A personal example of how full gear can save your ass!

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by DLIT

A buddy of mine that picked the bike up said there was some gravel by my bike's sliding marks. The kind of gravel that falls from a gravel truck. I think I said that earlier in the thread. And you can take it as bragging, I look at it as I'm very experienced.

I understand where you're coming from though, but sometimes tires aren't to blame for wrecks? Are you kidding me? What's one of the first things you here at the morning meetings at track days? "Make sure your tires are warm." There was no inputs being made from me at the time. I wasn't trail-braking, counter-steering, shifting my body...nothing. I'm not afraid to admit it if I fucked up, but nothing I was doing at the time seemed like I would be the main cause.

I could say I fucked up...but how? And what lessons can I learn when I don't know how I fucked up? I'm thinking it was a combination of things at this point. Cold-ish tires, improper suspension set up and maybe there was gravel. I wouldn't mind saying I fucked up but I wasn't doing anything different or special than I usually do. I guess you could say I fucked up by hauling that much ass on the street to begin with. Tiny mistakes multiply even more at higher speeds.

I'm honestly still baffled by it, so I'm doing what I think is best for me at this point.

Well, I don't know but I like the fire that I'm "hearing" in your posts and that's all that I was after!!!

Originally Posted by DLIT

Now, I'm no engineer, but I think you might be onto something.

Hee, hee, hee that a boy!

[Porkchop]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Pork. No shit the hot rod. Hmmm. But then again he probably felt more secure thr. Most guys on harley puts around.

Yea... it was an 800 horsepower 70-something Plymouth Roadrunner with a giant blower sticking out of the engine. My other uncle that sold it to him claimed he could stand it on end down the entire street. He was out in the country with his buddy when he lost control. He rolled it. Killed both of them. Two months later my dad passed away in his sleep, his heart just stopped. Pick your poison....

[Gas Man]

WOW Pork... that is crazy. Sorry for your loss. I too have lost my father, but to cancer. It's tuff.

[fasternyou929]

Originally Posted by DLIT

A buddy of mine that picked the bike up said there was some gravel by my bike's sliding marks. The kind of gravel that falls from a gravel truck. I think I said that earlier in the thread. And you can take it as bragging, I look at it as I'm very experienced.

I understand where you're coming from though, but sometimes tires aren't to blame for wrecks? Are you kidding me? What's one of the first things you here at the morning meetings at track days? "Make sure your tires are warm." There was no inputs being made from me at the time. I wasn't trail-braking, counter-steering, shifting my body...nothing. I'm not afraid to admit it if I fucked up, but nothing I was doing at the time seemed like I would be the main cause.

I could say I fucked up...but how? And what lessons can I learn when I don't know how I fucked up? I'm thinking it was a combination of things at this point. Cold-ish tires, improper suspension set up and maybe there was gravel. I wouldn't mind saying I fucked up but I wasn't doing anything different or special than I usually do. I guess you could say I fucked up by hauling that much ass on the street to begin with. Tiny mistakes multiply even more at higher speeds.

I'm honestly still baffled by it, so I'm doing what I think is best for me at this point.

I must've missed the part about the gravel... certainly doesn't take much of that to ruin your whole day. As far as bragging v. experience, I guess it's just personality differences. I know a lot of experienced riders, and none of them started a conversation about their crash with "my limits are higher than most". As someone that knows neither you personally nor your riding abilities, I thought it cames across as unnecessary and just wanted to point it out to you.

I wasn't implying tires can't cause wrecks, but unless you lived a half mile down the road from the crash (doesn't appear to be anything for miles in either direction), it seems a pretty odd place for a "cold tire" incident. Seems you should have been riding at a good clip for a while at that point, that's all. One of the most aggravating crashes I had in '09 was a low-side at VIR because I just couldn't figure out WTF I did wrong. Like you, I just wanted to understand why. The only conclusion I could come to was I must have put too much weight on the clip-ons during that lap. It was toward the end of the 2nd day riding there, each day over 105 degrees. It took me weeks of over-analyzing everything about it to draw that conclusion, so I understand where you're coming from.

Good luck with it, and I hope you find a way to continue enjoying your bike.

[DLIT]

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

I must've missed the part about the gravel... certainly doesn't take much of that to ruin your whole day. As far as bragging v. experience, I guess it's just personality differences. I know a lot of experienced riders, and none of them started a conversation about their crash with "my limits are higher than most". As someone that knows neither you personally nor your riding abilities, I thought it cames across as unnecessary and just wanted to point it out to you.

I wasn't implying tires can't cause wrecks, but unless you lived a half mile down the road from the crash (doesn't appear to be anything for miles in either direction), it seems a pretty odd place for a "cold tire" incident. Seems you should have been riding at a good clip for a while at that point, that's all. One of the most aggravating crashes I had in '09 was a low-side at VIR because I just couldn't figure out WTF I did wrong. Like you, I just wanted to understand why. The only conclusion I could come to was I must have put too much weight on the clip-ons during that lap. It was toward the end of the 2nd day riding there, each day over 105 degrees. It took me weeks of over-analyzing everything about it to draw that conclusion, so I understand where you're coming from.

Good luck with it, and I hope you find a way to continue enjoying your bike.

Oh, I hear ya. My bad.

[fnfalman]

I remembered the first time I went for a proper asphalt surfing excursion. The two things that kept going in my head when I was sliding and them tumbling were "Damn, I'm glad I have an Arai on my head and a thick ass leather suit on my body."

[the chi]

Really glad you're okay.

But I'm wondering. Have you been bodysnatched or is old age mellowing you out? I remember a time you'd have had the law called on ya for some of the razzing you are taking in this thread.

I'm also jealous. It's been 2 weeks on my ankle and I still can't walk. I can finally shuffle for a few feet, but definitely no bending. I fantasize about hitting people with my crutches when I have to be out and about.

Definitely take it easy man, don't want to overdo it and ruin yourself for life trying for too fast too soon.

I hear ya on the street thing too. I feel like when I do ride, if it's not at the track and I am not constantly challenging myself its no fun anymore, and I'm not even good. I'm not comfy pushing it to the limits on the street because I always think about that next guardrail, or a deer, or dirt etc, that it almost makes me a nervous wreck to go much higher than the speed limits these days, which to me isn't alot of fun. I've almost considered giving it all up lately n selling the GSXR.

Good luck with everything.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by the chi

Really glad you're okay.

But I'm wondering. Have you been bodysnatched or is old age mellowing you out? I remember a time you'd have had the law called on ya for some of the razzing you are taking in this thread.

I'm also jealous. It's been 2 weeks on my ankle and I still can't walk. I can finally shuffle for a few feet, but definitely no bending. I fantasize about hitting people with my crutches when I have to be out and about.

Definitely take it easy man, don't want to overdo it and ruin yourself for life trying for too fast too soon.

I hear ya on the street thing too. I feel like when I do ride, if it's not at the track and I am not constantly challenging myself its no fun anymore, and I'm not even good. I'm not comfy pushing it to the limits on the street because I always think about that next guardrail, or a deer, or dirt etc, that it almost makes me a nervous wreck to go much higher than the speed limits these days, which to me isn't alot of fun. I've almost considered giving it all up lately n selling the GSXR.

Good luck with everything.

Come to the dark side, get a dual sport.

[the chi]

Originally Posted by Trip

Come to the dark side, get a dual sport.

Then I get to worry about trees. I want to, I really do, but money is a factor. I'm aiming for a track day in March, see how I feel about stuff then.

I'd like something like Ebbs has, since I know I cant afford the BMW currently, butI'd definitely need it shortened.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by the chi

Then I get to worry about trees. I want to, I really do, but money is a factor. I'm aiming for a track day in March, see how I feel about stuff then.

I'd like something like Ebbs has, since I know I cant afford the BMW currently, butI'd definitely need it shortened.

Eh, I would go with something more highway worthy where you are at. Something you can use on street and enjoy.