Wanted a change. Bought a KTM Superduke. Then crashed it...

750hp · #1 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 12:31 AM

I've had the bike for a few months now, and everything that people said about it's sweet little 1000cc V-twin motor, slick gearbox and top shelf suspension and chassis design was spot-on. I have put a few thousand k's on the bike, and love it more and more each time.

After a 200km ride through some beautiful mountains that included super-slow hairpins and wide open straights, rainforest and farmland, I was feeling like the bike and me were really working well together. I had been following a 748SPS Ducati for the 30ks beforehand, then it happened...

Coming out of a corner pretty low in the revs in 3rd, I saw the road opened into a nice downhill straight so I rolled on the throttle then shifted into 4th. A second later, there was a noise that sounded like the chain had snapped, and was flapping around and banging on anything it could reach. As quickly as I could, I grabbed for the clutch lever just as the rear tyre locked up. In the blink of an eye, the back had stepped out past the point of no return, and I exited stage left. The bike ended up probably 50 metres down the road in a puddle of coolant due to the punctured radiator. I started off by sliding backwards and chest down. While feeling the skin coming off my knees ( and wondering why I STILL hadn't made time to get to the bike shop and buy some leather pants), I tried to get onto my back and let the leather jacket take the brunt of the damage. Nice in theory, but trying to turn over just started off a chain of tumbling cartwheels with arms and legs flailing around like a rag doll.

Anyway, WTF happened?????? The chain is still on the bike in one piece. The engine still cranks over. The clutch lever is still attached. The gear lever was broken, so the bike is stuck in 4th gear, but pulling in the clutch lever allows the bike to be moved around. Did the gearbox seize up? It's the only reason I can think of for the rear tyre to lock solid and leave a 7 or 8 metre long skid mark down the road... What if it's not the gearbox?

I had someone following behind me, and he was dumbfounded as to what happened. No brake lights, no indication of a problem. One minute I'm upright, then a split second later he's deciding whether to aim for the tumbling rider, or the spinning Superduke...

PCC · #2 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 01:12 AM

What the hell

And after seeing Scotty fly off in his Nosmobile the previous day - I thought you were all invincible.

I remember one of my questions on Saturday was have you come off yet - I suppose that is now a definite yes

Main priority is that you are okay and it seems you are one lucky person!!!!

I'm sure you will find out what the problem was (there definitely looks like some sort of seisure as the tyre seems to have hopped before the tread ran out).

Hope you are back to A1 shape before you know it

Pete & Jackie

Gav · #3 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 01:30 AM

What was it that we, four wheelers call bike riders?

Mobile organ donors maybe?

No matter how good a rider you are, the bitumen is not forgiving. I've still got scars from dirt bikes when I was a kid.

Hope you are OK.

Gav

demicobra · #4 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 03:07 AM

Hey Craig,

I had a good chat with you at the Oz Venom`s
show & shine at Clevelend & watched you take
off on that rocket of yours.

Don`t worry about the bike mate, it can ge fixed.

The main thing is that your OK.

Maybe you should get your butt back in the Cobra.

All the best.

Regards

Nick

Plums · #5 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 03:21 AM

Did the engine stall as soon as the wheel locked??? (Or perhaps you were too busy to notice...)

I have heard of a stray fan belt (laying on the road) being flicked up and locking a wheel....

Cracker · #6 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 03:33 AM

I'm glad your writing about the episode rather than being written about (obit.). I agree with the theory that you picked something up off the road and therefore it wouldn't have mattered if you had the clutch in or not.

Not two months ago less than a mile from my house a Honda VFR heading home on a Friday afternoon lost it in a turn, all by himself, and died on the spot. The bummer is I passed the guy going the opposite direction less than one minute before the crash. Bikes are great and I've had several but with children and wife - I leave that kind of thrill to those who are bit more carefree than I.

Be careful and whatever you do make sure your bike is 100% mechanically correct. Glad your still with us!

SACoupe · #7 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 03:57 AM

I had something similar happen to me on my Honda a few years ago.............turned out the rear caliper was heating up and locking the rear wheel.................

NASSTY · #8 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 04:32 AM

Craig,
Good to know you can still type!
Bad luck mate

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 08:36 AM

750hp, good on you for surviving! Ouch, that nasty road rash will be with you for awhile. I have three bikes and ride my 650 everyday (literally, even in the winter if you can call it that in Hawaii).

Recently the President was here for a visit. He was traveling across Hickham Air Force base to a breakfast meeting with the troops, escorted by motorcycles in the front of the convoy. One officer went down, suspected light rain, slick spot, etc. Two other officers went down trying to avoid the first. Bodies and bikes were literally flying, the President witnessed the carnage. I can't imagine they were going 'that fast', being on base and all that...

The first officer down somehow cut an artery in his leg, which led to an amputation later, and a call for a blood drive locally. Massive blood loss and internal injuries. He died yesterday, five days after crashing. I am still in shock. A simple ride, a safe place to ride, HOW could this happen???? Disturbing to say the least...

My mantra is: Dress for the CRASH, not the ride. I know I take a risk everyday, but ride, I must!

OZVENOM · #10 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 02:26 PM

Hi Craig glad your ok shame about the bike .
I have had the same experiance but at 50 kph . nothing worse than getting tossed of your bike and its not your fault.

NOTFUN.

good old macuachrome is best for the gravelrash i have plenty of scars to prove it.

Get well my friend.
OZ.

Dennis Kelley · #11 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 06:29 PM

I'm not a motorcycle mechanic but I've rode and wrecked a lot of motorcycles. Maybe something got between your rear caliper and rotor (rock?) You may have a damaged clutch basket or shift fork. Is the Bike under warranty? I once had a two stroke street bike seize a piston at 110 mph, what a slide. I love bikes but they are dangerous without the right protective gear. My 70 year old uncle just survived a crash that threw him into the car in front of him. I believe in helmets and leather.

later

dennis

750hp · #12 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 08:11 PM

Some random thoughts from your replies:
The bike is (was) basically brand new. It's done under 3000ks since new.
Looked at the rear sprocket and rotor, and they didn't have grooves.

I bet that took a lot of strength for some of you to not say "I told you so"....

Pete - I was having a good talk to Jackie about the dangers of riding, and the friend that I lost recently from a bike crash. Showed how quickly things can change.
Ernie and Cracker - Jeez! I have heard so many similar stories of people coming off at relatively slow speeds, sustaining serious injuries or worse. Sliding and bouncing down the road in my jeans for probably 15 or 20 metres (or more) could have really ruined my day.
Nick - Ahh, so you're ClubCobra Nick! Yeah - the Cobra at least has a rollcage and race seats.

What I really have to do is find out how the insurance company can assure me that the cause of the accident has been rectified. I think I might take a couple of days to hang around the repairer's shop to make sure the gearbox comes out, and is stripped down in front of me. No point in having it all happen another 2000ks down the track.

Pending the outcome of the investigations, do you reckon the insurance company is going to have a fight with KTM, or do I need to do it myself?

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 11-27-2006, 08:37 PM

Thats a good and deadly serious question 750. I would be concerned they may never nail down what happened. If thats the case you wanna ride THAT bike again? Ewwwww, I shudder at the thought.

Bill Cosby said in his famous "200 mph" comedy routine (paraphrased): "Cobra seat belts are there so they don't have to look for the body."

750hp · #14 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 11:58 PM

It looks like I might not ever get to find out what the problem was. The shop called today to say that the chassis rail has been tweeked a bit. 90% chance that it'll be written off without them even putting a spanner on it....

Beejay · #15 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 12:56 AM

Anyone know where I can get a copy of that Bill Cosby stuff?

Ben

PCC · #16 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 06:15 PM

So what is the likely decision to be Craig???

Replacement bike, different bike, no bike?

750hp · #17 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 02:12 PM

The '07 model is coming out in Feb.
Bigger fuel tank, improved economy, better suspension geometry......

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