It was bound to happen...

ReaperAZ · 09-12-2005, 11:35 AM

Went to Deming this weekend to ride at Arroyo Seco for my 3rd trackday. On Saturday I ended up wadding my bike

. If you look were the little red circle is on the attached map, that was the section I went down at. We were running clockwise for this day. The corner is called the Bus Stop, and you come into it fast and have to slow way down to negotiate it. All day I had been feeling really good and had made some huge improvements in my lines, speed, braking, and comfort level. Not once all day did I feel as if I was pushing too hard. It just felt right to go faster. Since it was a race weekend they combined the amateur and experts classes, and had a session for the beginners. I was bumped to the amateur session early in the day. Not too shabby for my 3rd ever trackday. I wasn't sure if it was such a good idea but I am super glad they bumped me. I learned a lot from following around the fast guys. In the session before I went down I ran a string of fast error free laps that kind of opened my eyes a bit as to how fast I was going. I was braking later and getting on the gas earlier in every section.

In the session I crashed I started off well behind my friends who I figured I'd never catch. Wasn't a big deal to me so I just rode at the same comfortable pace as the previous session. Within three laps I had caught and passed two of my friends. Again I didn't feel as though I was pushing very hard. Coming out of turn #6 rolled on and felt the rear slip a bit under acceleration. Didn't scare me at all and so I stayed on the gas all the way to the braking point for the Bus Stop. I tipped right and took the same line I had all day through the Bus Stop. As I did my transition to the left and rolled on, the rear spun up and slid out from under me. The first thing that came to mind was what many had told me..."when in doubt, throttle out". I knew If I chopped the throttle I ran the risk of a high side. I didn't want that to happen so I gave it more throttle and it low sided on me. I don't remeber seeig the bike after that because I was sliding and tumbling .

The reason I was tumbling was the simple fact that I was wearing that Speed Channel hemet and I didn't want to ruin it so I did my best to protect it. To my relief there isn't a scratch on it. I'm sore as hell today and my gear work. My Sidi boots did the job they were supposed to. The replaceable "sliders" over the ankle bones are all scratched up as are the "sliders" on the toes and upper part of the boot. My Teknic Chicane 1 piece did very well and only has some light scuffing on it. My Teknic gloves which are about 6 years old held up very well. Only one small spot on the finger has a spot where the venting holes tore. I've got a bruise on my right forearm and one on my upper shoulder. Mostly I'm stiff as hell. My ankles both hurt, I'm assuming it's from the impact.

The bike is pretty screwed up. Broke the fairing stay and rashed most of the plastics. The slider on the left side is ground down to the mounting bolt. My Sato rear set on the left is pretty mangled. Bent the shift linkage as well as ground down and bent the peg(mounting bolt). The mounting plate is also bent. The swingarm spool slider is ground down as well. The left bar end tore out and bent the clipon. Clutch lever is missing half of that blob at the end. The kill switch is smashed. The upper faring is broken in more than one place. The subframe is tweaked quite a bit also. The tail plastic is rashed on the right. That tank cover is rashed on the right. I didn't know it at the time but the bike did roll which is why the right got cranked. Somehow I lost my axle nut on the fron too. Sadly the bike will be sitting for a bit as I don't have the money to fix it right now.

figment · 09-12-2005, 11:41 AM

sounds like you did the right thing when in the heat of the moment. Hindsight is always clearer, I'm sure you'll be thinking about this one for a while. Glad you're still here to tell the tale

dB · 09-12-2005, 11:44 AM

Commiserations, dude.

You'll get it back together.

Red Rider · 09-12-2005, 11:45 AM

Sorry to hear the news, Reap. If you ride the track long enough (street too, for that matter), you're eventually going to have a tumble. Thankfully you walked away with just minor bumps and bruises. What shape were your tires in? They may have been a contributing factor...

ND4SPD · 09-12-2005, 11:49 AM

Sounds like you did the right thing and avoided some potentially serious injuries.

CBR929RE · 09-12-2005, 11:50 AM

well that just sucks. glad your ok though.

ReaperAZ · 09-12-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

What shape were your tires in? They may have been a contributing factor...

These were the same Pilot Powers I ran the first two days last month. There is still plenty of tread left but I was riding much harder this weekend than I did last month. The owner of the track who is one of the local fast guys suggested that I use race compound next time. He said with the pace I'm doing now it's a smart idea. I knew it would happen sooner or later. As you said, it's gonna happen. I'm just bummed I don't have the money to fix it.

Heavy-Dee · 09-12-2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rider

Sorry to hear the news, Reap. If you ride the track long enough (street too, for that matter), you're eventually going to have a tumble. Thankfully you walked away with just minor bumps and bruises. What shape were your tires in? They may have been a contributing factor...

Sounds like tires to me as well. What brand/model are you running and how much time was on them? How hot was the temp?

From what you say it sounds like you did a great job. It takes clarity and "coolness" under pressure to stay on the gas during a slide. I'm not sure I would have done as well as you.

HD

Nickelii · 09-12-2005, 12:02 PM

I hate that bus stop, 1st gear and you damn near come to a stop, way worse that the bus stop at grattan and not nearly as wide. Glad to see your okay, at least you got the first one out of the way. It happens to most of us at one point or another, gives the bike character

Does hurt the wallet though.

phobiaphobe · 09-12-2005, 12:05 PM

Sorry to hear... Glad you're ok. Will you turn the 600rr into a pure track bike?

Baketech · 09-12-2005, 12:05 PM

Bummer Raz....

ReaperAZ · 09-12-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Sorry to hear... Glad you're ok. Will you turn the 600rr into a pure track bike?

We'll see what happens on that one. If I do turn it to track only I'll still need a street bike. So the search begins. I have some thinking and talking to the SO to do.

CBRVFR · 09-12-2005, 12:18 PM

Damned sorry to hear, Reaper.

Do you recall what pressures you were running in the Powers?

ReaperAZ · 09-12-2005, 12:23 PM

If I remember correctly it was low 30's, but not 100% sure.

phobiaphobe · 09-12-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

We'll see what happens on that one. If I do turn it to track only I'll still need a street bike. So the search begins. I have some thinking and talking to the SO to do.

If you go the 2 bike route get a nice fast comfy sport tourer for the street bike. Only way to go, I say.

ND4SPD · 09-12-2005, 12:31 PM

Dano...I have a spare front fairing bracket if you need one...

Kuss929 · 09-12-2005, 12:32 PM

Sorry to hear man. At least you were at the track when it happened and all your gear did its job.

Nickelii · 09-12-2005, 12:37 PM

Be carefule as I'm sure you now know with Michelins and tire pressure. That was also the reason for my first crash, that and I need to soften the rear a little.

phobiaphobe · 09-12-2005, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelii

Be carefule as I'm sure you now know with Michelins and tire pressure. That was also the reason for my first crash, that and I need to soften the rear a little.

What's the story with Michelins and tire pressure? I'm running 32-34 on my powers and the back tire has squirmed a bit on a fast sweeper.

RRWANTR · 09-12-2005, 12:50 PM

Sorry to hear man! Glad you're ok. Get some DOTs on there for your next trackday.

ReaperAZ · 09-12-2005, 1:08 PM

I think I'll be picking up some Pilot Power Races for my next trackday, whenever that may be.

tigerblade · 09-12-2005, 1:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

I think I'll be picking up some Pilot Power Races for my next trackday, whenever that may be.

My friends have raced on the Pilot Power street tires and loved them. Not sure the Race compound would be worth it for you, just IMO.

Glad you're not hurt bad!

Tornado bait · 09-12-2005, 1:30 PM

I've got a full set of OEM '05 stuff from an all black bike if you decide to put it back together.

ReaperAZ · 09-12-2005, 1:39 PM

The biggest thing out here is the heat. The track temps get pretty rediculous out her when it's 105-110 during the day. I'm not really sure any tire could hold up to that for too long anyways.

dbgoff · 09-12-2005, 1:46 PM

glad you arn't hurt. sorry about the bike.

RRWANTR · 09-12-2005, 1:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigerblade

My friends have raced on the Pilot Power street tires and loved them. Not sure the Race compound would be worth it for you, just IMO.

Glad you're not hurt bad!

Why not? Why not have the extra grip in case he gets in a bit hot etc and needs the grip the DOT gives. I agree he's probably not needing it every lap but heck I'd pay $40 more for the extra grip even though you'll get less wear of the DOTs if I were him.

Also in the heat out here (over 100) street tires can get too hot and get greasy quite easily at a decent pace.

Hamburgler · 09-12-2005, 1:52 PM

Damn sorry to hear Reaper. At least you are ok.

SilverBullet · 09-12-2005, 1:54 PM

Heal soon Reap, sorry to hear about your mishap!!!!

MrX954 · 09-12-2005, 8:47 PM

Sux about your bike

but glad to hear you walked away

JBAXX · 09-12-2005, 8:55 PM

Glad your OK, lowside beats highside any day!