Birthday ride on the Dragon. 4-17-09

TnNinjaGirl · April 17th, 2009, 06:46 PM

Some pictures as promised. Compliments of my mother. I'll add more when they get posted by the professionals.

I know I crossed the line but it was a good effort at getting my knee down.

Andy (GSXR600), Adam (R6), me (1 guess

)

My beautiful mother. Who would kill me if she knew I put a pic of her on here.

Mom's '05 Mustang. I know it's not a bike but I thought it was a good picture.

Blue Ninja 250R · April 17th, 2009, 06:55 PM

Nice pics there and HAPPY BIRTHDAY

BlueTyke · April 17th, 2009, 06:56 PM

Whoot!! Very nice!

Snake · April 17th, 2009, 07:17 PM

Wow!!! That is some awesome riding skils!!

sometimesido · April 18th, 2009, 06:30 AM

Nice pics! I will def. have to come up sometime.

dyeclan · April 18th, 2009, 06:38 AM

Happy Birthday chica! Watch those lines, we want ya to keep riding!

sometimesido · April 18th, 2009, 07:27 AM

oh and nice pants.

TnNinjaGirl · April 18th, 2009, 07:41 AM

I feel like I could do better. My friends keep telling me to shut up because I've only been riding for 4 months. I just think I'm holding myself back.

I loved the pants. Still breaking them in. If it weren't for the mesh liner, I'd still be stuck in them.

I invite everyone to come visit the Dragon. It's so much fun. Not only the riding, but the people are great too. Also the sense of nature is amazing. It's not a man-made race track so you look around and all you see is trees and rocks and other nature stuff. Sometimes when you get alone and you can't hear or see anyone else it's pretty incredible. (Wo)Man, machine and nature.

TnNinjaGirl · April 18th, 2009, 08:04 AM

Here's another one until i can order some more.

OldGuy · April 18th, 2009, 08:52 PM

Happy Birthday CB - looking good

kkim · April 18th, 2009, 08:57 PM

what's with the obsession with touching your knee down? is that some sort of rite of passage at the dragon?

I'd rather just slow down and enjoy the ride.

SpyderGirl · April 19th, 2009, 12:51 AM

What a great way to spend your birthday!! We are taking a cross-country ride on the Spyder (San Francisco to Indianapolis to Gatlinburg and back) for mine in September. I can't wait!

Great pics!!!

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

what's with the obsession with touching your knee down? is that some sort of rite of passage at the dragon?

I'd rather just slow down and enjoy the ride.

Most people just cruise up there. I want to drag knee because it's something I haven't ever done. It's a challenge for me so it keeps me preoccupied. Better than doing drugs or getting myself pregnant.

miks · April 19th, 2009, 06:14 AM

Nice pictures. You're looking good out there on the Dragon, Rossi better watch his back!

Viper-Byte · April 19th, 2009, 02:46 PM

Happy Birthday!

Nice pics, sounds like you had fun!

I don't know what it is about touching a nee down, but I am trying to myself. I managed to touch my boot down going around a really banked corner

Now it is my nees turn

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 02:52 PM

I've been told several times that I need to lean the bike more and my tush less. It's all so confusing.

David, good luck on introducing your knee to the ground. Hope they get along well.

kkim · April 19th, 2009, 02:55 PM

totally useless unless you're dragging hard parts. if you're dragging hard parts on the street, it's time to take it to the track.

seems like you guys and gals are going about this bass ackwards.

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 02:56 PM

So grind down some pegs, then hang off the side?

Viper-Byte · April 19th, 2009, 03:02 PM

Hmm, looking at your pics, I am the same, I get far off the bike, like my helmet is off the bike on the inside of the corner.

If it is anything like my boot, I am sure they will get on well. Though I may get some knee sliders to protect my riding pants.

Kelly, where I am trying this is really sharp corners and I am still with in the speed limit for the road. Plus the road is really smooth and gripy

kkim · April 19th, 2009, 03:10 PM

essentially, yes... find out the angle where the bike starts to touch and then learn to use the knee as the "curb feeler" so it touches down just before the bike does.

This is usually only needed at extreme lean angles found on the track. If you regularly employ your knee as a curb feeler, you're riding way to fast for the street. Also, there are ways to minimize leaning the bike by scooting your body off the seat, but that should help from the hard parts touching.

One warning... if you have rearsets, they allow the bike to lean even more before other hard parts start to touch, but when they do, the result will usually be a crash.

Don't they have a nice track in your area that you can practice all you want in a safe environment? Personally, CB, I think you would love the track.

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 03:13 PM

Nearest track I know of is in Atlanta. If it makes you feel any better the only time I try and get down is on the Dragon. There are some serious turns there. With some serious banks. Seriously.

jax · April 19th, 2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

Nearest track I know of is in Atlanta. If it makes you feel any better the only time I try and get down is on the Dragon. There are some serious turns there. With some serious banks. Seriously.

They do track time at Nashville Int Speedway and also at Tally in Ala

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 04:34 PM

I'll check it out. Thanks

I'll try not to post about dragging parts off my bike, Kelly.

kkim · April 19th, 2009, 04:40 PM

post all you want, just as long as you can stand my posts, we're good.

you do know I do this cause I love ya, right?

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 05:28 PM

Of course, just as long as you realize us kids still don't have it quite figured out and sometimes we need to learn on our own. It's good to have people who care.

kkim · April 19th, 2009, 05:38 PM

not all of us need to learn everything on our own. it's not about age, but each person's willingness to accept past lessons learned through other's experience and work from there instead of having to reinvent the wheel all the time. If that were the case, there would be no MSF.

yes, people here care.

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 05:42 PM

Uncle Kelly to the rescue. haha

Alex · April 19th, 2009, 05:43 PM

He'd do anything to be called "Uncle" again; it's mostly "Gramps" and "that old guy over there" these days from what I hear.

kkim · April 19th, 2009, 05:45 PM

Is that really you Alex?... or another bot you've set up?? I've been having a hard time telling them apart lately!

Alex · April 19th, 2009, 05:47 PM

I'll never tell...

TnNinjaGirl · April 19th, 2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

He'd do anything to be called "Uncle" again; it's mostly "Gramps" and "that old guy over there" these days from what I hear.

I started to type grampa Kelly but I thought to myself and changed my mind. Besides, he acts like a 20 yr old anyways. Too young for "gramps" status in my book.

shporsche · April 19th, 2009, 05:57 PM

Happy Bday, nice pics.

Cool ninja 2.

Jacksmeow · April 20th, 2009, 04:00 PM

Happy belated birthday! Looks like you had fun!!!

NJD022588 · April 23rd, 2009, 10:49 PM

Nice pics!

In that last pic, it looks like youre pretty darn close to scraping your left peg. Have you done it before?

komohana · April 24th, 2009, 12:48 AM

looks like a good time had by all

happy b-lated birthday wishes at ya

TnNinjaGirl · April 24th, 2009, 06:42 AM

No peg scrapes yet. I'm thinking about going to a parking lot and working on my form.

Thanks everyone for all of the great birthday wishes!! You are the best, don't let anyone tell you different.

azia · April 29th, 2009, 01:14 PM

Hot mama, hot daughter! Hehehehe. Your birthday ride looks like it was fun!!

I'm too scared of the dragon...one day!

kawibelle · May 5th, 2009, 05:15 AM

What did you think of it??? We're going down next week... Trailering his dyna down to a cabin in wears valley Sat - Fri. I actually ordered the "Ride Like a Pro on the Dragon" dvd! There's video on there of a guy riding his gold wing, flying by all the sport bikes! Apparently, he rides it 5-10 a day.

Anything we should watch out for? Are there better days or times of day to ride it when there is less traffic? The only thing I worry about is meeting a tractor trailer on a corner...

TnNinjaGirl · May 5th, 2009, 06:28 AM

It's my favorite thing to do. Best days to go are Monday through Thursday before lunch.
Lately on the weekends it has become very difficult to ride. Every once in awhile you'll get a clean run with no slow people in front of you.

In general watch out like you would on any other road. Everyone complains about bikes being worse than cars and vice versa. In reality, it doesn't matter who you are when you have a lot of people in one area someone is going to do something wrong.

I don't know what to tell you about tractor trailers. Usually a good citizen or officer will escort them through and warn oncoming traffic. Sometimes they won't. There really isn't much you can do about that but follow the traffic rules and be aware.

You'll meet some very interesting people up at Deal's Gap. Part of the fun is riding the Dragon, most of the fun is talking to the people there.

Wears Valley is a nice area. We just got finished with Rod Run so you are lucky there. May I suggest the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge for breakfast if you get a chance.

I can't think of anything else right now, feel free to PM me if you want. Have a safe trip. Happy riding!!

kawibelle · May 5th, 2009, 06:34 AM

Cool! Thanks! We're so excited... It's gonna be a long drive, esp with the dog in the truck and the trailer on the back! The guy who we're renting the cabin from gave us a bunch of other places to ride, in addition to the dragon. Any good kawi dealers down there? We found a couple of harley dealers to stop at... I do love the big saddle bags on the dyna. A girl has to shop!

April 17th, 2009, 06:46 PM	#1
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Birthday ride on the Dragon. 4-17-09 Some pictures as promised. Compliments of my mother. I'll add more when they get posted by the professionals. I know I crossed the line but it was a good effort at getting my knee down. Andy (GSXR600), Adam (R6), me (1 guess ) My beautiful mother. Who would kill me if she knew I put a pic of her on here. Mom's '05 Mustang. I know it's not a bike but I thought it was a good picture.

April 17th, 2009, 06:56 PM	#3
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	Whoot!! Very nice! __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

April 18th, 2009, 06:30 AM	#5
sometimesido ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Norcross, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 250R Posts: 772 Blog Entries: 14	Nice pics! I will def. have to come up sometime. __________________________________________________ my flickr™

April 18th, 2009, 07:27 AM	#7
sometimesido ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Norcross, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 250R Posts: 772 Blog Entries: 14	oh and nice pants. __________________________________________________ my flickr™

April 18th, 2009, 08:52 PM	#10
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Happy Birthday CB - looking good __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

April 17th, 2009, 06:55 PM	#2
Blue Ninja 250R ninjette.org member Name: Stanley Location: Kedah, Malaysia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250R 2008 Posts: 80	Nice pics there and HAPPY BIRTHDAY

April 17th, 2009, 07:17 PM	#4
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	Wow!!! That is some awesome riding skils!!

April 18th, 2009, 06:38 AM	#6
dyeclan Scooter Trash No0b Name: Frank Location: Cleveland Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 EX250R 'Gears of War' Theme Bike, ZG DB screen, cowl, progrips. Posts: 73	Happy Birthday chica! Watch those lines, we want ya to keep riding!

April 18th, 2009, 07:41 AM	#8
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	I feel like I could do better. My friends keep telling me to shut up because I've only been riding for 4 months. I just think I'm holding myself back. I loved the pants. Still breaking them in. If it weren't for the mesh liner, I'd still be stuck in them. I invite everyone to come visit the Dragon. It's so much fun. Not only the riding, but the people are great too. Also the sense of nature is amazing. It's not a man-made race track so you look around and all you see is trees and rocks and other nature stuff. Sometimes when you get alone and you can't hear or see anyone else it's pretty incredible. (Wo)Man, machine and nature.

April 18th, 2009, 08:57 PM	#11
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	what's with the obsession with touching your knee down? is that some sort of rite of passage at the dragon? I'd rather just slow down and enjoy the ride.

April 19th, 2009, 12:51 AM	#12
SpyderGirl 3 for street, 2 for dirt Name: Katlyn Location: San Francisco Bay Area (California) Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Can Am Spyder PE #1344 / 2009 Kawi KLX140L Monster Energy / 2009 Kawi Ninja 250R (RIP 8.23.09) Posts: 586	What a great way to spend your birthday!! We are taking a cross-country ride on the Spyder (San Francisco to Indianapolis to Gatlinburg and back) for mine in September. I can't wait! Great pics!!! __________________________________________________ Feel free to look me up on facebook.

April 19th, 2009, 06:14 AM	#14
miks I'm lovin' it. Name: Mike Location: Melb, Australia Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.	Nice pictures. You're looking good out there on the Dragon, Rossi better watch his back! __________________________________________________ Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son.

April 19th, 2009, 02:46 PM	#15
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	Happy Birthday! Nice pics, sounds like you had fun! I don't know what it is about touching a nee down, but I am trying to myself. I managed to touch my boot down going around a really banked corner Now it is my nees turn __________________________________________________ 2008 GREEN Kawasaki Ninja 250R. AreaP Quiet Core Carbon Fibre : 8000k HIDs : Dynojet Jet kit : Double Bubble Windscreen

April 19th, 2009, 02:52 PM	#16
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	I've been told several times that I need to lean the bike more and my tush less. It's all so confusing. David, good luck on introducing your knee to the ground. Hope they get along well.

April 19th, 2009, 02:55 PM	#17
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	totally useless unless you're dragging hard parts. if you're dragging hard parts on the street, it's time to take it to the track. seems like you guys and gals are going about this bass ackwards.

April 19th, 2009, 02:56 PM	#18
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	So grind down some pegs, then hang off the side?

April 19th, 2009, 03:02 PM	#19
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	Hmm, looking at your pics, I am the same, I get far off the bike, like my helmet is off the bike on the inside of the corner. If it is anything like my boot, I am sure they will get on well. Though I may get some knee sliders to protect my riding pants. Kelly, where I am trying this is really sharp corners and I am still with in the speed limit for the road. Plus the road is really smooth and gripy __________________________________________________ 2008 GREEN Kawasaki Ninja 250R. AreaP Quiet Core Carbon Fibre : 8000k HIDs : Dynojet Jet kit : Double Bubble Windscreen

April 19th, 2009, 03:10 PM	#20
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	essentially, yes... find out the angle where the bike starts to touch and then learn to use the knee as the "curb feeler" so it touches down just before the bike does. This is usually only needed at extreme lean angles found on the track. If you regularly employ your knee as a curb feeler, you're riding way to fast for the street. Also, there are ways to minimize leaning the bike by scooting your body off the seat, but that should help from the hard parts touching. One warning... if you have rearsets, they allow the bike to lean even more before other hard parts start to touch, but when they do, the result will usually be a crash. Don't they have a nice track in your area that you can practice all you want in a safe environment? Personally, CB, I think you would love the track.

April 19th, 2009, 03:13 PM	#21
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Nearest track I know of is in Atlanta. If it makes you feel any better the only time I try and get down is on the Dragon. There are some serious turns there. With some serious banks. Seriously.

April 19th, 2009, 04:34 PM	#23
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	I'll check it out. Thanks I'll try not to post about dragging parts off my bike, Kelly.

April 19th, 2009, 04:40 PM	#24
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	post all you want, just as long as you can stand my posts, we're good. you do know I do this cause I love ya, right?

April 19th, 2009, 05:28 PM	#25
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Of course, just as long as you realize us kids still don't have it quite figured out and sometimes we need to learn on our own. It's good to have people who care.

April 19th, 2009, 05:38 PM	#26
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	not all of us need to learn everything on our own. it's not about age, but each person's willingness to accept past lessons learned through other's experience and work from there instead of having to reinvent the wheel all the time. If that were the case, there would be no MSF. yes, people here care.

April 19th, 2009, 05:42 PM	#27
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Uncle Kelly to the rescue. haha

April 19th, 2009, 05:43 PM	#28
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	He'd do anything to be called "Uncle" again; it's mostly "Gramps" and "that old guy over there" these days from what I hear. __________________________________________________ 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)

April 19th, 2009, 05:45 PM	#29
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Is that really you Alex?... or another bot you've set up?? I've been having a hard time telling them apart lately!

April 19th, 2009, 05:47 PM	#30
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	I'll never tell... __________________________________________________ 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)

April 19th, 2009, 05:57 PM	#32
shporsche ninjette.org member Name: sean Location: Sydney Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 09 Posts: 61	Happy Bday, nice pics. Cool ninja 2.

April 20th, 2009, 04:00 PM	#33
Jacksmeow ninjette.org member Name: Gale Location: East TN Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki Ninja 250R; '05 Kawasaki Vulcan 800A, sometimes I ride my husband's '01 GSX-R 600 Posts: 28	Happy belated birthday! Looks like you had fun!!!

April 23rd, 2009, 10:49 PM	#34
NJD022588 ============ Name: Nick Location: Occoquan, VA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 518	Nice pics! In that last pic, it looks like youre pretty darn close to scraping your left peg. Have you done it before?

April 24th, 2009, 12:48 AM	#35
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.	looks like a good time had by all happy b-lated birthday wishes at ya __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

April 24th, 2009, 06:42 AM	#36
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	No peg scrapes yet. I'm thinking about going to a parking lot and working on my form. Thanks everyone for all of the great birthday wishes!! You are the best, don't let anyone tell you different.

April 29th, 2009, 01:14 PM	#37
azia ninjette.org member Name: Lindsay Location: Toronto, Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 Posts: 67	Hot mama, hot daughter! Hehehehe. Your birthday ride looks like it was fun!! I'm too scared of the dragon...one day!

May 5th, 2009, 05:15 AM	#38
kawibelle ninjette.org member Name: Kelly Location: Breinigsville, PA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 40	What did you think of it??? We're going down next week... Trailering his dyna down to a cabin in wears valley Sat - Fri. I actually ordered the "Ride Like a Pro on the Dragon" dvd! There's video on there of a guy riding his gold wing, flying by all the sport bikes! Apparently, he rides it 5-10 a day. Anything we should watch out for? Are there better days or times of day to ride it when there is less traffic? The only thing I worry about is meeting a tractor trailer on a corner...

May 5th, 2009, 06:28 AM	#39
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	It's my favorite thing to do. Best days to go are Monday through Thursday before lunch. Lately on the weekends it has become very difficult to ride. Every once in awhile you'll get a clean run with no slow people in front of you. In general watch out like you would on any other road. Everyone complains about bikes being worse than cars and vice versa. In reality, it doesn't matter who you are when you have a lot of people in one area someone is going to do something wrong. I don't know what to tell you about tractor trailers. Usually a good citizen or officer will escort them through and warn oncoming traffic. Sometimes they won't. There really isn't much you can do about that but follow the traffic rules and be aware. You'll meet some very interesting people up at Deal's Gap. Part of the fun is riding the Dragon, most of the fun is talking to the people there. Wears Valley is a nice area. We just got finished with Rod Run so you are lucky there. May I suggest the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge for breakfast if you get a chance. I can't think of anything else right now, feel free to PM me if you want. Have a safe trip. Happy riding!!