Ducati Monster Forum

Wondering if anyone has an experience to share about these guys as I'm looking into some lessons/schools/classes to better my riding skills.  Although I would like to get into track racing in the near future, my current objective is to learn how to protect myself from the oblivious cagers that roam the streets of LA.  By last count, I was almost killed 3x last week by women in SUV's driving with their designer dogs in their laps!!

Any feedback is appreciated...

Very highly recommended.  Several threads around here to that effect.

And that exact same LA traffic is a big part of the reason I don't even have a street bike anymore.   That, and the fact that the track is a million times more fun than even the best canyons out here.

I've been through all of CSS if you have specific questions.

Any trackday is good stuff.  You can't go wrong really.  And as a virgin track-goer, pretty much any trackday instruction is going to be better than just headin' out there and puttin' the pedal to the metal on your own.  I've done a couple of Code days.  I learned some really cool stuff.  Other things I wasn't quite so enthusiastic about and he, like most of his counterparts, is somewhat rigid in his approach.  I had done a fistful of trackdays, several of them with other well-known track schools, and a bunch of reading prior to taking his School.  I was a little biased going in, but I did exactly as he told me and came away with some new and good skills.  [thumbsup]  I'm not sure if they're directly applicable to life on public streets, but I approached with the attitude that if I arm myself with knowledge, I can pick and choose from that base as needed to survive. 

The nice thing about his school is that it's very organized and you get to use his bikes.  The set up is top notch and professional.  You will be taken care of and learn tons.  You probably know that there are four levels to his school.  It doesn't matter if you're Valentino Rossi, you start at Level I.  It's actually not a bad idea, but a few people took exception to that.  One level = one day, so if you want the full Code experience you're going to be back a few times.  I highly recommend you so some basic reading of his books prior to heading in.  He referred to his own writing a lot and you sorta feel like you're in church and everyone else totally knows the Lord's Prayer and you don't.  [cheeky]  Oh, and forget about going fast.  You get yelled at...  [laugh]  It takes the pressure off of you, but sometimes I think they got on people's cases a little too hard. 

Good luck and report after.  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.   [beer]

Code's school is great.  [thumbsup]  I have taken levels 1-3. 

But for a street oriented program, I would recommend Lee Parks Advanced Rider Clinic.  There a few of us on here that have taken Lee's class.  Reviews can be found here (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=9631.0)

Also pick up his book, Total Control (http://www.leeparksdesign.com/eshopprod_cat_530-3637_product_72946.Total_Control.htm).  All of the drills he teaches in the clinic are in the book.

Feel free to PM me if you have questions about either class.   [moto]

 

also look into American Supercamp!

Thanks for all of the great feedback.  At the moment I'm leaning (no pun intended) toward the Lee Parks course at the end of March as my objective is to better my street riding and accident avoidance, etc.  Not to mention the fact that I don't want to have to prep my bike for the track.  Once Lee parks is completed I'll start looking into Keith's SS.

you don't have to prep your bike for CSS.  tape up the lights and you're done.  and actually, they'll do all that for you.

I just signed up for the 2 day camp in Vegas 3/21-3/22.  ;D

Anyone from here going?

Don't overlook what might be the best "schools" for safe street riding (i.e., dodging SUVs); the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's...

no but i'll be cornerworking for the 3/28-29 dates @ SoW in case anyone here will be attending.

you'll enjoy the vegas course, it's fun. 

Lee Parks Level I class was great.  I'll be doing Level II when he comes back to SoCal in September.  Hoping to tryout the CSS Level I in between.  Thanks again for all the great feedback... I love this place!

i thik the school is good for someone that agrees with the teachings in keith code books.

honestly if you don't agree with his books, you won't like his teaching and you won't like the classes, bc its all basically verbatim from the books.  thus the reason some people have said he is "too rigid" at times in his teaching.  well "duh".. you are going to the guy to teach you how to ride on the the "keith code" way. you can't expect him to teach a different way from the very books that he made his name in to start the school.

in other words if he didn't teach exactly the same principles from his books i would be very dissapointed.

that being said, others are correct its basically not a great idea to argue with keith in the middle of his class on "other things" you have heard in general, he doesn't like that.

but its a great school for a beginner track rider or someone that has never been on the track before, go with an open mind take what want from the class to make you a better rider.