Advice after coming off?

Came off quite badly today, all limbs in tact fortunately but I am amazed at how well these bikes fall.

Hit a bend at pace, and just couldn't get her leant over enough and ultimately hit the curb and was catapulted over the barrier and down an incline.

Damage wise, chasis and sub frame still all good, and she still rides straight, amazing!!!

Going to need a new radiator, front brake lever, throttle mount, bar end, possibly right rear set although think its just the lugs that are beant and can be bent back. etc etc etc. All repairable.

Any advice on some must checks folks?

Glad to read that you were really unscathed (except maybe ego-bruised - ?). When I read the thread title, I was thinking my advice would be "Get back on ASAP and ride!". Best medicine if you are able, IMO.

But then, not what you're asking ...

A local independent shop manager here who had an SDR would say "Its like the the KTM guys designed the SuperDuke to be crash-tolerant". This makes sense for a company from which come the world's best dirt bikes.

I'm kinda conservative, so if you haven't already (chassis - ?), I usually check:

- All hoses and lines are secure and not leaking; fuel, brakes, water, clutch, etc. Make SURE nothing is leaking.

- Inspect electrical bits: particularly the battery, major connectors, or any wiring that was exposed to the to the crash, or from the crash (e.g. lower cowl torn off/damaged). Moto fires are NOT - repeat - NOT entertaining. Unless its an H-D or Buell ... but then really just pathetically regular.

- Tyres, tyres, tyres! Can't emphasize this enough - look closely, for cuts, sidewall damage, or FOD. Nothing worse than thinking everything is "fine", then to have the carcass come apart at speed all because of an overlooked cut in the tyre. Sometimes the tyre moves on the rim (which can be confirmed if they were properly installed in the first place), or weights are lost from a crash. Balance check can be worthwhile.

- I pull the forks to ensure they are are straight, and they are not at some cockeyed/odd angle in triple clamps.

- Is the swingarm straight and true - there are moto chassis specialists that can check this

- Head bearings not loose, or binding. On that note, check all moving parts on the chassis that they are moving freely (but not more sloppy/loose than they should be).

- I check to see that what wheels and rotors are true, wheels for dings/fractures - often these can be repaired.

- I check the torques on all critical fasteners: fork, frame, subframe, swingarm, axles, calipers, etc. Seems something unexpected always comes "loose" from a shunt.

OK - not the most complete list, but without some pictures of the carnage, these are the things I generally look at first. As one should look beyond the obvious and cosmetic, if you don't trust yourself or aren't able to do these things, take it to your favorite shop and have them go over it. Explaining to them what happened (describe the crash) can be helpful for them to determine what they should look at.

Hope you're back on the road ASAP!

I would also suggest reading twist of the wrist 2 and asses your riding as it sounds like you triggered your sr's stiffened up in the arms (can't steer then) and target fixated on where you didn't want to go (only ever look where you want to go).

Normally this is triggered by riding faster than you are confident with... Trust me, read the book and it will help you a loras a road rider

Thanks for such a cool reply.

The two boys i was out with were both on zeds and were adement i rode home on one of their bikes which i did. They recovered my bike for me and are top lads.

It just so happens, one of the fellas has all the kit and the knoweldge to resurect the beast. he is in the trade and can get KTM parts (beilieve or not at trade) so i am in good hands to get back to where i was.

ssssshhhhh!!! , when riding the Zed back home, i was like fook i love my bike, throttle response was poor, dead spot at 3krpm . I must say though handling a angle was awesome and easy to really tip.

Butterflies out soon.

thanks MrZ32

yeah, its my first road bike. coming from SA and purely moto-x/enduro I arrogantly reckon'ed I know what the score is.

I'm not totally blown however, i ride well and the crew i am with cant believe its my first road bike but i hear exactly what you are saying and once i knew things were going wrong that was it. Things could've gone so wrong today. I dont try and push what i think i am not capable of, but i think the issue i had today is that i was trying to keep up with some fellas that are cleary quicker than me instead are concentrating on my own limits.

Massive learning day for this fella!!

TotW2 - is worth reading, certainly, but I would start with this, given your description of where you were at:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/flash ... index.html

Always ride your own pace, never get sucked in over your head - but, you know that now.

Other good reads:

- Proficient Motorcycling

- Motrcycling Excellence

- Total Control

- and one of my favorites, recently authored by racer, instructor, school operator, and author of "The Pace": Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track

And nothing accelerates one's skills faster than track time and performance riding schools. Just sayin'

2 x trackdays - Nothing is better for improving road riding...(...and nothing is better )
2 x Target fixation...its the natural reaction...but if you force yourself to look where you want to go...like magic thats where you go....this works from turning around in the road to high speed cornering

I was surprised that you found the Zed more flickable....I would make sure all your settings are back to base and work from there as the SD should be far more flickable than the Zed's

Lastly....you are a lucky man....two great mates who knew how important it is to get back on ASAP

Reason why I say have a read is so that you can reflect on what you did wrong... Then work out a solution to avoid it in the future... If u don't there will always be that bit of doubt in your mind, which will make you a nervous rider (not smooth and flowing), it will also ruin the rides for you (if you can't enjoy it, it will no longer be you enjoyment or escape).

example; i struggle to enjoy riding of late due to the stupid police over here... Ruins the fun and makes it a chore. But I have a plan, get the rego of the undercover cars and make anonymous complaints to the police saying that that the vehicles were acting in a dangerous and erratic manner... But play dumb and don't acknowledge that these are undercover police.. You just think they are common hoons (which they are but they have a badge and so they get away with it).

I'm of track here... Just remember the old saying 'if u do the same thing over and over, don't suddenly expect a new favourable outcome'

Thanks for the responses.

I definately target fixated, and looking at the lines on the rode if i had the knowledge and experience there was plenty of time and angle to get her leant over.

The chap who rode my bike home works at the place where i recently got the MAXI diamonds fitted, when we arrived at my place he mentioned he understands why i fell off and that i was struggling, he mentioned the tyres give no feed back and they tip to easily, like falling off a cliff he said.

As previously mentioned, first road bike, so have no reference points to tyres etc.

All a learning curve and i am not dettered at all, its good I have some experienced guys i can ride with and listen to and drawer down on their experience.

That said, i have always been a bit of a hooligan, whether it be surfing monster waves in the pacific, skateboarding 14 feet vert or back country snowboading in avalanche territory. It all makes me feel alive.

Have already purchased some of those reads.

Happy days!

hey dude, glad to hear your ok. i had a very similar accident couple of month back and i found the best way to get over it is to jump straight back on and ride like you did before but look at what you did wrong/not so well on and learn from it.

hope you and the bike are well.