California Superbike

WindyChuffer

WindyChuffer

Registered user
Joined
Mar 9, 2006
Messages
3,866
Reaction score
1
Location
Londinium
I did the California Superbike Level 1 & 2 last week @ Silverstone (Stowe circuit). Some pix. Managed to scrape the pegs a few times, but these pix don't show it. Learnt shed loads, and has improved cornering confidence no end. Highly recommended.

My first time on a track. I cannot get over how these Tonka-Toy-Meccano-things handle so well on the track. Got quite a few comments along this line from sports bike riders too. Prompted a few test rides...

Yeah yeah, could get down more, hang off etc, but I'm stoked... Dig those hired colour-coordinated leathers.

1_2110.jpg


2_3062.jpg


3_3063.jpg


4_3529.jpg


5_2975.jpg


7_2066.jpg
 
Shame you took the panniers off. LOL.

I had the left peg down at the weekend. Was leaning right over, hit a small bump midcorner, and SCRAPE. I wasn't on a track though...

Nice marks on the peg and sidestand.

I think I'm going to see if I can adjust the sidestand out of the way a bit :blast :blast
 
looks great :thumb2 I`ve only ever seen the sports bikes on that so it`s good to see a GS on it and getting good feedback. Has it helped a lot on the road? Did many people hold you up? :D
 
Helped on the road immensely.

The core lessons are about keeping the bike stable, turn points, late turning (straightening the corners out), and getting the bike back upright quickly on the exit. Whilst its all track biased, racing lines, fast cornering and all that, it all translates to the road and is immensely confidence building.

One of the key lessons for me was relaxing with the upper body, relaxing the arms and keeping the elbows in - makes a massive transformation to the bikes handling and the amount of feedback you get from the bike - you can feel it talking to you !

Whilst we had two fantastic days of glorious sunshine, I was actually praying for rain. You learn more in the rain and are more likely to feel the edge of the bikes handling characteristics and learn how to cope with it and become prepared for typical british weather !

A few slower people but its not race. We were taught how to overtake as well. The real problem was with certain folk (ducati sportsbike tw*ts) doing too much close passing. They were black flagged and rollocked. One guy was sent home for this and missed the last track session.

Highly recommended, and money well spent. Spend it on this instead of bling !
 
Top stuff! Always fancied doing the CSS (I am on their mailing list). I have done a few track days on sports bikes (Snetterton, Donnington GP, Brands Indy) but by far the best was Cadwell Park on my GS.
 
Thanks for the review - looks like a great and useful day out.

Hired leathers - are you required to wear leathers?


PS: Loving the muddy GS boots with the leathers :cool: :D
 
Up to a certain point, the GS is surprisingly competent on the track. At Knockhill, I once managed to ride around the outside of a guy on a GSXR1000, only to have him get me back under brakes on the way into the hairpin. Getting passed by a couple of those wheezy old 1100s....ok so they were the Pidcocks ex-Boxer Cup race bikes....was a bit galling as well.....:rolleyes:

(Pic courtesy of Boz)
 

Attachments

  • KnockhillGS.jpg
    KnockhillGS.jpg
    84.1 KB · Views: 332
WindyChuffer said:
Helped on the road immensely.

The core lessons are about keeping the bike stable, turn points, late turning (straightening the corners out), and getting the bike back upright quickly on the exit. Whilst its all track biased, racing lines, fast cornering and all that, it all translates to the road and is immensely confidence building.

One of the key lessons for me was relaxing with the upper body, relaxing the arms and keeping the elbows in - makes a massive transformation to the bikes handling and the amount of feedback you get from the bike - you can feel it talking to you !

Whilst we had two fantastic days of glorious sunshine, I was actually praying for rain. You learn more in the rain and are more likely to feel the edge of the bikes handling characteristics and learn how to cope with it and become prepared for typical british weather !

A few slower people but its not race. We were taught how to overtake as well. The real problem was with certain folk (ducati sportsbike tw*ts) doing too much close passing. They were black flagged and rollocked. One guy was sent home for this and missed the last track session.

Highly recommended, and money well spent. Spend it on this instead of bling !
Click to expand...

:D How would you have described yourself as a rider before you did the course? Most people think they`re good so spending cash on a day like this isn`t worth it ;) I think I`d like to try one and see what gems of info they can teach me to be better on the bike. Reading their site it seems they do a little assessment and put similer riders in groups together so not holding some up while keeping others back.
 
Mav said:
Thanks for the review - looks like a great and useful day out.

Hired leathers - are you required to wear leathers?


PS: Loving the muddy GS boots with the leathers :cool: :D
Click to expand...

Yep. No textiles. Leathers must be one-piece or have a zip going right the way round joining jacket to trousers.
 
Big Lee said:
:D How would you have described yourself as a rider before you did the course? Most people think they`re good so spending cash on a day like this isn`t worth it ;) I think I`d like to try one and see what gems of info they can teach me to be better on the bike. Reading their site it seems they do a little assessment and put similer riders in groups together so not holding some up while keeping others back.
Click to expand...

Would describe myself as a competent rider.

People that think they are good and don't need training are fooling themselves.

Even those that have been riding for years.

I just wish I'd done this straight after passing my test! Could have prevented bad habits from manifesting themselves and enjoyed my riding of the last 5 years a lot more.

Its nothing to do with being held up by slower riders. Its not a track day. Its a course. You start by going round in 3rd with no brakes, then allowed light brakes, then another gear, gradually building up to all the toys during 5 track sessions in a day.

A lot of what's taught manifests itself as safer cornering on the road and helps prevent an*s clenching moments + low & high siding.

There is no substitute for professional coaching, across all sports. Once you have that mindset, the learning curve flattens. I take a lot of windsurfing coaching too, and that works just the same.

The only way to improve is with pro coaching followed by practice.
 
Miff said:
Shame you took the panniers off. LOL.

I had the left peg down at the weekend. Was leaning right over, hit a small bump midcorner, and SCRAPE. I wasn't on a track though...

Nice marks on the peg and sidestand.

I think I'm going to see if I can adjust the sidestand out of the way a bit :blast :blast
Click to expand...

Miff - when you "scraped", what did you do with the throttle?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom