Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Well, after taking weeks to prepare this GSXR600 for the track, we headed out this morning.

Towards the end of the 3rd session I was feeling confident, the bike was moving around under me and I was comfortable with my rythym, I was getting on the gas earlier and harder every lap to get a good drive into the straights.
Coming out of turn 2 at ~90kmh, a medium length 180° turn I wound the throttle on too much while at full lean, the rear end spun up and slid out a looooong way, would have been near the steering stop... then it grabbed.
The next thing I know my head's about 5ft in the air and my feet are pointing at the sky, I watch the ashphalt rush past below me and think "well it was going to happen sooner or later, I hope this doesnt hurt too much"

I hit the ground on my right hand side, hip and forearm mostly by looking at the leathers, the medical report says I went head over heels 3 times but I only remember the sliding part, which was oddly, quite relaxing
The bike hit me at one stage from behind, but I think I slowed it and it just pushed me a little further across the track.
I came to a stop on the infield and looked to check that I had actually stopped, stood up and checked movement of my limbs, at the time my only injury was a sprained wrist. My lid never touched the ground, and the leathers dont need repairing, I didnt even get winded, so the back protector did its job me thinks

The bike:
Smashed windscreen
Shattered front brake resivoir
bent bar end
Snapped steering stop
Dented tank
Bent crash bolt
Bent rear brake lever
Snapped footpeg
Scratched exhaust and fairings

Mostly 'cosmetic' but it will be going to the frame straighteners to be sure, and to have steering stop repaired.
Could have been alot worse, and I consider myself lucky to walk away with a sprained wrist and some bruising given the speed, height and suddenness of the crash (it would have been about 1/2 a second between the rear spinning up and me being airborne, I didnt even have time to sh!t myself let alone stand the bike up and try and gas it back into line.

I've got 6 weeks before the next trackday, which gives me plenty of time to get the bike repaired, and I will be careful at full lean from now on

Learnt this one the hard way!

Glad u are allright.

Now you know why some people dun trust spewzuki

Have you done any cornering and braking courses7th sin?? They taught us that full throttle at full lean is bad and it is way better to set up for the corner throttle on to settle the bike look for the exit and stand the bike up a bit so its not right on the edge of the tyre and roll on the throttle.

This way you can avoid being spat off the bike, not that you need a lecture or anything just that its better to find out these things beforehand.

Cornering courses are cheap but being a trackie bike it wont be too expencive anyway and sounds like you where having fun up to that stage.

I am a bit of a blouse and dont really like all that sliding buisness i usually get of the track if its fishtailing all over the shop but some guys just go faster and faster.

Morning sessions for me.

They run suspension/race workshops on the day with guys that ride in local and national road racing and I've sat a few sessions, plus my track technique has been developed from the TOTW books, so I know all about setting up for turns and weight transfer and 'proper' throttle use.

I was getting too comfortable and decided to push harder and get the bike picked up earlier out of turns for a harder drive, it was working well till I got on the gas before picking the bike up enough.
It was my first time 'riding' the 600, and it was far from full throttle when I highsided, I'll take some pics tomorrow and you can see where the tyre has spun up badly and gripped, I was being too greedy and trying to find a traction limit at high lean, I found it alright I was hoping the tyres would give some warning before they let go but they didnt. Dunlop208RR

I will be back out, and next time I'll remember my lap timer!

bad luck dude
good to hear the safety gear did its job

7THSIN wrote:They run suspension/race workshops on the day with guys that ride in local and national road racing and I've sat a few sessions, plus my track technique has been developed from the TOTW books, so I know all about setting up for turns and weight transfer and 'proper' throttle use.

I was getting too comfortable and decided to push harder and get the bike picked up earlier out of turns for a harder drive, it was working well till I got on the gas before picking the bike up enough.
It was my first time 'riding' the 600, and it was far from full throttle when I highsided, I'll take some pics tomorrow and you can see where the tyre has spun up badly and gripped, I was being too greedy and trying to find a traction limit at high lean, I found it alright I was hoping the tyres would give some warning before they let go but they didnt. Dunlop208RR

I will be back out, and next time I'll remember my lap timer!

Nasty nasty stuff. Highsides arn't usually fun, but you sound like you had an OK time with yours thankfully.

Most racers have all done this at some stage, some a lot more than others. Not much you can do about it apart from what you've already said. Sounds like you know the cause and what to do to avoid it next time.

The only thing I might add, is that you can wind the throttle on through a corner and feel for that edge of traction. Watch the racers closely on the on-bike stuff and you will see them flatten the tyre a little with a touch of throttle to feel for the grip, before they start to really wind it on hard. They control the rear with it right on the point of letting go. WHen you get it right it will feel like the tyre is just slightly walking around under you.

Also with turn two, I know this is not technically the way they teach you, but watch some of the really fast guys out of there and they sit up on top of the bike coming out, so that when it slides they can control it. Sort of dirt bike style if you know what I mean. Mladin used to be mental out of there on his Kwaka way back then.

well that will farken teach ya.

back luck mate

good stuff 7THSIN, you walked away from it.

I found the traction limit on my 636 at QR earier this year in much the same way.

Cept the bike unloaed me onto the track and then highsided itself.

id just like to say congradulations , did u get pictures i want to see ur airodynamics

That's no good, but glad you walked away intact!

Not good to hear, but at least your keen to get back out there.

I cannot comment on the tyres your running as i run slicks but try a few different brands and find what works for your style.

Each different brand will slide in a different way and one will work for you.

Not good to hear 7thsin, but at least you walked away from it! Better luck next time...

Not good 7Th but better than on the road.

was that the 8th sin glad you are ok & still keen.

ZZRCHIKKY wrote:id just like to say congradulations , did u get pictures i want to see ur airodynamics

All I've got is damage pictures at the moment, but I reckon the photogfrapher was sitting at the same turn when it happened, so I'll email him asking if he got my action shots

Damage assessment

Leathers-
Scuffed knees, right thigh, ass, arms, shoulders and back.
Melted badges on thigh on both forearms.
Small hole in right arm kevlar stretch panel.
No torn stitching or holes in leather anywhere, not even a thin spot

Boots-
One small hole near big toe, has worn through leather to plastic
Lots of abrasion on heel/calf and toe sliders
Scuffed leather on tops of feet

Gloves-
Scuffed and torn palm on left glove, didnt tear through to skin though

Lid-
Not a scratch, how lucky am I!

Back protector-
No visible crushing but must have done its job, the impact didnt even wind me.

Pics-








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