Out riding your vision

gunslinger_006

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May 21, 2016
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961
Location
Seattle, Washington
I stumbled upon this crash video and it reminded me of how easy it can be to outride your vision, even on a sunny day, on a straight road.

Here is a crash where the rider simply comes in too hot to see and avoid a really nasty pothole.

I have made this mistake before and been lucky that i was standing very weightless on the bike or i would have been tossed just like this guy.

Just remember: slow down when you aren’t 100% familiar with the road. These roads will surprise you.



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Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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14,812
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Joshua TX
I've launched a KZ1000P in an open field, in the dark, at about 30mph. My first thought, as I realized I was airborne, was "this frame is going to crack". It didn't, but it did hit hard after about a 2 1/2 foot drop. Found a dip, very similar to his, on the RT; pretty sure I caught a little air. And, numerous other unexpected ramps/dips, on bikes that weren't made for them. But, I never let go of the bars. After the videos we've seen that show the T-7 doing some stupid awesome maneuvers. . . . I wouldn't have expect those results. But, I'm a pavement princess with zero dirt experience.
 

VRODE

Easy Does It
Joined
Aug 7, 2014
Messages
940
Location
Northern Vermont
Too much sun/shadow transition made it very hard to pick out the terrain. Also, no way would I be bombing it on a narrow trail like that. All those trees around skeered me.
 

gunslinger_006

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Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
961
Location
Seattle, Washington
I've launched a KZ1000P in an open field, in the dark, at about 30mph. My first thought, as I realized I was airborne, was "this frame is going to crack". It didn't, but it did hit hard after about a 2 1/2 foot drop. Found a dip, very similar to his, on the RT; pretty sure I caught a little air. And, numerous other unexpected ramps/dips, on bikes that weren't made for them. But, I never let go of the bars. After the videos we've seen that show the T-7 doing some stupid awesome maneuvers. . . . I wouldn't have expect those results. But, I'm a pavement princess with zero dirt experience.
I always ride the perimeter of water holes like that when possible.

I cant see whats under the water, but near the edge you get the highest level of predictability.

This video shows some really excellent riding, note the lines that tcaks takes through most puddles. Its crazy how good Bret is on this bike.



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gunslinger_006

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May 21, 2016
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961
Location
Seattle, Washington
Im in awe at people riding this sort of thing , NOT for me...zero skills at that and at 52 im not that keen to learn , can put up with some gravel tho.
Funny that. I would rather ride on dirt/mud with knobbies than gravel-on-hardpack with street/adv tires. Gravel can fold the front wheel surprisingly easy imho.


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Kruzzin5

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Oct 14, 2019
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415
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Newmarket, Ontario
Two things that struck me after the accident… I can’t believe his buddy got cell phone service, AND, they were able to get an ambulance onto the trail to the crash site. Incredible!
 

gunslinger_006

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May 21, 2016
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Seattle, Washington
Two things that struck me after the accident… I can’t believe his buddy got cell phone service, AND, they were able to get an ambulance onto the trail to the crash site. Incredible!
Yeah i could not believe it when the bus rolled right up to the crash. Amazing.


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ballisticexchris

Guest
I stumbled upon this crash video and it reminded me of how easy it can be to outride your vision, even on a sunny day, on a straight road.

Here is a crash where the rider simply comes in too hot to see and avoid a really nasty pothole.

I have made this mistake before and been lucky that i was standing very weightless on the bike or i would have been tossed just like this guy.

Just remember: slow down when you aren’t 100% familiar with the road. These roads will surprise you.



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That and lack of good riding gear. The G outs are spooky on the big beasts. At the Jimmy Lewis school he taught us that you cannot tune your way into good suspension on these heavy bikes.

My XR 600R/650R, KTM300, and Beta all had the suspension done with special tuned "end of travel" valving to prevent what happened to that guy. I asked both Jimmy Lewis and Race Tech about tightening up the compression/rebound last bit of travel on the Super Tenere and it simply cannot be done to overcome the mass of the bike.


Funny that. I would rather ride on dirt/mud with knobbies than gravel-on-hardpack with street/adv tires. Gravel can fold the front wheel surprisingly easy imho.


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Careful about mentioning that around here. Go to any tire thread on this forum and the only concern for almost all the members is how long the tire lasts. I am of the minority who is wanting the very best traction that money can buy. I will not compromise on traction.

Most riders (at least on tire threads) don't take traction into consideration. It's all about longevity. I always felt that 5,000 miles or so of usable traction is great. I will not venture anywhere off the pavement without an open block knobby.
 

gunslinger_006

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Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
961
Location
Seattle, Washington
That and lack of good riding gear. The G outs are spooky on the big beasts. At the Jimmy Lewis school he taught us that you cannot tune your way into good suspension on these heavy bikes.

My XR 600R/650R, KTM300, and Beta all had the suspension done with special tuned "end of travel" valving to prevent what happened to that guy. I asked both Jimmy Lewis and Race Tech about tightening up the compression/rebound last bit of travel on the Super Tenere and it simply cannot be done to overcome the mass of the bike.




Careful about mentioning that around here. Go to any tire thread on this forum and the only concern for almost all the members is how long the tire lasts. I am of the minority who is wanting the very best traction that money can buy. I will not compromise on traction.

Most riders (at least on tire threads) don't take traction into consideration. It's all about longevity. I always felt that 5,000 miles or so of usable traction is great. I will not venture anywhere off the pavement without an open block knobby.
I am getting to that place myself. Next summer i am pretty tempted to try a set of tkc80s even though its like setting money on fire with the amount of paved miles i ride. I would like to do some easier sections of the wabdr this summer and im not doing that on 80/20 tires. 50/50 or gtfo.


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Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
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Damascus, MD
I could have envisioned int Dad and I on those trails and a lot of us have run near-street tires through a lot worse, so argue tires all you want but . . .

10 rib fractures, some in multiple places,
Right lung punctured twice,
Right clavicle,
Torn ligaments,
Etc

If the ambulance could not have gotten in there,
if they hadn't had cell service,
the lung punctures could have made this life threatening.

But the kicker is one that I and I'm sure many of you have uttered. The downed rider said that he virtually NEVER rides without body armor and only did this time because it was so hot (38C/100F) and they were on an easy route.

There's something for all of us in that bottom line.
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
Once I'm back in the saddle I'm wanting to do the CABDR. I'm seriously considering doing most of it on my Beta. You might want to consider the Anakee Wilds. Great traction and a few more miles out of them than the TK80's.

I have a half decent review of them here:

 

gunslinger_006

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Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
961
Location
Seattle, Washington
Once I'm back in the saddle I'm wanting to do the CABDR. I'm seriously considering doing most of it on my Beta. You might want to consider the Anakee Wilds. Great traction and a few more miles out of them than the TK80's.

I have a half decent review of them here:

Yes those are in my list also!

And yes: the real solution is i get like a crf450l that can take me to dirt roads via highway and then perform well on single track.


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ballisticexchris

Guest
I have to tell you it's the miles upon miles of deep sand or silt with hidden loose rocks/deep ruts I can't see that make me nervous. The Super Tenere is the first bike I have ever ridden off road with a 19" wheel. It has a really odd feeling and hard for me to navigate some of that rough stuff.
 

PhilPhilippines

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Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
952
Location
Philippines
Careful about mentioning that around here. Go to any tire thread on this forum and the only concern for almost all the members is how long the tire lasts. I am of the minority who is wanting the very best traction that money can buy. I will not compromise on traction.

Most riders (at least on tire threads) don't take traction into consideration. It's all about longevity. I always felt that 5,000 miles or so of usable traction is great. I will not venture anywhere off the pavement without an open block knobby.
Agree. The main consideration for anyone with any vehicle should be to adjust to its limitations. Poor quality brakes, less traction from rubber, etc....SLOW DOWN! Adjust to the vehicle - physics cannot adjust to you.
 

Bokerfork

Active Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2019
Messages
106
Location
Saint George, Utah
Maybe I'm naive, but getting bounced off your bike and landing hard on your rib cage is nasty for any of us. What body armor short of a Michelin Man style air bag would have prevented all of the broken ribs? I'm not saying it isn't available. I'm seriously asking, since this isn't that far from spills I've already taken.
 
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