May 20th, 2012, 03:16 PM | #1 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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I Couldn't Pick a Direction
So I was on a semi-aggressive ride with the local sportbike group and we are moving along pretty quick on the Cherohala Skyway. We were about 2 hours into our 6 hour ride. I was very much in my comfort zone so I wasn't "trying to keep up" but at one point half the group went around a couple Hardleys and I didn't want to cross that particular double yellow. Once I get around them the rest of the group follows as we try to *catch up* still within my comfort zone.
As we come out of a corner I see there are two ways to go and I had no idea which direction to take and I froze up. I go straight, hard on the brakes, locking front and rear on separate instances through pavement/grass/pavement/grass and had it almost completely stopped before yanking a hard left and sliding right into the guard rail sideways (about 45 degrees). The next moment the bike is on it's left side and I'm lying in front of it. I immediately slap the kill switch and begin trying to upright the bike as I can already smell gas. The rest of the group is almost shitting themselves and I'm laughing my ass off at how *STUPID* I was to not just *PICK A DAMN DIRECTION.* Meh, could have been worse... Lessons learned: Sidestand picks up dandelions Fairings are allergic to guard rails JUST PICK A DIRECTION Pics: |
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May 20th, 2012, 03:33 PM | #2 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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Well upon further review it seems I wasn't coming out of a corner, more like I was still in a very slight left curve.
Red = Direction of travel Blue= Path of travel off of road Green = Where I tried to turn left and slid into the rail |
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May 20th, 2012, 03:35 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J.G.
Location: Austin
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959
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Glad your okay - the bike can be fixed. I have made a mental note to "pick a direction".
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Anyone can go fast in a straight line.... Once you go track, you never go back.... |
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May 20th, 2012, 03:56 PM | #4 |
Ms. Personality
Name: CB
Location: Murvill, TN
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.
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You know it is illegal to pick up flowers on the side of a state highway. Maybe go to the florist next time instead of crashing your bike to pick the little lady up some flowers.
Glad you and the bike are ok. Blame it on the tires so you can get the Pirellis. |
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May 20th, 2012, 03:57 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
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I've had a brainfart or two like that over the years. Looking it the layout in hindsight, either turn wouldn't be challenging at any speed the ninjette can go. But when it comes up right in front of you and you hesitate about which way to go without dropping any speed, I can certainly picture how it turned out this way.
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May 20th, 2012, 04:01 PM | #6 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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Heh, felt like a squirrel in the highway, the others behind me said they couldn't figure out which way I was going until I just went straight.
Another lesson I learned: Don't be in front of a group on a road you don't know... |
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May 20th, 2012, 07:40 PM | #7 |
never enough
Name: josh
Location: michigan
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 ninja 250R Posts: 277
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Good to hear you are ok!!
How fast were you going? it looks like you should have kept turning left?
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custom graphics, zero gravity DB |
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May 20th, 2012, 08:05 PM | #8 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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I should have, but the way the road appeared from my view was that it pulled back to the right, then I saw the yellow running left and froze. Funny thing was I continued to be lead after the wreck, I think the rest were just afraid I would dump it again. Was running almost 70, dropped to 50 or so, then couldnt decide where to go and scrubbed off to about 10 before the guard rail.
Wife took it well imo... now that I have a busted upper/nose fairing so I may be able to convince her to try my 'jette in the cul-de-sac, cuz F it, who cares if she drops it now. Honestly though, in the curves that were marked 25 we were pulling over 50 and mostly we ran 70+, I could have *EASILY* handled either corner, but just locked up. I feel like such a dope, but I learned 2 lessons, so money well spent. |
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May 20th, 2012, 08:28 PM | #9 |
Super Noob
Name: Alex
Location: Mobile, AL
Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.
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Glad to read you're OK man, our ninjettes are incredibly forgiving and I'm sure yours has already forgiven you for your lapse in judgement Fix her up and get back on, bud.
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May 20th, 2012, 08:34 PM | #10 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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Yeah, she was amazing for the remaining 4 hours of the ride. I really want to teach my wife to ride and this is the perfect opportunity. I am hoping something good will come of my "doh" moment.
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May 21st, 2012, 01:54 AM | #11 |
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
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It's not that you couldn't pick a direction, you just averaged your two options like they taught you in school. Unfortunately math ****ed you over
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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 |
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May 21st, 2012, 11:17 AM | #12 | ||
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
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Quote:
Quote:
Remember:
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"I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer |
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May 21st, 2012, 01:30 PM | #13 | |
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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Quote:
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May 21st, 2012, 02:18 PM | #14 | |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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Quote:
I was within my comfort zone I assure you, we had just come through the Dragon where I rode MUCH slower and knew I could have gone faster, I chose not to. The Skyway is all wide sweeping turns and I was very relaxed for the entire run, even after the wreck. This is a very "ride your own ride" oriented group so I would have no qualms slowing down to run with the sweeper. I actually had a couple seconds of engine braking thinking I was going right that I could have *actually* braked and avoided all of it. Still, no excuses, I should have reacted (brake sooner or turn) rather than lock up. Either way the obituary would read "failure to navigate a turn resulting in a loss of control." With regard to too much speed, in the given situation, yes. I thought I had seen enough of the Skyway at that point to not get caught off guard in the middle, there was never more than one way to go. No excuses, I was wrong and I learned from it the hard way. Will watch the vid when I get home, phone isn't too great w/ youtube. P.S. I blame the IRCs so I'm getting Rosso IIs, I wouldn't have crashed on pirellis amirite? |
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May 22nd, 2012, 05:52 AM | #15 |
Ms. Personality
Name: CB
Location: Murvill, TN
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.
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RITE!!!
Thanks for manning up and admitting you crashed your bike. I know the exact location you wrecked. It's not a particularly tricky spot unless you aren't paying attention or don't have Pirelli Rosso II's. So either way it is your fault.... Seriously though, riding through the Gap and the Skyway is relatively safe at exceeding speeds. The trick is to not hit anything. Remember speed doesn't kill, it's impact that kills. Devin, you have a positive outlook on the situation. No harm, no foul, right? Plus you can teach your wife to learn to ride and be more relaxed about the situation. Win-Win. The bike can be fixed. I'm sure your pride will heal with time. PIRELLI ROSSO II's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehe PS: gremlin bell..... |
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May 22nd, 2012, 10:49 AM | #16 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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Rosso IIs are ordered, W.C.W. charges $40/wheel if I just bring the bike in so I am trying to decdecide if I should pull them off myself and save $20/wheel. Oh and hes is going to do right angle stems for $30 installed.
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May 22nd, 2012, 11:26 AM | #17 |
Ms. Personality
Name: CB
Location: Murvill, TN
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.
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Do you have stands? You can borrow some of mine if you need.
Posted via Mobile Device |
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May 22nd, 2012, 11:29 AM | #18 |
CVMA #74 WSMC #750
Name: Nemesis
Location: On the track
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.
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Slow reaction and target fixation = crash
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May 22nd, 2012, 11:41 AM | #19 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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I do. I have a head lift for front and spool lift for the back, so I should have plenty of room to work on it with those. I am just not sure it will be worth the effort to save $40. Then again, if I save $40 I could spend that on some new cheapy adjustable levers....
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May 22nd, 2012, 11:58 AM | #20 |
Which pedal is the gas?
Name: Devin
Location: Knoxville, TN
Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R SE Posts: 192
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I honestly don't think I fixated as I didn't just look at any one thing. Replaying the incident in my head I recall looking down at the ground/grass by the front tire to see when I was back on pavement. I believe I only looked at the guard rail as I came across the second section of pavement and even then I still tried to turn after slowing as much as I could.
My video was already dead 2 hours in so I have no way to be sure. |
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May 22nd, 2012, 12:01 PM | #21 |
CVMA #74 WSMC #750
Name: Nemesis
Location: On the track
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.
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Trust me...you fixated.
Not to start an argument or anything but most crashes happen due to target fixation. And given your circumstances/environment and description, it was mostly due to target fixation as a result of indecisiveness. Although, even if I couldn't decide which direction to go my natural reaction would be to make a turn whether I was looking at one path or the other. Just speaking from experience.
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