Ducati Monster Forum

I attended the Lee Parks Level 1 course in Irvine, California this past weekend.

'twas a humbling experience.  Suffice to say it is hard to break 30 year old habits.  During one of the exercises, Lee took photos of the riders, then immediately critiqued us to show what we were and were not doing.  I was surprised to see my photo looking a lot like one of me taken in 1984...nearly identical body position.  During the portion of the class where they surround your bike with other students, then lean you over to accommodate you in the "proper" position, I felt like I was visiting a chiropractor!   Trying to get to that ideal position during the sessions was very difficult, fighting that 30 year old muscle memory and ignoring the cramps.  Then there was the transition exercise where I managed to put a tad too much pressure on a testicle as I turned from left to right, totally loosing sight of the "exit" cone...and just about everything else for a split second. :'(

All in all in was a rewarding experience for I truly learned what I did not know and have a basis for working on breaking down the old habits.  Parks runs a very tight operation and I was impressed with the amount of information he can get across quickly and clearly.  I may take the course again after spending a few months working on my various issues.

Lee Parks commenting on how mine was the coolest bike there.  Or something...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/LeeParksDuc.jpg)

I took his course on 4.3.10 in San Mateo and I really learned a lot! I came within inches of scraping my knee. Lee was really cool and wanted me to get there, but near the end of the day I was too burnt. Definitely money well spent!

Hopefully I can take the one in Milwaukee next year - congrats on completing it!

Glad to hear you had a great experience.   [thumbsup]

B and I have taken Levels 1 and 2 from Lee.

The best moto skills training $$ can buy.

+1

I really got it when I went home and practiced a bit and I feel has helped me a lot. It`s not all about getting your knee down in a parking lot. It is a cool feeling when you do it but will most likely not get done on the street. Knowing what it feels like is great so when/ if you get to the track and it happens you are ready for it.

As mookieo2 said, you really get it when you start applying the lessons to your everyday riding.  This past weekend I rode about 300 miles, with Lee and the other two instructors riding along in my head.  I  took familiar roads at a reasonable pace and consciously worked on correcting my bad habits and using the tools and techniques I was shown in the class.  Consider it homework  [moto]

awesome.  I meant to go that same one, but time and money conspired against me.  Maybe next year.

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

The correct way:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/IMG_2965.jpg)

The not-so-correct way:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/IMG_2556.jpg)

More of the correct way:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/IMG_3064.jpg)

More of the not-so-correct way (AKA:  All Crossed Up):

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/orangelion03/IMG_2617.jpg)

stick your elbow out. you can get close but it looks like you have super high bars. not easy to get a lean over the bar that way i think. keep working on it!

LOL - I have a very similar pic with him on mine:

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/vegasvideo/Lee%20Parks/arc-091.jpg)

[thumbsup]

Saw your "action" pics in another thread Dave...you have far better form than I do!!!

when you are doing those drills you are counter steering right? bc from the front it doesn't look like it, but wanted to make sure if you are or not?

you counter stear to iniate the turn, but once you are in the turn you steer through the corner. keep counter steering and it wont be knee dragging it would be helmet visor dragging.

Hey thanks for the compliment!  [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

I'm glad that you enjoyed the course and had fun! After all that's what it's all about!!