Rocket 3 crash at Bonneville Speed Week

[@flatcapcaferacer]

WARNING! A couple of naughty words uttered at the crash. Link to the first two completed runs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d53IlHavbcl0nNU

[@karengill8234]

So sorry things ended this way but you gave it your best shot and we all love you for that, thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks for understanding, I feel you owe to yourself to give it 100%.

[@mavericksgarage9360]

I loved the song.... 800lbs, 260 hp, limited practice runs.... Hell, I would have sent that m/fer too... Glad you are alright...

[@flatcapcaferacer]

You know how it is sometimes you have to push and send it. I just didn't get a good enough feel for it fast enough.

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

I was extremely doubtful of the bikes stability during the first run😮! I seriously believe that bike was not set up for that run. Most times it's the steering head bolt adjustment. Too loose, and high speed wobbles are possible. That combined with the wet salt, is a recipe for disaster. 😢 I can relate because I've been in a few cycle accidents, one was severe. I almost lost my brother when he went off road on a curve at 75mph. He is now a broken Man at age 65. Prior to the wreck, he ran circles around me, and he's 9yrs older😢 that was 4yrs ago... Stay Safe Ya'll!!!😎

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Sorry to hear about your brother, my older brother got me into motorcycles. Unfortunately all the delays left us with only two days and three runs to dial the beast in. The last minute removal of the front rotors and calipers with small front tire certainly contributed to the front weaving.

[@Banditmanuk]

Wow, looked painful. See the crash hasn't damaged your sense of humour with the Kelly's / Jerry's Heroes soundtrack. Hope the recovery is going well, looks like you've got some great family and friends looking out for you.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

😁😁 Yes I've got some good people looking after me.

[@Flummoxed-B4]

Ouch, i'll stick with my original comment of brave, and having now seen run three i think i'll add lucky too. Best wishes for a full recovery and I hope Mrs Flat Cap lets you get back on a bike one day, although I dont know if you should go anywhere near Bonneville again, i know they have run speed records there for ever but it dont look very smooth to me, well done on a great video, love the music choice ❤

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Right now I have weeks of physical therapy before riding again but I'll ride again. I'll have to think long and hard before doing land speed racing again and my wife will definitely have to buy off on it. Thanks for the support.

[@elpobrouse2277]

The dangers of a record hunt, I wish you all the best and speedy recovery. 🏍

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Strangely thiis was the only time that I had a chance for a record

[@doncollins786]

That surface was brutal! Looks super slick and hard.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

The bike handling was a bit off and that didn't help.

[@BikesILike]

Lol, love the song! 😂 Famous last words at the start there Jerry. Man I'm glad that didn't happen at 164 mph and you're well enough to make light of the situation. That surface looks so sketchy, I can easily see why you went down. Speedy recovery bud!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I felt the song went well with the video. The first two runs could have well gone south a couple of times. There is always a balance between speed and risk, my intention was stay within those boundaries in the third run too. Unfortunately I apparently crossed that line.

[@rogerinwales]

That was painful to watch, hope you're recovering well. I suppose the only saving grace was that you weren't going at top speed when it happened!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Yes but it helps me to start to put it behind me and yes it could have been at 180 mph.

[@Saddlebags73]

Yikes! That was horrible to watch. So glad you’re ok and to see you still have a sense of humour. Shoulda listened to your friends 🤣

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Yes in retro spec but we all have follow our own path.😉

[@Saddlebags73]

We do indeed 🙂

[@dcwebb1]

So sorry to hear and see of your mishap. The flats did look a bit sketchy but sure appreciate the effort! Looks like your on the road to a good recovery! Get well soon, take care, and love the channel.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks, I'll need a bit of time but I should return fit.👍

[@davidreed6817]

Ouch!!! That hurt, very best wishes on a speedy recovery

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks David 👍

[@exeterrider]

Never nice seeing people come off.... However your a trooper and I'm glad your OK as far as it goes. Get well soon, your in our thoughts 👍🍻🍻

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks.... it is just part of participating in such events. It is true what they say "if you want to run with big dogs you have to pee on the big trees"😆😆 It is an American thing.

[@exeterrider]

@@flatcapcaferacer 😂👍🍻

[@wsmv]

Man I hope you recover soon, you expect the run to be on a perfect surface but that camera shows how loose and rough it is. You have more guts and cojones in that 10 second run than I've had my whole life 🤜🤛 Get well soon buddy, and looking forward to you making a full recovery and more videos ❤👍

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I took your sticker for a ride😄😄 The video on the first two runs shows a bit more of the course.

[@fazerstorm-oap]

Take your time recovering, but do come back with more adventures! 😇

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I'll do that Chris.

[@DrDuley]

And I'll help with both.

[@RPO767]

Wow. Quite a crash. It looked like the bike did 3, maybe 4 rolls. You probably did several too. Very good that you were not going even faster. Get well my friend.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks Roy, I'm super happy the Rocket 3 did not bounce up and then slam down on me. Actually I think I kicked it last as we both settled down on the salt.

[@Motoramblings]

Too bad that run went bad for ya, but I’m glad you’re ok, and happy to hear you will still be creating videos…..

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Yes sir, my wife just bought me a new helmet and a nephew bought me a new camera. I just need to get my left arm going again.

[@Motoramblings]

@@flatcapcaferacer time is the best healer… I broke my back some time ago, longest 6 months waiting to heal, but oh so good to get back on the bike!! (Injury was not motorcycle related)

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@Motoramblings Thanks for the encouragement 👍

[@MRR-qv3bw]

I could hear the back tire slip and it sounded like you let off throttle a little bit too hook back up but you were already in the start of a tank slapper! The surface looked super soft compared to other years which doesn't help anyone out on two wheels. I hope the only damage was some rash to the bike and not on you! Hope to see you again next year!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I'm taking a closer look at the crash in the next video .

[@robpreston8982]

Wish you a speedy recovery.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks I just finished my 2nd round of exercises today, just one more left today.😁

[@M5F1R3]

Well I can say one thing, I'm really glad it happened then instead of at 164 mph. May your recovery be just as fast as you! -RC

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I have had similar thoughts. I expect it will take a week to recover for each second of that short ride.

[@AGRIV8TD1963]

You are a Badazz!!!😂

[@flatcapcaferacer]

😆😆

[@DrDuley]

Best wishes on a record recovery and back in the saddle soon.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks for checking on me Mr. Bill.

[@marklengal9990]

We are just glad you made it back to tell us all about

[@flatcapcaferacer]

You know old guys are hard to knock off.😄

[@NooBiker]

Get well soon, Jerry 💪

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Will do my friend ,,👍👍

[@MotorcyclesandArt]

Damn man! Stoked you survived. See you next year maybe!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I was bummed you didn't get to give it ago....again. My understanding that the World Finals was canceled too. I'd like to go back again, I had 46 out of 47 runs without crashing but right now I don't know what I got to run. I think my left arm and hand will be good to in a couple months. You deserve some great salt after all the hard work and engineering you put in.

[@gullyfoyle-uf6fr]

Godspeed to a full recovery!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks my wife is a drill sergeant when comes to recovering.

[@steelone4285]

Hated to see you crash, but I'm glad you are ok. I'd like to see what she can do on a good surface, with traction.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I expect with everything sorted on smooth concrete and a couple of miles the bike would make 200 mph trap speed.

[@steelone4285]

@@flatcapcaferacer That would be right at 7500 rpm in 5th. I think she'd hit that in less than a half mile.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

​@@steelone4285 I expect on pavement where you could eliminate the wheel spin and weaving the distance to 7500 rpm would be considerably less than the distance on the salt. Remember at Bonneville the speed is average over a mile not the highest speed obtained.

[@steelone4285]

@@flatcapcaferacer I'd never be comfortable at those speeds on the salt. That surface is sketchy. I also forgot your max RPM is 7500. My map goes to 9K, with max HP at 7849, with rear wheel speed at 209 mph, but that's on a dyno. Don't know if the aerodynamics of my Rocket would allow that.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@steelone4285 I think Rob (the owner & builder) told me we could go up to 8100 rpm. My intention on the 3rd run was all shifts between 7000 and 7800 rpms, but making the shifts slowly with minimum throttle inputs. I think my shift from first to 2nd was on schedule about 7600 rpms. I was using less than 35% throttle (data log) after shifting into 2nd so just easing into it. I think if I would have made the shift from 1st to 2nd at 5000 rpms and not hit a divot we probably would have been alright. However, we were expecting a better grip not worse on Wednesday and we wanted to get a better speed.

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh dude, that really sucks... heal fast

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I think if I would have had HippoDrones sticker on the tank I might have made it😂😂

[@HippoDrones]

Haha... or it would have caused twice the oscillation! 😀@@flatcapcaferacer

[@jasonmelo9379]

How did you get a tank slaper? I thought this bike had a steering damper

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Correct we had a steering damper and pretty tight too . I talked about what I thought happened in a video following this one.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

I never saw a notification for this but was wondering how you were doing this morning and found this video. So, you ok?

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Roger I'm slowly or very slowly coming around.

[@bikerbaz60]

Not a nice watch at all, get well soon look forward to more videos when your fit and well, take care.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Sorry there was no intention to upset folks. Making this video gave something to do and a little closure.

[@mreckes9967]

There is no such thing as "only 75mph" when you come off a motorcycle.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

😄😄😄 Apparently the folks at the medical center were more accustomed to riders crashing at higher speeds. I mentioned to one of them they should try jumping out of their car at 75 mph, they laughed and dropped the conversation.

[@mreckes9967]

My 2 worst road accidents, injury wise, were well under 75mph@@flatcapcaferacer

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@mreckes9967 My worst one was about 30 mph when I hit had a head on with a semi.

[@mreckes9967]

I figure we are both old enough to know better but still young enough not to care. Must be a great adventure out there on the salt, and at least if/when you come off there is nothing coming the other way or to hit.@@flatcapcaferacer

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@mreckes9967 There are only markers every quarter mile but timing devices every mile so not much to hit. The biggest danger during the crash is of course the motorcycle landing on you. Although in 2016 I came within six inches of hitting a mile marker and timing devices at over 190 mph...see link. Your right we have to be what we are. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5u5dodpj7SViJY

[@snochicka]

😱😱😱😱

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Kinda like one of pulling out of gas station crashes. 😁😁

[@SuperTrucker619]

The only thing you did wrong was... falling off the bike.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

😅😅😅 I like to go on record that I didn't fall off the bike it ejected me off for being an idiot. 😄😄