WFO-6 Advanced Riding Classes

[Ari Rankum]

I'm looking into arranging riding classes for WFO-6. It turns out that Lee Parks' Total Control would be willing to show up if there are at least 24 interested students. Based on the predicted turn out for WFO-6, it seems like 24 students should be easy to come by. In order to help them plan, however, I'd like to gauge interest in a non-commital sort of way. If they do show, they are offering to teach a couple of free riding and/or suspension seminars on the premises in addition to the paid classes. They would also want to set up a vendor booth where they would offer a line of riding gloves and literature.

Please, if you answer the poll, answer only one of question 2 or 3 in the affirmative. Please feel free to answer "no" to both, if that's your feeling on the topic, however. Thanks.

Additional information below added on 20060818.

Here's a description of the class.

 

[kaitsdad]

AR,

This is sweet!

I'll start dumpster diving for aluminum cans for the 295.00 fee.

This would be of huge benefit to most riders - especially me !!

 

[fjrchooser]

I've been willing to ride several hundred miles round trip to attend a class such as this. Having one on the premises after riding a few thousand to get to WFO-6 and then some gorgeous roads to practice it on - even better !

 

[Toecutter]

I've taken the course and highly recommend it. It would be extra cool if you could get Lee Parks himself as an instructor. It would also be beneficial, IMHO, to hold it on a day early so it wouldn't detract from the normal activities of the weekend (rides, etc...). That might get more students to show.

I'd hang around all day just to get some practice time on the course during lunch break and when all the students are in the classroom. Too cheap to take it again.

 

[Ari Rankum]

I've taken the course and highly recommend it. It would be extra cool if you could get Lee Parks himself as an instructor.

As of right now, if there are at least 24 students, according to Tracy, it would be Lee Parks and Tracy teaching the courses. I took the course from Tracy, and I think he did a fantastic job of analyzing my riding on the range and providing meaningful corrective instruction. I had a blast in the course.

It would also be beneficial, IMHO, to hold it on a day early so it wouldn't detract from the normal activities of the weekend (rides, etc...). That might get more students to show.

Right now I'm just trying to figure out if there is enough interest to talk to them seriously about details.

 

[twowheelnut]

Thay big fella, would thith altho include a bike wath to get all thothe nathty bugths and road thlime off our pretty bikeths? Thanks for thetting thith up, Chunky-Hunk.

Hugths and kithes

- Hodo

 

[Dwavey]

What a great idea. And initiative.

These types of courses are hard to come by in my neck of the woods and without having to go way out of the way, this could very well be the only opportunity to take it.

PS. I was so excited :hyper: I voted yes to #2 and #3 before I read the instructions. oster_oops: The good news is that my wife won't have to put up with my come-on looks and gestures for a few days. :drag: :sleepysmileyanim:

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

I took the Total Control course last year. I was helped with my riding form quite a bit. I still think of the coaching points when I am riding. A refresher would be a good idea. The suspension part would be a BIG benifit.

I am on the list and here is the August Totsl Control News Letter. Not to take away from WFO 6, but some of you might not know there are courses in your area. TJ

Hi Folks,

With the overwhelming number of requests for a Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic in the Midwest, I am pleased to announce the first and only Midwest class of 2006 for August 28, 2006 in Joliet, IL. ACT NOW! Don't be left behind. This is the only scheduled ARC for the Midwest, and is limited to the first 18 students. I will be personally teaching the Midwest class with a book signing opportunity. In this newsletter, you will also find new dates for our NY locations in Troy and Poughkeepsie and more SoCal dates at our cool new location in Adelanto. More dates and locations will be opening up soon so check back on the Lee Parks Design site or our new totalcontroltraining.net site. If you have received this mailing in error, click on the link at the bottom of this newsletter and you can remove your name from our list. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your past patronage and for your interest in our training.

August

August 12, 2006 - Frederick, MD

August 28, 2006 - Joliet, IL NEW Guest Instructor Lee Parks, call (630) 728-2722 to register

September

September TBD, 2006 - Gilbert, AZ

September 9, 2006 - Troy, NY

September 9, 2006 - Cornish, ME NEW New England location with guest instructor Lee Parks

September 16, 2006 - Frederick, MD

September 17, 2006 - Adelanto, CA NEW Southern California location with Lee Parks

September 17, 2006 - Poughkeepsie, NY

September 23, 2006 - Frederick, MD

September 30, 2006 - Olympia,WA NEW location, call (253) 531-4585 to register

October

October TBD, 2006 - Gilbert, AZ

October 7, 2006 - Troy, NY

October 14, 2006 - Frederick, MD

October 15, 2006 - Adelanto, CA NEW Southern California location with Lee Parks

October 21, 2006 - Frederick, MD

November

November TBD, 2006 - Gilbert, AZ

November 19, 2006 - Adelanto, CA NEW Southern California location with Lee Parks

December

TBD

To register or for more information contact:

AZ - www.motorcycletraining.com

CA - www.totalcontroltraining.net

IL - www.privatetracktime.com

MD - www.totalcontroltraining.net

MI - www.totalcontroltraining.net

NY (Mid-State) - www.christineskickstart.com

NY (Upstate) - www.hvcc.edu

WA - www.pugetsoundsafety.com

WI - www.privatetracktime.com

We will be having upcoming dates for Gilbert, AZ and others. Please check our site regularly for these updates.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn How to Ride with Christine's KickSTART Training DVD

Are you a first time, novice or "re-entry" rider who would like to get better? This comprehensive DVD by Total Control Instructor Christine Firehock is the easiest-to-use, learn-how-to-ride tutorial on the market. The DVD contains 2 hours of interactive motorcycle training that you'll want to review again and again. This is also THE gift for the new motorcyclists in your life. "Christine's KickSTART" will:

Demonstrate step-by-step riding techniques in a straightforward, easily-digestable format.

Introduce the main controls of the motorcycle.

Discuss and show basic riding technques and proper negotiation of a motorcycle.

You can interact with the DVD to learn how to work the clutch, change gears, start out smoothly and stop.

You can watch the cause and effect of operating a motorcycle.

You can troubleshoot common problem areas in learning.

You can learn the three ways to change direction on a motorcycle including making a turn from a stop in traffic while staying in the safety of your own lane.

Introductory price of only $19.95 for this month only with coupon code below! Type it in when you place your order online.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lee Parks Design

PO Box 1838

Victorville, CA 92393

www.leeparksdesign.com

 

[Groo]

Since it doesn't seem like they'll be coming to Texas anytime soon, I'd be interested.

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

If you are looking to have a class in your area, it has to have a sub-contractor. Puget Sound Safety sets it up in WA. Note the other states web site contacts. It takes getting a date and selling it. TJ

 

[Ari Rankum]

Dang. So close to 24, then it stalls. Would it help if I provided a description of the class?

 

[Mike-H]

Ari,... was I counted in this?.... :blink:

 

[Ari Rankum]

Ari,... was I counted in this?.... :blink:

Only if you answered th poll above.

 

[boardsNbikes]

I answered yes but would like to know more about the school before handing the cash over.

 

[madmike2]

Y'know, I ansered "yes" also. BUT I'm rethinking my answer. Having never been to Colorado before, I might want to ride the scenic highways and byways rather than spending my touring time in the class. I understand what a great opportunity it is, but I can take a class closer to home if I want. God only knows when I might get my FJR back to Colorado.

Just my thought....YMMV.

 

[Toecutter]

Y'know, I ansered "yes" also. BUT I'm rethinking my answer. Having never been to Colorado before, I might want to ride the scenic highways and byways rather than spending my touring time in the class. I understand what a great opportunity it is, but I can take a class closer to home if I want. God only knows when I might get my FJR back to Colorado.Just my thought....YMMV.

Thank you Mike. That's why I said:

It would also be beneficial, IMHO, to hold it on a day early so it wouldn't detract from the normal activities of the weekend (rides, etc...). That might get more students to show.

Would you head out a day early for it? And what's up with the $295.00? IIRC, that was full throw when I took it. No group discount?

I answered yes but would like to know more about the school before handing the cash over.

If the description above isn't enough, read the book "Total Control" by Lee Parks. It's the basic text for the class, and recommended reading for all, just like taking the class is recommended. I took my copy to school and Lee autographed it for me. :grin:

 

[Ari Rankum]

Y'know, I ansered "yes" also. BUT I'm rethinking my answer. Having never been to Colorado before, I might want to ride the scenic highways and byways rather than spending my touring time in the class. I understand what a great opportunity it is, but I can take a class closer to home if I want. God only knows when I might get my FJR back to Colorado.
Just my thought....YMMV.

That's not a problem, Mike. The purpose of the poll is to gauge level of interest, not commit particular people. I don't want to engage Total Control (TC) to spend time setting up for this event, only to find that only 3 people will do it. In my initial contact with them, I mentioned that an 8-hour course might be a big time commitment for people who want to tour the area. They understood and said they might be able to break the course into morning and afternoon sessions to allow someone to complete the course over two days instead of one.

The next step in the process, as there seems to be enough interest, is to get TC to work up a schedule and set up a registration mechanism that verifies enough interest. Probably about 90 days out, TC will announce a registration mechanism. They will probably set up a minimum head count to be achieved by, say, 30 days out. If there are 24, or more, actual bodies registered by the deadline, they'll commit to teaching classes, offering some free riding and suspension seminars in the conference facilities we have set up, and manning a booth for sales of Lee Parks Racing Gloves and literature.

As to the discount, it wasn't offered. That may have to do with their additional cost getting out to wherever WFO-6 will be. Dunno.

To recap - no one is registered for the course currently. Since it seems like there would be at least 24 students in an actual registration, I'm going to continue to talk to TC about setting this up. I will be sure to touch on the issues of recreation time management and the possibility of a WFO discount.

Thanks for taking the time to complete the poll and express your concerns about the time commitment. Any other comments about alternative course formats or vendors are welcome.

 

[Ari Rankum]

I answered yes but would like to know more about the school before handing the cash over.

That seems fair. (My way of saying, "Shoot, I screwed up the introductory post"). Here's a link to their description of the course.

I had a fantastic time in the course. If I had to trade it for a day of riding in Reno, I would have done it, with 20/20 hindsight. The whole thing reminded me of recess in the second grade - nothing but fun, with the learning being an unavoidable side effect. I had never hung off before the class, and I got to the point where I could do a no-hands hang off, if I were a hooligan. (But I'm not a hooligan, according to me, the last time I was under oath.) I enjoyed the course enough that I may be one of the students at WFO-6.

One of the clear advantages of this course is that one of the instructors has a 2005 FJR as his daily ride. He's very knowledgable about the bike, how to ride it, and how to perfect its suspension. In the class I attended, he offered to analyze and dial in the suspension of anyone in attendance. There's an opportunity for anyone not Japanese-sized to update their suspension before WFO-6 and use Lee and Tracy to help dial it in at the next WFO.

Since I haven't stated so in this thread, I thought I'd add that I have exactly zero financial interest in setting this up. I also have no particular desire to provide Lee Parks' TC as the only, or one of several, course(s). Please, if you have alternative ideas, or ideas about how to map TC to your liking, make them known. I can only do what the majority wants if I know what that is. As you may have guessed from reading my posts to FJRForum, I'm completely comfortable with being completely wrong-headed. If you want to hit me with a clue stick, do it before it's too late.

 

[fjrchooser]

Ari,

I appreciate the effort and initiative you're taking on in setting this up.

In Michigan, opportunities like this are few and far between, not to mention filled before I get wind of them.

Much as I love riding the twisties, I'll gladly sacrifice a day of them to catch a course like this.

My concern is with 200-300 WFO attendees ,class is likely to max out a couple of times at 24 per session when it actually comes down to it.

If a pre-WFO early class day ends up being scheduled, hopefully the WFO hotel group rate could be extended to cover it.