Sunday, October 12 2008
I was 19 when I passed my road bike test, my mum was kinda dead against the idea; so I snuck a few days off work and did a 5 day course, without my family knowing.
I’d done some motocross and downhill mountain bike racing before and thought I knew how to hold my own on two wheels. Once I passed my test I rushed straight out and got my first bike, a ZXR400.
First time I was out with some friends riding on our favorite roads I got a little carried away and went into a corner a bit quick…… I didn’t know what to do, sh** myself, then decided to grab loads of front brake, the bike dipped more and I ended up on the wrong side of the road looking an Astra van driver dead in the face.
Luckily I ended up on the pavement and the van missed me.
We’ve all had a moment like that, when you get a sick feeling and realise that the bike is the boss and you are just there for the ride. Rushing to pass my test and not learn how to really ride the bike has held me back on the road ever since.
So I’ve been getting a fair amount of stick from the gaffer about my road riding so much so that he got me two days with the guys from the California Superbike School. I was to do Level 1 and Level 2 of the school, Level 1 for me was at Rockingham and Level 2 at Silverstone.
The California Superbike School is an organisation that was founded by the Keith Code and is focused on one thing: about improving and refining your cornering.
Rockingham Level 1
The days starts bloody early at 7am, and just my luck; it was pissing down when I got there. Getting my GSXR1000 K8 out the van, with only 500 miles on the clock I was pretty worried about putting it down the track in the wet. I hate the wet at the best of times.
When you get there, you get signed in, your bike and kit are inspected then you are split into the ability levels (Level 1,2,3,4) and get briefed by all the Superbike School Staff.
I didn’t have full leathers, so was able to hire them from the school.
The day was really well organised and structured.
The briefing
Once the formalities and the initial safety breifings were done, you then get about 20 mins in the classroom where you are shown the new technique / riding concept you are going to practise on the track.
YES – you can read that correctly, NO Brakes, 3rd Gear !
So after the classroom sessions you get out on the track. It was pissing down for both the days I did (Rockingham and Silverstone) but you know, I think thats what made the day so boss.
Having a wet track meant everything was slowed down and being smooth on the bike made more important.
Before you go out onto the track you are introduced to your instructor, your instructor is looking after you and 2 others.
When you are out on the track the instructor will follow behind you and then pull you into the pits for some 1one1 tuition. You then get time to practise alone, giving you time to figure things out for yourself without someone breathing down your neck.
Wets – the order of the day.
Our first track session was to be done without using your brakes and in 3rd gear only. This was really hard to do, on a wet, strange track we had to ride around just on the throttle. Learning smooth throttle control.
The rest of the Level I day covered the following stuff:
1. Corner entry speeds. In too fast? In too slow?
2. Throttle control errors. Too much too soon, not enough, the timing is crucial
3. The turn is started at the wrong place. Turning too early? Too late? How do you know?
4. Steering errors and corrections. Leaning into the turn too quickly or too slowly. Correcting lean angle mid corner?
5. Inappropriate rider input. Too much or too little for the situation you face.
6. Inconsistent apexes. Too wide, too tight or varying?
I had never been shown any of this stuff, sure I was shown how to ride on the road, when I was learning for my road test; but this stuff really helped me get my head around what the bike is doing and how best to be in control at low and high speed. Mega.. I especially find the “quick turn’ has helped me turn in later and swerve faster (should a school run mum decide to try to kill me)
Silverstone Level 2
Another pissing down day, but again I felt I got a shed load more from it being wet than if its was dry.
Level II covered:
1. What is a reference point and how many do you need for each and every turn you ride?
2. What is the key to improving a riders understanding of their riding space and can you create and use more?
3. What do you do when you restrict your vision and how do you cure this?
4. What is the best way to use your eyes to the maximum and gain the most information with the least effort?
5. What signals the end of a corner? Can you change it or are you a lazy end-of-turn rider?
Getting ready to go out at Silverstone
Trying to get the power down
All in all it was a top day, my riding has come on massively and I’m going to be doing the next two levels next spring.
Its a pricey day, but if you are serious about wanting to improve your riding then you can’t go wrong with the California Superbike School, after all Leon Camier was one of their students a few years back.
Watch the video
During the day the guys from picman are around the course, taking pics that you can buy at the end of the day. More info and to see some more pics of the school visit www.picman.co.uk
You can see more about the California Superbike School at www.superbikeschool.co.uk
Article By Phil Wilding
Motorcycle insurance by The Bike Insurer
