| Author | Message | ||
     Xb9 |
Back on June 17th I was leading the 30 minute Middleweight endurance race at Nelson Ledges (Fasttrax) with about 7 minutes left when I crashed in turn 13 and broke my Femur at the hip. Spent a week in the hospital after hip replacement surgery and am on the mend. About 4 days after I got home, I received a get well card from Buell signed by Henry Duga and Erik Buell. I don't know how they even knew I got hurt, but I can tell you all how great it was to get that card. Thanks Henry and Erik for your good will, it makes my recovery much easier. And Henry, thanks for your help with my questions earlier in the year on setting up my bike. Hope to be back on the track sometime in August! | ||
| Nutsosane |
That is pretty cool man. Every time I consider going to another brand bike a story like this reminds me why I'm here. NUTS | ||
| Ebear |
Another Re-affirmation....Too Cool  | ||
| Blake |
"Different in Every Sense" is a much truer statement with deeper meaning than most initially realize. Hope you heal well and quickly. Did I miss or already forget your recounting of the race and your crash? Would be interesting to hear your story about it.  | ||
| Xb9 |
Thanks Blake. The cause of the crash was weird and still has me a bit puzzled. All I know is I got the holeshot and was in a good groove, eventually getting into low 1:12 / high 1:11's. My previous best time was low 1:16's and this race really didn't feel like I was going much quicker than before, I was in a good zone and every lap was clicking off perfect just like the last. I had one younger guy that was giving me a little pressure, we kinda separated from the rest of the field,cutting through some lapped riders; he never tried to pass me or get along side, but I knew he was right there so I had to keep pressing. On lap 21, with about 5 minutes left, I came into turn 13 which is a sweeping right hand turn, kinda tight coming off a high speed left. Just like I've done a million times before, hit my break marker, and downshifted once while under braking. As soon as started letting the clutch out on the downshift, the rear felt like it locked up and kicked out violently to the left. It felt like it was either down one too many gears (first) or it did lock up for some reason. I wasn't on the rear brake either. I didn't even have a chance to pull the clutch back in, the rear came back to the right and highsided me off. As usual, it all happen in a split second. So I really don't know at this point if something locked up in the primary or tranny, I somehow downshifted two gears instead of one, or just plain lost track of what gear I was in. I don't think I lost track of what gear I was in because there was nothing that i remember going into that corner that was different than the rest of the race. And that downshift should have put me into second gear; If I had inadvertantly shifted it into first, I think I would have know it before I let the clutch out. When you drop a Buell into first at a higher than normal speed for that gear, you know it by the clunk and additional clutch drag from the mismatched speed. There was no clunk or indication that I was in first. Afterward, I ran the bike through the gears in the garage on a stand and it seems to shift ok without a load on it, don't know if I'll ever know for sure what caused the back to step out like that.. I don't think the guy behind me tagged me, but that's another posibility. Haven't seen him to ask him though, And I haven't spoke to anyone that saw it happen. Just really sucks hobbling around on crutches, not able to even ride my streebike. Three more weeks.... (Message edited by xb9 on July 10, 2006) | ||
| Blake |
The way you tell it, it sure sounds to me like like you got tagged from behind. That is an amazing improvement on lap time! | ||
| M1combat |
Maybe you didnt pull the clutch in as far as you normally do or shifted a hair too early and the downshift overcame the traction? I dont know. Sorry for the misfortune though. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
that's way cool  D | ||
| Diablobrian |
Wow, great story, and I'm glad you're healing up well David (xb9) | ||
| Vonsliek |
cld've just been yr tire .. i had a pirelli - new diablo - stepping rather violently out from me downshifting from 5th to 2nd - even w/ blips - from 200kmh at end of straight, w/ abt 6000-6500 rpm in 2nd as i laid it over to the left. it was a green tire on a warm day .. but it got me thinking that when tires go off, they can throw u around. a guy on a ducati 749 was telling me - after he followed me - that his used to step out "like that" until he fitted a sliper clutch .. fwiw, i crashed on the tire mentioned above on that day .. clipped apex of kerbing on chicane at abt 120-150kmh & bounced .. before i knew it i was staring at a concrete retaining wall separating front straight from back straight .. the hay bales didn't look to reassuring .. i hit the brakes .. left a darky & went off road .. like the technical section of a dirt track .. lots of 6-12" channels .. gopher holes & skeeters .. i recall the jolts & then WHAM! ... on back, looking at sky & arms upstretched, saying to self "relax, relax .. ok, i think i have stopped .. better get up & let them know i am ok .." glad i had back protector on .. bruised shoulder, burnt R elbow inside leathers & hurt ankle (which quickly improved) & R knee (3 times a charm on that poor knee) was the size of a grapefruit when i got home .. black & blue .. bike was ok, loosened steering bearings & got grass everywhere .. even inside bead of tire .. bent R clip-on back (actually felt better), knocked off lights & grazed tail unit. inspected bike & then rode it home (30mins) .. by time i got home i was in pain .. but, way it goes!  next couple of days, limping & mildly nauseous w/ very vague mind .. guess another concussion?! i was REALLY on it too, before i crashed .. was getting really nice feedback & loud complements from my instructor .. ex pro canadian superbike racer. so, i hear u man .. sorry for my novel, but i wanted to share the love! paul. | ||
| Xb9 |
Yea, I've been thinking alot about how good it would be if someone had a slipper clutch for the XB's.... The tire was hooking up real good (Michelin TD slicks); in the later stages of the race (as my lap times dropped) I was getting a good controllable power side coming out of 13 when I rolled it on to WOT; man, the work Revolution Performance (Brian Nallin) did on that engine - it just rockets off the corners - put's a grin on my face just thinking about it! | ||
| Revperf |
Dave, Man I am sooo sorry to hear about your wreck. Racer Definitions - Crash-Get up and get back on --- Wreck-The helo/ambulance shows up. It absolutely sucks. Just remember though that Bo Jackson's hip was better after the replacement the before! Thanks for the kind words on the motor as well. BN | ||
| Xb9 |
Thanks Brian...let me know when that slipper clutch is available! Yea it sucks, the hip is bad enough but then the first day back to work ( I was off 9 days) my F$#king boss tells me if it happens again racing I'm out of a job... what compassion. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
co-workers, friends, and family will all react differently to racing injuries.......i've been through ALL of the responses from the sympathetic to the insulting over the last month or so since i crashed. even well-meaning people say things they *think* are helpful and are actually irritating. its best to focus on healing and not getting upset at people's opinions (and sometimes, ignorance) all you can hope for is someone to talk to who really understands. i found that in a fellow co-worker/racer - he called me at home every day the first week. and shared really silly stories of his very similar injury (ribs, lung, head) back in 2000 to keep me motivated and in good humor. i still call, email, text him with questions and concerns. he's been very generous with his time and advice and thats made a big difference to me. hang in there, get well, D (on the "injured reserves" bench with ya) | ||
| Vonsliek |
buelliegirl & xb9 .. i am making u guys my kin .. for want of a better word & that u seem to find yerselves in a similar boat often. i am riding from calgary, alberta, canada tomorrow nite .. 3 days straight to see the motogp at laguna & then repeating the cycle. because everyone i know who rides up here is a sissy, or has already done that. mostly sissies. i have a 4 yo daughter & i don't want her growing up thinking all men are sissies .. nor whipped .. i have my own independent business too - tattooing. she will seek out strong men who go places no matter what .. even if it kills me leading the way! for my last crash - suspected broken neck, knee & concussion - i got "buy lottery ticket", concussion & water on knee .. all i got was "i like to live vicariously theu you." &, "i'd like to feel sympathy, but i think u r a reckless motorcylist." so, thank you, tank you fack you, all u nderstanding & open-minded pl i have loved & dael w/ on daily basis. who needs u. pauly. |
