Cobie Fair
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Posts posted by Cobie Fair
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Im 21 and thinking Ill be signing up for mid ohio. This will be my first school, but Ive done a couple track days. I was thinking of daying the 2 day camp has anyone done the 2 day camp for level 1&2? Also Is it better to bring your own gear *read leathers, boots, and lid* as I live in Ohio or use the camps?
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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
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Cobie,
What do you use and what does the school rent out?
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
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That helps a lot, thanks. No problem on the size, 5'8" @ 165, so the leathers should fit. What brands of gear does the school supply?
AGV Sport. There are the shelf suits are pretty decent. They fit pretty well, good ventilation and pretty tough.
CF
How about the boots and gloves?
Guess I should have been more complete with that answer! AGV Sport supplies boots and gloves also. Sometimes the boots need 2 pairs of socks, that's what I use.
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That helps a lot, thanks. No problem on the size, 5'8" @ 165, so the leathers should fit. What brands of gear does the school supply?
AGV Sport. There are the shelf suits are pretty decent. They fit pretty well, good ventilation and pretty tough.
CF
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Use two fingers on the front brake and let the fingers slide across the lever while maintaining even pressure as you blip.
That's pretty much how we train it. One thing that can help, let the rpms come down a bit, then one doesn't have to blip as high. Also (and this is preference) I like zero throttle cable play to facilitate this.
Cobie
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Hi all, I am another newbie to the site. Have done one track day at Queensland raceway (Australia) and have got my second on this sunday. I have been riding for about 12 years or so but I am still very new to track days etc, I cant wait to get back out there, My main aim on sunday is to try and get consistant-ish and learn my braking markers etc. I have bought a lap timer so that should make it a bit easier to see exactly what any changes make once I can do consistant laps.
I ride a pretty much stock road going Kawasaki Z1000.
Hi Matt76,
I didn't welcome you aboard, so -- Welcome!
How'd your track day go?
Best,
Cobie
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Interesting, I had thought that 150 lb number was real, they seemed so light to move around.
As for the weight of the rider, we found that moving around too much, hanging off too much made them harder to ride. The bikes we had were the '94 and 96 RS-125's. Moto-Liberty supplied them, and I think at the time they were the sole importers. That later changed, and other guys were able to bring them in, and that's when we stopped doing those schools.
Ask Will about chasing the guys that were trying out for the national team. They were on the '96's (for sure faster) and he was on a '94--and caught them.
Don't have plans to do any more at this point, but who knows what the future might bring!
Cobie
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I am getting involved in mini gp racing here in the midwest. I've done some trackdays on my track only Aprilia RS50. Some of the tracks won't allow a Honda RS125 so some people have converted them to RS85's by changing the motor. Does anybody know how the quality of the suspension on a '98 Honda RS125 would compare with the equipment on one of the Metrakit racers like the XL80? The Metrakit racers cost about $5500 and I would guess that it would cost that much to convert a Honda RS125 into a 85cc racer. So if the Metrakit has good suspension, maybe it would just make more sense to buy the new bike rather than convert an older one.
I don't. We have some guys racing the small bikes out here, including the webmaster's son (very, very fast).
Best thing will be to shoot a pm to cssadmin, he might know a bit more about this. Let me know if you don't get in touch with him.
Best,
Cobie
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Tweek,
You might already know, but we start without using a lot of brakes. This is a great exercise, gets everyone interested in the corners, and we give you some skills to help with that. Additionally, your on track coach (you will be assigned one) will have a look at you on the bike and make sure you are doing OK.
Honestly, most have gotten on them, and within a session or 2 were very, very happy. The bikes are very neutral, don't do anything wrong. The brakes work very well too, so you can be fairly light on those.
Let me know if any futher q's!
Best,
Cobie
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Mike,
Only 500 miles, excllent!
See you there.
Cobie
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Good question. I'm going to pay attention at the upcoming gp's see what can be observed that way.
We used to do 125 gp schools, and they are capable of amazing corner speeds. The ones we used weighed 150 lbs., and are less now I'm sure (10 years ago when we did those schools). There is also the fact they don't have the acceleration that a 250 would have (they are fast), much less a MOTO GP bike, so yes, there is going to be some difference in the lines due to that.
Here's the question: what do you think the difference would be?
Cobie
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Jeff,
If you are a regular sized guy, the AGV Sport suits work pretty well. If you are very unusally sized, really big chest, big legs, etc. then nothing is going to fit well.
Helmets can be particualr to shape of the head a little, but we don't get many complaints about the KBC's.
I'd say for sure let us supply the leathers, and if you are particular about the other gear, bring that. With our boots, I sometimes wear 2 pairs of socks, get a better fit that way.
Hope this helps, let me know if you have other questions.
Cobie
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I am interested in knowing wether r not the Dainese Jekyll boot is an acceptable boot for taking any of the schools.
Here is a pic:
http://www.motoliberty.com/prod_detail.asp...6&ImgId=749
Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob,
That would be OK, but not my first choice. It does cover the ankle, it is a motorcycle specific boot, that's good. It would be a little better if it went higher up. If you have all the other gear, and want to use a set of our boots, we can likely sort you out easily (won't be the full rental charge either). If you are happy with the boots, and really want to use them you can.
Best,
Cobie
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Strictly from a turn-in perspective, no, being hard on the brakes will not improve the speed. It's all about rider input.
Trail braking can work, and can be effective. However, the amount of concentration rises significantly and the majority of people I see trail-braking can't cope with it and either end up overbraking or falling down.
Trailing the brake: OK, just going to put out one thing here, when the brake is being trailed, does the bike want to hold it's line or run wide? Will there be more or less effort to turn it?
CF
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Thanks Cobie! I've been trying to get to the school for years now, can't believe I'm finally going! I'll be sure to look you up first thing. I've been running mid-pack on a 125, against all the other classes, now I want to step it up a bit. Check out www.akroadracing.com to see the way we race in Alaska.
Jeff,
Checked out the site, that track looks kinda interesting--what is it? I'd head somewhere in Alaska you used an old airfield.
We'll see about getting you further up the pack! You will do both level 1 on the first day and level 2 on the 2nd, that will be a good start for you. If you haven't yet, the Twist books are excellent, especially T-2 for what we are training now.
See you in a few weeks!
Cobie
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How does the school deal with people jumping on bikes they have no experience with (not to mention twice the power in my case)?
The way the bikes are set up and work, we normally see a short period of adjustment, about 1-2 sessions. Then we mostly hear "these bikes are great!" and lots of grinning. The new ZX-6's are fantastic, they do everything right, power is excellent, but not like a liter bike which can be a handful, brakes are amazing. I just spent a day chasing 600's on a 1000 and noticed how rock solid the 600's looked compared to what I was riding. You won't be unhappy for sure
Best,
Cobie
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Hi all,
I'm Jeff, and I'm heading to Vegas for the 2-day school on March 26 & 27, can't wait. I've been riding for 30 years or so, and racing for the past 6 or 7, and now I need to learn how to corner!
Hi Jeff,
Welcome! Vegas should be excellent. It's a fun little track, good traction and we run it both ways at the 2-day camp. Introduce yourself that morning, I want to make sure I have you paired up with a coach that will be good for you (easiest for me to chekc on that the morning of the school, after your register).
Best,
Cobie
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Hi,
I own a Cycleport 2 piece riding suit. It's made of Kevlar and is AMA Race approved. This should be OK to use at the school, correct?
Ara
Hi Ara,
That would be fine, if it is AMA race approved. For sure it will need to zip together. If you come on a hot day, our suits have lots of venting, something to consider if you suit isn't cool.
Best,
Cobie
Front Forks
in School Questions/General Discussion
Posted
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