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I got my ninja 250 about a month ago. I got really comfortable with it, it handles sooo smooth. Ever since I got it I have been practicing all my safety maneuvers at a huge university parking lot by my house. I’ve been practicing sharp right/left turns, figure 8s, narrow u-turns, the works. This parking lot has these concrete blocks about 4 feet wide for every so many parking spaces. I usually take my u-turns there. I got so comfortable with the bike that I would lean it to the point that my feet touch the ground. This past weekend I was practicing like usual. As soon as I started to lean into a sharp u-turn around these concrete, next thing I know I’m on the ground. Good thing I was wearing my gloves, the only thing that got hurt where my knees. As soon as I got up I noticed nothing but lose gravel on the ground. The only thing that broke on my bike was the turn signal and the windscreen. I’m glad I learn my lesson about lose gravel in an empty parking lot and not on a busy street!

Wear your safety gear!

dtrujillo63 wrote: I’m glad I learn my lesson about lose gravel in an empty parking lot and not on a busy street!

Don't knock it 'til you try it. I learned about loose gravel on my old Ninja 250 doing a 40MPH highside. Weeeeeee!

The flight was FUN! That whole landing and unconsciouness thing I could have done without though.

Yep, you are another great example of why we need to practice practice practice. It was a hard, but valuable lesson. Like you said, better to have it happen in a safe area. I hope others can read your words and take heed. Glad the damage to your and your bike was minimal. Thanks for sharing too.

Sorry to hear about the fall. Hope your ok.

So what is the lesson to be learned from this?

avoid loose gravel?

but what if you have no choice?

Motofiend wrote:Sorry to hear about the fall. Hope your ok.

So what is the lesson to be learned from this?

avoid loose gravel?

but what if you have no choice?

Run in circles, scream and shout?

or.....dont try to make sharp U-turns in loose gravel.

Slow down, if you can, before the gravel. Also, try to keep the bike as upright as possible, and be smooth with the throttle. Like riding in snow. Slow, smooth, nothing too sharp.

hahaha my dad made me learn to drive my bike on gravel... whenever I complained that I wanted to learn on pavement first he'd grumble, "if you can drive on gravel you'll have no problem on pavement!" ... lol fun memories

but on the bright side it worked and I learned some fast to keep my hand off the darn front brake when on loose surface (hard to overcome those moped hand brake habits.. hahaha)