New track bike - ouch

[wookie]

Sometime bad things happen when they should not. My buddy did his first track day with me in Texas and he did great. He was a natural and he had spent a lot of time on the road previously. So, he bought a track bike. He was so excited.

When he got it home for the first day he took it out for a quick ride in the neighborhood.

He ended up in the hospital for 5 days and is on bed rest for 3 months...

Thankfully he was wearing a helmet. Sucks. I'll let him post up the details, but remember it happens fast and you can't always control it.

[tsorfas]

track bike on the street is a horrible idea to begin with...
at least his situation was "repairable".. heal fast..

[csmutty]

track bike on the street is a horrible idea to begin with...
at least his situation was "repairable".. heal fast..

So you are saying that you would not take your new bike out for a little rip down the street and back? Riiiiight.

[tsorfas]

So you are saying that you would not take your new bike out for a little rip down the street and back? Riiiiight.

I mean depends on the street, area, neighborhood, etc.. but 5 months in the hospital doesnt seem like a little rip up and down the street? I guess we ll just have to wait to find out details..

[DocCola]

I mean depends on the street, area, neighborhood, etc.. but 5 months in the hospital doesnt seem like a little rip up and down the street? I guess we ll just have to wait to find out details..

You mean 5 days??

[csmutty]

I mean depends on the street, area, neighborhood, etc.. but 5 months in the hospital doesnt seem like a little rip up and down the street? I guess we ll just have to wait to find out details..

5 days in the hospital...not 5 months lol.

[Chippertheripper]

That's a tough lesson to learn, whatever the circumstances.

[DucDave]

Ouch! How you doin' Wookie!!!

[tsorfas]

5 days in the hospital...not 5 months lol.

Um ya that.. Lol! 3 months in bed... Not fun

[csmutty]

Um ya that.. Lol! 3 months in bed... Not fun

Could happen on a street bike just the same. Only way I could see a track bike making it more dangerous is possible race rubber which takes longer to heat up.

[kb1]

I'd like to see the details before we speculate, I used to take my R6 up and down the street all the time to keep the battery charged and the carbs from getting too gummed up. Never had any issues as long as you keep it within reason.

[BostonDuc]

I'm the schmuck with the injury. Clearly the accident was the result of a stupid novice mistake. I apparently didn't appreciate how slippery race tires are compared to street tires. I thought I could ride slow and warm them up during what was supposed to be a 5 minute ride, notwithstanding the 40 degree weather. I was riding in medium travelled industrial park near my house. In second gear (1/4 mile from my house), I pulled on the throttle a little and the rear tire immediately spun out and slid to the left and then gripped, causing the bike to high-side onto the pavement. I was only going about 20 mph when it all happened (and it did indeed happen FAST). Since the bike wasnt registered or insured, and I was apparently in shock and not yet feeling much pain, I tried to get back up to ride it home (again, I was only 1/4 mile away), but my ankle quickly made clear that I wasn't going anywhere. When the ambulance arrived and the EMTs cut off my socks and pants, one if my bones was sticking out of my ankle. The local hospital tranferred me to a Boston hospital because of the complexity of the surgery needed. Overall, I broke 3 different bones in my left ankle (some bones broken in multiple places) and 2 in my left wrist, which resulted in reconstructive surgery with screws and plates that will remain in place forever and a couple of rods holding everything together until January sometime. Road rash galore on my legs and lower abdomen and sprain in my right hand and wrist. Other lessons learned besides not to ride (even if slowly) on cold, slick tires are that I should have worn proper footwear (not sneakers) and pants (not jeans) despite the fact that I was planning on a slow ride up the street for a mere 5 minutes. All lessons I'll never forget. Thank God I had my helmet, riding jacket and gloves on. Hopefully I'll be back up and running again in time for track days at Loudon in the Spring (if I can talk my wife into letting me keep the bikes). I'm including a photo if my ankle with the sutures and rods. I'd attach one if my wrist too (which is more gnarly), but I can't remove that cast.

[NeverlosT]

hang in there dude. the metal makes stuff heal nice and fast. you can get a lot of it out too.

we all f-up sometimes, whatever, at least you will heal and can get back at it!

keep your chin up, play a lot of video games...

[Ryno]

damn that sucks man, sorry to hear it.

[wookie]

ouchee. See riding the track is safer than the street.

I bet most people have taken their track bike out for a quick spin, if just to check that the bike is working. When I've bought track bikes I've taken them around the block to check them out.

I remember selling Bergs the F4i, I told him how great the bike ran. He took it for a parking lot lap and the bike died. He probably thought I was trying to sell him a lemon till we realized it was out of gas.

BTW - you should probably change your screen name to "parking lot highsider"

[Lucas]

Sorry to hear. Lessons learned. A winter on nesr will keep you busy til you are up an at em.

[tsorfas]

Could happen on a street bike just the same. Only way I could see a track bike making it more dangerous is possible race rubber which takes longer to heat up.

I didnt even think of that! in my head was more like trying to stop.slow down and the car behind you just hits you! no lights!

Bottom line! HEAL FAST MAN! hope to meet you in spring

[loudog]

Son of a....! Sorry to hear about it man, hope they fixed you up good as new.

[ThisBitch]

Yeesh.. that looks nasty

[butcher bergs]

Welcome, BostonDuc. Helluva intro!

I remember selling Bergs the F4i, I told him how great the bike ran. He took it for a parking lot lap and the bike died. He probably thought I was trying to sell him a lemon till we realized it was out of gas.

I knew it wasn't a lemon, wookie!


Lemons aren't grey, purple, orange, black, silver and white

[Expat]

Welcome... chicks dig scars!!
See you at the track!!

[tropicoz]

Yowzers....that's no bueno! Get well quick!

[Uncle Snake]

ouchee. See riding the track is safer than the street.

I bet most people have taken their track bike out for a quick spin, if just to check that the bike is working. When I've bought track bikes I've taken them around the block to check them out.

I remember selling Bergs the F4i, I told him how great the bike ran. He took it for a parking lot lap and the bike died. He probably thought I was trying to sell him a lemon till we realized it was out of gas.

BTW - you should probably change your screen name to "parking lot highsider"

I seem to remember someone zip tieing lights to someone elses race bike so they could take a 500 mile ride up thru Vt and NY a few years ago......

[a13x]

Ouch. That's a nasty lesson to learn

Anyone remember poor 250 Tim who was riding his racebike 250 in the infield at Loudon setting in new brake pads when the front tire (as I recall) locked up and went sideways putting him straight onto his face? Race slick at low speed with no heat in it. He was pretty banged up and a veteran guy with decades of experience

I've done similar on my old motard riding it out on Hot Pit and slamming the front brakes to try and flex the carcass and instead just locked the wheel up and had it go sideways. Luckily was always able to ride it out.

Hell my current racebike (Graves R6) has such a severe steering lock it's impossible to ride around the block. Bike simply doesn't work at low speeds.

Heal up man.

[Paul_E_D]

How is Tim, anyway?

I think almost every racer has learned some stupid lessons. We are not the brightest bulbs on the porch. Luckily, I was never mangled during my moments of enlightenment, but I know plenty of people who were.

A few of my finer experiences of satori were: losing front caliper into the spokes in T1, Piston in backwards in 1A, and actually, I was mangled one foggy morning in first practice on slicks. Broke both my hands.

So there is hope that you will actually have more of these lessons you will never forget!

Heal up dude, that looks brutal.