Just done the California Superbike School......

Wyvern971

Wyvern971

Wyvern971

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Level 1 at Rockingham and it was fantastic :D

Basic points that were taught;

1) Sense of speed - done by going around the track using 4th gear only and no brakes - Definitely gives you a much better sense of corner entry speeds and a much better idea of how to take the corner
2) Turning points where to think about taking the turn, and what to do to set up for it beforehand
3) Countersteering - Changing direction fast and how to best use this (i.e. how much & how quickly)
4) Relax - relax on the bike and gently grip the bars to let them do their own thing
5) Bring everything together

I really enjoyed the day, learned a lot and took away quite a lot to work on as well, I'd say it was expensive, but definitely worth the money, my riding has improved a massive amount in the space of a day.







Oh and I got my knee down ;)
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Interesting. How much was it if you dont mind me asking...and do you use your own bike or is it like the Ron Haslam one where they provide them?
 
Sagalout said:
Interesting. How much was it if you dont mind me asking...and do you use your own bike or is it like the Ron Haslam one where they provide them?
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It was a bit pricey at £370

I used my own bike, but you have the option of hiring an R6 for the day.

http://www.superbikeschool.co.uk

Well worth it IMO, I will be looking at level 2 either later this year (if i can afford it) or possibly next year.
 
I want to do this too, I understand I can help lower premiums too, but obviously the benefit i'm interested in is learning how to be a better rider! I want to sort out my cornering confidence. Silverstone is closer to London, but I hear the track they use isn't so good...
 
I've only ever got my knee down on private land in France (several acres of concrete in an industrial estate) trying to do it on the road is hard work and not always necessary or possible and I'd advise to try with caution.

As for the track day, for £370 I think that's well worth it IMO. Great picture too. :cool: I think I'm going to save up for something like that, I need to do another one there's nothing like going round a track on a bike, it's what they were meant for - it's exhilerating.
 
OT: Whats Rockingham like? got a TD there next month, seems a lot of left handers which im looking forward to, dragging me left knee down rather than just touching down for a second on the road atm :p
 
Griffo said:
I want to do this too, I understand I can help lower premiums too, but obviously the benefit i'm interested in is learning how to be a better rider! I want to sort out my cornering confidence. Silverstone is closer to London, but I hear the track they use isn't so good...
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I've never ridden Silverstone, so couldn't comment on how good a track it is, the purpose of the school though is not to learn the particular track, but to learn to take corners. In that respect the track shouldn't matter, Rockingham track itself though I thought was a lot of fun.

As to closer to London I just went up the night before and stayed at a hotel, Rockingham isn't that far away.

Freefaller said:
I've only ever got my knee down on private land in France (several acres of concrete in an industrial estate) trying to do it on the road is hard work and not always necessary or possible and I'd advise to try with caution.

As for the track day, for £370 I think that's well worth it IMO. Great picture too. :cool: I think I'm going to save up for something like that, I need to do another one there's nothing like going round a track on a bike, it's what they were meant for - it's exhilerating.
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Track days with Focussed events, MSV etc are cheaper (£175 for Donnington Park on the 4th July I think), but you won't learn as much as you would with the CSS as they are track days and not teaching days.

I'd definitely agree a track is a far safer place to be hooning it about, and as for getting your knee down, roundabouts might be the way forward, but it seems a bit pointless to me (doing it on roundabouts).

Fireskull said:
OT: Whats Rockingham like? got a TD there next month, seems a lot of left handers which im looking forward to, dragging me left knee down rather than just touching down for a second on the road atm :p
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Rockingham is quite a short track, but a very fun one. There are a varied turns, tight, sweeping, a chicane and a hairpin.

I'll try to find a map of the track I rode later if i get time (I can also mark the turn points we were given if you'd like, but use them at your own risk, I take no responsibility for anything you do with them.)

Also for your sighting laps try doing the course in a single gear (I thought 4th lacked any power on the 600) and no brakes, it will give you a much better idea IMO (again I can't take responsibility for what you do.)
 
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Aye, that is a bit pricey!

I've been looking at doing the Ron Haslam one, http://www.haslamraceschool.com/

Thats £269 for the level 1, but you get to rag their bikes instead of your own!

I've done a couple of trackdays and really enjoyed them, but think I'd get more out of a structured course so I can see where I can improve.
 
Wyvern971 said:
Rockingham is quite a short track, but a very fun one. There are a varied turns, tight, sweeping, a chicane and a hairpin.

I'll try to find a map of the track I rode later if i get time (I can also mark the turn points we were given if you'd like, but use them at your own risk, I take no responsibility for anything you do with them.)

Also for your sighting laps try doing the course in a single gear (I thought 4th lacked any power on the 600) and no brakes, it will give you a much better idea IMO (again I can't take responsibility for what you do.)
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Hehe sure :p always nice getting a few pointers for a track ive never been to before :p dont worry I wont come back and blame you if I take a line wide and end up in the grass :p I think its the full International Circuit im doing aswell so its the longest one.
 
Sagalout said:
Aye, that is a bit pricey!

I've been looking at doing the Ron Haslam one, http://www.haslamraceschool.com/

Thats £269 for the level 1, but you get to rag their bikes instead of your own!

I've done a couple of trackdays and really enjoyed them, but think I'd get more out of a structured course so I can see where I can improve.
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Id rather use my own bike, theres nothing worse than doing something on someone elses bike then frustrating yourself when you cant do it when you get back on your own bike lol. imo of course :p I just dont see the point in doing these things unless your going to do it on your own bike, because isnt that why your doing it in the first place :p I can see the problem with binning it of course but dont ride beyond your ability.
(Not Aimed at you Segalot just in general)
 
Wyvern971 said:
I've never ridden Silverstone, so couldn't comment on how good a track it is, the purpose of the school though is not to learn the particular track, but to learn to take corners.
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Silverstone is many tracks, it depends on what circuit you are riding, be it the national, international etc. I think there are at least 4 configurations.

I quite enjoyed my last race there but the track does become very oily and slippery in the damp. It also holds standing water for ages.

Edit: PS. Congrats on getting your knee down, the teaching schools are great value. When comparing to normal trackdays remember your paying for the lessons, not the track time.
 
Excellent Wyvern971, sounds like a fantastic day, I shall look into this - did you have to pay any extra on your insurance (is it classed as a 'track day')?

Cool picture too :)

Scort.
 
Sagalout said:
Aye, that is a bit pricey!

I've been looking at doing the Ron Haslam one, http://www.haslamraceschool.com/

Thats £269 for the level 1, but you get to rag their bikes instead of your own!

I've done a couple of trackdays and really enjoyed them, but think I'd get more out of a structured course so I can see where I can improve.
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If you decide to do it, let me know and we could go together :) .
 
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