| Author | Message | ||
     Jraice |
So my dad and I are planning to do a Keith Codes class at some point in the near future. There is a 2 day camp over the weekend of my birthday in October but that may be a bit to much $$$ for now. Probably will do one of the June classes at Willow Springs. Anyways, as a lot of you guys know I had previously owned an R6. At that time I was planning to just pay the extra $200's and use one of Code's ZX-6's. It was so similar to the R6 that not wasting my tires, fuel, etc... seemed worth it and if I crashed I only had to pay up to $750. Now though with the buell I am starting to debate more about whether I should use my bike or not. The Buell has two reasons why it would be good to ride it. One, it is fairly different from the super sports in terms of riding position and I feel like I would get the most out of riding it and working on my body positioning then on a super sport and then relearning the techniques on the buell. Also, as its my first time on the track I wouldnt be pushing it, but if I did go down the Buell is much less likely to rack up the same kind of repair bill as my own full faired super sport would've. So what are your guy's thoughts? I have seen pictures of some of you taking the class on your buells, how did it work out? I am doing 2,500 mile oil intervals with Royal Purple and Formula+ so with one day at the track that wont be a problem. Ill likely still be on the stock Pirelli's by then as well... My dad ride's a Harley and thus would be renting a ZX-6 but I just feel I could gain more from taking the class on the buell. I would come out of the class (if I rented) knowing the limits of a Kawi on the track but not knowing my limits on the buell, which would then make me have to "experiment" on the street rather then using the buell on the track in the first place. | ||
| Glitch |
You won't be racing. You'll be learning on a track. Much less rick than street riding. One way traffic. No cars. No cops. Just relax, learn, and lean! | ||
| Jraice |
So does that mean go for it and ride the buell instead of a rental? | ||
| Icunh |
I say ride the buell. You would be stupid to go balls out on the first few laps. get a feel for it and by the end you would definitely be pushing the limits of the bike. What day in october is your birthday? | ||
| Jraice |
Birthday is the 8th. They have a two day camp on the 8th and 9th. I am thinking the June would be a good way to go though. I feel I am at the right stage in my riding for this lesson, would allow me to work all summer to improve my street riding and then maybe take a level two course in the winter to keep me advancing. Stock Pirelli tires are cool? | ||
| Dbird29 |
Ride their bike. It will be setup for the conditions and you can concentrate on learning without the worry. And it will be the same as your Dad's ride so comparison bench racing/bragging will be equal. (Message edited by dbird29 on May 03, 2009) | ||
| Jraice |
Good point on the bench racing  . I just feel the differences in the handling of the buell and the ZX, and differences in appropriate body positioning as well, are different enough that there would be something to gain out of riding my own bike. But I am sure I'd take any skills out of the class and use them well on the buell regardless of what I took the class on so perhaps your right and it is best to take it on there bike... Its about an 8 hour (scenic route) ride down there also so taking it on their bike would allow us to fly down just for the day even, for go Saturday night ride Sunday then fly home, instead of missing work/school to make it an extended weekend deal. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
can you do both? | ||
| Skinstains |
If I were doing the school I would use my Buell. The differences between an I4 and a V2 are huge. I would not want to be learning a new bike at the same time I was trying to un-learn all of my bad habits and learn new good habits. That being said, a bike is a bike is a bike. Two wheels and a motor, they're all the same. | ||
| Jraice |
I am not sure about that... Possibly but then I'd be paying the full $200 rental fee for the ZX-6 and only using it part time... I think it may be more detrimental then using either one soly though. Its 5 lessons and 5 sessions to practice them. Seems like if I was riding a track pace on the buell or the ZX and then switched for the next lesson I would not gain as much out of that session as while everybody else was just getting used to the new technique, I would be doing that AND getting accustmed to the buell or ZX on the track. | ||
| Jraice |
Skinstains... for me I have experience with an I4 and thats not my concern. Its more the handling of the bikes in two senses. One, the buell is more upright and has more leverage stock (and will have much more when I put my pro taper bars on). It requires a different technique of body positioning then a race replica. Also the RR will probably have stickier tires and while that is more confidence inspiring I think I would gain more by riding the platform Ill eventually be riding on the streets so I can learn how it feels at my (I cant ride to max potential, my names not Rossi) limit. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I would ride the Buell. I would want to learn as much about how far MY bike can go. Its not a race so ride it as you see fit. | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
i rode a friends bike 2 days ago, it was a newer cbr600, completly different feel between the bikes. You cannot pass technique bewteen the two. +1 Rpm4x4. take your bike, dont crash or even think about it, and learn your ride. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
If I were you, I'd run your Buell. But that's just me. Your results may vary! | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
Hey Jordan, I get your point but did you see the lean bike? I would do thiers just to ride that. I've been wanting to do the same thing, but no $. Let me know how you like it. | ||
| Jraice |
Lean bike is not available for level 1 I dont believe. Honestly the difference in-between my Buell and my R6 was not HUGE. I think I could hop back on the R6 and ride it better then I did when I sold it (from experiences on the buell and getting more aggressive) within 10 miles, but I also think the one on one instruction on things such as body positioning would be much more beneficial if I was on the Buell. Ill have to give it more thought. Right now only reason not to use the Buell that I really am equating is that I could fly down if I used one of their bikes rather then make the 8 hour ride. | ||
| Js_buell |
I am thinking of taking an other race school this summer and that school you don't have the choice of using their bike until you reach level 3 I think so it won't be much a problem for me but I do understand you situation. You want to learn on your bike but you don't want to crash it and it make sence, especially if your system work like ours in Canada, which is if you crash on the track=no insurance. | ||
| Jaimec |
Riding your own bike is a GREAT "mental reminder" not to act like an A**hole on the track. I even ride my bike to and from the school. If I bin it, I have no way to get home. I'm there to LEARN, not to see how fast I am compared to everyone else. I'll be in Jersey next week on my new 1125R. I've never ridden a bike this powerful on the track before. This should be fun! |
