"snake bitten" sunday 10/9/11 ..US-421

hal9089 · October 16th, 2011, 08:41 PM

I started riding in February of 2009.. here it was October 2011 and i had never been to US-421 aka "The Snake" ..my other riding friends insisted that they needed to "pop my 421 cherry" asap. and heres my story.. lol.

i left kingsport headed for bristol/shady valley at about 4:30 on sunday the 9th [a week ago today] and made it safely to the famous "Shady Valley Country Store" ..little did i know the ride back would be a different story.

Link to original page on YouTube.

if you let this video^ load and jump to 12:00 ..the curve i went down on is at 12:15. [i was coming the opposite way, so it was a left turn for me] i ran wide and leaned hard.. overcorrected.. back tire caught the edge of the road and i slid into the gravel driveway. VERY thankful it wasnt a dropoff... the first 5 minutes of the video is a little boring.. its before you get to the crazy stuff.

i was wearing my icon jacket, jeans, and nikes (not the best shoes for the occasion, i know).. wasnt wearing my gloves but walked away very easily.. all i ended up with was some road rash on my left palm and a banged up left knee with a couple cuts, scrapes, and now bruises.. so my friend lent me a glove for my left hand and we set off on the hour+ ride home.

the actual "crash" hardly phased me.. i was more concerned with the sounds of my helmet and fairings against the road. i remember thinking "if my favorite helmet is messed up im gonna be pissedd!! "

now.. some pictures..

421lake.jpg ctrystore.jpg 421bite.full.jpg 421bite.front.jpg 421bite.tail.jpg

CZroe · October 16th, 2011, 09:24 PM

Glad you're OK! Sad to see another rashed CP blue fairing (best color by far).

If you plan to replace the fairings, expect to wait a long time to find one. Get some gloves and boots first!

hal9089 · October 16th, 2011, 09:30 PM

CP blue all the way. not a fan of candy thunder.. i was hoping to replace them with factory pieces in the same color. worst case scenario find some i could have painted? .. why is the cp blue so hard to find? ..oh, and my gloves.. they were under my back seat.. kicking myself in the ass for that one. lol

CZroe · October 16th, 2011, 10:16 PM

I think it has more to do with it taking a different undercoat and overcoat (metallic flake and blue) and thus being very difficult to touch up or match without painting the whole bike. Later blues were just one paint. Also, I like the white Ninja logos vs. gray.

akima · October 17th, 2011, 07:56 AM

Sorry to hear you crashed Haley. Did you enjoy the ride before the crash? Did you learn anything from your mistake?

hal9089 · October 17th, 2011, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Sorry to hear you crashed Haley. Did you enjoy the ride before the crash? Did you learn anything from your mistake?

the ride was amazing.. especially in the fall. the trees were at peak color for that elevation and it was beautiful. i cant wait to go back. learned a lot.. i put entirely too much of my body into the lean, and will slow down a little for sure [until i get comfortable of course.] AND .. ATGATT.

akima · October 17th, 2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal9089

the ride was amazing.. especially in the fall. the trees were at peak color for that elevation and it was beautiful. i cant wait to go back. learned a lot.. i put entirely too much of my body into the lean, and will slow down a little for sure [until i get comfortable of course.] AND .. ATGATT.

Awesome. I also learned some lessons recently

I'm also a big fan of Autumn colours. I like the cool and fresh taste of the Autumn air as well.

hal9089 · October 17th, 2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Awesome. I also learned some lessons recently

I'm also a big fan of Autumn colours. I like the cool and fresh taste of the Autumn air as well.

yeah its beautiful! i ride twice as much after august than i do all summer.

dsims321 · October 17th, 2011, 08:15 AM

Looks like an awesome ride up there might have to try it out one day should only be like two and a half hours from where Im at to get there. Although Im only like 30 mins from the Dragon and I haven't went there yet either.

Well at least your gloves protected your storage area right?

All jokes aside glad your alright now get the ninjette fixed up and then and go show the snake whos boss

hal9089 · October 17th, 2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsims321

Looks like an awesome ride up there might have to try it out one day should only be like two and a half hours from where Im at to get there. Although Im only like 30 mins from the Dragon and I haven't went there yet either.

Well at least your gloves protected your storage area right?

All jokes aside glad your alright now get the ninjette fixed up and then and go show the snake whos boss

im working on finding parts! but apparently thats going to be much harder than i thought..

so probably wont have her fixed until spring [seriously depressing] ..i mean, i could still ride. the damage is only cosmetic.. but how many girls do you know that will leave the house without their make up?!?!

..

do you have any other friends that ride in knoxville? reason im asking is i just live an hour from there.. so this spring if we're still in touch on here you guys should come up and i'll get a group ride together. me and my girls are tons of fun to ride with! and if you dont want to take 40 here on the bike.. there are backroads that take the same amount of time

dsims321 · October 17th, 2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal9089

im working on finding parts! but apparently thats going to be much harder than i thought..

so probably wont have her fixed until spring [seriously depressing] ..i mean, i could still ride. the damage is only cosmetic.. but how many girls do you know that will leave the house without their make up?!?!

..

do you have any other friends that ride in knoxville? reason im asking is i just live an hour from there.. so this spring if we're still in touch on here you guys should come up and i'll get a group ride together. me and my girls are tons of fun to ride with! and if you dont want to take 40 here on the bike.. there are backroads that take the same amount of time

Ya me and my brother both ride hes got a Ninja 650 *had to get the bigger one since hes older right* besides that dont really know anyone else around here. Definately sounds funs though count me in

I do know there are a few other people on these forums around this area as well but i havent ridden with any of them yet.

oroboros · October 17th, 2011, 09:10 AM

If I still have my bike and you guys get something organized let me know.

Who cares if you pull some plastic off and keep riding?

akima · October 17th, 2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal9089

..i mean, i could still ride. the damage is only cosmetic.. but how many girls do you know that will leave the house without their make up?!?!

..

You could ride it without the fairings. Ninjettes look pretty good naked.

It might make cleaning a little more annoying - you'd probably get more dirt in the nooks and crannies.

dsims321 · October 17th, 2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oroboros

If I still have my bike and you guys get something organized let me know.

Most Definately man

Im surprised that naked ninjette actually looks pretty sweet

hal9089 · October 17th, 2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

You could ride it without the fairings. Ninjettes look pretty good naked.

It might make cleaning a little more annoying - you'd probably get more dirt in the nooks and crannies.

not bad at all! .. i live on this site since i went down. i havent really wanted to ride it with all the rash. just stepped outside to take a look at it.. and im seriously thinking about taking it out for a little while. its freakinn beautiful outside

akima · October 17th, 2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsims321

Im surprised that naked ninjette actually looks pretty good

I was surprised too; that's why I posted the video up.

Wish I looked that good without all my fairings

hal9089 · October 17th, 2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oroboros

If I still have my bike and you guys get something organized let me know.

Who cares if you pull some plastic off and keep riding?

sure thing! as of right now.. im saying screw the plastic. we may be getting to that ride sooner than spring!

rusninja · October 17th, 2011, 09:37 AM

good thing your good :] lol i was worryed there was a actual snake which scare the crap out of me so i was like how does a snake bite you on a bike. >.<

rockNroll · October 19th, 2011, 08:19 AM

Blue duct tape and zip ties!

Glad you're pretty much Ok. Looks like a fun ride, fer sure.

hal9089 · October 19th, 2011, 09:35 AM

okay guys.. i need some help. i wnt for a ride yesterday, kept it short and sweet because it was the first one since i had to ride home after i wrecked. and i noticed on the ride home [after crash] that my handle bars didnt feel the same and that my left turns didnt feel right..i noticed it again yesterday.. im thinking my left handle bar got bent when i went down? i was gonna have it looked at today ..but its raining and i didnt want to take a chance with it on wet roads.. ill post a picture later.. but any advice would be helpfun [fixable? not fixable? expensive repair? can it be bent back?]

rockNroll · October 19th, 2011, 10:20 AM

It looks bent in your first post, top right picture with helmet on seat. You could probably bend it back into shape enuff so that it functions. These things sell for pretty cheap ... take -offs from race bikes and from people that just wanted after market clip ons. I gave mine away to two members here that had crash damage.

hal9089 · October 19th, 2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

It looks bent in your first post, top right picture with helmet on seat. You could probably bend it back into shape enuff so that it functions. These things sell for pretty cheap ... take -offs from race bikes and from people that just wanted after market clip ons. I gave mine away to two members here that had crash damage.

wow i didnt even notice that.. my clutch lever looks way too far away. no wonder i was killing myself trying to pull the clutch the whole ride home with road rash. so.. glad to hear its a fairly easy fix. thanks!

nickjpass · October 19th, 2011, 03:07 PM

Why is it so hard to find blue fairings? Is it like that for every color, or just blue?

hal9089 · October 19th, 2011, 03:28 PM

the candy plasma blue is harder to find because of the metallic flake. thumbs downn.
Posted via Mobile Device

nickjpass · October 19th, 2011, 07:24 PM

I'll try not to get a blue bike

hal9089 · October 19th, 2011, 07:33 PM

the candy thunder blue may be easier to find.. but it just doesn't hold a candle to the candy plasma. best color ever!
Posted via Mobile Device

nickjpass · October 19th, 2011, 07:35 PM

I prefer green

dsims321 · October 19th, 2011, 07:51 PM

You both like the wrong color cause everyone knows the red ones are faster

nickjpass · October 19th, 2011, 08:06 PM

We're going to destroy this thread lol

hal9089 · October 19th, 2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsims321

Your both like the wrong color cause everyone knows the red ones are faster

negative! haha. i was looking in 2008 and the new gen 250 never even hit the showroom floor at our local kawi shop [all sold before they even got there] they finally got two 09's and i had my eyes on an all black one.. but when they saw how quickly they sold, the MSRP went from 08's $3500 .. to $4600 in 09.. and then i found her ..in alabama. my candy plasma blue baby.. i fell in love. hahaha.

CP Blue wins. (:

dsims321 · October 19th, 2011, 08:22 PM

lol I will admit my original plan was to buy the cp blue one though

then i found my red one for a steal

Alex · October 19th, 2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil7153

pearl white is the fastest best color.

Other than red.

hal9089 · October 20th, 2011, 01:22 AM

@Phil.. I know I know. kicking myself in the ass for that one. but very thankful I came out of it so well. lesson learned! (:
Posted via Mobile Device

Alex · October 20th, 2011, 09:56 AM

Of course, but it doesn't stay at max speed for long, as it has to wait for the white ones to catch up.

nickjpass · October 20th, 2011, 01:27 PM

Candy Lime Green rules.

hal9089 · October 27th, 2011, 10:58 PM

got some new/used fairings guys!! and a new clip on for the left side..should be back on my bike in less than two weeks!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

akima · October 28th, 2011, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal9089

got some new/used fairings guys!! and a new clip on for the left side..should be back on my bike in less than two weeks!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Glad to hear it

I keep hearing people use the word "clip on". Does that refer to the bit of handle bar that looks like it can slide in or out of place?

Trailerboy531 · October 28th, 2011, 01:26 AM

It is the handlebar and the mounting.....thing that goes on the triple tree.

Alex · October 28th, 2011, 09:05 AM

What's a clip-on?

October 16th, 2011, 08:41 PM	#1
hal9089 ninjette.org member Name: Haley Location: Kingsport, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Candy Plasma Blue Posts: 43	"snake bitten" sunday 10/9/11 ..US-421 I started riding in February of 2009.. here it was October 2011 and i had never been to US-421 aka "The Snake" ..my other riding friends insisted that they needed to "pop my 421 cherry" asap. and heres my story.. lol. i left kingsport headed for bristol/shady valley at about 4:30 on sunday the 9th [a week ago today] and made it safely to the famous "Shady Valley Country Store" ..little did i know the ride back would be a different story. Link to original page on YouTube. if you let this video^ load and jump to 12:00 ..the curve i went down on is at 12:15. [i was coming the opposite way, so it was a left turn for me] i ran wide and leaned hard.. overcorrected.. back tire caught the edge of the road and i slid into the gravel driveway. VERY thankful it wasnt a dropoff... the first 5 minutes of the video is a little boring.. its before you get to the crazy stuff. i was wearing my icon jacket, jeans, and nikes (not the best shoes for the occasion, i know).. wasnt wearing my gloves but walked away very easily.. all i ended up with was some road rash on my left palm and a banged up left knee with a couple cuts, scrapes, and now bruises.. so my friend lent me a glove for my left hand and we set off on the hour+ ride home. the actual "crash" hardly phased me.. i was more concerned with the sounds of my helmet and fairings against the road. i remember thinking "if my favorite helmet is messed up im gonna be pissedd!! " now.. some pictures.. 421lake.jpg ctrystore.jpg 421bite.full.jpg 421bite.front.jpg 421bite.tail.jpg __________________________________________________ fear nothing <3 Last futzed with by hal9089; October 17th, 2011 at 08:02 AM.

October 17th, 2011, 08:15 AM	#9
dsims321 ninjette.org member Name: Drew Location: Knoxville, TN Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Red Ninja 250r Posts: 91	Looks like an awesome ride up there might have to try it out one day should only be like two and a half hours from where Im at to get there. Although Im only like 30 mins from the Dragon and I haven't went there yet either. Well at least your gloves protected your storage area right? All jokes aside glad your alright now get the ninjette fixed up and then and go show the snake whos boss __________________________________________________ '08 Ninja 250r Red (the fastest color) Vortex Clip ons, Ride it levers, MGP Growler, HotBodies Undertail.

October 17th, 2011, 09:10 AM	#12
oroboros GDTRFB Name: Drew Location: SE PA Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - sold 2005 EX500R project Posts: 496	If I still have my bike and you guys get something organized let me know. Who cares if you pull some plastic off and keep riding? __________________________________________________ I don't want a pickle Just want to ride on my motorsickle -Arlo Guthrie

October 17th, 2011, 09:37 AM	#18
rusninja Ninjette wanabe :D Name: Ruslan Location: San Jose Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): white 300 :D Posts: A lot.	good thing your good :] lol i was worryed there was a actual snake which scare the crap out of me so i was like how does a snake bite you on a bike. >.< __________________________________________________ VROOOM vrooom >.>

October 19th, 2011, 08:19 AM	#19
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	Blue duct tape and zip ties! Glad you're pretty much Ok. Looks like a fun ride, fer sure. __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

October 16th, 2011, 09:24 PM	#2
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Glad you're OK! Sad to see another rashed CP blue fairing (best color by far). If you plan to replace the fairings, expect to wait a long time to find one. Get some gloves and boots first!

October 16th, 2011, 10:16 PM	#4
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I think it has more to do with it taking a different undercoat and overcoat (metallic flake and blue) and thus being very difficult to touch up or match without painting the whole bike. Later blues were just one paint. Also, I like the white Ninja logos vs. gray.

October 17th, 2011, 07:56 AM	#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	Sorry to hear you crashed Haley. Did you enjoy the ride before the crash? Did you learn anything from your mistake?

October 19th, 2011, 09:35 AM	#20
hal9089 ninjette.org member Name: Haley Location: Kingsport, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Candy Plasma Blue Posts: 43	okay guys.. i need some help. i wnt for a ride yesterday, kept it short and sweet because it was the first one since i had to ride home after i wrecked. and i noticed on the ride home [after crash] that my handle bars didnt feel the same and that my left turns didnt feel right..i noticed it again yesterday.. im thinking my left handle bar got bent when i went down? i was gonna have it looked at today ..but its raining and i didnt want to take a chance with it on wet roads.. ill post a picture later.. but any advice would be helpfun [fixable? not fixable? expensive repair? can it be bent back?] __________________________________________________ fear nothing <3

October 19th, 2011, 10:20 AM	#21
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	It looks bent in your first post, top right picture with helmet on seat. You could probably bend it back into shape enuff so that it functions. These things sell for pretty cheap ... take -offs from race bikes and from people that just wanted after market clip ons. I gave mine away to two members here that had crash damage. __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

October 19th, 2011, 03:07 PM	#23
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	Why is it so hard to find blue fairings? Is it like that for every color, or just blue? __________________________________________________

October 19th, 2011, 03:28 PM	#24
hal9089 ninjette.org member Name: Haley Location: Kingsport, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Candy Plasma Blue Posts: 43	the candy plasma blue is harder to find because of the metallic flake. thumbs downn. Posted via Mobile Device

October 19th, 2011, 07:24 PM	#25
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	I'll try not to get a blue bike __________________________________________________

October 19th, 2011, 07:33 PM	#26
hal9089 ninjette.org member Name: Haley Location: Kingsport, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Candy Plasma Blue Posts: 43	the candy thunder blue may be easier to find.. but it just doesn't hold a candle to the candy plasma. best color ever! Posted via Mobile Device

October 19th, 2011, 07:35 PM	#27
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	I prefer green __________________________________________________

October 19th, 2011, 07:51 PM	#28
dsims321 ninjette.org member Name: Drew Location: Knoxville, TN Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Red Ninja 250r Posts: 91	You both like the wrong color cause everyone knows the red ones are faster __________________________________________________ '08 Ninja 250r Red (the fastest color) Vortex Clip ons, Ride it levers, MGP Growler, HotBodies Undertail.

October 19th, 2011, 08:06 PM	#29
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	We're going to destroy this thread lol __________________________________________________

October 19th, 2011, 08:22 PM	#31
dsims321 ninjette.org member Name: Drew Location: Knoxville, TN Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Red Ninja 250r Posts: 91	lol I will admit my original plan was to buy the cp blue one though then i found my red one for a steal __________________________________________________ '08 Ninja 250r Red (the fastest color) Vortex Clip ons, Ride it levers, MGP Growler, HotBodies Undertail.

October 20th, 2011, 01:22 AM	#33
hal9089 ninjette.org member Name: Haley Location: Kingsport, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Candy Plasma Blue Posts: 43	@Phil.. I know I know. kicking myself in the ass for that one. but very thankful I came out of it so well. lesson learned! (: Posted via Mobile Device

October 20th, 2011, 09:56 AM	#34
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	Of course, but it doesn't stay at max speed for long, as it has to wait for the white ones to catch up. __________________________________________________ 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)

October 20th, 2011, 01:27 PM	#35
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	Candy Lime Green rules. __________________________________________________

October 27th, 2011, 10:58 PM	#36
hal9089 ninjette.org member Name: Haley Location: Kingsport, TN Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Candy Plasma Blue Posts: 43	got some new/used fairings guys!! and a new clip on for the left side..should be back on my bike in less than two weeks!!! Posted via Mobile Device

October 28th, 2011, 01:26 AM	#38
Trailerboy531 Gear crash test dummy Name: Max Location: South Bay (So. Cal) Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.	It is the handlebar and the mounting.....thing that goes on the triple tree.

October 28th, 2011, 09:05 AM	#39
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	What's a clip-on? __________________________________________________ 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)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[roadracingworld.com] - Malcolm Smith's "On Any Sunday" Husqvarna To Join Permanent C	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	March 5th, 2015 03:30 PM
[roadracingworld.com] - "On Any Sunday, The Next Chapter" To Film During AMA Pro Flat	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	May 20th, 2014 11:00 AM
[RoadRUNNER] - RoadRUNNER’s Bucket List Roads: The Snake (Aka US-421 in Tennessee)	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	December 7th, 2013 07:40 PM
[topix.net] - "The Fonz", "Ralph Malph" & "Potsie" are giving away Fonzie's motorcycl	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	August 16th, 2012 04:30 PM
S. Florida's "one and only" Snake Road	gogoKawi	Ride Reports	13	November 11th, 2009 11:57 AM