Blue636

If someone can put in those kinds of laps, what is the method, strategy, or condition in which that person can consistently lap at that pace? I guess that might be quite a complex question because even MotoGP riders have their moments of glory in which they put in blazingly fast laps, but are completely unable to keep it consistent (except Valentino Rossi).

Yes, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. As a matter of fact, when I took the class there was someone on a CRUISER (floorboards and everything, I think) who was in one of the upper levels! Funny to watch, for sure. Anyway, I was afraid of being incredibly slow and hindering others but it never really happened. There were 2-3 guys faster than me (I was shocked, I thought everyone was much, much faster) and they were very courteous and safe about passing. They also talk to us to make sure we understand the drill giving everyone about 20 seconds in between each other. Other than that I tried my best to be safe about passing other students and I held my lines when I was being passed so I didn't hurt anyone. Everyone mostly focuses on technique, just like you want to do, rather than all out speed. I hope you consider taking the school. I had a lot of fun more than anything, and I learned a ton, too!

That's great motivation for others, too, Will. I'm not putting you up there with Rossi (no offense) but it seems his lack of power the past season on Yamaha forced him to be creative elsewhere on the track to defeat his opponents, as I'm sure it did with you. I'm sure you caught a ton of guys off guard. I look forward to learning more the next time I make it to the school!

While I respect what everyone else has said here, I am truly amazed at the information. Setting your different rebound and compression nobs will do absolutely NOTHING for you if your sag is not properly set. Setting sag first is the most important thing you can do to your suspension before anything else, I believe. I like 35mm front and 30mm rear, I think it's a good place to start. You can set your rebound without riding, either. Just by pushing down on the tail or forks and watching the bike rebound, making sure it doesn't top out and bounce again or that it doesn't rise too slowly. What you want to look for is that it bounces right back up and stays there without any extra oscillations. As far as compression goes, I've read it can be personal taste. Read this link I'm going to post very well as everyone here knows that a key to a "fast bike" is not necessarily horsepower alone, but suspension mostly. http://www.2wf.com/articles/how_to/673D094...AD39F35A8E9.asp

If you can ride well on the streets then you'll enjoy taking the Superbike School courses. If you're looking for a track bike, I do believe I read somewhere that Keith will be selling the 636s as he acquires the new ones. Best of luck, and if you want a newer streetbike you might want to look into the SV650 or SV650S. I think they're a good all-around street bike, especially with a tad of suspension work. Take care and good luck.

Once my knees touch or skim the ground I pick it up... maybe about a centimeter or so. I don't like the feeling of it skimming or scraping the ground.

Congratulations, Will and to all that supported you. Now I can tell all my friends that a champion set up my suspension!

You might have it a little backward. You don't increase lean angle to achieve higher speeds, lean angle is a product of high speeds - so you had the right idea. A better line will definitely allow you to carry a little bit more speed through the corner, especially with a little bit of a later apex. Allowing for a late apex helps your vision and allows you to have a better plan for the corner; with a better plan you can carry a bit more speed. There are a lot of factors that determine how quickly you get around corners: throttle control; vision; body position; lines; experience and so on and so forth. Nothing beats having an experienced rider qualified to teach you follow you around to make sure you are doing it correctly. With that said, nothing beats doing it in a controlled environment. Riding fast in the canyons is fun but not safe as the track. If you want to be smoother and more controlled then try not to worry about your speed so much but practice being stable going in, through, and out of the corners. A lot of mid-corner corrections, speed corrections, and errant braking does not constitute smooth riding. In the canyons it's best not to take unnecessary risks, it's just not worth it. There are some places where you can ride an entire mountain in just 3rd or 4th gear without even using the brakes if you set a comfortable pace. Good luck.

I would just take the school if I were some of you, not to sound rude. For those of you that already have, great! There is a HUGE difference between reading, understanding, and actually performing the techniques. I have no problem with reading the books and all that, it definitely does help. But going to the school is like living out the book with people watching and correcting your every move. I read both books and constantly reference them whenever I feel I'm having trouble with the way I ride. I thought some of the material in the book was even questionable, but when you get to the school you need to overcome your doubts and just do the drills and exercises they tell you to do. This really opened up my eyes and it made me realize I was truly nowhere NEAR THE LIMIT. You'll be surprised what a motorcycle can actually do when you have a specific drill to practice and someone encouraging you to do it. I learned this especially in the first drill of the first class; it was quite scary but opened up my confidence for the rest of the day. It's money well spent. (Sorry for the plugs, Keith)

Take the Superbike School if you can, it will really help you. Just take it slow and easy at first, especially with a machine like yours. Read Keith's books and do some research... there is a lot to learn and plenty of time. It's good that you sound patient.

How much riding experience do you have? This may be a little off-topic but it's going to be difficult for you to gain the confidence you need to overcome survival reactions when you have 150+ horsepower on tap.

Thanks for the tip, Thor. I think I might need some time to learn to mount and balance my own tires, maybe I'll do it over the winter break after my semester is over. I have noticed a difference in the way the suspension performs when it is cold, and when it is hot. Senfo, nice to see you hear from the Kawi Forums (I hope I'm not mistaken)! I have also noticed that sometime the bike seems to just want to fall over at a certain angle. I believe this is due to the front tire shape. It never did it before until the front tire started wearing and forming a weird shape. I think new tires will do the trick.

It's a technique learned at school.

Great post, Keith. I hope to continue on to Level 2 soon but current circumstances just won't allow me. Hopefully, my level 1 skills won't be too rusty but I do practice some of those things while riding. Things like quick-turning and rolling on the throttle through the corners. The visual skills really helped, too. I am still not fast, nor am I trying to be, but I have a little more confidence when I'm up in the canyons on weekends. Take care, all!

Awesome story and I'm glad you didn't crash! By the way, I'm not realy trying to be rude by asking this but what is the lap record at that circuit? I can't believe you guys do so much thinking out there. I know I do some thinking on the track but I mostly just do what I do and I really don't think in great detail like you guys do. I guess that's why I'm slow!