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Well, I guess I always wanted a track bike

1.9K views 42 replies 36 participants last post by  ducatiWV  
#1 ·
End of a great ride today, was about an hour from home at one of the favorite twisty roads I ride on. Was going around a very tight right-hander, not fast at all, and didn't see the patch of BB-sized gravel/dirt that was waiting for me, just out of sight.

Short story; front end washed out, lowside, I slid about 6-8 feet on the asphalt, leathers are awesome - I'm 100% fine. No bruises, no scratches, nothing.

My bike however, didn't stop so quickly... it slid all the way across the road... across a patch of grass... and down a cliff (think of Deal's Gap). It ended up about 30 ft against a tree, upright, and turned off (no really - the key was turned off haha).

Funny part is that I called the local police station and told them I could use some assistance in getting a tow truck or something (Google 411 didn't really help at all).

We got it out with a winch on the tow truck - that was an experience. I wouldn't recommend rock climbing in full gear / SIDI boots.

Damage: Lots of scratches, some broken parts, dented gas tank, but really nothing serious.

This may be the end of Skanky's street riding, especially after experiencing the track. It's pretty discouraging, but hey - at least I'm ok and I've got a bike that still runs great.

I'll get some pics later. If I could wage war on gravel... I would.

Sigh.
 
#2 ·
Damn man. Glad you're ok. Will you still come to the convention and ride there?
 
#8 ·
Damn Skanky, glad you're ok brutha'...

I thought about going all track once... TD are just too few and far between. You'll figure it out one day when you wake up to a nice day and the next track day is two or more weeks away.

You'll figure it out, sorry about the bike...
 
#14 ·
Thanks all - the ridiculous part is that it just happened when I wasn't even going fast, pushing it, or anything. It was very unexpected to say the least. One second I'm ready to go around a corner, the next I'm watching my bike going over a ravine.

I know the expense of track days, but considering the cost of fixes and tickets, well, you know.
 
#25 ·
I've toyed with the idea of making mine a track only bike. With the thought of the money saved on insurance and registration, I should be able to go a track about 4 times a year. Maybe even stretch it into 6 times a year. I just don't think I could stay off the bike that much, plus I think it would be the end of me riding as the money would ultimately go to other things.
 
#27 ·
Glad your okay Skanky, sucks about the bike :( Every time I ride on the street I go slower and slower, shot always seems to happen when you least expect it.
 
#29 ·
Glad to hear youre ok and only the bike went down the cliff. Sound like it would have been really shitty if you went down there too.