California Superbike School

[kiwikrasher]

Has anyone on here done any of the courses?

They run them at Eastern Creek, they are $485 a course and there is 4 levels. I have heard mix feedback on them. Some feel like they didn't get much out of it and didn't bother doing the higher levels where others have raved about them and completed all four.

I'm thinking about having a crack, it looks like I'm going to be doing a good amount of track days a year now I've got the bike sorted (6-7 hopefully) and I'd like to improve my skills and get quicker in a safe manner.

The main things I want to work on atm is picking break markers and tip in points, and faster changes in direction, and from what I've read/heard these courses will do just that.

[DaytonAndy]

Like you I've heard mixed feedback. I think the general consensus is there are better schools out there. The main problem with css is that it's not really taillored to you. Level one is level one and then you must do 2 before 3.

[Blade]

Also heard mixed reviews and its expensive in the uk but seems better priced in Aus so may be worth a look.

There was a uk TV series following three different riders through all 4 levels.

First episode here and others should be on the same YouTube page.

https://youtu.be/2YIOxOaaVPE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Blade]

If you search YouTube kiwi there is loads of individual videos showing each drill they teach in more detail.

[kiwikrasher]

Also heard mixed reviews and its expensive in the uk but seems better priced in Aus so may be worth a look.

There was a uk TV series following three different riders through all 4 levels.

First episode here and others should be on the same YouTube page.

https://youtu.be/2YIOxOaaVPE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks mate, I'll check those out.

[Blade]

No worries Paul, hope there useful buddy.

They may help you make your mind up whether to book on or not if nothing else.

[kiwikrasher]

Also heard mixed reviews and its expensive in the uk but seems better priced in Aus so may be worth a look.

Holy Crap!! £415 a level!!!! Expensive is not the word! Thats nearly double the cost here, I definitely wouldn't bother at those prices!

[Blade]

Exactly. Its worth doing in Aus but not at rip off Britain prices.

[Kwacky]

CSS is good but it's very rigid.

What they need to be is be honest and say that they can't teach you to be a better rider in 1 lesson, which is why there are 3 parts, with lesson 4 working on the rider's weaknesses. But that would put loads of people off doing level 1 if they think they've got to pay over £1600 in total.

I asked CSS what the take up for levels, 2, 3 and 4 were. They wouldn't tell me. That suggests people aren't moving on to the next levels.

I enjoyed doing level 1. The training and teaching is good, but I got the impression that certain parts of riding were held back for each level, which means you can only progress if you do all the levels.

What they should do is a one day taster will small snippets of key parts of riding,

[duke63]

I think they do a one day taster session now.

[Blade]

Is that different to level one Duke ?

What does the taster session cover ?

[duke63]

I would personally prefer to pay for the Simon Crafar Motovudu days

http://store.motovudu.com/on-circuit-instruction-uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its not gone unnoticed by some fast riders that what Crafar teaches is in some cases the very opposite to CSS.

[duke63]

Is that different to level one Duke ?

What does the taster session cover ?

Doesn't seem to appear on their website now. They certainly did them last year.

[kiwikrasher]

I would personally prefer to pay for the Simon Crafar Motovudu days

http://store.motovudu.com/on-circuit-instruction-uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Its not gone unnoticed by some fast riders that what Crafar teaches is in some cases the very opposite to CSS.

I had a look for other schools but there is only one run by an ex racer I've never heard of (not saying that means he's no good thou'). I got excited when I saw a link to Corser Concepts only to find out it's an off-road riding school.

Guess I haven't got much to lose by doing level 1 and seeing how I feel about it, I'm sure I'll pick up more than a few helpul tips regardless and it's only a couple hundred more than a trackday. Won't be next break home thou' as I already have another trackday booked

[wazza675]

Another option is personal tuition through Champions along with one of their track days. Usually Wayne Maxwell (Aus Superbike champion) follows you and gives you tips and recommendations throughout the day.

I've done CSS 1 and got plenty from it. Imagine tipping into turn 1 at Phillip Island in the pissin' rain while practicing drills... and no brakes down Lukey Heights into MG corner!!!
A mate did CSS 2 and found the visual aspect even better.

[kiwikrasher]

Another option is personal tuition through Champions along with one of their track days. Usually Wayne Maxwell (Aus Superbike champion) follows you and gives you tips and recommendations throughout the day.

I've done CSS 1 and got plenty from it. Imagine tipping into turn 1 at Phillip Island in the pissin' rain while practicing drills... and no brakes down Lukey Heights into MG corner!!!
A mate did CSS 2 and found the visual aspect even better.

Cheers Wazza (you're up early mate!) the same crowd run the CSS down your way so if you found it good that's enough for me!

BTW I did a 1.49 at EC, pretty stoked with that for a first effort!

[Deegee]

I've met a few peeps that have done CSS 1-4 and it does make you a faster rider, especially if you don't have a lot of track experience or find problems committing to a corner. If you're pretty fast to start with and want to shed a few bad habits along with gaining a few seconds per lap I'd look seriously at getting personal tuition from a recognised racer/trainer.

[kiwikrasher]

Another option is personal tuition through Champions along with one of their track days. Usually Wayne Maxwell (Aus Superbike champion) follows you and gives you tips and recommendations throughout the day.

Champions operates in WA, SA, QLD, VIC but not NSW

[kiwikrasher]

I've met a few peeps that have done CSS 1-4 and it does make you a faster rider, especially if you don't have a lot of track experience or find problems committing to a corner. If you're pretty fast to start with and want to shed a few bad habits along with gaining a few seconds per lap I'd look seriously at getting personal tuition from a recognised racer/trainer.

I dunno if I'd class myself as "pretty fast" Deegee... over here we have four groups, I rode in the second fastest group and only got passed a couple of times, but I'm still 10-15 sec's off the proper fast guys. So I've definitely got more than a couple of seconds to shed. Personal tuition would be awesome but looks like I'm out of luck here in NSW.

[wazza675]

I didn't realize u could run a camera at SMP. I thought it was a MEGA rule that you couldn't, but obviously it is only in place for PI.

The fact that Champions don't go to NSW isn't a bad thing. I find the way MEGA run things is a bit better anyway. They monitor things more closely and take action as required.

Maybe you'll need to do a huge road trip with a Champions day or two at Broady and then hit PI.

One thing you will need to consider is track time reasonably close to when you do your tuition, that way you can practice what you've learnt. I know PI only do CSS on weekends and track days during the week. I'd be trying to do a track day a few days after the course...

Another bonus in NSW and Qld is you can do track days in winter. Alas down here, it's moth ball season unless you like wet feet!!