warregl

Thanks guys. I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun on this one. And thanks for the birthday wishes Rain! Te recall was for bikes built between 9/1/2011 and 4/10/2012 so I'm good on this one. I actually signed up for both single days at VIR before I bought it so I'm on the CSS bikes. I may have to call the office and see if there are any openings for personal bikes left (those usually fill up first though. Are you going to be there? If so we'll have to catch up. We didn't get to talk much last time!

Welcome Amit. You are doing the right thing by seeking out some education. Motorcycles are something that most people learn by doing. You can ride a bike so you can ride a bike with a motor right? And so off we go. But riding motorcycles is not natural, we are not wired for the speed or the leaning especially. So it's not you, it's your evolution (but if we keep riding our decendents will be born to it . I imagine you are seeing many of the issues you have experienced detailed in TOTW II so that has to give you hope (BTW...if you can get the TOTW II DVD it's worth watching...often). The coaches at a CSS school can definitely help you become more comfortable cornering a motorcycle. I know it's cliche, but you went to schoool (quite a bit of school) to learn your profession. A little schooling to help learn you recreation is in order. Let us know how it goes, we love hearing success stories! Best, Carey

I finally joined the liter bike club (I never considered the K1200R a "liter bike"). After 3 seasons of CSS classes on the S1000RR I just couldn't hold out any longer. I picked up a lightly used 2010 S1000RR this weekend! I've been looking for a track bike for about a year (a fuel oil spill in my back yard last fall put the search on hold - nothing like a little hazardous waste to eat up you track bike funds). I had planned on buying a 600 and dedicating it to the track but just couldn't pull the trigger (most of the options around here are blinged out mall crawlers or rattle can painted IEDs). Ultimately I realized that with the saddle time I had on a CSS S1000RR, I should just suck it up and buy what I was comfortable on. Of course, now I have a veritable catalogue of track supplies to buy...

Mark, I know that NESBA control riders will provide some guidance on your riding, especially if you seek them out before the session begins and ask. However their primary job is being a control rider and not a coach so YMMV depending on the day/CR you work with. As for knee dragging, I would go about it slowly. The CSS coaches all say one of the biggest mistakes is to try to do too much too soon. They see new track riders trying too hard to get that knee down, and it's at the expense of proper form (i.e. hanging off too far, being crossed up, adding lean angle while in the corner). All of these things can end badly. Sure, you might get away with them at a moderate pace, modern sportbikes are brilliant tools and can compensate for much more rider error than in ages past, but eventually you will pick up the pace. Then those bad habits will cost you. Increasing your lean will come with increasing your pace. And increasing your pace should be incremental. I would pick up TOTW II and start working on the fundementals (throttle control and vision skills are a good start) and if you get to the track before you can do a school then you have some things to work on. While I can understand the desire to rub off the chicken strips and drag a knee, ask yourself "what is the goal?". Why do you want to put a knee down? Or be rid of those chicken strips? My guess is that both would be tangible results to your improvement. If thats the case then they should be by-products and not goals in and of themselves. I don't mean to preach but I was in your shoes. A few sessions with my first CSS coach made a believer out of me. Ride safe, Carey

Pretty impressive, especially for his first track day. He really looks like he's blowing by some people. Did you get out there with him?

Welcome to the forum Mark! I'm not sure when/if the school is planning to hit Road Atlanta again. Maybe one of the coaches knows if it's in the cards for next year and will chime it. Have you considered Barber? It's not much further from you. So what are you looking for in your riding? Are you looking to get into track riding? Or improve you street ability? Best, Carey

Free track days...that just made many of us green with envy .

Like Brad, I've never run the Shinkos but I have never known anyone to rave about their track performance. They are an economical brand and for that some people love them, but by definition an economical solution sacrifices performance for price. If your tires are ready to be replaced maybe you should look to another brand but if they still have miles on them you may want to consider waiting. Quality equipment is important but it's not a "silver bullet". It's likely that unless the tires are worn your culprit lies elsewhere

Welcome to the forum Paul! To your first question "is it too early" the answer usually is: if you are comfortable at highway speeds (and maybe a bit more) and comfortable with the operation of a motorcycle (i.e. you don't have to "think" about how to steer, brake, shift, etc.) then it is not too early. You need to be comfortable enough on a motorcycle that you can focus on the lessons and not on the basics of how to ride. On the subject of your bike vs the school's bike I tend to think the first reaction is the right one. In your case you have a very trackable bike in a different size than the school's and your gut is telling you to ride your machine. Eirik makes a good point about famaliarizing yourself with a new machine. Whichever way makes it eaiser for you to focus on your job as a student is the right way. I've used the US school's S1000RR because it is a much better track tool than my street bike (at least until I break down and buy one myself but I've seen quite a few folks who didn't let that get in their way (Rabbit) as the lessons will apply no matter which way you go. The ride home might be an issue but if you are worried about it stay an extra night and ride home fresh the next day. Best, Carey

Fun video Dane. I love the remote control camera car. That wipeout was epic! And methinx you are correct sir. Something tells me our Bavarian friends who put it together for you would not approve. You will have to post up videos Mug!

Welcome to the forum Andy. It looks like you are having a lot of fun on that Ninja. From everything I've heard it makes a great track bike. And most of us here will agree that whoever advised you to pick up the TOTW II DVD did you a big favor. Have you picked up a copy of the book as well? The DVD is a great compliment to the book so I would recommend picking that up too. Pretty soon it will be a well worn old friend as you will find yourself going back to again and again as you work on your riding. It's an process, as we get faster the same skills need to being refined and improved, throttle control, rider input, vision, body position...all constantly being improved to pick up the pace. Glad you found the forum. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here so jump in and post up. Best, Carey And BTW...that track looks like a real workout!

Glad to hear shes running as good as she looks! Nicely done sir. I've always liked the Tuono. I have a BMWK1200r so the nakeds appeal to me (not sure I should have said it that way though). But even I am considering a move to the more track friendly machines. I'm trying to figure out how I can justify having both. Good luck with that RSV!

Good point Rain. I wasn't thinking it through...sort of day dreaming about it actually. And you are right to remind everyone here about the sighting lap. I know I was very apprehensive about my first track laps and the sighting lap really helped settle me down. And it's probably like a lot of things, hard to live up to the hype. Still, just being able to say "I came out of the Corkscrew and setup for Rainey" has got to be fun the first time as well.

Hey Vince, Sadly (for me) I will not be there. Wish I could be, riding Laguna Seca is on the bucket list. As for where most students stay, you might try giving the office a call (800-530-3350). They should have an idea which hotel is most popular with the students (and can verify which off track bikes are available). I do my CSS classes at VIR and like to stay at the track for the same reason you mentioned. There is only one place to eat within about 15 miles and it's also at the track so it's pretty easy to find other students. In May we ended up with eight people at the table for dinner and most of us had never met before. I swear I haven't laughed that hard in years, I was a bit worried they were going to ask us to leave . If you don't happen to hook up with anyone the night before just get to the track a few minutes early. In my experience most people are headed to CSS alone and arte keen to find someone to share the experience with. It's a big part of the reason I wish more people discovered this forum before they attend a class. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I want to hear how you feel going around the Corkscrew for the first time! Best, Carey

I couldn't agree with Steve more! Finding a lid that fits is second only to buying one that provides quality protection. Additionally make sure if you are ordering online that you know what the manufacture date is. Helmets have a life span and the discount might be because the shelf life is getting old. While there is some debate over this (usually with people that don't want to have to buy a new helmet), I believe both Arai and Shoei recommend replacing at 5 years old.

Nice example Dane. I know I have seen that play out more than a few times on back woods rides and track days. A few years back at VIR there was a fellow on a Desmosedici RR. He was wicked fast in the straight bits but once he tiped it in I thought he was going to fall over for lack of corner speed. CSS is cheaper than a Desmo...and more effective .

Good to hear you had no major damage, especially to you Guy. And I would be willing to bet your story is an all too common one. The lead can be the hardest place to be in a race, when you are following at least you know what you have to do (or not do) to try to pass. Good luck in the next race. (And welcome to the...er...club.)

Welcome to the forum David! I remember reading about CSS back in the 80's when I was a baby squid as well. I remember thinking it was for racers. When I took my first class some 20 odd years later I wished I could go back and kick young-me in seat of my pants for not actually getting the facts. Of course, that wasn't the first (or the last) time I was inspired to administer a time travel related attitude adjustment to young-me. He was an even bigger idiot than the guy in the mirror this morning. But he did have more hair. All kidding aside, you won't get too many arguements around here on the quality of the program. And Keith has assembled a great team to share it with us. Almost too good, I keep going back...

I would shout out my agreement but in this part of the world I might be shot for heresy! Yes just like that!

Welcome to the forum Evans! As long as you buy a respected, name brand helmet with the correct certifications (DOT, Snell) I think the real decision is made by fit and function (and as T-Mc pointed out, affordability). I've had good luck with Shoei (and like Rain have tested them in anger) but my current lid is an Arai. I switched because the fit was better and the aerodynamics are great (I like the way it helps my big melon cut through the wind). And then there are the aesthetics, if you are dropping some righteous coinage on a helmet, it’s ok to like the style, I just wouldn’t use that as my first criterion . Webbikeworld does a lot of helmet reviews and has some good information on sizing, the certifications, shell shapes, etc. Good luck in your search. Carey

Nice Bullet! You make it look so easy. And that beauty has some growl.

That was an awesome race finish (and a good find by Eirik - loved the comentary on that clip). The announcers were discussing it a few weeks ago when MotoGP was at Catalunya and I was think how much fun it would be to have those kinds of battles for the win again!

Like Rainman, I am also a diver. I'm decompression, advanced nitrox, and cave certified so when you throw track riding motorcycles into the mix most of my friends think I'm crazy. That said, when I see folks jumping out of airplanes I tend to think they are a bit bent. I know that is fairly mainstream now but having grown up the son pilot, jumping out of airplanes is something that will cause this pot to call the kettle black. And what is up with those rock climbers that don't use any safety lines. Crikey that's nuts!

For me it was Rabbit on his Interstate Valkyre at VIR last month! He road it halfway across country, did the school, and road it back. You have to respect that. And he was looking smooth in the corners by the end of the day. He said the rain we got really helped him feel more in control his bike. And that's what it's all about (just watch that low hanging hardware).

It does seem to be doing well and I personally think it is a very nice looking bike but then I also liked (sry Kai) the 999 so what do I know . I have toyed with the idea of trading my K1200R in on a new S1000RR so I have considered the Panigale. It is a bit more money but not absurdly so (for the base at least). Sadly the Duc dealer in this area doesn't have a demo machine set up so I cant ride one right now (they cant get enough of them to justify it so that would support your assertion Rain - they are selling well). Along the line of this thread, I have a question for you guys. Would you feel comfortable buying one of the school's retired 2010's S1000RRs? There are a few left and they range in miles from 20-23K. They have been ridden hard but you know they have been maintained well. It's an option that would make for a very nice second bike. Thoughts?