It happened

**jrandom** · 18th November 2003, 09:35

Originally posted by 750Y
I must admit this is a confusing crash because I thought the highside usually happens when someone rolls OFF the gas, too abruptly, during a slide...(Survival Reaction #?) & the rear tyre regains traction big time.

I'm not likely to be highsiding the FXR any time soon so this is all third-hand from me, but your description tallies with my understanding.

I suppose a highside would be quite possible if the rear end stepped out on a greasy bit, spun up and then grabbed as it slid back onto the dry surface. I seem to recall a couple of similar Superbike incidents in the last year or two, those guys certainly wouldn't have been inappropriately rolling off mid-corner. Always looks spectacular when a rider does the Superman thing with the bike following close behind.

And GWS wkid, best wishes with whatever you do next. Shame you're giving up biking though. Dunno what I'd do in similar circumstances, but I'm seriously thinking about *not* getting a hard-arse sprotbike next. Mebbe a Bindit or something until I'm older and wiser (not that I'd be the first to use that fallacious reasoning and then end up hitting a ditch at 160kph with my 'sensible' bike following close behind).

Still, for those who don't want to ride unless they're the fastest on the road, I can kind of understand the lack of desire to tone it down and carry on. Personally I just like bimbling along on two wheels... even the 150 is better than a cage. 'Nuff said, I'll shut up now...

**bluninja** · 18th November 2003, 09:36

WKID, sorry to hear about your accident. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Highside ? lowside? I must admit that replaying the few (but getting more regular) track crashes I've had I always know what the end result is, but sometimes I'm not sure how it happened.....which infuriates me cos I then can't change/improve to stop it happening. I had a highside with a fixed throttle so go figure (well until I was thrown into a handstand positon).

"A lesson for all newbies and not so experienced"

I think this should be a reminder and caution to all of us. There have been many excellent, highly skilled, experienced riders that have been killed in road accidents over the years. High skill levels, roadcraft, and experience help reduce the risk, but they don't remove it.

TTFN

**Motoracer** · 18th November 2003, 11:34

Guys and gurls, stay safe out there. These crashes always seem to happen at once. I found yesterday that wikid crashed and then after I went home, I had to assist my friend who T-boned a car after the car failed to give way at a fair bit of speed. Luckily he wasn't hurt but the bike is smacked up a bit.

Just this morning, I was riding on the motorway and when I was shifting lanes, the car infront slamed on the brakes because a truck was swearving in front of it. After a mild stoppie and quick steering, I managed to avoid yet another crash.

Anyhoo...

Good on you Wikid for moving on. Life has so much to offer and there are just so many things out there to miss out on if you are only into bikes. Somehow I have a feeling that you will get back into it because I have seen some charecters go through hell and back and still get back on the saddle just becuase they miss riding so much. Good luck with the jetski, you can still get hurt but at least its not as easy to damage the machine, I think...

**merv** · 18th November 2003, 12:02

A high-side is generally going to happen when you lose the rear badly under power, you are then kinda side on to the direction of travel and then the goddam back wheel gets grip and the momentum of your machine then just flips the thing over. I can quite easily see this happening if Wkid slid out on a strip of diesel and then the back tyre found grip on clean seal and over he would go. If you all saw the Philip Island MotoGp on TV you would have seen Melandri fly off his Yamaha like that. Mick Doohan did a few in consecutive GP's a while back until he seemed to get back his composure.

This is the kinda thing that happens to us dirt riding all the time but generally because of the light weight of the bikes and the wide handle bars when it bites you can normally hang on and flick back the other way and power on more upright and save it. On a road bike the speed involved and the weight generally mean it all happens too quick and usually no-one has the strength to counter the forces involved. I say usually because there were exceptions and Graeme Crosby was one who seemed to have what it took to pull his Kawis back into line from quite severe rear end slides.

That's my 2 cents worth other than to say when Wkid commented he normally rode up the 'tukas 11/10ths that not really leaving anything in reserve when all said and done it is a public road, not a race track and you really need to be prepared for the unexpected.

My sympathies are with you though Wkid and I'm sorry to hear that it happened. Personally I can't see you'll get the fun out of PWCs that you get out of bikes. Once you've done a few donuts in front of the beach impressing the chicks, then what? A trip round NZ on it?

**Car Dodger** · 18th November 2003, 12:59

Hey Wkid

How many accidents have you had?

I dont mean to sound like a complete prick.
But Ive had more than enough accidents. 4 of which put me in hospital for CTs and all that stuff.
But I learn from my or others mistakes.
I'm far from being a good rider, but I know I'm a safe one.
If the problem is backing off the thottle, then maybe the track is where you belong.
But if you still like to cruze and love the feel of it, then dont deny yourself the pleasure.
I have an 8 yr old son who whats to see me come home each day, so I ride safe for him, if not for myself.
And if shit happens ie( slippery road surfaces etc ) then it happens.
going to the tracks or riding a jet ski is'nt gonna be any safer by far.
You sound like a good seasoned rider, keep it up man.!!!

**bikerboy** · 18th November 2003, 14:59

kiwidan, your are intitled to your opinions. My comments were not meant as an attack, just thought the timing a bit harsh.

I guess I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt when things go pear shape.

Enough said.

**Car Dodger** · 18th November 2003, 15:52

hey Guys

I hate to sound dumb (more so than usuall)

But whats fug is highsided??????

**Hoon** · 18th November 2003, 16:15

Originally posted by Car Dodger
But whats fug is highsided??????

Highside is when you get flicked off up in the air. Lowside is when you slide out.

Crashes of all types here (10MB quicktime).

**Car Dodger** · 18th November 2003, 16:18

Highside is when you get flicked off up in the air. Lowside is when you slide out.

Cheers man

I was begining to think I was on everyones ignore list.

**k14** · 18th November 2003, 19:18

Yeah, that has to suck. Sorry man.

Was behind my mate about 3 months ago when his chain fell off and he got highsided into the middle of the other lane. Luckily no cars were coming. Shook me up quite a bit, but after a few days i was alright.

Good on ya for stopping riding, something like this just shows how lucky we are to be here

Yamahamaman · 18th November 2003, 20:13

And So, how much is this gonna cost us in ACC levies over the next 20 years or so - not to mention increased inurance premiums simply because you have no control over your testosterone. Grow up a little and think about others.

**Pickle** · 18th November 2003, 20:39

Hey Kiwi Dan

your comments about W'kid hit the spot, if you ride / race on the road then sooner or later you will have an accident. If you talk big then your actions had better support it. W'kid if you go racing just remember the speeds will probably be higher and the crashes bigger. I stopped racing myself after having 2 big crashes at over 180km/h even tho I walked away from both.

My brother crashed his ZZR11 going fast, it put him off for a while & he went out & bought a jet ski (120 HP Sea Doo ). Idea was he wouldnt hurt himself on it, but first time out he broke his toe. Now he has both a jet ski & 2 bikes.

We have both learnt from experience & racing that if you ride fast on the road you should leave something in reserve for emergency's. May not have helped you Dan in this case but going 11/10ths on the road is being a WANKER.

I have seen many a mate fall off even my wife highside in front of me but this hasnt put me off just slowed me down for a while. Get Back On Ya Big Girl

**marty** · 18th November 2003, 21:42

i have to agree - it's a hard road mate when you talk it up, then when it goes wrong you ditch it and say 'enough'. don't think for a minute that see dooing is a painless sport. like water skiiing at speed, it's not the broken bones, but it's the ripped tendons, trashed backs, dislocated shoulders, knees, hips etc that hurt. no ambulances in the surf either. i know of 2 people that i used to ski with (that's speed ski - 170km/h) that are in wheelchairs as they fell at speed. i'm picking you're not gonna be tootling around looking for dive spots either wkid. have you thought about getting into 4 wheel bikes? i saw one yesterday that had a VTR 1000 v twin engine fitted to it - 2 bros pipes and fully kitted. sounded like a big v twin too (funnily enough). holy fuck. i was scared just lookin at it!

on the other hand, i know people who have been wheelchaired/killed/maimed just crossing the road too - can't even stay in bed now, might get deep vein thrombosis - the worlds most boring way to die......

**SPman** · 18th November 2003, 23:37

Highside - not nice - glad to hear you are OK. (substantially!) Having had several sideways moments at 120k plus on fuel spills, it scares the fuck out of you...(well, me, anyway).!

Giving up riding.....well ..the old man gave up in 1939 after seeing a couple of his mates killed (one egg sliced through a fence!) and having an off, ending up with stuff all skin on his back and his legs straddling the front wheel off a truck..(which had fortunately stopped when the driver saw him sliding down the road)! So I can sort of empathise with that.

BUT!

You talk the talk.....so......you gotta walk the walk!

You fuckin' arse off, when you admit, (and I've seen you), you ride at 11/10ths on the road, (even if you weren't at the time), then you quit and go Jetskiing, or get another "toy"!!

As KiwiDan says ..W T F !

So motorbiking is an activity in which you can big note, then when it all gets too hard and realities bite, you can fuck off and spend your leisure dollars on some other "go getim" sport or activity! Sounds like a fashion accessory to me!.........the American way..?!

You do have skills which would see you as a skilled and competent road rider, - and track rider too, if you want to, (although there's nothing like the track to make you feel humble in the "I am a fast rider" category - initially, anyway), Just don't treat the road like a fucking racetrack all the time - it dont work that way!...I know its fun...we've all done it, ..but........your odds will run out and eventually, someone gets hurt!

I'm not totally unsympathetic, but......

what the fuck do I know, anyway.....