warregl

I find I am repeatedly learning lesson 1, but I am open to it these days so it comes eaiser (and with less pain in the end). Many years ago I was having and "issue" with my bike (I honestly can't remember what it was) when I first heard the advice that I am sure we have all heard one time or another - "Your problem is with the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle..." But then again, that's why we are all here right? Great post Duck (and thanks for the definition of a skitch - that one has bothered me for years).

Welcome Ken! If you are looking for more training you will not be disappointed with the school. What areas are you wanting to work on? Any skills you know need improving or are you looking to build base to improve from? Are you interested in track riding or do you just want to be a better street rider? (FYI...the latter can lead to the former, just a friendly warning.) Best, Carey

Love the headlights!

Looks like Rabbit on his Interstate Valkyre at VIR last month . Great post Jaybird.

Welcome to the forum Duck! I was a late starter on the track scene as well (41) but you are dead on, it's never to late to have a happy childhood (plus now I can actually afford to do it right). I would recommend you start with Twist II and if you want an easy and informative introduction to CSS, pick up a copy of the Twist II DVD. It is very informative and gives you some great insight to the teachings of the Guru, Mr. Code. And if you have the opportunity, you should seriously consider attending the school. If you are looking for coaching you wont find any better. Please don't be bashful, the forum loves new members and there is a ton of good information and some great people here. Best, Carey

Welcome to the forum Guy. Like Rainman, I can see quite a few parallels in your story and mine (again except for Belgium, Alaska, and New Mexico ) . I had read Hough, Parks, Ienatsch, and the like, taken the MSF class and was looking for exactly what you described and the guys at the shop I use recommended CSS almost before I could get the question out. I had seen the twist books but figured they were for "racers". I couldn't have been more wrong. After doing level 1 I had an incident on the street with a cager that would have ended very badly for me if it wasn't for CSS. If you can make it to a CSS class I can't recommend it enough, especially now that you are track riding. And who knew Kai was a philosopher? J/K of course, he is absolutely right. We love the open exchange here and hope you are shamelessly active. Best, Carey

I have no direct experience with the California tracks however one of the guys I rode with at VIR last month echoed Rainman and Hotfoot's sentiments exactly. He felt SOW was the best training track of the three. I remember reading that Keith had a hand in the development of the current layout (with an eye toward the training value no doubt) so that alone makes me put it at the top of the list. Although It would be fun to ride the Corkscrew, I'd do that one as a track day. If you are doing a school a "technical" track will give you more ROI. But to quote Dennis Miller, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Good luck Fossil. I'm looking forward to hearing how you do!

Welcome to the forum Vorontzov! Thanks for the thoughtful thread. Ouch Kai. I got up on the curbing at VIR in turn 6 (where you straighen out the Snake) while it was raining a few weeks ago. Fortunately it was just some "extra" slippage as the bike was not at any significant lean but it was enough to drive home the fact that those things can be troublesome....

Thanks Gorecki, even I can look fast in a pic! Well said mugget. I wouldn't have seen it that way before actually doing it. I found it very educational.

Here are a few shots from VIR earlier this month. For those that ask "what happens if it rains?"...see below. It may not be fun but you sure get a lot of practice with the bike moving around under you.

First I have to admit that I have not raced. That said when I saw it I thought Rea's move was a bit too agressive and was possibly over the line but I couldn't tell from the camera angle if he ran wide into Melandri or if Melandri held his line too long after Rea had the position. Interestingly enough, since they were racing at Miller this weekend, we had Scott Russell doing the broadcast and his take was that Marko's move was too agressive as in he should have been protecting Haslam's lead more and his move left the opening for Rea. So my opinion is if Rea couldnt hold his line and took Melandri out it's on him, but if Melandri didn't give up his line after Rea was clearly in the hole, well that makes it a bit more cloudy. Just my opinion as a fan. I would love to hear what everyone else thinks.

Welcome Mike. I had a similar experience when I took my first class, I couldn't wait to get back for level 2. And Rainman is dead on, the improvement only builds on itself. And I have to agree Cobie is a heck of a coach and a genuinely nice guy (just don't tell him I said that ). Thanks for sharing your story and don't be afraid to jusmp in and participae in the forum, we love new blood! Best, Carey

Hey Damon Here's a link to a review I wrote on my two day camp experience, you may find it useful (I've got reviews on my level 1 & 2 one day classes if you are curious about the content just shoot me a PM). And yes there is still a deposit - but it is very reasonable considering you are on an S1000RR. And I completely agree with Rainman and T-Mc, the school will improve your riding. Plus it is a great introduction to the track. The atmosphere is one of learning not competition so no one will give you any grief about your pace (as long as it's not dangerously slow ). I can honestly describe CSS as the best money I have spent on motorcycling. Best, Carey

Welcome to the forum Damon. It sounds like you are in the right mind frame, open to good coaching and some education on the technology of riding. CSS can do that for you. Are you planning on attending the school this year? If you have not read the Twist of the Wrist books I would recommend startiung with Twist II and get a copy of the Twist II DVD as well. Both are great primers for the school and excellent tools on their own as well. And don't be afraid to jump in and participate in the forum. There is a wealth of knowledge already posted but the guys and girls love chatting with new members as well. Ride safe, Carey

Welcome to the forum yamahafz1! I've got a buddy that has an FZ1 and loves it. He found it much more comfortable than my last R6, if slighly less responsive . Of course that R6 was replaced by a K1200R for street riding , although I do wish I had it back for the track... Good luck at NJ in Sept, you will have a blast (and wish you were doing level two as well...just a fair warning). Best, Carey

That does sound like a good reason to stay home but I was hoping to meet you at VIR this year! And I'm also interested in Cobie's and/or Will's input on this thread.

Welcome to the forum Tyler. Vision is a great skill to work on, I've been working on mine quite a bit as well. You cant get faster without good vision (and good reference points to go with it). Best, Carey

Personally I have had good luck with both the Dunlop Q2s and the Michelin Power Pures. The Pures seem to turn in slightly quicker on my bike, that may be the 2 lbs of unsprung weigth they are supposed to save you, or it could be all in my head . Both seem to heat up quickly and I have gotten about the same wear out of both. Let us know what you go with and how you end up liking them.

Welcome to the forum! If I may ask, since you are 70%-30% street to track wouldn't you want to consider the a tire like the Power Pures that are designed to be between the 2ct street tire and the track tire? Not judging, just curious. Personally I would be concerned that a race tire wouldn't heat cycle properly in day to day street riding but thats something I would defer to the experts on. Does anyone else ride DOT race tires as their primary tire on their street bike?

Hey TD, welcome to the forum! Glad to hear you enjoyed your experience. The CSS crew really know's what they are doing and it's just amazing how much you learn. Was that your first time on the track? Where are you planning to do 3 & 4? Miller in July? Best, Carey

Welcome to the forum artigee! If you have been commuting for the last few years you will be fine at the school. The general rule is the student should be comfortable with the operation of the motorcycle (i.e. you don't have to "think" about how to shift, brake, etc) and be comfortable at highway speeds. And your r1200gs whould be fine. I've seen all kinds of bikes at the school and even heard of full dress Harleys doing the schools. I would recommend you consider using their bike as it simplifies things for you (trailering, fuel, tech inspection, tire wear, etc) but that's a personal decision as your Beemer would be fine to take the class on. And if your goal is to "increase your confidence at the corner with proper handling" you will love the school. The atmosphere is one of learning, the coaches and staff are very supportive, and they run a great program. And you will improve your riding. Period. It's the best money I have spent on motorcycling including my K1200r (having a bike is great, knowing how to ride it is priceless ). Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions. Best, Carey

That Sounds like a great trip Kai. And if you get the chance to do Code RACE you'll have to let us know how it goes. I am rcurious what the student experience is in that class. And post up a few pictures of your photoshoot of the canyons if you get a chance. Best, Carey

This threw me for quite a while as well. Partially I think because of the type of bike I ride on the street. By the time I started taking CSS classes I no longer had a sportbike and my BMW K1200R had rearsets that sat low (comparatively) so I wasn’t getting the feeling of "biting" into the tank when weighting the outside peg (creating a pivot point). Once I got on a bike with a more aggressive seating position it started to make sense. That and once I had a good pivot point (by weighing the outside peg and digging my knee into the tank( I got what it felt like to be locked onto the bike. I have upgraded the rearsets on the KR the week after that.

Some guys have all the luck. The last thing to follow me home needed to be fed and have it's shots updated, it was enough to make me stop dating for a month. All kidding aside (and I was kidding...mostly) that's very nice Brad!