Ok, let's try this again...

[kevin_stevens]

Heading out Sunday for a Monday trackday at Buttonwillow on the S1000RR.

The first trackday was within a couple weeks of when I got it, and not only was I fumbling around a bit on the bike, but the suspension was MAJOR fubar for me. The rear was pogoing like a motocross bike over ripples, and when I came in after the first session the front end just went "boingy-boingy-boingy" when we bounced it. Put rebound up to 10 - "boingy-boingy-boingy". I think the rear issues were totally overwhelming the front.

A respringing in front with 10wt oil, two respringings in back, along with two RaceTech rebuilds, and I *think* I've got the suspension working (will probably need a full cartridge kit in front eventually, though). I was so comfortable on the bike at Palomar a couple of weeks ago, I was dragging my left hand on the ground in some of the turns . And that was *before* the last shock rework!

So, looking forward to it. I always like Buttonwillow anyway, it's an interesting track, and the bumps should give the new suspension something to think about! I'll report back.

KeS

[NeedinJustice]

[kevin_stevens]

Well, that sucked.

Put the BMW all back together this morning; new Q2s, reworked shock, all nice and shiny. Go out to set up the suspension, rode down the street to get on the freeway. First left turn, BAM!, bike went straight down in a 20mph lowside.

I guess it was new tires, although I've never had a set just let go like that. Practically no lean angle, I was just starting through the intersection; I didn't even *think* about the tires letting go since I was carefully on my way to the freeway to scrub them in.

The frame slider saved the fairing, and the rear spool saved the swingarm, but... the engine case cover saved the fairing too. Went straight through that, and the bike dumped a full load of coolant and water in the middle of the street.

People were scurrying up and asking me if I was ok, and my response was "Not really, I'm pretty pissed!". First time I've been down on a moving street bike since 1981 - you do the math. Turned the bike off, picked it up, and parked it on the side of the road and called a friend w/truck to take it to the dealer.

Best I can figure, I slid about 20-30 feet in pretty much a baseball slide; left calf, knee, and hip on the ground along with my left hand and forearm. I was wearing regular jeans instead of my Kevlar ones because I was too lazy to swap everything over this morning; got some minor knee abrasion through the fabric, and a couple of holes in them that didn't match up with any damage to me. I remember feeling a lot of heat through my hip, but the jeans don't show much damage there and I'm not burned. Entirely possible I was on coolant-covered pavement. They didn't destruct or anything. Jacket was carbonized Cordura from Fieldsheer, elbow armor saved me a pretty big hit, and the fabric was torn up some over the armor, but not badly. Glove, where I also felt a lot of heat, held up great; these gloves have some outer palm CF armor, which acted like a mini-slider and didn't even scuff up much. Sidi Vertigo Air boots got scrapes/wear on the toe slider, ankle pad, and the little vent button got ground all the way down. Helmet didn't touch the ground.

No sprains, strains, or damage to anything but my left knee, pride, and wallet. BMW has already gotten back to me with an estimate to fix everything... $2K. I don't think we'll be fixing everything.

So I guess I'm taking the Buell to the trackday tomorrow!

KeS

[Builtgypsy]

Oh....man.

[blurr]

That blows Kevin, scrubbing new tires is a myth though so you will want to rule that out.
Lance Holst Wrote an Article about it, I also talked with him about it at a track day with him (especially after I ate shit on new tires that day) but I wrote it off as more than likely cold (34 degrees) or I just suck.

This is not the article I wanted but it mentions it. I posted the correct one up on the other forum.
Setting The Cold Tire Pressure - Sport Rider Magazine

[RiverRoadWarrior]

Originally Posted by kevin_stevens

Well, that sucked.

yep

[scarredpelt]

More than likely there was something on the roadway that lubricated your trip to see mother earth.

[NeedinJustice]

Awww man, I'm sorry Kev!

[LaurenOE]

Damn..sorry to hear. That sucks. I'm glad you're ok and not banged up more.


Now...


Got pics?

[Fizzer]

Originally Posted by LaurenOE

Damn..sorry to hear. That sucks. I'm glad you're ok and not banged up more.


Now...


Got pics?

Maybe we should have a "crash thread" where people can post their pics. Like in "Road Racer X" magazine, and their crash page.