Killjoy_1
Novice Class
Posts: 42
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posted July 08, 2008 01:26 PM
Getting over a crash
Riding in Valley of Fire in Nevada going through twisties when I did a lowside while going 35mph downhill. Just made a left turn and setting up for the next right when...wham! on my right side sliding into the dirt. About a 6% slope. I was completely upright before I fell, so I am really having a hard time understanding what happened. Cop says it was a combination of fine dust and oil on road, combined with the fact that it doesn't really rain. My main problem now is that I can't get my head wrapped around the facts of the matter and cannot ride my 14 the way I used to. I used to be able to lean it over pretty well and go pretty fast, and only had about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of chicken strip left. Now I have a good 1.25 on either side and find out that I freeze up doing right handers and end up drifting some into opposite lane at speed. I have been getting better, but it just pisses me off that I won't get over the wreck and continue to progress. Any ideas?
  
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some guy
Expert Class
Posts: 144
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posted July 08, 2008 02:12 PM
Hey killjoy, I feel your pain. Been down more than 7 times over 20 years. One wreck was at last glance 140 mhp. Another two from big lumps in the pavement in the middle of corners. One, my last one, from my front break calliper bolt snapping, which caused the calliper to shift and the shoe to wedge tight next to the break locking the front wheel. Yippee!
But the one I remember the most was like yours. No obvious reason. No visual gravel, oil, or moisture. I was just setting up for banking in when the back end let go. All I remember was the bike slipping out beneath me and all the sparks!! And the sounds!!! I still hear those sounds when I'm riding hard. It's just plain weird.
But life moves on and it's another day. Have you ever gotten into a corner and thought , "damn, I'm going too fast for this curve"? Some guys panic and freeze and then blame it on the dirt. Me, I've learned to fight against the freeze and push the sucker down, always knowing there's more room to turn.
If I had to guess on yours and my one mysterious fall, I'd put a nickel on the tires. Either not warmed up yet or just not good enough.
Either way, I don't push it as hard as used to. And I don't feel bad. Because all of my riding is on the street. I want to go to a real track. There is where I will push it to the limit. I won't ride that hard on a street anymore. Not to say I don't ride briskly, but there is big difference between fast and all out. The street isn't built for it. So why chance it?
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'08 SE ZX-14
'14 1000r Ninja (wife's)
1985 900 Ninja
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butterthegreat
Expert Class
Posts: 329
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posted July 08, 2008 02:21 PM
Hmm.....for all the times I crashed, I just got back up and rode again the next day....never got affected. I analyzed what happened and knew what to do if I ever got there again...even when I crashed @ 150 on the track....still went back to the track the next day....didn't even shutter.
Sorry...I can't help much. I just don't dwell....My suggestion is just to look over the possibilities of the accident, learn, and move on.....just throw it in the experience bucket and don't let it get to you.....because if you do, that could lead to another accident.
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xtro
Expert Class
Posts: 112
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posted July 08, 2008 03:45 PM
here was my disciding factor ...
after a spill last year in my CSA approved scandles .. ( not a scratch on them . lol ), I was riding slowly and went to pass a BMW in a dusty construction area .. good road .. just light dust ..
so I was so gingerly I thought my boobs might be showing . and STILL .. the back end went out a touch and scared me .. not lots .. but that twinge that you are all to aware of and that was it ...
here is your choice ..
1.be scared and sell your bike .. your a danger to yourself with that mindset ..
2. your ok and it was a freak thing. .. you've had lots of things happen before this and rode confidantly to that last moment .. so F-it man !! .. get on and go like you did .. soon you'll believe it ( minutes NOT days ) and your riding again ..
which do you prefer ? choose .. I did .. glad about it ... still .. shorts and scandles are what keep my Ch. strips from geting below 1/16th .. ;-)
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Tool man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted July 08, 2008 04:18 PM
Do a track day!!!
1st You were going downhill I'm guessing on the brakes into an unfamiliar turn with unknown traction.
That is the best recipe for a front end low side I know. So... get your head around it and go out and practice.
If you cannot afford a track day, find a deserted industrial section and map out a course with both right and left turns. AND .... Practice
Word of caution.. I you find a good spot; remember you are still on the road. Cops will not understand. So play for a few and find a spot to watch and see if they show up. If not most likely no one will bitch about you playing around..
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The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted July 08, 2008 06:07 PM
 Edited By: bigdtd on 8 Jul 2008 19:14
shit happens get over it, be careful and increase your activities as your confidence increases. you gotta get back on the horse that threw you and ride it. i have had my share of wipeouts,and as long as you learn something and keep on riding you will be OK. believe in yourself. you can do it. oh yea get some pilot powers 
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted July 08, 2008 06:22 PM
quote:
Do a track day!!!
+1
quote:
oh yea get some pilot powers
+1
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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ninja14
Pro
Posts: 1136
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posted July 08, 2008 06:43 PM
I know the feeling.....and it goes away with more riding.
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2006 Turbo ZX-14.
2005 V-max 20th Anniv.
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johnnyrocketzx14
Expert Class
Posts: 207
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posted July 08, 2008 07:33 PM
man i miss riding the valley of fire !!!! thats where i fell in love with riding bikes.... That being said i have lived there, been on that road (right after they had it redone in 2002-3ish )and your not the first person who has had that kind of freak crash in that area. Don't sweat it, its the price you may have to pay for playing on a public road (not a maintained track) i usually like to ride through it one direction and do a visual inspection and test traction a few times before i hit it very hard. But make no mistake about it, its a dangerous place to play.........just way too much fun not too
glad to hear you are not physically hurt
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07 ZX14
Brocks Sidewinder, Stretched, lowered, strapped,Drag seat, PCIII W/Hub, No flies, BMC, Speedo Healer, Muzzy NOS/Shifter,
1.41 60, 5.77 1/8th 8.89 1/4
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