[seamus]

Lowsided in turn 2 (counterclockwise) yesterday.

First session after lunch on day 2 (which was also supposed to be my last session since I had to start a 6 hour drive home). I got lost in a severe case of target fixation and refused to listen to my own advise.

I had been chasing another guy all weekend who was admittedly a better rider than me, but close enough in ability to push but not be out of control. My goal for the weekend was to improve my downshifting and braking technique to increase my corner entry and exit speeds.

After lunch, as I checked over my bike before heading out for the session, I looked over my tires very thoroughly as TGPR is horrendous on tires. They were worn but looked fine for one more session. We both took the first 10 minutes easy to get back into the flow and warm up. We started to pick up the pace a bit and everything was flowing nicely. My downshifts were coming together (got rid of the chatter, Sheep), I was braking cleanly and entering each turn exactly where I wanted. We weren't wheel to wheel racing (it's just a track day) but there were several clean, aggressive passes thoroughout the next couple of laps. Everything was smoother than it's ever been.

Coming out of turn two, I got on the gas, felt the rear slip a bit, adjusted and powered out hot on the heels of my new found competition. At this point, I thought about how my tires looked fine for one more session. I told myself that if I felt it again, I would call it quits for the day and pack it in.

Next lap, just prior to the apex of turn two, I felt the front start to tuck. I let off the throttle just a bit to gather it in and stand the bike up a bit. I got a bit of traction, felt the bike start to stand back up, then it tucked itself in for the night.

Sliding through the corner on my left side, I knew I was going to slide across the width of the track and tried to look back to make sure I wasn't going to get run over by someone behind me. (Hindsight tells me it's probably better to not know it's coming because there isn't anything I could have done about it anyway.) That look back caused me to tumble once towards the end of the slide and I dinged my helmet.

As I ran towards the bike (with my thumb in the air to let the corner workers know I was fine) to get back on the track, I realized it would be extremely difficult to ride with no foot peg and a left clip on that was hanging on by the clutch fluid hose and horn and blinker wiring. We wheeled it off to the side and I watched the rest of the session from the tires.

This thousand dollar error is my own undoing. Knowing from my pre-session inspection that the tires were worn but usable combined with the first rear end slide, I could have backed off and completed the session working on other techniques. Or I could have done the really smart thing and pitted to run another day.

Instead, I allowed myself to fixate on things that, at the end of a track day, really just don't matter; being faster and competing. Being faster and competing are all fine and good, but not when you go against sound advise and good old fashioned common sense.

I'm smarter now then I was yesterday and I'm uninjuried. Overall, it was an expensive lesson, but a good lesson nonetheless.

My helmet will need to be replaced but fortunately, my leathers are still good for one more session.

Parts Needed

[eyauch]

Great write up. Good to know your not hurt, because that would have added insult to injury. so to speak. This was a nice reminder for those of us trying to eek that last bit out of our tires when we probably shouldn't. But best to get fixed up quickly and back on track

[ReaperAZ]

Sorry to hear seamus. Guess it just wasn't a good weekend for Blades on the track. Glad you walked away and didn't damage yourself or the bike any worse.

[sheepofblue]

On the tires, yes get off if there is a question. Also look at your pics and you will see you need to get off the seat a bit more which will save the tires some.

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

On the tires, yes get off if there is a question. Also look at your pics and you will see you need to get off the seat a bit more which will save the tires some.

Are you basing all this on just his avatar?

Funny write up seamus, nice wrap up with the "good for one more session".
Glad you still have a sense of humor about it and weren't badly hurt.

[Red Rider]

Damn...too many crashes. Glad to hear you came through it okay...rebuilding can sometimes be the most painful part.

[southpark460]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Are you basing all this on just his avatar?

Name this org member

[Custom900]

Glad to hear all is still good healthwise.

It's also a good thing to know that it was only a thousand dollar crash and not a total loss.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Are you basing all this on just his avatar?

Funny write up seamus, nice wrap up with the "good for one more session".
Glad you still have a sense of humor about it and weren't badly hurt.

I was there Saturday and got a bunch of pics of him and the Mrs. that I put in a place they can see. When I was checking them and tossing the misses that were someone else I looked some. Of course he can look for himself and judge.

[luvtolean]

Oh man, the ever famous "1 last session" got ya. Sounds like it's pretty light fortunately!

[TraumaOne]

Sorry man... glad you are ok!

[seamus]

Sheep definintely caught me in bad form a couple of times with my a$$ firmly planted in the middle of my seat and the words PIRELLI and CORSA grabbing frantically at the track for traction.

If he was any more of a photog, you could read my mind.

Curse you and that IS zoom lens, Sheep. (looked at lenses today for the wife. Those white IS lenses are outrageous.)

I have to keep my sense of humor as this getoff was purely my own doing and the only thing damaged is some cheapo plastic body work and my feelings.

[jetbdude]

DAMN the season just starts and it's the third crash thread.... ENOUGH!!!!

Sorry, glad you are ok!

[SPY]

sorry to hear about your get off too Seamus!

[sheepofblue]

This is mine, but I thought I paid a bunch less. Were you guys able to see those pics or should I downsize them? I wish I could have got some of her coming on the front straight as that had a nice angle.

[abtech]

Seamus, sorry about the getoff and I'm glad you weren't hurt any worse than the "OWWIE" .

This is now an official warning:

STOP PUSHING IT PEOPLE!!!!

The first entrant for Grattan that sends me a note with a long sob story about binning it at a local track day or ride to the liquor store will get little to no sympathy! (are you listening TAZ?).

[CBR929RE]

come on guys, tires grip better than plastic.

get her fixed up and get back out there.

and get the wifey to kiss your owwie all better.

[phobiaphobe]

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

come on guys, tires grip better than plastic.

...

Especially when they're caked with dirt and motor oil.

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

Especially when they're caked with dirt and motor oil.

hey I washed that off. but tomorrow I'm gonna order new Michelins. They were so crappy while riding today, they never did feel like they got very warm even after 10+ miles on the highway.

[Baketech]

Damn Seamus...
Glad to hear you weren't hurt...

[clutchslip]

Seamus,

That was a real good write up of what happened. I hate it when I'm not sure why I went down. You have a good handle on it.

I don't think you want my spare parts. I know a good online store for Honda OEM parts. You probably already know it.

My shoulder hurts after reading that - dang.
I'm glad you are okay.

[davef]

What a bummer!

Fortunately, I didn't fall at my Cornerspeed class last weekend. Maybe I broke the streak?