping and starting are getting very smooth and second nature. The low speed maneuvers are getting better, although I still can't turn in a circle with the wheel turned as far as it will go in either direction.

Now I really want a bike that I can beat up. I have no fear of falling, but I do have a fear of damaging my expensive bike. I want to have something that I can push to the limit and fall over and over on so I can learn where the limits are.

 

[jlee]

It turns 9000rpm at highway speed?