Harley rider sends it on track, then crashes

It was all going so well...

HARLEY-DAVIDSONS are the marmite of motorcycles. You either love them or hate them - there's no middle ground. 

But credit where credit's due, this Harley rider is absolutely smashing it in this clip, shot at California's Thuderhill Raceway last month. 

Overtaking sportsbikes and dragging his knee, the rider, named Zack, is in a league of his own. 

That is until a gasket in the oil cooler adapter failed, sending the motorcycle careering from the track in a cloud of smoke. 

After skidding onto the adjacent shrubland, Zack rolls to his feet, thankfully unharmed.