Cobie Fair

Interesting. I hadn't paid much attention to the Buell's after riding a few of the initial models back when we did some Harley only schools. Glad to hear they are coming up! CF

OK, there are excellent chapters in Twist 2 on steering. Have a look at those. Then, if the pavement is dry/not slippery, and you can warm the tires (by cornering, genlty at first) you can work on turning the bike quicker. Those are the only 2 provisos--warm the tires, and make sure the surface is not slippery. If those can't be done...well might have to wait for better weather! I practice this skill just about every time I ride.

KK, Yeah, Watkins on the short course doesn't have as many turns as I would like, but there is no way we were ever going to run the full course with some of the run off problem they have. There is one turn you head straight for the Armco, potentially unhealthy. OK, I think I'm going to start a new thread on what's the favorite turn. CF

Well, I can say for certain, from the crash repair side of things, it's way worse to have it as a welded on member, as opposed to a bolt on. Not really sure it makes enough of a difference strength wise, that would be a good question for an engineer/fabricator. CF

We don't have any plans to make it back to Rd. America right now. We had some problems up there and it also got extremely expensive. We once used the long course, and really it wasn't a very good training track---there just weren't enough turns per mile. Blackhawk has been better for us, the students just get more time in the turns--really only one good sized straight there. The guys that do the 2-day camp, we switch and run it backwards on the 2nd day! 2 tracks for the price of one. I do miss the brats though! CF

OK Racer, I'm really mad! (not quite sure why though). CF

Hmmm... haven't been there, that sounds intereesting. OK, Kevin, how about the sweeper that you have to run wide in the middle, onto the front straight at VIR? Getting far enough out in the middle and keeping the speed up...wheee! Cf

You are quite right on the date, we are going to be there Aug 1-2, for a 2-day camp. Best, CF

Was I supposed to be mad at somebody---if so, I missed it! CF

Hi Gerry, I did a quick look and looks like it is, here's an amazon link for it: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/185...1622025-7087164 Best, CF

I've gotten spoiled--65 degrees, and sun!

125 gp bikes are in their own world, nothing like them. 1984 gpz 550 at the schools in 85 were awesome. Raced an rz-350 also, excellent bike, loved it. I was interested to see what riders thought was a good handling bike. The modern 600's are fantastic, but there were some older bikes that were excellent packages. One friend had an old Guzzi V-7 Sport--disk brakes and all. He loved it, but I hated it. I'll be interested to see what else we get up here...

One thing that isn't always considered is, if they are not holding themsevles on with their legs, then that leaves holding on with the bars. When bikes slide around, they will correct (if left alone), but are not allowed to if the rider has to much pressure/weight on the bars.

RC and Racer, For sure a good idea to work on the braking/downshifting and blipping the throttle. If you can get that so it takes less attention, it leaves more to work on the other more fun stuff! That can be practiced anywhere, don't have to wait to get to the track. There is a lot of great info on braking in Twist 1, but if anything is not clear, or you have a question on any of that, let us know. Best, CF

OK, no sweat, it doesn't really matter where you do it, and Mid-Ohio is very challenging, one of my favorites. One thing that we are going to do with you on your level 1 day is what we call the Steering Exercise. What we have found is that many riders (vast majority, including racers), are not steering the motorcycle as well and efficiently as they could, or are creating some additional input to the bike (which upsets it), or are creating additional lean angle that is not needed. Interestingly enough, this is quite a skill, and also quite a skill to learn how to train on others (one of the hardest skills the riding coaches have to get good at). Michigan eh? Bet you have some cold weather up there about now, not real conducive to riding! CF

Gerrry, Some riders push, some push and pull with the other hand also. I push and pull, and I checked with one of my coaches, he does also. A quick side question--have you done our school? I'm not trying to sell you a school, I simply want to know what of our skills you might have been exposed to. In a real full-on emergency steering situation, I might not get any weight on the outside peg at all. Stable platform is key for me, so I don't move the body at all when steering agressively. CF

OK, let's say road bike, meaning anything you could ride on the road or track. If you want to further catergorize it, you could split purpose built race bikes from street based bikes. CF

The books are great, best dollars spent. That being said, I am looking forward to when Keith will get the Twist 2 DVD done! CF

Gerry, If I think I have to turn quickly (like at an intersetion, someone looks like they might not see me), I get a little lower on the bike to have better leverage on the bars. Keeping a stable platform to steer from is key, so I try and cut down eliminate any body movement (same at the track). Pushing on the outside peg, that's a good idea! We work on these skills pretty thoroughly at the school. Best, Cobie

hmmm, that's a good one. I'm going to say one section that is hard to get right on the money is hte back section at Barber. After the 'Bama Rollercoaster, left/right, straight, another left /right, with a crest on the end. I don't think I ever got it to my satisfaction. Wish I had ridden Ontario though. Cobie

OK, here's the question: What's the best handling bike you have ever ridden (we'll stick to road bikes for this), and then why? I'm interested to see what you come up with. Cobie

OK, here's the question: What's the best handling bike you have ever ridden (we'll stick to road bikes for this), and then why? I'm interested to see what you come up with. Cobie

OK, here's the question: What's the best handling bike you have ever ridden (we'll stick to road bikes for this), and then why? I'm interested to see what you come up with. Cobie

Well, I'm going to have to look at this over the weekend, do a little studying I think. Some of the points I will comment on: regarding riding and hanging off---it's a skill and has uses, but I would not rank it above the other skills taught say in level 1. I have seen riders go very, very fast w/out hanging off. Ultimately one is going to be able to go faster (as the bike would be leaned over less) by a well-executed hang off. Sometimes hard to convince guys, but get the basics into play first, then add the fancy stuff. On that note, when done, many also hang off too far. Rossi doesn't. Cobie

Riding Coach Search: We are looking for riding coaches. If you are interested in trying out to be a riding coach, here is the process: 1. Read the description below the dotted line of 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! Best, Cobie Fair Chief Riding Coach Cobie@superbikeschool.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The California Superbike School is conducting a search for riding coaches. If you can answer yes to all of the questions below then you may be just what we need. 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? I?m looking for people interested in becoming riding coaches here at the number one riding school in the world. 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 a great coaches. If you think you have the right stuff, fill out an application! Best, Cobie Fair Chief Riding Coach Application__nov_22__07.rtf