[big0mike]

If you don't wanna read the whole story just scroll down, look at the pictures and find the red section marked "Now for the advice"

Well, I went and fucked up...

Saturday the 4th me and a buddy went for a ride out on Vulture Mine Road towards Wickenburg. It's a road we've travelled many times and, I might add, many times we've taken it A LOT faster than this day. We were both taking it easy since we were both heading to Firebird the following day for Track Day. I was definitely looking forward to my first track day and didn't want to do anything stupid to fuck that up since I know I'll learn more in the 1 hour of track time than I will in months of riding the streets. I was out there mainly to put some more miles on my new Corsa IIIs that I had just installed on Tuesday. Didn't want them TOO fresh for the track.

So, we cruise up until just past the "twisties" and pull over, shoot the shit, take a leak, and just relax for 5 or 10 minutes. We get done, get on and start 'em up and turn around. My buddy stops on the side of the road to check his pockets as a few months back while riding this road he lost his wallet. He didn't want a repeat incident. So, he stops briefly and I buzz past him.

This is a road where most corners are posted as 45 mph but we take easily at 70+. Most of you would probably yawn on this road but for me it is a great place to practice form as well as braking, shifting, and accelerating. From the point he stopped to the first sweeping left is less than 200 yards. I remember looking down and seeing 60 while I was still slightly accelerating. I take the left and position my ass slightly to the right for the next right hander about another 100+ yards up the road.

Here's where it starts to blur...

I don't know for fact but I'm very certain I wasn't going but 60-70 mph around this right hander. I remember leaning into it and at some point just after the apex I realized I was going wide. I knew I was hitting the dirt and I had two choices: 1. keep leaning in hopes of saving the turn and DEFINITELY going down as soon as I hit the dirt; 2. stand it up and try to ride it out through the dirt and back on the pavement with the POSSIBILITY of still going down.

I got to the edge of the pavement, stood it up, and tried to ride it out. I remember struggling to keep it straight while heading for a slight berm that separated the "desert" from the side of the road. I remember my front tire going over that berm and when the back tire hit it it threw me from the bike. Fade to black...

I awoke to several people over me trying to keep me still and asking me all kinds of questions. Eventually took a helicopter ride to Del Web Medical Center where I stayed for about 6 hours while they did CT & MRI scans as well as xrays.

No concussion. Lot's of bruises and a nice laceration on my right shin we determined was from my Sato rearset chewing it up. The results of the xrays showed a slight fracture of the C1 vertebrae. The MRI determined that "a fracture of the C1 vertebrae could not be excluded".

All in all I'm very lucky. My SHOE RF1000 definitely saved my life. I can't imagine what the rest of me would look like if not for the FieldSheer jacket, Icon pants & gloves, and Alpine Star boots. So, for the next few weeks I'm wearing my nice Miami J collar until the neurosurgeon sees me and, hopefully, takes some more film to see how the damage is progressing.

So, that's about everything I've remembered. I certainly wish I could say I was simply going too fast but I do not believe that to be the case... well, obviously too fast for my skillset and attention span that morning. The best I can figure is I was not paying attention and day dreaming and forgot where I was in the corner and got wide.

After speaking with my buddy that was there it appears that I made it about 75 yards off road. They could see exactly where I left the road. I road it gradually away from the road where I went over the berm. But, I road it further through a shitload of brush and trees and deserty shit, up the side of a large mound of dirt, back down and over the berm again on my way back towards the road. The second crossing of the berm spit me off.

My buddy said after he got done securing his wallet he saw me take the first left as he was moving so he was less than 100 yards behind me. And he found me unconcious on the side of the road. So, again, I don't believe I was going insanely fast.

Oh well. Enough analyzing... Live and learn, I guess. Right?

Well, so now anyone that feels like it can dogpile me and give me all the "I told you sos" about buying a 1000 as a first bike. I'm sure it will make you feel better even though, in this specific circumstance, the size of bike would have made absolutely no difference. CBR1000 or Ninja 250 wouldn't have mattered. I still would've been doing 60+ and probably still not paying close enough attention. wned:

So, here you are:

What's left of the bike:

Where I landed (left shoulder as well but it didn't bruise up as well)

The Icon pants didn't hold up so well in the ass. There was a nice rip from the waistband towards the crack of my ass and I apparently slid some distance in that pose.

Couple days later it's looking really good

The shin:

The right hip. Some kind of puncture wound.

Now for the advice:

I dropped it off at a shop here in town. They took one look at it and said, "they're gonna total it for sure." He's gotten the list together and is waiting for the prices from a Honda Dealership but when the insurance adjuster came by he left with the impression that it was gonna be totalled.

So, I called the shop and asked if this bike was still in good enough shape to use as a track bike. He said definitely for that since you don't need a lot of the electrical shit, lights... yada yada yada... I called the adjuster and left him a message that I may want to buy it back.

What does one offer for a slavaged bike like this?

I'm sure it will depend on the list of shit that needs to be replaced but, in general, what should I expect and what should I offer/counter offer for it?

I know the subframe in back is bent to shit. Exhaust too. Lots of plastic; right side, tank cover, and back seat for sure. I believe the bike flipped and landed on the top right side as the right clipon is bent almost as bad as the slider screwed into it. It then cartwheeled into the back end which bent the shit out of the subframe. The fairing stay appears to be toast. I have the LCD display. The left side is mostly untouched. My Sato rearsets are a little dirty but in great shape. Front brake line was destroyed or disconnected. Clutch still worked but my buddy said it was rough. Fucker started right up, though.

I guess I should get State Farm's buyback cost and then get the list of repairs needed and average the two out and see if that's what I wanna put into a track bike.

Thanks for any help or advice in "tracking" what's left of my bike,

 

[CharlieHo]

Offer $50 and go from there.... ya never know.

 

[unforgiven]

They offered to sell my 06 back for $2600. I finally bought it back for $2200 which was a good deal to me. Search for my crash thread on here and you can see what my bike looked like. They estimated my damage at $8800 with labor and totaled it.

After I bought it back, I had to replace the radiator, several brackets, main stay, shifter and left rearset and bought all sharkskinz racing plastics. I had to straighten my subframe also but it wasn't tweaked too bad.

Including the purchase price, I have less than $4000 in bike with the all the repairs, new Vortex rear sets, Sharkskinz and ZG Race Screen. I do still need paint and I have some fork work I'm going to need but will take advantage of it and have them setup for racing.

Good luck and my hip looked just like that when I crashed. It'll be tender for a while.

 

[bulldog]

"I had two choices: 1. keep leaning in hopes of saving the turn and DEFINITELY going down as soon as I hit the dirt; 2. stand it up and try to ride it out through the dirt and back on the pavement with the POSSIBILITY of still going down."


from my experience (i haven't went down yet Xfingers) when your "thinking" you can't lean any further, YOU CAN. trust me. your suspension may not be set up very well as well. too much air in tires? new tires? lot's of what if's... a few years ago i was taking a decreasing radius turn speed limit 25, i was going..not 25...and started the turn. this turn REALLY kinks up just as you think it should straighten up. i went wide, plum to the other side and was able to Not go off the side of the hill. had a car been coming.....

Watch further thru the turn as well.

Glad your "fine" As for buying it back, i bet they tell you $2500, or close to it. Good Luck

 

[Grrunt]

Good on you for telling the story. Heal up. Besides leaning way more you think you can to correct your line, apply the brakes hard if you're going to hit something. Many riders fail to use their brakes in panic situations...

 

[JASONGIND]

holy Shit, first off I'd suggest trimming that ass hair man!!! How the hell do u wipe effectively with that jungle for the shit to hide in?! Once you got that down then worry about the bike, lol. gl either way.

 

[GGenovese]

At least you are straight. Come back to the table with the price the insurance company gives and we can go from there. Good luck.

 

[DMX]

It was good of you to come on here and tell the story. It may help another rider in the future.

Good luck, heal fast.

 

[Eddie1000rr]

That sucks man!!!
Been there - as much rash, but broken hand etc...it sucks and getting back on the bike is a lil intimidating the first time...do that asap.

 

[Silvy]

I'm not reading... the pix of your ass should be taken down immediately.

Thanks.

Get an 08. That's my advice.

 

[joema]

...the following day for Track Day. I was definitely looking forward to my first track day and didn't want to do anything stupid to fuck that up since I know I'll learn more in the 1 hour of track time than I will in months of riding the streets...I remember looking down and seeing 60 while I was still slightly accelerating. I take the left and position my ass slightly to the right for the next right hander about another 100+ yards up the road....I remember leaning into it and at some point just after the apex I realized I was going wide. I knew I was hitting the dirt and I had two choices: 1. keep leaning in hopes of saving the turn and DEFINITELY going down as soon as I hit the dirt; 2. stand it up and try to ride it out through the dirt and back on the pavement with the POSSIBILITY of still going down....

Very sorry about your accident.

Whether they admit it or not, almost everybody has done this or nearly done it. Running wide is one of the most common mistakes.

Ironically if you'd only made it to the track, you'd probably have learned so much the 1st day you'd have easily taken the street corner at the same speed and conditions.

Unless the road surface is contaminated, new sport tires that are up to operating temp have tremendous grip. You can lean over so far the peg feelers will drag, then the pegs drag, and finally hard parts will drag. Only then when the tire is physically levered off the ground will it crash.

To newer street riders, that bank angle is so extreme it feels almost horizontal. You just cannot comprehend the bike will do that and stick. That's why track days are so useful.

The accident is just incredibly unfortunate considering you'd have been at the track the next day.

Your job now is get well, get your bike fixed, and don't get discouraged. You apparently have no permanent damage, which is more than many bike accident victims can claim.

You're right it has nothing to do with size of bike. Under identical physical and mental conditions, you'd probably have had the same accident on a 600 or smaller bike.

Just focus on getting well, get your bike fixed, and don't let this put you off riding.

 

[big0mike]

from my experience (i haven't went down yet Xfingers) when your "thinking" you can't lean any further, YOU CAN. trust me.

and that's exactly why the track day is so valuable. I KNOW the bike can lean a lot farther. We see it all the time on TV, right? I just don't have the confidence that I can make the bike lean that far yet.

Good on you for telling the story. Heal up. Besides leaning way more you think you can to correct your line, apply the brakes hard if you're going to hit something. Many riders fail to use their brakes in panic situations...

I can't recall if I did use my brakes. I know in a turn they should be applied very gently, if at all, so I may have given them a little but inexperience got the better of me.

Ironically if you'd only made it to the track, you'd probably have learned so much the 1st day you'd have easily taken the street corner at the same speed and conditions.

no doubt...

Your job now is get well, get your bike fixed, and don't get discouraged. You apparently have no permanent damage, which is more than many bike accident victims can claim.

Not discouraged at all. I'm eager to get this fucking neck brace off and get another bike.

At least you are straight. Come back to the table with the price the insurance company gives and we can go from there. Good luck.

My local guy came back with over $11,000 in damage. Obviously, State Farm is totalling it and I asked for a buy back amount... $950. It's an '04 with 19.2k miles and aftermarket exhaust.

They gave me a value of $7500 minus my $500 deductible. I owe $5400 on it so I'll have about $1500 after it's paid off which can go as a down payment on another or towards the track bike.

I think $950 is a no brainer myself. The problem is the adjuster said for a salvage buy back the lein holder usually wants the bike paid off. So, I may have to pay off the $5400 in order to get the salvaged title. I'm pretty certain I don't have $5400 right now He said sometimes they'll work with you but not often. Gotta call them.

And, for the record, I don't disagree that learning on a smaller bike is probably better. I was simply not paying attention and fucked myself up. I guess that might be considered riding above my head which I tried not to do for fear of the results.

Oh well... the bruises are fading and the knotted muscles are loosening up slightly. Hopefully some more xrays/MRIs on Thursday will show no fracture or a healing/healed fracture. A third neurosurgeon looked at my film and said the same thing the ER doctors said, it looks like a fracture but they can't be certain. Hopefully I'll get some good news on Thursday.

 

[mrb]

No way in hell I'd be riding that bike as my first bike. They just accelerate too quickly for a novice. SV would have been a much better choice.

Glad you made it.

 

[djnsmith7]

Sorry to hear about your accident...Glad you're ok...

 

[JimmyJam]

Heres my advice, remember you asked.

Wait and see how much that helicopter ride is going to cost ya before spending any more money buying back a totaled bike.

Insurance? Yeah maybe. Until they find out you crashed while doing double the posted speed limit. You can hope they pay for the chopper ride, but a lot of em don't.

Get Well Soon!

 

[chummy24]

take the ass pic down asap

 

[philip1000rr]

Well, so now anyone that feels like it can dogpile me and give me all the "I told you sos" about buying a 1000 as a first bike. I'm sure it will make you feel better even though, in this specific circumstance, the size of bike would have made absolutely no difference. CBR1000 or Ninja 250 wouldn't have mattered. I still would've been doing 60+ and probably still not paying close enough attention. wned:

My 1000rr was my first bike and I've had no problems with it either. If you're not a dumbass on the throttle its the same as any other bike. From what I've seen most people crash from too much corner speed and you can do that on any bike size.

We all go too wide from time to time, once you get that bike on the track you'll learn real quick how much you can lean that bike. Its an entirely mental thing, its all about confidence. I know you know you can lean the bike that far, its just that you need to do it a few times so you can get the muscle memory and confidence to do it again when you need to. Standing the bike up and going off road is better then going off full lean but should be the absolute last resort, just dive off the side, get your pegs on the ground and get through the corner rubber side down.

I wish you a speedy recovery brother, don't let this keep you off the bike for good.

 

[beefy71]

Man glad your okay. Good thing you were wearing gear, and of course that RF-1000

 

[big0mike]

No way in hell I'd be riding that bike as my first bike. They just accelerate too quickly for a novice. SV would have been a much better choice.

I'm sure you're not alone and I can't totally disagree with you...

My 1000rr was my first bike and I've had no problems with it either. If you're not a dumbass on the throttle its the same as any other bike.

Yeah, that's my belief as well. I've ridden plenty fast but, for the most part, I think I've stayed within my skillset.

The more I think about it the more I believe I just lost my concentration for a second. As things come back and I remember and rethink things through my head NOT ONCE did I ever think "fuck, I'm going too fast" as I approached the corner. I've ridden plenty fast on this road and there have been a few occasions where I felt I was going in too hot and that's what I thought. Then I applied the brakes harder and longer than I really felt comfortable to scrub off more speed.

If I had been going too fast into this corner I believe I would've been concerned but I wasn't. I simply went wide. Granted, that's a pretty goog indicator that I was going too fast but since I wasn't worried about speed I can only deduce that it was more about me not paying attention and less about speed. Who knows...

I wish you a speedy recovery brother, don't let this keep you off the bike for good.

It won't...

Wait and see how much that helicopter ride is going to cost ya before spending any more money buying back a totaled bike.

Insurance? Yeah maybe. Until they find out you crashed while doing double the posted speed limit. You can hope they pay for the chopper ride, but a lot of em don't.

I guess that's a valid point. I need to get a copy of the police report. My buddy who spoke with the sheriff filing the report said that the sheriff could not ascertain my speed. That's probably a good thing even though I don't believe I was exceeding the limit by much.

 

[joema]

...The more I think about it the more I believe I just lost my concentration for a second. As things come back and I remember and rethink things through my head NOT ONCE did I ever think "fuck, I'm going too fast" as I approached the corner....

In every recent near-crash I've had, that is EXACTLY why.

In each case, the corner wasn't too fast for my ability -- were I 100% focused. Typically I've been riding a while, am a bit tired, and just lose focus momentarily. My mind isn't drifting, I'm not daydreaming -- just not totally focused on the curve and bike.

Keith Code emphasizes the mental aspects of riding, over the physical and techniques. I used to think he was off base, but I've changed my mind. Mental aspects are the key.

It's a good argument for not riding if you're tired or (for whatever reason) can't give it 100% concentration.

Data from track day organizations corroborate this. In 20-min track sessions, 90% of the crashes happen in the last 5 min of the session. Riders get tired (physically and mentally) and lose focus.