warregl

Very cool video Timmer! Thanks for sharing.

Welcome to the forum Alfred! You are in for a real experience when you take the 2 day camp. Lots of track time and plenty of coaching feedback. Plus less traffic on the circuit. Good luck with the waiting list. What area's of your riding are you interested in improving? Best, Carey

We are generally not too picky. Find one that feels right and post away. Just don't be surprised if some of these guys want to convert you to road racing . We're a passionate bunch. Welcome, Carey

Sounds like fun Cobie. Of course you may want to take some long underwear... Let us know how it goes!

Hi Pepsi, VIR is a favorite location of mine and I will be there on 5/13 & 5/14 so look me up (I'll be in the Kahki Jeep and probably next to a red dually with a big red trailer. You can stay in the Paddock suites (a bit sparse but right on pit lane) or at the Lodge (more like a normal hotel and overlooking turns 5/6). I've never stayed at the Villas. If they are having an event on 5/12 you may not be able to check in until after 4 or 5 (the office can tell you - (434) 822-7700. Food at the track is limited to the Oak Tree Tavern (its ok and if you are by yourself you can usually find other students there). Danville and South Boston are both 20-25 minutes away and offer some choices. There is also a decent pizza/sanwich shop just a few minutes from the track in Altom. I cant remember the name but the guys at the gate can direct you). You should love VIR. It is a great facility and the North Course is a blast. Best, Carey

Thanks Hotfoot. I feel better now.

Franco, If you are comfortable with the operation of a motorcycle (i.e. you dont have to "think" about steering, shifting, braking, etc) and you are comfortable at highway speeds (or maybe just a bit more) then you will be fine. The school is not about training racers (although they have done more than their share of that). And while the school takes place at the track, it is not a "track day", it is a school and the environment is reflective of that (special thanks to Trevor!). And the lessons you learn directly apply any time you snap up a kickstand. I've written reviews on all 4 levels (and the one vs two day formats); I would be happy to send them to you. I was a track noob myself and I was really impressed with CSS from the first day. Best, Carey

That sounds like an interesting DVD, I'll have to look for it. It is always an eye opening experience to realize how far the safety measures have come. Plus I love history in almost any form. My grandfather used to say "If you want to know where you are, look at where you've been". Of course, he may have been talking about getting lost in the woods but I'm going to give him credit for being more profound than that.

Brad - I have had good luck with the Knox Cold Killers. It is coated on the front to cut the wind and its breathable on the back. It's not as flexible as the Under Armor but its warmer! Sure, rub it in with your nice weather and movies stars. Ah, to live the glamorous life.

Great question Cobie. I especially have issues with my hip flexors in the late afternoon sessions. Any insight would be appreciated Dr. Price! Best, Carey

I couldn't have said it better (and anyone who has read my posts will know I have tried). Everyone who works at CSS has much to be proud of!

Thanks Franco. I managed to get a half a dozen track days in on her before the season ended and (no surprise) she was a lot of fun! And way more competent that her pilot.

Welcome to the forum Franco! That R1 is a great bike and it sounds like you got a great deal on it. Around here (Richmond, VA) an R1 of that vintage in nice shape with reasonable miles is easily $6K. And if you are looking to learn how to ride a motorcycle better (especially a sportbike) you are in the right place. I took my first class with CSS in 2010 and while I had been riding since I was a kid (first dirt bike at 6 yrs old) the school transformed my riding. It opened up a whole new perspective, increased my enjoyment, and without a doubt made me safer. CSS is the best money I have spent on motorcycling period (and that includes any mortocycle I have ever bought, even the S1000 ). Use the forum, jump in and participate, ask any questions you cant find the answer to, but the best advice any of us can offer is to sign up for your level 1 class as soon as possible. I wish I had done it years ago.

I've run both but not on the same bike. I liked the profile and the lighter weight on the Pure, when I put them on my K1200r they made a significant difference from the Roads (sport touring tire to sport tire having much to do with that) and I got about the same milage on the street out them as I did the Q2s (~3500, but that is street only). I also think the Pures heat cycle quicker (maybe because the lighter construction equals more flex). But on the track I have really enjoyed the performance and predictability (not to mention the price) of the Q2s so I went back to them when I bought the S1000RR. And the CSS deal is good for tires on any of your bikes.

Cult of force. Very nice! And a great article. For me it is this: "I've never been all that interested in racing - I just wanted to ride." That really spoke to me, as while I am a racing fan, I'm not a racer at heart. I just want to ride. That quote is the first line of the introduction to TOTW. I read it standing in a bookstore aisle and it made me buy a book that I had originally thought was only going to be for racers. That's how I became acquainted with the Guru of this cult of motorcycle education.

I agree that this looks like a low traction situation. Additionally it appears that this may be one of those corners that tends to suck you in at a higher than advisable entry speed (at least in reduced traction). Add to that an inexperienced rider (based on his body position and aforementioned foot position) and it is possible that it was bad rider inputs (steering vs counter steering).

I agree with Hotfoot, if one bike is more comfortable for you it will be better to learn on. That said, if you are comfortable on both I would probably go with the SV. For me it would be more fun in the corners. And the tire deal is a good one - "Shred tires not wheat."

Welcome to the forum Rob. I have to admit to a serious bit of evny; Phillip Island is top of the bucket list for tracks I want to ride. What an amazing venue! You will love the two day camp when you take it. The smaller number of students really ups the camaraderie and you get to spend quite a bit of time with your coaches (much to Cobie’s dismay when he saw me arrive ). It’s also a pretty busy two days with 7 track sessions, 5 briefings, and all the off-track toys so it will wear you out. I look forward to reading your posts. And if you have any pix, post ‘em up. Best, Carey

I'd have to agree with you on the vision drills Andy. I had 3 months between my Level 1 and 2 and the biggest reason I wished I'd taken them back to back (aside from the fact I just had a blast) was improvement the vision drills made in my riding. And I understand the attraction of all of that Ducati heritage. I have a friend who is a BMW man through and through but a few years ago he bought a 1098 and just hated it. He had mechanical issues, it was expensive to work on, it was uncomfortable...then he took it to the track. All he could say afterwards was "I get it now". He still loves his Beemers but he has respect for the Duc. I actually sat on a Panagale and fired her up a few feeks ago. She had the upgraded factory exhaust and that is one impressive sounding machine (I thought about you Rainman!). If I only had a spare $30K laying around.... Best, Carey

Hi Ken, I was in a similar position when I had my K1200R a few years ago. It came with sport touring tires however the way I was riding it I was getting too much slide out of the rear. While the bike was built for sport touring, I was riding it like a sportbike. Once I admitted my problem ( ) the answer was clear, buy the right kind of tire. Then it comes down to which one. And that is really a personal choice as to how that tire feels for you as a rider (and how much you want to spend). I have ridden the Bridestone, Michelins, and Dunlops since I got into track riding and I prefer the Dunlop Q2s as my bike does dual duty (street & track) and the Q2s are the most predictable (and a good value). But again that is a "feel" thing. My advice is to pick a tire with solid reviews from people that ride like you do. And realize that you may need to try a few sets before you find the one you like best. Good luck, Carey

Welcome to the site Andy. I just read Cobie's write up on the two days in Taiwan and it sounds like you guys had a great time! In your experience, what was the most impactful thing you learned or obsearved while doing the school? What did you take away that you want to work on the most? Best, Carey PS Nice bikes by the way. I had a K1200R when I first took the school and I was torn between a 1098 and an S1000RR for a track machine. The BMW won out but I still lust after those Italian beauties...

Welcome to the forum Cryo! Tell us about your riding. And what areas are you working on? Best, Carey

Great write up Cobie. And congrats on the fantastic results! Is this going to be a reoccurring event? Are you hoping to make it a permanent extension of the school?

Hi Brian, I hate that I missed the fun at NCCAR over the holiday weekend (I understand the weather held out nicely for you). I would have liked to have seen Ty get some laps on the track! I'm sure we will hit that circuit again next year. I'm interested to see if they have any firm plans to start work on the new circuits. As far as advice goes, I think Hotfoot really covered it well. A Ninja 250 would be a fantastic starter bike (and Hotfoot can also tell you there is something very satisfying about passing a literbike in the corners on a smaller machine). I'll bet the WERA and NESBA forums would also be a great place to look for smaller size gear for him. Mortorcycle Leather Exchange might also be worth a look. BTW...I saw that James has signed up for Levels 1 & 2 at VIR in May, it looks like we are going to have quite the crew there! It should be a fun couple of days. Best, Carey

Nicely done Fossil!