Learning experiences

sombo · May 31st, 2009, 02:45 AM

Well the last 2 days of riding have been rather eventful and educational. First, on Friday I knew I was running low on gas but wanted to see just how far I could push it before I needed gas. Well I made it to 192miles before I felt it start to sputter. Then like an idiot, I kept turning the reserve switch the wrong way and finally gave up and started pushing the bike (found out later I was about a good 6 miles or more from a station).

After a sheriff and then Disney security (yes I was on Walt Disney property) stopped by and told me help was on the way I sat and waited for over an hour. Finally I got tired of waiting and played with fuel switch some more and figured out that I was a newb idiot and got it to the reserve and fired her up. I made it to the station and filled up with 4 solid gallons at about 200 on tripmeter. Not bad for alot of city and somewhat aggressive driving.

Then last night while I was following my friend in his mustang on one of the main strips, we caught up with some of his car buddies. We followed in the middle lane doing about 50+ when suddenly I noticed a bumper (yes a complete plastic bumper) laying in the right lane. I knew that was a sign of trouble and started to slow down. Seconds later my friend hits his brakes hard forcing me to do the same. It wasn't until he quickly escaped to the right lane and into a parking lot that I realized several things: 1) the cars in front of him were at a dead stop because of a hit car turned sideways blocking our lane, 2) that my engine had stalled caused by me not pulling the clutch in all the way soon enough and 3) that my rear tire was locked up but that I still had control of the bike and came to a complete stop about 10 feet from the other stopped cars.

Not the best emergency braking but not the worst considering I'm still a noob. On the positive side, I didn't lose control and didn't hit anything. On the downside, I locked up the rear causing my engine to stall. Oddly enough I didn't really feel scared or panicked. I just kept upright and squeezed harder on the brakes instead of just panic grabbing.

So learn from other people's adventures and remember to estimate your mpg on the low side especially with the older ninjettes. Remember to practice your emergency braking, and keep a close eye on your surroundings to be aware of possible trouble up ahead (like someone's bumper laying in the middle of the road lol).

Snake · May 31st, 2009, 04:32 AM

Thank you for passing on those lessons learned. I will keep them in mind.

ladyninja08 · May 31st, 2009, 06:17 AM

May sound stupid but where is the fuel reserve switch located I looked and can't seem to find it. Thanks

Alex · May 31st, 2009, 06:19 AM

We don't have one on the 08's, on the 07's and earlier there is a manual reserve switch on the left side of the bike that allows the last 0.8 gallons in the tank to be used. On the 08's there is no such setting, as we have a fuel gauge on the dash instead. Personally I preferred the manual petcock system as it was more predictable than the gauge, but it is what it is.

IlBLisSlI · May 31st, 2009, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyninja08

May sound stupid but where is the fuel reserve switch located I looked and can't seem to find it. Thanks

you new generation 250s don't have on

(its why they gave you a fuel gauge that doesn't work)

ladyninja08 · May 31st, 2009, 06:27 AM

Okay Thanks I kept wondering about it.

CC Cowboy · May 31st, 2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sombo

Well the last 2 days of riding have been rather eventful and educational. First, on Friday I knew I was running low on gas but wanted to see just how far I could push it before I needed gas.

I might be wrong but if you are pushing it you don't need any gas.

Elfling · May 31st, 2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I might be wrong but if you are pushing it you don't need any gas.

*snarfs up drink through nose*

sombo · May 31st, 2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I might be wrong but if you are pushing it you don't need any gas.

Actually if you're already to the point of pushing it (like I was) you might be bone dry. I mean why push a fully fueled bike when you can ride it?

I'm surprised I'm getting more comments on the gas then the emergency braking.

wyckedflesh · May 31st, 2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

I'm surprised I'm getting more comments on the gas then the emergency braking.

It's only emergency braking if its an emergency

but it is great that you got a chance to practice in case of and emergency. As you were following your buddy, as he dove into the parking lot, you too could have followed. Always look for an out that doesn't leave you sitting in one spot if at all possible. Your is a great way to learn something knew. Go to a parking lot and work on those stops for future situations. Also work on using a lighter touch on the rear brake, having it locked could be a bad thing in case it doesn't release right when you need it to. It is also good to see you keep your head about you in the situation, very well done!

CC Cowboy · May 31st, 2009, 06:26 PM

I get all my braking techniques from Jason Britton, although; Ben Spies was doing some impressive stoppies in South Africa (and they were caught on tape).

sombo · May 31st, 2009, 09:00 PM

Actually I considered it an emergency since everyone was going from about 50 - 0 in a matter of seconds. As for following my friend, that was not an option for me. For starters, he slipped through a hole that I couldn't follow through. I had a car on either side and the engine had stalled from me not getting the clutch in time. I also didn't realize the tire was locked till he darted. I didn't think I had put that much pressure on the rear brake but I guess I did. I would rather have the back lock up then the front tbh.

I had thought about doing just that with the parking lot but haven't gotten around to finding one I can use since moving down here. It also doesn't help that it's rained once or twice a day every day for the last 2 weeks.

komohana · June 2nd, 2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I get all my braking techniques from Jason Britton, although; Ben Spies was doing some impressive stoppies in South Africa (and they were caught on tape).

seen him doing that in another race also...commentators pointed it out as well..thinik it was the race where it appeared he ran outta gas

sombo · June 3rd, 2009, 10:37 PM

Well tonight had yet another learning experience.

Was making a left turn from a light onto a road at night in traffic. Right at the edge of the curb of the road I was turning on it was black, like new pavement black. Didn't think much of it since it still looked flat and it was 'new' pavement. However, crossing that line onto the black turned out to be uneven pavement with close to a 6" drop. Being fully in the turn this drop nearly took me out and jammed my left thumb because you couldn't tell the pavement dropped like that till you hit it. If I had been going straight it wouldn't have been a big deal, but I was in a turn with the bike in a slight lean and dropping like that SERIOUSLY jerks the handlebars. Thumb is still sore from it.

komohana · June 3rd, 2009, 10:46 PM

yikes!
sounds like it could have been REAL ugly..
stay vigilant

sombo · June 4th, 2009, 12:37 AM

Yah, I was super glad the unseen drop didn't cause me to wipe out. No signs, no warnings and because of the darkness you couldn't see a shadow to even indicate there was a drop. Just looked like a smooth transition from old to new pavement........ then BAM!!!! Drops out, jerks the handlebars something fierce and jams my left thumb.

May 31st, 2009, 02:45 AM	#1
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	Learning experiences Well the last 2 days of riding have been rather eventful and educational. First, on Friday I knew I was running low on gas but wanted to see just how far I could push it before I needed gas. Well I made it to 192miles before I felt it start to sputter. Then like an idiot, I kept turning the reserve switch the wrong way and finally gave up and started pushing the bike (found out later I was about a good 6 miles or more from a station). After a sheriff and then Disney security (yes I was on Walt Disney property) stopped by and told me help was on the way I sat and waited for over an hour. Finally I got tired of waiting and played with fuel switch some more and figured out that I was a newb idiot and got it to the reserve and fired her up. I made it to the station and filled up with 4 solid gallons at about 200 on tripmeter. Not bad for alot of city and somewhat aggressive driving. Then last night while I was following my friend in his mustang on one of the main strips, we caught up with some of his car buddies. We followed in the middle lane doing about 50+ when suddenly I noticed a bumper (yes a complete plastic bumper) laying in the right lane. I knew that was a sign of trouble and started to slow down. Seconds later my friend hits his brakes hard forcing me to do the same. It wasn't until he quickly escaped to the right lane and into a parking lot that I realized several things: 1) the cars in front of him were at a dead stop because of a hit car turned sideways blocking our lane, 2) that my engine had stalled caused by me not pulling the clutch in all the way soon enough and 3) that my rear tire was locked up but that I still had control of the bike and came to a complete stop about 10 feet from the other stopped cars. Not the best emergency braking but not the worst considering I'm still a noob. On the positive side, I didn't lose control and didn't hit anything. On the downside, I locked up the rear causing my engine to stall. Oddly enough I didn't really feel scared or panicked. I just kept upright and squeezed harder on the brakes instead of just panic grabbing. So learn from other people's adventures and remember to estimate your mpg on the low side especially with the older ninjettes. Remember to practice your emergency braking, and keep a close eye on your surroundings to be aware of possible trouble up ahead (like someone's bumper laying in the middle of the road lol).

May 31st, 2009, 06:19 AM	#4
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	We don't have one on the 08's, on the 07's and earlier there is a manual reserve switch on the left side of the bike that allows the last 0.8 gallons in the tank to be used. On the 08's there is no such setting, as we have a fuel gauge on the dash instead. Personally I preferred the manual petcock system as it was more predictable than the gauge, but it is what it is. __________________________________________________ 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)

May 31st, 2009, 06:26 PM	#11
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I get all my braking techniques from Jason Britton, although; Ben Spies was doing some impressive stoppies in South Africa (and they were caught on tape). __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

June 3rd, 2009, 10:46 PM	#15
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.	yikes! sounds like it could have been REAL ugly.. stay vigilant __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

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May 31st, 2009, 04:32 AM	#2
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Thank you for passing on those lessons learned. I will keep them in mind.

May 31st, 2009, 06:17 AM	#3
ladyninja08 ninjette.org member Name: Christine Location: pittsburgh, pa Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black ninja 250r Posts: 67	May sound stupid but where is the fuel reserve switch located I looked and can't seem to find it. Thanks

May 31st, 2009, 06:27 AM	#6
ladyninja08 ninjette.org member Name: Christine Location: pittsburgh, pa Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2011 black ninja 250r Posts: 67	Okay Thanks I kept wondering about it.

May 31st, 2009, 09:00 PM	#12
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	Actually I considered it an emergency since everyone was going from about 50 - 0 in a matter of seconds. As for following my friend, that was not an option for me. For starters, he slipped through a hole that I couldn't follow through. I had a car on either side and the engine had stalled from me not getting the clutch in time. I also didn't realize the tire was locked till he darted. I didn't think I had put that much pressure on the rear brake but I guess I did. I would rather have the back lock up then the front tbh. I had thought about doing just that with the parking lot but haven't gotten around to finding one I can use since moving down here. It also doesn't help that it's rained once or twice a day every day for the last 2 weeks.

June 3rd, 2009, 10:37 PM	#14
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	Well tonight had yet another learning experience. Was making a left turn from a light onto a road at night in traffic. Right at the edge of the curb of the road I was turning on it was black, like new pavement black. Didn't think much of it since it still looked flat and it was 'new' pavement. However, crossing that line onto the black turned out to be uneven pavement with close to a 6" drop. Being fully in the turn this drop nearly took me out and jammed my left thumb because you couldn't tell the pavement dropped like that till you hit it. If I had been going straight it wouldn't have been a big deal, but I was in a turn with the bike in a slight lean and dropping like that SERIOUSLY jerks the handlebars. Thumb is still sore from it.

June 4th, 2009, 12:37 AM	#16
sombo Newb..... on a steeek! :D Name: Mike Location: Windermere, FL Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Harley Davidson XL883L Sportster Superlow Posts: A lot.	Yah, I was super glad the unseen drop didn't cause me to wipe out. No signs, no warnings and because of the darkness you couldn't see a shadow to even indicate there was a drop. Just looked like a smooth transition from old to new pavement........ then BAM!!!! Drops out, jerks the handlebars something fierce and jams my left thumb.