Triumphrat

Tbird95 · 04-11-2005

I have been riding my Tbird primarily as commuter bike over the past 10 months and feel about ready to start some advanced training. I completed the basic MSF course prior to taking my test and found this course very enjoyable and learnt a significant amount, as the Tbird is my first bike. However I am now at the stage where I want to increase my rider proficiency and knowledge particularly my corning skills and have therefore been looking at various bike school options to support me with this. As the range, cost and type of these courses and instructional material available is vast I was wondering if any of you could share your views/experiences with training courses you have attended and direct me to any instructional books you have read that have helped increase your rider skill set.

I would also interested in receiving feedback on attending track days with classic style bikes.

Thanks
Mark

Greaser · 04-11-2005

Never done a track day ( no tracks around here that have left and right turns!) but I highly recommend an experienced rider course. DO that and use the knowlege you gain from that. Getting a knee down takes time and practice. I suggest learning the basiscs and going from there.

Don't try to run before you learn how to walk ( as my college professor would say.)

mecscc · 04-11-2005

If getting the knee down is the primary goal, go to a rider school at a race course. If learning to be a better and more alert street rider is the goal then David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling, and its sequel, More...PM..etc, is the Bible for self education. Of course, there is always the MSF Advanced course, which is far more difficult and fun than the beginner's course, and you ride your own bike.

There are many good "track schools." Pridmore's is one of the best, but there are lots of others. Most of the schools in your area will have booths at the closest AMA road races, or any of the major rallies near you. If you Google "motorcycle track school(s)" you should come up with a dozen or so. Some of the motorags, like Cycle World and Rider also co-sponsor schools, and often report on the schools, so you might want to see if a buddy has a stack of old motorags you can thumb through.

Good luck. It is always good to want to do something as inherently dangerous as motorcycling better.

Monte

Saigon5 · 04-11-2005

I did attend Jason Pridmore Class school, to give you an idea of my goals, I am 48 years old and will not earn a living in racing and no, I do not dream of becoming Rossi.

My goal was quite simple, to become an overall better rider and learing not not panic in a situation. It is very hard to practice on the street, hard braking before an entry. I think that a track is the place to do that and the kind of bike you use is irrelevant. I guarantee you that the instructor could pass you on anything.

Theory is nice but practice is better. I really think that the benefit of a good school will be with you for years to come. I know I save my butt a few times because instead of paniking, I reacted.

Classic bike on a track is no problem, I would choose the track where you do not have strech for miles. I did attend at Loudon and we did not reach much more than 160-180 kmh. Most of the course is under 100 kmh.

JWoodsie · 04-12-2005

I attended a cornering and braking course some time back, the day after was a "track day " with which to better hone the day befores learnt skills. Excellent I thouroughly recommend everyone to attend one of these two day gigs, new or old motorcyclists.
Learnt a lot and had a lot of fun. I even rounded up a few sportsbikes. :-D

crosstie · 04-12-2005

I did a class/track day last Oct., it was a blast. Learned a lot, also a nice way to expand the limits of your riding without worrying about oncoming traffic. It was through these guys, who encourage non-sportbikes:

2-Fast.org

I mostly got smoked by Ducati 749s, but I passed a few folks on the way. I did wish for a better set of brakes coming into turn 1 at 110mph...

Highly recommended. There's a photo in my album somewhere.

(ps - I've also done both motorcycle safety courses, also both very helpful in a completely different way - lots of low-speed maneuvering/braking, etc.)

squod · 04-12-2005

IMHO MECSCC hit the nail on the head, David Hough's, "Proficient Motorcycling" is the most valuable book on theory you will read. I've read a couple, including Twist of the Wrist but they are aimed at improving your track times. Prof. Motor. is aimed at developing skills for safe street riding at the next level after MSF course. (Which is so important I keep flyers for it in the office to pass out to patients!) I took the msf course twice, (the second time to make sure my kids didn't miss any lessons). You would be shocked at how much you forget and by the time I did the msf the second time I had the advanced course and my first track day school also. Each is different. Standard street bike for a track day, perfect, just pick a shorter course where the top speed is less and issue. My friend did the course at Fontana, Calif. on a Legend and had no trouble but was annoyed by everyone passing him on the main straight. (Fontana is like Daytona, banking and straight from NASCAR and infield with total of 21 turns.) It was a great deal of fun, great for bragging rights and the instructors are soooo much faster that you will actually slow down on the street because you will realize that you are fast, but not that fast and what are you gonna prove anyway. My take?, read the book, practice the delayed apex and other strategies for safe street riding, take the advanced msf course, which you will find has a review of the basics from msf course, and by next year be looking for a track to do your first track day. Don't rush it but enjoy. Don't be afraid of the track days but I did wonder during the warm up if I would be able to keep up. It was never a problem but the pace is faster than the street. A lot faster. And the instructors are really great.

squod · 04-12-2005

IMHO MECSCC hit the nail on the head, David Hough's, "Proficient Motorcycling" is the most valuable book on theory you will read. I've read a couple, including Twist of the Wrist but they are aimed at improving your track times. Prof. Motor. is aimed at developing skills for safe street riding at the next level after MSF course. (Which is so important I keep flyers for it in the office to pass out to patients!) I took the msf course twice, (the second time to make sure my kids didn't miss any lessons). You would be shocked at how much you forget and by the time I did the msf the second time I had the advanced course and my first track day school also. Each is different. Standard street bike for a track day, perfect, just pick a shorter course where the top speed is less and issue. My friend did the course at Fontana, Calif. on a Legend and had no trouble but was annoyed by everyone passing him on the main straight. (Fontana is like Daytona, banking and straight from NASCAR and infield with total of 21 turns.) It was a great deal of fun, great for bragging rights and the instructors are soooo much faster that you will actually slow down on the street because you will realize that you are fast, but not that fast and what are you gonna prove anyway. My take?, read the book, practice the delayed apex and other strategies for safe street riding, take the advanced msf course, which you will find has a review of the basics from msf course, and by next year be looking for a track to do your first track day. Don't rush it but enjoy. Don't be afraid of the track days but I did wonder during the warm up if I would be able to keep up. It was never a problem but the pace is faster than the street. A lot faster. And the instructors are really great.

Tbird95 · 04-12-2005

Thanks for the words of wisdom and feedback.

I plan to attend one of the riding schools at the Texas World speedway which offers a combination of classroom and track sessions. I will also purchase a couple of reference books to help me ground the theory of advanced riding techniques.

I will provide some feedback once I have done the class.

Thanks
Mark :-D

Tbird95 · 04-12-2005

Thanks for the words of wisdom and feedback.

I plan to attend one of the riding schools at the Texas World speedway which offers a combination of classroom and track sessions. I will also purchase a couple of reference books to help me ground the theory of advanced riding techniques.

I will provide some feedback once I have done the class.

Thanks
Mark :-D