California Superbike School - Still the thing to do?
Discussion
Improving my cornering confidence has been on my list of things to do in a long time, and i have just noticed California Superbike School are based at Phillip Island and have some dates free for level 1 in January.
Do they still have a good reputation? Its $600 so not a cheap day out but might be a good day of tuition and also get to ride my CBR around Phillip Island
What do you think, worth the money?
Do they still have a good reputation? Its $600 so not a cheap day out but might be a good day of tuition and also get to ride my CBR around Phillip Island
What do you think, worth the money?
CSS is great if you go with an open mind, Level 1 is very much back to basics and a foundation day, don't expect to be doing your usual trackday speeds on a Level 1 as you almost need to go slower before you go quicker, will make sense once you have done it, well worth it and many end up doing all 4, it may not make you a riding god but it did make me a lot safer because of what goes on in my head .....
PI is an awesome track too
PI is an awesome track too
Like Dibble says, CSS is decent enough, but you have to go into it with the right mindset, and be prepared to go slow for the say learning the drills. I'm pretty sure CSS levels 1-4 are the same world over as they follow Keith Codes syllabus.
I've done all 4 levels, and whilst I got some good stuff from it, it's quite long winded, and once you reach a reasonable competent ability on track, you need to unlearn some of the principles, and kinda pick and choose what works for you.
I'd always recommend it to someone that's never done any track riding at all (or least is very new to it), as it's a good foundation, but nothing more
You don't get much track time for you money either, and I'd recommend you book up a trackday shortly after, whilst it's all still fresh, as you'll want to practice what they teach you
I've done all 4 levels, and whilst I got some good stuff from it, it's quite long winded, and once you reach a reasonable competent ability on track, you need to unlearn some of the principles, and kinda pick and choose what works for you.
I'd always recommend it to someone that's never done any track riding at all (or least is very new to it), as it's a good foundation, but nothing more
You don't get much track time for you money either, and I'd recommend you book up a trackday shortly after, whilst it's all still fresh, as you'll want to practice what they teach you
Thanks for the input, i have only done 1 trackday before but felt like i was definitely being held back by lack of confidence and technique, so maybe it might be a good bet for me. There is a cheap trackday at Broadford the week after which i can book as well for practice.
Will probably get it booked up tomorrow
Will probably get it booked up tomorrow
AceOfHearts said:
Thanks for the input, i have only done 1 trackday before but felt like i was definitely being held back by lack of confidence and technique, so maybe it might be a good bet for me. There is a cheap trackday at Broadford the week after which i can book as well for practice.
Will probably get it booked up tomorrow
They offer a discount if you book before Christmas.Will probably get it booked up tomorrow
AceOfHearts said:
Thanks for the input, i have only done 1 trackday before but felt like i was definitely being held back by lack of confidence and technique, so maybe it might be a good bet for me. There is a cheap trackday at Broadford the week after which i can book as well for practice.
Will probably get it booked up tomorrow
Sounds like a good plan ....... I did Level 1-4 and am now unpicking certain pieces but learnt loads ....Will probably get it booked up tomorrow
Riders fall into 3 categories (IMHO 
)
1. People who can ride and understand what's happening underneath them and how to control the bike
2. People who can ride but don't understand what's happening underneath them and how to control the bike.
3 People who can't ride and haven't got a clue how or what is going on.
Notice speed or "Fast" has no bearing in the choices.
As said above CSS Level 1 is great for bringing home how a bike works and what it wants the rider to do (or not do)
These are fantastic for road riding and provide a solid foundation for the understanding of how to go faster. Many won't actually go much faster as their own preservation trigger kicks in but the theory is there.
Not cheap but excellent training and Philip Island. DUH!!
)1. People who can ride and understand what's happening underneath them and how to control the bike
2. People who can ride but don't understand what's happening underneath them and how to control the bike.
3 People who can't ride and haven't got a clue how or what is going on.
Notice speed or "Fast" has no bearing in the choices.
As said above CSS Level 1 is great for bringing home how a bike works and what it wants the rider to do (or not do)
These are fantastic for road riding and provide a solid foundation for the understanding of how to go faster. Many won't actually go much faster as their own preservation trigger kicks in but the theory is there.
Not cheap but excellent training and Philip Island. DUH!!
I have done levels 1 - 3 and it has to be some of the best tuition I have received, sports related or otherwise. I rode Virginia Int. Raceway for level 1 and Streets of Willow for 2 & 3. I was fortunate enough to have Dillon Code (Keith's son) take me through the classroom work and his method/ delivery is superb. I used their bikes (S1000RR) - no brainer by the time you add up fuel, tyres, transport, flaffing around etc. Just hop on and go and focus on the drills. My goal was not to get quicker (although that will happen) but to break the various processes of riding down to provide a platform to improve upon for future trackdays etc. For me, their school has been invaluable and I would highly recommend it to new or seasoned folk.
dibblecorse said:
AceOfHearts said:
Booked for 11th January 
I was about to say WTF, then realised you are in Oz .... enjoy, its an iconic circuit to ride and tick off the list ..... I did levels 3 & 4 at Laguna Seca ..... ;-)
Dakkon said:
dibblecorse said:
AceOfHearts said:
Booked for 11th January
I was about to say WTF, then realised you are in Oz .... enjoy, its an iconic circuit to ride and tick off the list ..... I did levels 3 & 4 at Laguna Seca ..... ;-)I did Level 1 in 2000 at Cadwell Park. From memory I seem to think I spent my tracktime in 3rd gear & not using the brakes.
What I found was that I was already doing much of what L1 entailed without really knowing “why” or any of the theory. The day reinforced my good habits & helped get rid of a bad one or two (target fixation!). I still use some of the principles today, they’ve definitely stuck and as such I’d say it was worthwhile.
As an aside a couple of guys on the course were on Norton F1’s. They had no engine braking & picked up speed on a closed throttle so the “3rd gear no brakes” mantra was difficult to follow, especially into Mansfield 😃
What I found was that I was already doing much of what L1 entailed without really knowing “why” or any of the theory. The day reinforced my good habits & helped get rid of a bad one or two (target fixation!). I still use some of the principles today, they’ve definitely stuck and as such I’d say it was worthwhile.
As an aside a couple of guys on the course were on Norton F1’s. They had no engine braking & picked up speed on a closed throttle so the “3rd gear no brakes” mantra was difficult to follow, especially into Mansfield 😃
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff