My 2012 Ninja 250 keeps falling ...

dreezo560 · August 9th, 2012, 03:17 PM

Hey I just recently purchased a 2012 Ninja 250 and currently I am going through the MSF training. However the I've fallen twice and I'm a little concerned about the bike. The last time I was going about 70mph and started to slow down before a curve when the clutch completely pulled in and the rear wheel locked up. Can someone tell me what I did wrong? Right now I'm a little paranoid as this wasn't covered during the course specifically. It doesn't help that I don't remember if I downshifted at the same time I pressed both brakes ... it happened wayyy too fast. As a result my clutch is a lot looser than before even after adjusting it. I haven't adjusted it near the engine yet though. I've ridden it since then but now I'm extremely cautious when changing gears and slowing down. Should I be concerned and how in the world do I get the tension back on my clutch? P.S. My friction zone has really shifted.

xSean13 · August 9th, 2012, 03:21 PM

Having trouble making out what happened, but I think you should get an R6.

scottg · August 9th, 2012, 03:23 PM

It sounds like you downshifted into too low of a gear for the speed that you were traveling. If you were going 70mph and somehow downshifted multiple times while you tried to slow down, I could definitely see this happening. If you went down at 70, I wouldn't mess around and have a shop look at the bike to make sure it's safe to ride.

ninjamunky85 · August 9th, 2012, 03:30 PM

If you "fall down" at 70 mph that's not a fall, it's a crash.

dreezo560 · August 9th, 2012, 03:52 PM

Yeah I'm going to get it looked at just to be safe ... and btw what is a R6? ( I smell an incoming joke) but yeah I may have downshifted too far. The crash basically flipped my gear shift backwards and bent it a little and scratched up the plastics on the left side. Other than that the bike has run fine since as far as just riding around the block. I'm about to take it to a shop but in the meantime are there anytips on how to get more horsepower out of my 250? :-D

xSean13 · August 9th, 2012, 03:56 PM

R6 is a 600cc supersport (Yamaha R6). Yes it's a joke, you can see it's origins here:
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=109499

dreezo560 · August 9th, 2012, 04:02 PM

Yes I'm going to go and fall down on an R6 Supersport lol... that would be almost equilavent to time travel wouldn't it? The two crashes were basically just me dropping the bike the first time trying to move it across some recently wet dirt or what some would call "Mud" while it was on and it just dropped. The second time is the above incident other than that I just wish it would pick up just a tad quicker without me getting an extreme ankle exercise from shifting so much. Still any tips would be greatly appreciated in how do I get the best out of my bike.

kevheads · August 9th, 2012, 04:14 PM

Sounds like you need to slow things down a little bit and learn the basics of riding first before flying around at 70 mph.

dreezo560 · August 9th, 2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevheads

Sounds like you need to slow things down a little bit and learn the basics of riding first before flying around at 70 mph.

Yep I do ... first bike so got a little anxious. BUT I am actually extremely safe on it, the spill was due to a stupid little itch I needed to scratch apparently the pavement of a deserted street did that for me ... as far as top speed I'm good. I just want to be able to get on the highway without cars running up on me in the future. I had gotten a lot better at upshifting which may help with that its just that downshifting seems to be a little different at higher speeds. I also need to find a nearby track to practice on. I dun fell in love with my little 250 ... so like an newborn I'm absorbing as much info as I can and ready to learn... also MSF has given me a lot of helpful info but real-life situations change so rapidly some things seem just a tad different than what the books and the instructors said ... although not that far off.

ninjamunky85 · August 9th, 2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreezo560

but in the meantime are there anytips on how to get more horsepower out of my 250? :-D

Yeah, sell it for a bigger bike.

or you could take kevheads advice and learn how to ride better. The 250 can go as fast as you need to on the street.

dreezo560 · August 9th, 2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

Yeah, sell it for a bigger bike.

or you could take kevheads advice and learn how to ride better. The 250 can go as fast as you need to on the street.

hmm ... not looking for a major upgrade ... just 5-10 more horses will due just fine... I weigh right at 220 and I love my bike so nah no upgrades for me anytime soon... and I KNOW there are tweakers here that can offer some advice. And yep thats what I need some advice on riding better also ... I know 0 bikers thats why I found this forum

ninjamunky85 · August 9th, 2012, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreezo560

hmm ... not looking for a major upgrade ... just 5-10 more horses will due just fine... I weigh right at 220 and I love my bike so nah no upgrades for me anytime soon... and I KNOW there are tweakers here that can offer some advice. And yep thats what I need some advice on riding better also ... I know 0 bikers thats why I found this forum

Getting 5-10 more horses out of this engine isn't as easy as it may seem. The 250 puts less than 30 hp to the ground. With an aftermarket exhaust, pod filters, and re-jetting the carbs you might gain 3 hp.

Anyway, we all got to start somewhere. My advice is to spend your time riding and working on you technique.

EsrTek · August 9th, 2012, 05:10 PM

5-10HP is about what I got w an Area P 12" +dynojet kit 2193R
http://areapnolimits.com/products/Sl...-250R-2008.php

dreezo560 · August 9th, 2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

Getting 5-10 more horses out of this engine isn't as easy as it may seem. The 250 puts less than 30 hp to the ground. With an aftermarket exhaust, pod filters, and re-jetting the carbs you might gain 3 hp.

Anyway, we all got to start somewhere. My advice is to spend your time riding and working on you technique.

Good advice. I guess its time to practice practice and practice more. Besides all that stuff sounds a bit expensive for just 3 horses... lol

lgk · August 9th, 2012, 05:18 PM

you probably double tapped the lever.
try to be more firm with the shifts and move the ball of your foot to the pegs afterwards, so you don't accidentally hit the lever.

alex.s · August 9th, 2012, 05:24 PM

better riding skill will surpass 3hp extra any day.

to the OP, dont use the rear brake and it wont lock up. they actually did cover locking the rear brake in the MSF, but their advice is pretty ******. they say to keep it locked until you come to a stop so you dont highside but if yoou are going 70mph approaching a turn, keeping the rear locked is going to make you crash. straighten the bike up and down and release the back brake. dont release a locked rear wheel if you arent straight up and down or you will highside (go flying off of the bike with the bike tumbling away... or right into you... )

ninjamunky85 · August 9th, 2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsrTek

5-10HP is about what I got w an Area P 12" +dynojet kit 2193R
http://areapnolimits.com/products/Sl...-250R-2008.php

Yeah the improvement on the new gen is better, especially at the top end.

The old gen didn't suffer the same loss of power at the top end.

http://areapnolimits.com/images/prod...yno_88_big.gif

lgk · August 9th, 2012, 05:34 PM

watch twist of the wrist 2 you'll see what we're talking about.

alex.s · August 9th, 2012, 05:35 PM

that website is wrong. they say skittles was the RND bike but i just crashed the RND bike and it wasnt skittles. @Trailerboy531 what the deal is home boy

Trailerboy531 · August 9th, 2012, 05:54 PM

Skittles is a whore. Gotta be more specific bro!

http://areapnolimits.com/products/Sl...-Race-2008.php

PKL · August 9th, 2012, 07:56 PM

Practice practice practice practice......

You clearly downshifted multiple gears, causing the rear tire to "blip" (slide out, lose control) and crash ensues.

Practice. You aren't ready to go 70mph yet

jdv5074 · August 9th, 2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKL

Practice practice practice practice......

Practice. You aren't ready to go 70mph yet

kingkang204 · August 9th, 2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PKL

Practice practice practice practice......

You clearly downshifted multiple gears, causing the rear tire to "blip" (slide out, lose control) and crash ensues.

Practice. You aren't ready to go 70mph yet

You blip the throttle (small rev) to match the engine speed of the next gear down. Generally, you want to match the engine speed, however you don't have to as long as you ease the clutch out. He locked the rear tire, theres a difference.

csmith12 · August 9th, 2012, 09:06 PM

My my.... slow down before you really hurt yourself because you have been lucky.

Complete your MSF, relax and enjoy some road time without the speed. Build your skills and speed at a comfortable pace.

Don't mistake fearlessness for skill and be safe out there!

dreezo560 · August 9th, 2012, 09:46 PM

This whole time I've been waiting for the legendary Jiggles to come in and say something ... crap ... got my hopes up... BTW I'm getting an R1

Jiggles · August 9th, 2012, 10:07 PM

Ask and you shall receive

Trailerboy531 · August 10th, 2012, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreezo560

This whole time I've been waiting for the legendary Jiggles to come in and say something ... crap ... got my hopes up... BTW I'm getting an R1

Make no mistake, Jiggles has nothing to do and will always eventually show up. As evidenced above.

Jiggles · August 10th, 2012, 01:44 AM

Yup, 4 months later and I still can't walk for ****

rojoracing53 · August 10th, 2012, 09:45 AM

I recommend a dirt bike to learn basic bike control where your less likely to kill yourself. Then when you hit the street it's just a matter of learning the rules of the road.

edxmon · August 10th, 2012, 10:48 AM

Do you have your license yet, or is that the reason you are taking the MSF course? Because you where going 70mph either in a residential area or the highway, and you can't ride on the highway without a license.

You really need to slow the F down, for your own good. I rode my bike around my neighborhood just to learn all it's little quirks.

and LOL at "my ninja keeps falling", no, you keep making it fall

GeneJunkie · August 10th, 2012, 11:04 AM

Can I ask the obvious question and why are you downshifting at 70mph for a curve anyways? I'm assuming that you were on a highway (if not why the heck are you going 70mph on surface roads), and the curves there are built for highway speed no need to downshift... at least on a 250.

And why the heck is this in tech talk, this should be under riding skills...

rmorse · August 13th, 2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneJunkie

Can I ask the obvious question and why are you downshifting at 70mph for a curve anyways? I'm assuming that you were on a highway (if not why the heck are you going 70mph on surface roads), and the curves there are built for highway speed no need to downshift... at least on a 250.

And why the heck is this in tech talk, this should be under riding skills...

It's in tech talk because he has an issue with his ninja - it keeps falling over.

OP, you're right. The ninja does have a serious problem with falling over. I would suggest checking out the following bikes, which seem to have corrected this serious undersight:

http://smd.craigslist.org/mcy/3076478200.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/3202206542.html
http://smd.craigslist.org/mcy/3145224864.html
http://smd.craigslist.org/mcd/3152465614.html
http://smd.craigslist.org/mcy/3201984075.html

And to those people talking about the seizing of the rear tire...it's quite simple. The OP either locked up the rear tire or he downshifted too far. Bikes CAN and WILL lock up the rear if you downshift too far (go from 6th gear to 3rd, while doing 70mph).

red5 · August 13th, 2012, 02:04 PM

I hate trikes but this one I would drive. In full leathers of course.

Aggrotech · August 14th, 2012, 05:17 AM

Come on OP, really? I have less than 300miles on my ninja. first 180, in my neighborhood, 180-280 on the road and ive gone 60 just a few times for short periods on perfectly new paved roads in the middle of absolutely nowhere with no traffic in front or behind me.

I'm learning by myself aswell, dont know anyone else who rides in the area. Just chill and enjoy maneuvering around in ur neighborhood/empty parking lots near by! Also hope the MSF course goes well. My experience with the msf course was meh. we ended an hour and 45mins EARLY on both riding days....i could have learned so much more in that 2hours

.

rcouch358 · August 14th, 2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

I recommend a dirt bike to learn basic bike control where your less likely to kill yourself. Then when you hit the street it's just a matter of learning the rules of the road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by edxmon

Do you have your license yet, or is that the reason you are taking the MSF course?
You really need to slow the F down, for your own good. I rode my bike around my neighborhood just to learn all it's little quirks.

Yeah you should NOT be going 70 when you dont know how to shift. Learn in a parking lot where you dont hurt yourself and someone else, then go on 25 roads until youre comfortable. Youre being dumb for even wanting to go that fast when you clearly havent rode any motorized bike in your life.
Dirtbike would be better

August 9th, 2012, 03:17 PM	#1
dreezo560 ninjette.org member Name: Derrick Location: Alpharetta ,GA Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 13	My 2012 Ninja 250 keeps falling ... Hey I just recently purchased a 2012 Ninja 250 and currently I am going through the MSF training. However the I've fallen twice and I'm a little concerned about the bike. The last time I was going about 70mph and started to slow down before a curve when the clutch completely pulled in and the rear wheel locked up. Can someone tell me what I did wrong? Right now I'm a little paranoid as this wasn't covered during the course specifically. It doesn't help that I don't remember if I downshifted at the same time I pressed both brakes ... it happened wayyy too fast. As a result my clutch is a lot looser than before even after adjusting it. I haven't adjusted it near the engine yet though. I've ridden it since then but now I'm extremely cautious when changing gears and slowing down. Should I be concerned and how in the world do I get the tension back on my clutch? P.S. My friction zone has really shifted.

August 9th, 2012, 03:30 PM	#4
ninjamunky85 Que Buenos Son!!! Name: Ryan Location: Grovetucky, OH Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '14	If you "fall down" at 70 mph that's not a fall, it's a crash. __________________________________________________ Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!!

August 9th, 2012, 05:24 PM	#16
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	better riding skill will surpass 3hp extra any day. to the OP, dont use the rear brake and it wont lock up. they actually did cover locking the rear brake in the MSF, but their advice is pretty ******. they say to keep it locked until you come to a stop so you dont highside but if yoou are going 70mph approaching a turn, keeping the rear locked is going to make you crash. straighten the bike up and down and release the back brake. dont release a locked rear wheel if you arent straight up and down or you will highside (go flying off of the bike with the bike tumbling away... or right into you... ) __________________________________________________

August 9th, 2012, 05:35 PM	#19
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	that website is wrong. they say skittles was the RND bike but i just crashed the RND bike and it wasnt skittles. @Trailerboy531 what the deal is home boy __________________________________________________

August 9th, 2012, 07:56 PM	#21
PKL ninjette.org member Name: Phil Location: Santa Monica Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R Posts: 52	Practice practice practice practice...... You clearly downshifted multiple gears, causing the rear tire to "blip" (slide out, lose control) and crash ensues. Practice. You aren't ready to go 70mph yet __________________________________________________

August 9th, 2012, 03:21 PM	#2
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	Having trouble making out what happened, but I think you should get an R6.

August 9th, 2012, 03:23 PM	#3
scottg ninjette.org member Name: Scott Location: Boston, MA Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r Posts: 56	It sounds like you downshifted into too low of a gear for the speed that you were traveling. If you were going 70mph and somehow downshifted multiple times while you tried to slow down, I could definitely see this happening. If you went down at 70, I wouldn't mess around and have a shop look at the bike to make sure it's safe to ride.

August 9th, 2012, 03:52 PM	#5
dreezo560 ninjette.org member Name: Derrick Location: Alpharetta ,GA Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 13	Yeah I'm going to get it looked at just to be safe ... and btw what is a R6? ( I smell an incoming joke) but yeah I may have downshifted too far. The crash basically flipped my gear shift backwards and bent it a little and scratched up the plastics on the left side. Other than that the bike has run fine since as far as just riding around the block. I'm about to take it to a shop but in the meantime are there anytips on how to get more horsepower out of my 250? :-D

August 9th, 2012, 03:56 PM	#6
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	R6 is a 600cc supersport (Yamaha R6). Yes it's a joke, you can see it's origins here: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=109499

August 9th, 2012, 04:02 PM	#7
dreezo560 ninjette.org member Name: Derrick Location: Alpharetta ,GA Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 13	Yes I'm going to go and fall down on an R6 Supersport lol... that would be almost equilavent to time travel wouldn't it? The two crashes were basically just me dropping the bike the first time trying to move it across some recently wet dirt or what some would call "Mud" while it was on and it just dropped. The second time is the above incident other than that I just wish it would pick up just a tad quicker without me getting an extreme ankle exercise from shifting so much. Still any tips would be greatly appreciated in how do I get the best out of my bike.

August 9th, 2012, 04:14 PM	#8
kevheads ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: central Illinois Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Green 250R Posts: 346	Sounds like you need to slow things down a little bit and learn the basics of riding first before flying around at 70 mph.

August 9th, 2012, 05:10 PM	#13
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	5-10HP is about what I got w an Area P 12" +dynojet kit 2193R http://areapnolimits.com/products/Sl...-250R-2008.php

August 9th, 2012, 05:18 PM	#15
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	you probably double tapped the lever. try to be more firm with the shifts and move the ball of your foot to the pegs afterwards, so you don't accidentally hit the lever.

August 9th, 2012, 05:34 PM	#18
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	watch twist of the wrist 2 you'll see what we're talking about.

August 9th, 2012, 05:54 PM	#20
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.	Skittles is a whore. Gotta be more specific bro! http://areapnolimits.com/products/Sl...-Race-2008.php

August 9th, 2012, 09:06 PM	#24
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	My my.... slow down before you really hurt yourself because you have been lucky. Complete your MSF, relax and enjoy some road time without the speed. Build your skills and speed at a comfortable pace. Don't mistake fearlessness for skill and be safe out there! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

August 9th, 2012, 09:46 PM	#25
dreezo560 ninjette.org member Name: Derrick Location: Alpharetta ,GA Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 13	This whole time I've been waiting for the legendary Jiggles to come in and say something ... crap ... got my hopes up... BTW I'm getting an R1

August 9th, 2012, 10:07 PM	#26
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Ask and you shall receive __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

August 10th, 2012, 01:44 AM	#28
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Yup, 4 months later and I still can't walk for **** __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

August 10th, 2012, 09:45 AM	#29
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	I recommend a dirt bike to learn basic bike control where your less likely to kill yourself. Then when you hit the street it's just a matter of learning the rules of the road.

August 10th, 2012, 10:48 AM	#30
edxmon ninjette.org guru Name: Ed Location: San Diego Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R (SOLD - 2/16/2013) Posts: 492	Do you have your license yet, or is that the reason you are taking the MSF course? Because you where going 70mph either in a residential area or the highway, and you can't ride on the highway without a license. You really need to slow the F down, for your own good. I rode my bike around my neighborhood just to learn all it's little quirks. and LOL at "my ninja keeps falling", no, you keep making it fall __________________________________________________ Mods/Add-on list: DanMoto Jisu, Snorkel delete, Shimmed needles, K&N Drop-In filter, T-Rex frame sliders, Shogun swing-arm spools, CBR250 Rear Hugger, Buell XB Pegs. DIY polished rim lips

August 10th, 2012, 11:04 AM	#31
GeneJunkie ninjette.org sage Name: Cindy Location: Wethersfield, CT Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: 691	Can I ask the obvious question and why are you downshifting at 70mph for a curve anyways? I'm assuming that you were on a highway (if not why the heck are you going 70mph on surface roads), and the curves there are built for highway speed no need to downshift... at least on a 250. And why the heck is this in tech talk, this should be under riding skills...

August 13th, 2012, 02:04 PM	#33
red5 ninjette.org guru Name: Chris Location: Chattanooga Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 15.256 Posts: 263	I hate trikes but this one I would drive. In full leathers of course. __________________________________________________ "We're not always doing business, but we're always open." "For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." Carl Sagan

August 14th, 2012, 05:17 AM	#34
Aggrotech ninjette.org sage Name: Justin Location: Fresno CA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 12' Ninja 250 Posts: 831	Come on OP, really? I have less than 300miles on my ninja. first 180, in my neighborhood, 180-280 on the road and ive gone 60 just a few times for short periods on perfectly new paved roads in the middle of absolutely nowhere with no traffic in front or behind me. I'm learning by myself aswell, dont know anyone else who rides in the area. Just chill and enjoy maneuvering around in ur neighborhood/empty parking lots near by! Also hope the MSF course goes well. My experience with the msf course was meh. we ended an hour and 45mins EARLY on both riding days....i could have learned so much more in that 2hours .