March 8th, 2009, 12:06 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jeff
Location: Tempe/Chicago
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 Posts: 43
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Worst Bday Weekend
So today is my birthday, and I've had a pretty horrible bday weekend. Everything at first was going great. Last year for my bday I put a down payment down on my Ninja, and decided that for my bday this year I would do my first track day at the local track in Arizona. So I ended up buying a bunch of parts for the bike. There are a lot of nice canyon rides around me, and I am constantly scrapping my pegs so I figured it was about time to get some rear sets! So I bought the regular woodcraft ones and got them installed on monday. I also ended up getting some shogun sliders just in case, and figured I would try out some of the woodcraft clipons as well.
I ended up getting the clipons installed friday morning and took the bike to a local park that is basically 5 miles of twisty roads up a mountain. Around one of the turns my bike randomly died on me! I had no idea what happened, and looked down to see that my kickstand was down! The springs on the kickstand ended up coming loose! I had installed my rear sets that monday, and drove it every day that week and had never had a problem with my shoe coming in contact with the kickstand spring or anything down there, but for whatever reason I kept hitting the spring every time I upshifted on friday. The only thing I can think of was the shoes. I have a different pair of shoes that go over my ankles that I wear when I go on rides. So I spent a while trying to find the springs but couldnt. Luckily I was able to use a nylon cord from my backpack to tie the kickstand up and ride it back home, so I wasn't even able to finish the ride. So I got a new spring and I decided to go back yesterday (saturday). I wanted to be able to get some riding in with the new clipons before my track day today(sunday). Unfortunately, I didn't get much further that I did the day before. I was going around one of the left hand turns and the bike just slid out right from underneath me. It slid right out and slid around 180 degrees facing the other way while I slid after it and rolled a couple times. Luckily I was wearing all my gear. I ended up tearing a hole in my riding pants and getting a tiny bit of road rash the size of a quarter on my left knee, a tiny bit on my right tricep, and my left ankle is starting to feel really sore, but that's it. I looked on the road and didn't see any signs of gravel or sand or anything, so I have no idea what exactly happened. It seems like the tires just lost grip and I slid. I was able to ride the bike home and when I got back a buddy and I tipped the bike over to see if maybe I learned over too far and the peg or something maybe scrapped and got caught in the asphalt which started it, but we had the bike just about fully sideways and nothing was touching. I've attached some pictures of the bike. Needless to say I can't do my trackday anymore because of how bent my clip on is, but the frame sliders did a pretty well job helping protect the bike I think. I've got full coverage on the bike, so I figured I should better use it. I started pricing out all of the main parts that it would need, and it came to almost $1,400. Being my first bike and my first wreck I'm not 100% sure on how it works. I called insurance and they said someone would be coming out to look at the bike in a few days. Do they just initially look at it, and then I have to get it to a dealership and they look it over and give an estimate on how much it will cost to fix. And the insurance company gets that number and determines if they want to pay it, or total the bike? Or what. thanks for the help. Happy birthday to me! |
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March 8th, 2009, 12:15 PM | #2 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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Happy Birthday!
Sucks about the bike, good your OK. There will be more TD's....... Leaning the bike over in the garage is different than when riding. The suspension gets compressed around turns and such. You just never know when out on your bike pushing things, anything can happen. |
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March 8th, 2009, 12:42 PM | #3 |
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.
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sorry your birthday has gone off the deep end, but hey, you've survived with a few bumps and scrapes that'll get really sore in a few days, but you're alive, the bike is covered and it'll be repaired, and i'm sure that by the time you're putting your baby back together you'll find out just what happened. right now, that seems like little consolation, but count your birthday blessings my friend, others have not been as fortunate.
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Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous? |
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March 8th, 2009, 02:53 PM | #4 |
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
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Happy Birthday!
Sorry about the bike! I am glad you got out realitively okay! A few scratches bumps and brusies are better than what could'ves.
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Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn. |
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March 8th, 2009, 02:57 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: zartan
Location: spam la
Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 R Posts: A lot.
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Happy BD! and I think that this was the best BD! since you can walk away from this.
So sad about the damage to your bike. But really happy you are OK!!! " change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change"
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"Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision" Colin Powell |
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March 8th, 2009, 03:08 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jeff
Location: Tempe/Chicago
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 Posts: 43
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Thanks you guys. And don't worry, I know things could have been soo much worse. I am really lucky that I came out with only a few scratches. But it still really sucks.
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March 8th, 2009, 03:18 PM | #7 |
Ramen Rider
Name: Gary
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.
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happy birthday and glad that you are ok. glad the gear worked. is that the cortech pants? and was the knee armor in there? looks kind of like my pants.
also... just curious, do insurance companies care if the bike was crashed while racing on a track? or will they cover the damage regardless? |
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March 8th, 2009, 03:23 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: zartan
Location: spam la
Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 R Posts: A lot.
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I am sure YOU were NOT on the track yet , right?? If you were I don't think you were racing but just trying out some new set up.
keep that knee real clean... and septicized ?? ( is that a word??) I am sure you know what I mean. It is heartbreaking to see a scratched up bike.
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"Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision" Colin Powell |
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March 8th, 2009, 03:59 PM | #9 |
The Sexy Filipino
Name: Jordan
Location: Bakersfield, Ca
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2008 (da black one) Posts: 312
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Happy Birthday!
Sorry to hear about your bike, its a good thing you got insurance so they will take care of it. I can't tell if those are riding pants or your jacket, but I am curious as to what brand they are.
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Area P CF Standard,Airbox Removed,K&N R-0990,Factory Pro Jet Kit 3.0, Zero Gravity DB I'm not riding too fast... I'm flying too low. |
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March 8th, 2009, 04:38 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jeff
Location: Tempe/Chicago
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 Posts: 43
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No I was not at the track yet. I was at a local park that has basically 5 miles of curvy roads up the mountain. Those are Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 pants. They are mesh pants and yes they do have knee padding. They also have hip padding in them.
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March 8th, 2009, 07:20 PM | #11 |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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look at the bottom/side of your kickstand mount. i bet its got rash on it from hitting the ground... thats probably why you crashed.
before you were finding your limit by dragging pegs. once you moved them, your new limit is the kickstand mount... which is way more dangerous since its solid.
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Las Escobas -- Track Bikes Save Lives JonBroom.com |
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March 8th, 2009, 09:29 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Kim
Location: mundo de ensueño
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.
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sorry to hear about the bike.
Happy Birthday! At least you're still with us to celebrate! |
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March 9th, 2009, 07:18 AM | #13 |
Giggity Giggity
Name: Ryam
Location: San Diego
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 ninja 250R aka Hiryu Posts: 481
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Bummer about the low-side. At least you are not hospitalized and the bike wasnt totalled. Happy b-day though, A small bit of road rash and soreness is a gift indeed when you think about the sport and risks and all. Ride on...
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March 9th, 2009, 09:18 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Tim
Location: Maryland
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Yamaha FZ6 Posts: 117
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Maybe it's just me but it looks as if the sliders caused the bike to upend and cause more damage to the tank than would normally occur in a slow speed slide. Normally the fairings take the abuse but having something sticking out can cause the bike to "catch" on pavement cracks rather than just sliding.
Tim |
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March 9th, 2009, 09:37 AM | #16 |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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i was curious about the tank damage too. haven't seen that on the 250s much. i have the same sliders and haven't had the same affect after 2 low sides.
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Las Escobas -- Track Bikes Save Lives JonBroom.com |
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March 9th, 2009, 11:56 AM | #17 |
Some weird Canuck!
Name: Greg
Location: Ontario - Canada
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '92 CBR250RR "Babyblade", 2008 Ninja 250R, 2001 CBR600F4i Posts: 209
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My bet is the the bridgestone BT-45's that caused the crash. They are a commuting tire, not a good track tire. The arrowmaxs from dunlop are the other tire I've seen come stock on the 250r's, they aren't that great in my opinion either. They just don't heat up and give great grip.
I think the Pirelli Sport Demons give a little more performance and are available in proper sizes. I'm sure there is some other tires that would be even better if you are looking to take it to the track. |
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March 9th, 2009, 12:01 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Steve
Location: Providence, RI
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '95 BMW K75 Posts: 188
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That looks pretty similar to the level of damage I had from a simple lowside (though the tank damage is very odd - I didn't have anything at all like that). Mine cost about $1000 to repair (fairings, levers, mirror and turn signal) - just based off the pictures I'd put yours at 1.5-2k... which means they should repair it, not total it.
Having the clipons and rearset may significantly lower the bill, though - that's a good thing. How fast were you moving? |
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March 9th, 2009, 04:02 PM | #19 | ||
ninjette.org member
Name: Jeff
Location: Tempe/Chicago
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 250 Posts: 43
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Quote:
Quote:
The tank damage happened because when the bike slid off of the road, it slid into a big rock formation. I started pricing the pieces damaged and it comes to around $1,400. So that sounds like a fairly good guess. To be honest I am not sure exactly how fast I was going. I would say around 40 mph. |
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March 9th, 2009, 10:26 PM | #20 |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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the kickstand deal is a real bummer. i hope they realize that its a hazard and adjust it i future models.
only way i can think of for you street guys to fix it is to cut it off and get one of those kickstands that attaches to your swingarm.
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Las Escobas -- Track Bikes Save Lives JonBroom.com |
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March 9th, 2009, 10:52 PM | #21 |
I'm lovin' it.
Name: Mike
Location: Melb, Australia
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Black 250R Posts: A lot.
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Tough luck mate, hope everything goes smoothly and that you heal up quick.
Also, Happy birthday!!!
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Son: When I grow up I want to ride a motorbike. Father: You can't do both son. |
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March 10th, 2009, 12:23 AM | #22 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Danny
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 42
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That's sucks man. Looking at the bike pics just makes me cringe since I have pretty much have same color bike. Thank goodness you made it out okay. Hopefully your insurance will be hassle free and your bike will be fixed in no time. BTW, happy belated birthday!
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March 10th, 2009, 10:38 AM | #23 |
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
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I'm one of those people who always look at the bright side of things that happen. Your birthday actually was a blessing in disguise, now you have a track bike.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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March 10th, 2009, 11:15 AM | #24 | |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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Quote:
let insurance total it, then buy it back from them for cheap. hello track bike!
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Las Escobas -- Track Bikes Save Lives JonBroom.com |
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March 10th, 2009, 12:14 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Howard
Location: Cypress, So. Cal.
Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Candy Thunder Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 618
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