Hello Guys And Gals

[Edward Tillinger]

Hello everyone,

 

After reading the forums for about a year now thought it was time to introduce one's self and add my pennies worth ! I've been riding again for the last 5 years after an 8 year layoff, started back out on maxi scooters, which was cool at the time, commuting in to town and good storage, but longed to get back on a proper bike again.... Couple of years ago I bought an Aprilia 750 shiver, nice enough bike, but more importantly it began the focusing of my mind and questions as to.... "is this right? is that wrong syndrome? Trying different things along the way, some good, some bad !! Either way I was smitten again.... Gradually feeling more confident along the way, decided to add a 1098 to the garage.... This was my great turning point in biking, mostly because it suddenly dawned on me I really knew nothing at all yet ! Ripping open the throttle on numerous occasions running wide (very wide) and scaring myself shi*less along the way! This was the point I started researching riding schools and came to the conclusion CSS sounded like the only way to go. Well, 6 months on and levels 1- 4 complete I cannot stress enough what an invaluable move it was... Truly the ultimate teaching school, and such an eye opener as to how much you can always learn and continue to improve your skills!! I am still a long way from being where I'd like to be on a bike, but my god have my eyes been opened ( pardon the pun). Now I having the schooling to know whats correct and not is invaluable.... The confidence it brings, and satisfaction of learning cannot be beaten!

 

I'd like to say to all the lads from the UK school, Andy, Bullet, Killswitch, Matthew, Spyder, and all the other instuctors as well as staff involved "God bless you" YES it's intense sometimes , but you get out what you put in, and for me at least I shall be going back time and time again! I've met some great people on the course, especially last week @ Silverstone, Two truly stood out for different reasons, Talan for one, a true inspiration !! & Dan Lightfoot for his lines and speed!

 

Well for now i'm sure you've heard enough, but on one final note, anyone, who like me was unsure to sign up and attend.... Hesitate no longer... YOU WILL NOT REGRET your decision... "IT'S THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD" !!

 

All the best and roll on 2011

 

Ed

[Bullet]

Hello everyone,

 

After reading the forums for about a year now thought it was time to introduce one's self and add my pennies worth ! I've been riding again for the last 5 years after an 8 year layoff, started back out on maxi scooters, which was cool at the time, commuting in to town and good storage, but longed to get back on a proper bike again.... Couple of years ago I bought an Aprilia 750 shiver, nice enough bike, but more importantly it began the focusing of my mind and questions as to.... "is this right? is that wrong syndrome? Trying different things along the way, some good, some bad !! Either way I was smitten again.... Gradually feeling more confident along the way, decided to add a 1098 to the garage.... This was my great turning point in biking, mostly because it suddenly dawned on me I really knew nothing at all yet ! Ripping open the throttle on numerous occasions running wide (very wide) and scaring myself shi*less along the way! This was the point I started researching riding schools and came to the conclusion CSS sounded like the only way to go. Well, 6 months on and levels 1- 4 complete I cannot stress enough what an invaluable move it was... Truly the ultimate teaching school, and such an eye opener as to how much you can always learn and continue to improve your skills!! I am still a long way from being where I'd like to be on a bike, but my god have my eyes been opened ( pardon the pun). Now I having the schooling to know whats correct and not is invaluable.... The confidence it brings, and satisfaction of learning cannot be beaten!

 

I'd like to say to all the lads from the UK school, Andy, Bullet, Killswitch, Matthew, Spyder, and all the other instuctors as well as staff involved "God bless you" YES it's intense sometimes , but you get out what you put in, and for me at least I shall be going back time and time again! I've met some great people on the course, especially last week @ Silverstone, Two truly stood out for different reasons, Talan for one, a true inspiration !! & Dan Lightfoot for his lines and speed!

 

Well for now i'm sure you've heard enough, but on one final note, anyone, who like me was unsure to sign up and attend.... Hesitate no longer... YOU WILL NOT REGRET your decision... "IT'S THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD" !!

 

All the best and roll on 2011

 

Ed

 

Hi Ed,

 

Thanks for joining the forum and moving from a lurker to a poster. It's important that people who've learned so much from the school share what they've learned with other members, the forum here can serve as an excellent way to learn more still, share your experiences, and have those "Oh yeah, I do that moments", and make others feel they're not a journey all by themselves.

 

Myself and the crew that you so kindly are rightly proud of what we've been able to empart onto you, though you're a very important part of that learning yourself. By taking that positive step you've forever changed your riding and long may it continue. Keep us posted on your development, and please, do ask questions on here, gives us something to do.

 

Finally, tremendous choice of motorbike, can't beat the twins.. So says I, and that's all that counts (in my world).. LOL.

 

Take it easy my friend.

 

Bullet

[Crash106]

Welcome! Thanks for posting. I'm glad to hear from someone else who likes the big scooters. I commute most days on a Suzuki Burgman 650 maxi-scooter and enjoy every minute (I call it my Halfabusa). I find the big scooter very easy to ride, but have enjoyed the effortless quality on most of the bikes I've owned. You said the Ducati was scary fast. What did you like, or dislike, about your maxi-scooter and Shiver? How much does what you learned in CSS apply to riding a regular bike, instead of a super powerful sport bike?

[Edward Tillinger]

Hi Crash106, Many thanks to yourself and of course Bullet ( who I had the pleasure of schooling me in L3 last week ) for the warm welcome!

I must say that Maxi scooters are great for their convenience, comfort and of course handing and speed these days. In recent years I have owned a Gilera Nexus 500 which I had the misfortune of righting off when a car pulled out in front of me, then switching to a T max, fantastic handling for a scooter especially around London's back roads, switching to a Gilera GP 800 which was fantastic for long motorway journeys and capable of shaming a few 600's of the lights, not quite as good in the twisty's as the T max but a great scoot all the same. I could not agree more with you in their ease of use on a daily commute, good for carrying my essentials at the time, oh not to forget the wife from time to time too !! In my progression through the maxi scooters I just found myself wanting more involvement and control... Hence started running the Shiver along side the GP800. The shiver is a great bike, fantastic V twin engine, pretty sharp handling, good riding position, and muscular looks.... One problem I found it did have was a very snatchy throttle, having it re-mapped helped, but at the time I was starting to focus a lot more on my input on the bike. I then sold the GP and went for the Ducati Streetfighter S ..... what a great bike, loved the design, the engine, the sound it made above 6000 rpm, and the handling was immense ! The power coming out of the bend was incredible !! The problem was my inconsistent riding style... I was reading a lot of articles on riding input and so on in all the publications, then i read about CSS, went onto the internet to research riding schools in UK, I concluded CSS was the way to go and haven't looked back since.

What I have learned at the school is invaluable, and for me personally, I put into practise all things I've learned there every day I ride, admittedly its been a great deal to take in and I now find I'm wanting more and more days at CSS ! You can never stop learning and improving your skills, and I'm still a long way off from everything they have taught me being second nature. So yes it has given me a lot more confidence on my road bike, my control is way better now, vision, space, and stability massively improved !

I cannot wait to get back their next year on as many occasions as possible. Also looking forward to some track days when I feel comfortable enough too, ooohhh and did I mention it will all be on a Ducati 848 Evo ! Hate to be repetitious but roll on 2011 !

 

All the best

 

Ed