Newbie's Guide To Surviving The Cornering Forum

[WHR]

Hello all, new to CSS, but not motorcycles. 2020 marks 50 years since my first bike. I'm looking forward to taking my first ever, on track, motorcycle class sometime this spring.

[CoffeeFirst]

Good for you!  You'll greatly enjoy it. The CSS team and their training are outstanding. And as someone who started track riding in his late fifties, it is "never too late to teach an old dog new tricks" as they say. 

Dave

[Motorbiker]

Hello from the Great PNW!  I am excited to join the forum.  I have to admit, I have been lurking for awhile.  I've followed California Superbike School since it started.  I wrenched on bikes for about 7 years in two different shops then due to the area I was from falling on financial hard times I joined the U.S. Navy.  I put in 24 years doing that, followed by my current work in the Department of Defense (Navy).  Getting ready to retire from "steady" work and put more time in doing the things i want to, not have to.  I've kept riding throughout.  I rode Kawasaki's for awhile having a 1973 Z1 during Eddie Lawsons reign.  Shifted to Yamaha's in 1985.  I currently ride a 1987 FZR 1000 that i bought new in January 1988.  It's been modified a little, so I can run modern rubber.  I've been looking at the new BMW S1000RRs for awhile.  Even took one on a test ride.  I'm looking forward to learning more about the bikes on track in July at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, WA.  Looking forward to meeting some of you I've come to know a little bit about through the forum.  Happy 4th of July!  Jim

[Cobie Fair]

Hi Jim,

Please come and say hello when you get there, first thing in the morning.  We'll chat for a few minutes, and I'll take a look at the coach assignments for the day.  

Best,

Cobie

[Motorbiker]

Thanks Cobie.  I will.  I have ridden PIR, Seattle Raceway, and the Ridge.  I'm looking forward to whoever, whatever assignments you decide.  Looking forward to meeting you.

Jim

 

[yakaru]

20 hours ago, Motorbiker said:

Thanks Cobie.  I will.  I have ridden PIR, Seattle Raceway, and the Ridge.  I'm looking forward to whoever, whatever assignments you decide.  Looking forward to meeting you.

Jim

 

Didn’t know which day(s) you are/were here but I’ll be on the lookout too if not yesterday

[Motorbiker]

Just finished up the July 2020 two day camp at The Ridge.  (Levels 1 and 2).  I had a great time and learned some new things too.  Thank you to the entire staff, without your hard work it wouldn't be the success it has become.  Particular thanks to Chris as my on track coach.  I look forward to riding with the school again.  Jim

[DJ_ATL]

Hi everyone.   I am new to the forum and about to attend my first of hopefully many CSB classes this coming Tuesday, August 4 at VIR.  Excited to be here and to learn as much as I can!

[yakaru]

On 7/9/2020 at 9:43 PM, Motorbiker said:

Just finished up the July 2020 two day camp at The Ridge.  (Levels 1 and 2).  I had a great time and learned some new things too.  Thank you to the entire staff, without your hard work it wouldn't be the success it has become.  Particular thanks to Chris as my on track coach.  I look forward to riding with the school again.  Jim

You mean Charis

[Cobie Fair]

On 7/29/2020 at 9:40 AM, DJ_ATL said:

Hi everyone.   I am new to the forum and about to attend my first of hopefully many CSB classes this coming Tuesday, August 4 at VIR.  Excited to be here and to learn as much as I can!

Hi DJ,

Great!  Come say hello in the am, very nice to meet some forum members at the track :).

 

Best,

Cobie

[DJ_ATL]

Thanks Cobie!  Sure will!  

See you then!

Best,

Dan

[Cobie Fair]

👍

[Jantzen]

Hello All,

I am new to the forum, but not entirely new to CSS. I bought my first street bike in 2017 (GSXS 750Z), and quickly decided that I only wanted to ride where I could safely experience speed and turns without worrying about traffic, tickets, or insurance rates. I switched to track-only riding and was lucky enough to cornerwork for CSS at The Ridge in 2018. After that, I jumped at the opportunity to cornerwork in 2019 and again this year, 2020. I have read Keith's books 'Soft Science,' 'TOTW,' and am finishing up my second read of 'TOTW II.' This material has helped me with my riding this season and I am excited to be taking the level 1 class in August!

Jantzen

[Motorbiker]

Yes, I mean Charis.  Since I got it wrong, guess I'll just have to come back in August for Level 3 to see if I can get it right!

 

[Hotfoot]

On 8/6/2020 at 4:37 PM, Jantzen said:

Hello All,

I am new to the forum, but not entirely new to CSS. I bought my first street bike in 2017 (GSXS 750Z), and quickly decided that I only wanted to ride where I could safely experience speed and turns without worrying about traffic, tickets, or insurance rates. I switched to track-only riding and was lucky enough to cornerwork for CSS at The Ridge in 2018. After that, I jumped at the opportunity to cornerwork in 2019 and again this year, 2020. I have read Keith's books 'Soft Science,' 'TOTW,' and am finishing up my second read of 'TOTW II.' This material has helped me with my riding this season and I am excited to be taking the level 1 class in August!

Jantzen

Awesome! Welcome and have a great time at your school! 

[Mike Palmers]

Hi from Aotearoa/New Zealand.  New to this forum.  I hadn't ridden for 30 years.  Bought a Yamaha XSR900 early 2018.  Have done three training track days (first two with Brian Bernard of Bernard Racing at Manfield [he was coached by Keith when he raced in the USA]).   Did my first Superbike school November 2020 at Taupo (Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) and have read Twist of the Wrist and also follow Nick Ienatsch (Yamaha Champ School).  My coach for the day was someone I'd seen at Manfield but wasn't involved in the training.  I'm primarily a road rider but want to lift my skill level.  I also learnt within my first 4 laps how addictive track riding is.  I'm not focused on lap times or speed but smooth and predictable riding.  In NZ we have the "RideForever" government funded programme that's based on the UK Police Riding Manual; I've repeated this course (silver and gold levels) 6 times and learnt something each time.  I'd rather spend the time and money improving my riding than buying farkles (and the XSR900 is very customisable).  I plan to do the level two course this year.  

[Hotfoot]

On 1/5/2021 at 12:57 PM, Mike Palmers said:

Hi from Aotearoa/New Zealand.  New to this forum.  I hadn't ridden for 30 years.  Bought a Yamaha XSR900 early 2018.  Have done three training track days (first two with Brian Bernard of Bernard Racing at Manfield [he was coached by Keith when he raced in the USA]).   Did my first Superbike school November 2020 at Taupo (Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park) and have read Twist of the Wrist and also follow Nick Ienatsch (Yamaha Champ School).  My coach for the day was someone I'd seen at Manfield but wasn't involved in the training.  I'm primarily a road rider but want to lift my skill level.  I also learnt within my first 4 laps how addictive track riding is.  I'm not focused on lap times or speed but smooth and predictable riding.  In NZ we have the "RideForever" government funded programme that's based on the UK Police Riding Manual; I've repeated this course (silver and gold levels) 6 times and learnt something each time.  I'd rather spend the time and money improving my riding than buying farkles (and the XSR900 is very customisable).  I plan to do the level two course this year.  

Very nice! Where do you plan to do Level 2?

[Slade Kennett]

Hey all, newbie to this forum, newbie to motorcycle riding (1 year). Taking the two day course in Vegas this February. Looking forward to learning a lot from everyone involved. Already met a few instructions at Chuckwalla this month. Great guys, great sport!

[Chief]

Time to awaken this thread! Hi, I’m Keith (not Code 🫠), & I’ve loved motorcycles for as long as I can remember. I didn’t get to have my 1st one until after I finished college (a long time ago). After a couple years of riding or so, my boss (worked at Cycle Gear about 5 years) recommended getting on track, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I usually get to 1 or 2 track days per year, and sometimes add in some classes/coaching.

I realized my post was about to get super long with my 1st impressions of CSS, so I’ll make another one later & close here w/ a list of bikes owned & loved over the years..’77 Kawasaki KZ-400 (started riding in 2003)
’93 Honda VFR-750
’old Suzuki GS-500
’98 Derbi GPR-50
’98 Kawasaki ZX-6R
’00 Kawasaki ZX-6R
’07 Kawasaki ZX-6R
’15 BMW S1000RR

[Cobie Fair]

Good picture.

[Hotfoot]

Welcome! Nice list of bikes, post a pic of the Derbi!!!

[Chief]

Thanks! Unfortunately the Derbi is in pieces ever since I dismantled it. There was a leak in the head gasket, and it blew, melting a spot on the head and cylinder. I need to get on that, lol. It was a 71.4cc oversize kit. Needs new rubber and a lot of TLC to restore at this point. I’ve been draggin it around with me because it’s so little & light, it’s not hard to move. Hmm…motivation brewing… 😂

 

Edited to add: Pics I found online (not mine) to show what it used to look like

Edited August 2 by Chief
Include pics

[Hotfoot]

Neat little bike, I hope the motivation takes hold.  I had a YSR50 for years, kept it street legal, they are such fun and cute and a real conversation-starter at the track.