Toolmaker's mirror extensions: Difference between revisions

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By [http://www.ninja250.org/ToolMaker ToolMaker]

I haven't been happy with the mirror ~~set up~~ on the 250. Not being able to see directly behind me without moving my elbows is dangerous, I think. Twice in the last year or so I haven't seen a motorcycle coming up behind me on a highway and passing me in my lane ~~and freaking me out~~. Both times I had checked my mirror a moment before. I think they were in the blind spot between my elbows. Even when I pull my elbows in, I do it one side at a time, which takes more time than I think it should.

I haven't been happy with the mirror setup on the 250. Not being able to see directly behind me without moving my elbows is dangerous, I think. Twice in the last year or so I haven't seen a motorcycle coming up behind me on a highway and passing me in my lane. Both times I had checked my mirror a moment before. I think they were in the blind spot between my elbows. Even when I pull my elbows in, I do it one side at a time, which takes more time than I think it should.

I've tried a few things; the upside-down setup was the best. It allows me to see below the handlebars, and I can still see over the saddlebags I generally ride with, but I don't like the fact that they're about 45 degrees off horizontal, so they have a reduced width of view.

So, why does Kawasaki put them where they do? I think it's because they're pretty close to your line of sight, that is, you don't have to move your eyes very far nor refocus, and moving them further outboard wouldn't suit the aesthetic. In other words; to avoid lawsuits and not look ugly.

So, why does Kawasaki put them where they do? I think it's because they're pretty close to your line of sight; that is, you don't have to move your eyes very far nor refocus, and moving them further outboard wouldn't suit the aesthetic. In other words; to avoid lawsuits and not look ugly.

I'd trade ease of viewing access and looks for a safer setup.

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[[image:FullFrontal.jpg|150px]]

The right side uses the original mount, with a bit of hardware to hold the mirror from the left side further out, upside down and more or less horizontal:

The right side uses the original mount, with a bit of hardware to hold the mirror that was swapped over from the left side further out, upside down, and more or less horizontal:

[[image:StbdMirrorOver.jpg|120px]]

Line 31:

[[image:StbdBlowup2.jpg|150px]]

For the left side I built a new mount that holds the ~~left side~~ mirror upside down, slightly further out from stock, and horizontal:

For the left side I built a new mount that holds the mirror upside down, slightly further out from stock, and horizontal:

[[image:PortMirror.jpg|150px]]

[[image:PortAssembly1.jpg|120px]]

[[image:PortAssembly2.jpg|140px]]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 By [http://www.ninja250.org/ToolMaker ToolMaker]
-I haven't been happy with the mirror set up on the 250. Not being able to see directly behind me without moving my elbows is dangerous, I think. Twice in the last year or so I haven't seen a motorcycle coming up behind me on a highway and passing me in my lane and freaking me out. Both times I had checked my mirror a moment before. I think they were in the blind spot between my elbows. Even when I pull my elbows in, I do it one side at a time, which takes more time than I think it should.
+I haven't been happy with the mirror setup on the 250. Not being able to see directly behind me without moving my elbows is dangerous, I think. Twice in the last year or so I haven't seen a motorcycle coming up behind me on a highway and passing me in my lane. Both times I had checked my mirror a moment before. I think they were in the blind spot between my elbows. Even when I pull my elbows in, I do it one side at a time, which takes more time than I think it should.
 I've tried a few things; the upside-down setup was the best. It allows me to see below the handlebars, and I can still see over the saddlebags I generally ride with, but I don't like the fact that they're about 45 degrees off horizontal, so they have a reduced width of view.
-So, why does Kawasaki put them where they do? I think it's because they're pretty close to your line of sight, that is, you don't have to move your eyes very far nor refocus, and moving them further outboard wouldn't suit the aesthetic. In other words; to avoid lawsuits and not look ugly.
+So, why does Kawasaki put them where they do? I think it's because they're pretty close to your line of sight; that is, you don't have to move your eyes very far nor refocus, and moving them further outboard wouldn't suit the aesthetic. In other words; to avoid lawsuits and not look ugly.
 I'd trade ease of viewing access and looks for a safer setup.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 [[image:FullFrontal.jpg|150px]]
-The right side uses the original mount, with a bit of hardware to hold the mirror from the left side further out, upside down and more or less horizontal:
+The right side uses the original mount, with a bit of hardware to hold the mirror that was swapped over from the left side further out, upside down, and more or less horizontal:
 [[image:StbdMirrorOver.jpg|120px]]
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 [[image:StbdBlowup2.jpg|150px]]
-For the left side I built a new mount that holds the left side mirror upside down, slightly further out from stock, and horizontal:
+For the left side I built a new mount that holds the mirror upside down, slightly further out from stock, and horizontal:
 [[image:PortMirror.jpg|150px]]
 [[image:PortAssembly1.jpg|120px]]
 [[image:PortAssembly2.jpg|140px]]