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beeandflower (guest) View all posts in this topic  
Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:20 pm
Trying to understand a bad situation--advice anyone?        

I'm hoping I can get some answers here....

My first track day was in May at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. Incredibly beautiful day, super cool track, and a school. It was my first time on my race-tuned 2003 Ninja 250.

The whole day started off crazy because I was a bit late to the track, my battery was dead on arrival, and I was last to go through tech and rush to the classroom. To add to the uncertainty, I didn't have time before hand to take my bike to a parking lot and just ride for a while to get a feel, but I wasn't too worried about it.

The first several laps were great and it kept getting better as I picked up the pace. I felt like my lines were pretty good and getting around was easy. I did keep forgetting proper form by leaning the bike farther than I should have, especially considering the flat shape of the sides of the tires on the old style 250s, but I was having so much fun, I would forget to hang off it more and keep the bike upright.


Then, on maybe the 10th to 12th lap (second session on the track), I really started getting around good and woo-hoo, having a great time. Even though I was getting passed by all those big bikes, I was REALLY enjoying it. An instructor got in front of me as I'm sure it was obvious that I could use some direction. I was keeping up with him for a lap and suddenly, coming out of the carousel (turn 6), I'm guessing I hit the throttle just a bit too hard to keep up with the instructor into the straight and out of nowhere at 60-70mph, the rear wobbled really hard and a high side ensued. Next thing I know I'm flying in the air...my bike threw me up and launched me to the right edge of the track and I tumbled several times and so did the ninja. I immediately knew that I had broken a few bones.

I ended up in a wheelchair for 2 months having suffered a broken heel and clavicle, and sprained everything. I'm still wearing a boot and have a hard time walking. It really really sucked.

So my question is, what the hell happened and how can I avoid this next time? Could it be that I was riding off the tire (actually, the tires are bubbled up all the way to the flat edge, so I basically was)? Did I grab the throttle too hard? Maybe too much throttle too soon? Man, I really didn't feel like I made any extreme movements, but maybe it's the nature of these twitchy bikes?

I've returned to my home in NY, and really want to get back on the track. Maybe try Pocono, which seems more mellow than Infineon. But I really want to know how to avoid this horror again. Also, my bike is a parts bike now, so any suggestions on a new track bike for a novice like me?

I've talked to lots of great Cali racers and riders, and they just say, "it happens sometimes". Can someone console me at all???

Thanks in advance for any advice

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