Just_Jeff Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 new from Connecticut and fishing for some information. Been riding bikes since 1984, Got my first SS bike 2 years ago 2007 ZX6r. I have done quite a few track-days at NHIS, VIR, Poconos but I seem to have reached my fear plateau. I just cant get the lean angle, the entry speed that I know I can do.. never mind what I know the bike can do. Track days are fun and i do learn quite a bit but I am looking for more. Trying to find what is basically instruction at speed on a track. So here I am looking at is offered and if it fills the need for what I want. Will be browsing, reading asking question to see what you have to offer me. basically I need to see and identify what is different between level 1, II, IIi etc and the two day events (besides the price tag) and also whats different from a Trackday in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Kane Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 new from Connecticut and fishing for some information. Been riding bikes since 1984, Got my first SS bike 2 years ago 2007 ZX6r. I have done quite a few track-days at NHIS, VIR, Poconos but I seem to have reached my fear plateau. I just cant get the lean angle, the entry speed that I know I can do.. never mind what I know the bike can do. Track days are fun and i do learn quite a bit but I am looking for more. Trying to find what is basically instruction at speed on a track. So here I am looking at is offered and if it fills the need for what I want. Will be browsing, reading asking question to see what you have to offer me. Jeff; First - Welcome to the Forum! Now to your desire about clearing your fear plateau (it's referred to as overcoming Survival Reactions here), you have been on a few tracks so the first question is: What have you been taught about how to ride a bike on the track? If you have been on bikes for 25 years and track riding for two, you know there's a world of difference between the street and the track and there are many aspects of track riding that are counter intuitative. From personal experience I can tell you that there can be a lot of bad advice offered in the paddock of many track clubs so what you have been told may be incorrect and is part of the reason why you can't improve. Another question would be have you read either of Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist books or his The Soft Science of Motorcycle Road Racing? These will give you some insight to what is taught at the California Superbike School but can also help you build a more knowledged based approach to cornering at speed. Anyway, welcome again and post your questions and they will typically trigger some good responses. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubbard_28 Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Howdy Jeff. I'm in exactly the same boat you are, just with a little more track experience than you. I'm shooting for the two day in Vegas Oct/Nov. The books do help, but I'm in need of instruction and I can agree with Kevin's statement in that I've gotten some good, and some HORRIBLE information from fellow track riders, and even the track "pros." I have a friend who I met my first trackday, and have been pitting with ever since, and on our last outing, I found he had NO CLUE as to what a reference point is. He's picked up the books, and is going to study them during our summer break (it's like everyone elses winter break) and see if they don't make him a better rider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just_Jeff Posted June 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Jeff;First - Welcome to the Forum! Now to your desire about clearing your fear plateau (it's referred to as overcoming Survival Reactions here), you have been on a few tracks so the first question is: What have you been taught about how to ride a bike on the track? If you have been on bikes for 25 years and track riding for two, you know there's a world of difference between the street and the track and there are many aspects of track riding that are counter intuitative. From personal experience I can tell you that there can be a lot of bad advice offered in the paddock of many track clubs so what you have been told may be incorrect and is part of the reason why you can't improve. Another question would be have you read either of Keith Code's Twist of the Wrist books or his The Soft Science of Motorcycle Road Racing? These will give you some insight to what is taught at the California Superbike School but can also help you build a more knowledge based approach to cornering at speed. Anyway, welcome again and post your questions and they will typically trigger some good responses. Kevin I have a pretty good handle on knowing what I am supposed to do .. on paper I have read TOTW I & II as well just finishing up Ken Condon's "Riding In The Zone" I tend to avoid the advice of the track brains in the paddock and ask my questions of the "instructors" but at a track day I find its generalized instruction telling me what to do. and of course I already know what to do.. I just 1) Don't actually know if I am doing it or 2) cant bring myself to do it. Many times I have hit corners "hot" and zipped right thru it. i was not actually hot but well past my comfort level so I know I and the bike can do it much better I just need to help the brain get on board. Reminds me of Bull Durham. " God, that was beautiful. What'd I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nydude2000 Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 new from Connecticut and fishing for some information. Been riding bikes since 1984, Got my first SS bike 2 years ago 2007 ZX6r. I have done quite a few track-days at NHIS, VIR, Poconos but I seem to have reached my fear plateau. I just cant get the lean angle, the entry speed that I know I can do.. never mind what I know the bike can do. Track days are fun and i do learn quite a bit but I am looking for more. Trying to find what is basically instruction at speed on a track. So here I am looking at is offered and if it fills the need for what I want. Will be browsing, reading asking question to see what you have to offer me. basically I need to see and identify what is different between level 1, II, IIi etc and the two day events (besides the price tag) and also whats different from a Trackday in general. hey Jeff.... Thought I might put my two cents in...hopefully Cobie and a few others from CSS can chime in with direct info. I have about the same experience as you...maybe one year less..but totally have the bug. I realized real early that if i didn't learn this right i was probably going to die so I started with CSS last year (2 day at LV) after about my 4th track day. It was like night and day. Since then I have done a second 2 day at Willow and a LVL 4 at my home track at Thunderbolt. The CSS school days are nothing like track days. MY general view of track days is you are on your own with maybe a brief something from one of the coaches. Its not that the info is bad..it just was never put together for me are really made sense. CSS is a really structured learning environment. They do have it down to an ART! I have only done one other school..so I can't really compare..but then again don't really have the desire to. Keith's method my not be the only one..but it is awsome...and he and Cobie have trained a staff to teach it in the most intense, friendly motivated enviorment you could find. (and no I don't work for them lol) The levles 1-4 are a basic progression of the riding skills you need. They build on each other. You learn about humm... 6-8 drills in each LVL. LVLs I and II focus alot on common errors and visual skills..LVL III builds on that and works on body position etc...LVL 4 works to tie it all together. By the end of the 4 lvls you are left with a set of drills/skills that you can constantly fall back on and use as you progress. I have done two ..two day camps and would recommend that if you can swing it. Smaller coach to rider ratio..more intense learning. I have done a one day LVL 4 and that was great too. I really can say you won't be disappointed if you do the school. I have not talked with any student in my sessions that didn't have a blast and got a ton out of it. Hope this helps... Oh and btw...not sure how far north in CT you are but heck..come on down to Thunderbolt or Lightning at NJMP...it is awsome..and CSS will be there in AUG.. Steve D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobie Fair Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Hi jeff, I think the other guys have answered it pretty well (thanks Steve). There is quite a bit of info on the web site regarding the levels, and the single day schools compared to 2-day camps. If you have any questions, let us know, or call any time, happy to answer them. best, Cobie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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