California Superbike School

[Jelster]

I've decided to do the CSS course, especially after my off a few weeks back when I know I could have taken the roundabout quicker and safer with more experience.

CSS is different to most schools as you use your bike, which after doing the Suzuki Perormance School at Mallory I would prefer. I want to know what I can do on MY bike, not some track prepared race rep.

It ain't cheap, as it's £319. But you do get a whole day and almost as much track time as a normal track day. Would any of you be interested in getting together for a group booking and we could probably get some discount.

The dates I prefer are as follows:

Sat 26th March
Sun 27th March
Monday 11th April
Tuesday 12 April

The CSS have a modular format of 4 levels, you must complete each level before moving onto the next. For those of you who want to (and can afford it!) you can do a 2 day back to back couse taking in levels 1 & 2.

Level 1 includes:

Level I details the six most common and most obvious cornering errors:

1. Turn entry speeds. Too high or too low.
2. Throttle control errors. Too much, not enough or inconsistent.
3. The turn is started at the wrong place. Too early or too late.
4. Steering errors and corrections. Leaning into the turn too quickly or too slowly.
5. Inappropriate rider input. Too much or too little for the situation.
6. Inconsistent lines. Too wide or too tight to the inside.

Anyone with a trained eye can spot these errors. We not only have the trained eyes but the exact, correct remedy for each error. That is what Level 1 is all about. We even supply the reasons why mastering each of them is crucial and what rewards to expect for getting it right. Imagine for a moment that you have practised and mastered each of these 6 points. What would your own riding be like if you had?

1. Perfect turn entry speed. Just the way you like it every time.
2. Flawless throttle control. The bike feels stable through every corner.
3. Precision turn entry. A turn-in point that really handles the corner.
4. No nervous steering corrections. Just one clean sweep through every turn.
5. Complete relaxation. In harmony with the bike under all conditions.
6. Lazer cut lines. Consistent ones like a pro can do.

Is this possible? We'd be lying if we said it was easy or that we could coach you to perfection on any one of these points in one day. But, after Level I, you will know why it went wrong and have a way to correct it! Each technical point is fully explained and has an on-track training drill.

I'll need to book something by New Year, so let me know.

Moderators, can you sticky this please if the response is good...

[cosmiccharlie]

Been thinking about some advanced training as this year (my 1st on 2wheels) i dont seemed to have gained much experience and confidence around corners / roundabouts etc

Would like try one where bikes are included first just incase of any offs etc, but would seriously like to try it one day, they move on and use my own bike

I'll start saving my pennies up for when the day comes

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Sounds good... but as you say, it's not cheap, and I need to save for a set of leathers before I can get on the track #-o

Will know nearer the time.

[Sudoxe]

If my bike is back on the road (and i get some leathers)

Dan

[pete m]

Flamin squirrel (and anyone else), ive got a set of leathers you can have - Frank Thomas, size 40/50 , bit tight on me now (circumference, not length :shock: )have a look when you want , will take £100...im in brixton before you ask :)

[Mr Toad]

I'm interested
not sure about dates, will check
where abouts are they :?:

[Jelster]

I'm interested
not sure about dates, will check
where abouts are they :?:

Based at Rockingham, Northants.

[wheelnut]

Certainly worthwhile, I did a level 1 last year and may do another of the same level before going onto level 2.

You will learn something, they will teach you lots and the best thing is that it is done at a pace to suit everyone. They do not tolerate trackday heroes and anyone doing something silly will be thrown out.

The course is all about bike control and confidence, not speed, although you will be riding faster at the end of the day then you do now!

My Brother is going out to Laguna Seca with them next year, He has done all 4 levels twice.

[gabby]

I didnt know the CCS held days in the UK. My husband, Brad, and I have done levels 1, 2, & 3 in the US. Level 1 at Watkins Glen in NY and Levels 2/3 at VIR in Virginina on the North Course and found them all to be excellent. Level 2 feels alot like a repeat of Level 1, but Level 3 is REALLY fun. It's all about body position on the bike. Great day. Great fun. You get out of it what you put into it. Every instructor, even Keith Code, is available all day for you to ask questions or to follow you and comment on how you can improve. We would almost certianly be interested in joining the fun. Of course, we still need to sort out our bike situation and actually get to the UK.... Gabby

[wheelnut]

Andy Ibbott is the director of the California Suberbike School here in the UK. The UK School actually runs the European schools, with places in Serres, Greece, Almeria, Spain and oop North in Norway!

Andy Ibbott was trained by Kieth Code and all the instructors are brilliant at finding fault with your riding without being nasty or clever.

If you give them what they are looking for, then they will take you round even faster.

You can even get Andy to get his hands dirty, and put on some leathers :P

[Anonymous]

sounds good. i have done 4 track days at knockhill but would like to learn how to do it properly. :?

[Cloggsy]

You can even get Andy to get his hands dirty, and put on some leathers :P

:shock: But that's a whole different story, right :?: :wink:

[wheelnut]

Speaking of which, I just got the bumf through the post for the 2005 season.

Hopefully when its a bit warmer and drier, as I cant waste my holidays now

[gabby]

Okay, I give. What's a bumf?

[wheelnut]

Okay, I give. What's a bumf?

Its the bumf

It must be some quaint yorkshire saying that you foreigners dont understand :P

I meant, I have just received some Literature through the Queens Daily Letter Delivery System :D

[Mr Toad]

Okay, I give. What's a bumf?


bumf - literal translation = bum fodder

ie. junk mail, income tax demands, etc. :lol:

[lynw]

need to get leathers sorted... but yeah would love to do it... most dates fine...

[gabby]

Okay, I give. What's a bumf?

Its the bumf

It must be some quaint yorkshire saying that you foreigners dont understand :P

I meant, I have just received some Literature through the Queens Daily Letter Delivery System :D

Good thing the next guy posted too! I dont get mail from the Queen!!! I guess thats just one more thing I need to plan for. I just learned today that you poor *******s PAY a TAX for the honor of owning a color television. Can it really be true? Say it isnt so!!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Okay, I give. What's a bumf?

Its the bumf

It must be some quaint yorkshire saying that you foreigners dont understand :P

I meant, I have just received some Literature through the Queens Daily Letter Delivery System :D

Good thing the next guy posted too! I dont get mail from the Queen!!! I guess thats just one more thing I need to plan for. I just learned today that you poor *******s PAY a TAX for the honor of owning a color television. Can it really be true? Say it isnt so!!

It's true. It pays for the BBC, a public broadcasting service (so no adverts). It has some advantages, like they are accountable for what they show, so no its not reality TV 24/7 :shock:

[AlanSv]

Steve

I think I remember hearing they gave a talk to the Wey Valley IAM club a few months ago and offered discounts to the club,

might be worth checking.

[Jelster]

Steve

I think I remember hearing they gave a talk to the Wey Valley IAM club a few months ago and offered discounts to the club,

might be worth checking.

This is true... I'll contact Pete and find out.

.

[siggy]

I'm interested in this as I'd like to get some track experience next year, level 1 for me!

any date is fine, I just need to check that the gear I've got is ok. (old second hand leathers)

Do you use your own bike or theirs? Do you have to sort out your own insurance? Do you have to get special tyres?

edit: found out some details http://www.superbikeschool.co.uk/uk/ssl/faq.php

I see. Would a days worth of this mean I need to replace my road tyres?
I see the advantage of learning on your own bike, but I'm terrified of damaging it, would most people hire theirs?


As you can tell I'm a complete newbie, but I am keen to learn and this sounds like a good opportunity. I'll keep checking back here for details, Cheers.

[wheelnut]

If you go and do the CSS,

1. you dont have a choice what level you start on, everyone has to do level 1, If you have done it once you can go back and do it again. But you cannot miss any levels because the training is taught from what you learned last time. To be honest, every time I get to a corner, I can hear Andy Ibbott telling me what I should do :twisted:

2. You dont need to change your tyres, its a training day that teaches you to corner faster. I did about 130 miles on track last year.

3. You can hire an R6 with race bodywork and sticky dunlops, but I dont see the point until you maybe get up to level 4 and even then it is controlled and allows you to ride at your own pace

4. You will have the same instructor through the day who will ride round with you, watching , coaxing, and showing you correct lines, then you are back in the classroom for debrief between sessions. I think we had 6 sessions on track.

Its a Track School, It Is Not a Track Day

[siggy]

Its a Track School, It Is Not a Track Day

Cool, that sounds exactly like what I need. Again, what happens with insurance? Would you be covered by your regular insurance or are you likely to have to have a special "Track Day/School" policy?

[wheelnut]

You'll have no insurance on your own bike unless you take out specific insurance to cover it on the track. This is expensive and doesn't cover items on the bike such as fairings, end cans etc - pretty much just the engine, frame, wheels etc... Up to you! :-)

It might be worth contactting your insurance company though. As it is a school and not a free for all, they may be willing to cover you.

Its not timed and you are not really racing.

I looked at track insurance but then decided against it because even that doesnt cover plastics or bodywork.

I will read the leaflets they have sent me :?

[blacksheep]

Looking at the high number of viewings of this thread and the relatively few replies and even fewer (3) intrested people I'd say the price is putting people off.

Just a thought mind you. I'd love to do one but over £300 for one day is alot of money.

[Mike1234]

You'll have no insurance on your own bike unless you take out specific insurance to cover it on the track. This is expensive and doesn't cover items on the bike such as fairings, end cans etc - pretty much just the engine, frame, wheels etc... Up to you! :-)

Not necessarily. Check with your insurance company as you are undertaking advanced training that happens to be on track rather than a track day. I know of people who have made enquiries and foudn that they were covered by their insurance.

[wheelnut]

Im up for this whatever the price :P Our lad is paying for it :D

I need to book my Spring holidays at work So ive gone for Easter week either side

Have we decided a date, and can you guarantee nice weather.

Maybe there is a chance that CSS will do a special day rate but I doubt it

[sharriso74]

YEp up for it. I'm easy on dates

[Fizzy Fish]

have been off the internet for a while due to house move & have just seen this - myself & Etienne have been talking about doing CSS in April/May, although our thinking was that May might be preferable to get a better chance of decent weather

We have a few other interested parties as well although haven't booked anything yet - is it worth finding out if they will do a group discount 1st?

[jonboy]

Glad you're still around and okay Ness, haven't seen you or E down at Soho for an age and was wondering if you guys were alright. Pop down one Friday... :wink:


.

[Fizzy Fish]

yeah, still going strong & hoping to make it down to Soho again soon!

[Stig]

You'll have to get there early to be sure of a parking slot :wink:

[northwind]

sounds good. i have done 4 track days at knockhill but would like to learn how to do it properly. :?

Niall Mackenzie does a cheaper, smaller scale thing at Knockhill quite often... I missed them all last year because Knockhill couldn't organise, er, a trackday at a racetrack :roll: But they reckon he'll be doing it again this year...

[northwind]

Tell a lie, there's a date confirmed for Monday 4th April, seems to be £135 for a half day. First trackday of the year is the 11th of April BTW... (to be continued in SV Ecosse)

[wheelnut]

Im off to donington to watch a few hardy souls doing a track day this morning :shock:

I shall be the spectator though :P

[wheelnut]

well, I went, it was ferking cool, but it is February :P

There were lots of bikes and bikers enjoying themselves................... with one pillock spoiling it :shock:

The kid on the new fireblade, with the new leathers, the new van and the new shiny tyre warmers and paddock stands.........

Ey, we can all bin it and stop a race, thus stopping other people having a good day, but to drop it twice within 2 sessions and then blaming it on cold tyres :shock:

The best advice he got, after he was recovered by the van, covered in mud and ****e was. "Well done mate, I should stick to motocross"

It's cold and damp, how can he expect to have warm tyres?

At least the price of the trackday was only £90, It undoubtedly cost his father a lot more :roll:

[northwind]

Ey, we can all bin it and stop a race, thus stopping other people having a good day, but to drop it twice within 2 sessions and then blaming it on cold tyres :shock:


Knob. The guy on the 636 who couldn't ride last time we were up at Knockhill kept on complaining that he had no grip... "I can't keep up with you on these Rennsports..." "Rennsports? I was on Roadtecs! Knob...

You don't crash because you don't have enough grip... You crash because you're riding too hard for the grip you have... (or at least I do)

[wheelnut]

Ey, we can all bin it and stop a race, thus stopping other people having a good day, but to drop it twice within 2 sessions and then blaming it on cold tyres :shock:


Knob. The guy on the 636 who couldn't ride last time we were up at Knockhill kept on complaining that he had no grip... "I can't keep up with you on these Rennsports..." "Rennsports? I was on Roadtecs! Knob...

You don't crash because you don't have enough grip... You crash because you're riding too hard for the grip you have... (or at least I do)

Well said that man :P

It was a shame really, it was a real pretty fireblade if there is such a thing

[wheelnut]

I have just got confirmation for my Level 2 at Silverstone next week :P

I suppose I better go and check the oil and tyres :D

My Brother is going on the same day for a try out :!: I hope I dont get him