BiffBird Down

[Biff]

It's true :brick: :angry2:

Ruapuna HRC development track day. I decided to see what kind of speed I'd get up to down the straight, so I nailed it out of the corner before the home straight and kept it pretty much nailed the whole way down the straight, only coming of the gas just before the left hander at the end of it. Down a cog, banked the bike over, over some more, more, counter steering like fork, peg scraping (remembering R1Aaron's impressive 'off' in the same spot last week because his peg grinding unloaded the back wheel), I couldn't turn any faster and was heading off the track fast, and side ways. So I straightened up ready for a bit of off roading. Sweet - no problem thought I. Nice bit of grass and eventually gravel to slow me down. Forget did I about the Bird's combined braking system (press the front brake the back comes on as well), back wheel begins overtaking the front, off the brakes, too late, high side (ouch), somersault (ouch) and the bike does exactly the same, at least twice.

Damage to bike - all the bikes fairings, including the rear end smashed or cracked, indicators smashed front and back, clutch lever snapped, rear wheel possibly crooked (chassis?) etc etc

Damage to rider - Bruises, hip is sore, knee is stiff on both sides resulting in my walking like John Wayne after a stretch on a gay porn film shoot, and a thumping headache (bang to the head somewhere along the line). Ego in pieces.

My bikes insurance company rep was there, saw it all, and promptly shat his pants.

In case you're wondering - 243 kph last time I looked at the speedo.

Manuboy has before/after photos. Hope to get them posted soon, if for no other reason than to prove that Honda's are better than Yamaha's, even when they crash!

[bear]

That's shitty dude! Hope you and the bike are all mended soon.

[Two Smoker]

Ah shit mate, bad luck... i know all to well about that kind of thing...

At least it is insured :niceone: (am i correct?)

[dangerous]

So turn number 1 is now to be renamed.... again (twice in a week) to "R1aaron I biff'd da Bird Baff KDX corner" ohhhhhhhhhh crap on it aye, sorry too hear....... but hey, at least you did it with more style than Aaron .................................. you did it on a Honda :niceone:

[Biff]

At least it is insured :niceone: (am i correct?)

Yep - thank fork!!

I'm even thinking of a totally new look for the BB, jet black, with K5 decals - sweet.

[StoneChucker]

My bikes insurance company rep was there, saw it all, and promptly shat his pants
I assume so TS.

Mate, that sucks big time. At least you're still here to tell us about it, but it's still only little consolation. Can I ask, were you going to the KB Track Day at Taupo or the KB Rally at National Park?

[erik]

Sounds like a spectacular crash. Glad you're ok and your bike is insured!

[Hitcher]

Tsk, tsk. Isn't physics marvellous?

It's good to know that at least you're not too banged up.

[MSTRS]

Gulp....she's a hard road finding the perfect (whatever). At least you are still walking. Take it easy, and get well soon.

[dangerous]

Yep - thank fork!!

I'm even thinking of a totally new look for the BB, jet black, with K5 decals - sweet.
mate, looked at the new XX the other day it was 05 in black.... very very nice.... thats what I'd be going for.
But hows the clear lens indercators look? will ins replace them and the screen with the same aftermarket items?

ps: just had a thought...... why dont ya tell 'her in doors' that the pipes were trashed and that you had the choice of std's or Neptunes..... build it into the excess, she'll never know.................... but that would be wrong aye :niceone:

http://www.neptunemufflers.co.nz/BLACKBIRDREAR.jpg

[Riff Raff]

Bad luck mate! At least you are (mostly) ok.

So turn number 1 is now to be renamed.... again (twice in a week) to "R1aaron I biff'd da Bird Baff KDX corner"
or just call it the "Welly crew showing the mainlanders how it's done" corner :shake:

[Skunk]

Bugger man. :(
Glad you're OK.
Hope I don't biff mine at Taupo.
Thinking about that - how could I? I'm so slow it's only in danger of falling over...)

[**R1**]

:niceone: :niceone: Nice one bro, welcome to the(fucked up the first left at Ruapuna) club.

Na that sucks man, but your ok(u were funny looking b4 aye?) bikes can be fixed, and now ya know the limmits of ya yawnda.

Race???? to see who gets bike fixed first:2thumbsup .

[Ixion]

Tsk, tsk. Isn't physics marvellous?



No, it's not, It hurts and it's inconvenient. I say that bikes should be exempted from the laws of physics.

Sad to hear the bike is bent, glad to hear you're not (badly) bent.

[manuboy]

Bad luck mate! At least you are (mostly) ok.

or just call it the "Welly crew showing the mainlanders how it's done" corner :shake:

supporting the welly crew eh? but why? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

[Grumpy]

That's pretty shitty. Glad to here your ok though.

Your rep wouldn't be David G by any chance? Heard that he was down at the track today.

[manuboy]

Here tis............................................... ..

Mostly the XX bird, apart from Kirks rs125 and RIB on the CBR.

[Coyote]

At least you survived

You did survive right?

[2_SL0]

Well at least you walked away, even if it was like a gay pornstar.
Serious bummer about the bike, but shit happens, and your in one piece.

[Storm]

Shit luck mate. Hope you get over the gay porno walk smartly and all goes smoothly with the bike restoration

[wkid_one]

Nothing quite like when Confidence exceeds capacity in a spectacular manner

[Two Smoker]

Doesnt look too bad, here's hoping that it is just the wheel being pushed out of place rather than a bent swing arm/frame :wacko:

[dangerous]

Race???? to see who gets bike fixed first:2thumbsup .
LOL... it always about raceing with you isent it :niceone:

[outlawtorn]

I hope you aren't that badly hurt, heres to a speedy recovery for you and your bike.

[Skyryder]

That's a bummer Biff. At least you got up and walked away. Hope all's well that ends well.

Skyryder

[**R1**]

LOL... it always about raceing with you isent it :niceone:Always...:yeah: :yeah:

[Biff]

Can I ask, were you going to the KB Track Day at Taupo or the KB Rally at National Park?

Nope. A bit too far north for me. Maybe next year.....


But hows the clear lens indercators look? will ins replace them and the screen with the same aftermarket items?

Bubbles scratched, as are the indicators. Apparently insurance does cover them. But I’ve been told it’s easier for me to get the bits myself and the insurance company will pay for them, otherwise they’re subject to import duty.


Race???? to see who gets bike fixed first:2thumbsup .

Ok – starting next Tuesday – otherwise you’ve got a weeks head start on me!


At least you survived

You did survive right?

Erm- let me check – yep. Still here.


Your rep wouldn't be David G by any chance? Heard that he was down at the track today.

I think so - David something, and then his side kick turned up, whose name I don't remember.


Nothing quite like when Confidence exceeds capacity in a spectacular manner

So you didn’t manage to get into the diplomatic core I take it. Bitch.

[TwoSeven]

Welcome to collarbone corner :)

Hopefully the injuries heal quick.

I was out there at lunchtime, looked like everyone was enjoying themselves.

[Blackbird]

....and relieved you're ok too. Dave Easey had his rebuilt after an "off" at Taupo last year and there were no delays in getting bits and no insurance hassles either.

Methinks I'll stay away from the track!

Geoff

[dangerous]

Shit luck mate. Hope you get over the gay porno walk smartly
ummmmm..... that actually quite normal for him, the truth is that he ran off the end of the straight cos he was too bussy trying to think up a better avatar than the one he curently has. :apint:

[gav]

Jeez, what the hell u doing man?!! Think you can play rugby now and race bikes?
So when you buying a track bike? Could be close to a write off, huh?
Hell, impressed that its covered by insurance, good on them. Hope you make a speedy recovery!! :niceone:

[onearmedbandit]

Sorry to hear that bb, at least you're mostly okay. After Aaron and now you, I just have to know what it is about this corner.

[inlinefour]

Tsk, tsk. Isn't physics marvellous?

It's good to know that at least you're not too banged up.

If your on the recieving end or not. Sorry to hear Biff, going to stick with the bird then I take it? :doctor:

[dangerous]

Think you can play rugby now and race bikes?
impressed that its covered by insurance, good on them
LMAO...... :2thumbsup

yeah it is covered by Vero c/o David Golightly as long as there is no flag drop/light start... anotherwords ya not racing.


I just have to know what it is about this corner.
Ummm... its about how fast you can take turn one :cool:

[pritch]

At least it is insured

That may be about to change...

There was a concern at Taupo in Feb that after 2 offs at the previous Honda rider development day there shouldn't be any more. Unfortunately yet another guy watched his bike carry on without him.

The broker is probably writing his letter to the Honda R C as I write this...

I was very interested in the original story as to how this incident ocurred. At Taupo it hadn't even ocurred to me to look at the speedo, I was watching the RPM - when I wasn't looking at the other bikes or the track. Then another rider says "I'm doing X kph along the back staight."

So next time out I sneek a peek and its 157 or so. So next lap it's 160 +. Now if I can do that last corner b/4 the straight a bit faster... And if I change this line...

Then I had a vision of a bike sized hole in a billboard.

My aims for the day had been modest, they mainly involved improving my braking technique, getting used to travelling at speed on a bike after a gap of some years, and picking up any useful tips from the experts along the way.. To change these aims so as to be increasing my speed each lap was a radical departure and not entirely appropriate to a "rider development day".

A little re-thinking off the bike got the thing back on schedule.

Another rider came in early from a session and I asked the question, he explained that his riding was getting a bit hairy so he thought he had better come in before he binned it.

I don't think that's a bad option

[SPman]

Ummm... its about how fast you can take turn one :cool:
and survive..........

[Sensei]

Hard riding end's in hard crashes . Good to hear ya OK Now this is why Link braking is not suppose to be on Fucken bike's . My view only but it should be Outlawed !!!!
SENSEI

[inlinefour]

Hard riding end's in hard crashes . Good to hear ya OK Now this is why Link braking is not suppose to be on Fucken bike's . My view only but it should be Outlawed !!!!
SENSEI

I know nothing about this topic and until this day actually did not even know that some bikes had it. Guess it does not help with racing though...

[**R1**]

Ok – starting next Tuesday – otherwise you’ve got a weeks head start on me!


.Mine looked worse:brick:

[Skyryder]

Hard riding end's in hard crashes . Good to hear ya OK Now this is why Link braking is not suppose to be on Fucken bike's . My view only but it should be Outlawed !!!!
SENSEI


I noticed that BB said that the rear brake was linked when the front handleaver was operated. My Cali has linked brakes but these are operated by the rear brake pedal. I'm no racer but I use my brakes prior to the entry of a corner when the bike is upright and 90 degrees to the road. I have been known to hit them hard at times and the bike has responded accordingly. In fact I like them but I don't ride that close to the edge. I have always believed that if you have to break once you have entered the a corner then you have come in too fast. Any other ideas on this??

Skyryder

[Two Smoker]

I noticed that BB said that the rear brake was linked when the front handleaver was operated. My Cali has linked brakes but these are operated by the rear brake pedal. I'm no racer but I use my brakes prior to the entry of a corner when the bike is upright and 90 degrees to the road. I have been known to hit them hard at times and the bike has responded accordingly. In fact I like them but I don't ride that close to the edge. I have always believed that if you have to break once you have entered the a corner then you have come in too fast. Any other ideas on this??

Skyryder

Yeah im pretty sure it is that way on the Blackbird too....

[Hitcher]

I have always believed that if you have to break once you have entered the a corner then you have come in too fast. Any other ideas on this??
Apart from the spelling of brake, I concur entirely.

I suspect that Honda's most excellent linked braking system is copping some bad press here from somebody who overcooked a corner and got on the brakes too hard in a vain attempt at pulling off a "Hail Mary" manouever. The linked brakes may well have saved Biff from a "death stoppie".

Going for the doctor with the front brake lever on Hondas linked brake system will engage the rear brake but it won't lock it up on a good firm surface.

[Hitcher]

Yeah im pretty sure it is that way on the Blackbird too....
No. Honda's linked brakes are linked both ways. The front brake on its own works the outside pots (triple pots front and rear) on the front and the inside pot on the rear. The rear brake on its own works the outside pots on the rear and the inside pot on the front. Applying both brakes together works all the pots. On a clean dry road you can stop 300kg of ST1300 on a dime, nice and linear, no nose dive.

[dangerous]

Hard riding end's in hard crashes . Good to hear ya OK Now this is why Link braking is not suppose to be on Fucken bike's . My view only but it should be Outlawed !!!!
SENSEI
ahhhh bullshit man...... once you have mastered the art of the linked brake, its a awesome thing.
Now remember I had BB's bird out at the track last Friday and while it had a very differant feel to it after a couple of laps I had got quite used to them and as Hitcher says they stop ya bloody quick... I was impressed with them.

[gav]

Yeah I think its something like 70/30 front/back when using front brake lever and
60/40 back/front when using rear brake. Youre right, Hitcher, if BB had used just rear brake he probably would have still crashed at the speed he was doing, use to be alot of rocks and dirt and shit off that corner, as I found err once or twice :confused:

[TonyB]

Shit Biff, that's bloody terrible news! The bike doesn't look too bad in the pics, but then I guess it's not so hot when you see it for real?
From reading pritch008's post and from your experience today, it looks like worrying about your top speed on the straight is a bad idea eh! Thats something I'm guilty of- might have to tape over the speedo next time I head out there.

[bugjuice]

shit news dude.. glad you walked from it, next time a few k slower, or turn in a bit sooner? hate fast corners when a fraction of a second just balls up your day.. Hope the bike all points the same way, doesn't look to bad from the pics, but then the pics never tell the whole story!
Hope it's quick, and hope you ain't too sore in the morning (that's when it'll really kick in!!). Kinda luckly your insurance guy was there, not many people have such prompt responce!

Bad luck dude, keep us posted!

[wkid_one]

Apart from the spelling of brake, I concur entirely.

I suspect that Honda's most excellent linked braking system is copping some bad press here from somebody who overcooked a corner and got on the brakes too hard in a vain attempt at pulling off a "Hail Mary" manouever. The linked brakes may well have saved Biff from a "death stoppie".

Going for the doctor with the front brake lever on Hondas linked brake system will engage the rear brake but it won't lock it up on a good firm surface.

Ditto to those comments - funny how one, in this PC world, is quick to abidicate responsibility in favour of blaming the brakes.....how does the saying going 'A workman doesn't.........'

[hobdar]

Man i hope your ok and you and your bike gets mended quick...

[TonyB]

If you are entering a corner too fast and trying to scrub speed while cornering the back wheel is going to be unloaded, right? If you are using the back brake in this situation it is pretty likely to let go, with the result being the back end trying to overtake the front, so with a linked brake system it must be more likely to happen.

[sAsLEX]

some racers dont even use the back, I think its more of what your comfortable with. Even if you have the newest bestest brakes if your not comfortable with them it aint going to work.

[dangerous]

If you are entering a corner too fast and trying to scrub speed while cornering the back wheel is going to be unloaded, right? If you are using the back brake in this situation it is pretty likely to let go, with the result being the back end trying to overtake the front, so with a linked brake system it must be more likely to happen.
naa, funny thing is it dosent feel like that at all..... but if you have over cooked it that bad and dont use the rear... then I'd think that theres a real danger of the frount lettin go.

[Sensei]

ahhhh bullshit man...... once you have mastered the art of the linked brake, its a awesome thing.

Bullshit to what ?? Link braking on bike's ?? as posted "My VIEW ONLY "
Why don't GP / SBK have it on them if it's that great ?????????????
Because it isn't . Look at the bike's they put it on Hardly Race bike's are they !!
SENSEI

[wkid_one]

[QUOTE=dangerous]ahhhh bullshit man...... once you have mastered the art of the linked brake, its a awesome thing.

Bullshit to what ?? Link braking on bike's ?? as posted "My VIEW ONLY "
Why don't GP / SBK have it on them if it's that great ?????????????
Because it isn't . Look at the bike's they put it on Hardly Race bike's are they !!
SENSEI

Same reason F1 didn't want traction control and WRC cars don't run ABS brakes - they prefer to have more control in ABNORMAL driving conditions.

Also - with linked brakes reversing the bike in to the corner couldn't be achieved. most people on the road choose not to opt for this cornering technique

Think about your statements before you ask them

[PSYCHO]

Sorry to hear you "biffed" , biff.

I've had a few close calls myself at turn 1.

The "bird" would look mighty mean in black.

[Aaron]

Oh man... that really sucks. Good to hear you're ok, sounds like the safety gear did it's work.

I can relate... thread coming soon :(

[gav]

[QUOTE=dangerous]ahhhh bullshit man...... once you have mastered the art of the linked brake, its a awesome thing.

Bullshit to what ?? Link braking on bike's ?? as posted "My VIEW ONLY "
Why don't GP / SBK have it on them if it's that great ?????????????
Because it isn't . Look at the bike's they put it on Hardly Race bike's are they !!
SENSEI
Well, they have in the past!
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcandy/mcphotos/LS4.jpg
John Kocinski rode with the Combined Braking System on the Castrol Honda, err so there! :shake:
And the mighty Nissan Bluebird isnt a friggen race bike, so don't blame the bike, blame the rider whos spending more time looking at the speedo rather than where he's going :yeah:

[gav]

Sorry to hijack a thread but F1??? WTF have they done?? Ferrari retire a perfectly good car because the tires have worn out!! This isnt a friggen club day is it? Engines have to last two meetings? Why? Costs???? If ya can't afford it, you shouldnt be out there, rather see control tires and decent pit stops than this crap, surely it can't last all season, can it? Just a joke!!!

[Sensei]

[QUOTE=gav]Well, they have in the past!
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcandy/mcphotos/LS4.jpg
John Kocinski rode with the Combined Braking System on the Castrol Honda, err so there! :shake:

Thanks GAV for that FACT . All ready know it but good to read about it again . :spudwhat:
SENSEI

[dangerous]

Morning Biff...... hows the bumps n brusies today? hurts a bit more these days aye :niceone:


Bullshit to what ??
Link braking on bike's ?? as posted "My VIEW ONLY "
Why don't GP / SBK have it on them if it's that great ?????????????
SENSEI
Yeah mate..... Bullshit to "Link braking is not suppose to be on Fucken bike's
it should be Outlawed" (I know its your view only, I have one too)
We are talking about a sport tourer here not a bloody GP/SBK bike... yeah sure they arnt the best idea on the track, I rearley use rear brakes in such suituations........ but as for out there touring in style like the Bird is built for.... linked brakes are the muts nuts 'my view only' :msn-wink:


Link braking is not suppose to be on Fucken bike's
My view only but it should be Outlawed !!!!
SENSEI

[750Y]

bugger biff baff! glad you never hurt yourself. the bike doesn't look too bad in the pics.
man that's a big bike to punt around a track in any case, you did well to get that far. I have ridden the track a few times with a blackbird just like that one & the guy was getting up good speed on the straights but had to do his braking way earlier than everyone else or it'd get real interesting coming into the corner. he loves it tho but said it's more suited to the road. anyway shit happens huh.

[scumdog]

Bad luck BB, still you got out of it lighter than most regarding injuries.

(In about 20 years your body WILL remind you of this particular off, oh yes believe me it will!!)

[Riff Raff]

(In about 20 years your body WILL remind you of this particular off, oh yes believe me it will!!)
And children will run every time they see him rub his hip, knee, shoulder etc because they know it will be the precursor to "back in my day, when I were young and foolish, I had me this Blackbird, which is one of them motorcikkle things, and I were racing it round the track going at 500 million miles an hour when bla bla bla ....."

[Sniper]

Damn Biff mate. Sorry to hear about that. Sorry its taken me a while to send my condolenses (Sp?)

You still gonna be up and riding soon?

[Paul in NZ]

Sorry to hear that mate... At least you are still here to write about it..

Hope it all goes back together OK and you get some higher pegs for the next track session.... :msn-wink: Bit of a bugger though...

Heal well...

Paul and Vicki

[vifferman]

I rearley use rear brakes in such suituations
That's because the VTR's rear brake is almost useless.

........ but as for out there touring in style like the Bird is built for.... linked brakes are the muts nuts 'my view only' :msn-wink:
I reckon the linked brakes are OK, especially in shit weather like today, where I can use the rear brake and get better retardation and less chance of sliding than using either brake on a bike with the DCBS. Combined with ABS, it'd be terrific.
I reckon.
In my humble opinion.
However, although it works well, I'm not fond of the extra weight and complexity it adds. Apparently bleeding the system is a curse, and there's more maintenance required (like keeping the pivot on the left-hand side actuator in good nick).

[TonyB]

Hey at least it's not like the brakes on the new BMW bikes. They are power assisted, and allegedly if you happen to be applying the brakes when the engine is started, the self diagnosis test will report a failure, and you will have NO BRAKES AT ALL. A few testers have allegedly been caught out when stopping for a photo op on a hill, starting the bike and trying to do a down hill U-turn- the bike takes off with no way of stopping it. Bet thats a great feeling...

[Riff Raff]

Hey at least it's not like the brakes on the new BMW bikes. They are power assisted, and allegedly if you happen to be applying the brakes when the engine is started, the self diagnosis test will report a failure, and you will have NO BRAKES AT ALL. A few testers have allegedly been caught out when stopping for a photo op on a hill, starting the bike and trying to do a down hill U-turn- the bike takes off with no way of stopping it. Bet thats a great feeling...
Yet another in a long list of reasons why you should NEVER buy a BMW!

[White trash]

Yet another in a long list of reasons why you should NEVER buy a BMW!

But you spent the whol weekend telling me you wanted this?!

[Krusti]

But you spent the whol weekend telling me you wanted this?!

See what happens when bike designers take drugs :cool:

[Slipstream]

But you spent the whol weekend telling me you wanted this?!

It's whatever gives you the best ride and makes you look good doing it, aye Riff ;) :lol:

[Blakamin]

Sorry to hear that mate... At least you are still here to write about it..

Hope it all goes back together OK and you get some higher pegs for the next track session.... :msn-wink: Bit of a bugger though...

Heal well...

Paul and Vicki
what he said.....


you might wanna buy a Duc..... they go AROUND corners... (or so I've heard...)

You'll be sweet.... hondas dont die, they just ...um ... dont???? :confused:

(ask my old cbr)

[Ixion]

Hey at least it's not like the brakes on the new BMW bikes. They are power assisted, and allegedly if you happen to be applying the brakes when the engine is started, the self diagnosis test will report a failure, and you will have NO BRAKES AT ALL. A few testers have allegedly been caught out when stopping for a photo op on a hill, starting the bike and trying to do a down hill U-turn- the bike takes off with no way of stopping it. Bet thats a great feeling...

I suspect that it is not *no* brakes but no power assistance. On all BMW ABS systems, the system runs a self check at startup. This may fail for various reasons , including low battery, moving the bike forward with the ignition on but engine off while the self test is happening, or applying the brakes with ignition on , engine off while self test is happening (it's OK if the brake is applied before the self test starts.)

And regardless the self test will not complete until the bike has reached a speed of approx 4 kph after first startup.

Until the self test completes satisfactorily, you *will* have brakes but no ABS and (more significantly) no servo assistance.

All BMW ABS systems provide some measure of linked braking and servo assistance, but the new Integral ABS provides full power braking (like a car).

I'vre ridden mine without ABS (flat battery), and the brakes worked OK but needed a *hell* of a lot of force compared to normal. I was expecting this so it didn't take me by surprise but it would have been pretty scary if I hadn't been

Given that Integral ABS has much more power assistance, I imagine that trying to brake with the ABS disabled would feel like no brakes at all ("I'm squeezing like hell and nothing's happening").

The ABS state is shown by two very bright warning lights. Just make sure they're off before relying on the brakes.

If you've ever had to brake a modern car with the engine not running you'll know the feeling - the brake pedal is just solid, doesn't seem to want to do anything .

[TonyB]

No, it's no brakes at all apparently. One tester was taking photo's as I described and went to do a downhill U-turn, the only thing that stopped him from going over a cliff on the other side of the road was a low rock wall. I'll look up the articles when I get home.

[vifferman]

No, it's no brakes at all apparently. ...
The one I read (in Two Wheels), they reported it to BMW, and they were apparently going to do some mods, as the examples being tested were early or pre-production models. They also broke one bike completely, and not by crashing it either.

On all BMW ABS systems, the system runs a self check at startup. This may fail for various reasons , including low battery, moving the bike forward with the ignition on but engine off while the self test is happening, or applying the brakes with ignition on , engine off while self test is happening (it's OK if the brake is applied before the self test starts.)
It's amazing the amount of processing that goes into some of these systems. On the VFR, the ECU is slightly larger than a pack of cards, and measures air temp, coolant temp, barometric pressure, engine revs, throttle position, intake pressure, bank angle, road speed, Oxygen levels in the zorsts, intake airflow, etc etc. It even monitors whether the sidestand is down, whether it's in neutral or not, and what sorts of mood it's in itself! If anything's not happy, it illuminates the FI light, and you have to play the "20 Questions" game, counting the number of flashes.:confused:
Hope it doesn't have a bad hair day... :whistle:

[Zed]

It's true :brick: :angry2:

Ruapuna HRC development track day. I decided to see what kind of speed I'd get up to down the straight, so I nailed it out of the corner before the home straight and kept it pretty much nailed the whole way down the straight, only coming of the gas just before the left hander at the end of it. Down a cog, banked the bike over, over some more, more, counter steering like fork, peg scraping (remembering R1Aaron's impressive 'off' in the same spot last week because his peg grinding unloaded the back wheel), I couldn't turn any faster and was heading off the track fast, and side ways. So I straightened up ready for a bit of off roading. Sweet - no problem thought I. Nice bit of grass and eventually gravel to slow me down. Forget did I about the Bird's combined braking system (press the front brake the back comes on as well), back wheel begins overtaking the front, off the brakes, too late, high side (ouch), somersault (ouch) and the bike does exactly the same, at least twice.

Damage to bike - all the bikes fairings, including the rear end smashed or cracked, indicators smashed front and back, clutch lever snapped, rear wheel possibly crooked (chassis?) etc etc

Damage to rider - Bruises, hip is sore, knee is stiff on both sides resulting in my walking like John Wayne after a stretch on a gay porn film shoot, and a thumping headache (bang to the head somewhere along the line). Ego in pieces.

My bikes insurance company rep was there, saw it all, and promptly shat his pants.

In case you're wondering - 243 kph last time I looked at the speedo.

Manuboy has before/after photos. Hope to get them posted soon, if for no other reason than to prove that Honda's are better than Yamaha's, even when they crash!That really sucks man, believe me I know! :(

I hope you have a speedy recovery and get the bike sorted out and back on the road in due time!

My sincere sympathies Biff Baff!


Zed

[Biff]

In response to the one or two slightly poisonous comments posted here, allow me to present you some facts:

1. It was obviously all my fault. I went too fast, braked too late, the Dual Combined Braking System worked as it was designed to do and scrubbed off loads of speed until I was on the grass, then they may or may not have contributed to the eventual off.

2. DCBS is a brilliant system in my book. Fantastic stopping power, particularly in the wet. Now I have a bike with them I'll possibly never go back to standard brakes.

3. I took the same line as the Honda Racing Team's bike, but I've learnt they lean over more (fkin long hero blobs as per me recent post) than a stock sports tourer. A bike obviously not designed to be raced on a track.

4. I have 18 years of road riding experience, and have never had an accident (other than being side swiped). I know where I am on a road, I've done months of advanced riding courses over the years and as such consider myself a relatively competent & safe rider. A track is a new experience for me (other than one brief afternoon on an advanced riding course), and yes (as previously stated) I was over confident and thought I could take the same lines as shown to me by the pros, albeit they were riding racing bikes.

5. I know how to suck eggs. 1 up to you. There, feel better now do you?

Dangerous - I'm a bit sore today and struggling to walk due to a rather interesting lump to my pelvic region. Thanks for asking.

Manu - Thanks for the photos mate. The bike doesn't look so bad in them. After visiting the bike this morning the photos don't do the damage justice (as is normal with photos). The jury is still out as the whether or not the chassis is bent.

I will be back, as will the Biff Bird. But I'll stick to what I do best - road riding, with a little bit of safe and calculated speed thrown in from time to time, and the odd - cautious bit of track work in order to better appreciate both the rider and bikes limitations.

Oh and I’ve learnt not to race sports bikes, especially on the track!

Apologies if I appear a little grumpy this morning. But I am.

Thanks again for all the kind words :niceone:

[White trash]

Grumpy guts.

I know how you feel, although I had some pretty good healing after I came off. Now my grazes are itching like fuck and the cankle goes and comes depending on how stupid I'm being.

Couldn't get my boot off after the track on Friday, it was that swollen.

[TonyB]

Gotta say Biff, holding the taps open until you got to the kink must have taken some BALLS- might not have been a cunning idea in hindsight, but it was gutsy all the same.
After watching the NZGP out there a couple of years ago I can say that only the 125's actually get to the kink before shutting off- some even go around it before doing so. The 1000's are shutting off well before the kink. I know this because the kids were there with me- they didn't like the noise of the bikes at full steam, so we moved just past where the 1000's were shutting down- quite a way before the kink. Then the 125's came out and we had to move heaps further.

[Riff Raff]

But you spent the whol weekend telling me you wanted this?!
That has got to be the fugliest bike ever. It offends me every time I see it. I demand that you remove it from your shop and throw it over the nearest cliff. However, it would be a test of your sales skills if you can find a sucker to buy that monstrosity! I'll buy you :apint: if you are successful.

[Wolf]

I'm even thinking of a totally new look for the BB, jet black, with K5 decals - sweet.
What? No more Blue Whale? Gutted.

Glad to hear you made it out alive, Biff - good to hear the bike's covered, too. Not a thing can be done for the shattered ego, except time.

Great write-up, too.

[gav]

Gotta say Biff, holding the taps open until you got to the kink must have taken some BALLS- might not have been a cunning idea in hindsight, but it was gutsy all the same.
After watching the NZGP out there a couple of years ago I can say that only the 125's actually get to the kink before shutting off- some even go around it before doing so. The 1000's are shutting off well before the kink. I know this because the kids were there with me- they didn't like the noise of the bikes at full steam, so we moved just past where the 1000's were shutting down- quite a way before the kink. Then the 125's came out and we had to move heaps further.
Umm, think he needed to know this before now.... :msn-wink:

[dangerous]

Couldn't get my boot off after the track on Friday, it was that swollen.
Cant let this one slide by.................. thought that was ya helmet mate :niceone:


3. I took the same line as the Honda Racing Team's bike, but I've learnt they lean over more (fkin long hero blobs as per me recent post) than a stock sports tourer. A bike obviously not designed to be raced on a track.

emmmmmmmmmm............ Biff, as I posted elswere I rode the baff bird last Friday out at Ruapuna. Now while it took a couple of laps to get the feel of it I did manage to sort out how to ride it.
Because it touched down very easy and on both sides then I relised that ya have to get off it to corner at speed..... but the fairing gets in the way and stops ya from sliding down the side of the tank..... soooo.... I found that you need to pull your self as far forward as pos, and slid the leg down the side of the fairing....... I ended up rounding the sweeper as fast as I do on the VTR... if not faster, but the left hand bar end was damn near sticking into my brains via my ear... thats how far forward I was...... but it can be done.
Ummmm.... believe it or not it was a lot like the Guzzi to ride at those speeds, just that it takes a bit more effort to do so.

As I said to you that day.... I was very happy with the way it rode, have a look at the pic that Manu posted of you in the dipper...... you arnt hanging of it any were as much as you need to, (in fact I'd say not at all... look how low the cans ar and we know they dont touch, so the pegs cant be far off) do ya see where I trying to take this...... you know ya getting a shit load of crap here for my two cents worth :niceone:

[SPman]

See what happens when bike designers take drugs :cool:

And we wont even mention their current crop of ...cars :eek:

[TonyB]

...... you arnt hanging of it any were as much as you need to, (in fact I'd say not at all... look how low the cans ar and we know they dont touch, so the pegs cant be far off) do ya see where I trying to take this...... In Biffs defence, hanging off doesn't come naturally to everyone (me included) and Ruapuna is quite a busy and technical track. Lots to think about, sometimes hanging off becomes one too many things to worry about...

[Biff]

Because it touched down very easy and on both sides then I relised that ya have to get off it to corner at speed..... but the fairing gets in the way and stops ya from sliding down the side of the tank..... soooo.... I found that you need to pull your self as far forward as pos, and slid the leg down the side of the fairing....... I ended up rounding the sweeper as fast as I do on the VTR... if not faster, but the left hand bar end was damn near sticking into my brains via my ear... thats how far forward I was...... but it can be done.


If you recall D - while you were telling me the best way you found to hang off my bike I was nodding my head and agreeing with you, cos that's the way I do it as well, as difficult as it is with the pokie out upper fairing bit.

As for the photo - I think you'll find that 10 yards behind me was Jimmy on his spanking new CBR600RR, just off his restricted, and he'd asked me take things real slow in order to help him understand the lines (yeah I know I'm not the best person to ask, but if you saw the lines he was taking you'd understand), so I must have been going at somewhere near half pace in the photo.

But believe you me, on this occasion, on the corner I binned, I was hanging off as if my life depended on it, but when the hero blob touched down I had a flash back to the previous weekend when Aaron did the same an unloaded his back end. I kept counter steering and hanging off until I ran out of space and made the executive decision to quit and right the bike before I hit the grass side-on.

You know the kind of decision I'm talking about D - over cook a corner and decide to head for the safety of the grass. If I remember correctly didn't a certain Storm rider make the same decision after forking up a corner at the track the previous week, ending up off-roading for a short while before the marshals turned up with a new set of underpants? Did you hang off? :Pokey:

[Biff]

Insurance update.

I made a phone call to my house contents insurance this avo', and to cut a long story short I now have $$$$$'s sitting in my bank account, courtsey of my household insurance company, (well tomorrow am) to spend on a new lid and leathers!!!

The conversation went a bit like this:

Him: How much did your bits cost?
Me: About this much
Him: Will you accept this much
Me: Shall I suck your dick now or later?



All $$$'d up and ready for my trip to Asia next week. Here's to bargain hunting :drinknsin

Premier Insurance - Highly recomended.

[dangerous]

As for the photo........................
Biff..... hell I'm not having a go at you or expecting you to explain your self with my last post, shit no.... I was just working throught it for ya like getting away from the linked thing, just another angle to look at it from, please dont take offence.
Your bike took a lot of effort to get it moving through the corners, and you know it better than I do :ride:

ps: my small off track experanice was due to watching you on the back straight instead of looking were I was going... 1st for every thing aye, besides.... dident relise you saw that :whistle:

[gav]

He probably didn't, but we did !!!! And we told him!! Bwahahahahahaha :shake:

[dangerous]

He probably didn't, but we did !!!! And we told him!! Bwahahahahahaha :shake:
ohh yeah...... and just what did you 2 pricks on the pit wall actualy say then... huh... Knowing Kickaha it cant be repeted here :shifty:

[gav]

well, it is a family show..... :msn-wink:

[Biff]

Biff..... hell I'm not having a go at you or expecting you to explain your self with my last post, shit no.... I was just working throught it for ya like getting away from the linked thing, just another angle to look at it from, please dont take offence.
Your bike took a lot of effort to get it moving through the corners, and you know it better than I do :ride:

ps: my small off track experanice was due to watching you on the back straight instead of looking were I was going... 1st for every thing aye, besides.... dident relise you saw that :whistle:

:niceone:

I didn't see it, I asked you what the smell was when the session has finished, you said you'd shat your pants! (oh and Gav told me!)

[gav]

you seen this on Trade Me BB?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-24362261.htm

[Zed]

you seen this on Trade Me BB?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports-tourer/auction-24362261.htm Are you trying to torment him Gav? :msn-wink:

[gav]

Ohhh, so its not his, then? :msn-wink:
Just thought he might not feel so bad, seems its quite a common event!

[Biff]

Ohhh, so its not his, then? :msn-wink:
Just thought he might not feel so bad, seems its quite a common event!

Sometimes Gav I like you. Other times .... :angry2:


PT

[RiderInBlack]

Thanks for the B&B Rhod:2thumbsup Don't trade your wife. Don't know many that would have taken your fall as well as she did:niceone: (and she pretty gorgeous as well you lucky c*nt).

As for the "Training Day" it was becoming more or a "Race" as the day when by. I certernly was at fault in that. You just had the see the way my back tyre was peeling-up to see that and the little arse wiggle "Roxanne" was having under engine braking:whistle: At one time I was "hunting down" the BB and the VFR800, so I feel that anyone of us were one step away from having a similar thing happen. Still I feel that if we are going to push our bikes that the track is the place to do it.

Hope the BB is back ASAP, you heal quick and enjoy many more touble free years on her.

[dangerous]

Insurance update.
I made a phone call to my house contents insurance this avo', and to cut a long story short I now have $$$$$'s sitting in my bank account, courtsey of my household insurance company, (well tomorrow am) to spend on a new lid and leathers!!!
Now I was thinking, as you have more than one set of riding gear, bar the lid..... then why not shout ya self a shiny pair of neptune ovels with twin outlets, just like the ones I posted earlier on this thread. :2thumbsup

http://www.neptunemufflers.co.nz/

[moko]

I suspect that it is not *no* brakes but no power assistance.
Given that Integral ABS has much more power assistance, I imagine that trying to brake with the ABS disabled would feel like no brakes at all ("I'm squeezing like hell and nothing's happening").

Nope,it`s no brakes.RIDE reported problems and complaints from R1150GS owners,I dont think earlier bikes had the servo and it`s one reason the 1100s hold their price better than the newer bikes,so much for progress.Problem is with the engine switched off you`ve got no brakes at all.Might not sound a big deal but they`re big,heavy lumps and finding youself not stopping when you`re expecting to while manouvering into a parking space or whatever can catch you un-awares and just dropping a BM can cost the bloody earth.
Sorry to hear about your off Biff Baff,good to see someone holding their hands up here as well,seem to be quite a few fallen off here where everything and everyone else is to blame.WTF,it`s a machine and can be fixed or replaced.I had a similar experience last year only it was on the road and I had the choice of dropping my bike or trying to hold it upright while hoping to stop it heading straight for a stone-wall on gravel.I got away with it,not by much and I still dont really know how.First time I`ve scared myself on a bike for years and years,got a way down the road and had to stop when the shock kicked in.Only difference is I got lucky,you didnt,simple as that.All the advice afterwards is fine but when it`s you in the saddle and you that`s got the split-second decision to make you have to do what you think is right,what your reflexes and experience tell you.That`ll either be the right or the wrong choices you`re making and there`s only one way you`ll find the answer to that one,you`ll either get round the corner with your heart in your mouth or you`ll find yourself sat on your arse.

[Zapf]

In response to the one or two slightly poisonous comments posted here, allow me to present you some facts:

3. I took the same line as the Honda Racing Team's bike, but I've learnt they lean over more (fkin long hero blobs as per me recent post) than a stock sports tourer. A bike obviously not designed to be raced on a track.



me thinks they were stock CBR1000's just really dialled in for the track and ridden by the pro's. :) mind you they would have cornered even faster on a 600...! well new bike to you :ride: :)

[James Deuce]

Shiznit! How did I miss this one???

Sorry to hear about it Biff, but pleased to hear that you have some cash to spend. Retail Motorcycle therapy is my favourite thing! I'm sure it will be the thing to pick you up.

Which stage of self loathing and doubt are you at???

Whichever it is, cut it out, and hurry up and get back on the horse!

[Biff]

Now I was thinking, as you have more than one set of riding gear, bar the lid..... then why not shout ya self a shiny pair of neptune ovels with twin outlets, just like the ones I posted earlier on this thread. :2thumbsup

http://www.neptunemufflers.co.nz/

They don't supply them for the Bird any more. The photo on their website is there simply to tease! I'll price up some Akrovak, Micro and Devil cans while on my travels though :msn-wink:



Sorry to hear about it Biff, but pleased to hear that you have some cash to spend.

Thanks Jim. :niceone:



Which stage of self loathing and doubt are you at???


Self loathing? Me ? With my slightly dented, over-inflated ego, that's simply not possible!