First Lowside since 2004 w/ pics

Well... it finally happened. I got content/arrogant and screwed up.

Crash happened roughly 100 ft from my house.

Contributing Factors:
1) I was being a dumb ass
2) Brand new tires were still a little slick from mold release (pilot powers)
3) Lighter tires (came from shinko 705s)
4) Smaller diameter tires (effectively shorter gearing)
5) New no toil filter (arguably a little more power)
6) New clutch lever (Righteous Stunt Metal, totally different feel)

Reason for the crash is that I used the same amount of throttle I normally would on that corner. Combination of the above factors and my typical aggressiveness was just too much and I went down at about 20-25mph.

Bike is fine pics below of the scratches.

I'm find but I banged up my knee, got a little rash on my hip, and twisted my ankle. Nothing that won't be fine in a few days. All in all on par with most of my mountain bike injuries.

My firstgear mesh jacket did it's job but will need to be retired same with the fox bomber gloves. The Oniel MX pants I was wearing are missing a zipper pull but otherwise alright. My boots are shot...

I rode the bike back to the house. Let me wife know what had happened. Drank a glass of water. Put on non fubar gear and went on my ride. Try that on a crotch rocket :) I highly recommend axle sliders and solid hand guards folks. If it weren't for those items the bike would be in rough shape. It slid about 15 feet on concrete.

WARNING: THE LAST PIC KINDA SHOWS MY PALE ASS WITH THE HIP RASH.


IMG_20120401_195910 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_195957 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_195931 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_200009 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_195939 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_200225 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_155617 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_200114 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr


IMG_20120401_155549 by Noah_K_T, on Flickr

Bummer, glad you are relatively ok.

That's why I wear the gear. I live with the attitude that I will eventually go down again so I gear up for every ride like that's the one that will hurt.

Good for you. I wear gear all the time also, including riding pants with CE armor. Sucks when it gets hot out but I prefer the peace of mind I get wearing full gear.

I'd say the air filter had little to do with the spill.

Glad you're ok.

After you scraped yourself up off the concrete. How were the pilot powers once worn in? Or was the memory of the crash too fresh to enjoy them?
Did you finally wear the shinkos out? Mine are still lookin new at around 3.5k miles on em though the rear is starting to look a little flatter in the middle. I don't hate em quite as much any more. Poor feel but I've gotten em low enough to drag the toe of my boot.

Also, if you got the no-toil with the cage, they do add some oomph. I could feel it after I put mine on. Nothing massive, but a new tendancy to carry the front wheel an inch or two off the ground when accelerating hard.


Anyhow, congrats on crashing without getting hurt or tearing anything up too bad Best kind of crash to have, other than the non-crash crash.

oic0 wrote:

After you scraped yourself up off the concrete. How were the pilot powers once worn in?

To be honest, it's going to take me a week or two to get the confidence back to be able to give an honest review on the tires.

Once my ankle stops hurting the "recovery" process will go a lot faster.

oic0 wrote:

Also, if you got the no-toil with the cage, they do add some oomph. I could feel it after I put mine on. Nothing massive, but a new tendancy to carry the front wheel an inch or two off the ground when accelerating hard.

I did get the one with a cage (without the backfire screen). There definitely feels like better power across the range, but that could just be the smaller and lighter rear tire screwing with me.

Arkmage wrote:

oic0 wrote:

Also, if you got the no-toil with the cage, they do add some oomph. I could feel it after I put mine on. Nothing massive, but a new tendancy to carry the front wheel an inch or two off the ground when accelerating hard.

I did get the one with a cage (without the backfire screen). There definitely feels like better power across the range, but that could just be the smaller and lighter rear tire screwing with me.

Paired with no air box door and holes in my side panel, it definitely feels stronger. Loud as heck but I'm getting more confident that the cops just don't give a rip about it down here. I guess because I don't hold a candle to all of the cruisers with straight drag pipes and trucks with glass packs.

Yeah, I'm also sans air box door.

Arkmage wrote:

Yeah, I'm also sans air box door.

When running hard some time, maybe just cruising at 70. Touch the side panel if you safely find a way to. It feels like each engine pulse sucks the panel in against the air box, maybe sealing it?. Thats why I put holes in mine. Seemed like she was telling me she still wanted more air. Maybe its all just in my head.