Cobie Fair

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

Hi Motozine, No problem, we can help you unload. There are usually a bunch of guys unloading, it's easy and we'll be happy to assist too, just let one of us know. Prep is minimal: no coolant needs to be changed, if you want to tape up the glass and remove the mirrors, that helps, but we can do it that morning for you, no problem. We'll also do a basic tech inspection and set your tires too. Let us know if you need anything else. Best, Cobie

Hi Motozine, No problem, we can help you unload. There are usually a bunch of guys unloading, it's easy and we'll be happy to assist too, just let one of us know. Prep is minimal: no coolant needs to be changed, if you want to tape up the glass and remove the mirrors, that helps, but we can do it that morning for you, no problem. We'll also do a basic tech inspection and set your tires too. Let us know if you need anything else. Best, Cobie

We've done schools on everything from 125 gp bikes to Harley full dressers. The techniques trained were exactly the same. There is a difference what each bike can do, like the difference between what a full dresser can do and a 125---but overall, same basic concept. Let us know if there is anythign you need clarified! Best, Cobie

Woody is right on the money regarding the visual skills---the rider is only as good as his visual skills. There is some data on this in Twist 2, if you haven't checked that out, take a look. We had Leon Camier over (currently 2nd in the British Superbike Championship---in his rookie year. and after being the British Supersport Champ) to some schools, and he spent a lot of time working on the visual skills. We devote a lot of time on them, heck just about all of Level 2, and some of Level 1 too). OK, there's my shameless plug on the schools Best, Cobie

Hi Big Willy and Welcome, The bike does rise, both the front, and the rear, during acceleration. Different engineers have given me different answers, bottom line, while the power is being added the tire is trying to push down, it's connected to the frame, so it twists the back of the bike upwards. That's a very short answer, but check out a bike in a full wheelie----it's fully extended when the gas is on, isn't it? Best, CF

Hi R1200S, I'll chime in here for a moment. The first question I would be asking if coaching you was how is the entry speed? Is it too high? Were the roads new roads, are you pushing yourself a bit on unknown roads? Or if known roads, back to entry speed for amoment. I have found riders work on going faster, and think that 2-3 mph faster is nothing. A top rider, if already in the speed zone that kept him interested, would maybe have 6-8 grades in there, between the totally fine, compfortable pace, and going to fast. We have often seen this at the track. Is this in the area for you? Best, Cobie

Big Willy, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention, yeah sure, that's the reason Good for catching that, I'll fix it. I need to ride in the dirt a bit more, what a blast. CF

For sure on some bikes the rear would need to be used (like large touring bikes or cruisers). I'm pretty lazy, so I stick with the rear, for any kind of sport bike. I even use the front quite a bit in the dirt, the few times I get to ride in the dirt. CF

Hi Schmi, Sorry for the tardy response, been away doing schools a lot over the last few weeks. 5'2 and 5'3 is common, but your size is a bit shorter. We have helped with some riders by being their when they start or stop, those are the critical times. We do have one bike that is a little bit shorter, and we could get you on that, but not sure it will be enough so. Brining your own bike, I see the problems with that and the distance, but maybe one of our closer schools could be possible, like Inifineon? Riding the other training bikes might not work, like the lean bike, it is for sure a bit taller. We don't have any plans to go back to Pacific Raceway, we weren't totally happy with some of the safety features. We could talk about this further, feel free to call any time: 800-530-3350 Best, Cobie

Did you ever replace the springs in the front forks? Pretty much for sure they are going to be fatigued with a bike that old. CF

Tweek, Yikes! Hope you get patched up well and fast. Circulation for the wrist and other areas---one thing that can help is getting some masage until you can get some light exercise in. Best, Cobie

Just signed up for a 1-day Level 3 on my R6, immediately followed by a 2-day Level 4 camp on the ZX6-Rs. Would have done 4 days, but my daughter's birthday is the 20th, so no traveling until the next day. I'll b staying on the track and will be bringing my track bike, a street bike and my pit bike. Can't wait till May! Ryan Excellent Ryan! Cobie

Best, Cobie Thanks Cobie, I'm happy to rent a car, I just thought if there are others happy to share and hangout all the better. Thanks for the info and I'm totaly excited, see you then. Bennett I know what you mean, and I agree! Maybe someone will chime in See you ih a few days. Best, CF

OK, I just looked at the title---what year is the CBR J model? Not sure that i'll have any useful data, but Will might. Cobie

Not sure if Will can get back to you on this today, we are prepping to leave for Vegas (4 days of schools) we just got back from Laguna, and we just got the bikes before then. I'd like to see Will's response to this, here is my opinion: The '05/06 model is really a solid bike, I liked it a lot. For sure a better riding position than the '03/04 model. With the mods you have made, you are not going to recover that money in a sale, not sure if the '07 is enough better. I will say though, that riding the thing right out of the box, minor suspension tweak by Will, and I was very impressed with it at Laguna. Handling and brakes were excellent. If you get PM from Will before he leaves, ask him to post his response. Best, Cobie

I see, you are going to be in Vegas, and need a ride to the track in the morning, is that it? We are up at the north end of town, pretty close to the track, won't be anywhere near you. Most guys rent a car, but the hotel might have something if that's not a good option for you. Best, Cobie

Not the simplest of answers really (our whole day in Level 3 is devoted to the different points of hanging off). One thing that you might do is look at some pictures of the top guys, see if there is a common thread. Not the almost top guys, but look at the top guys. Also, take care to notice what part of the turn they are in, beginning, middle, exit. Best, Cobie

Fastest or safe for street riding, seems like different topics. Since the topic started with some metion of street riding...I'll chime in with what I do on roads I don't know well (got this from Keith). Run it in nice and late: more of the turn can be seen, and if the corner does tighten up, there is some hope of salvaging it. Cobie

Doog, I think you are on the right track with the vide view technique. Honestly, the most commonly re-visitied skills in Level 4 (where we do indivualized programs for the students) are the Level 2 skills. Both of the last times British Supersport Champion Leon Camier came over here, he was working on those quite a bit. Let us know how it goes! Cobie

Hi Spatt, The gear is included in the school, so no problem either way as far as we are concerned. The AGV Sport leathers are well ventilated, better than most, on a hot day if yours isn't, you might prefer them. best, Cobie

I keep hearing about the Metrakit here, maybe one of the mini-bike guys would chime in. I looked them up, not sure where they originate from...anyone? CF

AGV sport, not sure which model to be honest. A few years ago their boots were a bit stiff, didn't fit everyone perfectly, but 2 pairs of socks handled that. The most recent sets we got are pretty nice, but we don't have all of the student boots updated to that yet. CF