Death of a GS

[RedRick Esq.]

Not sure the line is correct, though it's very easy for us armchair video analysts to say that after the event. Given the way the bend deceptively tightens, as can be seem more clearly on the earlier photos, I think he would have needed to be staying to the left longer and turning in later, probably at somewhat lower speed, to make that bend. His closest point to the white line on the right, effectively the apex of his trajectory would have been OK if the curvature on the exit from the bend was pretty much the same as that on the entry, but it isn't, it tightens considerably. If the exit had been similar to the entry then the road would have headed off more or less through where the stripey pole is located - which not entirely coincidentally is about where the bike ended up.

It wasnt the perfect line but as i said decent enough, the bend was as near as damn it a constant radius bend not overly tight, i would call it a good corner, and going uphill which i prefer. The limit point is what it is and IMO shows the bend clearly at the moment of loss

Arial view of the corner

Air valve leak, puncture, tyres can deflate quickly...

Did he check them in the morning to confirm? If not I'd check the wreck and see what the rear tyre pressure was.

He usually does, this was about 5 hours into our day remember, we didn't check with a gauge whilst the bike was in the Armco but we did kick it and check for pressure

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Blimey, that was a nasty one. Just a question, did the rear tyre square off over the trip?

This was on day one of the trip and the Tyres PR4 wer a thousand miles or so old

I am getting hung up on this as he is my mate and it was a trip i had begged him to come on as the "Picos is brilliant" in a way i feel a bit responsible and i would like to know what actually caused the off other than pilot error which i just cant see !

Andy is a very good rider, better, than me in many respects as he isnt as reckless or gung ho or whatever you call it and he had the luxury of watching the lead rider and then me go into that bend and get round. Couple that with his ability and it remains a mystery to him and me

 

[fred_jb]

That is interesting - looks like the apex is a bit deceptive but not as bad as it looked on the photos.

One thing I have noticed is that at the previous left hander there seems to be something hanging down between the wheels - can be seen between 11 and 12 seconds in the full video or you can see it here: https://youtu.be/mqF81U9M-J4?t=11 Also seems to be slightly more to the right hand side of the bike, so maybe grounded on the right hander? Can't think what it could be though - any aftermarket headers or exhaust components on the bike?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

That is interesting - looks like the apex is a bit deceptive but not as bad as it looked on the photos.

One thing I have noticed is that at the previous left hander there seems to be something hanging down between the wheels - can be seen between 11 and 12 seconds in the full video or you can see it here: https://youtu.be/mqF81U9M-J4?t=11 Also seems to be slightly more to the right hand side of the bike, so maybe grounded on the right hander? Can't think what it could be though - any aftermarket headers or exhaust components on the bike?

We were discussing that very thing last night and have no clue !!

 

[johnnyboy]

I can understand your feelings of guilt but don't think there is any real reason for it (I'm sure your friend would agree).
The video does show him braking in the corner and I would guess it was the rear brake he applied (maybe excessively) which may have caused the accident.
I wouldn't get too hung up on it though; your mate is ok although his bike isn't, but it's only a lump metal. I'm sure that deep down he will have learnt something from it.


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[RedRick Esq.]

I can understand your feelings of guilt but don't think there is any real reason for it (I'm sure your friend would agree).
The video does show him braking in the corner and I would guess it was the rear brake he applied (maybe excessively) which may have caused the accident.
I wouldn't get too hung up on it though; your mate is ok although his bike isn't, but it's only a lump metal. I'm sure that deep down he will have learnt something from it.


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And again
There is no braking it is the LED flicker effect that you get when filming with Go Pro etc !

 

[andylel]

If the tyres were new ish had they been scrubbed in right to the edge? Could there have been a strip of un-scrubbed releasing agent on the tyre that contributed to this?

 

[Villanjc]

Shock failure/malfunction

Looks a straightforward corner, his speed was ok. Lean angle ok, I don't think he ground out. He would have know anyway, if he had.

Engine failure he would have known, so if the road, tyres, pressures etc.... was all ok......................

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Despite what you've said Rick I reckon he was close(ish) to the limit leant over on that big old bus. Ninety nine times out of a hundred no drama but................sometimes shit just happens and any small error leant over like that on a GS may just be enough to tip it over the edge (no pun intended)..................

You'll never have a definitive answer, you need to let it go.................

Andres

PS I still reckon Wapping had it sussed with his Fear & Loathing theory.

 

[Majesty]

You beat me to it re something hanging down below the bike at 12 seconds - did the centre stand look badly damaged/twisted ?

 

[tanneman]

Cold tyre. Even if you have been riding all day the outer edges if it doesn't get a work out it stays cold. Big bloke lean bike through corner, balance the throttle mid way through or adjust the speed with a dab of back brake and bam you ran out of grip. A classic would have been a front end fail but that was right on the edge and usually the front has more grip.

Nutty takes crap photos

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Despite what you've said Rick I reckon he was close(ish) to the limit leant over on that big old bus. Ninety nine times out of a hundred no drama but................sometimes shit just happens and any small error leant over like that on a GS may just be enough to tip it over the edge (no pun intended)..................

You'll never have a definitive answer, you need to let it go.................

Andres

PS I still reckon Wapping had it sussed with his Fear & Loathing theory.

You are right of course and......


That makes me happy !

 

[Blackal]

How far does the centre-stand have to be from the stowed position for the limit switch to cut the engine? I'm very conscious on the XR that I can feel the stand with my left heel on occasion.

Is it possible he has caught the centre-stand, chopped the engine, and broken the grip of the rear?

Al

 

[fred_jb]

We were discussing that very thing last night and have no clue !!

Exhaust looks fine on pictures of the underside of the wreck, as does what looks like the brake pedal, which if it had been dangling and dug in would surely have been bent.

 

[johnnyboy]

And again
There is no braking it is the LED flicker effect that you get when filming with Go Pro etc !

My apologies, I didn't see that written within the thread. Maybe it was the foo foo valve failing.

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[RedRick Esq.]

My apologies, I didn't see that written within the thread. Maybe it was the foo foo valve failing.

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Thats the fecker ! Now BMW should issue a recall on it

 

[WaterMonkey]

The bike sliding down the road wouldn't mangle the centre stand normally would it? Surely pegs, exhaust and engine casings would take the brunt? Maybe the thing hanging down was the centre stand due to a failed spring. I'm not sure there is a limit switch on the centre stand, just the side stand?

If the stand is mangled I'd say that was the issue.

 

[Max's dad]

Just a thought. That thing hanging down could probably be the fuel overflow pipes that dangle down. You can see them in the picture of the underside of the bike in the Armco.

Always seemed to me a bad place to have fuel leaking out just in from of the back wheel!

Had you guys just filled up? Combination of a brimmed tank right up to the neck and lean angles may have just sent some down the overflow. May result in a slight loss of grip but at a key moment mid corner and yer-off.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Just a thought. That thing hanging down could probably be the fuel overflow pipes that dangle down. You can see them in the picture of the underside of the bike in the Armco.

Always seemed to me a bad place to have fuel leaking out just in from of the back wheel!

Had you guys just filled up? Combination of a brimmed tank right up to the neck and lean angles may have just sent some down the overflow. May result in a slight loss of grip but at a key moment mid corner and yer-off.

It's a thought !

We had filled up about 20 miles or so earlier

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I'm starting to get hungry

Where the fuck are those sandwiches?