Crash: "Epiphany" (4/6 @ Mines)

[dogtownmax]

could your tire pressure been too high? keep in mind that the number on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure, not the optimum pressure.

riders on the track run lower psi in their tires than street riding/commuting. im not suggesting riding like you were on the track, but spirited canyon carving could require lower tire pressure than freeway commuting.

 

[SimFox3]

Great post, Saad. Very, very informative for newbs like myself.

You are definetly NOT a newb. chronoxdragoon had posted the Tao's of life:

1) you dont know
2) you learn
3) you think you know
4) you realize you really dont know
5) when you know you dont know anything, that's when you know.

I would expect you are somewhere between 4.5-5.0. (I'm probably hovering over 0).

I'm sorry if I missed it, but what kind of tires do you have? I'm guessing they're relatively new since you mentioned the pips...?

Yeah, the rear tire is about 3 weeks old. It has 350 'easy riding' miles on it. The sides have pips still.

I don't know the exact name of the tires but I'll get back to you on that. I got the tire replaced from Santa Clara Cycle Accessories. The new tire was the only tire they had in stock for my bike (130/70). Sales rep told me that the tire is "cheap" quality and recommended a different "grippier" tire with slightly different dimension (140/80).

However, he changed his recommendation when I informed him I was a total newbie. The wider tire was going to make my bike 'lean' faster and could be hazardous for someone who hasn't mastered his/her bike yet. So, I ended up installing the 130/70 tire.

Maybe Chris was on softer and/or healthier tires and he had just a bit more traction available to him

I don't know the quality of Chris' tire, but I do know that he is an expert when it comes to riding sport bikes. He probably would have been able to avoid the slip even with my bike.

One of my bikes has Dunlop 208s and the other has Pirelli Diablos.

The reviews on the Diablos look great. I'm gonna get them on my bike (even though I have 3000+ miles left on them).

Thanks for all the great info :thumbup . AND once again, I'm not trying to pass the blame of my crash to my tires.. I was still going much faster then I should have and I'm happy it happened now.

 

[SimFox3]

could your tire pressure been too high? keep in mind that the number on the side of the tire is the maximum pressure, not the optimum pressure.

Thanks for the info :thumbup. I honestly didn't know that (me=:loser).

Both the front and rear tire were "pumped" to maximum pressure.

 

[SimFox3]

If you buy good gear, why not wear it all the time, and why not buy gear you can wear in rain, and all conditions?

I hear that the quality/dexterity of leathers deteriorates after they get exposed to rain. Is that true?

If not, leather all the way :thumbup

 

[admar]

Hey Saad,

Great post... too bad it had to be under these circumstances. I hope you recover quickly.

As far as lessons learned, I would say that any time you have an "Oh Shit" moment, even a little one, then that should be you're early warning system.

Try riding with those same techniques your friend pointed out to you, but do so at the speed limit. You'll be amazed how easy it is to focus on your form and ride smoothly at 25 MPH . The speed will come later.

I wouldn't worry either about getting the most expensive tires. It's more important to add lean slowly to new tires, and for god sakes check the air pressure every week. That and setting up your suspension correctly (probably only preload on your 500) are the easiest/cheapest things you can do.

Call Supertireguy and see what he recomends for your Ninja. On my YSF 600R I run 36 rear and 34 front on the street, and 30/30 on the track.

Good luck!

 

[K-dog]

I hear that the quality/dexterity of leathers deteriorates after they get exposed to rain. Is that true?

If not, leather all the way :thumbup

Personally, I wear light rainproof overgarments when it rains, and yah, carrying them can be a little more than you would normally carry, it's not that bad.

I've heard (see other thread on leather in the rain) that really if you give your leather some good treatment, and don't mind feeling a little damp, just putting some treatment on them after should be good. My boots get soaked regularly, and they are leather, and are fine. just to add to the argument. (I do polish them fairly regularly though.)

As for quality dexterity, yah, treating it with something is probably good, but as long as you do, shouldn't be any more harmful than sun, or bug guts.

 

[zanshin]

Mines Road sucks- people should avoid that place like a plague.

Glad you are OK dude!

That's right! Stay away from Mines, Hamilton, and Del Puerto. Surely 9 and 35 are sufficient for all your crashing needs!

 

[oliver]

You are definetly NOT a newb. chronoxdragoon had posted the Tao's of life:

1) you dont know
2) you learn
3) you think you know
4) you realize you really dont know
5) when you know you dont know anything, that's when you know.

I would expect you are somewhere between 4.5-5.0. (I'm probably hovering over 0).



Yeah, the rear tire is about 3 weeks old. It has 350 'easy riding' miles on it. The sides have pips still.

I don't know the exact name of the tires but I'll get back to you on that. I got the tire replaced from Santa Clara Cycle Accessories. The new tire was the only tire they had in stock for my bike (130/70). Sales rep told me that the tire is "cheap" quality and recommended a different "grippier" tire with slightly different dimension (140/80).

However, he changed his recommendation when I informed him I was a total newbie. The wider tire was going to make my bike 'lean' faster and could be hazardous for someone who hasn't mastered his/her bike yet. So, I ended up installing the 130/70 tire.



I don't know the quality of Chris' tire, but I do know that he is an expert when it comes to riding sport bikes. He probably would have been able to avoid the slip even with my bike.



The reviews on the Diablos look great. I'm gonna get them on my bike (even though I have 3000+ miles left on them).

Thanks for all the great info :thumbup . AND once again, I'm not trying to pass the blame of my crash to my tires.. I was still going much faster then I should have and I'm happy it happened now.

One more thing Saad: though I'm very happy with the Pirelli Diablos, they are NOT all season tires. As I mentioned, the sides of the tires are completely without tread so cornering in the wet should be done with extreme care!

BTW, the TAO of life thing you posted is classic! I hadn't seen that before.

 

[chrono-X]

What size is your rear tire. The ex250 has 130 rear and i believe the GS500 has a 150 or a 130 rear. I don't imagine the ex500 anybigger than a 150. Chris either has a 180 or 190 rear which means he has more tire to grip the road vs your skinnier tires.

 

[EASTcoastRIDAH]

I don't know the quality of Chris' tire, but I do know that he is an expert when it comes to riding sport bikes. He probably would have been able to avoid the slip even with my bike.

it should be stated here in public that Chris (myself) is not an "expert" when it comes to anything, as i passed on some small information to you while we were riding i have other good friends that are more experienced that pass on things to me. this is a ongoing process, no matter how long you ride you will never be the best!

that said i only run the best shoes (IMO), pilot powers my bike came with 190's but i have since went to a 180


saad hows the arm healing up??

 

[SimFox3]

I wouldn't worry either about getting the most expensive tires. It's more important to add lean slowly to new tires, and for god sakes check the air pressure every week. That and setting up your suspension correctly (probably only preload on your 500) are the easiest/cheapest things you can do.

Call Supertireguy and see what he recomends for your Ninja. On my YSF 600R I run 36 rear and 34 front on the street, and 30/30 on the track.

Good luck!

Thanks for the great info . I had no CLUE what preload meant so I found a great website that talks about bike suspension: http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm

One interesting thing I found about my rear tire is that it has almost flat "pointy" profile. I checked my friend's bike and he has "rounded" corners... what is the difference between them?

 

[SimFox3]

What size is your rear tire. The ex250 has 130 rear and i believe the GS500 has a 150 or a 130 rear. I don't imagine the ex500 anybigger than a 150. Chris either has a 180 or 190 rear which means he has more tire to grip the road vs your skinnier tires.

Don't you guys ever go to sleep ?!? :laughing

My rear tire is a 130/70 with a "pointy" profile. About 350 miles on it

 

[SimFox3]

it should be stated here in public that Chris (myself) is not an "expert" when it comes to anything, as i passed on some small information to you while we were riding i have other good friends that are more experienced that pass on things to me. this is a ongoing process, no matter how long you ride you will never be the best!

... :laughing .. This is a really strange phenomena (sp??) that I'm experiencing with riders. The better riders think of themselves as crap, and the higher confidence riders (including myself) are crappy newbs.

saad hows the arm healing up??

It is starting to look like beef jerky :laughing.

My parents still don't know about my motorcycle, so I wear long sleeve sweatshirts whenever I visit them in Sacramento .. Which is very unfortunate because I was about ready to announce it... (sighs)

 

[SimFox3]

That's right! Stay away from Mines, Hamilton, and Del Puerto. Surely 9 and 35 are sufficient for all your crashing needs!

:laughing... And by the way Linux :troy FreeBSD any day of the week

 

[Mortifer]

sorry to hear of your bad luck Saad, heal up and good luck telling your parents about the bike.
When your up to it and if you can, join us on a tuesday evening ride before the bux meet. Whent he weather gets good we'll start doing them again, usually at 6ish for a short cruise on Uvas & 152, good newb roads.

I'm still a newb too, so we can learn together. Good thing you have such an open mind and outlook on yourself to see what caused this and that your ego played a part.

That Chris guy is fast and smooth!!! Someday when he's bored I hope he'll slow up and help me too.

Take care.

 

[SimFox3]

sorry to hear of your bad luck Saad, heal up and good luck telling your parents about the bike.

I don't think luck played part at all. It was all stupidity . In fact it was 'good luck' because it happened at a safe spot, as compared to top of Mt. Hamilton.

My mom is going to kill me once I tell her about the bike. At least she will give me a choice of how I would like to die:
1) :troy (.5 magnum right at the temple)
2) :mag (chop me with a sword)
3) :noose (hang me to death)

I'd prefer a clean decapitation :teeth

When your up to it and if you can, join us on a tuesday evening ride before the bux meet. Whent he weather gets good we'll start doing them again, usually at 6ish for a short cruise on Uvas & 152, good newb roads.

I look forward to riding with you guys on Tuesdays :thumbup

That Chris guy is fast and smooth!!! Someday when he's bored I hope he'll slow up and help me too.

... :confused :blush ... Very interesting.. because Chris claims that he learnt that knee dragging technique from YOU: http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=157827&perpage=15&pagenumber=8

All of you guys are MODEST b**** .... :laughing...

 

[Quick_Ninja]

I don't ride mines anymore for that reason. That road has more gravel then most roads do. I no likely.

Glad to hear that you came out with minimal injuries man. Live and learn.

 

[Quick_Ninja]

I don't ride mines anymore for that reason. That road has more gravel then most roads do. I no likely.

Glad to hear that you came out with minimal injuries man. Live and learn.

 

[amo]

wow man, i rode with you like a week or two before this, glad to hear you are ok!

 

[EASTcoastRIDAH]

sorry to hear of your bad luck Saad, heal up and good luck telling your parents about the bike.
When your up to it and if you can, join us on a tuesday evening ride before the bux meet. Whent he weather gets good we'll start doing them again, usually at 6ish for a short cruise on Uvas & 152, good newb roads.

I'm still a newb too, so we can learn together. Good thing you have such an open mind and outlook on yourself to see what caused this and that your ego played a part.

That Chris guy is fast and smooth!!! Someday when he's bored I hope he'll slow up and help me too.

Take care.

yes mortifiers (i think that is your name ) please post up in introduction in the newbie section and maybe if you need a mentor somebody with my skill level will show you around ya ass:clown