[Stick With The Same Or Try Something New?]

The only thing I can think of that might deter you from doing a new track is that you would have to spend a little bit of your attention learning the track in the first few sessions. I don't think that would detract too much though and Laguna is pretty darn cool

[Newbie]

I don't think it will be a problem. It will be different for you, riding a smaller bike for the first time, but the stuff you learn works very well on any bike.

[Laguna Seca Repaving]

Not that I know of? I assume they will be done by then or they would not have rented the track.

[Rule #1]

Racer, you have a very good point in that you have to think in terms of acceleration, deceleration or constant speed rather then throttle position when it comes to throttle control. I agree with you and thanks for putting it in such easy to understand terms. I definitely think in those terms when it comes to throttle control, but I seldom verbalize it that way.

[Yet More Questions Regarding Class Choices.....]

Are there affordable hotels near the site, or even a place to camp?

 

Obviously there are plenty of hotel options in Vegas and there are a few hotels near each of the tracks in CA as well. I?m sure there are camp sites around the tracks as well.

 

From the forum I've gathered that the camp requires bike rental and provides breakfast and lunch.  Does it include anything else?

 

Snacks are provided at the two day camp as well. Drinks are provided at all schools.

 

Thus we need to provide food for the day classes and have the choice of using our own bike?

 

At the single day schools you can pre-purchase lunch or bring yuour own. Yes you can use your own bike at a single day school and doing so is less expensive.

 

What are the req's for prepping your own bike and it's just as likely that I would ride to where ever, the tires wouldn't be fresh. 

 

You don?t really need to do anything to your bike before the school except make sure it has good tires (90% tread) and is not leaking anything. However, I would recommend you check the chain tension and go over the bike real well to make sure there are no mechanical issues. When you get to the school we will tape the mirrors and light and set you tire pressure for you as well as go over the bike.

 

 

Or I suppose flying in is an option?  Where would I be flying into for CA classes?

 

LAX,Burbank, San Jose or Oakland depending on which track.

 

And which tracks are limited as to which bikes can be used? 

 

You can use any bike on any track, Laguna does have a noise restriction.

 

Given the choice which tracks provide the best learning experiance?

 

They are all pretty darn good.

 

Also how much free time do we have to kill if were not totally worn out in the evening?

 

The school is done by 5:00pm.

[2 Day Camp Or 4 Days Training]

The Superbike school has 4 levels and they each take one day to complete regardless of whether you do a single day school or a two day camp.

 

At a single day school you would complete one level each day.

 

At a two day camp you would complete two levels in two days.

 

There are many differences between the single day schools and a two day camp. These differences are outlined on the school?s web site and there have been a couple threads on this forum as well, here?s a link to one thread that goes over the differences?.

 

http://www.superbikeschool.com/bbs/index.p...ct=ST&f=7&t=287

[Rolling On The Gas]

But for long bends, once the roll on has commenced and we are at the desired speed and lean angle for that corner, the throttle must be maintained at the same RPM until you are at the point where you can build speed without compromising your line.

In a really long corner you might hit the limit of traction and have to stop rolling on, yes. However, it would have to be REALLY long and those types of corners are pretty rare, unless you ride freway on ramps and round abouts

[Hook Turn]

Whooooaa, won't be trying that technique in a hurry, think it's best I wait to be taught it.

 

I think that is probably wise, and I doubt you will find anyone willing to teach it.

[Level 1 @firebird]

SCHWEEEEEETTT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Level 1 At Phillip Island]

Thanks for posting your report and I'm glad you had a good time!

[Dirt Riding]

I ride MX all the time and I think it helps you get a better feel for traction. If you can get comfortable sliding around in the dirt it kind of trains your reactions for when that happens on the street.

 

The down side of riding in the dirt is you have to ride a dirt bike different from what you do on a street bike. You have to be able to ride one way on a dirt bike and another on a street bike. Sometimes you can develop habits on a dirt bike that won?t help you on the road. It?s important to be able to identify the things that are different.

[Rolling On The Gas]

A non-technical answer would be: brake till your apex,and accelerate all the way after apex. Now I do not mean to say that that is easy to do, but that is the right thing to do if you can.

 

Ah, I think you might find a few people (myself included) that would strongly disagree with that statement.

[Rolling On The Gas]

Trying to analyze the physics of riding is interesting. The problem is it is often difficult to apply physics to the track while riding.

 

 

The simple answer to the question posted above...

 

You don't want to be in the gas when you turn the bike because being in the gas makes the bike more stable and harder to turn.

 

When you turn you are intentionally de-stabilizing the bike to lean it over. Once this part of the turn is done you get back on the gas ASAP to stabilize the bike on the line you have chosen.

[Spinning Up The Rear]

O.K....now you have me thinking...just exactly how do you pick the bike up, while in a slide..? I could do that on a dirt tracker, but never tried it on asphault...do you use your knee..?

Come to the school and do level two and we will teach you

 

Basically it's just counter steering the bike up a little sooner, but instead of allowing your body to go up with the bike, you kind of hang off more and let the bike come up under you.

[Spinning Up The Rear]

Trying to weight the outside peg is not the solution to a spinning rear tire IMHO. Proper use of the throttle is or better yet picking the bike up into the slide.

[Miller Motorsports Park - Utah]

I wish I knew Kevin Keep an eye on the web-site.

[Etechphoto]

I spoke with the guys at ETech and they were having some problems with their website. They are working to resolve the issues and should have the site straitened out soon. In the mean time it's prbably best to just give them a call.

[Miller Motorsports Park - Utah]

I'd say there is a very good chance we will be there next year.

[Level 1 At Phillip Island]

Your going to have a great time! The Island is one of my favorite tracks My avatar pic is me comming out of Sybiria durring a track day I did there last year:)

[Watching Yourself As You Ride]

I agree this seems like an extension of visualization, which has helped me out in a big way. The night before a race I do tons of perfect laps in my head and then try to come close to that the next day on the track. If I could only ride as well as I do in my head

[Rider Induced Front Slip?]

Sounds like when you try to quick turn the bike there is a little residual pressure on the bars just when you are done turning. What I mean is, many times when riders turn the bike quickly they are a little afraid of it turning too much. So right when your done turning you kind of tense up on the bars a little to stop the bike from leaning over. Most times it's just for a millisecond and then the moment you relax things feel ok. We see this a lot when guys are doing the steering drill.

 

When you steer a bike you put pressure on the bar to get the bike to lean. The longer you hold this pressure the further over the bike will lean. When you want to stop the bike from leaning over anymore all you have to do is release this pressure. However, sometimes it seems like when you turn the bike fast you have to hold the bars when your are done turning and this can cause the front end to dig in.

 

Try to press and release to steer, not press and hold.

 

Hope that helps.

[What To Take To The Track]

Gear woudl be good Helmet, boots, gloves, leathers. Also something to wear under your leathers like that under armor stuff if it is hot or some long under wear (like for skiing) if it is a little colder.

 

A chair and maybe some shade to hang out under in between rides.

 

Some cold drinks and snacks.

 

If your using your bike, some tools and gas.

 

That is all I can think of for now

[Harley On The Track?]

We have guys come out on Harleys all the time and they do just fine. Loud pipes are fine as long as your not thinking about doing the school at Laguna (they have a noise limit).

[Gear Requirements?]

I think a back protector is a good idea on the street as well. It can't hurt to have too much protection. My street jacket has one built in.

 

While we are at it, please on final opinion... I am 5' 4" and tippy a 600. But feel comfortable. Is that ok?

 

I'm not sure what you are asking?

[Experience Before Schools]

You just need to be able to ride without putting much attention on the controls to do the school. As long as you can comfortabley ride around town without having to think too much about using the clutch, brakes and throttle then you are ready for the school.

 

The Superbike School is just not for a pure beginner that does not know how to ride at all, they would be better off doing the MSF course here in the states or something simular first.