Track Schools
Moderator: Moderators
-
yjleesvrr
- Member
- Posts: 1803
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:23 pm
- Location: Blacksburg and Haymarket, VA/Basking Ridge, NJ
Track Schools
I have a question for those of you who have received advanced rider training at the track. Where have you received your training and would you recommend it to anyone else? I need to proceed further with my riding skills and would like to make the commitment to explore a higher level of riding than I have in the past.
Member #93, June 2002
'14 BMW R1200RT "Wethead"
'77 BMW R100/7 "Airhead"
'14 BMW R1200RT "Wethead"
'77 BMW R100/7 "Airhead"
-
9291150
If you couple it with a trip to Canada, I recommend the FAST school (http://www.fastridingschool.com). I've taken both phase one and two in the past...best bike money I ever spent. It is about an hour east of Toronto at Shannonville Motorsport Park. Its $460 Canadian a day with bike and gear supplied (plus add $90 for insurance), or $275.00 with your own bike and gear. I think thats good, in the States I found it way more expensive!!!
The chief instructor is Michel Mercier, a legendary former racer up here. My last instructor for my group was Francis Martin, currently leading the Canadian Superbike championship. They use new 600's, top gear, and are true pros.
I'm there again on Sept. 7th, this time using my own Fireblade for that extra pucker effect at the end of the front straight. It really does improve street skills, plus it make track days a less risky affair, although you can't do anything about certain riders who have no business at track days!
I'd love to try my R at a track day...no fear of locking up while trail braking!!
The chief instructor is Michel Mercier, a legendary former racer up here. My last instructor for my group was Francis Martin, currently leading the Canadian Superbike championship. They use new 600's, top gear, and are true pros.
I'm there again on Sept. 7th, this time using my own Fireblade for that extra pucker effect at the end of the front straight. It really does improve street skills, plus it make track days a less risky affair, although you can't do anything about certain riders who have no business at track days!
I'd love to try my R at a track day...no fear of locking up while trail braking!!
-
darthrider
- Basic User
- Posts: 1794
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Keller, TX
- Contact:
Yong -
Whichever school you choose, please take a look at Reg Pridmore's CLASS school before you decide. It's a little different than most.
Like most others it is taught on road race tracks by professional road racers. The big difference is that they demonstrate that the same control and mental techniques used by racers to go fast and win races can also be applied directly to street situations and street safety.
Despite the race trappings, CLASS has *nothing* to do with racing or even going fast on the street. It is all about safety. The icing on the cake is that those of us who do ride fast(er) on the street will also be safer for the same reasons.
They actively discourage racing...passing is allowed in corners but only on the outside. This keeps the squiddies from passing on the inside and taking sombody with them when they low or high side. Two strikes and you're out if you pass inside. If they catch someone timing laps, one strike and they are out.
They are heart attack serious about safety and training.
Reg teaches lower body steering and that is like the clouds opening up and the sun shining through for someone (like myself) who has believed for years that countersteering is the best or only way to turn a motorcycle.
His "mantra" is smoothness. In everything. Brakes, clutch, throttle, turning, stopping, everything. And mental awareness. He speaks of learning to "see around corners". Some call it intuition or "Spidey sense" or whatever. It is real.
An optional activity is riding behind Reg (first Superbike class champ) or his senior instructor for 2 laps. This is not a thrill ride or a show off ride or any of that...It is to demonstrate that even at near-race speeds, two up, you can accelerate, turn, stop, etc. so smoothly it feels like the controls are reostats. It is a little scary at first but you will be begging for "just one more lap" at the end! It is the most powerful demonstarion I have ever seen of the power and importance of being smooth on the controls.
If you do appreciate a "spirited ride", Reg's techniques will make you smoother, safer and FASTER if that is what you want. But all applies equally on your 50R, SV650 or Dyna. Group rides, solos or track days.
I took CLASS several years ago on a Ducati 900 Super Sport. I had been rideing for about 35 years, had had some successes in racing and frankly thought I was a very good rider. And in all honesty, I was. But CLASS was a life-changing event for me and I can truthfully say that was the day I learned to ride a motorcycle. So many things I had just been bluffing through, or not fully understanding the physics, or was just plain doing wrong...I learned better. And the ongoing practice just keeps making his techniques even more effective.
CLASS would best be taken, I think, by an experienced rider to get the most from it. But I'm not talking 35 years! Maybe a year or so, at least. I almost think you have to do some things wrong to get the full impact of learning to do them right.
I would tale Spencer's school, or Code's, or any of the other schools in a minute, and will when I get the chance. But if I only end up taking one, I took the right one. If my son still rode, I would send him for sure!
Whichever school you choose, please take a look at Reg Pridmore's CLASS school before you decide. It's a little different than most.
Like most others it is taught on road race tracks by professional road racers. The big difference is that they demonstrate that the same control and mental techniques used by racers to go fast and win races can also be applied directly to street situations and street safety.
Despite the race trappings, CLASS has *nothing* to do with racing or even going fast on the street. It is all about safety. The icing on the cake is that those of us who do ride fast(er) on the street will also be safer for the same reasons.
They actively discourage racing...passing is allowed in corners but only on the outside. This keeps the squiddies from passing on the inside and taking sombody with them when they low or high side. Two strikes and you're out if you pass inside. If they catch someone timing laps, one strike and they are out.
They are heart attack serious about safety and training.
Reg teaches lower body steering and that is like the clouds opening up and the sun shining through for someone (like myself) who has believed for years that countersteering is the best or only way to turn a motorcycle.
His "mantra" is smoothness. In everything. Brakes, clutch, throttle, turning, stopping, everything. And mental awareness. He speaks of learning to "see around corners". Some call it intuition or "Spidey sense" or whatever. It is real.
An optional activity is riding behind Reg (first Superbike class champ) or his senior instructor for 2 laps. This is not a thrill ride or a show off ride or any of that...It is to demonstrate that even at near-race speeds, two up, you can accelerate, turn, stop, etc. so smoothly it feels like the controls are reostats. It is a little scary at first but you will be begging for "just one more lap" at the end! It is the most powerful demonstarion I have ever seen of the power and importance of being smooth on the controls.
If you do appreciate a "spirited ride", Reg's techniques will make you smoother, safer and FASTER if that is what you want. But all applies equally on your 50R, SV650 or Dyna. Group rides, solos or track days.
I took CLASS several years ago on a Ducati 900 Super Sport. I had been rideing for about 35 years, had had some successes in racing and frankly thought I was a very good rider. And in all honesty, I was. But CLASS was a life-changing event for me and I can truthfully say that was the day I learned to ride a motorcycle. So many things I had just been bluffing through, or not fully understanding the physics, or was just plain doing wrong...I learned better. And the ongoing practice just keeps making his techniques even more effective.
CLASS would best be taken, I think, by an experienced rider to get the most from it. But I'm not talking 35 years! Maybe a year or so, at least. I almost think you have to do some things wrong to get the full impact of learning to do them right.
I would tale Spencer's school, or Code's, or any of the other schools in a minute, and will when I get the chance. But if I only end up taking one, I took the right one. If my son still rode, I would send him for sure!
Dave
#226
I've spent most of my life on motorcycles, the rest I've just wasted...
#226
I've spent most of my life on motorcycles, the rest I've just wasted...
-
skibum
track schools
i did keith code's school on my 1150R and I agree, nothing matches these schools in advancing your riding skills. After a school, consider a NESBA track day, they offer instruction for free, will critique your rides, and even show you the right lines,etc. i sold my 1150R and now have a 1200R which i'll take to keith code's school. although the schools fuss at each other, i suspect they're all good.
I've done the California Superbike School and I am going back for more at the end of September. Excellent, but it is very technical and racing oriented.
Many outfits that put on 'track days" have on-track instruction available for the beginners group. I suggest that, before you sign up for a track school, try a track day with some instruction, see how it goes, and if you like it, then decide if you want to invest in a formal school.
Many outfits that put on 'track days" have on-track instruction available for the beginners group. I suggest that, before you sign up for a track school, try a track day with some instruction, see how it goes, and if you like it, then decide if you want to invest in a formal school.
Bob
2006 R1200GS ADV "Five Charlie"
2006 R1200GS ADV "Five Charlie"
I did the Keith Code track school too - outstanding. The instructors are great, taught me how to corner much more effectively, unlearn a few bad habits, hang off. Did not ride my own bike, though. Used their Kawasaki 600. Fast and flickable as hell, but the "comfort" features (NOT!) sure make you appreciate your own bike. I am sure there are advantages to riding your own bike in a track school, but I had never ridden a true crotch rocket and I wanted to get the experience in a reasonably controlled setting with an instructor there to increase my life expectancy.
2004 Ferro R1150R