Tim's Crash Video is Out

[Brakelate]

Very Sad. But, the video is available. Seems like there was no one around and he just got into a corner too hot and got a big handful of front brake in the heat of the action.

Back in the "old days" there was the old silly rumor warning of using too much front brake as it would cause you to go over the bars. Simply not true, as even 90% of todays street bikes simply don't have enough traction, short enough wheelbase and are light enough to lift the rear tire under heavy front braking. Sadly, this is not the case on a Converted MX bike into a race worthy Supermoto configuration. They have the utmost traction, extremely powerful brakes, very stiff suspension, are very light and have a very steep steering geometry set up for quick turning, not high speed stability. With a smidge of improper body positioning, it is VERY easy to do a stoppie, or go over the bars under heavy braking. *Worse yet, for those who have not ridden the Apex Circuit, there is a significant "hump" leading right into the braking zone in this particular corner. In typical GoPro fashion, one may not detect it in this video but you go up and over this short mound and then are forced to be hard on the brakes just as you go down the backside of this hump. This also serves very nicely to get the rear end light when really pushing deep into the braking zone on this corner.

I wish Tim a speedy recovery. Although it is not graphic, it saddens me to see any rider, especially one who you know personally as one of the few really good guys out there laying there in the aftermath. Watch at your own discretion.

phpBB [video]

[the1904kid]

Tim is planning on trying to get out to Stateline for a day to *watch* a race....he was talking about driving through the Barstow area...maybe you should caravan/carpool with him and come out and give us support for a day!

[Brakelate]

He plans on being up and racing at State Line???? No Way (?) I would love to hear that is correct, but sadly, I doubt it. That, or I am a much bigger piece of mush than I ever considered previously.

[the1904kid]

He plans on being up and racing at State Line???? No Way (?) I would love to hear that is correct, but sadly, I doubt it. That, or I am a much bigger piece of mush than I ever considered previously.

no, just to come out and hang out. his wife is going out of town so he will be free to do whatever he wants. i fixed my previous comment.

[Brakelate]

Sounds like fun. I miss all you Hoolies, but I am sort of strange. It kills me to attend any event and not be able to participate. I guess I could be of use in giving an extra hand, advice and spinning some wrenches while shouting insults and motivational slurs But, I would be broken hearted not to be out there myself.

[the1904kid]

Sounds like fun. I miss all you Hoolies, but I am sort of strange. It kills me to attend any event and not be able to participate. I guess I could be of use in giving an extra hand, advice and spinning some wrenches while shouting insults and motivational slurs But, I would be broken hearted not to be out there myself.

we got a guy coming out to cater our lunches with some awesome Santa Maria style BBQing! I mean you gots to eat! drone out on the drz for some lunch...run the sportsman class, then go home!

[Brakelate]

Hell, with my recent complete nose over in physical condition, I get my ass kicked by a trio of 70-80 riders just going to breakfast! Just a few weeks ago I was riding solo out to Calico, or through the early morning darkness to Laughlin just for a Denny's breakfast. Now look at me.

[Tetge]

This posting of the video was better full screen in 1080p since the details were much clearer than the prior version. But, it was still nasty to watch. Violent sport, kart track supermoto.

[Brakelate]

I wish I had a solid platform from which to debate that statement. But, I don't.

Odd. For some reason many of us think the lower speeds, lighter bikes, tighter corners and I suppose the dirt bike based format of it all would be "safer".

But, when compared with other full on Road Racing events, Supermoto seems to have a higher injury rate. At least as of lately.

When trying to pick that apart and figure out why, the only thing that seems to come forward, is that it is not the high speeds that hurts riders, but the slower, tighter, more abrupt changes in direction and speed. Something in abundance in Supermoto Kart Track events . At higher speeds one gets off lower, slides and if one's safety gear can withstand the abrasion, and you are not struck by another rider or machine passing by at high speed, the injuries are minor. Supermoto, despite the lower speeds, they throw the rider to the ground in much more violent fashion, due to various reasons. Odd, but apparently true.

[Tetge]

I wish I had a solid platform from which to debate that statement. But, I don't.

Odd. For some reason many of us think the lower speeds, lighter bikes, tighter corners and I suppose the dirt bike based format of it all would be "safer".

But, when compared with other full on Road Racing events, Supermoto seems to have a higher injury rate. At least as of lately.

When trying to pick that apart and figure out why, the only thing that seems to come forward, is that it is not the high speeds that hurts riders, but the slower, tighter, more abrupt changes in direction and speed. Something in abundance in Supermoto Kart Track events . At higher speeds one gets off lower, slides and if one's safety gear can withstand the abrasion, and you are not struck by another rider or machine passing by at high speed, the injuries are minor. Supermoto, despite the lower speeds, they throw the rider to the ground in much more violent fashion, due to various reasons. Odd, but apparently true.

Perhaps it is also because one sits so far off the ground on a supermoto. Those road racers are usually hanging off inches from the ground in the first place, although I have seen a few nasty high side crashes on TV. Generally, however, they tend to slide, and, generally at real road race circuits, there are more expansive run outs than at kart tracks, where space is limited. Still, it seems that supermotos at kart tracks are crashing a lot and relatively serious injuries seem to be common.