Cobie Fair

Vision...this really is one of the big issues in riding. I think the Level 2 material is the most often re-viewed, clarified, learned again (at a great pace, the game changes), of all our material. New concepts---not sure what we have that would be dramtically new to you JB, but one can tell exactly what a rider is looking at and where his attention is going by riding behind. Ever see a rider go through a turn/series of turns, not going really fast, and then gas it hard when comes out? You can tell the exact moment that he looks up and gets more space! CF

Hurray! Glad you're going to keep the thread going, I like it, too, nice to know what's going on. Hey, you're in color again, nice photo! Do you think those leathers make my ass look fat?

Ok ~ you got me thinking about this and I had to revise my answer. In most corners: ie .T1 at T'Bolt Close throttle, brake, release brake, quick turn, NO throttle. Bike is at corner entry speed, rolling, leaning, scrubbing off speed. No, I don't trailbrake yet. I have to take levels 3 & 4. [my plug] At full lean, start rolling on the throttle. T2 and T3 at T'Bolt Roll off throttle slightly to load front, not close completely, quick turn, hold throttle. OK, that makes more sense. Some people talk about waiting for the apex before they get back to rolling the throtltte on. In many turns, one can get the throttle cracked back on well before the apex (apex as being the point the rider gets closest to the inside). CF

Also when the bars are away from you (when the bike is pushed under) there isn't as much leverage--like one had to turn quickly in one direction, then back in another. Happened to me when a car pulled out in front of me and then stopped. Quick turn to the right, then another to the left, to miss the curb on the opposite corner. With dirt bikes the speed is also usually a bit slower, and less mass to move--a lot less in just about every case. Make sense to you Muppett? CF

Yeah, had a friend that did a lot of training, and the big cars can't take that much braking anyway!

heheh, know what you mean about those virus, my wife gets them now and again

Two--yep, think that bike will be more fun on the track than the street...but you've got the 1300! See you in June. Best, CF

Interesting that it was measured, cool.

One woudl think in this economy, guys would be drooling for free track time! Where can I sign up? Oh, gotta work on those days, darn!

Well as I look at F4 & F5, it looks like he chopped the throttle? Did I win anything here? Rain A cookie, I'll give it to you next time you come to the school .

I had seen this, but didn't get around to putting it up, so thanks Lyle. CF

OK, I'll keep posting. Here is some worthless info: we are having the floor in the in the Student Services trailer re-finished--or at least supposed to get done, the re-finisher is late! CF

Regarding the sign ups, what we have found is they can change so fast in the office (with people signing up on the phone), we thought it was better to handle it internally, rather than show it on the site. Another reason for that is if a person cancels, and a spot opens up but the website doesn't show it yet, someone might not sign up that could. Besides, we don't mind talking to people, weird huh? CF

YNOT, You have a few points, but the first one is you refer to "maintain throttle"--what do you mean by that, do you already have some throttle on before you turned the bike? Lets start there. CF

Really good points guys, some excellent points and observations you have all made. Finding coaches that can work with a wide variety is something that we really do pay attention to.

To be honest, I hadn't used quick shifters much before this bike. Talked with some guys that have, and their opinion on the new shift assit on this S1000 is very good--have any of you guys used it yet, and how would you compare it to others if you have? CF

Squirrels, good observation on the SR, yeah, it's clear! CF

I'm pretty shameless about plugging that stuff, aren't I? It's been around, looks a little older, but it's not like the information isn't still applicable. I even worked in that video too--I remember diong one scene where I was supposed to miss a car on a curvy road. I was crowding the yellow line a little bit, and the car (driven by the director), was supposed to be a little over the yellow. Well, he was WAY over the yellow, and I really did darn near hit him! Not much acting needed in that scene Best, CF

Harnois, Good description, for sure there are different "modes" to ride in, street and track. CF

What are the component pieces that make a good coach, in this sport, or really any other for that matter? Here is one piece that has to be there, and pretty darn fundamental: observing. And you might think to yourself, "Cobie, that's pretty obvious dude." Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. But that ability to simply observe what is happening in front of you, this is not a skill of minor importance. What do you guys see as another skill in a good coach? (or comments on the above). Best, Cobie

There is a bit more information on the VW as it is covered in the classrooms currently. Not trying to be secretive, but I can't put it down in a few works all the pieces that Keith (or Dylan/Stuman) go over in the briefings. I'll say one thing: if one could keep enough space out in front, and still keep track of tihngs that happen closer in, would that be an ideal situation? CF

I just read an explanation on this. Before this can take place, you will have to have reached a "balanced" state where the centrifugal forces are equal to the forces trying to pull you towards the ground, usually when leaned over about 50 degrees (due to the width of the tyres). When the bike is leaned over less, let's say 20 degrees, you cannot expect to maintain your line if you let go of the handlebars. There is an interesting shot in the Twist 1 (yes 1) video/DVD, that shows Keith on a CBR 1000 I think on a skidpad and leaned over, holding the throttle with 2 fingers, thumb and forefinger I think--has anyone see this shot recently? Don't think he has much pressure on the bars at that point. CF

Hi Andrew, That is like what we often hear at the school. You can read it, but then getting someone to watch you doing it, how well (or poorly) can really be a help. One thing that came up recently with a student was really making it clear to him that a key part of the curriculum is making sure the students know what they are doing correctly, like really sure. We often get asked, "Hey, tell me what I'm doing wrong" and that does get covered, but the other side is just (maybe more) important. CF

Sean, I'd agree with Rainman: the visual skills will be the key to this, but what is done at level 3 will also make them appear a bit differently (many riders get more comfortable getting lower on the bike and that does have an effect on the visual skills). I'd also agree that if you do level 3, we won't ignore what is happening with your visuals, and that gets you 1 step closer to level 4, where we can do an individualized program. I'd suggest moving on to level 3, we'll sort out the visuals as needed. One point that you might consdier is have you ever had the idea of using a end of braking marker, or speed set point (as opposed to just a beginning braking marker?) Best, CF

An interesting discussion for sure. One thing that hasn't been talked about much was having a wide view, starting from the approach to a turn. How would this effect the whole visual situation?