I enjoyed this ride report. The pictures seem professionally framed and are very good keep sakes for you - was that included in the price?
Yes, there was a professional photographer at the school. He and his helper would go out on the track and setup in the grass in strategic locations, and they got some amazing shots. You could buy individual pictures (and I don't remember price per photo), or you could buy a disk that contained all of your pics for the whole day for $90.
Also, the cost of this is lower than I expected. Until now, this was absolutely out of the question for fear that it was simply too much money. Now, I would definitely re-consider.
Overall, the cost of this experience wasn't too bad considering what I got out of it:
$475 - Level I School
$75 - Rental race suit
$475 - Level II School
$75 - Rental race suit
$242 - Two nights in the Pit Lane Rooms
$148 - Photos (bought two days @ discounted rate)
$52 - Keith Code's book (Twist of the Wrist II) & a California SuperBike School Hat
$1,542 - Total (plus fuel & food)
I've read some of Code's stuff over the years. His cornering technique is showing loud and clear in your pictures. You don't have to scrape pegs to turn the bike sharply and quickly.
He has a book and a video out that I found VERY informative. They are both entitled, "Twist of the Wrist II"
Another negative to at least be aware of - your insurance policy might have a coverage exclusion if you crash it on the track, and your Yamaha factory warranty might deny coverage as well (for mechanical/electrical failures). I haven't looked at my current declarations (admittedly), but IIRC, the blanket exclusion says something to the effect of "racing the vehicle in competition". Clearly, this was not competition. I would probably clarify this before deciding on the 1000RR or not. As far as "wear and tear" on the bike - I certainly wouldn't worry about that with the FJR.
Here's how I rationalized the whole "crashing" and insurance issue in my mind: I said to myself, "Driving around that track is actually safer than my 4-hour drive on the streets and highway from Yorktown VA to VIR (near Danville VA). On the track, everyone is gong the same direction, and the track is very wide. On the track, all of the drivers are very focused and not texting, talking, eating, etc. On the track, I am not presented with unknown terrain, potholes, deer, and obstacles such as I would be when driving on the streets and highways. On the track, I get to make the same turns over and over and over again, thus getting better each time. As long as I drive within my limits, I will not crash." The instructors also ask that you drive at about 75% during the school. In addition, my FJR was my ride home, so I absolutely could not crash. It was out of the question, lol. That's how I rationalized it.
