45,000 miles and it finally got me

backinthesaddleagain · November 15th, 2014, 07:19 PM

I crashed at 5pm tonight. I was first vehicle at a red light. It turned green I went maybe ten feet turned left 90 degrees and wham rear slid like on ice. No time to do anything. I slid a few feet surprisingly but leather jacket and jeans neither ripped no scuffed. Slid on butt and left boot. Boot had a scuff on toes. Bike has a few scuffs and a bent frame slider. Fairing ground down but GB engine cover did its thing.
45,000+ street miles and first time down. Have saved near misses in cold and in rain but this was so quick ice kind of feeling. Which also makes me wonder why my clothes didn't tear or scuff. Might drive there later in car to see, but guess is cold tire and cold pavement. Wasn't even a power slide type of thing as I purposely put the TC on a setting that you can feel stutter with any throttle even near aggressive, just a lateral slide ?? and so slow hardly any lean.

On the plus side at least four people got out of their cars to help. Some volunteered to call for help, pick it up or bump start me. I picked it up on the second try and pushed it to a nearby lot under a light. No leakage or missing controls so rode it home. I actually got more hurt earlier today cutting the lawn. Had a hooded sweat shirt pulled low over my head to stay warm, couldn't see good, and hit my head on a low branch. Maybe that was a warning to not ride.

dcj13 · November 15th, 2014, 07:33 PM

Good thing you're OK! Now you've got it out of your system, so no more crashes.

backinthesaddleagain · November 15th, 2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcj13

Good thing you're OK! Now you've got it out of your system, so no more crashes.

Thanks. Feel so stupid. The more I think of it the more I think throttle probably was too much for cold tires and road and a 90 degree turn.

Finesse · November 15th, 2014, 08:10 PM

Damn, sorry to hear this. Glad that you and your bike are okay! Cold tires and pavement don't mesh well.. maybe your clothing didn't rip because it slid on the ice? Did you see any ice or was it just that kind that's moisture frozen between the little cracks in the asphalt?

backinthesaddleagain · November 15th, 2014, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finesse

Damn, sorry to hear this. Glad that you and your bike are okay! Cold tires and pavement don't mesh well.. maybe your clothing didn't rip because it slid on the ice? Did you see any ice or was it just that kind that's moisture frozen between the little cracks in the asphalt?

Thanks I think my ice idea was all wrong as front tire didn't slip. Had to be throttle induced.

Finesse · November 15th, 2014, 08:20 PM

Having ridden a '13 zixxer I can definitely see how that would be an issue lol. We have had a lot of wrecked bikes at the shop lately. I think 90% of them were mostly caused by things related to colder weather. Makes me ride really really slow.

akima · November 16th, 2014, 04:48 AM

Is that 45k on just your 2013 ZX6R? That's a lot of riding! Glad you're ok and good people came to help.

How much throttle did you give it? Were you gunning it out of the corner, confidently pulling away or just gently pulling out of the corner as if you were in no rush? (I know: subjective terms, but that's probably the best we can do!)

Do you think you should've given it only maintenance throttle until the bike was almost completely upright?

I'm partly asking this for my benefit! I've got a fair bit of cold-weather riding ahead of me this winter.

cbinker · November 16th, 2014, 06:47 AM

cold roads and cold tires are bad news. glad you made it. glad i have traction control on my beemer.

ally99 · November 16th, 2014, 06:56 AM

Glad you're ok! Right there with you in the "feeling stupid" department. **** happens.

backinthesaddleagain · November 16th, 2014, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbinker

cold roads and cold tires are bad news. glad you made it. glad i have traction control on my beemer.

never felt the TC, just slipped sideways

backinthesaddleagain · November 16th, 2014, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Is that 45k on just your 2013 ZX6R? That's a lot of riding! Glad you're ok and good people came to help.

How much throttle did you give it? Were you gunning it out of the corner, confidently pulling away or just gently pulling out of the corner as if you were in no rush? (I know: subjective terms, but that's probably the best we can do!)

Do you think you should've given it only maintenance throttle until the bike was almost completely upright?

I'm partly asking this for my benefit! I've got a fair bit of cold-weather riding ahead of me this winter.

no, 5K on the 6R.

Not much throttle put the more I think about it the more it was throttle induced, no TC intervention, and probably leaned over a bit as it was a 90 degree turn. Pulled away from stop light just before the turn so not much speed.

cbinker · November 16th, 2014, 09:55 AM

not sure how the TC works on the ZX6R, but on the BMW, it has lean sensors and wheel sensors, if the rear spins too fast for the front the engine cuts out.

backinthesaddleagain · November 16th, 2014, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbinker

not sure how the TC works on the ZX6R, but on the BMW, it has lean sensors and wheel sensors, if the rear spins too fast for the front the engine cuts out.

strictly wheel sensors here

backinthesaddleagain · November 16th, 2014, 10:08 AM

Could have been worse, need lever, bar end, touch up paint and cover it with tank slider from R&G and a new lower fairing. Might get a set of R&G bar ends too as they are a bit longer than stock and maybe would have saved tank. Frame slider needs to be replaced but engine case guard saved the oem case under it.

backinthesaddleagain · November 16th, 2014, 10:19 AM

at least a happier pic just came in the mail recently

akima · November 16th, 2014, 10:30 AM

Love your facial expression!

backinthesaddleagain · November 16th, 2014, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Love your facial expression!

yeah kind of silly grin

cbinker · November 16th, 2014, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Love your facial expression!

doesn't everyone look like under the helmet at the track?

Motofool · November 16th, 2014, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

....... Not much throttle put the more I think about it the more it was throttle induced, no TC intervention, and probably leaned over a bit as it was a 90 degree turn. Pulled away from stop light just before the turn so not much speed.

Sorry about your crash, Greg

The way you describe it, seems like some slippery substance on the street (anti-freeze, Diesel, oil, etc.).
Cars and trucks love dumping fluids on the outside strip of city turns.

Unless you give a lot of gas at once, over-torque slides do not happen so suddenly, normally.

Please, take a look at this:
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=172628

backinthesaddleagain · November 16th, 2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Sorry about your crash, Greg

The way you describe it, seems like some slippery substance on the street (anti-freeze, Diesel, oil, etc.).
Cars and trucks love dumping fluids on the outside strip of city turns.

Unless you give a lot of gas at once, over-torque slides do not happen so suddenly, normally.

Please, take a look at this:
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=172628

thanks - I thought about those things or even ice, but at such a slow speed just pulling away from light I have to the front and rear tires went over the same path and front had no issue.

Motofool · November 16th, 2014, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

thanks - I thought about those things or even ice, but at such a slow speed just pulling away from light I have to the front and rear tires went over the same path and front had no issue.

Not the same path, especially at low speed almost vertical bike.
Front tire describes a bigger circle.

CC Cowboy · November 16th, 2014, 01:26 PM

I just got out of the pool and logged on. Is it really that cold there? I never ride when it's under 45 degrees (actually 65 degrees nowadays).

I got a call from my son at J Wales. He said he went ice skating last night so I guess it is that cold. I wonder why!

Hero Danny · November 16th, 2014, 01:30 PM

I think some of the problem is the cold tires, and throttle.

Hero Danny · November 16th, 2014, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I just got out of the pool and logged on. Is it really that cold there? I never ride when it's under 45 degrees (actually 65 degrees nowadays).

I got a call from my son at J Wales. He said he went ice skating last night so I guess it is that cold. I wonder why!

Under 65? Living in MA you would only be able to ride 4 months out of the year!

akima · November 16th, 2014, 02:23 PM

^ Yeah: 65 degrees is toasty!

It'll be about 45 for my ride to work tomorrow. I'll need lots of layers and a note to self: careful with acceleration out of corners.

cbinker · November 16th, 2014, 03:20 PM

i could go for some 45 right now.

CC Cowboy · November 16th, 2014, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Under 65? Living in MA you would only be able to ride 4 months out of the year!

I lived in MA for years. That's when I had the 45 degree limit. Now I'm smarter and don't live in MA or RI or CT or NY anymore so I upped my limit to 65 degrees. I find riding much more enjoyable.

Ducati999 · November 17th, 2014, 04:03 AM

Sorry to hear you had a crash. Really glad you and the bike (for the most part) are OK. Really enjoyed watching you run the 636 around the Thompson track, watched the video several times! What tires do you have on your bike? I changed from Dunlop to Pirelli because I had a lot of close calls with rear traction loss on cold tires. I have found that a lot of performance tires need to be hot to stick and break free easily in the cold with no warning. Well glad you are OK and consider wearing your helmet next time you mow the lawn! Hope to see you at the track this year

backinthesaddleagain · November 17th, 2014, 05:05 PM

^^thanks. Already ordering parts. Bstone s20. Hope to ride the track with you in 2015.

xorbe · November 17th, 2014, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

at least a happier pic just came in the mail recently

moar lean!

cbinker · November 17th, 2014, 09:10 PM

more head and shoulders down.

LoneRonin · November 17th, 2014, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Is that 45k on just your 2013 ZX6R? That's a lot of riding!

yea...he did 45k on a bike that was just released a year ago

Roark · November 17th, 2014, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

yea...he did 45k on a bike that was just released a year ago

If he rode ~60 miles a day for two years (2013 bought in 2012), he'd get 45k no problem!

( still unlikely though )

Braden07 · November 17th, 2014, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati999

Sorry to hear you had a crash. Really glad you and the bike (for the most part) are OK. Really enjoyed watching you run the 636 around the Thompson track, watched the video several times! What tires do you have on your bike? I changed from Dunlop to Pirelli because I had a lot of close calls with rear traction loss on cold tires. I have found that a lot of performance tires need to be hot to stick and break free easily in the cold with no warning. Well glad you are OK and consider wearing your helmet next time you mow the lawn! Hope to see you at the track this year

You already answered the question to you problem.. COLD tires.. thats how 80% of crashes happen at trackdays. Instead of going with another set of street tires that will still take a little to warm up get a cheap set of tire warmers.. can find them for 150 on ebay. Thats what i used on my street bike at track days and made a big difference in confidence and in feel right out the gate, and its what i still use on my ninjette racer

indomie · November 18th, 2014, 07:07 AM

dang! glad your good! grin on your face in the pic! awesome!

November 15th, 2014, 07:19 PM	#1
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	45,000 miles and it finally got me I crashed at 5pm tonight. I was first vehicle at a red light. It turned green I went maybe ten feet turned left 90 degrees and wham rear slid like on ice. No time to do anything. I slid a few feet surprisingly but leather jacket and jeans neither ripped no scuffed. Slid on butt and left boot. Boot had a scuff on toes. Bike has a few scuffs and a bent frame slider. Fairing ground down but GB engine cover did its thing. 45,000+ street miles and first time down. Have saved near misses in cold and in rain but this was so quick ice kind of feeling. Which also makes me wonder why my clothes didn't tear or scuff. Might drive there later in car to see, but guess is cold tire and cold pavement. Wasn't even a power slide type of thing as I purposely put the TC on a setting that you can feel stutter with any throttle even near aggressive, just a lateral slide ?? and so slow hardly any lean. On the plus side at least four people got out of their cars to help. Some volunteered to call for help, pick it up or bump start me. I picked it up on the second try and pushed it to a nearby lot under a light. No leakage or missing controls so rode it home. I actually got more hurt earlier today cutting the lawn. Had a hooded sweat shirt pulled low over my head to stay warm, couldn't see good, and hit my head on a low branch. Maybe that was a warning to not ride.

November 15th, 2014, 07:33 PM	#2
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Good thing you're OK! Now you've got it out of your system, so no more crashes.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 15th, 2014, 08:10 PM	#4
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	Damn, sorry to hear this. Glad that you and your bike are okay! Cold tires and pavement don't mesh well.. maybe your clothing didn't rip because it slid on the ice? Did you see any ice or was it just that kind that's moisture frozen between the little cracks in the asphalt? __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden

November 15th, 2014, 08:20 PM	#6
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	Having ridden a '13 zixxer I can definitely see how that would be an issue lol. We have had a lot of wrecked bikes at the shop lately. I think 90% of them were mostly caused by things related to colder weather. Makes me ride really really slow. __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden

November 16th, 2014, 06:47 AM	#8
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	cold roads and cold tires are bad news. glad you made it. glad i have traction control on my beemer. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

November 16th, 2014, 04:48 AM	#7
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	Is that 45k on just your 2013 ZX6R? That's a lot of riding! Glad you're ok and good people came to help. How much throttle did you give it? Were you gunning it out of the corner, confidently pulling away or just gently pulling out of the corner as if you were in no rush? (I know: subjective terms, but that's probably the best we can do!) Do you think you should've given it only maintenance throttle until the bike was almost completely upright? I'm partly asking this for my benefit! I've got a fair bit of cold-weather riding ahead of me this winter.

November 16th, 2014, 06:56 AM	#9
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	Glad you're ok! Right there with you in the "feeling stupid" department. **** happens. __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 16th, 2014, 09:55 AM	#12
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	not sure how the TC works on the ZX6R, but on the BMW, it has lean sensors and wheel sensors, if the rear spins too fast for the front the engine cuts out. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

November 16th, 2014, 10:30 AM	#16
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	Love your facial expression!
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

November 16th, 2014, 01:26 PM	#22
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I just got out of the pool and logged on. Is it really that cold there? I never ride when it's under 45 degrees (actually 65 degrees nowadays). I got a call from my son at J Wales. He said he went ice skating last night so I guess it is that cold. I wonder why! __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

November 16th, 2014, 01:30 PM	#23
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	I think some of the problem is the cold tires, and throttle. __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

November 16th, 2014, 02:23 PM	#25
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	^ Yeah: 65 degrees is toasty! It'll be about 45 for my ride to work tomorrow. I'll need lots of layers and a note to self: careful with acceleration out of corners.

November 16th, 2014, 03:20 PM	#26
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	i could go for some 45 right now. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

November 17th, 2014, 04:03 AM	#28
Ducati999 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ant Location: Wooster Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 999 2012 Ninja 250r Ducati748 Yellow finally running 2003 SV650 S (SOLD) Posts: A lot.	Sorry to hear you had a crash. Really glad you and the bike (for the most part) are OK. Really enjoyed watching you run the 636 around the Thompson track, watched the video several times! What tires do you have on your bike? I changed from Dunlop to Pirelli because I had a lot of close calls with rear traction loss on cold tires. I have found that a lot of performance tires need to be hot to stick and break free easily in the cold with no warning. Well glad you are OK and consider wearing your helmet next time you mow the lawn! Hope to see you at the track this year

November 17th, 2014, 05:05 PM	#29
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	^^thanks. Already ordering parts. Bstone s20. Hope to ride the track with you in 2015.

November 17th, 2014, 09:10 PM	#31
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	more head and shoulders down. __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

November 18th, 2014, 07:07 AM	#35
indomie ninjette.org member Name: danny Location: Austin, tx Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2013 636 Posts: 55	dang! glad your good! grin on your face in the pic! awesome!
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

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