Vid of me overcooking a turn/almost hitting a truck

http://youtu.be/9CBdH6b1yTA

Basically, 1... going to fast into the turn.... FAIL

2.... Going to fast into a turn while leading a group of riders...... FAIL

3.... About the .03 second mark I grind my footpeg, and straighten the bike up instead of continuing to grind it....... FAIL

In person, I had quite a bit of distance I felt between the truck and myself to be able to recover from my own stupidity. The vid make's it look much closer then it actually was. I was in the center line for most until I hit the peg and then I drifted over the line by a foot and a half. saw the truck come around his turn and just let off the gas and weaved, as soon as I was back in my lane I accelerated and waited for the rest of the group to catch up and admonish me for being an idiot..... which they did.

The rest of my ride was ruined mentally as I felt dumb for doing it. More then I was scared when it happened I just felt the feeling of FAIL as a leader.

 

Wow, close Koi!!!

I started watching twist of the wrist II, pretty dry but it helps a bit with how people can make mistakes when cornering. One time I was going too fast and luckily i just countersteered more and made it through ok, although I'd be freaked out too if I scraped the pegs. Must have been unnerving...

 

It was worse on vid then in person, definently. It scared me I'm not gonna lie... Worse was that I had people behind, and one obviously had a video camera hooked up, haha.

 

The video might have made it look closer than it actually was, but in my book that's still too close for comfort

I would have needed to stop and change my pants haha

 

I give you credit Koi, as that took a certain amount of courage to post that. I'm unable to view videos here at the office but the scenario you describe is all too familiar. Now that you see the error of your ways, how about checking into what your local track has to offer in the way of road-race school? The advantages are many including of lowered "penalties" such as No Police, TRUCKS, TREES, CLIFFS not to mention not having to worry about wearing guilt the rest of your life after a mother with small children swerves to avoid hitting you, and ........well, you know the rest.

I love riding fast and it appears that I'm not too bad of a fast rider but trust me, you could do a lot worse things then spending a few hundred to learn some new skills. Imagine that same scenario but instead of straighten (standing the bike up), you had the skill and wherewithal to increase the lean while intentionally sliding the rear out.....until you do it in a safe environment taught by someone who has much higher skills level then you presently have, you have no idea how easy it really is. Unfortunately, most of us never learn to powerslide a street bike unless we are being taught by a pro….it’s just to easy to do the wrong thing at the wrong time and most of our self preservation instincts keep us from trying it. I don’t want to be misunderstood so I’ll say that I do not recommend that anyone try to learn that little trick on their own but taking a course or two will give you more confidence in your own abilities while teaching you a ton of additional skills making you safer and making riding more enjoyable for you.

Besides, you’re a bright guy and I doubt anyone here wants to lose a good member!

jeff

 

WOW. Lucky boy! In my younger days I maybe rode a little fast. Now that I'm older, coming home in one piece, bike undamaged, is my main goal. I still have fun, but I keep my fun under control.

 

Koi you lucked out on that one Jeffk had a good idea heres a link to Sears Point Infineon Raceway right by you if your interested: http://www.3jsmotorcycledays.com/
another site you might like: http://www.superbikeschool.com/

 

Thanks waldo/jeff for the school recommendations...

First thing I did when I bought my bike was to go out to a Z2 trackday and get information on joining...

Full set of leathers... Need to buy
And unforunately, need to wait for the training class next season to actually participate with my bike rather then jump into a C group... which they dont' allow

Thanks though

 

Koi not knocking your riding skills, we all mess up now and then, just thought you might enjoy this type of thing its not my riding style. I do however enjoy a good winding mountain ride have you tried hwy 9 up to the Summit yet from Los Gatos

 

Everyone has talked about rt 9 and no, I have not made it yet to try that one. I'm from the north bay so it'd be a ride just to get to the start/finish of that one. Have done skagg's, the #2 road in the bay area if rt 9 is #1.

 

kind of makes ya get religion real quick don't it, around here they cut little ripples in some roads, i guess to wake up texters when they cross the center line.
if you were to hit the ripples in a turn with the peg down it might not have been a happy ending

 

I can say I had my come to jesus meeting yes....

 

Whew, it did look close. I will chime in on the advantages of the Advanced Rider's course (MSF), well worth the cost and time.
And I miss the heck out of 92 over to the coast, you are blessed to have so many wonderful places to ride up there. Have you tried up HWY 50 out to Lake Tahoe yet?

 

Koi its been a few years but I have ridden Skaggs best to ride it during the weekdays back then to many riders on the weekends probably even worse now. Whens the last time you rode 92 Robert they have done a lot of work on it in the last few years. I should get a video cam for the bike one of these days.

 

"When cornering, it is better to go in slow and come out fast than to go in fast and come out dead." Stirling Moss

Glad you came through okay Koi

Loren

 

That was close! Happy that you made it out alive!

 

Koi, you were lucky that day no doubt. But I would seriously consider what Jeff suggest as compared to a "Track Day". There may be a difference from Canada to the U.S. but trackdays here can be a free-for-all when it comes to time on the track, as compared to an actual school that literally disects how to handle a bike at high speeds.
I went to the FAST School here in Canada when I wanted to get my racing licence and believe me there is a huge difference between doing that and going to a track day.
The "Schools" up here offer everything needed for the classes, bike, helmet, leathers, gloves etc. Plus class time that shows things like correct lines, trail braking, lean angles etc. The track days offer slow, medium and fast "Classes" in which you participate. Sure there may be a few regulars that may show you the "lines" around the track. I also have found that "Schools" usually have ambulances, corner workers and medical staff on hand, where as track days may have an ambulance available or one may need to be called if there is a crash.
Really check into what's available in your area and if nothing is close take some vacation time to go to a recognized school.
Now, with all that being said, you could just slow down! :roll:

 

'94ish.

 

I try to do this whenever I'm out for a ride, incredibly satisfying when you get it just right, smooth and easy for bike and rider and surprisingly quick with out drama.
http://www.fjrowners.ws/pace.html
And helps to avoid close encounters.