twgonzalez

I will be doing the level 3 and 4 at the two day camp in June, what are the chances of being able to turn off the DTC on the S1000RR and practice with the slide/lean bike?

Hi Cobie, I will review the twist materials again, I think now after doing Levels 1 & 2 the materials take on a new dimension. In regards to your question about the tires and road. The tires were definitely warmed up on both sides (as it was at the bottom of the mountain.) The road seemed fine, lots of grip, no sand. But you never know I could have run over a leaf or something. It was a short, jerky little slip. I was off the throttle, but had been off for a bit, so throttle was constant. The slip occured when I applied more countersteering pressure to create more lean - potentially I was not smooth enough in applying throttle. My SR's were definiteliy kicking off and I was most likely getting pretty rigid on the bike and holding the handlebars tighter than I needed to. I am looking forwad to Level 3, as I can not consistently get my body position such that I can relax. Sometimes I can nail it and be relaxed hanging off, other times it feels akward and like I am expending too much energy.

What is the recommended technique for taking a decreasing radius turn (270 degree) and when to get on the throttle. I find that if I enter the turn at a good clip with some lean angle to spare, I can then lean it over further as I go into the turn, but I hesitate to apply throttle as I lean more. The challenge is (especially headed downhill) that as the turn radius decreases and I am leaning over more and OFF the throttle I start to put a lot of load on the front tire. Doing this yesterday I found that when I entered the turn a bit hotter than I wanted I really had to get the bike over further as the radius decreased, and I ended up sliding the front a bit (just enough to scare me and blow my confidence for the rest of the ride.) If I had been able to add a bit of throttle I am sure I could have transferred more weight to the rear and avoided the slip, but then I think I might have suffered a different fate. Any suggestions from anyone. (Caveat: I realize this is probably something best experimented with at the track - and there arent' too many 270 degree turns at tracks like there are on mountain roads.)

Hi Cobie, Yeah, the two day camp REALLY spoiled me. I had a S1000RR on order and it arrived the week after the camp. Going to my usual set of twisties really has much less appeal now, even on my new bike. This was my first real sport bike I ever owned - and the neck/back pain to get to 3 minutes of semi-fun doesn't quite seem worth it - especially when I know what is possible. On a typical street, with a margin of safety you have about a whole 2 feet to play with in regards to your line, and if the turn is blind and I have not pre-run it, dragging a knee really isn't an option. I signed up for another 2 day camp in June, and I need to figure out how to get more track time for my new bike - as the only time it is really comortable to ride is when I have my knee down and I am railing through a set of turns - it is just magic. Riding upright at less than 60mph for 30 minutes to get there - uh not so much Anyway, thanks for an amazing experience, and helping to give me the tools and instruction to ride more confidently. For others out there as a testament to the school, I have never owned a true sport bike until AFTER i went to the school - my other bike is a K1300GT. By the last session on day 2 I was relaxed and confident enough to be routinely dragging my knee through turn 2. Something I wasn't explicitly trying to do - but a great way to end the camp - as it was something I had never done before.

Unfortunately the whole experience has spoiled me for street riding. That was my first time at a track, and going out to Palomar today on my new S1000RR just paled in comparison. I will say though, that my confidence in riding roads like Palomar has increased probably 2x-3x, unfortunately they just are not nearly as fun now.

Nice improvement! You look much more relaxed and better positioned (IMHO.)

I just returned from the Level 1 and 2 two day camp at the Streets of Willow (March 25/26.) All I can say is WOW! The whole experience was really amazing. I can not express how impressed I was with how organized, professional, and sincere/caring the whole staff and team were. I felt that all of the staff were truly committed and interested in my improvement and learning. The course itself was everything I had hoped for and more, and I look forward to returning in the fall for levels 3 and 4. Specifically, the drills and directed coaching take what are intellectual concepts that I had practiced in a vague manner prior to the course and turn them into an exact and specific set of mind/body movements that you gain a visceral understanding of. The end result of the 2 days was that I came away with a specific set of actions I could apply that allow me to RELAX at speed (relative to my skill level.) The visual drills in Level 2 allowed me to observe how I was using my own attention in its visual field, and catch myself when I would fixate or start to tighten up - and as soon as I caught myself I would "get a wide view" and relax again. On my last session I was pretty tired, and told myself I would just use the session to practice being relaxed and focus on turning my hips in when hanging off and not try to crank up the pace. By the third lap I was consistently dragging my knee through turn 2, something I had never experienced before, and something that was just a wonderful by-product of applying the lessons. I also ended up turning in my best lap times as result I never got completely comfortable running the fishbowl (turn 8) at the Streets in reverse, but what was amazing, is that during the turn - which is a more drawn out steeply banked turn taking about 3-4 seconds to complete, I could catch my attention fixating and narrowing my field of view - each time that happened I would consciously widen my view, and focus on the next reference point - the result is that I was able to mindfully reverse the target fixation and anxiety that accompanied it. That was a HUGE lesson, and one that I was able to repeatedly execute. I feel now when I am in situations (even on the the street) where that familiar anxiety and physical "clenching" come into play I have a proven technique to help mitigate it. That is huge! My sincere thanks to all the staff, coaches, and other students for an unforgettable experience. I look forward to seeing everyone again in the Fall.

Cobie, I was curious, are the S1KRR's the school is using equiped with the ABS and DTC? Will we be directed to use specific fuel map modes in our drills (god forbid we have to stay in Rain mode the whole day..) Or will that be up to us, or based on individual riders? I took another spin on one yesterday, and the bike is freakishly fast, at least for someone not accustomed to race bikes - perhaps other race-prepped literbikes are just as fast, I don't know. - Tom

Cobie, Yeah, we have two little boys 2.5 and 4.5 years old. So a couple more years before I get them some bikes I have a feeling once I get to the track, Palomar will seem like a lot less fun. In fact, it is only mildly fun now, trying to ride at 60%-70% and leaving enough attention left over for sand, other vehicles, etc.. just becomes stressful. The chance to focus 100% of my attention on my riding in a controlled environment is something I look forward to. If it is half as fun as I anticipate I am going to have to figure out how to make it a "family outing" to head up to Rosamond for the day The guys at BMW North County are great, super low key, great atmosphere. Mike the owner is there all the time, and they have a small tight staff. I believe one of their guys is one of the faster club racers at Willow, but his name escapes me at the moment. I will definitely stop by and say hello. - Tom

Hi Cobie, I demoed it at my local dealer, BMW Motorcycle of North County in Escondido, where I got my K1300GT just a couple months back (after not having a bike for about 15 years.) As I said above, went back 2 days later, and put my deposit down to order one. Now I am explaining to my wife why I need two new bikes just a few months apart, a bit of a tough sell, but I think 15 years of pent-up motorcycle passion is gushing forth. I found myself spending more time on Palomar than I would have thought on my GT, but you gotta ride the GT like it was meant to be ridden (meaning pretty much on top of it versus on the side of it.) The GT is a great bike, but no getting around its 650lb+ bulk, despite its monster motor. The first turn I took on the S1RR it felt SOO good to just lock in and drop it into the turn, but then I don't have to tell you, as you guys now have a fleet of them I am counting the days until the end of March, and it will be great to get direct coaching experience on the same bike I will own, especially since it will be my first time on the track. I am looking forward to practicing the drills and having a nice controlled environment to practice within. - Tom

Just demoed the S1000RR, bike is just amazing, went back next day and ordered one. I am SO looking forward to Willow at the end of March. 2 days on S1 at a track are worth the price alone.

Hi Cobie, Thanks for the prompt and detailed response. That totally makes sense. I don't imagine one would have very good results on the slide bike until one had a good handle on smooth throttle control and vision acuity. I wish March was going to be here sooner! - Tom

I just signed up for the 2 day camp at Willow at the end of March (waiting for the confirmation call actually) and I had a couple of noob questions. This is my first time at CSS, and I was curious if in the two day camp we get to try the slide bike (in reading through the forums this wasn't completely clear.) I wasn't sure if the slide bike was just for advanced level 4 riders, and someone attending for the first time would have their hands full with other drills, or if it was something even a noob could get some time on and would actually benefit from - as it seems like such a unique opportunity to become more sensitive to bike handling before and during a controlled slide. My second question is in regards to the S1000RR, will we be using the various traction modes for the drills, and is that even relevant, or are all of the drills so focused that concerns about wet/sport/race/slick are moot? Thanks, and I am already eagerly counting the days until Willow.