Cobie Fair

Hi KHP, You would of couse realize I'm giving a biased view, as Dunlop is our sponsor, and has been--forever. Also, not sure what's available to you... It's been a while since I've had any Metzlers, or really ridden on them, so no intimate knowledge there (hope we get some others sounding off on the plus/minus of the tires you mention). I can comment on what I think could be a similarity: for many years on my street bike I would use race tires (take offs). What I got to like was a closer to a slick profile, a bit more pointy. This allowed the bike to be turned easier, but was a bit nervous in a straight line, especially over the rain grooves we have here on the freeways. I didn't really mind it moving around, and figured it was a good trade off for ultimate grip. Pretty sure I was just fooling myself and I eventually learned they never got up to working temp--I don't ride hard enough around town to get the heat in them. That brings us to the current Qualifiers. I've chased students at our race school, they on our school bikes with Qualifiers, me on a coach bike with race tires. Once we got the tire pressure sorted (we were too high to start with), the Q's were no disadvantage for a fast rider. And they take less time to warm up. A better alround choice for sure. Another plus for you, they are not nervous at all, very nicely go over just about anything. I still personally like a more pointed profile (for ease of turning), but happily take the pluses that outweigh that. And there is my biased opinion. Best, Cobie

I understand, have to train the right hand to do what you want! (takes a bit). Best, CF

Cobie, No worries mate, I knew you were joking. I was joking also. You were joking about me needing some professional help for my obsession, and I thought it an interesting twist that my obsession is all about getting professional help, albeit of a different sort. See you at Thunderbolt! Elton I do like it when we get a little humor up here---a long while ago, it was getting a little dry I think. For sure see you there, gotta make sure you come and say hello, so I can place the name with the face...too often I see mostly the helmet and eyes! CF

Hi Foggy, and welcome! Fast Old Gits---what's the minimum age? CF

Yeah, agree with you on that--big tax. We live in the desert in Southern Calif, so really can ride year round if we like. When it gets down to 50 degrees F, we think it's cold and don't ride much--I know, I know, wimps. But, when you can ride year round, very little rain, you can be a bit more picky. It's fascinating all of the different people on the forum now, and what riding is like for them. Love to visit there sometime, meet with the riders (and in Dubai too--hope to miss those really hot days though!). Best, CF

Hi BJW, Just to make sure one thing is clear, "apex" is where the rider get's closest to the inside of the turn. The yellow X is the turn point, that is where the rider begins turning the bike. There is a lot of information on this in the Twist of the Wrist 2 book, or DVD. Do you recall when you were supposed to begin the throttle roll on, what did you understand from the seminar on this? CF

Wow, wasn't aware of that! CF

Sabah, Excellent post, suspected some of that, but didn't really know many specifics. I understand that there are many that are working in Dubai, do they make up the majority of the riders, or is it locals? You mentioned a visa for girls, does that mean local girls can't get a license? Best, CF

Ben, Thanks for that, I realized that I had this preconcieved idea it was flat and desert around there. How long does it take to get to the good roades there? And, how easy or hard is it to get on that rack? Cost, how often is it open, how well are the local track days run? Maybe you and Sabah can fill us in? Best, CF

Ben, Thanks for that, I realized that I had this preconcieved idea it was flat and desert around there. How long does it take to get to the good roades there? And, how easy or hard is it to get on that rack? Cost, how often is it open, how well are the local track days run? Maybe you and Sabah can fill us in? Best,. CF lol cool! glad you joined the forum, trying to get the css students in dubai on here

400's would be interesting, maybe singles...love to see some bikes that the smaller riders could get on. Never been very popular here in the US, but it would be great to have something fun smaller/shorter riders could use. For a number of the ones I have talked with, getting their feet on the ground, and the overall weight of the bike has been an issue that has kept them off of the more serious sportbikes. CF

Cobie, You mean, above and beyond the 13 CSS days? I can't afford any more professional help! Is there a race track at the Poor House? Elton Elton, I was joking on teh whole thing (you doing that many days)--we might have to give you a job! CF

Rocket, Well, you answered my other questions, and are already signed up, so we'll see you there. That S1000 is going to be a hoot to ride at that track, big fun CF

Rocket, Sounds good, are you on the east coast, considering one of those tracks? CF

Hi KHP, Excellent informative post. I had no real idea of what goes on there. I have tons of questions, but just a few for now: Are there more cruiser riders than sportbike riders (if you know). What are the reliable months for riding, what is the season? What brand/brands of motorcycles are most popular there? Are track days very popular, are they easy to get on, or not so easy? Best, Cobie

Hi Nobody, If you have the bike moving around on you, either under braking or over a bump, you might want to have a look at the chapters on rider input in Twist 2 (or the DVD). Riders tend to make the situation much worse than it need be! Best, Cobie

Hi Caguilar, We will be on the Classic Course, not the infield course. This can be viewed if you go to Google Earth I believe. To be 100% honest, looking at a map or other image hasn't really translated into learning a track for me, just have to get there and ride it. We'll for sure help you with that though, your coach will be able to spend a lot of time with you, he'll only have the 2 students in your group. Great way to start your track riding, you might get spoiled though! Best, Cobie

Had a great Christmas, basically went and hung out with my wife's family. My motto this year (the food was good) was to go and eat till I was full, then go back for 2nds. We have the new coach leathers that are being worked on at the moment, should have them for the official dealer release of the bikes on Jan 27, in Florida. We'll be down there for that, looking forward to learning more about the bike, and getting some time with it on track--although, the day is for the dealers, not us, we'll just provide a bit of on-track help. I've said this elsewhere, but the crew at BMW is such a pleasure to deal with, they have just been great in every way. 2 of them were in LA for the bike show, and made it to our end of the year party (pretty brave of them really), but it wasn't too rowdy . Coach interviews and scheduling will happen over the next month or 2, a few are in the works, but like to get a few more, so if you think you might have the right stuff, fill out the application on and send that over. Really like the way our forum has evolved, that has to do with you guys that post on it, so please keep it up. It really has a good reputation as being friendly, and staying (more or less) on topic. About the only thing I'd like to see more of is less lurking and more participation, but that is a bit of a theme with me isn't it? . I'm not much for hanging out on the sidelines! Have a great new year, get on the forum and to the track!! Very Best, Cobie

Hi BC, Sorry, just now getting up here, been out of town since the 23 (yes, I actually took a few days off, now I'm recovering from my vacation--ever have that happen?). The infield, even though not real long, really is fun. But I am looking forward to the Classic couse, be able to let the S1000's breath a little bit . Glad the days went well, it was a nice way to wind down the year! Best, Cobie

Hi Kai, Well, glad to see you have come out of the closet! . We don't have a ton of guys up here from Sweden (none that are admitting it anyway), what's it like riding there, how many tracks, what kind of shape are they in, what's the hot bike, is Keith popular there? Best, Cobie

Hi Sabah, Yes, welcome to the forum. Most of us haven't been to Dubai, want to fill us in on what it's like riding there? Best, Cobie

Don't do it, you might get hooked , then you'd have to get another bike (or trade in). Actually, for guys shorter than you two gents (most of us I would think), sportbikes aren't that comfortable for long rides either. But, I don't tour on a bike, so riding at the track it is the "right" position. I had one coach that was 6'7" 330 lbs (yeah, a big boy). He didn't whine too much. Best, CF

Wow, don't think that's the average story. Can you elaborate on the "No objection" letters, that for sure isn't something that we have to deal with over here... Best, Cobie

Quick, get this man some professional help! CF ps--certainly familiar with the disease, 20+ years later.

Misti, pea soup, eh? What do you guys think? Not sure it fills all the requirements as listed earlier in this thread, Jet? CF