Low Side by Oakland Airport

[Idioteque]

OP, I drive that turn every morning. It wasn't you at all. That road has had a crash on it more times in the last few months than it should have. It's slippery as shit. All those tar snakes there make it so. On dry days there's little to worry about but if it's cold out or raining I take that turn super fucking slow.


Just my two cents as someone who frequents that little S-section

[tzrider]

Originally Posted by Idioteque

OP, I drive that turn every morning. It wasn't you at all. That road has had a crash on it more times in the last few months than it should have.

Respectfully, if you haven't crashed there, you're doing something differently than other riders have. In saying, "It wasn't you," I think you're emphasizing that the road conditions are sketchy, but it also implies there is nothing he could do differently next time. There probably is and it's good and healthy to figure out what he could learn and apply.

Assuming you haven't crashed there, how did you figure out that traction is poor there without having to find out the hard way? Predicting traction is a vital skill and anything you can say about that could help.

[jy116]

Originally Posted by tzrider

The questions are very good, though in this case you might not need the answer to all of them. From what we know so far, I’d say the most important questions will concern which other controls the rider was using while steering the bike:

We’re you on the gas? If so, what were you doing with the control right then?

We’re you on either brake? If so, how much? Adding pressure, holding steady or taking away?

Originally Posted by tzrider

The questions are very good, though in this case you might not need the answer to all of them. From what we know so far, I’d say the most important questions will concern which other controls the rider was using while steering the bike:

We’re you on the gas? If so, what were you doing with the control right then?

We’re you on either brake? If so, how much? Adding pressure, holding steady or taking away?

Thanks everyone for the comments and tips. Sorry I forgot to add more data for analysis by this awesome machine that is BARF!

It was around 7am, dry outside, road looked clear, temperature was likely low 50s. I was rushing to get to carpool, had woke up late, and hadn't ridden that road on my FZ for a few months at least. I had driven it with my truck the the day before, similar speed. I was familiar with the entry, but the left kink did come up as a little surprise I guess because it's not the noticeable a transition in a cage. I was on constant throttle through the sweeper, but I let off slightly while prepping for the left transition and maybe wasn't smooth enough with the handle bars and change in body position. I wasn't braking at all. All I remember is going from right lean to upright, about to lean left but slapped the ground instead!

BTW, simple non-occlusive bandages from Walgreens did the trick on my road rash. It's 80% healed with just using those, greased with triple antibiotic ointment, changing every 12hrs.

[tzrider]

Since you mention changing body position, do you know where you did this in relation to where you steered into the left kink?

[Gary856]

Originally Posted by jy116

I was familiar with the entry, but the left kink did come up as a little surprise I guess because it's not the noticeable a transition in a cage.

Did you feel the turn rushed up to you? Where were you looking? How far ahead? did you turn your head to look thru the turn? Were you looking down for some reason?

[jy116]

I think I was looking ahead, but didn't prep soon enough, it was a poor response on my part. Going faster than I should have was first mistake. I wanted to move my body slightly to the left but never got to that point.

[Beanzy]

OP, I don't know why you crashed, but to prevent road rash while wearing jeans you ever think of wearing protective shorts like Forcefield?

[jy116]

Originally Posted by Beanzy

OP, I don't know why you crashed, but to prevent road rash while wearing jeans you ever think of wearing protective shorts like Forcefield?

Thanks, I'd use those at a track day for sure. My rash was on my side calf unfortunately... Leathers or racing boots would have been the solution, other than not rushing my commute 😅

[Gary856]

Originally Posted by jy116

I was familiar with the entry, but the left kink did come up as a little surprise I guess because it's not the noticeable a transition in a cage. I was on constant throttle through the sweeper, but I let off slightly while prepping for the left transition and maybe wasn't smooth enough with the handle bars and change in body position. I wasn't braking at all. All I remember is going from right lean to upright, about to lean left but slapped the ground instead!

On constant throttle at what rpm? I'm wondering if engine braking played a part when you "let off slightly" - how slightly is that in terms of rpm drop? Did you slow much?

"about to lean left" means you were fully upright and went down suddenly? What were you doing with the handle bar? How "wasn't smooth enough" was that?

What was your lane position (right track, center, left track) before and after the right-left transition? Did you cross the center (greasy?) as you transition from right to upright/left?