Riding the Ninja in India

sachinzeus · September 12th, 2011, 07:47 AM

So, i thought i'd share some of my experiences of riding the Ninjette in India.

Here are a couple of them:

1. Perils of riding on sandy surfaces:

At, about 8:30am I was heading to work (just another usual day) and approached a traffic signal. The lights were still green so I decided to speed up a bit to make it through. Sadly the scooter rider in front of me was not as optimistic

and decided to brake. I brake hard, and the bike seems to slow down. Alas, bloody sand on the road!!! Tires loose traction and my front wheel slam into the rear of the scooter. Suddenly ever light and nimble ninja feels way too heavy and tilts over and falls.

At this point im nearly crapping my pants.....what damage am I looking at? lift up the bike and to my surprise, I only see a displaced turn signal housing!!

Not a scratch on the fairing!! Thankfully the handlebars took most of the impact.

2. Riding in India:

Us indians are not aware of day running lights and their use. While riding in town, every now and then, I have people pointing out that my lights are on! The first few times are ok.....but after months together of the same.......can get irritating.

3. Cost of owning a ninja in India:

So i paid around $7000 for my ninjette in India (due to customs etc.). Every now and then people stop by and ask for how much I paid for it. They either refuse to believe the number or look very shocked!

I even had one guy say " you could buy a small car for that price, get better mileage and take your family in it!".

Alex · September 15th, 2011, 12:33 AM

So what happened to the scooter guy?

azimmer11 · September 15th, 2011, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

So what happened to the scooter guy?

+1

ninja250 · September 15th, 2011, 04:49 AM

Quote:

I even had one guy say " you could buy a small car for that price, get better mileage and take your family in it!".

Some people will never understand!
Can't force them. They're missing out.

Stay safe =)

ride2rideagain · September 15th, 2011, 05:08 AM

I've been to India, the city I was in had terrible drivers...there were these open three wheel taxis that used to drive like maniacs. I was on a Kawasaki Bajaj Pulsar there and was nudged like 5 times within a month by people who refused to apologize and were saying its my fault for stopping. The traffic cop stopped everyone at the intersection. Having a ninjette in those conditions, along with bad roads and stray dogs, cats, cows, goats etc. would be dangerous. If it costs so much for the ninjette, then I'd just stick to the local brands, they were cheap and easy to control in crazy situations. I also rode a Yamaha Fazer and a scooter, Honda Activa....all fun. I hope to come back soon, it was a great trip.

LoneRonin · September 15th, 2011, 07:12 AM

I didn't do MSF or any other courses when I got my bike. BUT I learned to ride in India, at the age of 12...no license, no gear, nothing. So happy I never legitimately went down because its a huge cluster**** there with a free for all attitude...

I find the Ninja to be impractical there, simply because of the plastics. Its just far too likely to have someone run into you, scrape up your bike and then run off. In regards to the lights, here you'll have people constantly telling you one bulb is out.

ninja250 · September 15th, 2011, 07:24 AM

You guys can probably wire both bulbs to the high or low beam to get what you need done.
I think it's like it is in the states by law.

Mocha Man · September 15th, 2011, 07:34 AM

Pfft! Who needs a car in India?

sachinzeus · September 15th, 2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

So what happened to the scooter guy?

Surprisingly nothing happened to him! i guess indian scooters are built like trucks! The scooter just tilted a bit and he probably had a laugh at me..for dropping a bike costing 10 times the price of his scooter!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ride2rideagain

I've been to India, the city I was in had terrible drivers...there were these open three wheel taxis that used to drive like maniacs. I was on a Kawasaki Bajaj Pulsar there and was nudged like 5 times within a month by people who refused to apologize and were saying its my fault for stopping. The traffic cop stopped everyone at the intersection. Having a ninjette in those conditions, along with bad roads and stray dogs, cats, cows, goats etc. would be dangerous. If it costs so much for the ninjette, then I'd just stick to the local brands, they were cheap and easy to control in crazy situations. I also rode a Yamaha Fazer and a scooter, Honda Activa....all fun. I hope to come back soon, it was a great trip.

The three wheel taxi's are called "Auto Rickshaws" and they drive like maniacs. I dont know why they are allowed onto the highways! Ive had some narrow escapes with these guys on Indian highways.

Some trivia - Bajaj Pulsar is an indigenous Bajaj brand. No kawi collaboration there. However, Bajaj brought in the Ninja (250R and now 650R) under the brand Kawasaki. The ninja's are being assembled locally from CKD units.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

I didn't do MSF or any other courses when I got my bike. BUT I learned to ride in India, at the age of 12...no license, no gear, nothing. So happy I never legitimately went down because its a huge cluster**** there with a free for all attitude...

I find the Ninja to be impractical there, simply because of the plastics. Its just far too likely to have someone run into you, scrape up your bike and then run off. In regards to the lights, here you'll have people constantly telling you one bulb is out.

You are right about the impracticality of the Ninja in India due to the probability of damaging the fairings (many accidents involving ninjettes). However, I believe that most owners of sports bikes there, tend to ride way beyond their limits (not the bike's). A course like MSF would help greatly!

But also, most of us sport bike owners tour rather than use the bike for commuter purposes and the concept of ATGATT is slowly picking up (you will still find some idiot on a Hayabusa wearing only t-shirt and jeans, riding crazy through heavy traffic)

sachinzeus · September 15th, 2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja250

You guys can probably wire both bulbs to the high or low beam to get what you need done.
I think it's like it is in the states by law.

If you mean day running lights, there is no law in India requiring that.

ninja250 · September 15th, 2011, 07:43 AM

So wire both bulbs to the highbeam so they are only on while you need them.

Elongate your bulb life maybe.

Safer to just ride with it on during daytime.

sachinzeus · September 15th, 2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja250

Safer to just ride with it on during daytime.

You bet!

September 12th, 2011, 07:47 AM	#1
sachinzeus ninjette.org member Name: sachin Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 19	Riding the Ninja in India So, i thought i'd share some of my experiences of riding the Ninjette in India. Here are a couple of them: 1. Perils of riding on sandy surfaces: At, about 8:30am I was heading to work (just another usual day) and approached a traffic signal. The lights were still green so I decided to speed up a bit to make it through. Sadly the scooter rider in front of me was not as optimistic and decided to brake. I brake hard, and the bike seems to slow down. Alas, bloody sand on the road!!! Tires loose traction and my front wheel slam into the rear of the scooter. Suddenly ever light and nimble ninja feels way too heavy and tilts over and falls. At this point im nearly crapping my pants.....what damage am I looking at? lift up the bike and to my surprise, I only see a displaced turn signal housing!! Not a scratch on the fairing!! Thankfully the handlebars took most of the impact. 2. Riding in India: Us indians are not aware of day running lights and their use. While riding in town, every now and then, I have people pointing out that my lights are on! The first few times are ok.....but after months together of the same.......can get irritating. 3. Cost of owning a ninja in India: So i paid around $7000 for my ninjette in India (due to customs etc.). Every now and then people stop by and ask for how much I paid for it. They either refuse to believe the number or look very shocked! I even had one guy say " you could buy a small car for that price, get better mileage and take your family in it!".

September 15th, 2011, 12:33 AM	#2
Alex 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	So what happened to the scooter guy? __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 15th, 2011, 07:24 AM	#7
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	You guys can probably wire both bulbs to the high or low beam to get what you need done. I think it's like it is in the states by law. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

September 15th, 2011, 07:43 AM	#11
ninja250 You are sleeping Name: Casey Location: LMFAO!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.	So wire both bulbs to the highbeam so they are only on while you need them. Elongate your bulb life maybe. Safer to just ride with it on during daytime. __________________________________________________ <Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
'11 Ninja from Pune/India	Sorcerer	New Members	15	January 5th, 2015 11:38 AM
[topix.net] - India: Now Victory Motorcycles To Enter India	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	February 20th, 2013 12:30 PM
[topix.net] - India: KTM 390 To Launch? Biggest Displacement Made In India	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	February 19th, 2013 06:00 AM
ninja lover from india	harsha645	New Members	14	March 24th, 2011 03:08 AM
My Ninja in India	Disturbed	Pictures	11	January 11th, 2011 01:37 AM

September 15th, 2011, 05:08 AM	#5
ride2rideagain total N00B Name: Rob Location: Toronto Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 117	I've been to India, the city I was in had terrible drivers...there were these open three wheel taxis that used to drive like maniacs. I was on a Kawasaki Bajaj Pulsar there and was nudged like 5 times within a month by people who refused to apologize and were saying its my fault for stopping. The traffic cop stopped everyone at the intersection. Having a ninjette in those conditions, along with bad roads and stray dogs, cats, cows, goats etc. would be dangerous. If it costs so much for the ninjette, then I'd just stick to the local brands, they were cheap and easy to control in crazy situations. I also rode a Yamaha Fazer and a scooter, Honda Activa....all fun. I hope to come back soon, it was a great trip.

September 15th, 2011, 07:12 AM	#6
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	I didn't do MSF or any other courses when I got my bike. BUT I learned to ride in India, at the age of 12...no license, no gear, nothing. So happy I never legitimately went down because its a huge cluster**** there with a free for all attitude... I find the Ninja to be impractical there, simply because of the plastics. Its just far too likely to have someone run into you, scrape up your bike and then run off. In regards to the lights, here you'll have people constantly telling you one bulb is out.

September 15th, 2011, 07:34 AM	#8
Mocha Man Blue Shell magnet Name: Nolan Location: Northwest Washington Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1997 Ninja 250 Posts: 816	Pfft! Who needs a car in India?