Ducati Monster Forum

OK, so I did a Super Bike School on the 10th of June, what a day.
I awoke to see the sky frowning on me and thought to myself, man its going to be a sh#t day.

So I got to the Creek and it was covered in fog, couldn't see jack. The rain was coming down and my hopes for a dry day were shattered.

Up in the classroom, the first fifteen minutes were nothing but drivel, the next fifteen minutes were the important stuff .We ventured onto the track. Wow, my tires were not made for a wet track; the bike was slipping sliding all over the show. Slides from the front and also the rear, I was sh#ting my pants. It was like riding on ice.

My instructor was just great as he kept the encouragement coming. It was good for my self esteem. As the day wore on, the rain got heavier and the bike was sliding more and more. However, without any intention on my part, I was riding quicker and riding out the slides. Hard to believe, but I was actually sliding my bike out of the corners.

By 1pm, the rain had stopped and the track was starting to dry. I couldn’t believe my luck, having the best of both worlds. I would be able to improve my riding skills in the wet and in the dry.

We stopped for a catered lunch and time for a rest. We chatted about racing lines and our intentions to wipe our chicken strips. These are those tiny rings of tire that never actually touch the ground. The further you lean over, the smaller the chicken strips.
2 pm and it was our group's turn on the track, which was now dry. Man it was good, what confidence the earlier rain had installed in me!

By the second lap, I was hanging off the Monster like a mad man possessed. The Instructor was egging me on to go faster and faster lap by lap. I couldn’t believe the pace. 9500 rpm in 6th gear on the straight, it was unbelievably fast. I am sure that my arms have stretched by an inch!

He pulls me over for a chat. "Hey Vince: Turn 1; hold 5th gear all the way round. Follow
my lines and pace. Look into the corner, keeping your toes on the pegs and don’t grip the bars, just caress them".

"Huh? What for?" I thought , but he was gone.

So I follow him out of the pits, into Turn 2; wow.
Turn 3; Yeh.
Turn 4; Yee-ha.
Turn 5;Yeh-Baby.
Turn 6; Bring it on.
Turn 7; I'm the king of the world.
Turn 8; Come on man hurry-up,
O-oh. Turn 9; What did he say about Turn 9?
Shhhiiit I knew I should have paid more attention!

Am I going too fast? Too late, where’s the Instructor? What's his line?
 
Oh, where is he??? OOOHHHAHHHHHHHH (suddenly: voice in my head says “Vince; open you eyes”, Oh I’ve made it! Where's the instructor? Sh#t !!!
Turn10; Already!  Sh#t, on the gas.

Turn 11; Nice, but what’s that in my throat? Ah, that’s where they went? Get back down there!

Turn 12; 4th gear 6000 rpm as I've got to catch the Instructor. 5th gear 9500rpm and 6th gear nudging 9800rpm - Bup Bup Bup Bup Bup hitting the rev limiter. I just managed to catch him at the 300 meter brake mark. Now what did he say???  Hold 5th gear and follow my line and pace. Feet on the pegs, Blah Blah Blah Oh - that’s right.

I look down and I'm doing 7500rpm in 5th. I was flying.

As I lean off the bike, a voice in my head said “HAY VINCE, DON'T GRIP THE BARS" oh yeh???

The bars were wavering a little from left to right, but then the Monster was as stable as ever. I take a quick look at my left knee to see the lean angle and notice that it was on the verge of touch down by two inches, but I chickened out. The tyres stuck to the road and my Monster hugged the turn  like it was on rails.

Arriving back to the pits, the Instructor walks over and pats me on my back and says
" Hey thanks Vince for putting in so much effort to enjoy yourself today, It was a pleasure" and walked off.

All I can say is that my riding capacity has doubled and I am riding safer and faster than ever. My confidence with the new tyres is now at 100%.  My instructor was one of the best motivators I have ever come across.

I recommend this school to everyone and I’m definitely doing the other three levels.

Well done Bud. [thumbsup]

Sounds like you had a ripping time!  :D

After talking to you when you came back Monday night I was already looking at Level I.
Sounds like a great time and I am now looking to the August 2nd date.

Dam you're gonna be even faster now, might have to buy a quicker bike.

Dont know about on the road Matty as I have reach the 2 kids and a wife level, so aint gona be much faster .I may be smoother. [moto]

On other hand the track ,there are no obstacles and controlled conditions this my friend is another matter [evil]
 

+1. And the track is designed for going flat out!  :D

Yeah, I do understand that. I am the same on the road.
Any probs and it's no $$$ for me.
Might need a track weapon in the future.

Just booked my level 2 and will be doing lev 3 in September [thumbsup]

Just booked Level I Monday 28th July.
Don't tell the GLW.....
 [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

Hey Matty,
See you there on July 28 - I am booked for my Level 3 - we are in deifferent groups but will be on the track at the same time!

Sorry Doc, I was looking forward to doing the level 3 with you but my Wife and kids are off to Switerland in July and get back on Aug 7 so this is the only free day I have without them around. Maybe we can do the Level 4 together later on.

Cheers,

R_usty

Going to have to have a had look at the intro school later in the year. Sounds like fun was had by all who have participated.

Really like the Oran Park Stay Upright and now wouldn't mind doing a few laps in the slow group watching, riding and learning.....

Like Dock said not really into going much faster, just smoother on the open road and be in a little more control.....  [moto]

Cool R_usty,

    Should be a good day, really looking forward to lapping the Creek on my bike.
Have done it in a few cars of different types. But this will be the first time on a bike.
See you then if not before.

cheers
Matty...

So 28th July level 2, 28th August level 3 which levels only level 4 may be we an do this together with Michael and Waz [thumbsup]

call me a sheep, Matty I just paid for level 1, 28th July

SHEEP!

Ditto Tricolore........

We shall be the "Black Sheep" at the back of the pack...........  [moto]  8)

This is becoming  another stay upright [laugh]

My intention is to complete the cornering and braking component of stay upright, maybe after that i will consider the track day stuff. But i think i would do it on a track bike, too worried about damaging my baby in a rush of blood [evil]

Tri Dont under estimate the potential of the S4RS,just ask rusty and BIG T  it is more of a track bike than you give it credit. [thumbsup]

Sheep........ Baaaaaa
Cool should be another good day.
Saw Dock's Monster at Motori today and how shagged or used the rear tire is........

It's gonna be fun.  ;D ;D ;D

Did that going to get the milk the other day  [cheeky]

Oh.....
where was the milk at the end of turn 1........
or the inside of turn 9?  8) 8)

Your going to have a blast Matty, probably even stop riding on the road so much. [moto]

Don't say that, it's enough to afford one bike for the road let alone a 2nd for the track.  [bang] [bang]

Get ready here comes superbike school

Looking forward to it.
As I said elsewhere, I'm doing the anti rain dance.
We were lucky with the last day out, let's hope it's the same this time.

Have done Superbike Scbool 1 and 2 at the Island before when Keith Code was working here!! Very, very good. [moto]

Must do a repeat and finally finish level 3. I preferred Superbike School over Stay Upright. [thumbsup]

I reckon you are better to do the courses on the bike you use on the road as you really pick up on what your bike can do and become so much more proficient with it. Just my 2cents. ;D

I was born ready Don, I came out feet first  8)

that explains a few things hehehehe

Monday
Showers. Chance coastal storm. Cold S'ly winds.


City:  Min:    9  Max:   14
West:  Min:    2  Max:   14

 not looking good Matty, still ready Vince, might be a bit of cold sweat in the slippery conditions

Did level 1 in the poring rain not a problem just made me a better rider  [moto]

Dry rider suit ? Check !
Dry rider Gloves? Check!
Balls? Check

Spare undies? Check  [cheeky]


Not a problem have every thing  [thumbsup]

don't forget your red undies to make you go faster

They are open front G bangers  [cheeky]

really so have you got a picture of them on

Got my red ones on so here is a pic of my black ones [thumbsup]
(http://www.kookieintl.com/Merchant5/graphics/00000001/4017_small.JPG)

And gee they make your  [bacon] look good.

Bit cold out Matty their not doing me Justice

me have to see you with then on
(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_3_7.gif)