Kicked my turn signal

TheDuck · February 17th, 2009, 08:48 AM

Here is what happens when I kicked my turn signal yesterday:

Now for the explaination as to why I did:

For the first time in about 13 years, (what a number!) I took a spill, however I was lucky enough to avoid a serious wreck from steering AWAY from a bunch of friends in left hand corner we came a little hot into. I was preparing for a pass in the famous Ninja-250-passes-the-bigger-bike-on-the-OUTSIDE-of-the-turn maneuver when a car came in the other direction forcing everyone back to the right. I steered around them guys and put myself into the ditch at the right side of the road at about a 45 degree angle from the road edge. I was on the brakes hard, I remember seeing the trees in the woods getting closer and closer. The brakes were'nt working for **** in the grass and pine needles in the ditch. I looked for a clear spot between the trees and did my best to get between them and crashed into a bush.

The bike got stuck in the bush, and I saw the world spin around as I came off of it landing behind the bush. Everyone behind me was trying to figure out where I went!

Anyways, I was lucky, there was a sandy spot behind the bush, no trees. I picked myself up, nothing hurting except my knuckles on my left hand. It felt like I punched someone. BUT I WASN'T EVEN DIRTY!

I went back to the bike, it was somehow facing the other direction (I can't quite figure that out) but it was still standing upright with a small stick contacting the horn button with the horn blaring! I guess it was calling me ready for some more riding! I gave the bike a quick once over, only found some dirt on it from in the ditch and that I managed to kick the turn signal off when I was bounced off and ejected. This in turn cracked the fairing, as typically expected. I never did find the signal, anyone have an extra left hand signal?

My knuckles and fingers on the left hand slapped underneath the clutch handle. Anyways, here's my crash wound:

So I fired it back up, got told I was on crack by the other guys that stopped and we continued tearing it up! Wahoo!

Fun stuff guys! Don't try this at home!

Always wear your gear, and don't assume everyone else knows you're behind them.

Also, if the bike doesn't go down, is it still considered "going down?" LOL!

Syphen · February 17th, 2009, 08:50 AM

I found the turn signals of the 250R and the way they are designed to be a little wierd. On every crashed 08/09 250r, they punch clean (or near clean) holes in the fairing where the turn indicators were. They like to break off.

Glad to hear your okay. Its a shame, that famous Ninja-250-passes-the-bigger-bike-on-the-OUTSIDE-of-the-turn maneuver would have been legendary.

OldGuy · February 17th, 2009, 08:53 AM

Time for flush mounts?

BlueTyke · February 17th, 2009, 10:04 AM

Glad your okay Duck! Wow! Good thing for sand!

grandmaster · February 17th, 2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGuy

Time for flush mounts?

Yes please!

let us know what you decide.

Alex · February 17th, 2009, 10:37 AM

You crazy kids.

kkim · February 17th, 2009, 11:00 AM

Why is it not surprising to hear that Ducky "quacked" up?

Glad to hear nothing serious happened and that damage was very limited to you and the bike. Also, check the bottom of your boots... You must have stepped in something to be that lucky.

komohana · February 17th, 2009, 11:14 AM

glad to see you and yer ride came through none the worst for wear save some skin and a turn signal ...

party on!

TheDuck · February 17th, 2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syphen

I found the turn signals of the 250R and the way they are designed to be a little wierd. On every crashed 08/09 250r, they punch clean (or near clean) holes in the fairing where the turn indicators were. They like to break off.

Glad to hear your okay. Its a shame, that famous Ninja-250-passes-the-bigger-bike-on-the-OUTSIDE-of-the-turn maneuver would have been legendary.

Well it was already legendary, a crash with the bike still standing, and minimal damage.

I had been passing the bigger bikes all day, too, some of those riders were VERY aggressive... and I still got 'em most of the time.

But I always start out in the back of the pack on purpose, for 2 reasons:

1. I can see who the idiot riders are and their riding styles

2. I get to see their expressions when I am passing them, haha!

It would be nice if the signals actually BROKE OFF, rather than BROKE THROUGH the fairing.

NJD022588 · February 18th, 2009, 11:23 PM

Haha, crashing with style! To bad its not on video...

Good to hear you're fine

TheDuck · February 19th, 2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJD022588

Haha, crashing with style! To bad its not on video...

Good to hear you're fine

Haha, we're all still laughing about it, too. I almost kinda want to do it again!

Thinking back, its the first time I took a spill in 13 years, but the first time I crashed in 24 years!

We all had a good day riding though, before AND AFTER the crash, thankfully I didnt do as badly as one of the other guys did that day.

He kinda went down in the FIRST TURN without any obstacles in the road, no cars, no other bikes in his way, he just kinda went off the road and lowsided it, then the bike caught in the dirt and rolled it over about 6 times:

He's fine though, the bike is probably totalled.

At least I waited until end of the day to rough myself up!

miks · February 19th, 2009, 03:08 AM

Lucky bugga, glad to see that you're A-Okay and nothing serious. Good luck in finding the turn signal. Heads up!

00v_Lucky · February 19th, 2009, 01:58 PM

what a story.Atleast the 250 got less damaged than the gsxr

but still sux all together

TheDuck · February 19th, 2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00v_Lucky

what a story.Atleast the 250 got less damaged than the gsxr

but still sux all together

Yep thankfully I am still laughing about it. Much better than sitting in the hospital wrapped in plaster.

I put some flush mounted signals on today (shame I didn't a week ago)

Similar to these:

I drilled a hole in the bottom of them, and ran a bolt through and gently welded the head to the backing plate on the signal. The bolt is long enough to go through one of the holes in the rubber grommet on the fairing. I put a big washer, and a nylon locknut. Instant turn signal!

While I had the fairing off I inspected it. Its not just cracked at the signal but it also has small cracks at about every mount point. The piece should probably be replaced, but I reinforced it from the inside to keep it on there for now.

One of the local dealers wants almost $400 for one, HAHA! NO!

From a few steps away though, you can't even tell its messed up! So ,its livable for now.

grandmaster · February 19th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Can you post some pix of them on the bike?

jpnfrk · February 19th, 2009, 09:50 PM

Good to hear you survived mostly unharmed...

Any pics of the new mod?

TheDuck · February 19th, 2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandmaster

Can you post some pix of them on the bike?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpnfrk

Good to hear you survived mostly unharmed...

Any pics of the new mod?

You ask, I provide:

Not too sure if I am keen on the carbon fiber look. I have some matching kawi blue paint and may just paint them to match the bike.

grandmaster · February 19th, 2009, 11:07 PM

Looks good, nice work.

jpnfrk · February 19th, 2009, 11:31 PM

It looks nice, how much for the pair?

aloh · February 20th, 2009, 12:16 AM

Im glad you came out of the ordeal with minor injuries! THat must've been a pretty big "oh shi-" moment.

the carbon fiber look would be great if only they made them with real carbon fiber. Fake CF just looks unconvincing and gimmicky to me. Nonetheless, flushmounts are pretty sweet

TheDuck · February 20th, 2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpnfrk

It looks nice, how much for the pair?

Like $10 or something

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloh

Im glad you came out of the ordeal with minor injuries!

As opposed to no injuries? Gee thanks! "I sure am glad you got hurt." Haha!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloh

THat must've been a pretty big "oh shi-" moment.

There was actually 2 of those moments.

The first was when I got on the brakes and the nose dived really hard. I eased off on the brakes after that. ......I need to stiffen my front suspesion! I might have slowed the bike enough to not have crashed it.

The second moment was just as I was trying to steer it between the trees, moments before the final impact into the bush. (Insert fresh comment here)

I am glad I know how to ride though, imagine one of those first-time Ninja 250 riders that we all laugh at on the other forums stuck in that same situation!

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloh

the carbon fiber look would be great if only they made them with real carbon fiber. Fake CF just looks unconvincing and gimmicky to me. Nonetheless, flushmounts are pretty sweet

I agree, I dont like fake carbonfiber either. I am going to wait to see them in the sunlight, but they will probably be painted to match the bike!

TheDuck · February 21st, 2009, 08:59 PM

That fake carbon fiber plastic crap just wasn't cutting it. In the sun the signals looked really cheap.

So I made them better:

00v_Lucky · February 21st, 2009, 10:47 PM

need more angles to see if it looks sexy or not. but from that picture alone, doesn't look to shabby ^^

jpnfrk · February 22nd, 2009, 07:15 AM

How did you get rid of the carbon fiber part? Paint or vinyl?

TheDuck · February 22nd, 2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpnfrk

How did you get rid of the carbon fiber part? Paint or vinyl?

Paint!

sharky nrk · February 22nd, 2009, 09:35 AM

I think flat or semi gloss would look really good instead of the carbon fiber

TheDuck · February 22nd, 2009, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00v_Lucky

need more angles to see if it looks sexy or not. but from that picture alone, doesn't look to shabby ^^

Here's the welds to hold the stem on:

jpnfrk · February 22nd, 2009, 10:59 PM

NICE!! It looks like a perfect color match! Did you get the paint from the dealership?

You're rocking those new flushed mount signals as though the Ninja came with those stock!!

TheDuck · February 22nd, 2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpnfrk

NICE!! It looks like a perfect color match! Did you get the paint from the dealership?

You're rocking those new flushed mount signals as though the Ninja came with those stock!!

Everyone that has seen them so far thinks they are factory.

Nope, haha! Its some old rattlecan paint I had from some years in a can on the shelf. Its transparent blue, so I put down a couple base coats of silver metal flake, then gradually built up the blue with thin coats until the color matched! I can keep adding coats and it will turn purplish. If I do less coats it comes out more greenish.

I may try to repair my fairing scratches down low on the left side where you really can't see them anyways rather than get spendy and replace the whole panel.

00v_Lucky · February 22nd, 2009, 11:36 PM

wow, they look much better than stock. dare i say it. It was a good thing you got in that minor crash ^^

jpnfrk · February 23rd, 2009, 12:37 AM

Duckman, I wanted to ask, where did you get the flush mount signals?

If online, could you please share the link? Thanks!!

TheDuck · February 23rd, 2009, 05:29 PM

I forgot to add, they also serve as running lights!

Safety though increased visibility is a plus!

HKr1 · February 23rd, 2009, 05:48 PM

Now I see how you guys ride! Good thing it was raining that one day nobody showed up(but me)

TheDuck · February 23rd, 2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKr1

Now I see how you guys ride! Good thing it was raining that one day nobody showed up(but me)

Haha, I don't usually ride with those guys! They are a different group of people, most of them I don't even know their names! But msot of them are a FAST bunch! WOOT!

February 17th, 2009, 08:48 AM	#1
TheDuck Da Duckman Name: Duckman Location: Pensacola, FL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, '06 Chopper, '80 Puch Magnum II, '01 SV650, '99 CR250/CR500AF Sportbike. '02 CRF450/CR500AF Dirt Posts: 480	Kicked my turn signal Here is what happens when I kicked my turn signal yesterday: Now for the explaination as to why I did: For the first time in about 13 years, (what a number!) I took a spill, however I was lucky enough to avoid a serious wreck from steering AWAY from a bunch of friends in left hand corner we came a little hot into. I was preparing for a pass in the famous Ninja-250-passes-the-bigger-bike-on-the-OUTSIDE-of-the-turn maneuver when a car came in the other direction forcing everyone back to the right. I steered around them guys and put myself into the ditch at the right side of the road at about a 45 degree angle from the road edge. I was on the brakes hard, I remember seeing the trees in the woods getting closer and closer. The brakes were'nt working for **** in the grass and pine needles in the ditch. I looked for a clear spot between the trees and did my best to get between them and crashed into a bush. The bike got stuck in the bush, and I saw the world spin around as I came off of it landing behind the bush. Everyone behind me was trying to figure out where I went! Anyways, I was lucky, there was a sandy spot behind the bush, no trees. I picked myself up, nothing hurting except my knuckles on my left hand. It felt like I punched someone. BUT I WASN'T EVEN DIRTY! I went back to the bike, it was somehow facing the other direction (I can't quite figure that out) but it was still standing upright with a small stick contacting the horn button with the horn blaring! I guess it was calling me ready for some more riding! I gave the bike a quick once over, only found some dirt on it from in the ditch and that I managed to kick the turn signal off when I was bounced off and ejected. This in turn cracked the fairing, as typically expected. I never did find the signal, anyone have an extra left hand signal? My knuckles and fingers on the left hand slapped underneath the clutch handle. Anyways, here's my crash wound: So I fired it back up, got told I was on crack by the other guys that stopped and we continued tearing it up! Wahoo! Fun stuff guys! Don't try this at home! Always wear your gear, and don't assume everyone else knows you're behind them. Also, if the bike doesn't go down, is it still considered "going down?" LOL!

February 17th, 2009, 08:53 AM	#3
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Time for flush mounts? __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

February 17th, 2009, 10:04 AM	#4
BlueTyke So slow I'm first! Name: Sunny Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 10	Glad your okay Duck! Wow! Good thing for sand! __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

February 17th, 2009, 10:37 AM	#6
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	You crazy kids. __________________________________________________ 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)

February 17th, 2009, 11:14 AM	#8
komohana ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Steve Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.	glad to see you and yer ride came through none the worst for wear save some skin and a turn signal ... party on! __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

February 17th, 2009, 08:50 AM	#2
Syphen Some weird Canuck! Name: Greg Location: Ontario - Canada Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '92 CBR250RR "Babyblade", 2008 Ninja 250R, 2001 CBR600F4i Posts: 209	I found the turn signals of the 250R and the way they are designed to be a little wierd. On every crashed 08/09 250r, they punch clean (or near clean) holes in the fairing where the turn indicators were. They like to break off. Glad to hear your okay. Its a shame, that famous Ninja-250-passes-the-bigger-bike-on-the-OUTSIDE-of-the-turn maneuver would have been legendary.

February 17th, 2009, 11:00 AM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Why is it not surprising to hear that Ducky "quacked" up? Glad to hear nothing serious happened and that damage was very limited to you and the bike. Also, check the bottom of your boots... You must have stepped in something to be that lucky.

February 18th, 2009, 11:23 PM	#10
NJD022588 ============ Name: Nick Location: Occoquan, VA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 518	Haha, crashing with style! To bad its not on video... Good to hear you're fine

February 19th, 2009, 03:08 AM	#12
miks I'm lovin' it. Name: Mike Location: Melb, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.	Lucky bugga, glad to see that you're A-Okay and nothing serious. Good luck in finding the turn signal. Heads up! __________________________________________________ Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son.

February 19th, 2009, 01:58 PM	#13
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	what a story.Atleast the 250 got less damaged than the gsxr but still sux all together

February 19th, 2009, 09:23 PM	#15
grandmaster ninjette.org member Name: Levi Location: St. George, Utah Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, CR125R Posts: 191	Can you post some pix of them on the bike?

February 19th, 2009, 09:50 PM	#16
jpnfrk Her name is Itoshii Name: Nani Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 311 Blog Entries: 3	Good to hear you survived mostly unharmed... Any pics of the new mod? __________________________________________________ "A frog in a well can not see the ocean" ~ Japanese proverb

February 19th, 2009, 11:07 PM	#18
grandmaster ninjette.org member Name: Levi Location: St. George, Utah Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R, CR125R Posts: 191	Looks good, nice work.

February 19th, 2009, 11:31 PM	#19
jpnfrk Her name is Itoshii Name: Nani Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 311 Blog Entries: 3	It looks nice, how much for the pair? __________________________________________________ "A frog in a well can not see the ocean" ~ Japanese proverb

February 20th, 2009, 12:16 AM	#20
aloh lolwut Name: Alex Location: socal Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 196	Im glad you came out of the ordeal with minor injuries! THat must've been a pretty big "oh shi-" moment. the carbon fiber look would be great if only they made them with real carbon fiber. Fake CF just looks unconvincing and gimmicky to me. Nonetheless, flushmounts are pretty sweet __________________________________________________ 08 Blue Ninja 250R

February 21st, 2009, 08:59 PM	#22
TheDuck Da Duckman Name: Duckman Location: Pensacola, FL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, '06 Chopper, '80 Puch Magnum II, '01 SV650, '99 CR250/CR500AF Sportbike. '02 CRF450/CR500AF Dirt Posts: 480	That fake carbon fiber plastic crap just wasn't cutting it. In the sun the signals looked really cheap. So I made them better:

February 21st, 2009, 10:47 PM	#23
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	need more angles to see if it looks sexy or not. but from that picture alone, doesn't look to shabby ^^

February 22nd, 2009, 07:15 AM	#24
jpnfrk Her name is Itoshii Name: Nani Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 311 Blog Entries: 3	How did you get rid of the carbon fiber part? Paint or vinyl? __________________________________________________ "A frog in a well can not see the ocean" ~ Japanese proverb

February 22nd, 2009, 09:35 AM	#26
sharky nrk Fighting Texas Aggie '05 Name: Neil Location: Hutto, TX Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '07 ZX6R, '08 Versys, '09 250R Track, '93 F2/F3 Track Posts: A lot.	I think flat or semi gloss would look really good instead of the carbon fiber

February 22nd, 2009, 10:59 PM	#28
jpnfrk Her name is Itoshii Name: Nani Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 311 Blog Entries: 3	NICE!! It looks like a perfect color match! Did you get the paint from the dealership? You're rocking those new flushed mount signals as though the Ninja came with those stock!! __________________________________________________ "A frog in a well can not see the ocean" ~ Japanese proverb

February 22nd, 2009, 11:36 PM	#30
00v_Lucky ninjette.org sage Name: Howard Location: Cypress, So. Cal. Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618	wow, they look much better than stock. dare i say it. It was a good thing you got in that minor crash ^^

February 23rd, 2009, 12:37 AM	#31
jpnfrk Her name is Itoshii Name: Nani Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 311 Blog Entries: 3	Duckman, I wanted to ask, where did you get the flush mount signals? If online, could you please share the link? Thanks!! __________________________________________________ "A frog in a well can not see the ocean" ~ Japanese proverb

February 23rd, 2009, 05:29 PM	#32
TheDuck Da Duckman Name: Duckman Location: Pensacola, FL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, '06 Chopper, '80 Puch Magnum II, '01 SV650, '99 CR250/CR500AF Sportbike. '02 CRF450/CR500AF Dirt Posts: 480	I forgot to add, they also serve as running lights! Safety though increased visibility is a plus!

February 23rd, 2009, 05:48 PM	#33
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	Now I see how you guys ride! Good thing it was raining that one day nobody showed up(but me)

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