California Superbike School - what's your experience?

[NinjaBoy]

Hi all,

A quick question for the guys who've done the CSS days (1 and 2, specifically).

I'm planning to upgrade from my GS500F to a late 90's CBR600F in late Feb, and was then hoping to do a CSS Level 1 day in March. Just wondering what thoughts are on changing bikes a month before going along? I'm torn between having a bike I know reasonably well (short of pushing it) and being on a bike I can grow much more on...

Cheers!
ops

What bike doesn't really matter as they are teaching riding techniques which can apply across any type of bike and circuit. There were people on cruisers on the day I went. Also you will not be riding very fast either, in fact you're not allowed to use brakes until the 3rd or 4th session.

I say go for it with the new bike.

[Mystic13]

Hi all,

A quick question for the guys who've done the CSS days (1 and 2, specifically).

I'm planning to upgrade from my GS500F to a late 90's CBR600F in late Feb, and was then hoping to do a CSS Level 1 day in March. Just wondering what thoughts are on changing bikes a month before going along? I'm torn between having a bike I know reasonably well (short of pushing it) and being on a bike I can grow much more on...

Cheers!
ops

I got my CBR600 together the night before the CSS day and decided to take my road bike out. I've since spent a day or so on the CBR and leaving it home was a good choice. Only because the CBR is so small in comparison I would have been adjusting to the bike. Your bikes sound more relative in size.

Realistically I think a few rides with the CBR and you'll be good to go. So I'd change and take the CBR with you.

The focus is more on learning as the person above said.

[ops.normal]

Primo, cheers guys. And thanks to the thread starter, not that I needed any encouragement to sign up - I'm just looking forward to it all the more now
ops

[KiwiNinja]

Good on ya for booking guys! I've done levels 1-3 and every time it's a revelation. I'm seriously contemplating doing 2 days of level 4 one after the other in March. I get so much out of having a coach over my shoulder providing the instant feedback.

But you have to remember to practice, practice, practice and then practice some more.

You guys will love level 3 as it's all about body position.

[Deano]

Hi Mystic,

what bike were you on ?

I was there on Mon and Tue this week on the black and primer SV #180.

What I got most out of the course was the breaking down of cornering into its bare components. I have been racing for a little while now and doing ok but the course enabled me to analyse where I am putting the bike, what I am doing with the controls and looking ahead, rather than just going out there and racing without thinking too hard about it. By thinking about each component individually and specifically, you can concentrate on improving your technique and you skills develop further.

I thoroughly recommend it.

[Mystic13]

Hi Mystic,

what bike were you on ?

I was there on Mon and Tue this week on the black and primer SV #180.

What I got most out of the course was the breaking down of cornering into its bare components. I have been racing for a little while now and doing ok but the course enabled me to analyse where I am putting the bike, what I am doing with the controls and looking ahead, rather than just going out there and racing without thinking too hard about it. By thinking about each component individually and specifically, you can concentrate on improving your technique and you skills develop further.

I thoroughly recommend it.

Yeah I saw you. It's a bit hard to miss you as you whizz by each lap with Deano plastered across the leathers.

I noticed riders seemed much smoother running in and out of corners by the end of day two. There was a sort of graceful elegance to it. Must be that sorting stuff ahead of time etc.

I was on the grey F800 uninsured road bike that I intended to keep upright. Next outing I'll be on the CBR.

Damned cool two days. I'm looking forward to day 3. Don't know if I can make March though. The two days together worked a treat.

Cheers

[javawocky]

...I was on the grey F800 uninsured road bike ...

Mmm, my insure Swann Insurance cover me for track days. Should cover CSS days to.

[NinjaBoy]

Mmm, my insure Swann Insurance cover me for track days. Should cover CSS days to.

It would pay to check as I was talking to someone insured with John Baker through HRC wasn't.

[KiwiNinja]

It would pay to check as I was talking to someone insured with John Baker through HRC wasn't.

Isn't HRC insurance though Vero / David Golightly? If so they do not cover tracks days or CSS.

I'm with Star and they cover MotoTT, HRD and ART with an excess of $2k and CSS has an excess of $1k. They do not cover the Honda Riders Club track days like the one this Monday at Hampton.

[NinjaBoy]

Isn't HRC insurance though Vero / David Golightly? If so they do not cover tracks days or CSS.

I'm with Star and they cover MotoTT, HRD and ART with an excess of $2k and CSS has an excess of $1k. They do not cover the Honda Riders Club track days like the one this Monday at Hampton.

You're probably right. I got a little mixed up with who is in bed with who We both thought that the insurance through HRC may have been more likely to cover CSS since this is truly an instruction day vs Trackday.

[KiwiNinja]

You're probably right. I got a little mixed up with who is in bed with who We both thought that the insurance through HRC may have been more likely to cover CSS since this is truly an instruction day vs Trackday.

Yeah I was with Vero/David Golightly but they just wouldn't cover me for CSS so I jumped ship to Star. Star are great by the way....not the cheapest but the service is awesome.