Cobie Fair

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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Application__nov_22__07.rtf

We agree on counter steering for sure! Many don't know it even applies to bicycling (still working on my dad on that one). Let's take a look at trail braking: first off, how would you define it? Isn't it simply the action of gradiently letting go of the brakes, and basically where? Are there turns where you want to do it, turns you don't and why? CF

Not sure how much the Ninja 650 weighed that Stuman rode/raced. It was also a built motor (Carry Andrews), and for sure it was fast.

Thanks man, I'm working on the financials right now. Some guys would get a little 125 gp bike, it takes a bit to learn the maintenance (not that hard), but you used to be able to get one pretty cheap ($2-3 I thought). CF

KIlladude, I had 2 coaches ride our NO B/S bike in a large parking lot at Laguna. Here is what happened. 1. First coach, 230 lbs. He rode it at about 20, and was able to complete a circle in the large parking arear 200 or more feet across. He was standing on one peg, holding onto the upper bar (rigid mounted with working throttle) and he just made it turn in the circle.. 2. Another and my biggest coach, 6 feet 7 inches tall, 330 pounds, came back and his eyes were like saucers. At 25 mph he rode the NO B/S bike and he said, "Dude, I thought if anyone could steer it, I could!" If you aren't familiar with the NO B/S bike, here is a link with some data: http://www.superbikeschool.com/machinery/no-bs-machine.php Try it yourself (countersteering vs body steering) and let us know what you come up with! Best, CF

There is no doubt the SV's can work very, very well. Hard to beat getting weight off a bike, and they are light. For that matter, what does your SV weigh? On another note, I just got an e-mail last night that one of our coaches (Stuman) broke the lap record at Willow Springs on the new 650 Ninja. I think the little twins are great, kinda surprised there aren't more out there. As an all round commuter bike, hard to beat. CF

Did you get your reg problems sorted? I found some new info from the webmaster: have the person try safari or firefox on OSX instead, camino v1.0 had some bugs in it Let me know if it works, we want it to be easy to post up here! Best, Cobie

I fill out the registration form, enter the security code and press submit, but it takes me back to the registration screen. There is no message saying there is any information missing or invalid. I've tried to register several times, and have been very careful to make sure I'm typing in the code correctly, but it still doesn't work. My browser is Camino v1.0 (Mozilla) on Mac OSX. Thanks. Still having problems? Best, Cobie pm me if need be, I had thought htis was sorted. You can also e-mail me any time: cobie@superbikeschool.com

Killadue, I think you have a valid point, and no reason not to have it up on the forum. You for sure aren't the only one that has had questions like this. Especially if Keith responds, it will be both interesting and educational. Best, Cobie

I'd suggest the cheapest form of racing that will allow you to do as much as you can. If you buy a new 600 and race that, tires alone can be hard to afford for a race weekend. That, get some schools in, and wear out the TWIST OF THE WRIST books. Best, Cobie

Cattivo, If you haven't checked it the schedule is out, and on the web page---nothing in Feb this year, but we will start in March. Best, CF

--> QUOTE(Brian B @ Dec 9 2006, 07:01 PM) 3745[/snapback] So I was considering coming for March 15/16 at Laguna. But now I think I may get better value from the 2-day school. Someone guide me what to do? I'm a reasonably proficient club racer (amateur level). Actually I may even have more track miles on me each year than street miles. So I want to attend mostly to get track time in while there is still snow here in Canada. But also, I do want to get faster even though I no longer compete. Should I come March 15/16 for a chance to ride Laguna, or should I do the 2day to get more track time and one on one instruction? Help! Brian, Laguna is Laguna, and many want to ride there, but it's harder to give as good service there---for one thing, they force us to run shorter than any other track in the US---so we have less time to get the day in. If having track time is a prime concern, you will get more at the 2 day camp, and more personal attention too. Best, Cobie

Sean, What problems did you have registering? I'll let the webmaster know any way, but he'll want to know that. Regarding the Lean/Slide bike: The best track is probably the Streets of Willow Springs. Good skid pad, we can always use it (not in use by another school/rental) and it almost never rains there. On top of that, it's a fun track to ride. Best, Cobie

Ian, Fantastic and well done on winning the championship!!!!! Best, Cobie

James, Let's take one aspect of what you wrote at a time. Do you know where Keith says/writes all the braking should be done straight up and down? For sure being stuck with heavy braking at the turn in point (especially if you are trying to turn quickly) can be a problem. Let me know what he has said/written on it, and we can look it over closely. The other 2 issues are related: if the front brake is used in a turn, will the bike stand up and run wide, or make it easier to turn in? What is your reality on what happens when you use some brake in a turn? For sure for me, the bike stands up. There are for sure turns where one will trail brake. But if it stalls getting back on the throttle, and really stabilizing the bike, then does trailing help in those instances? Let me know what you think. Cobie

Hugh (et al), I just spoke with the Dunlop race tire rep, Terry. He said for the stock wheel on the 250 Ninja, they don't have a race tire. But, what most of the fast guys have done at AFM, are modify the wheels (at Kosman) to 17's, and run the Dunlop 209's, 120 front and rear too (some run a 150 rear). He's pretty sure they have the track record at a few tracks with that set up. Best, CF

Nick, The full schedule is up now, including the CODERACE dates. Let me know if you have any questions on the format or what do at those schools, as they are very different from the regular Superbike School. Best, Cobie

Hi Ted, If you didn't already get this answered, there is some newer data than what Kevin posted (we've changed the policy on coolant Kevin). Here is some info for your questions: 1. 2 day camp is only on our bikes. 2 extra riding sessions available, but you can always take a break if tired. 2. You don't need to be at any skill level, just not brand new---must be comfortable with the control actions of the bike. 3. Nothing is needed if you bring your own bike, but as Kevin said, tires and the rest of the bike need to be in very good condition. Taping can be done at the track or if you want to do in advance. 4. Call the office any time, or e-mail me if you need a speedy reply! 5. At any school, any level can be done, and each level does take a day. Best, Cobie cobie@superbikeschool.com

Wendy has it right. If you let us know, we do have one bike that we lowered (it was for her in fact!), and we can help at the school. Let the office know in advance. CF

We typically see a better result in 2 days back to back, and yes, do one level on the first day, and the next level on the 2nd day. By the time you get to level 4 we'll be able to do a tailored program for you. Best, Cobie

James, Everything has to work together on our schedule: track availability, fiitting in with the rest of our schedule, attendance, time of year and weather, the whole thing. It's quite a job every year just juggling the scheduling, and the schedule is different every year. CF

Sounds like this was pretty well covered. Keith is approaching mid-60's. I know of one racer in his mid seventies---raced a GSX-R 750 I think. His wife is in her 60's and she raced too. CF

Not sure if you got the answer before the school or not regarding the suits. Let us know if you need any further data on this. Best, Cobie

Hi Barret, You've got more questions than I could anwwer in a short e-mail. I'm in the office today, until about 3pm if you want to try me there--not much time I know, then I'll be back next week, but only for a day. If you call, you could leave a number, and I'll call you back. Those 125's are a hoot, I love 'em! Best, Cobie

There are a few pieces to this hanging off puzzle, that's for sure. Some might not know, but that was one of the reason's Keith came up with the Lean Bike---riders would often mess with the bike when they go for more aggressive cornering. We have a bunch of schools over the next 3 weeks, but I'll try and get back to this thread! Best, Cobie