Damn uneven lanes...

Sordino · May 3rd, 2012, 10:18 AM

Well, got my 2012 Ninja 250 about a month ago, have put about 560 miles on it. Was going out for a ride today to a road I hadn't been on before.

I turn onto the road, and it's straight with a pretty sharp curve about 1000 feet ahead. About halfway through my corner I realize that my lane is about to drop 4 inches and be new pavement, while the left lane was still raised about 3 inches from the right lane.

The right lane (which I'm in) is now ending in about 1500 feet. All of this with no prior signs about uneven lanes. So now in heavy traffic on all sides and with no turn offs I'm forced to try to merge into the other lane. I slowed down, tried to hit it from as straight on as I could, but the front tire went out when it hit the edge.

The bike didn't lowside really, more so just fell over to the left with me on it. Slid for a couple feet maybe but I don't think so. Left side and left front (headlight casing fairing) are pretty scratched up, but not enough for me to want to replace the fairing (too much money). Will most likely end up removing the decals from both sides of the bike and using some putty/paint to fix the scrapes on the left side.

Any advice on what sort of putty/paint to use to repair fairings if anyone has tried this before?

My left turn signal also turned into plastic shards when it hit the pavement, I think that was actually the contact point for the bike with the asphalt. Just another reason for me to order those flushmounts I suppose.

dfox · May 3rd, 2012, 11:43 AM

Sounds like a really crappy situation. Construction zones are always dangerous for bikers, lots of road inconsistencies aren't properly identified. I've been in a very similar situation, however I continued as far as I could and came to a stop behind the traffic cones. I put on my signal and waited until someone was nice enough to stop and let me hit the 3" ledge completely perpindicular, turned, and continued on. I had to swallow my pride, but I kept my bike upright.

glad to hear you're alright, and it seems your bike will be alright too.

rmorse · May 3rd, 2012, 11:47 AM

Question!

I'm a dirt rider about to do street. Haven't tgaken my MSF course yet, so I don't have my license.

However, from my dirt experience, I know that I don't have to be 100% perpendicular to the bump/log, just close to it, and I can slide my rear wheel a bit when going over it. Will this work on the street? Essentially pivoting the bike around the front wheel a bit....

TnNinjaGirl · May 3rd, 2012, 12:57 PM

No. Its really best to keep both tires in firm contact with the ground at all times. There is a lot less margin for error on street as opposed to off road.
Posted via Mobile Device

etiainen · May 3rd, 2012, 02:23 PM

How fast where you going when you tried to merge?

Jiggles · May 3rd, 2012, 02:43 PM

It sounds like you were going about 5-10mph but even at 20mph you could have stood the bike up quick enough to get through

Sordino · May 3rd, 2012, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfox

Sounds like a really crappy situation. Construction zones are always dangerous for bikers, lots of road inconsistencies aren't properly identified. I've been in a very similar situation, however I continued as far as I could and came to a stop behind the traffic cones. I put on my signal and waited until someone was nice enough to stop and let me hit the 3" ledge completely perpindicular, turned, and continued on. I had to swallow my pride, but I kept my bike upright.

glad to hear you're alright, and it seems your bike will be alright too.

Yeah I probably should have just stopped but I thought I would be able to make it, guess not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by etiainen

How fast where you going when you tried to merge?

I was going about 10-15, I probably could have saved it but it surprised me so much honestly I just didn't react quick enough. Now that I know what it feels like I guess I won't be so surprised in the future and can react more quickly to similiar situations.

CZroe · May 9th, 2012, 02:45 PM

Only days after I bought my bike, I took it to work. During my 12 hour shift, they started road work and began repaving. When I got off at midnight I turned right onto it and began traveling when I noticed that the lane beside me traveling the same direction was 4+ inches higher with new pavement, which created a 4+ inch curb between the lanes. I decided to take the next right hand turn at the first light and take a parallel street, so I continued on until the "curb" suddenly angled and swallowed up my lane at the worst possible angle! I have no idea how the bike stayed upright. Somehow, my tires traveled up and onto a 4+ inch wall that they encountered from the side.

That's not as bad as the 12hr shift I once worked before pulling out on that same road and found myself face-to-face with a flag/pilot car guiding one-lane-road traffic, but at least that was in a car and not my brand-new motorcycle. You'd think that they'd go in any parking lots and make sure people leaving are informed, but NOPE! No fliers, no road entry signs, and no door-knocks. All they cared to inform was the traffic approaching from either direction and not the traffic entering along the one-lane road.

akima · May 11th, 2012, 01:04 PM

These 3 and 4 inch height differences in surface are insane!! That would never happen here. Whenever there are road works here they put down a ton of signs, traffic lights, cones and ramps. They also incrementally improve the road such that you don't have to deal with half-finished surfaces. I'd want to ride a dirt bike if I thought the roads could get that bad.

n4mwd · May 28th, 2012, 06:29 PM

I seriously think you need to contact a lawyer about the uneven lanes. Having that big of a difference is insane and the state is negligent and liable for your accident. Many lawyers will talk to you about it free of charge. If enough people hold the state accountable, they will eventually learn not to have lane differences that are unsafe for bikers.

I've had to deal with lane differences here in FL, but the difference is usually 1"-2" max. The Ninja can easily handle that.

May 3rd, 2012, 10:18 AM	#1
Sordino ninjette.org member Name: David Location: Richmond, VA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 Black SE Posts: 24	Damn uneven lanes... Well, got my 2012 Ninja 250 about a month ago, have put about 560 miles on it. Was going out for a ride today to a road I hadn't been on before. I turn onto the road, and it's straight with a pretty sharp curve about 1000 feet ahead. About halfway through my corner I realize that my lane is about to drop 4 inches and be new pavement, while the left lane was still raised about 3 inches from the right lane. The right lane (which I'm in) is now ending in about 1500 feet. All of this with no prior signs about uneven lanes. So now in heavy traffic on all sides and with no turn offs I'm forced to try to merge into the other lane. I slowed down, tried to hit it from as straight on as I could, but the front tire went out when it hit the edge. The bike didn't lowside really, more so just fell over to the left with me on it. Slid for a couple feet maybe but I don't think so. Left side and left front (headlight casing fairing) are pretty scratched up, but not enough for me to want to replace the fairing (too much money). Will most likely end up removing the decals from both sides of the bike and using some putty/paint to fix the scrapes on the left side. Any advice on what sort of putty/paint to use to repair fairings if anyone has tried this before? My left turn signal also turned into plastic shards when it hit the pavement, I think that was actually the contact point for the bike with the asphalt. Just another reason for me to order those flushmounts I suppose.

May 3rd, 2012, 02:43 PM	#6
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	It sounds like you were going about 5-10mph but even at 20mph you could have stood the bike up quick enough to get through __________________________________________________ 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

May 28th, 2012, 06:29 PM	#10
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	I seriously think you need to contact a lawyer about the uneven lanes. Having that big of a difference is insane and the state is negligent and liable for your accident. Many lawyers will talk to you about it free of charge. If enough people hold the state accountable, they will eventually learn not to have lane differences that are unsafe for bikers. I've had to deal with lane differences here in FL, but the difference is usually 1"-2" max. The Ninja can easily handle that. __________________________________________________ My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED!

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May 3rd, 2012, 11:43 AM	#2
dfox ninjette.org sage Name: Fox Location: Boston Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881	Sounds like a really crappy situation. Construction zones are always dangerous for bikers, lots of road inconsistencies aren't properly identified. I've been in a very similar situation, however I continued as far as I could and came to a stop behind the traffic cones. I put on my signal and waited until someone was nice enough to stop and let me hit the 3" ledge completely perpindicular, turned, and continued on. I had to swallow my pride, but I kept my bike upright. glad to hear you're alright, and it seems your bike will be alright too.

May 3rd, 2012, 11:47 AM	#3
rmorse ninjette.org guru Name: Bobby Location: Silver Spring, MD Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawi Ninja 250R, 2013 Honda CRF450R, 2008 Honda CRF250R, 2001 Honda XR400 Posts: 301	Question! I'm a dirt rider about to do street. Haven't tgaken my MSF course yet, so I don't have my license. However, from my dirt experience, I know that I don't have to be 100% perpendicular to the bump/log, just close to it, and I can slide my rear wheel a bit when going over it. Will this work on the street? Essentially pivoting the bike around the front wheel a bit....

May 3rd, 2012, 12:57 PM	#4
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	No. Its really best to keep both tires in firm contact with the ground at all times. There is a lot less margin for error on street as opposed to off road. Posted via Mobile Device

May 3rd, 2012, 02:23 PM	#5
etiainen CBR250R Traitor Name: Jon Location: Greater Philadelphia Area Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Red CBR250R 2009 Ninja 250r SE(With 2008 Fairings)(sold) Posts: 924	How fast where you going when you tried to merge?

May 9th, 2012, 02:45 PM	#8
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.	Only days after I bought my bike, I took it to work. During my 12 hour shift, they started road work and began repaving. When I got off at midnight I turned right onto it and began traveling when I noticed that the lane beside me traveling the same direction was 4+ inches higher with new pavement, which created a 4+ inch curb between the lanes. I decided to take the next right hand turn at the first light and take a parallel street, so I continued on until the "curb" suddenly angled and swallowed up my lane at the worst possible angle! I have no idea how the bike stayed upright. Somehow, my tires traveled up and onto a 4+ inch wall that they encountered from the side. That's not as bad as the 12hr shift I once worked before pulling out on that same road and found myself face-to-face with a flag/pilot car guiding one-lane-road traffic, but at least that was in a car and not my brand-new motorcycle. You'd think that they'd go in any parking lots and make sure people leaving are informed, but NOPE! No fliers, no road entry signs, and no door-knocks. All they cared to inform was the traffic approaching from either direction and not the traffic entering along the one-lane road.

May 11th, 2012, 01:04 PM	#9
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	These 3 and 4 inch height differences in surface are insane!! That would never happen here. Whenever there are road works here they put down a ton of signs, traffic lights, cones and ramps. They also incrementally improve the road such that you don't have to deal with half-finished surfaces. I'd want to ride a dirt bike if I thought the roads could get that bad.