March 20th, 2014, 09:06 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: al
Location: NorCal
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): ex300, gave up looking for a 250 Posts: 435
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California superbike school
I signed up for California Superbike School L1/2 @ Sonoma (anybody else here going?) and had a couple questions. Maybe @Misti can answer?
Should I buy a camera so that I can review my lines, braking points and so on? I'd have to wear my rf1100 though which might interfere with a racing hump. What happens if it rains? There's a small chance of rain. Should I ask them to lower the bike? My inseam is about 30 -- I can just about flat foot my bike. Maybe I'll bring my boots to the dealer to see how bad it is. I'm planning to bring my under armour type pants and shirt, earplugs, balaclava, and maybe a small notebook. Anything else I should bring? |
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March 20th, 2014, 09:34 PM | #2 |
The Violet Vixen
Name: Yakaru
Location: Issaquah, WA & Las Vegas, NV
Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Perigee (250), Hotaru (250), Saturn (300), Pearl (300), Zero (S1000RR), Chibi (Z125), Xellos ('18 HP4R) Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jun '16
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Hey Algs, here's my review of CSBS from last summer: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=137138
We brought cameras (I forgot to put a battery in mine, stupid) and it was handy after the school to do some self review but is by no stretch required. Your coach will go over those things with you after each run. I think the day goes rain or shine, it's in the documents somewhere. I wouldn't lower the bike, I can't flat foot mine at all and it was no problem. Bring/Prep: obviously your gear, including armor. Water is provided by the school, partake of it often. Get a good night's sleep. A towel might be a good thing to toss in your pack as well. |
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March 21st, 2014, 05:14 AM | #3 |
The Corner Whisperer
Name: Chris (aka Reactor)
Location: Northern KY
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much.
MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13
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Hey Al, happy to see you signed up to go! I know you have been kicking the idea around for a while now.
Should you buy a cam? Lemme ask you this; will it help you learn or solidify the instruction you receive? If you are a visual learner, then yes... I would say it's worth the extra dollars to get a camera to augment your experience. Rain? That is kinda a positive thing. The level 1 drills really focus on inputs that will definitely help ones riding in the wet. Also, imho everyone should do a wet track day. There is much to be learned about the feedback the bike/tires give a rider and... most importantly, how one will react to that feedback. Lower the bike? Why do you ask? Are you comfortable riding it now? If so, don't give it a second thought. If not, then without regard to CSS, change the setup to where you are comfortable. Ride height, suspension, tires, ect.. ect.. are all moving targets to the riders preference. There is nothing wrong with it growing with you along the way. EDIT: Are you doing the 2 day camp? If so, will you not be on one of the schools BMW's? Anything else to bring? Sure, your learning cap and an open mind. Bring a bag for all the extra smiles too. Have fun!
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Goal: Shake A Million Hands | Look through the corners | Track Day Prep | Closest track? | The Mid-Ohio School |
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March 21st, 2014, 11:28 AM | #4 | |||||
ninjette.org guru
Name: al
Location: NorCal
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): ex300, gave up looking for a 250 Posts: 435
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Quote:
I signed up for the two day camp which apparently means everything is provided. Hopefully they have rain-oriented gear if it gets bad. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
//quote on OFF-TRACK SPECIALTY BIKES (WEATHER PERMITING): Level 1 - Steering Drill Level 2 - Lean Bike Level 3 - No specialty bike, but you will be videoed. Level 4 - Slide Bike 2-Day Camp - students have the option to do any of these drills, including the Brake Bike. Quote:
Definitely, it's been a while since I've been to the track. My car is getting old and I was thinking of replacing it, but instead I did the sensible thing and got a bike! |
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March 24th, 2014, 11:24 AM | #5 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Misti
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): currently: Yamaha YZF 250 dirt/motard Posts: 787
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Quote:
If it rains then you still ride and still do the school (which is actually an excellent opportunity to fine tune your wet weather skills) but some of the off track training exercises can't be run in the wet. If the track is too slippery or conditions too dangerous then the can on very race occasions cancel the day. This hardly ever happens. I believe there is a bike that is already lowered that they reserve for students that have asked for a lowered bike, so you can always try that one. Staff and coaches are very helpful for riders that are uncomfortable on the full height bikes. Just ask! All you need is your gear, the school has water, snacks, lunch, earplugs, face shield cleaner, sunscreen etc. Just get lots of rest and show up ready to learn! And please ask if you have any more questions
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"Leap and the net will appear!" superbikeschool.com www.motomom.ca |
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March 26th, 2014, 09:03 PM | #6 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: al
Location: NorCal
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): ex300, gave up looking for a 250 Posts: 435
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Quote:
Should I bring any non-bike rain gear? Are we going to be outside for any length time not on bikes (walking the track or anything like that)? |
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March 28th, 2014, 10:28 AM | #7 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Misti
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): currently: Yamaha YZF 250 dirt/motard Posts: 787
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Quote:
You shouldn't need much other gear, you won't be walking the track or hanging around outside too much you are either in the classroom or riding, it's all about the riding plus it's not going to rain Have fun!!
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"Leap and the net will appear!" superbikeschool.com www.motomom.ca |
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May 26th, 2014, 02:18 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: al
Location: NorCal
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): ex300, gave up looking for a 250 Posts: 435
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I never got a chance to update this thread so here goes.
I'll start with the bad. Basically, we got in one sighting lap + one full session + one lap of the next session before getting rained out at Sonoma (Sears Point). They won't run at Sears Point even if it's damp because it's too slippery. I think we waited both days until around noon or 1pm to call it off for the day. So basically, I've got credit for future schools to spend however I want (even t-shirts?). I did the 2 day school which means everything is provided: breakfast (eggs, sausages, bagels, juice, fruits, danishes, etc.), gear (kbc helmet, A* gloves/boots/back protector, AGV Sport one piece leather), bike (S1000RR in ~150hp rain mode), lunch/snacks/water. I brought my balaclava, ear plugs, and under armour long sleeve and pants. They have little lockers in the truck so a combination lock could have been handy, too. There's no real changing room, by the way. A camera would have been nice too especially if you can replay the video right away to go over which corner you blew and so on with your instructor. The bike was just a touch high but other than that, was great. I didn't use the brakes much but when I first pulled them, it was like one of those kids who's learning to drive and jerks the car to a stop. The seating position was comfy even hunched over. The throttle / clutch was all good. It's only when I went back to my 300 that the clutch travel seems way longer (difference between just grabbing and all the way out). The quick shifter was sweet; who needs a clutch? The bike even had heated grips (Are my hands getting warm?? Oh). I get what people say about the classroom sessions. They ask very simple questions that all have seemingly obvious answers. While I was looking for a hotel for the night on my phone, another guy was practicing teaching the class. It was pretty clear that the delivery of the material is completely intentional as he was fine tuning his diagrams and wording. I guess some people like the Mr Myagi way (just wax the car!) but I didn't anything see wrong with it. It was like proving a theorem in geometry. I'll add a note to say that I've read here and there that they discourage trailbraking; this isn't true. In our extra classrooms due to rain, they were talking about racers pushing their braking until it overlaps with turning (if you see quick flick of the bike == no brakes, slow tip in == still on the brakes). What they do do is deliberately teach things step by step/one at a time so you don't get overwhelmed. So in the first session, there's no braking or shifting, just throttle smoothly on and off and turn; it was a little unnerving getting the entry speed just right with the little engine breaking (in 3rd, or was it 4th?), when you're going downhill. So they had a couple other bikes besides the S1000RR. They had everyone do big slaloms on different BMWs, first thing in the morning. Also, they had a another bike with outrigger training wheels to practice locking up the fronts (@30mph?) and smoothly letting up. I only got a couple runs at it before it rained too much for even this exercise but I think it's worthwhile for everyone to feel what it's like to lock up the front brakes (in a straight) and recover and most of all, not to panic. If they have room at the Street of Willows school before then, I might trek down to LA. Otherwise, I'll be doing a Z2 event at Thill (full 5 mile track, baby!) next. People say good things about them as well. the fleet brake bike don't be that guy that rides over 80% I could live with this there's no way they can fit all those bikes, can they? get your gear folks Some more pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/101868...7643241280695/ Last futzed with by algs26; May 27th, 2014 at 01:14 AM. Reason: correction; incorrect wording |
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May 26th, 2014, 02:32 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
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So was Misty there? Is she as cute, I mean fast as they say. How is her curves? Is she is tight or a sweeper girl?
I think you had a camera and just don't want us to see how you did. On the 2 day course you get breakfast, what about lunch and dinner? How about after dinner drinks, and snacks before bedtime? After riding the BMW, would you buy one?
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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May 26th, 2014, 07:18 PM | #10 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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May 27th, 2014, 12:36 AM | #11 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: al
Location: NorCal
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): ex300, gave up looking for a 250 Posts: 435
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Quote:
Corrected. |
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May 27th, 2014, 01:13 AM | #12 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: al
Location: NorCal
Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): ex300, gave up looking for a 250 Posts: 435
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Quote:
Keith Code tucked us in and told us bedtime stories about reaching the legen-wait-for-it-dary 90 degree lean angle. Actually, he wasn't there that day. The S1000RR is very nice. I haven't ridden a lot of different bikes but it seemed very docile. |
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May 27th, 2014, 12:22 PM | #13 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Misti
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): currently: Yamaha YZF 250 dirt/motard Posts: 787
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Thanks for the write up. Sucks you got rained out, it's never fun when the rain comes. Next time!!!
Here is some more info on Keith Code's view of trail braking if anyone wants to read more on it: http://www.motomom.ca/keith-code-on-...ive-interview/ I think it is posted somewhere else here as well but I can't remember where If anyone has any more questions about CSS let me know, I'll be coaching at the Ridge in July
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"Leap and the net will appear!" superbikeschool.com www.motomom.ca |
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May 30th, 2014, 07:57 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
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I'm not going unless I can ride two up with Misty.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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