[jaydog19833]

Well last Friday my friend had an accident on his 2005 Kawasaki ZZR600. It was his first bike but this accident had nothing to do with his irresponsibility or too much power.....these things just happen. As we were coming down a steep, twisty road he accelerated too hard into a corner (we weren't racing or even speeding); scared himself and hit both brakes and put his foot down. We both don't know why he did this because we had been down this road before and he knows not to do that but he just froze and laid the bike on its left side at about 40mph and the bike wailed into a guardrail. He was wearing all leather except pants but he was pretty much OK except for an achy wrist and a mild concussion (no medical attention needed). His bike on the other hand is TOTALLED. I included pics that will inform you better of the damage than my words but he ended up sending the front wheel through the radiator well into the motor and significantly bending his frame to the point where the gas tank bolts stripped out and paint flaked off the frame. Luckily he had full coverage and was quite well spirited about the whole issue and should have another bike my early June.

Before the Accident (his bike is obviously the blue one):

 

[jaydog19833]

After the accident:

 

[jaydog19833]

Here he is with high spirits:

 

[Clint]

Nice bike - what a bummer. Despite your disclaimer, it's plain to me that inexperience and an overpowered bike led to the crash. No skilled rider does what you described, since that's the exact opposite of the appropriate response. Did he have any training? David Hough's book explains survival reactions (those things like hitting the brakes in a corner and putting your feet down) and how to learn to act otherwise. I'm playing armchair rider here, but I think he needed to roll ON the throttle, gently, and lean the bike over further. Of course I don't have all the facts, but this is a textbook example of new rider mistakes.

Hopefully you can help him learn from this and become a better rider.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Sounds like he never learned, Slow In, Fast Out. Maybe he was just out of his comfort zone, was ill, wasn't focusing on the ride? Hard to guess, but he knows where the fault lies. Glad he is OK. Like Rowdy said, Power through it, don't give up and try stand it up!

 

[87gsxrnut]

Like Rowdy said, Power through it, don't give up and try stand it up!

Yeah, easier said than done.

It took me a LONG time to get to that point and be COMFORTABLE with it. I'll bet a lot of riders who preach that statement will fall victim to that other rider's circumstance when pushed to the limit, because I've seen it happen.

I've seen that silly "put the foot down" stuff before. Was a victim of that years ago too.

- Nut

 

[87gsxrnut]

. . . . and an '05 model too, Sheesh.

- Nut

 

[stock28]

Perhaps a smaller less powerfull bike would not allowed him to "accelarate too hard". Maybe, maybe not but it sounds like many other stories of new ridders on a race bike. Glad to hear he's ok though.

 

[Ride-or-die]

thats a lot of damage for a 40mpd crash, especiallt the bent frame, if u ask me he got unlucky to receive that much damage. at least he was properly protected by gear, and his bike was fully covered so he can get a new one learn from his mistake and ride again

 

[Clint]

Umm, 40 mph into a fixed object often means death for a motorcyclist. He's lucky to be alive. A good many of the snowmobile deaths around here are moderate-speed impacts with trees. That's a lot of g-forces.

http://www.bridger.us/2002/12/16/CrashTestingMINICooperVsFordF150

Oh, and now that stock28 said it, I agree 100%. I didn't want to start an argument with Jaydog, but it's probably true.

'Nut, you're absolutely right. I've been riding and studying riding for years and it's still a challenge to avoid the survival reactions. Trust in your tires doesn't come easy for most of us.

 

[themeatmanlandry]

It was his first bike but this accident had nothing to do with his irresponsibility or too much power.....these things just happen. As we were coming down a steep, twisty road he accelerated too hard into a corner (we weren't racing or even speeding); scared himself and hit both brakes and put his foot down.

I have to take issue with that statement, but I'm glad he wasn't hurt.

He appears to be a mirror-image of myself about 10 years ago. I'm picturing a guy that's always clowning around, has a lot of friends, does the 'crazy stuff' when he's high or drunk . . .

I thank God that I didn't have the time, money or inclination to own a motorcycle back then. I'd probably be in a wheelchair.

I don't know how close you two are (or if you are a nut also :smile: ), but if you have the type of relationship where you can make him straighten up for 2 seconds and have a serious conversation, speak with him about the mistakes.

Flying too fast into a corner is a really, REALLY bad thing. The only way to make the situation worse is to grab a handful of brake and stand the bike up.

A good way to toss a cherry on top of the disaster-sundae is to put your #$$%ing foot down. I've done the foot. About three times, if memory serves me correctly. I blame some of my hip troubles on putting the foot down.

Has he taken the MSF? He should.

I hope he gets another bike soon, and I hope he's a little more careful. :|

 

[87gsxrnut]

and his bike was fully covered so he can get a new one learn from his mistake and ride again

Uh huh. And continue to raise our insurance rates.

:roll:

- Nut

 

[FIVEINCH]

That's what I was thinking. On the other hand, he is paying for the insurance so he may as well use it. I didn't use my insurance, I just pulled many hours of work out of my a** and about $1k to make my repairs. And they were just to make it and myself ridable again.

Oh, wait... I did use my medical insurance. I tell you what: after my experience with civilian docs and their methodology versus billing, if I break my finger again I think I'll just reset it like I did the first time and call it good. Screw the med insurance.

 

[mikesvsix50]

Damn. Luckily he's oh kay. Too bad about the bike.

 

[LayinLo]

Does he wanna sell the wrecked ZZR?

 

[Clint]

... waiting for reply from Jaydog so conversation can continue ....

 

[jaydog19833]

I seriously agree about the insurance rates for ALL of us with this accident.

He did want to sell the wrecked bike/parts but the insurance company is taking it. It appears that despite the damage to the bike many parts are still in brand new shape (only 700 miles on the bike). We were thinking about buying it back from the insurance from an auction but we'll find out soon.

This kid IS VERY SMART doesn't drink or do drugs. In the pictures and even right after the accident he was laughing and keeping his spirits high. I think it may have been because he was really upset but didn't know how to react. I'm just glad he wasn't that kid who throws his helmet and breaks his knuckles punching the pavement after an accident. He knew he wasn't supposed to do anything the way he did. He still can't tell me why he hit the brakes and put a leg down. He said this ran through his mind in an instant as he knew the crash was imminent, "OK. I'm not supposed to brake in a corner I can take. I'm not supposed to put my foot down ever. I think Jason (jaydog) told me to push harder on my inner handlebar and pull out a corner rather than try and stop." Then WHAM he was down and the bike was done.

Oh the other hand; I don't think he realized how lucky he is at all. His tumbling body never his a solid object. The bike did. If a steel and aluminum machine can look like that at 40mph, imagine what it would do to bone and flesh....leathers and helmet or not.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Your friend is very lucky. I lost a friend a few years ago in a similiar accident at the same speed. Only difference was he impacted the guardrail with his body. He had full gear on and appeared fine. Not bleeding anywhere. Got up dusted himself off, sat against the rail and died with in 5 minutes. The impact and sudden stop against the guard rail had torn and jumbled his internal organs.

 

[mikesvsix50]

Yeah, hitting the hooks is definately a big mistake when your bike's approaching or banking through a curve. Best bet I think is to let off the juice, lean, and tough it out through the curve...I know if I would have done that I wouldn't be crying about my bike being in the shop right now like it is. Learn from mistakes, or else you'll make the same ones again.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Don't back of the throttle or you'll lose traction and the bike will start to stand up. Shift your body weight further over and counter steer. Easy to say, hard to do at the time. It's a mind game sometimes. You know what to do but your mind is telling you to back off.