[WishIHadANinja]

I was wondering if you guys ever experience dangerous situations while riding? I'm still trying to talk my dad(i'm 15) into letting me buy one. He rode street bikes in the '70s and '80s and quit after a close call. Now, I want one to save tons of money over a truck and can't get him past the safety aspect. Do you guys have any persuasive ideas? Is the Ninja easy to see coming down the road? Have you guys had people pull out in front of you and how did you handle it? I need to assure him that I can handle riding one to school and work. And Oklahoma doesn't have as much traffic as some of the places some of you guys probably live. Any info will help.

 

[crushedcamber]

Yes I had a very close call today, i was driving along and there was a pickup on my right that was stopped and as soon as i got about 500 feet from him he started to come out and when he finally looked in my direction and realized i was there he stopped and gave me a "OH CRAP IM SORRY" wave, and meanwhile i saw him coming out and applied my rear brake a little too hard and the back end slid out about 15 degrees and thats when i got scared and released the rear brake which then the nimble ninja snapped back into place on the road and i took 1000 deep breaths and continued on my trip...

Bottom line is you have to watch everybody, Stay alert, I have over 2500 miles on my ninja and that was my first close call yet.

I recommend you buy gear and wear it all the time. no matter how short your trip.

As far as convincing your dad, the 250 weighing in at around 333lbs, it is very nimble and easy to control, the tires have alot of grip to them and its easy to manuver slow as well. It is and will continue to be the best beginner as well as the best seasoned rider bike of all time. Kawasaki sells more 250's than zx6,9,and 10's! and it gets remarkable MPG. (more if you stay outta the trottle)

Hope you convince him soon so we can see you post some pics of your new ninja! ;D Good Luck

 

[Delta107]

Glad your o.k. crushedcamber.

Take a MSF course and Buy gear BEFORE you buy the bike.

Unlike someone I know around here. *heheh lol inside joke*

 

[CSBrad]

If you can't convince them jsut do what I did and save up enough to buy a used 600! sike, don't do that. Just get the course outta the way and gear up, and just show them that you're really serious about being safe. Makes them feel better and worry less when you go out on it.

 

[StockWall]

Ive had lots of close calls. People just dont see us. I would say riding in less traffic is crazier than lots of traffic. When there is lots of traffic, I notice people are looking around more than when there is no traffic. Just me though. I would rather ride with 200 cars alert and in traffic than 4 cars not alert and drifting off in lala land. haha. But, yeah, just be aware at all times......ALL times. And dont freak out and make a bad newbie mistake, youll regret it.

 

[zartan]

I hate close calls. Glad you corrected ok Crush.

 

[Ark]

Look at it this way:

There are some people out there who don't even see cars or trucks coming, let alone a motorcycle. Anybody with a lot of experience just driving a car knows all about the idiot factor on the road.

If I had a dollar for every time some teenage girl in an SUV almost ran into me while i was in my car, I would own Kawasaki.

 

[ccy]

any parents from anywhere around the globe will always have a hard time accepting the facts that their kid got a motorcycle license! i'm 25, and my parents still hate it whenever i get on my bike. I think there isn't really a sentence that can persuade your dad to allow you getting a bike. But i think safety depends so much on the type of rider/person you are (aggressive/calm/speeder...etc). i think your best shot is to show him how safe of a rider (or driver) you can be. and be patient...don't push it too hard

 

[l39_pilot]

A safe rider is one that stays out of traffic, assumes your invisible and that those who can see you are trying to kill you. Nowadays you have to assume that at any moment someone will cut you off or plow into the side off you. Dont let cars get near you or put themselves in a position to cut you off.

 

[Guest]

Is the Ninja easy to see coming down the road?

Don't ever rely on being seen to be safe!

 

[ccy]

i have so much trouble letting the drivers know my existence. first, they just don't look...second, even if they are looking at my direction, they somehow don't see me...
maybe getting a driver's license in here is just way too easy, a 10-year-old kid would easily get licensed if it's not the age matter.

 

[Guest]

true that man kids that are 16 are driving...thats scarry i waited till i was 18 to get mine, also because everyone had a car so i didnt need one hahaha! yeah i think the best way to get notices is what you wear color wise your bike color, and make sure that bike makes some noise, i dont know about you guys but when i hear something i always tend to look and see what it is, then they know oh its a bike gotta watch out! but yeah like everyone said up on here keep your eye out its a death trap being by cars!

 

[ccy]

start putting on some reflective vest at night...?
especially riders with dark gears and bikes...hahahaaa

 

[Ratty]

If your motorcycling to save money, A ninja isn't the bike for you. Especially not a new one.
Also, close calls are going to happen weather your in a car or bike, It's the false sense of security that's different, nothing else.

Enjoy your ride.

 

[crushedcamber]

If your motorcycling to save money, A ninja isn't the bike for you. Especially not a new one.
Also, close calls are going to happen weather your in a car or bike, It's the false sense of security that's different, nothing else.

Enjoy your ride.

Im gonna halfway disagree with you, I bought a ninja and im saving a buttload of money on gas compared to my 13mpg dodge ram.

On the other hand i do agree that if thats your only reason then dont bother, go buy a prius, but if your doing it cuz you love to ride and its in your blood. then by all means go now and get one.

 

[Ratty]

Depends man, you can be on the road and driving pretty cheaply, But with motorcycles it's all pretty expensive. Especially repairs and maintenance.
Insurance and gear as well.

In the long run motorcycling will save you money on fuel and such, But as far as getting started.. Your really not going to save anything compared to jumping in a car, which is why you've got to WANT to ride a bike as well.

 

[nrhampton]

I agree with earlier posts...There's nothing you can do to convince your parents that you will be safe. You just have to start out by earning their trust and proving that you can handle the responsibility.
Also, I've found that as teenagers we tend to take advantage of the support of our parents too much. You can prepare yourself by initiating all the steps toward getting your own bike: Work and save up the money, pay for all your gear, MSF course, insurance, registration fees, whatever...
I'm 18 and I decided to do it all on my own. I have found that I now appreciate my bike, respect it's capabilities, and value safety much much more because I have so much time, effort, and hard-earned cash invested in it.
At least that's what worked for me, and helps to keep me focused.