How do I stop crashing? You brushed by the answer with your post. Old guys learned from their crashes (if they crashed). Perhaps they gradually built up their speed in little baby steps over a long period of time and ‘saved’ a crash before it happened. Trying to make too big of a jump in speed can get you over your head without realizing it. When one first goes to a track day they can make large improvements in their speed without necessarily becoming a better rider and they may think they can keep making these big jumps. Well, the opposite is true. If one wishes to not crash then as one gets closer to the limit (their own and/or the motorcycle’s) the size of the improvement will need to become incrementally smaller. This way there is time to save the small moment before it becomes a crash (slides, wheel spins etc...). One learns how to save and avoid these problems thereby getting faster and can then make the next baby step. Go for a big leap and one is so far over the line there is no hope and away we go... One, what was the cause of your crash? If you don’t answer, or can’t, question then the answer for you is: slow down or don’t ride. Did you lean the bike over so far that you rolled off the edge of the tire? Did you drag a foot peg and lever the tire off the ground? Did you lose the front? Did you spin up the rear and lose the rear? Did you hit a rise or dip and unload the suspension? You can see that there are many more questions than there are answers at this point. We can all work on our technique. Even Mat Mladin admits to this. He says there is a reason Ben wins a race over him. In your response about using Michelins (and many will differ on my point of view). I have noticed that Michelins snap lose while Dunlops will progressively slide and the Pirelli/Metzlers fall in between the two. Perhaps try a tire with a bigger traction window. The race compound tires also have more traction in total and you simply may have put more load in to the tire you were on than it had, wether new or used. You need some one-on-one time with an instructor and you need some time to evaluate your technique right now. You can also try a school like the American Super Camp where you are taught how to slide on an XR
My surgery didn't go as well as hoped but the Doc was happy with the end result so that's good. I have one of the best foot/ankle doctors anywhere so if he's happy, I'm happy. I didn't have the nerve to ask when I could ride again yet Beaver Run is 6 wks away so I have my fingers crossed. While I am hoping to be able to ride again soon, this is the first time I've ever seriously considered the old question "Is it worth it?" and until I can answer that for myself I should not be on a bike. wpasicznyk, I never used like Michelins for the reason you stated but I was very impressed with the Michelin 2ct's. I had a couple front pushes and small rear slides at Mid Ohio and Summit and they seemed to have good feel. But no small slides at Beaver before..... Beaver turn 3 rt hand turn. ran it out to the far left hand side of the track near that little service road, released the brakes and turned in, as soon as I hit the apex the rear snapped around so quick, I don't think I even satrted opening the throtle but I definately didn't grab a big handful. I've high sided dirt bikes lots of times and a road bike once as well as some really close, full lock, how did I not highside moments, but this was so quick that i was in the air before I knew what was happening. The only damage to the right side of the bike was a broken foot peg but I'm sure it didn't touch down until after it let loose. I was going faster than the previous lap and think I added way to much speed at one time. Also think what Frank said about muscling the bike around may have been a big part of things. Gavin
Gavin, Not saying that you weren't going too fast but the only thing I can think to add. I don't remember T3 being bumpy but it may be now and that adds to the difficulty. A cornering technique used by faster guys is to not sit on the seat in the corners. You don't literally stand in the seat but take most (if not all) of the weight off the seat and put it on the balls of your feet (on the pegs). The second part to this is to weight the outside peg as it will provide more traction than weighting the inside peg or both pegs evenly. There is no better shock absorber than your legs and doing this reduces the load spikes your tires see when sitting in the seat. An added bonus to this is that when the rear breaks loose and comes back you are less likely to get launched into the air thereby having a better chance to save it. So basically, when you're in a right turn, you weight the left peg and visa versa. BTW Michelins have tons of grip its just how they break loose that makes it difficult. P.S. I hope you feel better soon. IMHO It would be wise to sit out the Oct BeaveRun date(s) and wait for spring to let everything heal properly.
I say not crashing is in your head. The combination of committing to the turn and skill level. Not having the gas on was my big problem. Now I just come in faster on the pipe (the right RPM) and new tires helped. Plus if you don't crash 3 times per year your not going fast enough. (or not doing enough track days)
If you mean do I crack the throtle just a little or like Nick Inatch says get it "off idle" then the answer is yes.
I'm divorced but I dated all her friends after. 42 years old here. I crashed braking at road America at 100mph in the rain. Ouch. Broken ribs makes it hurt to laugh.
Renard, Thanks for asking. I graduated to an air cast on my left anckle yesturday right leg; 2 plates and some more screws. no weight on it till Oct. 1st but it feels like it's healing good. I won't make it on the 22nd cause my daughter has a horse race Gavin