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Cobie Fair

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Posts posted by Cobie Fair

  2. How To Get Good At Something...

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Excellent responses. Brought up some areas I hadn't thought about initially. For example, we have what other training can help? As in the case where money is an issue (for most), alternate training can help. In shooting, there is tons of practice that can be done without going to a range. In riding, many use small dirt bikes to work skills in the off season. Pretty sure that will include just about every top rider. Like to go into this a bit more, but the next one I had in mind was this:

     

    Evaluation. This would be of material being trained, and results achieved. We get lots of rave successes on the school days, but the proof is in the pudding: what happens when the rider leaves. Did he get a result in improved lap times, greater confidence, less work for same result, greater constency, greater safety in his street riding, etc.

     

    Some riders are a bit narrowly focused on their training and results. Some have a pretty lofty goal that doesn't look entirely reasistic. Many do notice a difference, we get tons of feedback about what they do notice.

     

    I'll expand one more step regarding evaluation: honest and objective evaluation. Often people are hard on themselves, too hard. "Man, you came to ther track for the first time, rode a new motorcyle, dropped 20 seconds, cleared up some fundamental misunderstanings and you are unhappy because Joe Blow is faster?"

     

    Evaluation would also apply to choosing the correct material, the correct training program, the correct school or instructor. I think I'm pretty easy to train, due to my training here (and training I've gotten related to my duties here). That being said, when I take other training, I'm somewhat particular about it. I want very solid data, taught by very competent trainers. First, do we have the right materials, the correct data? Next, do we have guys that are good at training that material?

     

    This is the first time I have attempted to voice this in this fashion, I'd like to know what you guys think. Unfortunately, 8 solid days on the road doing schools or training starting tomorrow, I won't get to this likely for a week...please don't let that keep you from putting your 2 cents up!

     

    Best,

    Cobie

  3. How To Get Good At Something...

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    How does one get good at anything?

     

    We get some form of this question often, "How can I get ___________ good?" Whatever the blank is: drag a knee, use a lot of lean angle, ride as fast as one's friend, a coach at the school, etc.

     

    Is it all natural talent, big cajones, mental toughness, education, seat time, the latest bike and tires, cool suspension bits, good advice from friends?

     

    What about other sports/activities, what format of training works there too?

     

    As is obvious to anyone who has been at the Superbike School, we think correct information is a good place to start. Go over the theory, get a solid understanding of it, and there is a priority of information. The information that is most critical is presented first.

     

    In the absence of a school, one could read the material available on the subject. A thorough review of the books and material available would be the next option.

     

    This is first in a series I have in mind, but want to see if the subject piques your interest or not.

     

    Let me know what you guys think on this please.

     

    Best,

    Cobie

  8. 2012, Where We Are, What We're Doing

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    Just back from 4 excellent days at the Streets of Willow Springs. 2 single days and a 2-day camp. The camp is extra enjoyable as we can run that track in either direction, and did so. The weather, though a bit warm, was very dry, no wind to speak of, and crysttal clear blue skies...pretty nice overall really.

     

    It's been a while since I've had another profession, and I was just reviewing one of the things that makes this one rewarding...no, not just the riding :). The riders.

     

    We get a pretty interesting cross section of riders, really a pretty bright and lively bunch. I didn't make any effort to ask background, so this is just from casual conversation:

     

    Multi time student from Michigan I think, partner in his own business, pretty fast, lots of fun good sense of humor. Another multi time student, just started hanging off, enjoying that next step in his riding. A stuntwoman. A Scandanavian, making this part of his trip from Europe. A local from Orange County. A trauma surgeon that had been riding only 2 months! An ex-motorcrosser, coming to terms with asphalt riding (and did very well). And these are just some of the characters I personally had some interaction with.

     

    The riding is fun, but working with and watching the change in the riders...that's the real payoff.

     

    So, thank you, all of you, for coming!

     

    Best,

    Cobie

  11. Tank Pads, Survey

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Excellent info, thanks all.

     

    I'd mentioned this at one point, but we had actually talked to them (Keith did) about the old style Stomp Grip. It was even more grippy...I do hope they bring that back as an option. The ability to get fully locked on with much less effort was ideal for track usage.

     

    CF

  12. Tank Pads, Survey

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    We have been pushing tank pads for a while. Loved the original Stomp Grip, then we tried Tech Spec, now we have a newer version of the Stomp.

     

    Here are the survey questions:

     

    1. Do you use any kind of tank pads?

    2. If so, which kind and why?

    3. If so, what have you noticed with them?

    4. If not, how come?

     

    This is for both the track rider and street rider.

     

    Like to know what you guys have noticed.

     

    Best,

    Cobie

    (PS: Lurkers, ok to come out of the closet on this).

  14. Heavy Braking

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    We were doing some experimenting recenlty, KC was talking about having as a goal zero bar pressure under braking. For street riding while in the middle of seat easier with both knees on the tank (tank pads work well for this) and some go all the way to doing this on the track with both knees on the tank until braking is basically done.

     

    Have any of your experimented with this?

     

    CF

  18. Racing In The Northwest

    in School Questions/General Discussion

    Posted

    A student sent me a note after a school, I'm sharing part of it:

     

    I did my frst round of Novice racing with WMRRA at the Ridge the weekend prior to class.  I did my next round over Labor Day at the Ridge and saw my lap times get almost 17 seconds per lap faster, and my comfort level was WAY WAY up!  I can't wait for the next race!

    ----

     

    Pretty cool :).

     

    CF

  23. Heavy Braking

    in Cornering and Techniques

    Posted

    Having light wheels, that is nice for sure!

     

    As to will the bike stoppie, or slide the front, they are treated similarly...come out of the brakes.

     

    Interestingly enough, there is quite a bit of technique related to braking. We don't have much extra time at the regular schools, so this is not addressed "formally" but we do at the 2-day camps. At a regular school, if this subject is of interest, please do ask your coach (or come see me).

     

    At a 2-day camp, ride the Brake Bike!

     

    There is some excellent info in the Twist books, anyone care to provide an appropriate quote?

     

    Best,

    CF

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