Tom plays "Shuffleboard" with his Motorcycle

On Sunday, March 3, 2000; my good friend Tom came to visit on his "new" CBR600 Honda Superbike.  Upon entering my driverway, and seeing my son and I polishing my "vintage" Corvette; well, Tom just could not miss this opportunity to demonstrate the superior handling characteristics of a Honda F1.  They were a few problems, however,  seems that something went terribly wrong and instead of a "stoppie" we watched the beautiful Honda do a 70 foot slide down my driveway right into my Vette.

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Now, its not what you think!  It might look bad but you have to realize that the goal here was to hit 40 mph down Ken's driveway and scare the hell out of me and my son working on the car. Oh, the bike got up to speed alright..  The problem arrived when he hit the brakes (by the telephone pole on the right) and the bike slammed onto its side.  My friend Tom (the man accepting "credits") did a face plant onto the grass.  But the  bike came down the driveway like he had been playing shuffleboard with it and he had been aiming for "King Korvette".

Now, this picture I really like. A telltale FRONT WHEEL skid mark that says it all.  Get an idea for how long the bike slid on its side to get to my car? (as I stood next to the passenger side door working on the car).  I could not believe what I was seeing for a moment.

Another great shot.  This time I focused in on the parts the bike was puking as it slid for its "target"!  I. really like the small specs of broken plastic.

So, here is a closeup of the "pilot" immediately after his crash landing.   Helmet scratched to hell, faceshield all scraped.  His hands are all bloodied under the gloves.  But notice my son in the picture ?   He couldn't stop laughing.  While I'm busy snapping pictures of this "Kodak moment". 

My son still laughing....while he holds the bike for the "pilot" to survey the damage.  Oooohhh,,  nice frame scratches Tom, pipe scratches, and handlebar exposed (because the whole left side of the fairing tore off).   I particularly like where the asphalt ground  a whole right thru the plastic near the footpeg.  Gee,, maybe I should have had my driveway "sealed" for him.

Well,, that's it for Tom's demonstration on how to ride a "performance" motorcycle safely.  Actually, he was attempting to do a "stoppie" (which is standing the motorcycle on its front wheel and riding it like that for a while).  Only one problem:  IT WAS COLD out.  TIRES DON'T LIKE COLD.  After sliding 70 feet the motorcycle stopped 2 feet short of the car.  Tom was basically ok too.  The bike, well, it kind of looks like crap now.

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3/20/00 UPDATE:  Tom gets new bike!  a "2000" YZ426.   Awesome bike.  Its still brand new and Tom let's "me" ride it.   And guess what "Mr. Website" does while the bike is 5 minutes old.   Yup, you guessed it.  I dropped it! Scratched the front fender, swingarm decals and a little bit of the radiator shroud.   Guess it happens to the best of us.  Funny thing though.... almost the same spot!  Must be some sort of "Bermuda bike triangle".  Probably between my mailbox, the Vette parking spot and the doghouse. 

10/15/00 Update:   Tom's bike (the 426) gets stolen.  Oh, well, it was too heavy anyway!

12/17/00 Update:  Tom leaves motocross and streetbikes behind him now.  Time to get away from "high risk" sports and move on to more mainstream activities!

Later....