NakedGS: If you can spare another $15: (oops, more like $23 at 110 links)

http://www.moto-chains.com/site/898528/product/ek520srx (about half-again the wear life)

Ver4, I'm not trying to harsh on you, and I only put in sightlines for completeness (driving faster than you can see is a bad idea anywhere there are no cornerworkers to flag you down), not knowing what the specifics were there. But if you did not have time to react &/or stop, that (by my criteria) does indicate that space was not really adequate. I'm happy to see "or so I thought" tacked on the end there. That makes me think you might at least be considering the possibility that I'm not talking out my hind end here.

Space gives you time, which gives you options.

Don't you hate when you click "post" and you find that there have been 3 more posts in the time it took to write your post...

I think DoD is just trying to be helpful with his analysis, not criticize anyone.  I wasn't there to see what kind of following distance they had but I don't think speed was really a factor.  With my 250lb frame leading on that little Nighthawk there isn't much speed to speak of.  Kevin was probably hating life following me on that ZX-10   

I know when I first got on a street bike I was intimidated the most by downhill left hand turns.  I think it was just an unfortunate mistake by a rookie rider that led to Meri's wipeout.  And I could be talking out my ass here but I know there have been moments when my reaction time is not what it should have been because I was in awe of the situation.  I don't know how good my reaction time would be in a situation where there is a bridge with no shoulder on a curve and there are to riders down and oncoming traffic to deal with.  I'm just glad everyone walked away from this one!

-Jessie

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 08, 2010, 01:27:09 PM
nakedGS:  On a side note, here's the horsepower rating I found online for my Nighthawk:  14.4 ft.lb.@ 6500rpm

ft.lb. is torque, not horsepower....?

NightHawk 250, perchance? Looks like it might break 15Hp a few hundred rpm higher. The all-but-invisible yellow line. Sure shows what the insane bees on a treadmill do for the Ninjette.

For the record, I agree with DoD - if you were at a SAFE following distance, by definition you would've had enough time to swerve/brake and avoid any contact.  I'm not judging, just observing.  Hell, I'm guilty of following too close a lot and going too fast with a limited sight distance, too...who am I to judge    Still, it's a learning experience.  I'm glad everyone came out ok. 

Quote from: nakedGS on March 08, 2010, 04:42:08 PM
I was also going to grab the "OEM" chain and handle bar from bikebandit, but I'm afraid the chain won't come with a clip masterlink. I don't have a motorcycle chain tool. Anyone buy this chain before and have suggestions? Better deal elsewhere? It didn't look like chaparral had the right chain for less when I checked out their site.

If you end up still needing a chain tool, I'm only about five miles south of the beltway in MD.  I have one you can either borrow or just swap your chain at my place. 

My first bike was a 1987 Ninja 250, it was pretty cool and alot of fun, not unlike the GS. I didn't realized how much more power & rev range it had than other 250's.


Badguy: thanks a ton for the offer man, I just ordered the x-ring chain DOD suggested, so I shouldn't have too much trouble swapping it out. It sounds like we might be neighbors, I'm right inside the beltway too, right near E-W Hwy, between Conn Ave and 16th.

I hope you ordered enough links - I hadn't actually noticed that the default link/price was 84 links, and 110 links was a bit more of a price differential. I spent a few months (quite a few years back) living in Greenbelt Beltsville, hard in the corner of I-95 north and the outer beltway.

Oh, yea don't worry, I bought the 110 link chain. 

Quote from: ver4 on March 08, 2010, 05:47:07 PM

I don't know if I agree with your statement.  Yes, we should have been able to react more quickly, but I know in my case it's kind of hard to avoid four obstacles in the road at once (two bikes and two people).  Sight lines were not restricted at all.  If you look at the picture I posted, you can see the turn in which Meri's wobble began.  It's not a tight curve at all.  I guess you had to be there to find out for yourself, but like I said, I know I had a fairly safe following distance (or so I thought).

Maybe there was enough space but the 'what the heck...?' thought before the reaction was just long enough to negate that space cushion.  Riding into a curve with bodies and bikes bouncing around in different directions is scientifically proven to make you brain-fart.  I remember in the basic rider course it was no sweat practicing swerving or stopping at a painted line, even in a curve.  Nothing else was moving around except me- there just wasn't a lot to process.  Of course, it would have been very different if they ran me through a gauntlet while throwing leathered-men and their machines in my path.  Hmm...sounds like an interesting course.  Any other ladies want to sign up with me?! 

I would have been staring in awe if I saw my dumb ass fly into a bridge!

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 08, 2010, 06:32:57 PM
Don't you hate when you click "post" and you find that there have been 3 more posts in the time it took to write your post...

I think DoD is just trying to be helpful with his analysis, not criticize anyone.  I wasn't there to see what kind of following distance they had but I don't think speed was really a factor.  With my 250lb frame leading on that little Nighthawk there isn't much speed to speak of.  Kevin was probably hating life following me on that ZX-10   

I know when I first got on a street bike I was intimidated the most by downhill left hand turns.  I think it was just an unfortunate mistake by a rookie rider that led to Meri's wipeout.  And I could be talking out my ass here but I know there have been moments when my reaction time is not what it should have been because I was in awe of the situation.  I don't know how good my reaction time would be in a situation where there is a bridge with no shoulder on a curve and there are to riders down and oncoming traffic to deal with.  I'm just glad everyone walked away from this one!

-Jessie

Quote from: Adfalchius on March 08, 2010, 10:48:56 PM
Maybe there was enough space but the 'what the heck...?' thought before the reaction was just long enough to negate that space cushion.  Riding into a curve with bodies and bikes bouncing around in different directions is scientifically proven to make you brain-fart.  I remember in the basic rider course it was no sweat practicing swerving or stopping at a painted line, even in a curve.  Nothing else was moving around except me- there just wasn't a lot to process.  Of course, it would have been very different if they ran me through a gauntlet while throwing leathered-men and their machines in my path.  Hmm...sounds like an interesting course.  Any other ladies want to sign up with me?! 

+1.  It was ridiculous.  I didn't even realize (as Kay put it a "brain fart") it at first and then I see objects on the ground.  By that time it's a little hard to react.

Meri, too bad we don't have video.  It would have been pretty sweet on Youtube. 

warning, the ambulances in the pictures, you have to hunt them all down and settle with them, or they will file against you.

Anyway, alls well that ends well.

I did an almost high side on a Seca turbo a shile back, doing about 90 in a 30 on noyack road in the hamptons, braked in an up and down left curve and the bike just stood up on me and went straight. I rode off road sliding both tires into the dirt, let go brakesand motod back somewhow onto pavement. Sold it after that for a bike that had decent handling, Triumph 500, but thats another story.

Double lines = Yellow death, In cali after a brisk rain you can lose it real fast, also in my hometown we have crosswalks with large painted areas, freshly painted pure evil! 

Quotewarning, the ambulances in the pictures, you have to hunt them all down and settle with them, or they will file against you.

Really? they can't just mail me a bill? They have all my information, I don't even know what ambulance service they were.

Quote from: DoD#i on March 08, 2010, 06:43:34 PM

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 08, 2010, 01:27:09 PM
nakedGS:  On a side note, here's the horsepower rating I found online for my Nighthawk:  14.4 ft.lb.@ 6500rpm

ft.lb. is torque, not horsepower....?

NightHawk 250, perchance? Looks like it might break 15Hp a few hundred rpm higher. The all-but-invisible yellow line. Sure shows what the insane bees on a treadmill do for the Ninjette.

It's all just math. If it can make 14.5ft.lb at 6500 rpm then it's putting out 17.82 hp

I think my lawnmower has a better power to weight ratio   

-Jessie

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 10, 2010, 06:56:05 AM
I think my lawnmower has a better power to weight ratio   

-Jessie

Bring it along on the next ride.

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 10, 2010, 06:56:05 AM
I think my lawnmower has a better power to weight ratio   

-Jessie

Dibs!

noooooooooooooooooo!!!  my bike!!!!  err.... ex bike.

glad everyone is okay.

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on March 08, 2010, 06:17:13 PM

Quote from: nakedGS on March 08, 2010, 04:42:08 PM
It has definitely caused me to go shopping for a new handlebar, chain and helmet. I was thinking of this one from bikebandit:
Helmet:
http://www.bikebandit.com/hjc-is-16-solid-full-face-helmet
Jessie, do you like the sun visor on your helmet? I usually just jam sunglasses onto my face once my helmet is on, but thats kind of annoying, and they can get crooked on my face and that sucks too.

That was the first ride I've done with the IS-16 Helmet.  I have worn HJC helmets since my motocross days and have had good luck with them.  I like that built in visor because it works over my prescription glasses.  There is about a quarter inch gap at the bottom of the retractable visor where you can still see unfiltered light.  So far I like the helmet but I'd have to ride in it without a windshield to check for wind noise before I would recommend it to someone.

I've never tried one but Sport Rider magazine gave the Sparx S-07 helmet a positive review and compared it to an Arai in weight and features.  Remember when you are shopping there is a big difference between the Snell 2005 and 2010 standards.

-Jessie

Well, I have an HJC Symax 2, which is pretty much the same helmet but has the modular function.  Since my bike is naked, the wind hits it pretty well, and most of the wind noise comes from your chin area, which is just empty space.  Um..the cushion in the ears part doesnt help much in protecting the noise volume when you're riding, but I if I go for a ride longer than 5 minutes, I just use some ear plugs and it solves everything.  Hope this helps

Has anyone seen Meri?