crashing
I land back in US on Sun. I havent been on track in almost 3 months, and well, u know, how it itches when you have had such a long break. So i took the bike to the track next day itself, as it was memorial day holiday. Was not in much mood to try new things, just wanted to get back into flow and to find some RPs, but well, when shit happens, it doesnt inform u first. It had been a good day, plan was only to ride the first half of the day , as jetlag was expected to catch up with me by afternoon. BUt in the last session before lunch, it caught up with me.
Went a lil wide into turn 13 at TWS, not really hot, totally in control, and tried to get the bike back into line. At my level of speeds, I am dangerously close to pushing the limit on street tires, and that day, I guess I just crossed that line. The rear lost traction and gave out on me. It was prety funny actually, becuase for a sec i just felt i was just turning a lil sharp, it was that smooth. but then, it had already crashed...and boom! i went sliding on my butt into grass, and the bike did the same. I took a lil tumble towarda the end, but was feeling pretty ok getting up and walking towards the bike. Cornerworker shared the same thoughts and did not consider my crash worthy of a red flag. GOOD! after all lowsides r low key affairs and usually dont do much damage to either bike or rider.
But alas, it was onlny half true that day, Rider came out ok, but not the ride. bike probably took a tumble, flipping over at least once and it messed the front side up pretty good, making it more or less unridable. its a pretty fcked up feeling, to have crashed, esp when u start thinking it implies u r not a good rider, but then, as every racer already knows, it is the reality. everybody crashes! thee is no running away from it. I m usually very punishing on myself, I dont like making mistakes, but at least on this front, i wasnt feeling too bad, becuase I hadnt really made a mistake. Responsibility, still, was mine, and I accept it fully. Bucie baby sits in garage right now, and I am asselmbling all needed parts..lets see when I get back out there again. Hopyfully, it wont take too long and it will be this month itself. But there would be one change this time out, most probably... I would be on race tires!
Here r a coupla snaps before the crash... not the best position, but ok for somebody who wasnt really pushing it!
http://www.sportbikelife.com/gallery/Levels-1-2-TWS-May-29th-2006/IMG_5683
http://www.sportbikelife.com/gallery/Levels-1-2-TWS-May-29th-2006/IMG_5478
Went a lil wide into turn 13 at TWS, not really hot, totally in control, and tried to get the bike back into line. At my level of speeds, I am dangerously close to pushing the limit on street tires, and that day, I guess I just crossed that line. The rear lost traction and gave out on me. It was prety funny actually, becuase for a sec i just felt i was just turning a lil sharp, it was that smooth. but then, it had already crashed...and boom! i went sliding on my butt into grass, and the bike did the same. I took a lil tumble towarda the end, but was feeling pretty ok getting up and walking towards the bike. Cornerworker shared the same thoughts and did not consider my crash worthy of a red flag. GOOD! after all lowsides r low key affairs and usually dont do much damage to either bike or rider.
But alas, it was onlny half true that day, Rider came out ok, but not the ride. bike probably took a tumble, flipping over at least once and it messed the front side up pretty good, making it more or less unridable. its a pretty fcked up feeling, to have crashed, esp when u start thinking it implies u r not a good rider, but then, as every racer already knows, it is the reality. everybody crashes! thee is no running away from it. I m usually very punishing on myself, I dont like making mistakes, but at least on this front, i wasnt feeling too bad, becuase I hadnt really made a mistake. Responsibility, still, was mine, and I accept it fully. Bucie baby sits in garage right now, and I am asselmbling all needed parts..lets see when I get back out there again. Hopyfully, it wont take too long and it will be this month itself. But there would be one change this time out, most probably... I would be on race tires!
Here r a coupla snaps before the crash... not the best position, but ok for somebody who wasnt really pushing it!
http://www.sportbikelife.com/gallery/Levels-1-2-TWS-May-29th-2006/IMG_5683
http://www.sportbikelife.com/gallery/Levels-1-2-TWS-May-29th-2006/IMG_5478
posted by Kalkat at 1:54 PM
3 Comments:
thanks man. and it was michelin pilot powers. pretty good tires. and yes i crashed bcos i reached their limit. well, tires i think will still do more than that, but track conditions would have to be much better. u cant expect that on broken down tracks like TWS
Hi Kalkat,
Read your post through on xBhp. No it did not sound like you are bragging or anything. Informative for people like me who know zilch about tracks. Yes, these are just dreams for us. So enjoyed reading your post. Also read the first three articles here on your blog. I know zilch about cornering. Never had a chance to learn. So dont know how to do it though would love to learn even though it is a bit late in the day for me. But hey, I dont care. And since I dont know, I could not make out the difference in the two track day pics that you put up on the post at xBhp.com. Thanks for sharing. Regards,
Ken.
good luck always spread its charm on brave people...
thank god:-))
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