SVXR650 Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 I am considering attending School and get proper training... I been riding since 11/2005 and have been doing track days whenever I can since 12/2007... However, I feel like I am still pretty slow, middle of the pack on intermediate group... I ride a little SV650 with suspension, brakes upgrades and traction control (When I go WOT, it does not go... Must be the traction control kicking in... hehehe...) Currently, I am working with a couple local expert racers to develop technique... They tell me that I should jumping into the grid and simply racing will make me faster... Personnaly, I do not feel competitive enough to win my first race. I also have a coach to help me keep my mental blocks in check... Understanding fear and knowing how to properly react without having to stop to think about it... One of the things I am still having dificulty with, is reference points, I think it is very important to get this down before attending school... I know getting proper training is no brainer... But shouldn't I learn to walk, before I try to run? Should I continue getting more track experience before school? ...Or should I try to go to school and try learning from scratch? Luis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khp Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 I am considering attending School and get proper training... I been riding since 11/2005 and have been doing track days whenever I can since 12/2007... However, I feel like I am still pretty slow, middle of the pack on intermediate group... I ride a little SV650 with suspension, brakes upgrades and traction control (When I go WOT, it does not go... Must be the traction control kicking in... hehehe...) Currently, I am working with a couple local expert racers to develop technique... They tell me that I should jumping into the grid and simply racing will make me faster... Personnaly, I do not feel competitive enough to win my first race. I also have a coach to help me keep my mental blocks in check... Understanding fear and knowing how to properly react without having to stop to think about it... One of the things I am still having dificulty with, is reference points, I think it is very important to get this down before attending school... I know getting proper training is no brainer... But shouldn't I learn to walk, before I try to run? Should I continue getting more track experience before school? ...Or should I try to go to school and try learning from scratch? Luis Luis, If you knew how to do all the right things on the bike, would there be much gained by going to the school - not really, huh? I'll stick my neck out and claim that jumping in and starting racing at this point would probably be closer to trying to run before you can walk, than taking the school would be. If you feel that you're struggling with getting the reference point locked in (don't we all, at some personal level?) it would probably help you to take just Level 1 and 2, since level 2 attacks the RP's in particular*. Racing with someone a notch (or couple of notches) better than yourself can improve your laptimes. It can also lead you into some stupid crashes if you just riding someone else's lines and not your own, causing you to getting "lost" on the track (or simply riding too fast). Hope this helps, Kai *) General motorcyclists warning: attending CSS courses may cause serious dents in your wallet, since you want to attend even more CSS courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fajita Dave Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 The basics that you learn from the beginning are some of the most important things you'll ever learn to go fast. You need something to build off of and thats exactly what CSS level 1 is for regardless of your experience level (anywhere from brand new rider to expert). I think this page has pretty much all of the information you would need to know about the school. http://www.superbikeschool.com/curriculum/ I haven't been able to afford to take level 1 yet but their Twist of the Wrist 2 DVD has great information in it and a friend of mine has attended the school. I've been riding motocross since the age of 9 and I can say there was an improvement in my riding on and off-road from the things that CSS teaches just from watching the DVD and talking to my friend. Most of those improvements came from the basic things they teach in level 1. Of course there is loads more to learn when I do actually get to a class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobie Fair Posted December 13, 2010 Report Share Posted December 13, 2010 Why wait? The key fundamentals apply all the way from the bottom up. The books and DVD's will help prep you for sure. It actually seems like you think you should get good before you go to a school, do I have that correct? Our job is to make you make! Best, CF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVXR650 Posted December 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 Currently, I am working with a couple local expert racers to develop technique... They tell me that I should jumping into the grid and simply racing will make me faster... Personnaly, I do not feel competitive enough to win my first race.Luis Luis, I'll stick my neck out and claim that jumping in and starting racing at this point would probably be closer to trying to run before you can walk, than taking the school would be. If you feel that you're struggling with getting the reference point locked in (don't we all, at some personal level?) it would probably help you to take just Level 1 and 2, since level 2 attacks the RP's in particular*. Racing with someone a notch (or couple of notches) better than yourself can improve your laptimes. It can also lead you into some stupid crashes if you just riding someone else's lines and not your own, causing you to getting "lost" on the track (or simply riding too fast). Hope this helps, Kai I agree about racing... I am 15-20 seconds off expert lap times... And while I know I can chase and pass a few amateur racers, I do not feel ready to compete and win podium... I am careful when I follow faster riders... I do not follow to the point that I am scared about scuffing my suit... I have never gone down on the track... Not yet!!! Luis The basics that you learn from the beginning are some of the most important things you'll ever learn to go fast. You need something to build off of and thats exactly what CSS level 1 is for regardless of your experience level (anywhere from brand new rider to expert). I think this page has pretty much all of the information you would need to know about the school. http://www.superbike...com/curriculum/ I haven't been able to afford to take level 1 yet but their Twist of the Wrist 2 DVD has great information in it and a friend of mine has attended the school. I've been riding motocross since the age of 9 and I can say there was an improvement in my riding on and off-road from the things that CSS teaches just from watching the DVD and talking to my friend. Most of those improvements came from the basic things they teach in level 1. Of course there is loads more to learn when I do actually get to a class. I watch the "Twist of the Wrist 2" DVD at least 2X a month, and every time before a schedule Track Day I also spend some time with books too... But I will admit, lately I been reading: Vito Cossalter "Motorcycle Dynamics", John Bradley "The Racing Motorcycle", and Tony Foale "Motorcycle Handling and Chassis Design"... Luis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVXR650 Posted December 14, 2010 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2010 Why wait? The key fundamentals apply all the way from the bottom up. The books and DVD's will help prep you for sure. It actually seems like you think you should get good before you go to a school, do I have that correct? Our job is to make you make! Best, CF I know that I can always learn something new.... I think I should have the basics coverd as simple second nature, so I can pay more attention to making actual improvement on advanced techniques that I am hoping to learn... I have been working on a possitive state of mind, working on stay relaxed without having to think about staying relaxed, move smoothly on the bike to keep the bike settle... I am even buiding legs endurance, so I can ride spirited and still be able to walk the day after track day... I do not want to show up as the only guy who still does not get counter steering... Does that makes sence? Luis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobie Fair Posted December 15, 2010 Report Share Posted December 15, 2010 Luis, I totally get it, really. Not to sound like a broken record, but these key things you are talking about, we can help them happen, likely in a way that you don't suspect yet. One thing will simply by having a coach get with you and let you know exactly what you are doing correctly. This can be undervalued I think. Lots say, tell me what I'm doing wrong. But key is to know what core fundamental you are doing correctly, keep that in place and build on it. It's why some really sharp up and coming racers have never quite made it--not a 100% dead nuts, stone cold, unshakeable certainty on the correct fundamental. CF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingV Posted December 28, 2010 Report Share Posted December 28, 2010 I took the course with a friend of mine who admittingly states that his self preservation instincts hold him back. After the 2 day course his transformation was incredible. CSS raised his confidence, his skill level and and outright better rider. Hope that helps Vernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyrod Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Sounds like you're ready for the school, Luis. You've got track and bike experience to draw upon, and you already admit that you need to understand your riding betterm from the ground up. The school days aren't like a sticky plaster, they teach you things you then have to practice till you get them right (or just keep getting better over the years). The whole learning thing is a circular process, you have to get on somewhere and just go round and round with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orc Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Luis - You need to tell me in which Jobar Team you got that icon of yours! I'm trying to do the same, but no success on my part. Oops... I finally managed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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