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**tibby** · 01-12-2011, 01:10 AM

Originally posted by whizzkid_ram View Post

Nikhil, Watch it carefully. There is a pilot lamp between the two HLs that also glows along while the HL is switched on. I've noted it long back when I went to PBK showroom.

Originally posted by Nio View Post

yeah like many ninja owners, you got fooled by the hidden pilot lamp bro

There is a pilot lamp hidden above the HL. The pic posted above reveals it very well..
Even my friend Jay who owns a ninja250 spotted that lamp recently only, after months of owning the bike

Originally posted by Hyperion View Post

The Ninja does have a "pilot" lamp.

Thanks guys! I stand corrected, & am more informed now.

Never noted that tiny thing. Infact never thought there could be a pilot lamp in there. I'm still wondering about the use/necessity of it (with the HL always on)! Anyone?

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

my initial thought was that it was a branch which I could pass over. When I went nearer, it appeared to be a thick rope of some kind. And when I was around 3-4 meters away, I realized it was a dead Python.

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

before I knew it, my bike was on the road and I fell off the bike. Of course, not even a scratch since I was in full leathers, and the bike miraculously had only one broken indicator and a few scratches on the chrome exhaust cover.

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

The best part of it was that I had my GoPro taking automatic pictures set at a 10 second interval, so I got a picture of the fall. Enjoy!

Glad to know you are fine, & the bike is undamaged (significantly).
The investment in the gear, paint protection film & GoPro turns out to be well worth it. All in one fall.

Awaiting the triplog.

**whizzkid_ram** · 01-12-2011, 01:32 AM

Rahul, glad that you & ur Ninja are hale & healthy

. Need to know more pointers on the paint protection.

**desertfox** · 01-12-2011, 02:49 AM

@BV .. A year back I had taken this route from Honavar > Kumta > Karwar > Sadashivgarh > Dandeli Forest > Ulavi .. this is Anshi Ghat well know for its wildlife .. I could hardly see any vehicles / people around, even at 1 pm .. however, the drive was lonely, scary and scenic ... at the back of your mind you know that this is a Tiger / Panther territory and no civilization near by.

Further down the Ulavi Forest there are very good tracks for off roading & Caves. Offcourse, not on your Ninja though

It was amazing to view your pics .. Glad to know that you are doing fine.

**bluevolt** · 01-12-2011, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by hifisharu View Post

Oh man!!! Not you Rahul.... Never thought such a tragedy would hit you

Anyway, ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) has definitely helped you

Hope the rest of the trip was less eventful

Thanks Sharath - the reason I put this up is I wanted to let everyone know that anyone can fall. It is nothing to be ashamed about, so I flaunt my battle scars in public! And as you put it well - riding gears save you!

Originally posted by killer_instinct View Post

@Bluevolt

Nice to know that both you and the Ninja are fine.
But I did enjoy the blow by blow pics.... but where is the Python??

I badly wanted to go back and see the Python which made me slip, and besides, I had never seen a Python roadkill before. But the turn of events prevented me from doing that.

1) My first priority was to see if the bike was ok - I fell, but I did not even feel it since I was decked up from head to toe in the finest riding gear money can buy. So the first few minutes were spent lifting the bike and making sure everything is ok. Otherwise I was stuck in middle of nowhere -literally.

2) After sometime, a local guy walked towards me (see pictures below) to see what had happened and a couple of motorcycle borne locals also stopped. I thought going back to see the snake might make them think I killed it, and you never know with these guys living in the forest though most of them are incredibly nice - they might say I ran over their Nag god or something like that; or one of them might be working with the forest department and ask me for money for killing wildlife. You know, things like that. So I decided it was not worth going back even though the risk was small - I started my bike and quickly zoomed out of their sight.

Originally posted by psr View Post

Bluevolt..thank GOD you are ok..and so is the bike..You are the only guy I know of who had recorded your own fall from the bike.....Your presence of mind and the Riding Gear had certainly saved you from injuries...
Wish you Good Luck and happy riding.

Take care.

Thanks buddy - yes, I am one of those few guys who have their own crash on camera while riding solo. I had a GoPro helmet cam which was automatically taking pictures at a 10 second interval. Yes, the riding gear helped!

Originally posted by rennycornelius View Post

@bluevolt:

Good to know nothing major happened to you and to the bike

Your bike picking technique was good, i came across it for the first time.

Thanks for sharing the "live" pics..

Thank you! I came across this technique on youtube and then Sunny also posted a video of him lifting a bike like this! I think I will put it in the DIY section!

Originally posted by n_aditya View Post

Can't see the pics right now since the external link is blocked. But great to read that you are fine and not much damage to the bike too.

Please let me know which paint protection film it is that you are using. I'm keen on ordering one for myself at the earliest.

P.S. Looks like wildlife and you have great affinity for each other.

First the elephant at Bandipur and now a dead python. Hope its the last encounter. :P

This was the Oxford Paintguard which is much thicker. I had some remaining so I put it on a day before our Ooty trip. My sixth sense was telling me to put those for a long time...serious

Wild animals like me - I hope my next encounter is with the elusive fanged panther or an Indian Lion. At least my video will be a youtube sensation!

Originally posted by The Celebrity View Post

Woah! That is an amazing post you got there.. Like somebody posted, you could be the 1st biker to have recorded his own fall from the bike..

Good to hear that both you and the bike are safe and injury-free...

The thick paint protection film you mentioned, could you please tell me where you got it from and how much it cost you?

I am pretty much the 1st biker in India to do that, at least!

This was the Oxford Paintguard which is much thicker than the one I normally use. I had bought it from Melbourne last year, but you should be able to source it online.

Originally posted by TenHut View Post

hahaha the first pic is awesome Bluevolt. Wish I had my gopro on me when I crashed. It would have been awesome if the cam was in video shoot mode tho.
ATGATT saves all the time. Three cheers to you.

Vkucchal : get back on the saddle immediately. Thats the only way u can hope to get your confidence back. But take your time again to build it up...dont be in a hurry. Just keep riding....it will come back on its own.
Having crashed my blade by loosing out its front has dented my confidence so much that my corner speeds have decreased by half lol.
Just gotta keep at it.

I know, man! The video would have been awesome.

The spill deflated some of my spirited enthusiasm around corners and I rode gingerly for the next few kilometers at least. But I soon forgot about it and was riding like my usual self, leaning my way through the beautiful corners!

Originally posted by vkuchhal View Post

Thanks for the advice Rahul & Tenhut .. I have starting doing things from the basic again and i am back on my saddle..

Jus wanted to ask, as to how many of you practise countersteering... although i have seen videos of it on youtube and read it at many places.. I have got the concept , but i am still not able to put it to practical use.. can some one help me with that?

@Rahul: Thanks for the advice on the XENA lock.. it is now working fine, when i cleaned the reflectors with the earbuds..
Good to know that both of you are ok..
Even i will also be looking for a paint protection film .. so please share the details..

One of my friend will be coming from UK .. do we get them their at reasonable price.

I countersteer on turns - I make a conscious effort to push my handlebar opposite to the direction of the lean, but I feel I don't don't pull enough.

Originally posted by therealabhinav View Post

i'm glad you're ok bluevolt!

Thanks Abhinav!

Originally posted by killer_instinct View Post

We all countersteer subconsciously, however after 14 years of riding, its only since the last month that I have started to countersteer consciously.

The best way to learn countersteer is to see it (thats how I learnt), possibly we could meet up at some ride and I could show u the tricks.

Maybe I can watch you too and seek ways of improving my countersteer. I sense I apply too much force on the bars and also don't pull enough on the outside - haven't made a relaxed grip a habit yet.

Originally posted by ashutosh_x View Post

Thats why I always say...Bluevolt is a celeb

. He spills the bike...and it creates a stir

. Good to know you are fine and so is the bike bro!!

Lol dude.Thanks...

Originally posted by Hyperion View Post

Bluevolt, hard luck, old boy!

Its good that you could capture the fall in your cam. Generally, these moments are a blur and often not remembered well.

I am not clear on the reason of the fall. Would it be similar to a fall that occurs when you try to cut across uneven pavement on the road?

The GoPro captures the good, bad and the ugly! And is always fun to see your own crash pictures as long as you get out of it okay. The reason for the fall is what Sarvajit pointed out below - front turned right and a brief loss of traction on the rear.

Originally posted by Sarvajit View Post

It can happen even if you go across a small stone on the road. If you are lucky and the front wheel is really straight, it will jump over&still be straight. If not, the side of the tyre will slip.
In bluevolt's case, since he tried to dodge the python, he had already turned the handle around.

@bluevolt: Good to hear you are safe.
P.S. Sounds like that paint protection film is really amazing!

Spot on with your observation... thanks, and the paint film is indeed amazing!

Originally posted by harikeshpk View Post

running over a snake dead or alive is asking for trouble on a 2 wheeler. on country roads esp during summer evenings snakes crossing the roads are quite common.

blue volt was unlucky not to make out the snake from a distance.

thanks to blue volt to come out with his fall in the best possible way " with pictures ".

thanks for sharing the event and good to know you and bike are in good shape.

looking forward to your upcoming long ride.

Thanks Harish, will post the trip log this weekend. I have around 4000 photographs so the problem is that of plenty - I need to sort out the good ones!

Originally posted by tibby View Post

Glad to know you are fine, & the bike is undamaged (significantly).
The investment in the gear, paint protection film & GoPro turns out to be well worth it. All in one fall.

Awaiting the triplog.

Thanks Tibby, will begin writing the tourlog soon!

Originally posted by whizzkid_ram View Post

Rahul, glad that you & ur Ninja are hale & healthy

. Need to know more pointers on the paint protection.

Appreciate it Whizz - I used the Oxford paintguard film on areas of potentially contact, I have seen a few spilled Ninja's and know exactly where it takes a knock in event of a fall!

Originally posted by desertfox View Post

@BV .. A year back I had taken this route from Honavar > Kumta > Karwar > Sadashivgarh > Dandeli Forest > Ulavi .. this is Anshi Ghat well know for its wildlife .. I could hardly see any vehicles / people around, even at 1 pm .. however, the drive was lonely, scary and scenic ... at the back of your mind you know that this is a Tiger / Panther territory and no civilization near by.

Further down the Ulavi Forest there are very good tracks for off roading & Caves. Offcourse, not on your Ninja though

It was amazing to view your pics .. Glad to know that you are doing fine.

Thanks... the forest is indeed a bit eerie. When I saw no one for many many kms, I did feel a bit scared. Was half expecting a tiger or a Panther to pounce out of the thick forest any moment. And all those hand painted signboards with pictures of tiger and panthers did not help much!

That is indeed a road very less travelled...

The barrier has a handpainted face of a tiger right in the center!

A stretch of non-roads too!

It is an incredibly beautiful place - will be back again soon and stay in Dandheli-Supa for at least a few days on river rafting on the Kali and Trekking.

**aargee** · 01-12-2011, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by whizzkid_ram View Post

Need to know more pointers on the paint protection.

Ram, here's Bluevolt's original post on this - http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/349507-post.html

**bluevolt** · 01-12-2011, 10:12 AM

Correction on the type of snake - after matching what I remember with information on the internet, I am sure it was a Russel's viper, a venomous snake which can grow upto 5.5 feet in length. I had mistaken the patterns on its body for a Python. (pictures from internet snake blogs)

Had a thick body and a snub head...

**Merlion** · 01-12-2011, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

I hope my next encounter is with the elusive fanged panther or an Indian Lion. At least my video will be a youtube sensation!

That should be some experience! On my trip to Baba Budangiri hills near chikmagalur a few years back, we came across a leopard crossing the road in front of our car on the hills just as it was getting dark. Although we were in the comfort of our car, it was a sight to behold. We had to stop abruptly when it ran across the road in front of us, and only then we realized it was a leopard. It crossed the road, turned around and stood there looking at us for a moment, and then quickly disappeared into the bushes.

**psr** · 01-12-2011, 01:04 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

Correction on the type of snake - after matching what I remember with information on the internet, I am sure it was a Russel's viper, a venomous snake which can grow upto 5.5 feet in length. I had mistaken the patterns on its body for a Python. (pictures from internet snake blogs)

Bluevolt...your Guardian Angel had saved you from double Whammy

.The Russel's Viper has Complex Venom...and you were in the center of nowhere

...thank God it was dead when you ran over it...be very careful in future.....and give some rest to Your Guardian Angel

**Hyperion** · 01-12-2011, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

It is an incredibly beautiful place - will be back again soon and stay in Dandheli-Supa for at least a few days on river rafting on the Kali and Trekking.

Thats the checkpoint that comes just before the Anshi compound. Brings back memories of the SIE ride

.Also remember the terrible road before/after it.

**aargee** · 01-12-2011, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by psr View Post

Bluevolt...your Guardian Angel had saved you...and give some rest to Your Guardian Angel

Err...it was a dead snake!!!

**bluevolt** · 01-12-2011, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by psr View Post

Bluevolt...your Guardian Angel had saved you from double Whammy

.The Russel's Viper has Complex Venom...and you were in the center of nowhere

...thank God it was dead when you ran over it...be very careful in future.....and give some rest to Your Guardian Angel

Originally posted by aargee View Post

Err...it was a dead snake!!!

In case it was alive:

1) It would have had a hard time biting my Sidi boots and the thick cowhide armor above it

2) If the snake had extra long fangs and managed to sink its teeth in, it would not have known that I am prolly the only rider in India who carries a snake bite treatment kit in my medical emergency box!

Originally posted by Hyperion View Post

Thats the checkpoint that comes just before the Anshi compound. Brings back memories of the SIE ride

.Also remember the terrible road before/after it.

Yes sir, you're right! That short stretch was pretty terrible,but compensated by the beautiful roads before and after the bad roads!

**anmol_1990** · 01-12-2011, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

Falls are part of owning a motorcycle - you should just learn from them and not be afraid. If it makes you feel any better, I spilled my Ninja for the first time yesterday. It happened in the weirdest way possible, and I'll try to put it together the best way I can. Happened on a straight at low speed.

I was riding from Sadashivgarh (Karwar) to the Dandheli forest - amazing roads on 90% of the route, with stunning scenery. That place, being a tiger and black panther reserve, has a lot of wildlife. There was no one in sight, and I was cruising at 70kmph or so. I saw something lying on the road ahead and my initial thought was that it was a branch which I could pass over. When I went nearer, it appeared to be a thick rope of some kind. And when I was around 3-4 meters away, I realized it was a dead Python. Like any animal carcass, you tend to ride around it, and that's exactly what I did. I applied my front brake and turned right to avoid it - but it seemed I did not clear it and both my tyres went over the Python. I felt my bike lose grip, like it would do momentarily over oil or loose gravel, and before I knew it, my bike was on the road and I fell off the bike. Of course, not even a scratch since I was in full leathers, and the bike miraculously had only one broken indicator and a few scratches on the chrome exhaust cover.

The best part of it was that I had my GoPro taking automatic pictures set at a 10 second interval, so I got a picture of the fall. Enjoy!

At the moment my bike fell! As you can see, I landed on my back(thank you Dainese G-Space protector) and my legs are still in the air!

Picking the bike up using the technique I learned on Xbhp. The Ninja is so heavy - no other way would have worked!

Almost there...notice broken indicator!

Done!

Damage cost: Rs. 0.00. I can fix the broken indicator myself! The thick paint protection film saved the fairing from even a single scratch. Lucky had just put them on last week on the fairing.

sad to hear this. man .......a snake !!! , thank god snake was dead .

Ride Safe.

**The Celebrity** · 01-12-2011, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by desertfox View Post

Further down the Ulavi Forest there are very good tracks for off roading & Caves. Offcourse, not on your Ninja though

I think you are under estimating the Ninja there... I had recently been to for the Kerala New Yr G2G at Munnar... where we did a 9kms off-roading through dense forest... the Ninja did prove that it can do off-roading as well....

since i was already riding up-hill for long before entering the forest, i faced heating issue after 5 kms... but all i had to do was wait for 5 mins and then the Ninja was up and running...

P.S: not trying to argue, only sharing an experience...

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

2) If the snake had extra long fangs and managed to sink its teeth in, it would not have known that I am prolly the only rider in India who carries a snake bite treatment kit in my medical emergency box!

You are a STAR!!!!

I'm going to include the same when I go out for a forest ride...

**psr** · 01-12-2011, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

In case it was alive:

1) It would have had a hard time biting my Sidi boots and the thick cowhide armor above it

2) If the snake had extra long fangs and managed to sink its teeth in, it would not have known that I am prolly the only rider in India who carries a snake bite treatment kit in my medical emergency box!

Wow you are one of a kind in many ways...to carry snake anti venom...good to know you ride safer than most of us...but there are different types of anti venom..specific to their type.
I think you do have thicker upper wear also...how thoughtful..
You have taught me something very important to-day..
THANK YOU

**killer_instinct** · 01-12-2011, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by bluevolt View Post

If the snake had extra long fangs and managed to sink its teeth in, it would not have known that I am prolly the only rider in India who carries a snake bite treatment kit in my medical emergency box!

Seriously??

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