Courses

[suzyj]

With my suspension nearing goodness (booked in on the 4th of May at Motorcycle Weaponry in Mona Vale for shiny new springs and a general sorting), I'm contemplating the next set of twisty corners.

On the ride day last weekend I was all over the shop - occasionally I'd do a corner well, but much of the time my line was off, or my speed was off, or I'd just generally make the beast with two backs it up.  Not to the point of danger, but just to the point where I was swearing at myself occasionally and losing too much speed.

So I'm thinking a course or two is the go, so I can be instructed by people who know what they're doing (ie not me) and practice in an environment where an off is embarrassing rather than painful.  I note from web surfing that there are courses run by stay upright and HART.

Has anyone here done one of these?  What sort of thing can I expect?  Which one is preferable?

[mattyvas]

Hey Suzyj,

      A course is a brilliant thing(s) to do, I/we have done a few.
As a small group we did a Stay Upright course, from memory it was the intermediate course.
There are a few of us who have done Superbike School which is also very good.
Both have a different focus, Stay Upright is very street focused and Superbike School is more track focused.
Having said that I think the Superbike school is more helpful, the level 1 course teaches you all about throttle control
which I still practice on every ride.

Doing a course whichever one you choose will improve your riding to a level where you should no longer have mid
corner moments of OMFG what am I doing here.

[signora monster]

Nick and I did the Advanced Rider course at HART (St Ives). Learnt heaps and highly recommend it. It was the best thing we ever did.  They may try to convince you to do the Intro Course first but you are well beyond that with your abilities.
You may also get a discount on your Insurance Premium for completing this course. Check with your Insurance Company. It all helps. Also, advise your Insurance Company that you are participating in the course to make sure that you are covered by your policy.
Good luck. 

[hambo]

if you want instruction on cornering and feeling comfortable with lines and differing speeds then the Superbike school is for you ......it teaches you that cornering is a very deliberate thing and breaks it down into steps..........so i agree with Matty on this a few of us are doing a course this week but you need to book a fair bit ahead . Ive also done the HART course and the Stay Upright course and both are very good and helpful for general riding and focussed on road riding ..............so can recommend all three........but superbike school had the biggest impact on my cornering.......regards hambo

[signora monster]

Hey Suzy,
The Superbike School sounds good. Let me know if you decide to do the Superbike School as I will come along and do it with you. I am sure Nick will be keen too. I don't think you can ever do too many courses. There is always room for improvement.
Kaz.

[ozducati]

The great thing with the Superbike School is not only is it step by step, but each level builds on the last ... or you can do any level repeatedly (must do at least each level once to move up) .. Level 1 is almost a revelation, it's all the stuff we think we know but never use, + a lot of stuff we don't really know that is easy to practise.. you get 5 or 6 sessions on the track, and each one is preceded by a theory and followed up with a debrief from your ride coach who is on track with you.. is not the cheapest, but the best IMO.. met a guy at Eastern creek once who had been doing the CSS for something like 8 or 9 years, 4 a year, and usually does them in the US (he lived in Korea).. he was doing Lvl 1 that day, says he still learns stuff from each and every level... is worth the money...

[Jukie]

if you want instruction on cornering and feeling comfortable with lines and differing speeds then the Superbike school is for you ......it teaches you that cornering is a very deliberate thing and breaks it down into steps..........so i agree with Matty on this a few of us are doing a course this week but you need to book a fair bit ahead . Ive also done the HART course and the Stay Upright course and both are very good and helpful for general riding and focussed on road riding ..............so can recommend all three........but superbike school had the biggest impact on my cornering.......regards hambo

Hey Hambo

Both Betty and Jukie are ok to ride and do the CSS, so we will see ya on Friday [moto]

[suzyj]

Cool.  Sounds like the Superbike School course is the go.  I was a little concerned that there would be a whole pile of R1 riders, but from the sounds of it, it's not quite that full-on.

A couple of questions:

Firstly, my bike came with pretty ordinary tyres - Bridgestone Battlax BT56.  They have plenty of tread, so I've been putting off replacing them.  Would it be worthwhile getting new tyres a couple of weeks beforehand (I'm thinking Michelin Pilot Power)?  Or would my existing tyres be adequate?

Lastly, I have good pants (Dainese) and a good jacket (Teknic) but they don't zip together.  Is this likely to be a show stopper?

[mattyvas]

I'd say as long as your tyres have a good amount of tread you'll be fine.
Of course if you don't have any confidence in them it never helps.
I know when I bought my 620 it had OEM Pirelli's that I never really enjoyed, changed to Pilot Powers it was joyful.

As to your gear not zipping together it might be a problem, you can have it solved by having the zippers changed to match.

[Betty]

We have done the HART Advanced course (their recommendation) & Stay Upright Advanced I ... Level 1 Superbike School is this week. Ironically the Superbike School (Level 1) is the only one covered by our insurance (with an increased excess).

Superbike School is the only one with a 'leathers' requirement ... and yes two piece suits are required to zip together.

Tyres need to be 2mm above wear indicators so it sounds like you are OK there. I had ideas of 'finishing-off' a tyre on the course ... but was advised fresh rubber is the best option. My simple view is that these days are about confidence ... or building confidence ... new rubber might do that.

My cornering is still craptacular ... but from the comments here, it seems I will be carving it up by next weekend.

[monstermick58]

Excellent stuff Suzyj, you will be saying to yourself, why didnt I do this earlier.








                                     Mmick

[brad black]

superbike school made a huge difference for me.  i went into pit corner at broadford during session one and thought "too fast, going to crash".  but steve had told us to fight the panic, look where you want to go and open the throttle.  so i did and it went around and on the little straight bit before the lh onto the front straight i had a life changing moment.  i can still remember it clearly.

[Two dogs]

Suzyj
those tyres will be fine, I did the stay upright course on the very same ones and pushed them very hard
at Oran park , only had one small moment where I could feel the rear starting to slide under full throttle
coming out of a corner , it actually felt good not scary at all .
It probably only moved a bees dick in reality
Flog the hell out of them so you can get some PP's
I put a PP up front and PP2 on the back the bike handles really well now
When are you girls going to do the the superbike course?
I may join you seen Im on a girls bike too

[suzyj]

Okay, looks like the next course is Monday 7th June.

What are people's thoughts?  It's probably enough time to get a new zipper on my jacket - if not I think I'll be able to rent some suitably smelly leathers.

Edit:  I tried to book a level 1 course on the 7th June, but it comes up with a wait list.  I propose we wait until they advertise the next one after that, and book then.

[signora monster]

Suzy,
Nick and I are keen. Let us know when you are going.
Cheers,
Kaz.

P.S To Dez....
I still don't understand why a 695 is meant to be a girl's bike. 
I always thought that it wasn't the size that mattered, but how you use it that counts. 
and YES, I ride like a girl!!!!!!!!!! ...but i'm working on it.