Total Control, California Superbike School or similar

[FiveG]

I'm considering signing up for either the Total Control class or -- perhaps further down the proverbial road -- California Superbike School. Has anyone here who regularly rides a Feejer taken either or both of those courses, and if so, how useful/practical is what you learn there to normal Feejer riding. (Background -- I have taken Stayin' Safe -- which was VERY useful.)

Thanks.

 

[BwanaDik]

(Background -- I have taken Stayin' Safe -- which was VERY useful.)

Thanks.

Outstanding! First I've heard of somebody here taking that course. I took Pridmore's CLASS school at Willow Springs in CA. I think it's similar to the schools you've mentioned but most likely some small differences. Excellent class for learning braking, throttle, and cornering skills in a relatively safe and supervised venue. Definitely go for it.

 

[rogdeb]

(Background -- I have taken Stayin' Safe -- which was VERY useful.)

Thanks.

Outstanding! First I've heard of somebody here taking that course. I took Pridmore's CLASS school at Willow Springs in CA. I think it's similar to the schools you've mentioned but most likely some small differences. Excellent class for learning braking, throttle, and cornering skills in a relatively safe and supervised venue. Definitely go for it.

+ 1 ..... been on my "to do" list for a while, just haven't had the means to get to it yet. I took the StreetMasters Class at Willow Springs Horsethief Mile, and that was great!

 

[tesla]

Took the Lee Parks Total Control class on a V-Strom. Got a lot out of it but find that I rarely hang off the seat in the wild since I'm riding in Dallas with a passenger most of the time. Ironically I found myself leaning the bike over more when hanging off the seat than not. I scraped both pegs for the first time which was helpful in that I know what it feels and sounds like and won't surprise me. The instructors tell me that they are anti peg scraping since the point of hanging off is to keep the bike more upright and having more lean angle in reserve if you should need it. Having said that, they tell me that they scrape em fairly often.

I want to do the Stayin' Safe course in the worst way. Closest they get to TX is TN :angry: It would take me 4 days of travel round trip to do the course (which still might be worth it).

 

[Jim in Phoenix]

As I understand it, the Total Control Class is held in a parking lot or similar site, while California Superbike school is held on a race track. I have not taken the TCS, but did attend the first level of California Superbike school on the road course at Phoenix Intl Raceway. I found CSBK very helpful. It is a combination of class time and track time. I used their Kaw 600SS for the class and it took a bit of getting used to with much less engine braking than my Suzuki VX800. They discuss the exercises in the classroom (trailer) and instructors follow or lead to help you execute the new concepts. They had us only use 4th gear on the track with no brakes allowed except for emergencies. I am sure either class will be a learning experience and improve your riding enjoyment.

 

[extrememarine]

I took the AMOS course (Advanced Motorcycle Operator School) that Kieth & Dillon Code (California Superbike school) developed for the Marine Corps back in 2007 on my '04 FJR. The course uses the techniques / tactics taught in their level 1 track day school, but adopts them to be done on base, typically on a closed flight line / runway.

Outstanding course, excellent staff and instructors, and will bring you to an entirely new level of confidence in yourself and the bike.

-Wayne

 

[tesla]

I took the AMOS course (Advanced Motorcycle Operator School) that Kieth & Dillon Code (California Superbike school) developed for the Marine Corps back in 2007 on my '04 FJR. The course uses the techniques / tactics taught in their level 1 track day school, but adopts them to be done on base, typically on a closed flight line / runway.

Outstanding course, excellent staff and instructors, and will bring you to an entirely new level of confidence in yourself and the bike.

-Wayne

If that's you in your avatar I think your topped off on confidence.

 

[Tyler]

I'm considering signing up for either the Total Control class or -- perhaps further down the proverbial road -- California Superbike School. Has anyone here who regularly rides a Feejer taken either or both of those courses, and if so, how useful/practical is what you learn there to normal Feejer riding. (Background -- I have taken Stayin' Safe -- which was VERY useful.)

Thanks.

I took it on an FZ1 and found it most helpful. I also know that Old Michael and James Burleigh took it on their FJRs so you might touch base with them to see what their experience was like on the FJR. I think Hans (James Burleigh) did a write up on it around here somewhere.

 

[Denver_FJR]

Attended the TC Riding Clinic Level I last spring and rode the FJR. I enjoyed the class and also considered it a stepping stone to attending a track based school (though not on the FJR). They covered a fair bit of info, but most of the range session was focused on turning techniques. It was time well spent but would have liked to get more time for other techniques such as braking techniques.

I felt it was worthwhile for me to ride the FJR, the more saddletime the better familiarity with the bike and how it handles in the real world.

They also used my FJR as the example bike for the suspension tuning and their settings came out exactly as HaulinAshe also recommends, so kudos to HaulinAshe.

 

[extrememarine]

If that's you in your avatar I think your topped off on confidence.

That is me, photo courtesy JWilly, 2 weeks after attending the AMOS class back in September 2007.

IMHO, the more training you can get to, the higher the potential for improving your riding skills and confidence.

 

[FiveG]

Attended the TC Riding Clinic Level I last spring and rode the FJR. I enjoyed the class and also considered it a stepping stone to attending a track based school (though not on the FJR). They covered a fair bit of info, but most of the range session was focused on turning techniques. It was time well spent but would have liked to get more time for other techniques such as braking techniques.

I felt it was worthwhile for me to ride the FJR, the more saddletime the better familiarity with the bike and how it handles in the real world.

They also used my FJR as the example bike for the suspension tuning and their settings came out exactly as HaulinAshe also recommends, so kudos to HaulinAshe.

Sounds like taking Stayin Safe after that will cover your bases. I took the CT Backroads last year, and you start slow and easy, work on braking, throttle transitions, cornering lines, and lots and lots of scanning and predicting. The roads get twistier as the weekend progresses with hairpins towards the end. Time very well spent.

 

[FJR Flyer]

I took the Total Control class last summer on the FJR. You get some classroom time along with a lot of range time. As mentioned, they focus on the 10 step turning process. I think the advance class goes into trail braking, etc. I would say the class cleaned up my turning technique a lot and I use it every day. There was a wide range of bikes in the class, Harley dressers, adventure bikes, and a sportbike guy doing the drills with his girlfriend on the back (well, most of the drills).

Definitely not a track day school. But it all depends on what you're looking for.

 

[Aasland]

I too have done Total Control on the FJR. Greatly improved my low speed skills. Trying to get my wife to take it on her SV, but she's balking at the price. I guess a day in a motorcycle class doesn't rank high on her "fun" meter.

Zalusky Advanced Riding School is where I really learned to corner.

 

[eFnJustRide]

I finally got around to taking the Total Control class today. Because I always ride 2 up, they recommended taking the class with the eFn wife on the back. Great call. I read the book by Lee Parks in advance which I highly recommend. I considered myself an OK rider and worked on the skills from the book on my own a little. Wow, did I get a ton out of this class. The biggest thing I learned is how much I have to learn. We were back and forth between class time explaining techniques and practice time on the course which Dave(Ruocco) and Bruce(Dinoff) juggled really well dodging the rain. Not for the novice, but anyone else will come away with improved skills and a better understanding of the rider/bike dynamics. The Skills Day isn't offered here, yet, but I imagine it would be a very strong reinforcement. I'm planning on my own Skills Day tomorrow in the N.GA mountains!