Crashing

[Askor]

I wonder, what is the best thing to do when you crash on track?
IE is it better/safer to slide on your back, side, whatever? Is there a general consensus on what to do if you find yourself sliding down the asphalt at 150km/h?

Having only crashed the once I found sliding flat on my back wasn't too bad, worst part was being soaked in muddy grassy shit from the berm :laugh:

[GD66]

You seldom get the choice...

[puddytat]

Go limp....as in don't fight it.

[mossy1200]

Keep an eye on the location of your bike.
You look like a total twat if you jump up and have to find it before re-joining the race.
If you run the wrong direction when you get up people will think your not very good at crashing.

[Grumph]

You seldom get the choice...

Or have the reflexes to do anything about it....

[mossy1200]

Or have the reflexes to do anything about it....

Personally I find time seems to slow down when your not on the bike anymore.

[Grumph]

Personally I find time seems to slow down when your not on the bike anymore.

Yeah, but your synapses still work in real time - which unles you're an "alien" is too slow to be of much use.

You're right though, without a road bike, the last 15 years have dragged badly.

[mossy1200]

Yeah, but your synapses still work in real time - which unles you're an "alien" is too slow to be of much use.

You're right though, without a road bike, the last 15 years have dragged badly.

Last crash I remember considering trying to get back on but resisted the temptation due still being well over 100 at the time. My right shoulder was getting hot so swapped sides as the leather was gone and the armour started getting hot. I crash better than I ride which isn't a good thing I guess.

[mr bucketracer]

Last crash I remember considering trying to get back on but resisted the temptation due still being well over 100 at the time. My right shoulder was getting hot so swapped sides as the leather was gone and the armour started getting hot. I crash better than I ride which isn't a good thing I guess.standing on a track and falling over is no way a 100k (-; lol:facepalm:

[Kickaha]

I wonder, what is the best thing to do when you crash on track?:

The best thing to do is not to crash in the first place

[Shaun Harris]

Dont hit concrete walls or armco barriers

[Askor]

The best thing to do is not to crash in the first place

I knew someone was going to say this, ya cheeky bugger

Thanks for the advice all, I'll keep it in mind next time I'm skidding down the track :scooter:

[Dave-]

spread out and try to get as much stuff on the ground, this will slow you at roughly the same rate, but you're less likely to chew through a patch on your gear, and the primary patch wont get as hot (friction burn is common)

Of course the compromise here is that you're now a larger target for stuff to hit you.

Reading this is a complete waste of time though cause you'll never think of it when it actually happens.

[Kickaha]

Thanks for the advice all, I'll keep it in mind next time I'm skidding down the track :scooter:

I've had 5 crashes in 14 years, a broken schapoid, broken tibia and broken ulna, all required 6-8 weeks in plaster, the one in common with all of them was I wasn't expecting to crash and when I went down it was so sudden there wasn't time to do anything

When I went off the back of the sidecar at levels it seemed to take for ever before I stopped but I was thinking two things one was "fuck I hope I don't don't hit the wall" and the second was "I hope I stop soon" as it seemed to be tumbling for ages, my arm going out and the smacking down as I tumbled was what broke the ulna

I'd be more worried about getting hit by another bike as I still have an injury from that happening 4 years ago

[Ocean1]

I've seen guys give up on the bike earlier than they probably should. Easy to say, but if you've got any control at all try to stay with it as long as possible, as long as it's not heading for serious hardstuff.

And when the time comes to part ways try to use the bike's mass to kick yourself in the direction of less hardstuff. Again, easy to say. Crashing is more common and easier in the dirt, another reason I advise learning on a beat up old trailie. Binning a road bike happens a bunch faster, but if you've practiced crashing in the dirt at least you have a feel for it, you've got a better chance of managing some control.

[Pumba]

Once your on the deck an sliding you cant do fuck all. I just normally try and keep an eye on the edge of the track because there is less chance of being run over once you are on the grass (assuming there is no concrete wall of course).

I have two off's that stand out. Both were tumbles not slides. Guess that says something.

[F5 Dave]

If whilst on a motorcycle you decide to throw yourself at a large object, say the tarmac, try to `miss`. Perhaps try looking away from it, cause that's where the ouchy stuff happens.

[Shaun Harris]

Askl MM, that factory Honda rider dude

[Yow Ling]

I've had 5 crashes in 14 years, a broken schapoid, broken tibia and broken ulna, all required 6-8 weeks in plaster, the one in common with all of them was I wasn't expecting to crash and when I went down it was so sudden there wasn't time to do anything

When I went off the back of the sidecar at levels it seemed to take for ever before I stopped but I was thinking two things one was "fuck I hope I don't don't hit the wall" and the second was "I hope I stop soon" as it seemed to be tumbling for ages, my arm going out and the smacking down as I tumbled was what broke the ulna

I'd be more worried about getting hit by another bike as I still have an injury from that happening 4 years ago

My crashing is pretty similar, usually over before you have gotten to terms with it.

http://i62.tinypic.com/2pphj7m.jpg

You meet the nicest people at the streetraces

[Kickaha]

You meet the nicest people at the streetraces

Didn't I drive you home from that one :msn-wink:

[Pumba]

My crashing is pretty similar, usually over before you have gotten to terms with it.

You meet the nicest people at the streetraces

I would accuse you of target fixation. But it is a pretty big target........

[Kickaha]

I would accuse you of target fixation. But it is a pretty big target........

He took out the #NZ1 Superbike rider and didn't you get get a Marshal with your bike as well?

[Yow Ling]

He took out the #NZ1 Superbike rider and didn't you get get a Marshal with your bike as well?

Yes a fireman had to go to hospital, It wrecked Jeff Cains bucket, Dennis was OK he hurt his finger
http://i57.tinypic.com/11tmxl3.jpg

[nodrog]

In a lowside the best thing to do is stay calm, keep composed and climb onto the top of the sliding bike and surf it until it stops sliding.

[Askor]

Those are some fantastic photos mike :gob:

[pritch]

I've seen some of the GP riders sliding along on their back with their arms folded across their chest to protect their wrists. They don't all manage to do that and it won't help much in a high side. There was one this season sliding along on his back holding his hands up in the air. Same deal.

[malcy25]

I've seen some of the GP riders sliding along on their back with their arms folded across their chest to protect their wrists. They don't all manage to do that and it won't help much in a high side. There was one this season sliding along on his back holding his hands up in the air. Same deal.
Most of mine have me finished with my arms wrapped around my helmet so I don't scratch it!!:facepalm:

[Askor]

I've seen some of the GP riders sliding along on their back with their arms folded across their chest to protect their wrists. They don't all manage to do that and it won't help much in a high side. There was one this season sliding along on his back holding his hands up in the air. Same deal.

Is it common to injure your wrists? or are they just doing it because it's better to be safe than sorry when your career literally rests on your wrists

[pritch]

Is it common to injure your wrists? or are they just doing it because it's better to be safe than sorry when your career literally rests on your wrists

All of the above.

[Shaun Harris]

I've seen some of the GP riders sliding along on their back with their arms folded across their chest to protect their wrists. They don't all manage to do that and it won't help much in a high side. There was one this season sliding along on his back holding his hands up in the air. Same deal.


I learned how to crash by watching Robert Holden. When sliding down the road on your back, you throw your arms out wide to stop you for cartwheeling whilst keeping your hands pointing upp to NOT rip the shit out of them so you can ridde again when bike is ok if you are not smashed. It just became a natural thing to do afer a while, I had a few to practise on haha

[Shaun Harris]

All of the above.


it is really to protect the skin on your hands Pritch I think. Normally Only initiall impact will do any wrist damage, unless you sent cartwheeling

[Askor]

Think I remember hearing somewhere you clench your fists too to prevent your gloves from being ripped off

[Ocean1]

Think I remember hearing somewhere you clench your fists too to prevent your gloves from being ripped off

I see a few upper market glubs are coming out with Teflon patches or similar on the heel of the palm so that the instinctive warding gesture when you hit the deck doesn't result in a broken clavicle. I like the web tying the outer two fingers together too, I've broken both pinkies in dirt crashes.

[F5 Dave]

Think I remember hearing somewhere you clench your fists too to prevent your gloves from being ripped off

No that's so you can have a go at the medics if they try cut your leathers or save your life or whatever. they knew the risks.

[Askor]

No that's so you can have a go at the medics if they try cut your leathers or save your life or whatever. they knew the risks.

Fuck off they're cutting up my $80 set of leathers!! Good idea Dave I knew the CF knuckles would come in handy one day

[F5 Dave]

The key is to start taking them off before the real pain & stiffness starts. Perhaps even before you stop moving, if yer rolling that could help, maybe reach for the zipper & try dislocate a shoulder to make it easier to slip out of them, yer going to the hospital anyways if you've done a good job so a little grazing & relocating limbs is small potatoes.

[malcy25]

Think I remember hearing somewhere you clench your fists too to prevent your gloves from being ripped off

Easy, don't buy shit gloves.

[Kickaha]

Think I remember hearing somewhere you clench your fists too to prevent your gloves from being ripped off
Decent gloves with a proper wrist strap won't come off


I see a few upper market glubs are coming out with Teflon patches or similar on the heel of the palm so that the instinctive warding gesture when you hit the deck doesn't result in a broken clavicle.
It's meant to stop the schapoid breaking

[Ocean1]

Decent gloves with a proper wrist strap won't come off


It's meant to stop the schapoid breaking

Ah, OK, I had clavicle from an ED nurse. She's often wrong.

[richban]

Good gloves are key. I had a little sleep after a knock to the head and both my hands were trapped under me while sliding. If I didn't have titanium knuckle protection on my cloves I don't think I would be typing this. Berik gloves are good.

Oh yeah and keep yah legs straight. Don't go limp coz yah legs can get dragged under you and you can start tumbling. Been there done that.

[Askor]

Good gloves are key. I had a little sleep after a knock to the head and both my hands were trapped under me while sliding. If I didn't have titanium knuckle protection on my cloves I don't think I would be typing this. Berik gloves are good.

Oh yeah and keep yah legs straight. Don't go limp coz yah legs can get dragged under you and you can start tumbling. Been there done that.

Tumbling and cartwheeling sounds like a shit time, unless drunk and in good company :lol:

Didn't think about the whole getting knocked out thing - good point

[Kickaha]

Tumbling and cartwheeling sounds like a shit time
After experiencing it first hand I certainly wouldn't recommend it

[FJRider]

Fuck off they're cutting up my $80 set of leathers!! ...

If you're out to la la land ... and they're in a hurry to save your ass ... it'll be cut off you before you get to hospital ... and if you ARE awake they MAY ask you if you want them left intact. But it WILL (usually) hurt if you do ... :yes:

And ... if they're only worth $80 ... they'll probably have already been ripped off at the accident scene .. :blank:

[codgyoleracer]

Have crashed a shed load over my time, Learnt a few things along the way
1) Good quality gear is worth the money
2) When hard armour placed on the outside of garments arrived on the scene, it started to hurt a lot less
3) Tumbling REALLY HURTS
4) Sliding on back or front rarely hurts, assuming you dont hit anything hard. If sliding then do your best to maintain a watch on your surroundings as it is possible to raise feet and hands over berms etc as you arrive at them which reduces impacts
5) Learn from every crash what went wrong and why, - you crash less often with knowledge of cause and effect
6) If you highside and have not hit the panic button - then try to pull your arms into your chest mid-air, any "sticky out bits" like your arms and legs that land end on......... really hurts
7) As a general rule, try not to use your hands on the tarmac to slow down when sliding, arms, legs, boots pressed into ground are usually ok.
8) Wait till you stop sliding before standing up ........... That can hurt too .......
9) If you have a choice to miss something solid to hit BEFORE your crash, IE another bike, another rider, or something near the edge of the track - then do your best to not target fixate on that item and avoid it
10) 95% of crashes are rider error..............Its a bugger to admit but almost all are avoidable

[malcy25]

Glen

Nice order - #1 is expensive but so true.....

[Askor]

If you're out to la la land ... and they're in a hurry to save your ass ... it'll be cut off you before you get to hospital ... and if you ARE awake they MAY ask you if you want them left intact. But it WILL (usually) hurt if you do ... :yes:

And ... if they're only worth $80 ... they'll probably have already been ripped off at the accident scene .. :blank:

They're 1tonne so not too bad, I got them off a guy who was leaving the country


Have crashed a shed load over my time, Learnt a few things along the way
1) Good quality gear is worth the money
2) When hard armour placed on the outside of garments arrived on the scene, it started to hurt a lot less
3) Tumbling REALLY HURTS
4) Sliding on back or front rarely hurts, assuming you dont hit anything hard. If sliding then do your best to maintain a watch on your surroundings as it is possible to raise feet and hands over berms etc as you arrive at them which reduces impacts
5) Learn from every crash what went wrong and why, - you crash less often with knowledge of cause and effect
6) If you highside and have not hit the panic button - then try to pull your arms into your chest mid-air, any "sticky out bits" like your arms and legs that land end on......... really hurts
7) As a general rule, try not to use your hands on the tarmac to slow down when sliding, arms, legs, boots pressed into ground are usually ok.
8) Wait till you stop sliding before standing up ........... That can hurt too .......
9) If you have a choice to miss something solid to hit BEFORE your crash, IE another bike, another rider, or something near the edge of the track - then do your best to not target fixate on that item and avoid it
10) 95% of crashes are rider error..............Its a bugger to admit but almost all are avoidable

Fantastic advice! Yeah rider error was what caused my crash, being a young buck on slicks while it was raining :rolleyes: apparently it was hilarious to watch..ask yow ling, buddha or brendan

[ellipsis]

...the only constant with any big offs I've had was thinking about Monday morning and paying the bills... as you stop sliding or tumbling or wearing the visor out...my son had a question about some red marks on the track after he had his first race day...they were parallel with a white line up the center and were about ten meters long...I put them there with my knees and my visor after a shunt up my arse at some speed...he looked quite concerned, but it was after the fact...stunned and broken is all part of the game...I'm playing rugby on Sunday, just for fun...I'm only 57 , I hope there are some old cunts there, so I can be faster...

[scracha]

Do all you can to avoid hitting something solid and kick/push away anything coming towards you.

Speard your arms and legs out to avoid tumbling.

If you do start tumbling, pull your arms in across your chest , try and keep your legs together and bent at the knees a little. Flailing limbs tend to snap.. Once centrapedal forces come into play you'll appreciate how heavy your head is and no matter how strong your neck muscles are, how vital it is that a modern helmet can take multiple blows.

It sounds stupid but try to relax.

If sounds even more stupid but make sure you've came to a stop before trying to stand up. Breaking your arm because you went arse over tit after standing up at 50Ks whilst sliding after a low side isn't unheard of.

Look around yourself after you stop. If you're in a dangerous position try and get out of it. If you can't walk or are staggering, crawl or roll away as best you can. One incident of a dazed rider wandering about all over the place on Taupo track after a crash comes to mind.

Raise a thumb to let the flaggies know you're OK (or otherwise).

I think the done thing these days is to let the flaggies deal with your bike. Depends on the circumstances I guess.

[nodrog]

.........I'm playing rugby on Sunday......

What position do you play? Lefthand Goalpost?

[Grumph]

What position do you play? Lefthand Goalpost?

He's the red card....