[32927]

You made this story up, didn't you?

The picture with the cardboard cut out of Kevin Schwantz was a nice touch. You expect us to believe that you chose the SV650 over the GSXR. What do you take us for? A bunch of jackasses with nothing better to do than sit by our computers and wait for your next story?

 

[6057]

Re: You made this story up, didn't you?

Some one give this boy a hug. I don't think mommy wet nursed him long enough

 

[dnakase]

Re: You made this story up, didn't you?

Failing that, how about a swift kick?

 

[dnakase]

You guys must have been saving up all your juice for the FNG to show up.



Funny how much gets done when at least ONE person is WORKING, isn't it?



My congratulations to "the processed fish product" on dragging that puck, no matter how briefly.

You guys owed him after riding his bike MUCH faster than he could then posting it on-line.



And as for bike choice... don't yah have to buy 'em if you break 'em?



That and as I recall JH was riding a Ducatti last he was humiliated here on MO. He was going for the familure. 90 digree V-twin with great midrange... must have missed shelling out 8 bills for the privelige of having the valves adjusted though...

 

[32927]

Mommy?

Can I please have an SV650?

Pleeeeaaassseeeee?

All the cool kids have one!

 

[dwr461]

Strong work Fishsticks.



Dave

 

[32927]

What I really want (need) is the school. This is a fairly timely article for me. I have been researching a number of options. I had looked at the KS school and I am interested in attending. I will probably attend the California Superbike School. Simply because they conduct a school here in Texas. That way I wouldn't have to deal with Airports and Hotels. They are about the same price. There is the celebrity appeal however. That would be sweet (intimidating) to have Kevin Schwantz following you around.

 

[das]

Ah, that was a trip down memory lane.



I took Reg Pridmore's CLASS school at Road Atlanta (before they rearranged the track a couple years ago). Rained almost the whole day. There's nothing like going 125 down the back straight, in heavy rain, knowing the Gravity Cavity is waiting for you.

 

[RichReed]

I am looking forward to reading more pieces by Mr. Hatch. Well done! His style reminds me of a certain other moto-writer before he became Bitter, and somewhat jaded.



Suggestion: plop The Fish on a Hawg and send him to Sturgis. I am fed up to the gills of Sturgis Stories and the whole Hawg Scene (which will be crammed down our throats by the popular media next year during the Big 100 Birthday, fer sure), but I betcha Hatch can come up with a fresh angle.

 

[Steven_Verschoor]

Here here!

This narrative on racing school was terrific. Let's hear Mr Hatch's take on the other end of the motorcycling spectrum.

Even if he doesn't go to Sturgis, just put him on a bike and give him a laptop... excellent reading!

 

[30968]

So which school is the best?

And please, no lame answers like, "It depends on what you want to learn." Where would my money best be spent, with Code, Pridmore, or Schwantz?

 

[bharriet]

Re: So which school is the best?

K. Code gets my money(Im level 4). But I live in San Jose and can get to Laguna Seca, Sears Point and Thunderhill easily. Keith is the best instructor and has a proven track record of training riders to become better. The lean bike and NOBS bikes are worth the price of admission. I use his school bikes (ZX-6R prepared) at an additional cost of $295/day. I havent been to any of other schools, but have heard comments from other students that Code school is more professional and they learned more.

 

[34894]

Re: So which school is the best?

I tend to only respect people that deserve repect on the track, so what did Keith Code ever win?

 

[345]

Re: So which school is the best?

If you look over Keith Code's biography (http://www.superbikeschool.com/us/keiths_corner/keith_code_bio.shtml), you will see he has not been a racer, but a teacher to a good number of racing winners, and other organizations.

If you are looking for the best racing instructor, I would look either at Kevin or Fast Freddie. If you want lots of real world riding experience to draw upon, Reg Pridmore is your man.

Enjoy,

AzizaVFR

 

[Donkeyjyna]

I took the Schwantz school back in March, and learned a lot of new techniques. It also reenforced several others I had picked up along they way. It was my first race track experience. Just being able to follow those guys around the track helped me tremendously. My riding has improved 500% since and two weeks ago I had my first real amatuer race. I did very well, to my surprise. There's no way I would've been ready for that without the school experience. Now I'm completely hooked. Thanks Kevin.

 

[jmeyn]

Gravity Cavity

Great prose! Where did you get it? You can think of a race lap as one long beautiful space warp!

 

[jmeyn]

Or Freddy Spencer

Don't forget the main man!

 

[das]

Re: Gravity Cavity

I'm not sure what your question is, exactly, but....

The "Gravity Cavity" was a feature of the old track layout. It was a big valley at the end of the back straight. You'd be flying down the long back straight, and then the track would just sort of fall away from you, not enought to catch air or anything, but giving just a bit fo that floating feeling. Just about the time you'd mentally recovered from that, you were pressed down hard against the bike as it climbed back up the other side. The Gravity Cavity.

It was great fun at my lowly speeds, but apparently it was pretty dangerous at race pace, so they completely rearranged the track a few years ago.

Here is a link to some on-bike footage from CLASS. The link labeled "Vintage Road Atlanta" shows "1997 footage of Jason on a VFR750 - 140 through the Gravity Cavity." I could only get my VFR750 to about 125-130 before I chickened out and started braking to enter the gravity cavity.

The following description of the track changes comes from http://www.amasuperbike.com/atlanta98.htm

"The Road Atlanta racetrack has changed in many ways since the series last visited there. The frighten-you-to-your-bones Gravity Cavity is gone, replaced now with a chicane. In addition, the track itself has been widened and re-paved. Most found the changes favorable and as to whether it improved the racing or not--in a word, yes. The racetrack rewards precision and bravery, less so now than before the Cavity was removed. There are two decent straights at Road Atlanta so those with power will be rewarded, plus the track has just one racing line in places so getting a good start is very important. "

 

[jmeyn]

Space Warp

Thanks for your full response and the great links.

I meant that in a way, every corner is a gravity cavity. In fact, every change in acceleration including elevation changes is a gravity cavity. We're warping space, das!

 

[jmeyn]

Actually, send him to Sturgis on a GSXR600. That should generate heat!