Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

So, I was on the last lap of the first session, I'd taken it pretty easy the whole session, track temp was quite low and I was getting my head around the new extension which is totally at odds to the rest of the track, 6 extra corners and the whole section is 2nd gear. Came out of the hairpin and gave it a good squirt in 2nd, caught right up to a guy in front and wasn't to worried about getting past so I backed off a bit. Was just about to click 3rd when I saw the checkered flag (3 corners from the pit entry) so didn't click up and rolled off, sat up. As I'd hit the shift light in second moments before I was still doing about 170 km. I tipped into 16 (slight right) and realised that I was still carrying a fair bit of speed, started to flick back to LHS for 17, and instinctively chopped down a gear ( usually going 3rd to 2nd here) but instead I jammed 1st. As I did it I thought 'wtf are you doing?' Before I could even blink I went down like a sack of spuds, and slid for freaking ages with a few tumbles at the end. Leathers are pretty ripped up but the bike is not bad. Ground away my new rearset peg, bar end, lever, rotor cover and fairing has a few holes, but it's fiberglass so repairing won't be too bad. I've ground away my elbow, and my hip, knee, shoulder and wrist are pretty sore. Lucky I've got a while till work to heal up.

In hindsight I should've given the TD a miss today. I'm dealing with a fair old turmoil in my private life and my mind wasn't on game. I didn't feel right on the bike and another reason I took it easy. I was still getting the knees down but I was holding back a fair bit.

You learn from your mistakes, and as a friend once said to me, "if that's so, you should be a f**king professor by now". I thought it was harsh at the time, but 10 yrs later and it seems quite fair.

That does sound nasty even though the bike's taken it quite well. I don't think I want to see a picture of your elbow! Get well soon Professor Kiwi!

Well on the bright side at least you can keep your name a bit longer.

Glad you're ok dude

It as the hardest hit I've taken coming off, and last time I wasn't light as I went over the handle bars at about 130 Kms. I would've been doing approx 140-150 Kms when I went down today.

The guy that was behind me came and saw me, he couldn't understand why I went down. He reckon it looked like a hard hit, freaked him out and reckoned he nearly followed me off the track.

The bike doesn't look too bad.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

I was told I could still go out on it, it really is minor considering.

Apparently a guy dropped it on that corner yesterday and his bike broke in half

You would question why a bike would break up like that.

I'm sure you're getting as much TLC at home as I would after a spill.........

Kwacky wrote:You would question why a bike would break up like that.

I'm sure you're getting as much TLC at home as I would after a spill.........

If by TLC you mean Terrible Looks and Comments, yup heaps

But this one was the corker, " I knew you were going to crash today, your mindset wasn't right to be riding". I know I'm a big boy but you'd think you'd bring that concern up prior to the TD.

My wife is always wise after the event. Must be a woman thing.

Yes it is!

Glad you're both relatively ok.

Glad to hear your injuries aren't worse, get well soon my friend

F*** a duck, man. What the hell?

At least the bike doesn't look too bad for coming off at that speed.
Hopefully you'll fair just as well with any bruising.

Well, if you need a shoulder to cry on, we're here for you.
And if you don't, then we can just take the piss instead!

bugger ,glad the damage isnt to bad and your ok
I have a rule when i do track days if i dont feel comfortable on the bike i miss a session or go home

Nowt I can say that'll make it better Kiwi, however you're still mobile, the bikes still rideable and you know exactly what happened, I've been lucky to nail two out of three of those at times when I've crashed, so whilst it won't really help I'd say you came out of it ok, especially considering the speed you went in at.

Just remember there's only two sorts of biker, those that have crashed and those that are going to crash at some point in the future. Sobering thought, but true in my experience.

Deegee wrote:
Just remember there's only two sorts of biker, those that have crashed and those who aren't trying hard enough

Fixed it for ya

Of course, what was I thinking?

Kwacky wrote:

Deegee wrote:
Just remember there's only two sorts of biker, those that have crashed and those who aren't trying hard enough

Fixed it for ya

.

I would've felt a lot better about the crash if I had of dropped it given it a good nudge rather than how it happened.

But I'm not sulking about it, like has been mentioned, I'm in one piece and the bike is only lightly damaged. I think the leathers are going to take a bit of repair. That's the third time I've gone down in them

So do I change my username to KiwiKawasakiKrasher now??

Ah mate, I feel for you..... Get well soon, go take some photos and chill out for a bit, you are obviously needing some chill time reading between the lines