Cobie Fair
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Posts posted by Cobie Fair
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Just to make sure we are all on the same page, let me suggest that we say "push forward on the right bar" or the left one, to make sure we are all tracking.
As Andy pointed out, what happens when going very slow, motorcycle or bicycle, and one starts to fall/lean to the right? The correction is pushing forward on the left bar to catch the fall. In other words, countersteering was used to change the direction/lean of the bike.
I haven't yet been able to get my dad to answer this one thought!
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Well, I'm not that new, but this section is, so I'm going to start off.
I"m Cobie Fair, Chief Riding Coach (Worldwide) for the Superbike School. My main duties at the school are overseeing the on-track coaching, and training the coaches. Each branch of the school (UK and OZ) have their own Chief Riding Coaches.
OK, so the rest of you, post away (and introduce yourselves!)
Best,
Cobie
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One thing that hadn't quite been covered here (might not be a huge point), is that why do 2 things, when one will do the job, and is your foot or your 2 fingers more sensitive?
CF
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I think he's just narrow-minded. Is there a better solution to go about this? Is it THAT hard to transfer skill from one machine to another?
Hi Yamfz,
There have been very few motorcycle racers that have gone on to become world class car racers--John Surtees might be the only one?
There have been no car racers that have gone on to become world champion motorcycle racers. While some form of car racing could be helpful, if you really want to get into racing bikes, you should push in that direction. There are some cheaper ways to get in to it, starting with small, less expensive bikes. Some race YSR-50's in parking lot courses. If you want to race bikes, race bikes!
Best,
Cobie
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I'm with you on that. Wonder what that Canadian study was? I'm hoping we do get a current study done in the US to show what's happening (there was talk of one on accidents, as they have been on the rise lately).
I thought it interesting a few years ago that 4 time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty (in a magazine article, don't recal which one) said he never used the rear brake---even riding in the dirt.
CF
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Woody,
OK, that does help a bit. I've found a link that has some data, like to know what you guys think of it.
http://www.vsa.cape.com/~wayg/mrep/csteer.htm
Best,
Cobie
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OK, here's a request:
Is there any way we can get some drawings, or other media we can see (great if it had motion) to show how coutersteering works?
Anyone know where we can get this? Something that anyone could understand?
I know in Twist of the Wrist 1 page 78, Keith talks about it, and also says, "...I have heard varying explanations about what is happening during counter steering, but I have never heard 2 engineers agree totally on the physics of it." Maybe he has since this was written, but I'd like to see something that was in plain enough english that my 11 year old son would get it.
Best,
Cobie
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Sounds like we mostly agree on how to use it. One problem I have seen is that in a panic, if riders use both brakes, they can go for the rear, and it just stays locked on, when it is doing about zero. Or, if they lock the rear, they let go of the front (we found th is in testing years ago). Just today looking at a picture of Rossi and he was coming into a turn with the rear wheel in the air. Since it's possible on any modern sport bike, I wonder why so many use it, for street or track riding (unless it's slippery/wet or you get in the dirt).
CF
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Thor---seems like you can get pretty busy with all the different combinations!
CF
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Only bad thing was that under braking the center of the mass little bit too high resulting back wheel to stand up... but not significantly----
There are a couple of things you can do with your body to help the back coming up, but if you don't mind me asking, have you done any of the Superbike Schools?
Best,
Cobie
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Part of the reason I wanted to post this thread was there are some really good handling older bikes! I didn't know about the Norton, but newer bike (V-7 Sport I think it was called) Moto-Guzzi was a friend of mine's favorite bike handling bike (he's had 30 or 40 in the last 50 years of riding.
I thought the brakes were scary, but he rode the thing really well.
CF
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Lots of different ideas on the brakes. Many of you on this forum have read Keith's books, and/or done schools, but I'd still like to know--which brake do you use, and what for?
Best,
Cobie
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What we have found over the years is that when you get the bike to work well, it really works well over a fairly broad range of riders and skills, and weights. Will has done a pretty good job of figuring that out (our cheif mechanic), and the last few models have had excellent suspension. That being said, if a rider is at one end of the other weight-wise (very heavy or very light) it might not be perfect.
Honestly, I can't remember the last negative comment on the suspension, mostly just guys raving about them and how well they handle.
Cobie
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jptak,
If there is any possibility, call the office and take his phone number off (for now at least). Truthfully, if the office hasn't called yet, and it's for x-mas, not likely to be a problem.
He'll have fun at Blackhawk, it's a neat track, demanding too.
Cobie
jptak,
If there is any possibility, call the office and take his phone number off (for now at least). Truthfully, if the office hasn't called yet, and it's for x-mas, not likely to be a problem.
He'll have fun at Blackhawk, it's a neat track, demanding too.
Cobie
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I'm going to see if I can get Keith or Will in here (both are out of the office right now and travelling).
From a practical standpoint, the steering action doesn't have to be stopped, once the steerig is done. In other words, push left, go left. Stop pushing, the bike will stay at that angle. That won't last forever, it takes a little throttle to keep it there, and can be done in an experiment. Keith did this in the Twist Video---he has a CBR1000 leaned over in the skid pad, holding the throttle with 2 fingers--not even the palm, just 2 fingers.
CF
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Logmaster,
What level of school have you done with us so far?
Cobie
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OK, so you are coming around a mountain road you have never been on. Just after you turn in (and for the trail brakers) still trailing the brake. A 2 foot strip of water is across the road, and a bus in the opposite lane. What's going to get the best possible traction for any bike, in this situation?
CF
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Great to have you up here Steve!
Cobie
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While leaned over, if the front weren't pointed into the turn, what would happen? The bike would continue to lean. Continued presser=continued lean angle---guys can steer their bikes right into the ground (we've seen it, saw it at the last school at Sears!)
CF
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OK, are there times you would want to be done with the breaking and have the throttle coming on well before the apex?
CF
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Good points both of you. I often suggest that after a few days on ours, can be a good idea to then bring your own, even just to have Will have a look at it, maybe get some suspension advice on in.
Cobie
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if i'm wrong please correct, this is interesting...
Sameer
Trail braking for sure has it's uses (you mentioned one in blocking), but what if it causes you to delay in rolling on the throttle? Does it overload, or potentially overload the front end?
What do you think?
Cobie
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Couple of my favorites. Both at Barber. 1st is from level three, and 2nd is me trying to apply those lessons on my own bike.
Lookin' pretty good in both of these.
CF
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Dear All,
I posted this last year, and we had good success with the coaching program. More coaches are still needed as it takes a while to train 1 coach (normally a season for a part time coach).
Read on, follow the steps if you are interested!
Regards,
Cobie Fair
Chief Riding Coach (Worldwide)
Here is the process:
1. Read the description below the dotted line for what we are looking for.
2. A very good riding skill level is required from our coaches. Some have met the other requirements, but had to work on their riding skill, and eventually became coaches. While riding skill is important, as or more important is ability to learn, ability to communicate and get along well with a wide variety of people, can endure hard conditions (school days are long!), and can attend enough school days in a year.
3. Please review the description and application carefully. This will ensure you won?t be wasting both of our time with questions that are already answered.
4. If you fit the description, or think you could meet the requirements soon, fill out the application that is attached and send it to me. In truth, I'd rather have you try out and let us decide if you meet the requirements, than not have you try out at all!
Cobie@superbikeschool.com
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If you can answer yes to all of the questions below then you may be just what we need. If you can't, let me know and we'll go from there.
1. Have you already taken the Superbike School (since 1995, preferably Level 1 and 2)?
2. Have you roadraced?
3. Are you already pretty fast? (don't have to be a track record holder, but can't be slow).
4. Are you friendly and personable--enjoy talking with people?
5. Do you learn new things fairly quickly?
6. Can you devote minimum 10-15 school days per year (not including travel time)?
7. Are you willing to do difficult homework, and have every aspect of your training skills scrutinized?
8. Have you read the Twist of the Wrist books?
9. Would you enjoy helping people learn how to ride better?
We are very selective and everything you say or do in the application process counts. I?m not interested in squids, dopers or short term relationships. I am looking for enthusiastic individuals that want to learn how to become great coaches.
If you think you have the right stuff, download the application and e-mail it to me!
Best,
Cobie Fair
cobie@superbikeschool.com
ps--download the application in the next post, it has the updated schedule.
Reverse-rotating Rotors
in Cornering and Techniques
Posted
OK, so who has ridden this thing and at what speeds/where?
CF