So, is there an alternative to CSS? Some competition out there?
I’ve been looking to improve my riding and cornering and it looks like the only thing more certain than death and taxes is that the California Superbike School is the way to go. There is virtually no bad review.
The problem is, apart from the expense (I know, it’s worth it… blah blah blah) is that it’s impossible to book it in less than two months in advance. Unfortunately because of the nature of my work (project based) it’s pretty hard to book any holidays that long in advance (long story).
Anyway, the cynical old me is thinking WTF? That they are good and great I am not disputing, but is there really no competition out there? none at all? Did anyone go through both CSS and some other school and is able to compare? I read somewhere here that you can get 1-to-1 tuition for £250, that’s about 30% less than CSS…
Please no bashing, I am not putting down CSS at all, I am just bewildered that there is no obvious (to me) competition. If that is rally the case then it’s a bit of a sad state of affairs in uk cornering/track training.
Ron Haslam Race School, cheaper and have heard good things from people who’ve done it, I got a voucher for xmas so I will be using that this year once they release their 2010 dates :)If I had the money I do all CSS levels as well as Ron Haslam
Check with Focused events, I did a trackday with one-to-one tution cost me an extra 130 on top of the track day.
While it was great for the track and I probably gained at least 20 secs a lap from start of day to end of day, it is not necessarily the same as CSS as they have a difference philosophy, basics of cornering broken down. My one was how I could get faster for that track.
You can also get training from http://www.survivalskills.co.uk/ Kevin is a first rate teacher and will improve your real life riding skills, not just track skills.
Don’t be blinded by CSS - yes it’s good, but it doesn’t work for everybody.
I can think of several people who didn’t really gel with the regimented training format. I can think of more who paid a kings ransome and still are slower than a second cum.
A day with a quality riding coach is a alternative, I don’t mean a “yes you’re really smooth” from a track day organiser type thing. (I know there are some good instructors with tdo’s.)
Mike Edwards has a fantastic reputation.
The Ron Haslem school is a production line, you’ll learn something but time is tight.
Yeah, that is what I am leaning on. As for my level I am doing the IAM (not far from test level) and I am fairly confortable on the bike. Been riding for 2 years. I think that to get to the next level is to try and push my bike on a track. But before just going and tearing it on a track I wouldn’t mind some guidance. However I am not looking to become a track god or to beat some records, I am looking mainly for stuff that is transferable to the road.
What kind of money are we talking about? I read somewhere else that it would be £250 + Trackday fees. Is that right? If so, it compares favourably to CSS.
Have you thought of doing IAM? If you want coaching that transfers to the road, it might be worth trying out IAM first. Once you pass, you have access to IAM only track days with instruction etc. But also, it may take you to a level where you’ll get more out of track instruction as it will almost definitly make you smoother, quicker and more comfortable.
Yep, I am doing it. Sorry I misspelled it in my last post so wasn’t obvious (corrected it now). I am fairly close to test level, but I haven’t ridden much with them lately, partly because of time commitments. I am about 2-3 Observed rides aways from test level. I just need to push myself a bit and do the rest of it.
