I wrecked my ninja 250. In need of advice

[McCune]

Kawasaki Ninja 250. 2010. 10k miles

Backstory- I was riding my bike around dusk, going 55 MPH. I went around a sharp corner, slowed way down, then coming back out of it as I'm speeding up I noticed my headlights wobbling a little bit. I didn't think anything of it, other than to get home and figure it out later. (was only 3 minutes from house).


Car's going 50 in the 55, so I very gradually pass her without shifting, get back into my own lane and shift up, and my bike began wobbling again. This time is didn't stop and I couldn't regain control. I went off the right side of the road, through a mail box, hit a ditch and was sent flying over a sign, and the bike came a bit after hitting the sign, breaking it.


Crash site- http://imgur.com/a/4aqhc


I landed by the pine trees, and the bike bottomed out breaking the pegs when it hit the ditch like that. When I picked my head up, the bike had a very small orange flame, and a lot of smoke while running, but it shut itself off after 10-15 seconds and it all went away.


Cops came, I was fine and standing a few minutes after the crash, just sore legs and ankles. Was cited with failure to control and driving after dusk. Dusk was 5:03, crashed at 5:33. http://imgur.com/a/WdBQ3


Anyways, I have 0 sense when it comes to anything mechanical so I need your advice on what to do with the bike. My dad said I have one week to get rid of it or he's giving it away. (lol). We only had liability on it so that's paying for the sign. I can post more pics if you want, but what do I do? I no literally nothing about motorcycles, how to know if somethings worth anything or what not. Should I just post on CL and say gl?

 

[Spicedaddy]

Congrats on being alive, listen to your dad.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'm sorry but, if you have "0 sense when it comes to anything mechanical," you have no business riding a bike. Listen to your dad.

 

[Fenixgoon]

since you have liability only, fixing the bike would come out of pocket. and chances are, fixing it would be more expensive than buying a new one.

so, sell it to someone who's probably going to turn it into a track bike, and consider whether you want to continue motorcycling or not.

for reference, i crashed my bike on the track, and to fully repair it was about 90% of the street value, and 75% of the MSRP.

 

[Greenman]

Story is incomplete or fabricated. Bikes don't just go into a full blown tank slapper at 60mph unless there is something very wrong with it.

Glad you're unhurt. Listen to your father and get rid of the bike, you may not be so lucky the next time.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Luke, I am your father!!

 

[z1ggy]

What the hell is driving after dusk?? How is that a citation?

I've also ridden for years and I agree with Greenman above, bikes don't just start wobbling randomly all of a sudden, then send you hide side without a pretty obvious preexisting problem. Maybe there was something obvious you were over looking, but I've never had anything like that happen to me.

If the bike is totaled though... Then obviously it's not worth fixing.

 

[jaha2000]

Sounds like he had a puncture and a tire that was almost flat to me.

That bike is totalled. It would cost more than its worth to fix. Take Z1ggy's Fenixgoons advice and sell to a racer.

 

[twinrider1]

What the hell is driving after dusk?? How is that a citation?..

Guessing he's still on his temps. I was restricted to daylight riding and had to stay off freeways when I got mine back in '88.

Sure sounds like a seriously low rear tire.


Edit: Just looked at the bike pics. Jeebus dude, is that the original rear tire?

 

[bruceb]

Never heard of driving after dusk citation, unless maybe you are a new licensee with some restrictions on it. And yes, it also sounds like you had a tire go flat or low while riding on it. Personally, I would fight both tickets, even with an attorney. First see if you will get Points on your record if you just pay them. If you will, definitely fight them. It is unfair and I think somewhat improper to be cited after you get into an accident, especially if you were the only vehicle / driver involved in the accident. Mechanical things do break, so how is that failure to maintain control ? ? ?

 

[jdoggg12]

Story is incomplete or fabricated. Bikes don't just go into a full blown tank slapper at 60mph unless there is something very wrong with it.
.

Have you ever ridden a sportbike without a steering damper? I got head shake on both of my R6s many times, a few times on my SV650, and a handfull of times on my WR250. A couple of those turned into full-blown tank slappers too.

All it takes is the right imperfection in the road to destabilize the bike's geometry. After that, it's all about rider input - it'll either correct it or catalyze it into worse and worse oscillation.

 

[bruceb]

That is a lot of damage. You might be better off parting it out. You have an engine / tranny in good shape, fuel tank in moderate shape, rear wheel and instrument cluster to be able to sell.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Story is incomplete or fabricated. Bikes don't just go into a full blown tank slapper at 60mph unless there is something very wrong with it.

Glad you're unhurt. Listen to your father and get rid of the bike, you may not be so lucky the next time.

You don't usually see tank slappers on a beginner level bike like that.

I was wondering if maybe one of his tires had gone flat. McCune, when was the last time you checked your tire pressures? How old are the tires on that bike? I was going to ride in to work this morning but was running a little late and didn't have time to do a pre-ride tire pressure check so I took the cage instead. Better to not ride than to ride a bike you have no idea if it is road worthy or not.

Edit-Yeah, that bike is totaled. You might get a couple hundred bucks for it as it is. I'd part it out if you have the time.

 

[LTC8K6]

I went around a sharp corner, slowed way down, then coming back out of it as I'm speeding up I noticed my headlights wobbling a little bit.

Well, he got a warning wobble...but he didn't stop to check his bike out.

I didn't think anything of it, other than to get home and figure it out later.

 

[jdoggg12]

I work with Dave Moss, suspension tuning guru extraordinaire. Here's a video I was directed towards where he explains several reasons this could happen (he's even answering the question in RE to a 250)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmHU-gtlOKo

Assuming your tires are not low, how much do you weigh? If your suspension isn't setup properly for your weight, that's likely the culprit, possibly in conjunction with a bump/pothole/crack/debris in the road.

 

[Phanuel]

Good luck setting up the suspension on a 250-300cc class road bike. You're limited to preload on the rear, and that's usually about it. Outside of racers, nobody is really spending another $1,500+ for cartridges and a new rear shock.

This sounds like something tire related or a fork tube slipping in the triple tree.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Good luck setting up the suspension on a 250-300cc class road bike. You're limited to preload on the rear, and that's usually about it. Outside of racers, nobody is really spending another $1,500+ for cartridges and a new rear shock.

This sounds like something tire related or a fork tube slipping in the triple tree.

:thumbsup: No doubt. They are typically under-sprung with no adjustment other than preload. Unless you're 150lbs with gear you'll find the suspension on a bike like that pretty soft... which is probably not such a bad thing for most new riders.

 

[McCune]

Well, he got a warning wobble...but he didn't stop to check his bike out.

Mistakes were made. I was only 3 minutes from my house or so, and the rest of the ride was 25 MPH if I would have made it another mile or so.

I work with Dave Moss, suspension tuning guru extraordinaire. Here's a video I was directed towards where he explains several reasons this could happen (he's even answering the question in RE to a 250)

Assuming your tires are not low, how much do you weigh? If your suspension isn't setup properly for your weight, that's likely the culprit, possibly in conjunction with a bump/pothole/crack/debris in the road.

I watched the video, perhaps the shifting up and revving the throttle was the cause? I doubt it but I can see that happening. I was accelerating when I shifted.

I don't think the tires were low, but it's possible. The bike had been sitting for three weeks and I took it out once more for a quick ride. Weight was not the issue, I'm only 170 lb.

That is a lot of damage. You might be better off parting it out. You have an engine / tranny in good shape, fuel tank in moderate shape, rear wheel and instrument cluster to be able to sell.

That's what I'm thinking. I listed in on craigslist but I don't know what to tell the guys asking for it.

Have you ever ridden a sportbike without a steering damper? I got head shake on both of my R6s many times, a few times on my SV650, and a handfull of times on my WR250. A couple of those turned into full-blown tank slappers too.

All it takes is the right imperfection in the road to destabilize the bike's geometry. After that, it's all about rider input - it'll either correct it or catalyze it into worse and worse oscillation.

I don't know what that is, but no, this is my first street bike.

Never heard of driving after dusk citation, unless maybe you are a new licensee with some restrictions on it. And yes, it also sounds like you had a tire go flat or low while riding on it. Personally, I would fight both tickets, even with an attorney. First see if you will get Points on your record if you just pay them. If you will, definitely fight them. It is unfair and I think somewhat improper to be cited after you get into an accident, especially if you were the only vehicle / driver involved in the accident. Mechanical things do break, so how is that failure to maintain control ? ? ?

It's an Ohio law while you're under your permit.

I'm also fighting both tickets, yes. I have three witnesses who saw my back tire wobbling so I should have no problem getting out of it.

You don't usually see tank slappers on a beginner level bike like that.

I was wondering if maybe one of his tires had gone flat. McCune, when was the last time you checked your tire pressures? How old are the tires on that bike? I was going to ride in to work this morning but was running a little late and didn't have time to do a pre-ride tire pressure check so I took the cage instead. Better to not ride than to ride a bike you have no idea if it is road worthy or not.

Edit-Yeah, that bike is totaled. You might get a couple hundred bucks for it as it is. I'd part it out if you have the time.

I had not ever checked my tire pressure in 5 months of owning the bike. It never came across to me, obviously they were never flat enough to eyeball it and think I need one though. It was garage kept.

I'm sorry but, if you have "0 sense when it comes to anything mechanical," you have no business riding a bike. Listen to your dad.

I don't think I need to know how to build and take apart a bike to ride one. Just because I'm not mechanically inclined doesn't mean I shouldn't enjoy the peaceful ride of a motorcycle. I'm getting another one, he was just saying I have a week to get rid of this one or he's giving it to a friend.

since you have liability only, fixing the bike would come out of pocket. and chances are, fixing it would be more expensive than buying a new one.

so, sell it to someone who's probably going to turn it into a track bike, and consider whether you want to continue motorcycling or not.

for reference, i crashed my bike on the track, and to fully repair it was about 90% of the street value, and 75% of the MSRP.

I'll continue riding. But yeah, hoping someone on craigslist replies soon.

Story is incomplete or fabricated. Bikes don't just go into a full blown tank slapper at 60mph unless there is something very wrong with it.

Glad you're unhurt. Listen to your father and get rid of the bike, you may not be so lucky the next time.

It's not. It benefits me nothing to lie to you guys, I'm just looking for advice.

What the hell is driving after dusk?? How is that a citation?

I've also ridden for years and I agree with Greenman above, bikes don't just start wobbling randomly all of a sudden, then send you hide side without a pretty obvious preexisting problem. Maybe there was something obvious you were over looking, but I've never had anything like that happen to me.

If the bike is totaled though... Then obviously it's not worth fixing.

Ohio Citation under a permit. It wiggled once, second time was wipe out. I had no indications of this prior to that ride.

Sounds like he had a puncture and a tire that was almost flat to me.

That bike is totalled. It would cost more than its worth to fix. Take Z1ggy's Fenixgoons advice and sell to a racer.

Perhaps, the ladies behind me saw the back tire was wiggling. Maybe that was a cause. I had not rode in 3 weeks prior to the wreck.

Guessing he's still on his temps. I was restricted to daylight riding and had to stay off freeways when I got mine back in '88.

Sure sounds like a seriously low rear tire.

Edit: Just looked at the bike pics. Jeebus dude, is that the original rear tire?

Correct.

It may have been a rear low tire. And yes, I had every intention of buying a new tire in the Spring but the weather was in the high 50s so I took a random December ride. I don't think the balding tire had a play in the wreck, though. I could be wrong.

 

[Phanuel]

Here's a good video on things you should be checking before you ride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unp3hXfGjts

Most motorcyclists can't rebuild their bikes, we're not all certified factory mechanics. But you should be checking the tires, chains, and lights regularly and looking for odd liquids on the ground or around hoses.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I don't think the tires were low, but it's possible. The bike had been sitting for three weeks and I took it out once more for a quick ride. Weight was not the issue, I'm only 170 lb.

I had not ever checked my tire pressure in 5 months of owning the bike. It never came across to me, obviously they were never flat enough to eyeball it and think I need one though. It was garage kept.

Motorcycle tires don't hold a lot of air by volume so they are much more sensitive to pressure changes. If your tire was at 25psi (that's about 10psi under inflated) you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at it and if it has been cold lately it could drop even more. I wouldn't go more than a week without checking tire pressure and a motorcycle tire could easily lose a couple psi in a couple weeks. 5 months! Man, I'd be surprised if you had 20psi in your tires.

If you're going to check one thing before a ride, checking tire pressure would be at the TOP of my list of things to check. Your tires are THE most important safety device on your bike. When you have a blowout you lose traction at one of the only two points of contact with the road. Your brakes are meaningless without tires, your steering would be limited to you simply trying to keep the bike upright and from fishtailing and going down.

If you do keep riding, I would recommend you take the MSF course before you get back on the bike. One of the fist things they teach you is what to inspect before each ride and the importance of doing that. This is so much more critical with a bike than a car because you have zero protection other than your gear if something fails on a bike.

 

[JulesMaximus]

By the way, I have to say thanks for posting this because it serves as a reminder to everyone here who rides the importance of checking your bike regularly and keeping it in tip top riding condition.

We may never know exactly what caused your accident but I think we might have a pretty good idea and checking your bike probably could have prevented this accident.

Glad you're okay though and kudos to you for having the guts to tell your story. It's a real ego bruiser to know that you may have caused this accident through simple negligence. Hell, I had a minor accident a few weeks ago caused simply by being overly tired and now I have the rash on my left side tank panel as a reminder every time I look at it.

 

[palmfire]

Wow, glad your ok and this is why I tell people wear your helmet when it comes to riding.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Wow, glad your ok and this is why I tell people wear your helmet when it comes to riding.

I have no idea why it's not the law everywhere... it is here.

 

[WackyDan]

I had not ever checked my tire pressure in 5 months of owning the bike. It never came across to me, obviously they were never flat enough to eyeball it and think I need one though. It was garage kept.

Props for being able to admit that knowing you'd get some flak for it. While a blowout or low tire in a car can be dangerous, one on a bike has potentially greater chance of bad results. You need to learn and apply some basic maintenance checks and there is no simpler one than checking tire pressure.

 

[Greenman]

Have you ever ridden a sportbike without a steering damper? I got head shake on both of my R6s many times, a few times on my SV650, and a handfull of times on my WR250. A couple of those turned into full-blown tank slappers too.

All it takes is the right imperfection in the road to destabilize the bike's geometry. After that, it's all about rider input - it'll either correct it or catalyze it into worse and worse oscillation.

I've never ridden a sport bike, I don't race so there isn't much point. I have ridden standard 250 and 350cc bikes, but that was so long ago they might as well have had stone tires on them.
My 1972 Kawasaki 500 never wobbled once. The V-Rod I have now is rock solid all the time, though I've never run it past 110, which was about 30 mph faster than I ever want to go.
I'll take your word for it that a modern bike can go into a wobble at highway speed, but if it ever happened to me I'd be at the dealer the next day demanding my money back. An unstable bike is a dearth sentence.