I lowsided (again) and I'm on the verge of selling my K4 :(

[kaimera]

right now, i feel like something worse will happen if i continue on the sv.

earlier this year, speed and my lack of skill cost me a broken wrist and 3 months in a cast. repaired bike but i'm thinking now i should have sold it then.

lowsided on the track as well, i was fine, bike needed replacement parts.

and now this time, sat with some friends, braked, front hit a pothole and when she bounced down, i was on my ****. scraped hand, and my knee is suffering but nothing broken.

en route home, the front calipers seized on the motorway. ****ing fun that was :(

mechanically she's fine. the front end has been replaced already, incl. the wheel.

i have 0 confidence in my bike at this moment. as i said, i have this nagging feeling that if i get back on her, something worse will happen and i do value my limbs etc!

she'd be good for a trackbike or to streetfighter (fairing is repairable this time around, had to replace it after my first off).

really don't think anything will change my mind. something easy and less suicidal like a fzs600 suits me (have driven a few and compared to my sv are **** easy to drive)

just ****ing annoyed and depressed. love my bike to bits but i'm not feeling the love back anymore.

i4 seems to be calling me

[DJFridge]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. A bit confused about your final solution though - from my (admittedly limited) experience, I would have thought that the SV, being a twin, would be easier to ride that an i4.

[tj2]

Swap you a cb1 for it.....

[-Ralph-]

Try the for sale section on here, otherwise Gumtree is pretty popular

Sorry to hear of your troubles. A bit confused about your final solution though - from my (admittedly limited) experience, I would have thought that the SV, being a twin, would be easier to ride that an i4.

Errm, no, lot easier throttle response on an IL4. Not that an IL4 will make any difference to lowsides or locked front brakes, only the rider will change that.

[DJ123]

have you had any extra training? be it IAM, Polic Bike safe course or anything of the alike

[rictus01]

so you crash it, then crashed it again, then the brakes "suddenly seized" ? is that right?

I've seen some pretty poorly maintained brakes but rarely in such a state they would spontainiously "lockup".

either you have a significant problem with the bike or you're just riding far faster than your ability allows, changing you bike is an expensive way to address the first and won't do anything to solve the second :smt102

You either need a good mechanic to check the bike (which I'd hope you do even if you sell it) or an experienced rider to reveiw your riding with a realistic appraisal and guidance on training (bikesafe is a good start).

Cheers Mark.

[husky03]

i'd be inclined to say its not a change of bike you need more likely a change of your riding style-why not book some refresher lessons and take it from there-and regards your calipers-get into a routine of servicing them regularly rather than when they need it.

[husky03]

ahh beaten to it by Rictus

[Stenno]

Some good points above. It's much better to slow down and work on your riding skills, then the speed will naturally come back. And make sure you have a decent mechanic as mentioned.

The other thing I might suggest, without knowing your situation, is are you hanging around with the right crowd. i.e. it's very easy to start following other riders into corners at their speeds. I got caught out a few times doing this and quickly learnt to ride my own ride.

As for potholes, sh!t happens sadly. Don't let it get you down. I know another rider on here who bent a wheel in a pothole he'd been riding around for weeks!

I'm guessing you're under 21 as you're bike is restricted according to your profile? You seem sensible enough based on the fact you realise you're not indestructible. At the same time we only get good with experience which only comes with time. So just take it easy and work you're way up. A bikesafe course or extra lessons might help. Or with the track day you mentioned, do one with some added training. I went with Rapid Training and grabbed an instructor for a session, worked wonders. To low side on your a track day, you must have been really giving it some, trying to get your knee down maybe? Take your time and it will come naturally (I'm told). Another guy I know on here has done 6-7 track days and still not managed it.

Anyway, lots of speculation there but keep your chin up, get the bike serviced and then take it easy. Practice makes perfect.

[kellyjo]

Feeling the way you do it sounds like you aren't riding in a relaxed manner. Ive been there and as soon as you start riding with a tense body and negative thoughts it just starts to go wrong.
I suggest maybe a few slower rides on your own and get back to thinking about basics.

A few months after my test I started having trouble cornering, I was coming in too fast and braking too hard causing the bike to stand up and go in a straight line. All it took was a 5 minute chat from my trainer who told me to get off the brakes, use engine braking to slow and only accelerate once in the corner.
I tried it and it made a huge difference. He also made me tell myself out loud to relax, which also helped, I didnt realise how tense I was getting. Its something I still do to avoid getting 'death grip'!!
If you can afford it then maybe some advanced training will help. And get your bike checked by someone in the know to put your mind at rest that all is well with it.
If you set out thinking somethings going to go wrong, then thats whats likely to happen.

Good luck, KJ x

[NTECUK]

You have lost confidence .
Every time you sit on your sv your going to remember your offs.
So a change might be what you need to put it behind you.
A nice 600 Il4 is going to be a new clean sheet.
I think you have made up your mind on that.
Look for some training though so you don't go down the same path.

[Specialone]

Yep I agree ^^^

I binned my sv once and I never felt confident on it, I always expected handling issues when out, so I got rid and bought my sprint, made a big difference.

[kaimera]

hi y'all,

I'm 28, bike needs restriction in Ireland for 2 years after getting full license (which I got in August)

I'd rebuild the calipers in July, no problem there but after the accident on sat obviously something got messed up from the lowside to cause them to seize on the journey home. it's not poorly maintained :)

I do acknowledge it could be my riding style, but no confidence in my bike now doesnt help.

^^as above, i sort of expect something to not be right when i go out on her.

i'm annoyed and ****ed off; what was supposed to be a good day out turned ****.

i'm waiting on a callback about garda bikesafe.

i commute to work on her and have no issues, but then she (I) just doesnt seem comfortable on any sort of spin.

tis a pity cos the sv out of all my friends bikes is the only one with some 'character'

[-Ralph-]

Describe your lowside, what happened? Include any interactions you had with brakes, throttle or gears at the time. Describe your corner entry, did you sweep in, or did you have to brake hard off a straight before tipping in? Which wheel do you feel lost grip first? I assume the road surface and/or reduced grip was not a factor given you were on a track?

[kaimera]

was straight up.

road surface was poor (uneven, split surface)

saw the corner ahead looked like it was tightening and squeezed teh brake - wasnt going hard, maybe 50/60k.

front hit a something (a divot in the road, or something) and next thing i'm all "****" as the bike slide down the road for about 100 metres.

sorry guys, not on track. I was saying i had previously lowsided at a track. not my first time off on the bike. I wouldnt mind on the track!

[SVMAT]

Ive lowsided my sv more times than i care to remember. The main thing ive learnt from it is buy good tyres and look at what your riding on. Traction is everything on a motorbike. Also the right lines will allow for less lean angle for the speed and reduce chances of a lowside, but as said above all comes with experience and training.

Oh and if youre going in to quickly or see a turn tightening dont panic, trail braking with the rear is much smoother and less likely to cause an off than grabing the front.

If youve got your heart set on selling the sv then do but they are very friendly bikes, the engine braking alone will save your **** going in to fast and on an il4 you have very little of that.

Good luck whatever you decide to do though matey and take it easy this winter, the grips only gunna get worse :P

[NTECUK]

Well its partly bad luck and not looking were you should be ,rather than looking at the pot hole.
Standard sv suspension can't Cope with very rough roads.

[kaimera]

its the thing i miss so much when driving an I4 is the engine braking.

i know i need more training, and i know it was an accident on sat - avoidable? i dont think i could have done anything different at the time. maybe if i'd got a new front tyre, maybe if i'd been going 5k slower etc etc. all maybes.

[NTECUK]

Well you have to learn the hard way. I did.
Yes It's all maybes.but road ridding and track are very different.
You have to secretly blame your self for every accident.and think what you could do different.
Don't let it get you down. Because next time your be looking for stuff that can loose grip but you need to look for the way out rather than at it .same I'd It's a car pulling out on you . Look for a way past. Brakes are not always the answer as odd as that sounds.

[-Ralph-]

was straight up.

road surface was poor (uneven, split surface)

saw the corner ahead looked like it was tightening and squeezed teh brake - wasnt going hard, maybe 50/60k.

front hit a something (a divot in the road, or something) and next thing i'm all "****" as the bike slide down the road for about 100 metres.

sorry guys, not on track. I was saying i had previously lowsided at a track. not my first time off on the bike. I wouldnt mind on the track!

I understood the pot hole incident.

I was asking you to describe the lowside on the track. As someone said earlier you need to be going damn hard at a hell of a lean angle to lowside on a dry grippy track. Given your level of experience I doubt you were going hard or fast enough to overwhelm the grip available, so there must have been a contributory factor, such as brakes or a gear change (or road surface, but I doubt it on a track) which contributed to the loss of grip.

If you describe to us what happened on the lowside, we can help you to understand what went wrong, as I very much doubt it was just a straightforward lowside.

[kaimera]

I understood the pot hole incident.

I was asking you to describe the lowside on the track. As someone said earlier you need to be going damn hard at a hell of a lean angle to lowside on a dry grippy track. Given your level of experience I doubt you were going hard or fast enough to overwhelm the grip available, so there must have been a contributory factor, such as brakes or a gear change (or road surface, but I doubt it on a track) which contributed to the loss of grip.

If you describe to us what happened on the lowside, we can help you to understand what went wrong, as I very much doubt it was just a straightforward lowside.
ah, on the track.

mondello park - turn one, nice right hander - pushing to get the knee down (O.o) and just after my apex the back let go and a gentle side away.

just pushing a bit too hard that time.

[yorkie_chris]

Sounds like the brakes later locking up could be caused by the brakes dragging. A common cause of this is if the lever has been damaged and isn't releasing properly.


Sounds like stop being fackin poosy, observe the road surface and stop falling off. Different bike won't stop you falling off.

[-Ralph-]

was straight up.

road surface was poor (uneven, split surface)

saw the corner ahead looked like it was tightening and squeezed teh brake - wasnt going hard, maybe 50/60k.

front hit a something (a divot in the road, or something) and next thing i'm all "****" as the bike slide down the road for about 100 metres

pushing to get the knee down (O.o) and just after my apex the back let go and a gentle side away.

You got your full license in August, and you're already pushing to get your knee down on track?

Weren't going hard, yet you slid for 100 metres? Even though you can see that the road surface was a bit crap?

Sounds like you're trying to ride well beyond your ability. Recognise that you aren't Rossi, ride within your ability, and leave yourself a bit more margin for error. The type of engine in your bike isn't going to change a thing, it's you that needs to change.

right now, i feel like something worse will happen if i continue on the sv.

If you think I'm talking rubbish and don't feel you need to change the way you ride, then something worse will happen. When you are pushing beyond your ability, it's a case of when, not if, and selling the bike and not replacing it may well be the best course of action for you.

If you can treat these accidents as a wake-up call, then stick with your SV, turn over a new leaf with your riding style and go get some advanced training.

A harsh post I know, but sorry, that's the reality. I don't like seeing any biker get hurt.

[kaimera]

harsh but fair, I know :)

i know i need training and more experience and have plans in place.

a break for a bit to get my mindset ok might be good

[yorkie_chris]

You're not supposed to TRY to get your knee down, just get your body position right and concentrate on riding smooth and getting lines right. Rest will fall into place. Lots of tracks have instructors hanging about who you can ask for a bit of help which is well worthwhile.

[LankyIanB]

Slow down!! Trying to go fast doesn't help, you tense up, leave everything too late and then find yourself at the limits of the available grip. All you need then is a pothole, bit of overbanding etc and you're on your **** again. Or worse, under a truck.

On the road, focus on what is there and what might be there, plan ahead and keep it smooth. It's faster that way with the bonus that you're more likely to get to your destination in one piece.

If you want to push it, go on track, but get instruction. It really does help. Learn what the limits of the bike (and you) are, but build up to those limits slowly. Knowing those limits is really useful on the road as you know what is there should you need it in an emergency. Don't ride to those limits on the road though, keep some back in case you need it when the unexpected happens....

[kaimera]

oh ya of course. after the track day i had zero interest in going fast on teh road. No point.

even coming off on the track was nothing in comparison to the road.

we had stopped for a break before i came off on sat; afterwards I wasnt feeling the roads, i was cautious, to the point i signalled for my friend behind to pass me cos I knew he'd drive on.

lessons are being learnt but I do feel i need to take a break from biking and think about it. i cant afford to keep repairing my current/future bike, and i dont want to have to repair myself either! (again)

i was bummed out after it happened, this thread was prolly a knee jerk reaction but I do have my sv for sale.

[SuzukiNess]

really don't think anything will change my mind. something easy and less suicidal like a fzs600 suits me (have driven a few and compared to my sv are **** easy to drive)



its the thing i miss so much when driving an I4 is the engine braking.




:rolleyes:

sorry, cant help myself, but maybe thats the problem :smt115

[metalangel]

we had stopped for a break before i came off on sat; afterwards I wasnt feeling the roads, i was cautious, to the point i signalled for my friend behind to pass me cos I knew he'd drive on.

Just an observation, you're out with friends? Not the best idea if you're inexperienced (and they are experienced) as you will find yourself subconsciously going faster trying to keep up. Speaking from experience here. It's a real struggle sometimes and you might really have to fight the urge when you're actually out there on the road but go at your own pace, regardless.

If you do consider an IL4, just bear in mind they can be very different both to twins and each other. I love my Fazer because it's more upright and easy going, the Blandit 650 I got as a courtesy bike went like a freakin' rocket without much provoking and was very snatchy and twitchy.

[kaimera]

Just an observation, you're out with friends? Not the best idea if you're inexperienced (and they are experienced) as you will find yourself subconsciously going faster trying to keep up. Speaking from experience here. It's a real struggle sometimes and you might really have to fight the urge when you're actually out there on the road but go at your own pace, regardless.

If you do consider an IL4, just bear in mind they can be very different both to twins and each other. I love my Fazer because it's more upright and easy going, the Blandit 650 I got as a courtesy bike went like a freakin' rocket without much provoking and was very snatchy and twitchy.
ya, i had a big off earlier this year due to my lack of xp when out on a ride out with bigger bikes.

i've learned from that and the guys i usually ride with (fzs600 and bandit s) are all relatively new to biking (2 years/1 year) so the pace isnt lightening fast.

the day in question here, i even indicated to the lads to drive on cos I wasn't up for a quick pace. I was happy tooling about at my own pace. Just an unfortunate accident.

the fazer, i passed my test on my friends fzs600. i just find the seating position and general handling of the bike easier than my sv. tight turns are a breeze on the fzs, not so much on the sv (imo of course)

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah, I imagine because of the riding position. Though such tight turns of the speeds where having different bars/seating makes any difference are hardly likely to result in serious crashing.

I'd put a comfort kit on the SVS.

[Stuuk1]

harsh but fair, I know :)

i know i need training and more experience and have plans in place.

a break for a bit to get my mindset ok might be good

Worst thing you can do.

Get out on the bike, do lots of riding, get lost and find your way home and get over it.



---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=50.819261,-0.376564
Member of the 1 litre club...

[-Ralph-]

when out on a ride out with bigger bikes

Total myth BTW. You shouldn't feel anxious about keeping up with anybody anyway, but worrying about what size bike you mate is riding just adds to the anxiety if you are already getting sucked in to playing keep up.

I've done scores of rideouts with litre bikes on my SV in 4 years of ownership and never once got 'left behind' by a bigger bike below 3 figure speeds. Pete and Lissa on their Ducati 996 have left me behind many times, but only above 100mph (on track days officer) and only in a straight line.

The difference in extra power means nothing on the road, only on the racetrack, or VERY empty roads, where progress is unheeded.

So take a Fireblade and an SV and accelerate from 30 to 100mph as hard as you can, and the SV will be something like 2-3 seconds or 100yds behind. Both bikes then travel at 100mph the same 100yds distance apart. The Fireblade has to brake as it's approaching the rear of another vehicle, or another 30 limit, or a corner. The SV has another 100yds before he has to brake, so within 2 seconds, a barely noticeable time, he's caught the Fireblade again and we are back to square one.

The only time I've found the SV unable to keep up with litre bikes is over 100mph (on track days officer), and in heavy headwinds or up long hills. Again, as soon as the litre bike backs off the power, you've caught up again.

If your mate on a bigger bike is leaving you behind on the road, it's because you're riding slower than him. Stick him on another SV, he'll still leave you behind. Don't worry about it.

[Stenno]

If it makes you feel any better, I was out with some friends yesterday and (despite my own advice, and without even realising at first...) was matching their speed even though they're much more confident and competent riders. Went into the first few corners committed, then all of a sudden I froze up and became transfixed on where I didn't want to go. I went off the road half way down cheddar gorge. Didn't hit anything, kept bike upright somehow. I'm a lucky boy.