Cobie Fair
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Posts posted by Cobie Fair
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A "free" mile an hour?
Would that be because you were able to enter the turn faster, and obey TR rule #1, you don't have to use as much of you traction to exit the turn w/ the same speed as you had before the "free" mile an hr?
If that is the case, it makes simple and perfect sense that you could use the same about of traction, lean angle as before with no extra cost/risk. You would obviosly exit atleast a mile an hr faster.
If one can keep the entry speed higher than say another rider, and keep TC #1 nice and early, will the guy that is 1 mph slower have a chance? Don't know about using less traction for this.
CF
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I've got to admit, once in the snow was enough!
I ride a Yamaha YB100, it's nothing powerful but it was free and a great project to get myself into bike mechanics. Also I'm getting about 100 miles from £7-8 of fuel (about $10 I think) and paying £20 a year road tax, it's the ultimate in low-cost riding.
With 125s, most people in Britain go for the commuter style ones but I've seen kids younger than me nearly wipe themselves out on some pretty quick 125 supermotos.
Pretty smart way to get into it, and cost effective too. So to clarify, is that 100 miles per gallon? And don't you guys have imperial gallons, a bit bigger than ours?
CF
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Early turn ins: some turns it can work, but what is the common problem that it brings about (what rule is can suffer if the bike is turned in really early?)
I would say the rule that can suffer is, to avoid running wide at the exit you may need to make steering chages near the end of the turn (add lean angle at a point where you want to be hard on the gas),
How about TC #1?
C
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A while back in the seminars at the school (if i recall th is accurately) Keith would rate the average street rider about a 3.
I for sure worked on this skill heavily for a while, found I was decenlty quick, but a bit rough (it would bobble at the end of the steering action). Took a bit to figure that out and clean it up. Maybe a 7, on a good day an 8.
C
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CF
Oh, and just in case you don't remember me, I was the one on the GREEN bike, it had some numbers on the front... and I was going REALLY FAST.
Green bike, at CODERACE? Pretty sure it was blue.
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Pretty sure it was Doohan that was the first, then Duhamel here in the US used it I think for a while too.
Yes, it was Doohan and DuHamel followed suit when he broke his leg, too. DuHamel liked it so much he kept the thumb lever after his leg healed. I don't recall if Doohan's leg ever healed enough to effectively use the pedal again.
Nicolo Canepa, Ducati's motogp rookie is having to ride with a thumb brake on his GP9 as his size 10 feet are too big to effectively operate the rear brrake with his foot at max lean angle!
is he really using it at max lean?
I've got a bunch of coaches with bigger feet than that, but I don't think they use the rear brake at all.
C
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Hi Guy's,
It has been a while since I have posted. It seems that I have missed several philosophical discussions and thankfully no one has said anything about ones mother? I have been enjoying my MotoGP 08 game since finishing my last track day a few weeks back at Barber.
The question I have is about my riding. I took two motorcycles to Barber, 1000cc and 600cc and had almost identical lap times on both motorcycles. If I am 6 to 8 seconds slower (1:42.00 - 1:43.00) than the fastest riders in the advanced class of which I am in, what can this say about where I can improve. Does it reveal anything?
P.S. I hope that all of you have a great and safe Holiday.
Hey Fossil,
I'm faster on the 600 than the ZX10. Maybe I could get closer if I spent more time on it, but the 600's are such a nice alround package, another 20 hp, and I'll be really happy.
Here's one thought for you: any mile an hour you can keep on the way into a turn, and not loose by being late coming back to the gas, is a "free" mile an hour, know what I mean by that?
BTW, had a great holiday, must be your doing
CF
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Oh, these are both excellent answers!! I guess natural talent has its limits. OK, I am re-inspired to keep working on my riding, thank you both.
So Hotfoot, how is your riding doing these days, want to share?
CF
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Thanks Cobie, for both the "official welcome" and your prompt assurance as to my concern. I am really looking forward levels 1&2 in May at VIR, and excited to do it on the ZX6! Furthermore, I've read all Keith's books several times over, and I'll keep re-reading them right up until my school date so I should be pretty familiar with everything - so then maybe I can afford to spend some of my $10 on adjusting to a different bike :-)
We'll be interested to know how it goes for you, have to post it after you do the school.
CF
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The only thing I really know about it is that I need to (obviously) start turning sooner on faster turns, and have to shift my butt while accelerating into the one I'm thinking of that would be comparable to what your asking. It's a 3rd gear 85-90 mph corner, and I would have to say the biggest thing for me is getting used to turning at that speed. I personally close any inside line off because I don't have time to check for riders behind me and don't want anyone zipping through my inside while I'm focusing on getting the bike to the apex.
What I just thought while typing is that if the corner is done under continued acceleration is there isn't that pressure on the front tire. That might explain why the turning point happens sooner also.
Early turn ins: some turns it can work, but what is the common problem that it brings about (what rule is can suffer if the bike is turned in really early?)
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Thanks Cobie,
I still need to take Level 4 with you guys, so we'll definately cover my dilema then.
Ara
Good. Just bring it up to your coach or the Level 4 Consultant, he'll get you sorted out.
CF
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Those videos are wicked. I'm sure everyone has seen the Edwards save from earlier this year?
I'd never seen that. I would have been nice to see the front give way as from that angle it looked seamless. I also watched the post-save interview. Youtube is the best thing since sliced bread, wikipedia, google, filtered water (and the list goes on and on...LOL)
thanks for posting that, I hadn't seen it either, nice one Colin!
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Looking at coming back to mainline on the CSS training for one of the 2 day camps again, will we still be riding the 07 ZX6R's or will the school have updated to the new 09 model by April? Slide bike was out of commission at the time but as I will doing level 3 & 4 I'd really like to throw a leg over it. Hoping all will be good for some sliding.
Hi Sleepr,
For sure like to get you on the slide bike, normally part of Level 4. Just let me know the morning you are there, we'll make it happen (assuming it's at a track where it's possible).
Not quite sure about the bikes at this point, we might have the current fleet a little longer.
Best,
Cobie
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This sux, was wanting to do L4 at Mid-O.... how about letting 1 dayers into Miller as an exchange? Both tracks are on my "to do" list and would love to do miller for a 1 day.
Not sure we could pull that one off, w/out it being near a major race.
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Hi I want to sign up for level 1 and 2 in april and was wondering if the bikes can be configured for a GP shift pattern instead of street.I have been doing trackdays for 3 years now and I use GP shift on my bike and am quite used to it.
Thanks
Chris
I just did Level 1 last month and they were able to do it for me. The only catch is that the people in the other group who are also riding that bike must also want to have the gp shift.
We can't quite guarantee it, but usually we have been able to work it out. The problem is there are usually 2-3 riders using the same bike, and they all need to use that shift pattern. Normally we can handle it.
Best,
Cobie
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Hi, I just completed Level 1 with you guys at Laguna on Monday. It was great fun and I learn a few new things... Which got me thinking about coming back again. So in looking at your 2009 schedule there are two RACE programs. How are these different from the two day camps? I'm wondering if they wouldn't be a better fit for me as, I'm a novice racer looking to get better/faster on the track.
Isn't there anyone out there who can answer this one for me???
Hi Zia,
Darn right to get impatient, you should get an answer pronto. My lame excuse is we were at the track finishing our last schools of the year, and I was too much of a slacker to do anything at night (an internet connection slower than ancient dial-up didn't help either).
OK, here's some info on the schools: Superbike School, level 1-3 is a set program. Really thoroughly researched and refined over a lot of years. There the full theory gets presented, then riders work on that technique. That's the best possible foundation to build the skills on. 2 day camps have all the training aids as Kevin mentinoed, and you get tons of riding (7 sessions a day when possible, which is almost always), 1-2 coach to student ration, video review, etc.
Many of the students that have come to CODERACE first have found they need to go back and do the superbike school, a the very least up to level 2, but better up to level 3 or 4. Then come and do CODERACE. The reason for this is the technical briefings are truly exceptional, informative and usually entertaining. They give the data behind a technique, you get fully informed on the subject. That is not possible anywhere else, even CODERACE.
CODERACE is quite different. Very little theory briefings (which is fine if you have already been exposed to the theory), lots of riding, and more working on racecraft: different lines, starting, braking skills, etc., etc. It's great, we love doing CODERACE, fun for us too
.Let me know if that clears it up, if not, post here, or call or e-mail me in the office, I'll answer any question on it.
Best,
Cobie
cobie@superbikeschool.com
800-530-3350
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OK so I went over page 15 in TOTW2
Stop rolling on, I guess that wherever you are in the throttle position, you hold it there until the rear wheel regains traction, at which point you would continue your roll on throughout the remainder of the turn! Is this correct?
Yes...and you are now armed with critical new information that will allow you to get back on the throttle - you know where the limit of traction is for that corner/angle/speed/ etc.
I can see that SR #1 would be hard to overcome in this situation and as you felt the rear come round more it could become very tempting to chop the throttle, the way I have gotten around SR #1 is by continually practicing TC rule #1 so this would be new to me!Also worth checking page 9 of TOTW2!
From my experience, having the "book knowledge" of not chopping the throttle has allowed me to regain traction quickly and on to the next corner. It was so ingrained in my Level I course and from reading the Twist that it was almost second nature to hold the thottle steady until grip returned. Now I don't even think about it.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin I will work on holding a steady throttle in future, over the last year I have retrained myself to obey TC rule #1 which in turn has made the idea of chopping the throttle a big no no for me too!
Keith has recently revised the training program on the Slide Bike at the schools, getting even better results. Great tool to work on this. I know, I'm biased, so just call that a shameless plug.
Best,
Cobie
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Is it just time that progresses how you go up in your licensure? Is it just the three different levels?
Yup, 3 levels, some must have a time period limit. A2 = 14.6hp and upto 125cc. A1 = 33hp bikes (some bikes are hardware converted to 33hp even if they can produce way more). A = unlimited. (Must have A1 for a least a year, bike riding/owning isn't a muss.)
Maybe this is mean and evil, but there are no restrictions in the US for private racetrack riding. There can be insurance restrictions for younger riders at some tracks, but not at most. I think we can take from 14 year old on up (no bike restriction) at most tracks.
Come on over on holiday
Best,
Cobie
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Hi there, Awesome forum! Unfortunately I do not have access to the trainer bikes as you have in USA (god i'd love to go on them) so I have a few questions: I have kitted out my bike with rough fairings and crash knobs and I want to learn a few things before setting out to find out this stuff... My concerns are primarilly wet riding: Obviously in the dry, modern day tyres can support massive lean angles up to and past the pegs and sometimes body work of a motorcycle, so we can be confident that we can crank it right over... as we all do when it's sunny! However, in the wet, lean angles are limited yes no? So what i'm wondering is how far do you know you can lean? What signs tell you that you are at maximum permitted lean and it will fall if you go any further? There must be some sort of sensation that tells us? Check this video out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se9DOJQyW00 and this. I'd love to have those rain skills! Have you guys learnt to peg scrape in the wet?
Hi Racefactory, and welcome!
Good questions regarding rain riding. Here is one thing we have found: the levels of traction can be RADICALLY different from racetrack to racetrack, and even change at the same track, from one season to the next.
We have ridden some tracks (like Pocono East) and have had students dragging their knees in the rain, on our Dunlop Qualifiers. We've ridden at other tracks, and it has been so slippery and polished, that nothing like that was possible.
Of course street riding has it's own factors, with fluids that leak on the ground, traction in SoCal right as it starts to rain is amazingly slippery, and much better after a good rain where the surface gets washed off.
Best,
Cobie
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Hello all,my name is Brandon and i'm from louisiana. I've been riding for a couple of years now and i'm going to try to better educate myself to raise my level of riding. I came across this site while researching different schools. I believe that i am going to try to attend the barber school dates. Everyone seems to be very informative here on this site. Looking forward to chatting with everyone. thanks
Hi Brandon,
Welcome to the forum, glad to have you up here. What is riding like in Louisiana, got any good curvy roads close to you?
Best,
Cobie
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I'm a bit of a lurker so I'm gonna say hi too.
My name is Steve, I'm 19 years old, I'm from the UK and I've been riding for about a year. Of course, at my age I'm limited to 125cc but am looking into lessons to get me onto a full license sometime after christmas. I've racked up 5,000 miles since September '07 just riding to work and odd journies elsewhere as my bike is my only form of transport. I also tend to ride in any weather for that reason, including snow (very scary, never again). But at least when I go to my bike shop I can feel a bit better when fair weather bikers say "Wouldn't want to ride in that!".
Hi Steve,
Glad you are up here, and welcome. Riding in the snow eh? We don't get a lot of that in SoCal, don't think I've been in the snow since I was in college in New Mexico.
What kind of bike do you have--what are the options in the UK on a 125?
Best,
Cobie
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Seems like ALL the fast supermotard guys are backing it in all over the place.
I ride a motard but use more a 250GP riding style, hooked up and tidy. I'm scared of too much sliding around!
I believe as racer says due to the lack of feel with the rear brake alot of guys started using thumb brakes!IIRC, thumb brakes were invented out of necessity. I dont' recall who it was developed for but the necessity was due to foot injury. IIRC it's mentiond on the movie FASTER. Both of the guys mentioned that used the thumb brake were injured at the time they tried them.
Pretty sure it was Doohan that was the first, then Duhamel here in the US used it I think for a while too.
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Hello all,My name is Bill, I'm from the SF Bay Area of California. We are lucky in this area, we can do track days at Luguna Seca, Sears Point, Thunderhill, and Willow Springs, all within 3 hours drive. I joined a few days ago, I have a few questions. 1: I tried adding a personal photo, but it doesn't show up on the forum,(at least I can't see it), any help?2: how do you add the quote from someone else reply to your reply?any Help?Thanks
Hi Bill,
Didn't add the photo myself, but I'll find out.
Regarding the quotes: normally just hit the "reply" button, and it will include the quote. To include it as a quote, needs a bracket and the word quote [quot] then another braket with a backslash and the word quote to end it [/quot].
I deleted the "e" in quote, so it would show you, and not be a quote.
Hope that makes sense.
Another aid is the BB Code help, bottom right.
Best,
Cobie
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Question: I am signing up for classes in next May and riding the school bike, with about two years experience riding a 695CC Ducati v-twin; I am concerned about adjusting to the ZX6, specifically the higher RPMs and certainly much more horsepower than I am used to. Is that something to worry about? Will I be distracted learning to ride something that may feel very different from what I am used to? I am used to the power delivery at lower RPMs with the Ducati vs a Japanese inline four. I am sure I am not the first to have such a conern? I am actually looking forward to riding the ZX6 actually, and riding my bike is not an option, so big deal or not to worry?Thanks!Scott
Scott,
Good question, and we do get it fairly often.
The short version is it normally it takes a few sessions to get used to the bikes, then they are not worried about it (often only 1-2). They work so well, are so neutral, that many find out what a bike should handle like, and you can take that back to compare to yours. You do spin them higher than a twin, and it can come on more at the top, but they are very ride-able, and it won't be overpowering.
Let us know what you think after you ride 'em!
Best,
Cobie
What Is Needed To Make A Rider Better/faster?
in Cornering and Techniques
Posted
So what does it take?
Like to hear what you guys think on this (especially the newer members and lurkers too).
Best,
CF