| Author | Message | ||
     Cereal |
Okay, so the title is a little melodramatic, but anyway... I was riding with a group of various bikes in VA/WVA and was fifth in line of about 10 sport bikes. I was riding my 03 XB9R for the first time after putting her together (bought it repoed and in bad shape). We were going through the twisties and I decided to play it conservative because I am not yet use to how quickly the XB dives into the turns after 6 years of riding a tuber. I lost sight of the bike in front of me and there was one in view behind. I came to a fork in the road and had no idea which way to go. I started to go right, and then chose left. I probably hit the rear brake too hard (brand new pads) and the rear tire started to slide in a patch of gravel, causing me to instinctually try to righten the bike. I brought her back in line, but was now heading straight for a line of trees about 10 feet off the road. Thankfully, there was a trench of mud just off the road. I dumped it on the right side busting both blinkers, the brake lever, and fairing support bracket. The right clip on bent a little, and the cam gear case cover took a little damage to the bottom near the timing cover. And everything was a tad muddy. One of the riders in the group had a spare brake lever for a Suzuki that fit after being filed down, so I did ride it home. I was of course wearing all my gear and the mud was pretty soft, so I came through totally unscathed. What I already knew: You’ve never been riding too long to do something stupid. What I learned: Indecision can kill. Make your decisions quickly and stick with your initial reaction. That way, you can second guess yourself with your tires still on the pavement instead of in the tree line. I also learned that I don’t much like the Tomahawks. The bike had them when I got it and I do not know how many miles they have, but there is till quite a bit of tread left. The grooves in the tires seem too big, causing the front end to shake a bit during hard lean. They do grip pretty well, but the head shake does not inspire much confidence. | ||
| Glitch |
I was wondering who had run off, after seeing the pictures. Glad you're okay! Tomahawks? Ever since I found they were re-treads, I couldn't have confidence in them. Again, glad you're okay! | ||
| Diablobrian |
Glad you're okay. You have to have total confidence in your machine and in your tires if you are going to ride hard. If you have doubts about the tomahawks you'll make mistakes because your focus will be on them and not the road. Replace them. I don't care how much tread is left, that is not the issue, faith in the equipment is what allows you to focus on what's ahead and ride smoothly. | ||
| Crashm1 |
I'm with Brian and Glitch get rid of the tires. I like sticky tires they let me get away with being stupid on occasion. I'd also recommend taking some time preride to outline the route and discuss having the faster riders wait when they get to a turn off. It's the polite thing to do plus that way people don't feel pressured to keep up which may help keep the ride crash free. Glad you and the bike are okay by the way. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
one of the rules in lakeland at the monthly ride is if you lose sight of the guy behind you slow down or stop just in case something happened to them and you don't have to worry about that fork in the rode which we had one last month. | ||
| Cereal |
All good ideas and I appreciate them. I already have a set of Corsa IIIs waiting to be put on. It should be a night/day difference. Plus, I’m excited to have black tires so people stop asking me why my tires are light grey. To alleviate the issue of keeping an eye behind you instead of concentrating on the road, we had a rear guard on a Blast and a bunch of cruisers behind us, so we were covered. There were also planned rally points along the way. Turn offs and forks occur all over the place in the back woods of VA/WVA, so stopping every time would have been ridiculous. It was my first time riding w/ them because I am fairly new to the area, but they seem like a very responsible bunch (I even had to sign a waiver, which I think was bad juju!). | ||
| Glitch |
Corsa IIIs, nice, but, I think "night and day difference" will be an understatement. You'll love 'em! | ||
| Bugman |
I went down on my 12S on labor day. First time in over 20 years. I learned the hard way that some tires stick better than others and short bikes are very unforgiving if you make a mistake. | ||
| Rasmonis |
That was my first time with the group and I had originally planned to hang back, but I felt comfortable with our pace...I was the last of the front group. Once I realized the folks between us and the rear guard might miss the fork, I stopped hoping someone would see me and make the turn. I saw Cereal go by and had no idea what had happened until I turned around to find out why it was taking so long for everyone to catch up. Like he stated earlier, this was a responsible group that put this ride together. I wish my rides were half as organized (I'm working on it). Sh!t happens no matter how careful you are sometimes. I'm glad Rob's ok and was able to ride home with relative minor damage to his bike. I think Tomahawks make great show/novelty tires but that's about it. | ||
| Interest |
Rear Brakes are Evil! | ||
| Rasmonis |
Gravel sux too - especially the fine type on curves. Actually, all gravel sux. (Message edited by Rasmonis on October 11, 2006) | ||
| Blublak |
Uh.. OK, Mea Clupa.. It was after all, my ride. As for the dump.. well.. I'm sorry about that, but as you remember, the bridge was at the 'bottom' of a downhill curve and I didn't think piling up the bikes at the bottom was a good idea, and the bridge was a one lane so I decided I'd slide across and kind of 'mark' the next point. The bike behind me rolled in and I nodded (thought I was indicating wait for the next bike), then pulled out a little, giving space.. She jumped on the throttle and followed me. Then, came Ramon, who must have read my mind and stopped to mark the direction to go in. Randy (I think) on his Uly was next, he pulled up right behind me and as far as I knew all was good... I made a little more room and waited.. and waited.. then I saw Ramon turn around and head back across the bridge (couldn't see the other side due to the foliage). I figured someone went left and was chasing them down, so I was trying to turn around and head back to mark the point. By the time I got there, Cereal was down and people were starting to gather. Special thanks need to go to Linda (Joses' SO) for having that lever in her tank bag! I try to plan them best I can, but some things just can't be predicted.. like how much gravel the rain storms the day before had pushed onto the road. I promise, next time, I'll choose a little more 'direct' routing.. I'm really glad you're OK and hope you'll ride with me again sometime soon.. You're gonna love the DCs'.. I do! Ramon.. I'll help you with your future rides.. really I will.. hehehehehe.. Oh boy.. now I've done it.. | ||
| Cereal |
I certainly wasn't blaming you, Peter. You didn't do anything wrong. It was my own dumb fault for not just picking a direction. If I would have been on my tuber (or had more faith in the tomahawks), I would have been up Ras' ass and known which way to go. The gravel would have had no effect if I had been on course. It was in no way anyones fault but my own. | ||
| Cowboy |
Back to the topic. Just remember the old rule. Just try to not let your bike you any place your mind has not been 5 sec. before.( sometimes it is a very hard thing to do) if that happenes just ride like hell. | ||
| Blublak |
As someone much (read that MUCH!!) faster then I'll ever be once told me.. "When in doubt.. Ride it out!" For this thread.. that would be; commit and execute. Later in the same day, we hit some wet pea gravel on another road. Had a couple of pucker type moments as I came through the curve and found my rear tire sliding out a little.. I just held my position (body, throttle, lean on the bike) and rode through it.. I (as Rob has stated) committed to a course and stayed with it. That, is often one of the more difficult things to do when riding. You feel the thing step out from under you and it takes a great force of will to NOT change what you are doing. Sometimes, even when your mind knows what you're supposed to do.. well.. the rest of you still goofs it.. (like me at Pocono earlier this year - Ouch!) | ||
| Rasmonis |
Rob, Are you saying I have a big ass? It surely could not accommodate you or your bike. Pete, The few times I've had the opportunity to ride with you have been great, and you know some great roads. I'm looking forward towards working with you, I need help planning next year's riding routes. | ||
| Cereal |
Well, I wasn't going to say anything... |
