Cobie Fair

OK, here's the question: What's the best handling bike you have ever ridden (we'll stick to road bikes for this), and then why? I'm interested to see what you come up with. Cobie

OK, here's the question: What's the best handling bike you have ever ridden (we'll stick to road bikes for this), and then why? I'm interested to see what you come up with. Cobie

Well, I'm going to have to look at this over the weekend, do a little studying I think. Some of the points I will comment on: regarding riding and hanging off---it's a skill and has uses, but I would not rank it above the other skills taught say in level 1. I have seen riders go very, very fast w/out hanging off. Ultimately one is going to be able to go faster (as the bike would be leaned over less) by a well-executed hang off. Sometimes hard to convince guys, but get the basics into play first, then add the fancy stuff. On that note, when done, many also hang off too far. Rossi doesn't. Cobie

Riding Coach Search: We are looking for riding coaches. If you are interested in trying out to be a riding coach, here is the process: 1. Read the description below the dotted line of what we are looking for. 2. A very good riding skill level is required from our coaches. Some have met the other requirements, but had to work on their riding skill, and eventually became coaches. While riding skill is important, as or more important is ability to learn, ability to communicate and get along well with a wide variety of people, can endure hard conditions (school days are long!), and can attend enough school days in a year. 3. Please review the description and application carefully. This will ensure you won?t be wasting both of our time with questions that are already answered. 4. If you fit the description, or think you could meet the requirements soon, fill out the application that is attached and send it to me. In truth, I?d rather have you try out and let us decide if you meet the requirements, than not have you try out at all! Best, Cobie Fair Chief Riding Coach Cobie@superbikeschool.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The California Superbike School is conducting a search for riding coaches. If you can answer yes to all of the questions below then you may be just what we need. 1. Have you already taken the Superbike School (since 1995, preferably Level 1 and 2)? 2. Have you roadraced? 3. Are you already pretty fast? (don't have to be a track record holder, but can't be slow). 4. Are you friendly and personable--enjoy talking with people? 5. Do you learn new things fairly quickly? 6. Can you devote minimum 10-15 school days per year (not including travel time)? 7. Are you willing to do difficult homework, and have every aspect of your training skills scrutinized? 8. Have you read the Twist of the Wrist books? 9. Would you enjoy helping people learn how to ride better? I?m looking for people interested in becoming riding coaches here at the number one riding school in the world. We are very selective and everything you say or do in the application process counts. I?m not interested in squids, dopers or short term relationships. I am looking for enthusiastic individuals that want to learn how to become a great coaches. If you think you have the right stuff, fill out an application! Best, Cobie Fair Chief Riding Coach Application__nov_22__07.rtf

Will, What do you recommend on break in? (might as well get it out here). Follow the factory recommendations? CF

Hair Bear, I was having a look, not sure if you got an answer to this. Best thing would be to contact our UK branch guys directly (if you haven't already done so). They'll have the data on what they have done. Some bikes need the back end up (like most of the Kawasaki's. johnhy@superbikeschool.co.uk should get you the UK chief instructor Johnny. I'm not at my computer now, but if you don't get an answer, shoot me an e-mail, and I'll get you the address for sure for the UK guys. Best, Cobie cobie@superbikeschool.com

Greg, Our cheif mechanic would be a great source on this, and there are some different thoughts on this--like are you breaking the bike in to race, or get the most mileage out of the engine, but here is some data: We try and follow the recommendations, at least for the first 500 miles, but don't always get the opportunity. If you get get 500 miles on the engine before taking it over 5k that's good. I know we don't start with synthetic, but not exactly sure where we switch over. Those first oil changes are critical too, make sure you do them. If you don't get an answer soon, e-mail our chief mechanic at: mechanic@superbikeschool.com Best, CF

I'd agree if you are not a full on gear head--spend the money on riding, and not on the bike. But it would depend on what you are going to do with it--race and track, or commuter, or simply weekend cornering bike? A lot of the modern 600's aren't that great in my opinion for all around riding, and pretty much suck riding 2 up. The SV-650 has been a fun option for a lot of guys, and now Kawi has a bike to go against it--that looks pretty interesting to me.

Bill, If you didn't already get some data on this...here's a short reply. We use the infield circuit (inside the stadium). Quite good for the schools that we run there, the 2-day camp. You get a lot of laps, and there is not much of a chance to rest, with just the one straightaway. Good for cornering junkies. Flat track (no elelvation changes), and the track is in pretty good condition. CF

Yeah, didn't work on the schedule this year. It's a real juggling act to get the whole year together and have it make sense.

The article says it will be done by the GP, so I wonder?

Interesting thread. Let me toss out one question to you guys to see if you have this clearly sorted out: if traveling in a straight line, with constant throttle, what is the weight bias? Then, what happens to the speed when you lean into a turn (and the weight bias)?

If you have any questions on the books, or the other Keith Code training material, call any time--if I'm in the office, I'll talk to you, no problem. Best, CF ps--there are audio CD's, an interactive CD, and DVD of the first book (plus the 3 books of course).

Will, Keith for sure said it: an outstanding job, no doubt about it. Best, Cobie

If the rear wheel is in the air, or has so little weight on it, what's really doing? A few years ago there was a great picture in CYCLE NEWS: I don't recall the exact 2 riders, but I recall one world champ (maybe KR JR) passing another top rider. The rider being passed had his rear wheel in the air (about 1-2 inches), the rider passing it had it about 3 inches. If it's not on the ground, it's not doing much, is it? Cobie

Bigheadj, There are some real differences in turning dirtbikes (weigh a lot less, go a lot slower in most instances), and turning a sportbike. Aside from the speed, just the leverage on the handlebars is vastly different. What part of the country are you in? Best, Cobie

Garry, Cool, glad you are going to do all 3 days! Last time we talked it was just the 2 I belive. See you there. Best, CF

That has happend very, very rarely in the past 24 years, only a couple of times I can recall--basically, with the passing rule we have (no closer than 6 feet, rider in front has the right of way), guys are pretty polite. Most guys get in to trouble by themselves--run off track, enter the turn too fast, etc. One guy taking another out has been so rare as to not be a concern, but to answer your question, on those rare occasions, the rider at fault is supposed to pay if they damage another's bike, and they usually do. We of course would not charge you if it wasn't your doing. Best, Cobie

Working on the schedule now, but as the webmaster said, November is about right, might be 1st or 2nd week. Best, CF

John, I forgot to add where to get the tires: if a student of ours, you are eligible to get Dunlops from us, we usually have some at excellent prices. If at the track you can sometimes get them at the track, depends on who is there and if the event is being serviced by a track rep (like the Dunlop guys, they get to some track days in addition to the races). Depending on what part of the country you are in, it will be either the guys at Race Tire Services, or Sport tire Services (they each have part of the country, west of Missippi and east of it. Sport Tire Service (West half) (800) 776-8473 Race Tire Services: (800) 772-8473 Best, Cobie

John, You got some good suggestions from the boys (Kevin and fastfreddie), Sharkskinz is the brand, they make pretty good stuff. Tires wise, pretty much everyone makes a decent tire. We've been using Dunlop (sponsored), so you'll get biased answer from me! Actually, they do make a great track tire (208gp). If doing just track days, you shouldn't have to do much to the bike, but pulling off all the street stuff is wise, in case you do tip over, and with the Sharkskinz on there that will keep the costs down. That being said, a lot guys just tape up their lights, don't get too excited (meaning riding over their skill level) and have a great time. Many just start at our school and use our bikes, so there is no worry at all on the bike side of things. Have fun at the track! Best, Cobie

John, The fit on the tank, where your inner leg would rest. The main thing to know when putting them on is to make sure you clean the tank (like with contact cleaner), and then put on one row at a time, getting all the air out. This stuff is great. Once you use it, you never want to go back if you track ride and hang off! Best, Cobie

Whoohoo Andy! Best, Cobie

Next Brazil school, could be as early as September, won't be at Rio, will be at another track further south, Curitiba (not sure if that's the correct spelling). They are for sure working gung ho to get school started down there. Now Andy's summary was very nice, but a few things that didn't end up in there. One was "how many caparineas does it take to make Andy truly jovial?" Caparinea is the Brazilian version of a margarita, and it's really good. Whatever the number, we achieved it. Or the fact that James (and the rest of us) needed chiropractic adjustments from strained necks. It was an excellent trip, though the plane ride back seemed to take forever. Best, CF

Dear Corvette, We've kept away from doing this (having students use their own bikes), and there are a few reasons 1. With virtually any mechanical problem you'd be out of luck (minor reason). 2. You will be switching repeatedly back on forth on the camera bike (a 636) and then getting your riding reviewed by a senior instructor, and many complain about having to get used to riding a different bike, rather than just working on their riding. 3. You will also be riding the lean and slide bike, and those are ZX-6R's too, and likely the NO BS bike. 4. Our bikes have been set up and maintained by a truly top mechanic, and if anything does go wrong, we have spares of everything that could be needed. Many are amazed after riding our bikes and then go back to their own bike having experienced what a correctly set up bike is like. The big reason is--from the standpoint of the training, when all are using the same bike, the same tires, then as many variables are out of the equation as possible, and the student can just concentrate on his riding. It's almost like being a factory rider--you don't have to put gas in the thing or fuel it! This is really the major reason--quality of training. It has worked well for many years, so we like to keep something in place when we get excellent results. Now, all that being said, if you brought your bike, you might be able to ride it a session or maybe even 2 at the end of the day. But, it's also going to throw off your lap times, which you will get for the whole day at the end. Best, Cobie Fair Chief Instructor