Water Crossing

conrya5 · September 29th, 2013, 09:11 AM

I'm planning a ride and need some advice/opinions.

At the Trexler Nature Preserve there is a ford (water crossing) which is a concrete slab that the Jordan Creek flows over.

It looks to be 80 - 100 feet long and about 15 feet wide. I have crossed over this in a truck before but never on a motorcycle.

Do you think the 250 is up for it?

Link to original page on YouTube.

CycleCam303 · September 29th, 2013, 09:24 AM

Stand up. Stay neutral. And don't go crazy fast and stay even on the throttle. Should be fine.

conrya5 · September 29th, 2013, 12:51 PM

Went through without a problem.

Joshorilla · September 29th, 2013, 01:11 PM

Why wouldn't the ninja 250 be aboe to do that??? Shallow and slow moving, tis but a puddle.

akima · September 29th, 2013, 02:08 PM

Really interesting thread!

Moar repliez pls!

conrya5 · September 29th, 2013, 02:31 PM

The approach slab was covered in a thin layer of moss making it very slippery to walk on. I didn't have any problems with traction, just cruised across in second gear.

My brother went across on his Triumph Tiger at about 10mph.

akima · September 29th, 2013, 02:39 PM

Did you feel either wheel slide at all?

Joshorilla · September 29th, 2013, 03:10 PM

Should have done it at least 80mph, everyone knows you benefit from increased gyroscopic stability!

conrya5 · September 29th, 2013, 03:18 PM

No, the tires.didn't slide at all. We walked onto the Ford after we crossed it and found out how slippery it was. You would probably slide if you tried to stop on the approach or got on the throttle to fast.

80mph wheelie across next time.

akima · September 29th, 2013, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conrya5

80mph wheelie across next time.

subxero · September 29th, 2013, 04:35 PM

should have hydroskipped it, noob

Link to original page on YouTube.

dooby · September 30th, 2013, 10:18 AM

This is very similar to how I gently laid over in a stream near me on my CBF125 :-(

I'd been across before in the winter with no issue, but this time I think the warmer weather had allowed the weed to grow. Sure enough, the front wheel slipped out in the direction the water was flowing.

Had I been sensible, I'd have put my left boot down - after all, if that didn't save me then all of me was going to get wet anyway but I didn't have the presence of mind in the split second so I tried to stay up on the pegs and as I say, I gently leant over and got soaked shoulder to toe on my left side :-(

Killed the engine, got the bike upright immediately (exhaust is on the right and stayed out of the water). Found I'd tweaked the shifter so had to start and ride home in 3rd gear but other than that, no damage except to my pride :-(

I'm still not sure how I'd save it if it happened again, I think the addition of the slippery surface plus the constant force from the left meant I didn't know what to do instinctively and whatever I actually did clearly didn't work...

I think from previous discussions here I should have steered left but I think my mind told me to turn right at the time. Also, it was very early in my riding experience so I probably also cut the throttle without realising that this would compound things.

Cheers, Pete

csmith12 · September 30th, 2013, 10:23 AM

Ahhh.... the power of short shifts or being in a gear that higher than you normally would.

For example, you want to ride in the dry, but now it's all wet. You know how you would normally ride right?.. Add a gear. To keep things simple, what I mean is... If your normally take a corner/straight/obstacle in 3rd, do it in 4th.

How would this help?

EDIT: Awesome job!

csmith12 · September 30th, 2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Really interesting thread!

Moar repliez pls!

Agreed! Not a subject you come across (no pun intended lol) very often.

Alex · September 30th, 2013, 11:33 AM

It can be a crapshoot. It's sometimes not the depth, but the traction at the bottom of only a few inches of water. If moss has grown on a slippery surface, it can be impossible to keep the bike up. There is that great video of that off-road rally, where bike after bike after bike comes through a slight corner and a 4 or 5 foot water crossing that looks only inches deep. Almost every bike through loses the rear and the rider is sliding on their butt before they knew what hit them. It takes local knowledge to have any hunch on what you're dealing with on these types of obstacles. Sounds like this one is eminently doable with very little trouble.

akima · September 30th, 2013, 12:19 PM

What I've learnt from the discussion so far is that you should make sure you let another rider go first.

Let them, test the water, so to speak. Pun intended

If they make it through, then copy their technique exactly. If they don't make it... throw them a rope and then find another way to ride home.

verboten1 · October 2nd, 2013, 02:19 PM

Link to original page on YouTube.

I let this guy go first. That's me on the right before he starts moving....

conrya5 · October 2nd, 2013, 03:34 PM

That sucks!

Did you go across?

verboten1 · October 2nd, 2013, 04:17 PM

For sure. Almost lost it, but kept it upright

verboten1 · October 3rd, 2013, 05:10 PM

I'm the second across, probably be active in a few minutes

Link to original page on YouTube.

conrya5 · October 3rd, 2013, 06:11 PM

Nice save, where is that at?

verboten1 · October 3rd, 2013, 09:48 PM

It's in the Appalachians near Tellico Plains TN

ally99 · November 1st, 2013, 04:09 PM

Stay loose on the bars, steady on the throttle. You'll be fine. I ride through water like that sometimes.

adouglas · November 3rd, 2013, 04:39 AM

ally99 · November 14th, 2013, 03:24 PM

There's a cool park here, Victoria Bryant State Park. There's a part where a little creek passes over the road surface in the park. Sometimes (depending on the recent rain), it can be a pretty strong creek. I've ridden over it several times. It's fun as hell and elicits quite a reaction from the folks (mostly kids) who are around at the time. They love it! It's not everyday you see a bike cross water like that.

September 29th, 2013, 09:11 AM	#1
conrya5 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: South Eastern, PA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Metalic Island Blue Ninja 250r Posts: 206	Water Crossing I'm planning a ride and need some advice/opinions. At the Trexler Nature Preserve there is a ford (water crossing) which is a concrete slab that the Jordan Creek flows over. It looks to be 80 - 100 feet long and about 15 feet wide. I have crossed over this in a truck before but never on a motorcycle. Do you think the 250 is up for it? Link to original page on YouTube. Link to original page on YouTube.

September 29th, 2013, 04:35 PM	#11
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	should have hydroskipped it, noob Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

September 30th, 2013, 10:23 AM	#13
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Ahhh.... the power of short shifts or being in a gear that higher than you normally would. For example, you want to ride in the dry, but now it's all wet. You know how you would normally ride right?.. Add a gear. To keep things simple, what I mean is... If your normally take a corner/straight/obstacle in 3rd, do it in 4th. How would this help? EDIT: Awesome job! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

September 30th, 2013, 11:33 AM	#15
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	It can be a crapshoot. It's sometimes not the depth, but the traction at the bottom of only a few inches of water. If moss has grown on a slippery surface, it can be impossible to keep the bike up. There is that great video of that off-road rally, where bike after bike after bike comes through a slight corner and a 4 or 5 foot water crossing that looks only inches deep. Almost every bike through loses the rear and the rider is sliding on their butt before they knew what hit them. It takes local knowledge to have any hunch on what you're dealing with on these types of obstacles. Sounds like this one is eminently doable with very little trouble. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 30th, 2013, 12:19 PM	#16
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	What I've learnt from the discussion so far is that you should make sure you let another rider go first. Let them, test the water, so to speak. Pun intended If they make it through, then copy their technique exactly. If they don't make it... throw them a rope and then find another way to ride home.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

September 29th, 2013, 09:24 AM	#2
CycleCam303 King Hamfist Name: Cameron Location: NorCal East Bay Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Crf 150R, 2011 Hypermotard 796 Posts: 940	Stand up. Stay neutral. And don't go crazy fast and stay even on the throttle. Should be fine.

September 29th, 2013, 01:11 PM	#4
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	Why wouldn't the ninja 250 be aboe to do that??? Shallow and slow moving, tis but a puddle.

September 29th, 2013, 02:08 PM	#5
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	Really interesting thread! Moar repliez pls!

September 29th, 2013, 02:31 PM	#6
conrya5 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: South Eastern, PA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Metalic Island Blue Ninja 250r Posts: 206	The approach slab was covered in a thin layer of moss making it very slippery to walk on. I didn't have any problems with traction, just cruised across in second gear. My brother went across on his Triumph Tiger at about 10mph.

September 29th, 2013, 02:39 PM	#7
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	Did you feel either wheel slide at all?

September 29th, 2013, 03:10 PM	#8
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	Should have done it at least 80mph, everyone knows you benefit from increased gyroscopic stability!

September 29th, 2013, 03:18 PM	#9
conrya5 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: South Eastern, PA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Metalic Island Blue Ninja 250r Posts: 206	No, the tires.didn't slide at all. We walked onto the Ford after we crossed it and found out how slippery it was. You would probably slide if you tried to stop on the approach or got on the throttle to fast. 80mph wheelie across next time.

September 30th, 2013, 10:18 AM	#12
dooby ninjette.org member Name: Pete Location: UK Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): '11 250R SE (FI), '14 Daytona 675, '14 Sprint 1050 GT SE Posts: 121	This is very similar to how I gently laid over in a stream near me on my CBF125 :-( I'd been across before in the winter with no issue, but this time I think the warmer weather had allowed the weed to grow. Sure enough, the front wheel slipped out in the direction the water was flowing. Had I been sensible, I'd have put my left boot down - after all, if that didn't save me then all of me was going to get wet anyway but I didn't have the presence of mind in the split second so I tried to stay up on the pegs and as I say, I gently leant over and got soaked shoulder to toe on my left side :-( Killed the engine, got the bike upright immediately (exhaust is on the right and stayed out of the water). Found I'd tweaked the shifter so had to start and ride home in 3rd gear but other than that, no damage except to my pride :-( I'm still not sure how I'd save it if it happened again, I think the addition of the slippery surface plus the constant force from the left meant I didn't know what to do instinctively and whatever I actually did clearly didn't work... I think from previous discussions here I should have steered left but I think my mind told me to turn right at the time. Also, it was very early in my riding experience so I probably also cut the throttle without realising that this would compound things. Cheers, Pete

October 2nd, 2013, 02:19 PM	#17
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	Link to original page on YouTube. I let this guy go first. That's me on the right before he starts moving.... __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

October 2nd, 2013, 03:34 PM	#18
conrya5 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: South Eastern, PA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Metalic Island Blue Ninja 250r Posts: 206	That sucks! Did you go across?

October 2nd, 2013, 04:17 PM	#19
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	For sure. Almost lost it, but kept it upright __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

October 3rd, 2013, 05:10 PM	#20
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	I'm the second across, probably be active in a few minutes Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

October 3rd, 2013, 06:11 PM	#21
conrya5 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: South Eastern, PA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Metalic Island Blue Ninja 250r Posts: 206	Nice save, where is that at?

October 3rd, 2013, 09:48 PM	#22
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	It's in the Appalachians near Tellico Plains TN __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

November 1st, 2013, 04:09 PM	#23
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	Stay loose on the bars, steady on the throttle. You'll be fine. I ride through water like that sometimes. __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

November 3rd, 2013, 04:39 AM	#24
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	__________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.

November 14th, 2013, 03:24 PM	#25
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	There's a cool park here, Victoria Bryant State Park. There's a part where a little creek passes over the road surface in the park. Sometimes (depending on the recent rain), it can be a pretty strong creek. I've ridden over it several times. It's fun as hell and elicits quite a reaction from the folks (mostly kids) who are around at the time. They love it! It's not everyday you see a bike cross water like that. __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

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