Hi Guys.

It's a long story, read it if you have time........

Just returned from a three day track event in Hungary. I was with ratemut (on his RC8), and some race buddies.

First day we had to learn the track, it is quite a challenge, 4750 meters, 11 right and 7 left curves. Weather was fine all three days.....


I visited the track doctor, and he had a look at my elbow, both shoulders, fingers, right leg and a nice black/blue/red stamp on my back looking exactly like the back protector. Nothing broken, but shoulder and back was not the best.
After some cleaning/cooling and a injection (pain killer) i was off to have a look at the bike.

Bike looked like this.........






I recorded following damages:
Flip-up clutch lever bended / broken
Gear shift rod broken
Wear on crash mushrooms and foot peg
Oil all over left side of the bike
Plastics etc. finished on left side
Front cowl / belly pan brackets broken
The usuall small scratches etc all over, tank rims etc (nothing serious)
My gloves was finished ( i bought new ones)
Leathers....well.......you know.....two holes, scratches everywhere.

I started to take the bike apart, not easy in my situation, but i got a lot of help from the other guys.
We managed to fix everything, and get the bike ready at 9pm. I was very interested in finding out if there was any damage to the engine. I drained the oil and checked it very carefully, no problem there. After restarting, and final adjustments we realised that the engine had survived, thats nice. Off to a good night beer and some sleep.

When i woke up next morning, i couldnt move, the pain from the shoulder was terrible, there was pain coming from the neck etc. (typical day 2)
Back to the doctor for more painkiller, and i realised that i couldnt practice that day. Anyway, i managed to change the tyres to fresh ones, and now waited to see if i got better. In the afternoon i was feeling better, and ready to try again. I started out slow ofcourse, and there was thousands of thoughts running thru my mind........
After 10 minutes i went back to the pit for a break. I felt the bike was very different, and i was worried that something had happened to the frame, suspension etc. I decided to have a go again and see if i felt better the second time. I was still going slow but the bike was strange and i didnt feel comfortable about speeding up. After 20 minutes i quitted and went to the pit.
Still a little confused i had a chat with the other guys, and we agreed that an accident will allways affect your performance, thats for sure, i have tried it before. To be sure about the bike i loosen up all bolt on the front yokes, and tightened them again. I checked the bearing between frame and front fork (dont know the english name). I checked the swing arm bearing, wheel bearings etc etc. Bike was OK....

Next morning (last day and race day) i participated in all trainings but i couldnt finish them because of the pain. I was fighting with the bike, and it didnt feel right at all. Laptimes was getting much much better, and was now constantly on the level before the crash, but i couldnt improve myself (as expected on a new track).
I was not motivated for the race, but i went out on the grid anyway. Qualifying was the day after the accident, so i had to start in the back, with guys going 12 seconds slower than my best. I did 5 laps, fighting with the bike, but couldnt continue.

Now the 'funny' part..... When we packed the bikes i realised that the steering damper was damaged. The chrome damper rod was bended and couldnt move freely. This resulting in the steering not beeing smooth, but 'going in steps' like when the bearing between frame and front fork is damaged og tightened to much. NO WONDER i was fighting so much, but i am happy to hopefully have found the last mechanical defekt on the bike.

I have one day practice in a few before we are off to Assen in Holland mid May.

I have learned that:
1. Crash protection is the best investment ever.
2. Driving a white lorry 1500 km after a crash, is not recommended.......
3. It is nice to have good friends around when you have an accident

I have allready ordered some parts, and will post again when the bike is cleaned up properly and ready to race.

Hi
I just returned from the same trip to Hungary (Pannonia ring).

Rene's crash was bloody irritating. Not a result of careless or riscky driving. Just a technical error with big consequences !!.

We were all having such a good time. weather was perfect and we were all building up speed session after session. The athomsphere in the pitbox was great. We were really enjoying ourself. Rene was doing very well on his SuperDuke and he did not have any problems to follow litre bikes with 50 bwhp more around this fast track. Rene is indeed a skilled rider

I cross my fingers for Rene's quick recovery and look forward to race with him again in Holland (Assen) in May.

I am pretty sure he will show me who's the boss then

Thanks mate....

Lets hope the next rip starts up as well as this one, but i wish for a more happy ending next time.....

Highsiding; the only way to fly!

Glad to hear you're on the mend, and that it was the damper, and not some frame/swingarm damage...

I've posted some pics in the "flying pervert" thread in general.

I think I have a bit more to do than you.

Those are nasty pics......

For some reason my bike did a perfect slide, and left me doing the break dancing.....

Good thing that the subframe bolts on the frame. Some (older) sportsbikes have the subframe welded on the frame.....

There is a few hours in the workshop there mate......and a few hours on flea bay as well.....

Actually loosing the front in wet is my 'most normal crash', i have done that 5 times i guess. When wet i build up the speed, and slowly forget that it is wet. My biggest mistake is not to control the bike progressively in rainy comditions. You can break hard (with lean), but the technique is different.

Soften the suspension, or moving the centre of gravity up (thicker seat), is a must in rain.......