Dropped my bike, advice please

**EnzoYug** · 10th February 2008, 22:27

Every bike I've owned I've dropped within 7 days of owning it. My last 2 I literally threw myself underneath them to avoid damage. Busted a rib having a bar end nail me.

But im a light guy (low sixteys) and it takes awhile to get used to new shapes / new heights.

But enough about me - HTFU! Bikes that have been dropped look sexier - remember, no one else knows how good it looked "before" and therefore they don't care. In a few weeks you'll no longer wince when you look at it and you'll be glad you didn't fork out shitloads for work that is only cosmetic.

Ride it, tell people about that time you had to 'lay her down' on a nasty corner and everyone will think you're a hero. An irresponsible, law break motoriding hero.

(except other bikers o'course. they'll just nod sagely - after all, you're in the 2fiddy club!)

**tone_crafter** · 11th February 2008, 08:12

Thanks EnzoYug that makes me feel a bit better. So being another light rider can u make a sugggestion as to what would be good tyre pressures for me to run on this bike? Tried 22psi in both thismorning and they felt a bit soft but it's hard to know.

**ipod1098** · 11th February 2008, 08:23

pilot powers are good tyres, i run fr @34 ,rear@36psi.Don,t fix it apart from indicators (for warrant) you are sure to have future incidents.. it,s all part of learn,n. Best of luck.

**NOMIS** · 11th February 2008, 08:23

Lol u put tyre shie on a bike???? wellll yeh reflections good and they do a awsum job for a good price, ring them on 09 4448433 there on the shore or email reflections@woosh.co.nz .
Why man tyre shine on a bike?????
I thought about it before but not worth it lol.
If you got the money try dunlop stradas, or just talk to the guys at cycle treads they will give u the ryte advice on tyres.

**NOMIS** · 11th February 2008, 08:30

Originally Posted by tone_crafter

Thanks EnzoYug that makes me feel a bit better. So being another light rider can u make a sugggestion as to what would be good tyre pressures for me to run on this bike? Tried 22psi in both thismorning and they felt a bit soft but it's hard to know.

Hey man i got a hornet 250 i run 32psi in both tyres the rear 180/50 r17 cant remember ther front but im 63kg and there fine i hit the pefs thru corners alot sometimes not even at a very fast speed they have lots of crip and are fine in the wet even tho a bit low on tread, Dunlop stradas dont no if they come in your size tho, and yeh i droped my bike in the first week kicked it into gear by accident with stand up half siitting on it idling with the choke on brand spanking new paint job with a dent in the tank and a crack in the rear seat. :-( waaaaaaahhhhh

**jrandom** · 11th February 2008, 08:33

I dropped Betty the GSX1400 in the driveway 48 hours after I picked her up brand new.

Just ride the ZXR scratched. You'll probably drop it again anyway.

**Kinje** · 11th February 2008, 09:49

Originally Posted by tone_crafter

Thanks EnzoYug that makes me feel a bit better. So being another light rider can u make a sugggestion as to what would be good tyre pressures for me to run on this bike? Tried 22psi in both thismorning and they felt a bit soft but it's hard to know.

I wouldn't want to have my tyre pressures that low, would feel very sluggish response. I run 32 front 36 rear in my CBR250RR.

**tone_crafter** · 11th February 2008, 12:28

Yea it does feel awfully low! I'll give a higher pressure a try. Turns out we have a plastic welder at work so I may try and repair the crack myself.

**Jimmy B** · 11th February 2008, 13:08

Hey TC

Andy from next door here,

32 psi front and 36 psi rear sounds right.

Avon site recomends 33 psi front and 36 psi rear for the ZXR400.

Glad that you found a plastic welder.

As an idea, nothing wrong with repairing the damage and taking the side fairings off for a bit if you think that you may drop it again. Mind you, the reason for this wee off is well understood and would've happended to anyone. You probably won't drop it again

**tone_crafter** · 11th February 2008, 14:17

Yeah I don't think I'll be dropping it again any time soon (touch wood). I'll try 32 front, 36psi rear tonight and see how it feels.

**EnzoYug** · 11th February 2008, 17:09

dont ever run it tooo low. as the walls of the tyre will take damage from bending. the lowest it should be run is 3/4 of the recommended range.
the recommended average for a bike like yours (dependant on tyre design/brand) is 30 front 32 back. for your weigh i'd be running it at 29 - 32 (one up) or 30 - 36 (two up).

The experts can disagree with me, but at the end of the day it's all about how safe you feel. however I wouldn't go lower than 26 - 30

I run my GT at 31/36 but she's a fat beast and I often take pillions.

**tone_crafter** · 11th February 2008, 20:42

One positive outcome from all of this, check out these shiny tyres. Well worth it for these lovely pictures hahaha

**surfchick** · 12th February 2008, 13:06

Originally Posted by jrandom

I dropped Betty the GSX1400 in the driveway 48 hours after I picked her up brand new.

Just ride the ZXR scratched. You'll probably drop it again anyway.

oh no... bad driverway...
I's so small I can't really push big bikes around so i straddle it like all good things to keep her steady

I dropped my learners bike on one of those grass bits between concrete strips on a corner when the rear tire took a different line from the front...in poring rain... already late for work... luckily for me the crank casing and clutch/bar ends fell into the grass bit and missed any concrete...

concrete is the mana-stealer of a bikes shine