| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
Has anyone else noted the big change for Keith Code's school in 2010? The ZX-6 school bikes have been replaced by BMW S1000RRs!! http://www.superbikeschool.com/ I wasn't aware that Kawasaki had ended their sponsorship of the school last year. Apparently Code just used the Kawasakis from the previous year until he landed a new sponsor. After all those years of green bikes, Keith Code now has Reg Pridmore's old sponsor. I think I might just sign up for a course and for the FIRST time, opt to use a school bike instead of my own... | ||
| Svh |
I was thinking the same thing when I saw the news. | ||
| Rfischer |
Hmmmmn....I'm gonna bet the traction control electronics are locked in "wet" mode. If otherwise, can you imagine the carnage that would result? Track newbies with 193 hp at their ham-fisted beck & call???? I don't think so.. | ||
| Jaimec |
Rfischer: If you've ever taken the course, you'd know that Keith keeps a VERY tight rein on what goes on on the track. Anyone NOT practicing the current skill is flagged. Two violations and you're gone. Each time you're released to the track, it is to practice a particular skill. Before they even let you on the track you are asked what skill you're assigned to practice, and what signals you're looking for from your Rider Coach. But I also believe that they'll be locking the student bikes into "Rain" mode also, just to be on the "safe side."  | ||
| Hosephnj |
They don't train "Newbie" riders. But I agree 193 HP in anyones hands attending a superbike school is a scary thought. | ||
| Jaimec |
I thought he said "newbie riders" too, but before I responded I reread and what he ACTUALLY said was "track newbies." Someone with lots of street experience, but has never been on a track before. | ||
| Ducbsa |
I had the school in '81 on a GPZ550. I sure got more out of that bike than I would from a 193HP bike. | ||
| Rocketman |
I believe if anyone can ride any bike capably, HP does not matter. The skill of controlling 9 or 93 or 193HP starts and finishes in the brain. If you don't have the brain for it then you have no place on 193HP and your brain should tell you that. Rocket | ||
| Jaimec |
Funny observation made on the BMW Board (on which I posted this same information). BMW USED to sponsor Reg Pridmore's C.L.A.S.S. back in the day (before they turned to "the Dark Side"). Guess now all these BMW riders are going to have to learn how to use their handlebars to initiate a turn instead of their bodies!  (Note: Only someone who's taken C.L.A.S.S. would get this...) | ||
| Teddagreek |
Smart Move for BMW, Good advertisement Codes been with Big Green since I could remember, BMW had to have made him a Damn good deal.. | ||
| Jaimec |
Kawasaki actually dropped their support in 2008. Code was running WITHOUT sponsorship this year from any manufacturer (he used his existing fleet of leftover Kawasakis). With all of the manufacturers feeling the pinch, BMW was probably in the best position to offer sponsorship and I'm sure they'll get quite a few sales out of it. Damn shame that when he was "sponsor-less" someone from "the mothership" didn't step up and provide BUELLS. Of course, those short-sighted idiots would've PROBABLY offered 883 Nightsters instead. I do know that last year when I took the course Dylan Code (Keith's son) was VERY interested in my 1125R and we actually had a long conversation about it after the class had ended. (Oh look! I just inserted "Buell Content!!") (Message edited by jaimec on November 27, 2009) | ||
| Josh_ |
>Rfischer: If you've ever taken the course, you'd know that Keith keeps a VERY tight rein on what goes on on the track. I've been 4 times, they had major crashes each day and rolled the ambulance on two days. Open track day it's not but "tight rein" is kind of overstating it. I've been to C.L.A.S.S. 8 times and only saw the occasional low-side. | ||
| Josh_ |
And I rode my 1125R during Superbike School at Barber in 08 (in keeping with the new Buell content!) | ||
| Milt |
Anyone know of a good program in the Midwest? | ||
| Rfischer |
Jaimec, As it happens, I have taken Keith's school - two of them in fact, one of which was his race school. And, for 3 years I was their head cornerworker for the 'Glen and Pocono. I stand by my comments. And you seem to have agreed with the supposition that the school bikes will be locked in a reduced power mode. That kinda puts your 'if you've ever taken the course' comment in the gratuitous category, but whatever.... | ||
| Jaimec |
Rfischer, my friend called the school to ask about those bikes, and was told the electronics will be left "open" and it will be up to the student to decide what mode it'll run in. Of course, that's as of "Right Now." Things could change. Josh_, I've taken both and saw far more crashes in C.L.A.S.S. at Pocono than with California Superbike School. In comparison, C.L.A.S.S. seemed like a "Free for all" during the track sessions compared to California Superbike School. I pretty much stayed with the "B" group because the "A" group riders seemed "nuts." | ||
| Greg_e |
Who runs racing schools at the Poconos? It's maybe a little closer than New Hampshire for me. | ||
| Rfischer |
CSS used to do Pocono but has dropped the venue now. It's a poor and dangerous track. They also dropped Watkins Glen due to cost; the 'Glen requires all groups to use 'Glen safety crews which is a big expense that CSS couldn't pass on to their students. Jaimec, Until I hear from Keith Code's own mouth [or Coby, his track director] I challenge the claim that the most powerful 1000 cc repli-racer currently being produced will be left unrestricted to novice track riders. To do so would be to invite gross negligence personal injury claims which trump any rider liability waiver, no matter how cleverly drafted. Keith Code is not that stupid, IMHO. | ||
| Jaimec |
A fair statement. Please call 1-800-530-3350 and ask for yourself. And I thought the reason for dropping the Glen had something to do with the nice, soft, steel Armco barriers around the turns? I liked Pocono for the simple reason that I had friends who lived ten minutes away, so I had a free place to stay. It's also a lot closer to me than Jersey... but Jersey is a FAR FAR better track! (Message edited by jaimec on December 02, 2009) | ||
| Greg_e |
I wouldn't take a school at the 'glen, very little run off in most corners and last time I checked still no air fence installed. | ||
| Eboos |
Greg_e, how far away are you from Summit Point or Beaver Run? | ||
| Eboos |
Monticello may be an option for you too. Sportbike Track Time will be doing trackdays there. | ||
| Rfischer |
I'll happily admit to scaring the 'poo outta myself once at the 'Glen when I found myself staring at the ARMCO at the exit of turn 5. Seems my tire warmers weren't getting the slicks I had fitted at the time up to working temp and as I got aggressive in the carousel, when I crossed the pavement patches at the apex, commenced slippin 'n slidin.....right into the grass. And waaaay too up close and personal with that ARMCO. I learned you can too motocross an S1 racebike, but it's not the preferred technique. The ARMCO makes a painful berm. (Message edited by rfischer on December 03, 2009) | ||
| Greg_e |
About 5 hours to boston, 4.5 to new york city, about 8 to mid ohio. Pretty much the center in NY. So that makes 5+ to NewHampsire. The 'glen would be a very short trip if it was a little safer for cycles, don't want my first track experience to be my last. Suzuki used to run a school there, but I haven't heard anything is many years as I've kind of been out of it for more than a few years. I don't think they host any organized races there anymore. Airfence would go a long way to making it better, but I'm not sure if they installed any of that for the Nascar races twice a year and they don't seem to put much effort into the GT classes anymore. I've sat outside one of the turns waiting to cross the track to the pits with a truck that doesn't fit under the bridge and watched the Nascar types run past the gait, I could almost spit on them as they went by they are so close (I forget the corner number). It's truly sad that they won't upgrade that track, it could be a rally great (for the Northern areas) track again with some small redesigns and safety improvements (and a bridge that is a lot higher to allow a good 14 foot vehicle to pass). Mostly it just needs better run off in the corners. | ||
| Jaimec |
The first time I ever took C.L.A.S.S. was there... waaaaaaaaaaaay back in the late 80s early 90s. Reg Pridmore was still sponsored by BMW, and Jason was working with him. I'll never forget the time I thought I was doing so well; had my K100 heeled over as far as I'd ever had it, had a nice tight line, rolling on the throttle and everything felt right with the world. Suddenly, Jason passes me on the OUTSIDE with a PASSENGER! He flipped me a little "Thumbs Up" gesture as he went by and quickly disappeared down the track. What a way to bring you back to reality. If that wasn't enough, I did two laps on the bike behind his old man. If you've never ridden with Reg let me tell you, it's a SPOOKY sensation. You can see him operating the clutch, brakes and throttle, but he does it so damned smoothly you don't feel ANYTHING on the bike. THAT is the kind of control I try to practice EVERY time I ride. It is especially important since my favorite pillion has spinal problems so ANY kind of jerkiness she can feel immediately (and often long after). I've had other passengers tell me I'm "spooky smooth" but I know when I've bobbled a shift or braking but I guess I'm a lot more sensitive to it than others. Either that, or the people who normally escort them around are a LOT more ham-fisted than I am. | ||
| Rfischer |
NHIS isn't much safer than the 'Glen actually. While they put tire-barriers up on the ARMCO and fencing at certain corners, that can kill too, and has [a few years ago at a CCS event]. Pocono can also be deadly as the infield turns have no safe run-offs; just the cow pasture. AMA quit running there several years ago for that reason. There are still track day events tho'. Really, the only "safe" tracks are the new venues built recently which have taken bikes into account at the original design stages. BeaverRun for example or NJMSP. | ||
| Jaimec |
I've only done the East course at Pocono, and there really isn't anything to hit that I remember. If you find yourself running wide, just straighten the bike and ride across the grass... | ||
| Skntpig |
I met a test rider for this new BMW at a local bike night. He was doing Daytona, and Homestead on it and bringing it around to display it. I wish I remembered his name. He said the traction control was so good you could pin it at full lean in the rain and not fall down. With TC that good I bet they leave the power options to the student. The bike felt like an R6 siting on it. Very light, great ergos, silly rear tail light. | ||
| Jaimec |
I sat on that bike at the BMW National in Tennessee this past summer. For a 1000cc bike, it's TINY!!  | ||
| Rfischer |
Nate Kern is his name. Good racer, tho' IMHO not on Danny Eslick's level. Kern started out as a privateer with a BMW dealership on a race-by-race basis. Started doing some test-rider development for Motorrad, and segued into a full-time job as the 1000RR "ambassador" doing dealer events and trade shows. | ||
| Jaimec |
I didn't see Nate at the BMW MOA National, but he was at Indianapolis at the BMW tent describing the bike and its features. Did you ever call CSS to confirm what I posted earlier regarding the electronics for those bikes? | ||
| Rfischer |
Sent an e-mail, but have bizzy-bizzy here in the Staple Kingdom and haven't followed up as yet. |
