You mean the video of the Mini doing the stoppie? I've got that somewhere too.

Cars nowdays can stop almost as fast as motorcycles. I posted a thread about this a while back. I'll dig it up in a minute.

Stoppies are not only braking power but mass distribution and length of the wheelbase (which is essentially another weight distribution factor).

Quote from: davipuand whare's that vid?

it's pretty old...some dude riding (i think it was) a mini around a demo course doing all kinds of tricks. if anyone has seen this video and know where to find it, please let us know

Quote from: davipuand whare's that vid?

Quote from: JetSwingit's pretty old...some dude riding (i think it was) a mini around a demo course doing all kinds of tricks. if anyone has seen this video and know where to find it, please let us knowp

+1  

Quote from: AlphaFire X5Stoppies are not only braking power but mass distribution and length of the wheelbase (which is essentially another weight distribution factor).

alpha, please do not start another futile argument

http://xfer.gofastvideo.com/gallery/getitem/501/1/mini.wmv

There's the link.

And it's not futile! It's physics! Physics I say!

is that car wearing rollerblades?  

Thanks for all the advice. I got back home np with the help of the replies - they cheered me up some. I had all my gear on, helmet, jacket, gloves, jeans, solid shoes, though I didn't spill myself-just the bike. Did the safety course, guess I've still got to do some conserted practicing.

Alpha- your suggestion of doing some twisties to work on 'the look where you wanna go' seems like a good idea, I'll try that.

Riggsy- I've had some time to look at the bike and the damage seems mostly cosmetic, and riding seems fine 'sides the wonky handle bar -I'll keep an eye on my brake system for leaks the steering for any wobbling.

Thanks guys
Fin

Just be careful when you're in the twisties. Take it slow, because you don't need to be going super duper fast to work on target fixation. Go on a road you're comfortable with and take it at a comfortable speed.

unfortunately, practicing in a parking lot can only do so much... some stuff you can only learn through REAL experience and real seat time on real roads with everyday situation. Once you really know your bike the only other thing you need is good reflexes and jugement (and sometimes luck).

Personally from what you're explaining, my reaction would of been to brake. I might of done a decision on the fly weather or not to swerve, but usually if you're observative enough you know your surroundings and know the drivers around (IE are they putting on make up, reading a book or paying attention?).. alot of times instincts tells you alot... like the drivers you just know from looking at them that they are about to slam the brakes and cut into a street/driveway (like you see them brake and keeping on turning their heads looking for a house or something etc)... Paying attention is probably the most affective way of preventing an accident, it sounds so simple right? riiiiight... lol

thats why we have accidents, to remind us how little a loss of concentration it takes to go down.

For the bike, think positive... not a better way to get you to spend some extra time (and money ) with the bike. You'll know it better, and find out a few things about it. If your forks are bent, you'll see it. If your rotor is warped you'll definitely feel it. If your rim is bent, go fast, youll feel it too. Get some dirtbike bars, their neat, look great, and are tough as hell (you might have a hard time with the barends though). Get an engine emblem at your dealer, it will cover up that nasty scratch on the engine cover. If your stearing is a bit crooked, loosten up the pinch bolts on teh front and straighten it up.

Lesson learned, you got it out of the way... only thing left is to move forward and keep enjoying this passion (ADDICTION) we call motorcycling.