October 11th, 2010, 03:15 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Alex
Location: Greater Toronto Area
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 18
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Side Mirrors - Useless?
I am a new rider. I've had my ninja for about 4 weeks. No matter how I adjust the mirrors I am having a difficult time seeing. I often just see my forearms. Once I tuck my forearms in it seems O.K. Is this normal? The position on the Ninja's mirrors seem to not be effective.
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October 11th, 2010, 03:19 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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October 11th, 2010, 03:23 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.
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Try some mirror extenders or newer 650r mirrors.
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October 11th, 2010, 03:45 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
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Try slikdesignsusa.com. For $150 they make a telescoping mirror that fits the existing mounts without modification. The rear view is excellent.
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October 11th, 2010, 05:53 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 771
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I just got used to tucking my elbow in real quick to check behind me. But it doesn't bother me now. My main annoyance is they are so small its sometimes hard to get a clear view with depth, so I sometimes just turn around.
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October 11th, 2010, 06:35 PM | #6 | |
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Name: rock
Location: greenville, south carolina
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
+1 Get used to it and it'll be second nature.
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October 11th, 2010, 06:44 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Bobby
Location: Michiana
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 271
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Alex,
I was going to post the same concern today. I'm glad you did. Looks like there isn't an easy solution for this. |
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October 11th, 2010, 07:07 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Matthew
Location: Toronto
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 V-Star 950 Tourer (Deep Blue) Posts: 570
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They're nearly useless yes, but they do look nice on the bike, Lol
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October 11th, 2010, 08:31 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Kevin
Location: Athens
Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1981 Honda Cx500 Custom, 2002 Ninja 250 Posts: 289
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I am pretty large guy. I always got to tuck in a shoulder to see behind me good. Had same problem on Versys 650. I think that Kawi just caters to narrow shouldered riders. The KLR650 had wide enough mirrors, too bad they were so buzzy they were useless at any speed above 40mph.
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October 12th, 2010, 04:54 AM | #10 |
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I position mine so that I see the outer edge of my arms. If I stick an elbow OUT momentarily (no need to take my hand off the grip) I can see directly behind me through the gap between my elbow and my body.
Works fine. As others have said, once you get used to it, it's really a non-issue. I also use the road to advantage… do a mirror check as you enter a sweeper and you can easily see everyone behind you. |
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October 12th, 2010, 05:09 AM | #11 |
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Name: Jason
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I never fully trust mirrors, I always take a brief glance before making any moves.
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October 12th, 2010, 06:30 AM | #12 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 771
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Sorry, I mean I will turn around if I want to check if there is a cop behind me, or if my group is all still following me, just because I can't always see clearly enough to verify these things in the mirrors. Of course I check my shoulders for lane changes, and also turn my torso around when getting on highways and someone ahead is keeping me from accelerating.
Also, I don't have to take my hand off the grip to check on the outside of my arm in my mirror. I just tuck my elbow into my torso. |
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October 12th, 2010, 07:05 AM | #13 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
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Quote:
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October 12th, 2010, 07:17 AM | #14 |
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Name: Brian
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October 12th, 2010, 01:29 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Kevin
Location: Athens
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I think it is bad riding technique to not trust your mirrors. I only look slightly left right at my blind spot when two lanes run together. I almost NEVER turn around and look back.
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October 12th, 2010, 01:35 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Justin
Location: Central NJ
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I have the SW-Motech mirror extenders and can see pretty well with the mirrors. I haven't rode without the mirror extenders, so I can't comment on how poor they were before hand. Although the previous owner of the bike, who installed the extenders said they made a world of difference.
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October 12th, 2010, 01:43 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
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October 12th, 2010, 01:47 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.
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Let me guess... You don't check you blind spot when your in a cage either...
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October 12th, 2010, 03:00 PM | #19 |
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I went with bar-ends... You have to move your head much more to see them, but the view is much better...
http://www.newninja.com/modification...r-end-mirrors/
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October 12th, 2010, 08:36 PM | #20 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Alex
Location: Greater Toronto Area
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 18
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Thanks everyone for the replies. After riding the bike for the last 4 weeks I thought I was going insane, no matter how I adjusted the darn mirrors they just didn't seem to work the way they should. It seems like this is a common problem with sport bikes. I guess that JMcDonald's got the right idea.
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October 13th, 2010, 05:39 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 771
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Yeah, if everything was truely function-over-form, these bikes would be half way to hideous :P .
I wouldn't mind slightly larger mirrors, but it doesn't bother me enough to actually spend anything on it, heh. BTW, I wouldn't say I don't trust my mirrors. I do agree one should use everything he has available to him. that, and it is surely more dangerous to be constantly turning around (if that is what one does instead of just periodically checking mirrors). When I am on my bicycle, I realize how often I check my mirrors on the Ninjie. Every five seconds for the first minute or so I am trying to look in mirrors on my bicycle that are obviously not there :P . |
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October 13th, 2010, 05:44 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: Tampa
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R Posts: 230
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Well the MSF course teaches folks to always turn around and look before changing lanes and never trust your mirrors, so I don't think it's bad riding technique. I find the Ninjette to have really big blind spots with the stock mirrors no matter how I adjust them. I don't trust them at all.
Not that I'm turning around just to see what's behind me. I'm mainly talking about changing lanes or merging.
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October 13th, 2010, 11:45 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Andy
Location: 11501
Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): VFR/250r/Gsxr 750 Posts: 74
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The tiny mirrors can show you only so much. There are always blind spots so always remember to move your head for that final check.
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October 13th, 2010, 08:43 PM | #24 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Kevin
Location: Athens
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Quote:
Turning all the way around to look behind you on a bike is ridiculous and unsafe. Just as bad if not worse if you do it in your "cage". Like I said, at most I glance over my shoulders on the Ninja. If you must do this because you cannot see out of your mirrors, its time to modify your mirrors to work for you.
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October 14th, 2010, 04:41 AM | #25 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jason
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Quote:
I've towed a thing or two in my day also and totally agree that when you can't see behind you, you must trust your mirrors. Maybe I misunderstood your "glance" because I also agree that turning completely around is un-neccessary. The point is not to soley trust the stock 250 mirrors as they do not provide the ultimate coverage.
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October 14th, 2010, 10:35 AM | #26 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 771
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Quote:
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October 14th, 2010, 04:04 PM | #27 |
Ninjette CPT
Name: Vince
Location: jacksonville, fl
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Black 08 250r Posts: A lot.
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i installed the little circular, convex blindspot mirrors you can get at any autoparts store. imo, i have no visibility issues. nevertheless, i try to make a point to always headcheck because florida drivers SUCK!
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October 14th, 2010, 04:19 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Travis
Location: Warwick, RI
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You'll eventually get used to it. You can get mirror extenders or if you like fish-eye mirrors, they can really increase your visibility at short distances. Either way, get in the habit of turning your head. I never trust a mirror (except when backing a trailer). I had too many close calls when I was a young driver and I always turn my head to look before changing lanes or making turns.
Motorcycles give great visibility. You have zero blind spots as long as you turn your head. But on the Ninja, you will have major tunnel vision if you rely only on the mirrors, even with accessories to improve visibility. (In a car tunnel vision is dangerous, on a motorcycle it is deadly)
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October 14th, 2010, 04:25 PM | #29 |
Ninjette CPT
Name: Vince
Location: jacksonville, fl
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Black 08 250r Posts: A lot.
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October 14th, 2010, 04:39 PM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.
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October 19th, 2010, 07:19 PM | #31 |
Love Rival
Name: Brian
Location: Western PA
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 449
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I've had success pushing the stems (is that the right term?) about as far forward as possible and then pulling the mirrors back in toward me. This gives me pretty much a full view of the road behind me - albeit only in the upper most corner of the mirror. YMMV.
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October 20th, 2010, 06:54 PM | #32 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Vince, Are your little circular mirrors adjustable? I had a set from Wal-Mart which were adjustable. With the telescoping mirrors, I didn't need the blind spot mirrors.
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November 9th, 2010, 11:46 AM | #33 |
CPT Falcon
Name: J.Emmett Turner
Location: Newnan, GA
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I orient both with an upward tilt (seems counter-intuitive but it works) and aim them for maximum visibility behind. I then lean to see lanes to either side and I use a head check in addition (like the MSF BRC says to do).
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November 9th, 2010, 12:26 PM | #34 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 771
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Has anyone completely replaced the stock mirrors with fish-eye mirrors (either round or square)? I know it wouldn't look as stylish, but I would really like to be able to see behind me whether I am sitting upright, or lying down. When it is really cold I sometimes crouch down or even lie down on the tank (depending on what I am wearing), and it would be nice to be able to see what is behind me without sitting up.
As a secondary benefit it would indeed help better keep track of blind spots, but my main concern is usability from all riding positions.
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November 9th, 2010, 02:06 PM | #35 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
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I keep hearing how stylish the stock mirrors are. IMHO, the Slikdesign telescoping mirrors are just as stylish and give you the best of two worlds. On the highway, the vision to the rear is excellent--as good as a car. City riding, I push the mirrors in--view is slightly better than stock. When I am parked, I fully retract them--less likely to get bumped by a passerby. My riding has been a lot more enjoyable since I got those mirrors.
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November 9th, 2010, 02:16 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Steve
Location: Chicagoland
Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1987 Kawasaki Concours --- 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 59
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My mirror solution
I posted this awhile back, works great on my bikes.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...irror+solution |
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November 9th, 2010, 03:43 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
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I bought some used (09 or 10) 650r mirrors just to try them out and for the most part they are better than the stock mirrors.
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November 9th, 2010, 07:34 PM | #38 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
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How about a rear view helmet to augment mirrors
Reevu MSX1 helmet has a rear view system built in. Currently being tested by DOT.
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November 9th, 2010, 08:15 PM | #39 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Posts: 771
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That is actually pretty dang badass, heh.
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Factory Pro Jet Kit, K&N R-0990 Pod Filter, Sportisi VR Black Exhaust, BRT TIS Ignition, White Paint, and 16/41 Sprockets. Soon: Maybe a 37T Rear Sprocket if I get things running like I'd hoped. |
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November 10th, 2010, 06:44 AM | #40 | |
Ninja chick
Name: Allyson
Location: Athens, GA
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Quote:
Except when looking to make sure there's not a cop back there.
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