Cobie Fair

I don't think they have it yet, but you should lean on those guys to get one It really is a great training aid, for a few reasons. They've just changed sponsors too, now they have Suzuki. CF

In an emergency stop (straight line) I dont mind jumping on the rear, if it locks no big deal but I like to put as much front in as possible Other then that, im only using my rear brake for slow speed stuff Here is what we found testing a while back: when riders (of all skill levels) were using both brakes, and they locked the rear (easy to do for sure if using the front effectively), they would let go of the front. But that's the one doing the work... There are a few parts to this, but to have one braking mode for regular and one braking mode for panic stopping...more complicated than I like to make riding. With the modern day bikes and tires, have to pay some attention to keeping the rear wheel on the ground under hard braking. Some things to consder. CF

Here is Bob's number: 410-552-9254 Any problems, let me know. Best, Cobie

It appears that the website is still not working??? But the number on my order form is different than the one madmanu posted. Probably a typo. The number I have is 410-552-9254. That number should get you right to Bob, he's our E-tech man. Let me know if any problems reaching him. Best, Cobie

Hi Guys, Just now back in the office, and thanks for answering that question for me. We just rode Laguna, with the new pavement---grippy! Best, CF

Hi Guys, Just now back in the office, and thanks for answering that question for me. We just rode Laguna, with the new pavement---grippy! Best, CF

You guys are funny! I think this forum can use some humor! CF

Michael, I can't do this real justice on the forum. I'd actually like to get you on the phone. We are leaving today for Miller, but I'll be back in the office on Friday. There are a few fundamental pieces that aren't quite on the money, let's go over this and see if we can get it sorted. Want to call on Friday? 800-530-3350. Or e-mail to set a specific time, that's even better. cobie@superbikeschool.com Best, Cobie

Hi Michael, There is a bit on this subject, more than can easily be answered (at least answered fully) here. If you have TWIST 2 handy, have a look at Chapter 4, page 20, "Line Follows Gas"... Powerful bikes follow the same rules as other bikes, but have more potential for the exit speed. One thing that you mention in your earlier post, is running wide in the turn: was that from good TC, or did you give it a little too much, or too early. Some riders turn the bike and roll the throttle on at the same time---that will make the bike run wide at turn in. Let me know if this helps. I'll be gone all next week at the track back after that. Best, Cobie

Hey there Cobie... If you can see in my avatar photo, my concern is the inside foot dragging. From my layman analysis I'd say my torso is too "on" the bike, leaving my leg in the wrong position (toe-down) leading to the dragging. Since my Level 2 class dodn't use the lean bike *cough* my BP is likely not as it should be...albeit far improved from the L1 days. Can you provide any tips / feedback on BP as shown in the photo? Thanks! First thing: if you can make it to any school, signed up or not, I'll get you on the lean bike. Hmmm...can't see the foot that well in this photo. The leg doesn't look to be in a bad position. Sometimes the rider puts their inside foot too close to the edge of the peg, and simply moving it in-board can help. If your foot drags, I'd first check if it's back far enough, 2nd if it's near the edge of the peg. In short, try moving it in and back. Even if it rests on the bracket that guards the rear brake parts (like on our bikes), that's fine. I often put the back of my boot on top of that. Let me know if this helps. Best, Cobie ps---gone for a week on Monday, if I don't get back to you.

Hi Kevin, We've done a lot of schools there, and here are some of the reasons we like it: there isn't much in the way of long straights. Good for us, we're not a drag race school Many of the turns are also linked together, meaning one after the other. This will work a whole extra set of cornering skills, more so than longer tracks or tracks with a turn, then a straight, then another turn. The pavement is in good shape, and pretty smooth and grippy. The track is fairly short in length so you get a lot of laps (not boring for sure) to practice. It's good for the coaches, we can see the whole track from most parts of it, so better for us to get more time with the students, we can even see them from another part of the track. It's also one of the very few tracks that can be run in both directions, and we do. So, you'll get 2 tracks for the price of one. It's flat, which is good as it will work the visual skills pretty hard, and they are key. Hope this helps, let me know if you want to know anything else, or in particular. I'll be gone next week doing schools at Miller. Best, Cobie

Cobie, I see you asked another forum newbie if she had any female rider specific issues she felt you could address. Mine isn't strictly female, but just someone with small hands. Even with my adjustable levers set to their closest setting, I can only get the tips of my fingers on my levers, this makes it difficult for me to simultaneously roll off the throttle while beginning to squeeze the front brake and vice versa (releasing the front brake and rolling on). Any tips for me? (other than attaching weights to my fingers while I'm walking, to try to make them longer) Michelle Hi Michelle, Great to hear about your results at the school, just what we like to hear! The size of the hands---that's not one we addressed lately, good question. This would be a good question for Will. He's at the track now, helping Misit at the AMA race at Miller. I'm going to shoot him a note, but likely we won't hear from him for a week or more. After-market levers, there might be something there, or possibly some modifications can be made. Heck, if worst came to worst, they could be cut, and re-welded (not that diffuclut for a decent fabricator). One possibility could even be simply bending the levers closer to the bars, that's easy to do. One way or another, this could be made to work, and I think it's very good to get the bike to fit you well, with the levers (both hand and foot) being comfortable and accesible. Best, Cobie

Got it. On hot days, an inner suit is the way to go. It makes getting in and out easier and also cooler. On hot days, worth it! Some riders use Body Armour, but my coaches use either RS Tai Ichi or Kushitanie inner suits. We sometimes have them at the track, but not always. If you want to call the office, we might have them on hand and you could get one. Supply is not always certain on that stuff. Let us know if we can help with anything else. Best, Cobie

You need full riding gear---you can bring you own, or rent ours. We have full gear, or some just bring their own boots, gloves anduse our leathers. Just let us know what you will do (call the office). Best, Cobie

Hi Emma, Glad the school went well (not surprised the UK branch looked after you well though). It just occurred to me, are there any special issues that a woman would like to see covered in the forum? Best, Cobie

We've had them and they work well. Will raced the Elka and when he got it right, he really liked it. Don't know who supports them, Will sent it back to the factory to be changed. Dave at GP Suspension is good, we've used him. Not sure if he works on the Elkas or not, you might try him---(503) 723-7793.

Have you guys noticed when Rossi and Pedrosa or any of the other guys have moved their left foot prior to coming into a left turn? Or the same in a right hand turn for the right foot? Regarding the outside foot, if it isn't going to scrape, does it matter unless the rider needs it to stabilize himself, as Kevin mentioned above. CF

Just got to this one too---you guys had a nice little discussion going on here Here is another way to look at it, and experiment if you care to try it: if you hang off the bike in a straight line, lets say on the right-hand side, what happens to the lean angle of the bike? Stay the same, or do you have to counterlean the bike to the left to keep it going straight? CF

Hi Clifton, I've been away from the forum too long! We were on the road 5 weeks, very limited internet access You have a few different points in your questions, and they do cover a bit of ground, more than could easily be covered here. I'll look at one: What the rider does with his body, both lower and upper, can effect how far the bike is leaned over. One factor is how much the rider hangs off and with what part of his body. A large portion of the riders counter lean with their upper body when hanging off, they have the lower body off very far, and the upper not nearly as much. In the photo you linked, there are some pluses with your body position, but I'd need a better photo to see more. We can for sure work on this when you come to the the school, though it will get done in pieces, not everything all at once. Best, Cobie

Interesting about the retrarder on the Suzuki. We have no problem shifting the '07 (or earlier) 6R's at any speed, up or down w/out the clutch. CF

Holding the throttle and then applying the brake---you mean the front brake? Or rear? If one has the front on, and keeps some throttle on, it can push the front. The transition from off to on throttle should be smooth. Our 6's are great. Some riders are a little abrupt with their wrists, some have too much play in the throttle cable, sometimes the mapping is off. Cush drive being a little loose was one issue long ago on one bike. I personally like zero throttle play, just so it will not rev when twisting the front from lock to lock. This makes it easy for me to make that transition smoothly. Are you going to have your bike at Barber--if so, you could have Will look it over. CF

Hi Soji, Wow, what a story, and glad about the result!! I'll let the other guys know (and Keith too). Maybe we'll see you at the school some time, like to shake your hand! Best, Cobie

Just to make sure, which 208's -- gp's? CF

Whenever possible, if you get the body in position, one major action is out of the way. There is quite a bit to moving in series of turns, so let's just look at one turn, with ample room before. Can you move, and then do all the other business from the hung off position--brake, downshift, etc. For sure! You can see this often with the top riders. This can take a little getting used to, but for sure less work right during that busy time of turn entry. CF

Back in the old days (twin shock bikes) Keith i think had the guys (if they were brave enough) to stick their fingers in between the springs of the rear shock when they rolled the gas on, and they could tell it then. Best, CF