1st bike in Sierra Nevada

Pigeonherd · January 11th, 2016, 06:22 PM

Hey guys,
I'm a first-time rider (27, F) living up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (search for 95971 on the member map). I took the MSF course in August 2015 (for my wife's birthday), and purchased a black 2006 Ninja250 in October (for my birthday). My co-worker trailered it up the mountain for me, as the canyon ride is a little beyond my skill level, and I've ridden it a couple times. Now the weather is scary, and it's covered up for the winter. It has about 8500mi on it, and all the original plastics (some of which I intend to remove before I end up destroying them). My friend's dad who owns the motorcycle shop up here has looked it over a few times, and helped straighten out my bars and forks after I spilled it on a curving dirt incline (>.<), and it doesn't really "need" anything. My plan is to slowly turn it into a scrambler-type machine (or at least unfaired and soft-road worthy), but I have limited mechanical skills, so it might take me a while.

I've got a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" perennially bookmarked (the only chapter I failed to read before the aforementioned spill was ironically "traction"), and all the protective gear I can afford (boots, kneepads, armored jacket, gloves, helmet), and now all I need is for spring to hurry up and get here so I can do some practicing!

Pigeonherd's 06 Ninja250
(these pics are from the weekend it was brought home)

allanoue · January 11th, 2016, 06:29 PM

Pige

Pigeonherd · January 11th, 2016, 06:35 PM

Thanks Allanoue.

SLOWn60 · January 11th, 2016, 06:39 PM

Looks like you'll have some great riding ahead of you on #70!
Welcome!

Pigeonherd · January 11th, 2016, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

Looks like you'll have some great riding ahead of you on #70!
Welcome!

Thx. I dunno I'll work up the nerve immediately, but yeah, pretty much... There was one story in the book that I remember particularly well about blind corners and canyon roads...... Let's just say I don't trust the world yet. XD

SLOWn60 · January 11th, 2016, 07:46 PM

The

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigeonherd

Thx. I dunno I'll work up the nerve immediately, but yeah, pretty much... There was one story in the book that I remember particularly well about blind corners and canyon roads...... Let's just say I don't trust the world yet. XD

Well you are approaching your riding the best way possible: cautiously!
There is TONS to learn just doing laps in an empty parking lot! Even racers practice figure 8's in an empty parking lot!
I sound like a broken record to other riders but I can't repeat enough: study all you can find about riding, practice what you've studied and whenever you can: take advanced riding courses. They teach you bike skills and survival skills!
If you haven't come across the "Twist of the Wrist II" by Keith Code; make sure you get a copy of the book & DVD. That's a great place to start and you will still find nuggets for many years ahead!
Good luck! Now jump over to the "Riding Skills" section of this forum!

greenaero · January 12th, 2016, 10:03 AM

Welcome !

csmith12 · January 12th, 2016, 10:20 AM

Welcome!

Pigeonherd · January 12th, 2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

The
Now jump over to the "Riding Skills" section of this forum!

I have been lurking the riding skills section of this forum for MONTHS.

@csmith12 thanks!

@greenaero thank you! Are you by any chance a Mustachian??

greenaero · January 12th, 2016, 12:26 PM

Hi, I'd never heard of a mustachian before so I googled it. I'm not one but I do share their interest in saving money and efficiency. I try to be an advocate for motorcycling not only being fun but also an efficient mode of transportation that saves money, natural resources and time.
Where are you at in Nor Cal? Hopefully you can join us for a group ride sometime when the weather gets better.
all the best, GA

Pigeonherd · January 12th, 2016, 12:33 PM

I'm in Quincy.
It's nestled up in the mountains halfway between Reno and Chico, about 1.5hrs north of Lake Tahoe.
(approx 4.5hrs from Livermore)
.
.
.
about 1.5hrs from ANYTHING.

SLOWn60 · January 12th, 2016, 12:35 PM

Which means you're about 20 minutes from that tasty bit of hwy 70! At least from the Google View!

That's SOMETHING!

Pigeonherd · January 12th, 2016, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLOWn60

Which means you're about 20 minutes from that tasty bit of hwy 70! At least from the Google View!

That's SOMETHING!

hahahahaha, yes it is.

Also ~20m from Neighbor's BBQ which is also tasty.

NevadaWolf · January 12th, 2016, 09:21 PM

You've got neighbors, @chrly is just over a bit in Chico (Oroville?) eh somewhere over there. Plus a fair number of Ninjetters calling Sacramento to Reno home. During the spring-fall months you'll probably see me and my friends riding around up 89, 49, 70, and all the little roads in between.

So, hello neighbor!

chrly · January 13th, 2016, 04:47 PM

Pigeonhead.. You have one of the best training roads in the country between your home and mine....We usually stop across from the courthouse for coffee/lunch when we are in your area.. I will be back on the road as soon as I get over this flu/cold/bug..

Pigeonherd · January 14th, 2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrly

Pigeonhead.. You have one of the best training roads in the country between your home and mine....We usually stop across from the courthouse for coffee/lunch when we are in your area.. I will be back on the road as soon as I get over this flu/cold/bug..

Hey Charley! I've definitely seen some bikes while breakfasting at the Courthouse Cafe. Also at Morning Thunder (Patti's Thunder now, as the guy's wife runs it since they split up). Late into Fall and early Spring we see a LOT of riders come through town. Days like today, however, when it is rainy and gross, my friend Natalie and her dad Andy who run Sierra Cycle spend their work hours snowmobiling a little further up the mountain.

When you say "training road" are you talking ab 70?? Because at the rider level I am currently, I think of maybe 89 as a good road to train on, and 70 as a death trap. :/

edit: oh, I get it, you meant racer training :P

snot · January 14th, 2016, 04:04 PM

welcome

chrly · January 14th, 2016, 04:44 PM

pm AT YA...

CarbonElite · January 14th, 2016, 07:01 PM

Welcome!

NevadaWolf · January 14th, 2016, 09:28 PM

Hey now, if you two are sharing routes, I want in.

Snake · January 16th, 2016, 03:36 AM

Hello and welcome!

cbinker · January 24th, 2016, 07:02 AM

Hello.

crazymadbastard · February 11th, 2016, 06:07 PM

Welcome!

January 11th, 2016, 06:22 PM	#1
Pigeonherd ninjette.org member Name: pigeonherd Location: Quincy, California Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja250, 2014 Honda CB500X, '15CB300F Posts: 65	1st bike in Sierra Nevada Hey guys, I'm a first-time rider (27, F) living up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (search for 95971 on the member map). I took the MSF course in August 2015 (for my wife's birthday), and purchased a black 2006 Ninja250 in October (for my birthday). My co-worker trailered it up the mountain for me, as the canyon ride is a little beyond my skill level, and I've ridden it a couple times. Now the weather is scary, and it's covered up for the winter. It has about 8500mi on it, and all the original plastics (some of which I intend to remove before I end up destroying them). My friend's dad who owns the motorcycle shop up here has looked it over a few times, and helped straighten out my bars and forks after I spilled it on a curving dirt incline (>.<), and it doesn't really "need" anything. My plan is to slowly turn it into a scrambler-type machine (or at least unfaired and soft-road worthy), but I have limited mechanical skills, so it might take me a while. I've got a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" perennially bookmarked (the only chapter I failed to read before the aforementioned spill was ironically "traction"), and all the protective gear I can afford (boots, kneepads, armored jacket, gloves, helmet), and now all I need is for spring to hurry up and get here so I can do some practicing! Pigeonherd's 06 Ninja250 (these pics are from the weekend it was brought home) Last futzed with by Pigeonherd; January 11th, 2016 at 06:31 PM. Reason: add link to pics
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

January 11th, 2016, 06:29 PM	#2
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	Pige __________________________________________________ Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99

January 11th, 2016, 06:39 PM	#4
SLOWn60 n00bie to wannabie Name: Bill Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake) Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '15	Looks like you'll have some great riding ahead of you on #70! Welcome! __________________________________________________ The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over

January 12th, 2016, 10:20 AM	#8
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	Welcome! __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 12th, 2016, 12:26 PM	#10
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Hi, I'd never heard of a mustachian before so I googled it. I'm not one but I do share their interest in saving money and efficiency. I try to be an advocate for motorcycling not only being fun but also an efficient mode of transportation that saves money, natural resources and time. Where are you at in Nor Cal? Hopefully you can join us for a group ride sometime when the weather gets better. all the best, GA __________________________________________________ 235 MPG Hypermotorcycling to a better tomorrow

January 11th, 2016, 06:35 PM	#3
Pigeonherd ninjette.org member Name: pigeonherd Location: Quincy, California Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja250, 2014 Honda CB500X, '15CB300F Posts: 65	Thanks Allanoue.

January 12th, 2016, 10:03 AM	#7
greenaero Motorcycle Hypermiler Name: Vic Location: Livermore CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.	Welcome ! __________________________________________________ 235 MPG Hypermotorcycling to a better tomorrow

January 12th, 2016, 12:33 PM	#11
Pigeonherd ninjette.org member Name: pigeonherd Location: Quincy, California Join Date: Jan 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja250, 2014 Honda CB500X, '15CB300F Posts: 65	I'm in Quincy. It's nestled up in the mountains halfway between Reno and Chico, about 1.5hrs north of Lake Tahoe. (approx 4.5hrs from Livermore) . . . about 1.5hrs from ANYTHING.

January 12th, 2016, 12:35 PM	#12
SLOWn60 n00bie to wannabie Name: Bill Location: St Ives, BC (Shuswap Lake) Join Date: Sep 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2012 250R (Red), 2005 VFR800A (Red), CRF450X (Red), 2012 F800GS (Wants to be Red!) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '15	Which means you're about 20 minutes from that tasty bit of hwy 70! At least from the Google View! That's SOMETHING! __________________________________________________ The Smart Money: #1 - ATGATT, #2 - Training (machine skills and survival skills), #3 - The bike; whatever floats yer boat with the money you have left over

January 12th, 2016, 09:21 PM	#14
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	You've got neighbors, @chrly is just over a bit in Chico (Oroville?) eh somewhere over there. Plus a fair number of Ninjetters calling Sacramento to Reno home. During the spring-fall months you'll probably see me and my friends riding around up 89, 49, 70, and all the little roads in between. So, hello neighbor! __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

January 13th, 2016, 04:47 PM	#15
chrly ninjette.org member Name: Charley Location: Northern California Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Kawasaki EX300 , 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Posts: 164	Pigeonhead.. You have one of the best training roads in the country between your home and mine....We usually stop across from the courthouse for coffee/lunch when we are in your area.. I will be back on the road as soon as I get over this flu/cold/bug.. __________________________________________________ IBA # 59523

January 14th, 2016, 04:04 PM	#17
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	welcome __________________________________________________ https://www.brocksperformance.com/VZ...0035+C450.aspx

January 14th, 2016, 04:44 PM	#18
chrly ninjette.org member Name: Charley Location: Northern California Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Kawasaki EX300 , 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Posts: 164	pm AT YA... __________________________________________________ IBA # 59523

January 14th, 2016, 07:01 PM	#19
CarbonElite ninjette.org member Name: Ken Location: Bel Air, MD Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): '00 Two Fiddy Posts: 41	Welcome!

January 14th, 2016, 09:28 PM	#20
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Hey now, if you two are sharing routes, I want in. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

January 16th, 2016, 03:36 AM	#21
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	Hello and welcome!

January 24th, 2016, 07:02 AM	#22
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	Hello. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

February 11th, 2016, 06:07 PM	#23
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	Welcome! __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

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