Ducati Monster Forum

Did my first Supermoto track day on the Kart track at Sears Point. Why the hell didn't I do this sooner? What an awesome day...4 hours of track time for $40. No reservations, just show up, pay, suit up and go. A few lessons learned:
1. 450s are fast...but not always through the corners.
2. A 690 is a *biiiiiiig* supermoto. But it's still plenty nimble.
3. The KTM crashes well. Minimal damage after my high side.
4. I, however, don't crash so well. My shoulder hurts...a lot.

Here's the video:
KTM 690 SMC - Sears Point - Crash (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br-7WoWMxp0#)

Ouch!  Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks!

THUMP!

ouch man

Ya know, I heard bikes work a lot better when they're upright.   [cheeky]

Geeeeez, Joe, hope you're OK.  It didn't look like it was going to buck you off at all and suddenly you were on the ground.  Weird.  Do you have any idea what happened?  Had you been slipping prior to that? 

And why does it look like you're looking at the ground like Rossi most of the time? 

Heal up fast!  Did you go to the doctor?  Anything torn?

Don't tell that to the supermoto guys...
(http://static.blogo.it/twowheelsblog/Supermotardslide.jpg)

I'm pretty sure that I either (a) trailed the rear brake too deep into the corner or (b) inadvertently hit the rear brake mid-corner. The rear wheel slid completely sideways while almost stopped (you can see this from the marks on the tire), then levered the bike upright. I'm leaning towards the latter explanation, as I'm pretty diligent about getting off the rear brake prior to corner entry. I also have big, clumsy feet and have not yet sorted the rear brake lever ergos.

Because this is the first time I've mounted the camera that way, and didn't have time to sight it in.

Thanks! No doctor yet, just very sore.

Joe, i hope you are all right! i took a screenshot of your "oh shit" moment:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7544524804_947b3cdcdf_o.jpg)

LOL...I was thinking the caption should read "NOOOOO.....MY BIKE!"

I didn't like the sound of the thump on the ground. Doesn't look like anything got too hurt or bent though. Heal up soon.

Thanks. Have since discovered that I cracked a big hole in my exhaust pipe...need to get it welded...hopefully.

 [clap] ya! There it is! I was wondering if this mythic video would show up.

The best part is you getting up and getting back on.
That's a relief you can have a little learning session and not have it mess you too bad.
Thanks for posting that. [thumbsup]

I'm still learning that lesson...shoulder still hurts like hell.

The good new: no fractures.

People have suggested that I try a track day, but this is the reason that I give them.  I don't crash well.

I've already figured out that my XR650L handles drops pretty well.  Other than the one Monster crash in 2003, I never had any of my Ducatis fall over.  The XR got dropped three times in the first year that I owned it.  But I just picked it back up and continued on my way.  I still don't know how easy it is to pick up the big KTM and don't want to find out.

I couldn't tell from the video if you were getting any of those insane supermoto lean angles or sliding the rear wheel around.  I guess you must have slid the rear a bit for it to toss you off like that.  Hopefully you've fully recovered by now.

Thanks. Feeling OK, just some shoulder tightness once in a while. I was getting a bit of sideways, but not quite Ruben Xaus territory :)

All in all, I'd do this track day again in a heartbeat. The crash was a learning experience: I should have a torso cage when riding this way.

Ooof!  glad u & bike are "ok", watching the vid, def caught me off guard, was not expecting the highside there...

Thanks. But I'm confused: what part of "Watch Me High Side a Supermoto" caught you off guard? [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

When do you ever expect a high side?  ;)

sorry, meant at THAT corner/point in the vid...  didn't seem like you were hanging it out too much on that corner...

It's really hard to tell with the helmet cam. But I really wasn't going all that hard: just trailed the rear brake too far into the corner...I should've been off the brake and on the gas a lot sooner :)