Ducati Monster Forum

Hey all,

I haven't posted on here in a long time due to being really busy.  I thought I should post up a pretty scary and painful experience I had a few weeks ago.

Here goes:

I was riding 101 North between McKee and Old Oakland Rd./13th St. in San Jose and, according to my (4-8% high, according to the manual) spedo, was doing 70 MPH.  I was in lane #2 when I hit a patch of uneven pavement and my handlebars started slapping violently back and forth.  I couldn't get a better grip on the throttle due to the force of the tank slapper and all I could do was get off the gas and try to push the handlebars as hard as I could.  I tank slapped about 600 feet down the freeway before the front tire tucked all the way to the right and threw me high side over bike.  I went off just a little above parallel to the ground, grabbed my arms to my chest and let my body go limp.  I saw ground-sky-ground-sky-white smoke from the tires of the cars behind me-ground-sky-ground-sky-bike sliding past me.  I slid approximately another 100 feet.  I did a quick check to make sure my legs weren't broken, and that I was stopped.  I got up, ran-walked to my bike, picked it up and pushed it off the road. 

2 nice kids (early 20s) stopped and stayed with me until medical arrived.  They game me a towel to put on the cut on my arm and some Gatorade.  I never got their names or got to thank them.  They said I was really lucky because I was almost hit as I went down. 

Medical arrived with CHP.  I talked to them and they were all shocked at how well I was doing.  I called Mrs. 152 and she was up the street.  She came and got me and took me to the ER.  I walked in and told them I was in a 70 MPH motorcycle crash on 101 and they took me right in. 

To make a long story not so long -

Medical:
Nothing broken
Left elbow had a nasty deep cut that took 3 stitches
Left tricep had a major contusion
Left leg - deep road rash at the knee
Right leg - mild road rash at the knee and just above my boot line
Left foot - deep purple bruise on my big toe
General bruises up and down my left side

My head touched the ground only to scrape the vent on the front of my helmet.  No damage to my jacket on the back above my belt line.  Because of this, they did not c-spine me.

Gear-
Dainese Santa Monica Jacket with added spine protector
Alpinestar SVX5 Boots
Icon Timax Gloves
Helmet Shoei RF-1000
Jeans (I know, all this good gear and jeans.  I get it.  I don't need the people telling me I need to be in leather pants or a full suit).

Jacket held up well.  With the exception of the cut on my elbow it did what it needed to do.  I think the elbow was actually a tear in the skin versus an actual cut.  I had major trauma to my shoulder and the titanium plate there is completely destroyed.  I truly think that without this protection I would have broken or shattered my shoulder.  I am going to contact Dainese and see if I can get the jacket repaired shoulder, back and elbows.  I don't want/need it perfect, I just want it to be without holes.  I think most leather places could do the work except for the shoulder piece.

Gloves were great.  I love these gloves.

Boots did what I needed.  On the left one the toe puck and mount was completely ripped off.  These are a total loss.

Helmet.  Tuck and roll.  Save my helmet, save my head. 

Bike.  This is painful, but its a total loss.  The force of the tank slapper bent the fork stops causing damage to the frame, bars and both sides of the tank.  The peg and shifter on the left side were completely sheared/snapped off.  The hanger for the passenger peg bent and did damage to the swingarm.  Damage to the side of the engine.  The horrible thing is I had just got a set of Boomtubes and put them on the night before.  I had 4200 miles on the bike and only 30 with these pipes.

Here is the map from the where I started and where I stopped:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=US-101+N&daddr=37.360452,-121.874789&geocode=FaQPOgId4F28-A%3B&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=37.360469,-121.87479&sspn=0.000445,0.000809&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=18 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=US-101+N&daddr=37.360452,-121.874789&geocode=FaQPOgId4F28-A%3B&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=37.360469,-121.87479&sspn=0.000445,0.000809&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=18)

Sad thing is I usually ride in the carpool lane but since I DRIVE this section ever weekday I have become accustomed to driving in this lane.  Now its time to find a new bike.  I'm thinking Streetfighter.

This is an image of the road from where it happened:

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0414.jpg)

Here are some pictures of the bike - first is the night before with my new pipes:

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0285.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/836216046_P_7.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0423.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0427.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0424.jpg)

Images of my gear:

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0434.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0435.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0437.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0438.jpg)

Images of me in the hospital:

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0303.jpg)

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj71/sroberts152/Accident/IMG_0299.jpg)

Wow. That's a harrowing story.

All things considered, you got off really lucky for a 70mph tankslapper freeway crash.  Given the horrible state of our freeways, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. Especially with the deep, wheel-swallowing ruts that run lengthwise for hundreds of feet.

Hope you heal up quickly, with best wishes from me, and I'm sure everyone else here.

sorry to hear about your wreck. I had the exact type of wreck 10 years ago. broke my left collarbone. landing on my elbow and head snapped it. you did well.

this is why i picked up a steering damper.

the only tidbit would give you about riding with jeans is pick up a set of Icon knee armor.

glad you faired well. the bike doesn't look that bad. lots of good parts on there ;)

Frame, swingarm and engine all damaged.  The big 3.  Plus the tank, bars, peg and levers.  I think the quote was for $11,500 in damage and the bluebook value is $9000. 

I had been considering getting something to wear under my jeans and I will now.  I was on a 28 mile round trip ride to take a test and come home. My biggest turn was getting off the freeway. 

Everyone I have told about this, or has seen me or the pictures keeps telling me how lucky I am.  I agree I am lucky to be doing so well, but part of it was the gear and part of is that I am in pretty good physical shape and I was alert to the situation.  That jacket played a huge part in me being where I am right now.  That was a gift from my parents who still, after 14 years, hate that I ride motorcycles. 

suppose so. but make sure the insurance company gets the stock bike. not the boom tubes if they are good to go.

and if they don't care, the whole ride side of the engine would be great for a 696 owner. dry clutch, cover, side case etc. and the oil cooler. how bad is the swingarm? I know I'm being a vulture ;)

and some people like the headlight for projects, and you have 1 good mirror, and and and...

i hate insurance companies getting the goods. i had a shop try to steal my bike in the end. bought it back for 1300 from the insurance company. plenty of good parts left.

of course if you aren't mechanically inclined or dont have the cash to get the new bike without clearing the old bike out... then letting a salvage shop take it whole wouldn't be a bad idea.

Glad you're okay. I work 2 miles from that part of 101 - it's scary how bad some of those lanes are.

Heal up quickly, and all the best for the new bike.

I talked to them and nothing aftermarket was covered.  I didn't take the pipes.  They sell for 1000 new, I would be lucky to get 600 for them.  I have the stock pipes still and those will go up if anyone wants them.  They sell for 1600 each new.  No aftermarket mirrors - they ripped off the ends of my bars during the slapping.  I have the stock mirrors, my touring seat, my carbon nose cone and the Duc.ee - http://www.motocreations.com/electrical.asp (http://www.motocreations.com/electrical.asp) - off the bike.  

Insurance is taking the bike.  I can't afford to buy it back (I don't think) and fix it up.

Swing arm has damage.  The passenger peg hanger pressed up against it enough that it caused a chunk to be taken out of it, possibly causing structural damage.  

Thanks.  I am still not 100% but I am able to work out now.  The road rash is almost gone (Neosporin and A&D Ointment were sent to us from the gods). 

I'm most likely going to get a lawyer and take the issue up with the state.  There is no reason a rider with 14 years experience on a new, well maintained street motorcycle should ever have to endure what I did on a straight piece of freeway at the marked speed limit. 

IMO you won't get much for the stock pipes (some have sold for $100), you'd get more for the boomtubes with Duc.EE.

good luck with the new bike. Streetfighter huh? nice!

Wow, glad to see you're doing *fairly well* considering. Too many similarities here!

- I totaled my 1100S (I wanted to see what was at the bottom of the 20' ravine)
- my insurance didn't cover my mods, but they let me take them off. Still trying to sell my full termis for cheap
- same Dainese jacket now (I went down on the Laguna Seca jacket & only got scratched up)
- went for the Streetfighter after the tour

Glad to hear the jacket did its job. Not that I want to find out myself, but I'll go with your crash test results. [thumbsup]

Glad you're OK.

Sounds like a really scary crash, I'm glad you survived relatively unscathed.   Good luck healing and sorting everything out.

glad that you are o.k.  in fact, you are really lucky.
tank slapper at 70 mph?  that's scary!  can anyone explain how to prevent one and what to do when it happens?

gear.  i have Draggin Jeans.  they are kevlar reinforced and then i wear knee and shin guards under them.  good to know your other gear did their job.

replace with a Streetfighter?  cool!  [thumbsup]

had a tank slapper on a sport classic, three years ago while in italy on the WPM trip.  was riding in group formation (120 club presidents, double file ... on one of the superstradas heading to rome from umbria, doing a little over 140kph (about 90mph) on a VERY straight section of the superstrada.  i was riding right behind the two lead ducati DOC employees, with the rest of the 120 club presidents behind me.  for anyone who has not riding in italy, the main roads are pothole and rut free, except for about 100 yards on THIS superstrada, which i did not see until i was already in them at speed, as the two lead riders split just before, and i was not paying attention (so, mia culpa).

anyway, everything went in ultra slow motion, just as the front started to slowly pivot from left to right to left repeatedly ... and i started to think "hmmm ... if i can't stop the tank slapping, i can push the bike to the left, and slide on the smooth, soft dirt on the roadside" ... then just as the front end slappers started to get more violent, i realized that there were 120 other ducatis right behind me, and i did not want to be the minchione that caused a giant wreck on WPM trip that year ... so ... i remembered the motocross technique to stop tank slappers:

• stay on the gas, don't use the front brake
• stand up on pegs
• move ass as far back over the rear of the bike as possible to lighten the front
• when bike's front end is lofted, straighten the bars and lock elbows to hold front straight
• stay on gas until through rough section

it worked for me, but YMMV  [roll]

everything started moving fast again once i initiated the above, and i managed to save it at speed.

mark duncan was riding directly behind me on a multistroodle. when we stopped about 20 kms later for gas, he bumped my back tire to get my attention and asked if i needed to change my leathers because he thought for sure i was going to loose the bike in the tank slapper as it was so violent.  he advised that not only the forks were moving side to side, but the entire front end was moving a foot side to side.

since then, i have stayed the hell away from sport 1000's  8)

Glad you're alright!

Wow sroberts152. Glad you're (reasonably) okay.

On one hand I'd call you lucky, but given the gear you were wearing I'd say you made some of your own luck by dressing for the crash.

And JohnC, have you considered posting up that technique in the FAQ section?

And as an FYI,  most insurance cos let you add an "accessories" rider to cover aftermarket bits.

I'm guessing my monster has a bluebook of maybe 4K at most but I've got an additional 5K of 'accessories' coverage  [laugh]

not considered it ... feel free to post it up if you feel it appropriate.

again, i cannot stress enough that YMMV ... it worked for me on the street that time, and has worked MANY times racing motocross on old POS bikes back before long travel suspension and even disk brakes on dirt bikes  :o

This was no doubt back when you were a kid during the late Triassic when you had to dodge big piles of dinopoop on your Bultaco  [laugh]

nope ... it was a CZ  [roll]

wow...very lucky indeed.  Thanks for sharing the details of your get-off.  I think it does us all good to be reminded of this and hopefully learn from it in any way possible.   [thumbsup]  ticker updated shortly.

Wow! that's a crazy story, great that you kept your head about you.  Glad you're OK  [thumbsup]

Man, that sounds scary.


Taken in perspective, that's great!  Nothing lasting and no C-spine (gawd, I hate those boards).  And the good news is that you didn't have to suffer anything permanent to learn the jeans-are-not-gear lesson. Many others haven't been so fortunate. 

This is now the third or fourth MOB member I know of (Scott, mostrobelle, you, and I think there was another) who has gone down in a tankslapper where they didn't do anything wrong.  I hope everyone out there has a damper on their bike. 

If you need lawyer recommendations, shoot me a PM.  I can give you a couple of names.  Keep your gear, all the pictures you have of your injuries, the accident site, and keep track of how you're healing.  Make sure work documents any and all time you miss, both because of injuries and because of doctor's visits/therapy.Be aware that there is a six month statute of limitations for filing a government claim (you have to do this before you sue), so don't wait too long. 

Thanks for posting up. Sorry to hear - that sucks, but glad you'll be ok  [thumbsup]

Anyone of you 4 know the anatomy of a tank slapper - as in why do you think that happened? What caused it?

Thanks JohnC for posting a solution.

Yikes!  Glad to hear your injuries weren't worse.  Heal up quickly!

Since it was a few weeks between the wreck and when I posted, most of my external healing is done.  The deep road rash on the left leg is almost cleared up, the scab on my elbow is gone and the road rash on my right side is gone and all new skin. 

The big deal for me is the contusion to my tricep is still painful.  Last weekend was the first time I could do more than 5 push ups in a row without pain.  Today I did a few sets of 30 with little pain.  I have some other random pain in my leg and arm that is getting better day to day.  I know that I need to take it easy on this stuff but it is really hard to keep a gym rat away from his home.

Thanks for all the well wishes and good thoughts. 

Lessons learned...  Steering damper.  Period.  Always ride in the carpool lane on 101 from now on.  It is just better road with less wear and tear.  I can't stay off 101 - I live pretty close to it and use it all the time.  Road rash sucks.  Time for under gear for my knees.

I have said it for a long time - dress for the crash, not for the ride.  On the 15th it really was a true statement.

<wavy lines>
I dunno how many of you remember, but Thomas, the guy who started the mailing list that was the reason for the "L" in "DML" which came _before_ TOB... He crashed quite badly from an unexpected tank slapper...
</wavy lines>

I've had my Monster slap on me once - going quite fast on a very bumpy backroad over a crest on a slight right hand curve - it slapped two maybe three times, but violently enough that it loosened off one of the mirrors... I didn't "do anything to save it", it was all over before I had time to react... I suspect the road conditions were exacerbated by worn out tires, and possibly not-recently-enough-checked pressures too...

old-man-big

there's a LOT to be said for doing nothing in a tank slapper situation.

by doing nothing (i.e.: keeping on the gas, not hitting the brakes, not trying to correct the bar movement ... just staying loose on the bike), allows the bike to correct itself by letting physics take over.  the gyro effect that the wheels have, will, in most tank slapper situations, be stronger than the side to side movement of the front end ... and will "most times" straighten the bike out all on its own. 

i have seen way too many riders on the dirt and the street/track, try and "correct" a tank slapper, only to have very nasty things happen ... typically a high side.

I instinctively hit the brakes just a little when mine started going... I'm sure that did nothing to help the situation.  I can have pretty fast reflexes when I want to, and in this case, I sort of wish I had been a bit slower to react.

Thanks John. That's very good to know.

I just have to say, that while some 'slappers go in what seems like slow-motion, others happen at lightening-fast speed.  Going in a straight line at a very reasonable speed, a tank slapper was the last thing I expected.  My tank slapper was maybe two very violent twists (that I saw before I was bucked off) of the front end and it was over.  The only thing I might have done would have been NOT to hit the brakes and instead give it a little juice.  There wasn't time to do anything else.  I've seen videos of long, drawn-out 'slappers that gain momentum, but just be aware that they don't happen all textbook n stuff. 

How much of an impact does a steering damper do in such situation? I don't usually tighten mine if not in the twisties and even then I dont tighten it as much.

Supposedly they do a lot.  I didn't have one at the time and haven't had anything similar happen since--but I also have a damper now.  The husband insisted on it, although personally, I just don't know.  How does one test the effectiveness?  They must do something because most bikes have them stock now, no?  I have an Ohlins I think and it tightens in increments from 1 to 8.  I have it at 2.  I don't notice it for normal riding, but I would hope that if the front end decides to do go haywire on me that it would sort of smooth things out or at least "dampen" the effect of the shudder. 

Mine goes to 11  :D



I also like to call 'em dampeners because it annoys Spidey.

DAMPER DAMPER DAMPER DAMPER


A lot.  It doesn't have to be tight to be effective.  As long as it slows down the oscillations--even a bit--the bike will recover on its own.  You shouldn't really feel your damper working except in really extreme situations.  If you find you're tightening it up because you're getting headshake or because you otherwise need to when you ride hard, that's not good.  You're masking an underlying suspension problem. 

I think my damper is only set at a couple of clicks. 

The slapper I had started out very quickly with no indication it was going to occur.  I was going straight, then it just snapped one way then back. At first, the bike was still traveling upright and straight with just the front tire moving.  As time progressed, the bike started twisting back and forth like it wanted to slalom but still traveling in a relatively straight line.  The last twist just tucked the tire into the ground and threw me but the bike was swaying wildly at this point.

'belle -  my "slow motion" comment was referring to what my brain did in that situation.  i believe this is a survival instinct that happens when your brain process a situation and comes to the conclusion that this event is really going to hurt and/or kill you ... so that the brain can process what is going on, and react accordingly (fight or flight), if it believes you can actually do something to correct or minimize the impending "hurt".  i can advise that this slow motion effect has happened to me a few times, and conversely, in a few situations that i had no control over the outcome (e.g.: a passenger in a car accident), my brain has forced me to black out just prior to the impact, so as to "spare me from the inhumanity of it all".  :o

please remember ... i am not a psychologist ... i only play one on television  [roll]

You are one lucky Guy.Do you have a steering damper on that bike?

I drove over that section of 101 in my cage (lowered w/ coil-overs) yesterday afternoon, and it's HORRIBLE...still.

Thanks so much for the response guys. It seems a very scary situation. Good to know what to do when it happens. Glad to hear you're ok sroberts. Thanks for sharing. I learned something.

I did not have a damper on the bike.  I will on my next bike and for every other bike I own the rest of my life.

I don't know what to say other than I'M glad your alright. I guess if there's one thing we should all remember, we were warned, never ever get on the 101.

(http://www.filminamerica.com/Movies/TheMatrixReloaded/FreewayChase/m2reloaded-freeway14.jpg)

(http://www.filminamerica.com/Movies/TheMatrixReloaded/FreewayChase/m2reloaded-freeway06.jpg)

(http://www.filminamerica.com/Movies/TheMatrixReloaded/FreewayChase/m2reloaded-freeway12.jpg)

All kinds of chaos can happen there....


But then again if you gotta be on the 101, well...what are ya gonna do?  ;D

Plus your 916 will sound line an inline 4.

well worth the inline 4 sound, if i get to ride cupcake holding tight on to trinity.  [evil]

No chance. You're not the one. You have much more acting talent than the one.

i can dumb down my acting, if it means riding cupcake with trinity  [evil]

PM sent (I think - since I cant seem to find record of it).  I have another week before I can start in on anything - end of school.  Then I have all the time in the world.

Thanks.

I am a little late in replying to this thread but I am glad you are okay.

I am convinced my Damper has saved my Bacon at least once  [thumbsup]

I never heard of these "tanks slappers" before this thread, probably something that I should be aware of. That sucks about your bike. I'm glad, and surprised, you made it through that without getting any worse injuries.

I finally got around to posting my parts up for sale.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40295.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=40295.0)

Thanks for peeking.

Glad to hear you are ok! I believe you can file a claim w/ Cal Trans, because of the road condition, and it's contribution to the crash.