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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 19, 2006 17:34:48 GMT -8
Yea that's right.....#2 was today.
I'm too depressed to write out the whole story right now but basically I crashed during my ride today. I had just picked up the bike from the dealer an hour earlier and wanted to do some twisties before I headed in. These are the same twisties that I hit every single day after work and I've pretty much mastered them - or so I thought.
I hit my favorite S curve - three turns right in a row that are so sweet - and I'm on the last curve when I low-side. I have no idea what happened but I'm thinking that I was shifting my body weight back to the right side and I jerked the bike too much. I wasn't leaned over too far (I woulda scraped pegs) and I've been leaned over further in the past.
So we low-side and I go into the guardrail. Thankfully my helmet hit the rail or else I'd have some broken bones right now. Other than that no real damage to me. A banged up ankle but the gear protected every thing else. The bike needs the entire left side replaced this time as opposed to the right.
I'm fixing the bike but I'm not sure what to do anymore. I love riding but can't financially afford this anymore. I'm just gonna take it really slow from now on. No more group rides, no more twisties...just me. My first three months were perfect but now I feel like I'm cursed.
Alright I'm too depressed to talk about this. Three more weeks of no riding....God help me....
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Post by 101ABN on Aug 19, 2006 19:26:42 GMT -8
Bummer!
If your head hit first, it sounds more like a high-side. Any fuel in the road?
In any case, easing off the throttle a bit might not be a bad idea...
"God help me.... "
Sounds like HE was right there.
Glad you're OK.
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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 19, 2006 20:05:50 GMT -8
I honestly don't know what happened when I crashed. I was turning to the left so the bike and I are leaned to the left. Next thing I know I low-side (I think it was when I re-shifted my body back to center) and we're both skidding across the road. Then I remember hitting the guardrail with my helmet before ending up in the middle of the road next to my bike. The trail of blue paint left on the road showed that my bike skid across the road, slid along the guardrail a little bit before smacking off of it (leaving a huge dent) and ending up in the middle of the road. And yes there was fuel all along the road.
The weird part though is that the right side wasn't touched. I'm assuming the bike skid across the road on its left side, smacked into the guardrail, bounced off and somehow remained on its left side the entire time. The wheel was dent so maybe that's what left the dent in the guardrail. This stuff just happens too fast to remember tho. All I remember is hitting the ground, hitting the guardrail and then coming to a stop.
Yea, when I get the bike back I'm going back to basics. No more groups, no more twisties, no more redline. Over these two weeks I'm going to read more about riding position and try to watch some professional racers. Although it won't be as much fun, ANY riding is better than no riding.
I guess the Big Man upstairs still likes me.
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Post by Far Rider on Aug 20, 2006 4:26:54 GMT -8
I am probably the last person you want to hear from about now, but I am glad to hear you weren't hurt.
In Germany, they say "fahrvergnügen" - "enjoy the ride". Street riding is not a competitive event.
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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 20, 2006 8:49:43 GMT -8
Well I talked to some other guys and they suggested replacing my tires. For the kind of riding that I'm into (the twisties), I shouldn't be leaning over too far with stock tires. So I'm gonna have the dealer put new tires on as well. Ordered all my gear last night and hopefully the bike will be picked up Wednesday, which means it should be ready again in two weeks. Basically going through the same exact process that I just went through.
If I crash again, I will financially have to give up the sport. For now I'm just gonna take it very slow and save up enough money for a decent amount of track days. My wallet can't take this punishment anymore...
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Post by 101ABN on Aug 20, 2006 12:23:11 GMT -8
Dude, it ain't your tires.
The stock tires are quite capable of any legal operation you can do on the street. I don't know the dynamics of your ride but I'd bet you'd have dragged a peg if you were leaned over too far.
If you're overdriving your stock tires on the street you are operating your bike in an usafe manner- period.
Mike nailed it: "Street riding is not a competitive event."
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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 20, 2006 12:41:27 GMT -8
I wouldn't call knee dragging at 50-60mph on a 40mph road to be unsafe. It's like not like I was doing 100mph down the road and pretending like I was in MotoGP.
Regardless, I'm getting my tires changed.
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Post by Far Rider on Aug 20, 2006 15:07:23 GMT -8
Let's see: how many times has Husky dropped his sled this year with factory treads?
101 is right: today's tires can handle anything you can throw at them.
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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 20, 2006 15:35:39 GMT -8
Well I don't really wanna get into another fight over this but....no, factory tires can't handle every thing you can throw at them. First off, you have to replace them about every 10,000 miles or so. And if you're going to be doing high-speed twisties, then you definitely should get aftermarket tires.
I don't know Husky's riding style. Personally, I like to knee drag. Of all the squidly things that I could be doing, I think knee dragging is the least "bad" of them. Husky is also a lot more experienced than I am.
Regardless, if I'm going to keep riding the way I have over these past three months, I am going to have to get rid of my stock tires. It is a proven fact that certain tires can handle more lean angle than a stock tire can. It's very possible that what brought me down yesterday had nothing to do with my tires. But regardless, it's time for an upgrade.
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Post by Husky23 on Aug 20, 2006 16:12:18 GMT -8
Damn...well God brings lessons in waves now don't he?
Again...thank goodness your healthy, guard rail and all.
I don't think it's the tires either FF....even stock skins...made for a sport bike....although not the premium for cutting and carving can handle quite well...and I'm certain Kawasaki placed emphasis on this. What do the reviews say about your treads? How about rider forums?
This is what this man is thinking (and I'm not being critical - cause I ain't there nor have seen you ride or how you set up you suspension or tire pressures):
-Over confidence (of which I'm sure has taken blow at this point).
-Inexperience:
-You may be possibly not looking far enough through the corner - and this is typical when riders say "next thing ya know I hit gravel and down I go"...and it is also the tendency when one starts getting anxious to not look far enough ahead. Look through the turn...evaluate hazards, your line, your speed.
-Control technique - which cover alot...but clutch, throttle, rear and front braking....body english...all of these can aid or severely upset the bikes equilibrium.
-Not monitoring tire pressures (BTW - what pressures do you run?)
-Suspension not tweaked - from adjusting hand and foot control positions to pre-load, rebound and dampaning for the front and read suspensions.
Ya know....I did a 200 miler round trip this weekend; rode out westward on VA Hwy 211...cool road that heads up over and into the Shenandoah Valley....repaved in the spring, two lanes going up and one lane coming down (undivided) with some awesome corners (some over 270 degrees). Anyway heading back...and coming back down the 10-15% grade eastern side...with no traffic in front and generally good foresight through a turn....I started pressing it a little. This one turn fooled me a little and it was hard to detect until I was knee deep into it and drifting out...I'm in a decreasing radius turn, and it decreasing a fair amount (as I continue to drift a little farther and farther out).
This is what I'm thinking....road clean through he turn...even the dividing paint is that new stiff that is textured...
But:
- No brakes (front or rear)...cause I'm at over a 45 degree lean, bike is stable and I don't wanna upset it or cause the front (or rear) to loose traction.
- Throttle remain in the same position or back off just a girl-thingy hair - again don't wanna upset the bikes stability.
- Shift body a smidge into the turn.
- Bend it over more - but real easy on the counter-steering.
And she did lean more...and I picked up back on my line (scrubbing some speed off in the process as well) even with the front tire chirping slightly letting me know it is approaching it's maximum traction.
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Post by Far Rider on Aug 20, 2006 16:17:52 GMT -8
Why stop there? I'd just get a new bike.
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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 20, 2006 16:46:52 GMT -8
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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 20, 2006 16:57:36 GMT -8
Husky: A lot of the guys seem to keep their stock tires. The more serious riders, however, all switch their stock tires. Everyone basically seems to agree that stock tires are good for regular riding with the occasional twistie but if you're looking to do some aggressive riding, you need aftermarket tires. For the time being I'll take it easy but I would like to go back to more aggressive riding later on. Especially if I find myself on the west coast with all of its canyons.
I'm sure overconfidence and inexperience played a role yesterday. The fact that I've been on this road so many times probably led me to believe that I was invincible on it. Clearly not though. It's just so weird to hit the same exact curve hundreds of times but then go down on it. I thought I had found the perfect speed/lean angle for each curve but I guess not.
I haven't touched my tire pressure and suspension from their stock settings. I've read that the ZX6R is setup for a 150 pound rider and since I'm 140, I don't think I need to touch it. I also haven't touched the clutch/brake positions because I'm able to use all of them easily.
Yea there is nothing scarier than being in the middle of a decreasing radius turn and then realizing that you're about to run out of room. It happened to me twice but both times I was able to recover. I've learned my lesson though and I never take a road fast if it's the first time I've been on it. That's why I don't see myself doing too many group rides unless it's on roads I know. I would never even attempt to keep up with someone who knows the road like the back of his hand.
Speaking of which....I'll be in DC in 10 days for the start of school. Clearly my bike won't be ready for another 2-3 weeks but once I get it down there, maybe we can set something up. If you don't mind Husky, I'd like to do a moderate run so that you could observe my riding style and give me some tips. Maybe towards the end of September/early October, if you're around?
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Post by Husky23 on Aug 20, 2006 17:35:38 GMT -8
Husky: A lot of the guys seem to keep their stock tires. The more serious riders, however, all switch their stock tires. Everyone basically seems to agree that stock tires are good for regular riding with the occasional twistie but if you're looking to do some aggressive riding, you need aftermarket tires. For the time being I'll take it easy but I would like to go back to more aggressive riding later on. Especially if I find myself on the west coast with all of its canyons. I can't argue with that FF...in fact I agree. but I don't think that is what is the point made by 101, Far rider...nor myself. The basic consensus appears to be...the present stock skins are plenty capable to your experience level...so it ain't the rubber (unless you've not maintained it). Dig? And I tend to agree...there is some other skill dynamic here...why? Because when I first started training for racing...I was running stock Dunlop rubber on my Ninja on the track...and they did fair enough. Now...you mean you haven't checked your tire pressure once since you've bought the bike? I check mine at a minimum once every two weeks...and if I KNOW I'm going playing or a long trip...I check. Also, my manual says 42PSI front and rear...well that's great for all around (and two up riding) but most, if not all, serious players drop it down a few PSI to obtain a slightly larger contact patch. I run mine at 38 front and 36 rear. If any tire gets to low 30's...that's dangerous. When I run these Bridgestone Battleaxe BT020's out I'll probably go for a Metelzer ME Z2 or Michelin Pilot Sport... Also, suspension...mine is stock and set for nearly my weight...but stock is always abit on the plush side...granted tightening it up does make it slightly harsher for commuting...but one never knows when that tasty twisty diversion may come.  Sounds like a plan...I'm good with it. |
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Post by FightingFalcon on Aug 20, 2006 18:54:56 GMT -8
Yea, I get what you're saying. But the fact of the matter is that my rear needs to be replaced anyway. If I'm going through that process, I kinda want Pilot Powers put on. I'll compare what the OEM tires are worth to what it would cost to put PPs on. If it's not too much more money, I'll just throw the PPs on there. I mean, I just spent $800 on new gear last night so why not spend $250 on some kick ass tires? Speaking of which, you ever go to VIR? It's kinda far away but it seems to be the closest track to DC. I'm surprised you ran stock tires on a track - I think my stock tires are only rated for 140mph. Not that I would want to go TOO much faster than that but on a track why not?  Yea, I kinda slacked in that department. I checked the chain, oil, brakes, clutch, etc all the time but just always forgot to get the pressure gauge. Well I definitely won't forget next time... Maybe I'll check it tomorrow...the bike isn't ride-able but I'd like to see what I was running at. I'll let you know when the bike is in DC. If it's anything like last time, the repairs will take two weeks. I should have the bike by 2 September...9 September the latest. Learning how to ride in DC will definitely be fun.... |
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