June 2nd, 2012, 04:32 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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New Rider and New Owner in Maryland
Hi there, my name is Jo and I got my riding license back in 2009 but just received my bike as an early birthday present late April 2012. I pretty much only ride on the weekends for a couple of hours so I'm still getting used to it. I've put a little over 200 miles on her so far.
I'm 5'1 and had the bike lowered 2" so I can feel comfortable on it. I have a 2012 and she is a pretty emerald green. |
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June 2nd, 2012, 05:01 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Thank you. I'll post pics in a little bit
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June 2nd, 2012, 07:32 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Trying to keep within the rules, I posted a couple pics in the Pictures forum. LOL I also added a few to my profile album. Still new at this forum thing...hope I'm doing it right.
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June 2nd, 2012, 07:41 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Han
Location: Columbia, MD
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 77
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Welcome! Nice to have a fellow ninjette so close. Also a newbie with ~200 miles. Hope to see you on the rode sometimes. I'll keep a lookout. =)
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June 2nd, 2012, 07:45 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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I'll have to keep a lookout for you, too I did see a 250 leaving HCC on Hickory Ridge Rd. Friday between storms...by chance was you?
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June 3rd, 2012, 10:02 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Han
Location: Columbia, MD
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 77
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hmm. I was on hickory ridge on Fri (actually live very close to there so its usually part of my daily commute) but wasn't leaving HCC. I've seen a few 250 nearby though. what color did you see? mine is the 2010 black/red.
Posted via Mobile Device |
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June 3rd, 2012, 12:13 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: KCMetro
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, 87 & 99 Concours, Buell 1125CR Posts: 34
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Hello and welcome to the forum.
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Bumpty,bumpty, bump |
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June 3rd, 2012, 02:55 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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I think it was white with some green and some blue in it...Wow, I had no idea so many other 250 riders around my area. I thought I was the only one. LOL
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June 3rd, 2012, 02:56 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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June 3rd, 2012, 06:50 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jon
Location: Newark, De
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Welcome! And ur doing great on the forum for a first timer!
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http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL |
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June 4th, 2012, 06:57 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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June 4th, 2012, 07:57 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Hey - for those of you subscribed to this thread, I've spent a lot of time digging and reading the threads looking for a topic that I'm interested in, I'm sure it's posted somewhere as I'm sure I'm not the only one but having a hard time finding it (and search results is hard to narrow down - too many topics.)
If anyone can point me in the direction or find a link to a topic discussing taking slow, sharp turns, I would appreciate it! I saw one for u-turns but didn't think my situation fits?? The first 2 pages of what I read was how people have NO problem doing u-turns and what they can and cannot do, not so much info to help. Yes, I took the MSF and passed but the double u-turn was my worst thing and the points I lost was in that part of the test. Plus my bike is different than the one I tested on. I have so much anxiety when I'm in a closed or small environment, like a parking lot, for example. I have good clutch/balance/break control when I'm moving slow, but when it comes to having to pull into a parking spot (involving a sharp left or right turn, or sharp slow turns to go around parking aisles, for example) I get so nervous I practically want to put my bike in neutral and walk it. LOL I want to just be able to zip in, turn and park like anyone else. Is this something that will get better in time? I feel like I want to do the corner very slow, but then I know if I give it more gas I am less likely to fall...should I be sliding my body over to the other side for counter balancing?? Also, what do you do for riding on a slope? For example, was going through a parking lot, at night, and all of a sudden, I felt the bike pulling me hard to the right. I thought for sure I was going to lose it. The pull felt stronger than I was capable of handling (like trying to keep the bike straight) and it totally took me by surprise. Thankfully I instinctively gave it more gas. My husband said I was on a slope, the ground was going down towards my right, and that's what happened. What do you do in this situation? He's great at giving me tips and advice but sometimes for him he's been riding so long he doesn't even think about what he does, he just does it. He said giving it gas was the right idea -- I'm only lucky a car wasn't coming because this was approaching an intersection in the parking lot and I don't think I could have stopped and controlled the bike at the same time. Finally, I have a hard time on steep hills at a stop. Even though I keep my back break on and let the throttle pull me through it takes me several tries (if I don't stall) to get the bike going. It's almost as if the bike just doesn't have enough power to pull itself up! My husband has taken my bike out and even he had the same problem. Well, not nearly as bad as me, but he did see how I was having a hard time with it and understood why I did. |
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June 4th, 2012, 08:50 AM | #15 |
Lays er down
Name: Michael
Location: Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Lime green Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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With the slow turns, use your rear brake. The sharper the turn the more brake you can use, this will help keep you more stable.
For the slope gas is the best idea, you may also want to lean the bike in the other direction of the slope. For steep hills yes use the reasr brake and what I do I start using the throttle before I even begin to let the clutch out. When I do let it out I can still be on the brake and the bike will start moving. I saw in one of your other posts that you said you only ride on the weekends. Well I'm going out of town for 3 weeks starting this Sunday so if you wanna ride let me know. |
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June 4th, 2012, 10:07 AM | #16 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Quote:
If the weather permits I might do some riding around in the evenings this week. I like going around 7pm-ish because the roads are less congested. |
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June 4th, 2012, 10:27 AM | #17 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Han
Location: Columbia, MD
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 77
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dont know if you saw these yet:
slow cornering: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98544 hill start: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=82733 |
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June 4th, 2012, 10:28 AM | #18 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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No I did not, thank you!!
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June 4th, 2012, 10:48 AM | #19 |
Lays er down
Name: Michael
Location: Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Lime green Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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I get the rpms around 5000 and the the clutch out relatively slow.
And if u do go fcor a ride just send me a pm a little in advance |
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June 4th, 2012, 10:56 AM | #20 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Quote:
The hill start was helpful. I guess I'm just not one to really want to yank the throttle and rev really high. LOL |
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June 4th, 2012, 10:56 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Han
Location: Columbia, MD
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 77
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Let me know if/when you guys ride. Would love to ride with some people.
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June 4th, 2012, 10:57 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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June 4th, 2012, 11:26 AM | #23 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Han
Location: Columbia, MD
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 77
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I have trouble with slow turning. I failed the box test during the MSF. Couldn't stay in the box to save my life. Luckily that's the only thing I couldn't do. I just tend to avoid any situations where I need to make tight slow turns. I know I can't do it forever and should practice, but my solution for now is to just plan ahead and avoid situations where I need to turn slowly. If I'm forced in the situation, I can always just put my foot down if needed.
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June 4th, 2012, 12:08 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jon
Location: Newark, De
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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All of these skills are more learned by riding than anyone can really teach you over a forum..... just always remember no matter what you do or try never ride beyond your skill level if you feel nervous or uncomfortable your probably doing something that is beyond your skill level... when i first started riding i finally watched the movie "Torque" and i never thought i'd be able to handle the turons like they do in the beginning of the movie and everytime i tried i got nervous so i stopped.... now by all means i cant whip thru turns at 80 mph but i can shift my body to handle them and its almost 2nd nature and nobody taught me after riding for a while it just came naturally.... and it will to you too you just have to give it time.... now i know this isnt the same situation as what ur talking about. Just giving an example is all.... you said you got your lic back in 09... ever thought a out taking an msf refresher course?
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http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL |
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June 4th, 2012, 12:09 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Mark
Location: Portland
Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Cheap Italian Suit. Otherwise known as Dew Kitty Posts: A lot.
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Welcome, my friend.
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June 4th, 2012, 12:20 PM | #26 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Shar
Location: Atlanta
Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Black 250r (SOLD) Now - 2006 GSXR 750 Posts: 79
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Quote:
Ditto here and those were my exact same words too lol. "I can't do this box u-turn to save my life". What the instructor said to me was, out of the 4 tests, which one is least likely to save your life? That put it all into perspective for me. |
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June 4th, 2012, 12:35 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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The u-turn box thing was the only thing that I knew I couldn't handle too great during my test and I that was the only part I lost any points in (oh, wait, i did lose 1 point for the big curve part of the test...I was .11 seconds too slow!)
I also have videos of my testing. While I was practicing the u-turn over and over again before the test, you can hear my son in the video say: "I can hear mommy cussing through her helmet!!!" LMAO!!! I guess I basically just have to keep at it and keep riding until it all becomes second nature, like you said. As for the refresher course, yes, I have thought about taking it and I can, since I work at HCC I have that benefit, but I just haven't done it yet. |
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June 4th, 2012, 01:48 PM | #28 |
ninjette.org member
Name: JaHReaL
Location: Richmond, VA
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R BLuE Posts: 17
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Welcome and practice you'll do well.
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STAY UP |
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June 4th, 2012, 04:40 PM | #29 |
ninjette.org member
Name: drac
Location: VA
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '88 Hurricane 600, '09 Ninja 250 Posts: 237
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She lost me when she said "Husband"..................
Welcome... Some really good roads out that way. Used to go bow fishing for carp out at Tridelphia(sp?) lake when I was a kid. Take it slow and you'll be fine. Enjoy your new ride...
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While no trees were harmed in making this post, a large number of electrons were severely inconvenienced. |
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June 4th, 2012, 09:54 PM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ken
Location: Indio, CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 3
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< ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name? |
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June 4th, 2012, 10:43 PM | #31 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jon
Location: Newark, De
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
__________________________________________________
http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL |
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June 5th, 2012, 11:46 AM | #32 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Woops, I just noticed your post -- I'll def let you local guys know in advance...though I can't promise how much time in advance during the week. Sometimes in the evenings I like to ride at the last minute for a little while. LOL
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June 10th, 2012, 11:03 AM | #33 |
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
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Hello and welcome.
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June 10th, 2012, 12:33 PM | #34 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Thank you!
Jumping back to the slow turns topic, I went to the community college yesterday to join the extra practice class. I was the only one on my own bike, everyone else rode the school's bikes. I'll post pics later. But anyhow I could not, for the life of me, do the figure 8 on my bike! I've never even turned my handle bars all the way to the left or right before and doing it slowly in first gear was not easy. It was good practice though. I'll keep at it. |
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June 20th, 2012, 01:37 PM | #35 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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Soooo....we got a GoPro Hero2 and have played around with it just a little. Been a little too busy the past few weeks to do any riding...but I did create a youtube channel... xxJunebugJo is my name...
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I'm not short, I'm concentrated AWESOME! |
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June 20th, 2012, 02:31 PM | #36 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jon
Location: Newark, De
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Subed Junebug :P
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http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL |
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July 17th, 2012, 06:07 AM | #37 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jo
Location: Howard County, MD
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 528
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I cannot find it - or maybe I'm too angry that I'm not focusing and am overlooking it, but where in the HELL do I go to deactivate and delete my ninjette.org account???
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I'm not short, I'm concentrated AWESOME! |
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July 17th, 2012, 09:18 AM | #38 |
Lays er down
Name: Michael
Location: Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Lime green Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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Why would you want to do that?
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July 17th, 2012, 10:11 AM | #39 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Jon
Location: Newark, De
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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What's wrong???
__________________________________________________
http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL |
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