T went down

[Samsonite]

Ass...lol

[RED]

Well, as one who has been down this road before (literally) the back protector SHOULD be a part of your riding gear. It was one huge factor in my off-track experience recently that I thank God for. I hit on my back and felt the protector doing it's job. One accident with an injury to your spine and you're pretty much out of commision if not forever for a long rehab time.
I am so glad to hear that you're just sore and not injured moreso. My chest and ribs were the most serious injuries in my crash. It takes so long to be able to breathe normally or to reach for anything. So take it easy T and take your time. If you need anything man let me know. Since you are there for people on this board we'll be here for you.
You can probably cash in on selling the parts off the bike and make more money rather than selling the whole bike. Of course it could be a real bad-assed naked now.

[Samsonite]

I'm torn between parting it out, or just fixing it.

[RED]

I'm torn between parting it out, or just fixing it.

The frame will give you that answer. Although, from now on you won't be so worried about it going down on the track.

[Samsonite]

Just pulled the trigger on an Arai Corsair V.  Hope they fit true to size.  The AGV didn't....  I loved my Suomy 

[RED]

Who's graphics are those? They almost look like Vale's?

[RED]

Oh I should have known...The Tommy Gun helmet! Emphasis on TOMMY! I get it.

[RED]

Awesome graphix and most awesome helmet. I lourve my Arai.

[RichD]

Oh shit!   
-I still have to read the whole thread.

HOPE T's OK!!!! 

[jdugger]

So, I'm Tommy's buddy Jim that is developing a bit of a reputation for crashing out Motopia members right in front of him.  In particular on Gixxers.  Another member last year wadded his 750 in a throttle induced high-side coming out of rattlesnake clockwise right in front of me.  I know if I were a Gixxer, I'd be scared of the Buell, too... 

T is fine... like a good man he went to the hospital and got checked out.  Lord knows I wish all the people I have known to crash were smart like T and not the belligerent "I'm a man" they usually are...  Anytime the helmet touches and there's a knot on your grape, go get scanned...  So good on you Tommy, and I know everyone is glad to know you are OK.

The crash was more or less as described.  I was coming up on the inside of T going into Tombstone setting up for a pass.  Running CCW, that's a great place to pass because the pass-e will be setting up to use all the track wide and it gives the passer a clean line on the inside that won't disrupt the other rider.  From my perspective, I saw Tommy's front tuck, slide, grab, twist and then toss.  It happened really fast.  He was a bit off line, but there aren't a lot of marbles and unexpected elements on the track there since the cars do a good job of clearing it...

There's no question something loaded the front tire -- possibly that shift -- but I also think there's a chance he simply bottomed his suspension.  We had been working on it in the paddock, and I had gotten to the point where damping, compression and rebound were all at the max, and T was still using up almost 80% of the fork travel even at low speeds.  So, it's always worth getting a bike sprung and valved for your weight and skill level...

Now it's so cold we can only talk about riding...

[RED]

Hey Jim, Charlie here, we met a few times at Motopia. Good stuff and +1 on the hospital trip. Bikes repair much faster than does the human element. 

[Cher]

Well Jim Dugger!  Glad to see you find our lil' corner of the web universe. 

And BTW, these folks have been known to do an Arkansas trip or two   

[Samsonite]

Arkansas....  that was an awesome trip

[petros2r]

Do you think that tire defect caused the crash?

[jdugger]

And BTW, these folks have been known to do an Arkansas trip or two   

Sweet... I do Arkansas at least 10 times a year.  Around here, there's really nothing else like it.  If y'all will have a Buell with you, I know my way around up there pretty well.