1


Went down last Monday at Palmer, so now I can do a crash test review, with photos
First, let's talk about the crash - slow, downhill right hander, even slower because there was a little rain, 30mph? 40mph? Exiting the corner the rear tire spun up as soon as I touched the throttle, felt the traction control try to save but it was too far gone. Bike spun around and slid to the outside rear tire first. I fell to the right, ended up sliding feet first, face down until the edge of the pavement, rolled over 1-2x, ending in the same feet first, face down position in the grass. Not a lot of runoff but stopped short of the tirewall. Really early in the crash I felt pain in my left wrist (yup, its broken) but I'm not sure what caused it. Maybe, when the *right* clip-on touched down it spun the forks around and the *left* clip-on whacked my wrist?
Helmet - 6D-ATS-1R
Hardly any impact protection was necessary, just needed to protect me as I slid and it did.
Leathers - Vanson twin zip road race suit
Suit practically laughed and said "you call this a crash?" A few minor scrapes that look like they could be cleaned so that you wouldn't even notice them. Forearm/leg armor did its job. No scratches or bruises on me
Safety Vest - AStars TechAir airbag vest
Inflated exactly as it should but wasn't needed, I think? iirc authorized personnel only to replace the CO2 cannister, which sounds like it could be a pain in the butt
No photo because there's nothing to see
Gloves - Held Phantom II
Very minor scrapes, look re-usable. I can't blame them for the wrist injury, they're not designed for that sort of thing. Maybe newer gloves have a protective piece for the wrist?
Boots - Bilt, don't know the model
Not expensive and the build quality reflects that. Right boot wore thru just behind the toe skid plate. Won't be buying another pair. I have a much safer pair of Sidis that I wasn't wearing because they're annoying af to put on. With all the buckles, clips, snaps, etc takes me about 15 minutes. They're my only pair now, guess I have to take the time
Lastly, if anyone from Palmer Motorsports or any of the riders/instructors from Fishtail are reading - THANK YOU!!
I don't know how I would've gotten my bike/gear home without you guys. Someday, when I can use both hands I plan taking the bike off the trailer, lol
Great review. Good to know it can happen to anyone. Makes me feel better about my lowside in the rain at Loudon, if someone as good as you can do the same. Shit just happens sometimes. Good luck on the wrist healing, does that mean you are out for the rest of the season? How did the bike fare? Race plastics and frame sliders I assume?
Great write-up, thanks for sharing!
Hope you're okay soon! Where are you located? Maybe someone can help you out with unloading the bike.
Did you grit your teeth and try to look like Clint Fuckin' Eastwood?
Or did you lisp it all hangfisted like a fuckin' flower?
Uhg... sorry to hear about the wrist. Been there, done that (a couple of times).
Lemme guess... clockwise, turn 5?
... Or Counter-clockwise turn 6?
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
That was you in c group? I was leading my group and saw two bikes off. Glad you are relatively ok.
Ducati/MV Agusta/Kawasaki/Beta
#277
Boston Tier 1 Racing/ Fishtail Instructor
DP Brakes Northeast Road Racing Representative
Sorry to hear that you are injured. Wrists are a tough one, especially when it comes to riding or racing again! After you get out of your cast. make sure you get a good Physical therapist to help with your recovery. it's a pain and time consuming but do it!
Probably done for the season track-wise. Hoping i can get the street bike out for few rides before the cold sets in. My first rehab appt is in 2 weeks though so who knows?
Seacoast recommended against frame sliders - they've seen them distort the frame on other 660s sliding over a curb. I never installed them. Bike didn't look terrible - peg, bar end, fairing were ground away but otherwise seemed to be OK
Hm. So you were going counter-clockwise...
Was it at the very tippity top of the track? You come to the highest point, then turn downhill to the right and immediately into a lonnnggg downhill left hander. The beginning of that would be turn 6.
Or maybe it was Turn 9, "The Bowl".
Those are the only right handers that I would consider "slow" in the rain.
https://www.palmermotorsportspark.co...edtrackmap.jpg
Last edited by OreoGaborio; 07-28-22 at 12:44 PM.
-Pete
NEMRR #81 - ECK Racing
Cyclesmith Track Days
Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
'03 Tuono | '06 SV650 | '04 CRF250X | '24 Aprilia Tuareg
It was on the exit of 9. Saw you in the tire wall. If I didn't have students behind me I would have stopped to help you like Eric did.
Ducati/MV Agusta/Kawasaki/Beta
#277
Boston Tier 1 Racing/ Fishtail Instructor
DP Brakes Northeast Road Racing Representative