Testing the Yamaha crash bars...

[chris76]

Hey! On Saturday, I was unfortunate enough to test the Yamaha crash bars of my XT1200Z - while filming. In a bend in the Alps my rear wheel slipped and I fell at ~25 mph. Luckily nothing happened to me, the bike proved to be very robust - everything's fine except a few minor scratches. Ride safe!

XT1200Z Crash

 

[dcstrom]

Well done!

What happened - a little too much gas coming out of the hairpin?

 

[chris76]

Well, a little too fast to begin with - and sure enough the tire lost grip when I was accelerating. Even the traction control (which normallly works perfectly with little slides) couldn't help it because the tire instantly started sliding sideways. The tarmac was dry and clean, but very smooth.

 

[colorider]

Well, a little too fast to begin with - and sure enough the tire lost grip when I was accelerating. Even the traction control (which normallly works perfectly with little slides) couldn't help it because the tire instantly started sliding sideways. The tarmac was dry and clean, but very smooth.

Were you in TC-1 or TC-2?

 

[chris76]

TC-1 as always. So far it had never failed me :-[.

 

[colorider]

TC-1 as always. So far it had never failed me :-[.

Very surprised! It must have been a VERY slick spot. Any evidence of oil or other chemical on the road surface?

 

[JHKolb]

Man, that just happened out of nowhere! Good that there was no traffic and you were OK.

I had a similar experience but luckily didn't go down, on a road I ride all the time, must have hit a small spot of fluid or sand and my rear tire just slid out from under me, was only going 10-15 mph.

 

[glazier]

Holy Crap !!
That was scary...it didn't look like you were going too fast at all.
Sand or oil on the road??

 

[Twitch]

Wow! Bummer. Glad you're okay Chris.

 

[jajpko]

Glad you are ok.. The bike can be fixed..

 

[Combo]

Glad you walked away from it and were OK.

What tires were you running at the time Chris?

 

[Reg IT]

WOW I can't see how that happened. Was there any warning on previous bends?

I have experienced polished road surfaces in Germany. The French roads are the best.

I see you were with a buddy, did he/she have any similar experience?

I can imagine you took it easy for a while.

So pleased you are OK. Glad to have the crash bars on I bet.

Reminds me to get some on mine!

 

[chris76]

The road was dry and clean, but the tarmac was heavily smoothed. Just before that trip I switched from Conti TrailAttack back to Metzeler EXP C (but the Metzelers were not fresh, I had used them for 1200 miles before putting on the Contis because of a big trip). The tires are very different when it comes to feedback - the Contis are rather hard and tell you very clearly when it's enough. The Metzelers are soft and sticky and just won't lose grip - but if they eventually do, you're in trouble. Have to get used to it.

The buddy behind me is using Michelin Anakee 2, and he said that before my crash he had 1-2 minor slides because of the smooth tarmac. The road is the Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße in Austria (http://www.tirolgletscher.com/en/portal), by the way.

I think the bike needs no major repairs - I'll just paint over the scratches on the crash bars with Hammerite and maybe look for a new plastic bottom for the left pannier.

 

[GrahamD]

That was freaky ???

Glad you were OK and continued on.

Did the bike feel a lot lighter with the adrenaline

Cheers
Graham

 

[Tenerist]

Glad that you are ok Chris

 

[3putt]

Thanks for sharing that info and glad you are okay.
A friend shared with me a few days ago, that he will never run the Tourance tires again on his R1150GS, he runs the Anakee IIs although they do not last as long.