Archive for category: Experience

How to reduce rotating masses: Part 4

August 29, 2017/0 Comments/in About Racing, About Superbike-Coach, Experience/by Can Akkaya

The one sided swing arm of the Panigale hosts the rear brake rotor and the sprocket carrier (which gets its own post later). I’ve replaced the rotor with a way lighter one and the brake pads to Bikemaster sinter metal pads. This stuff is affordable and never lets you down. At that point I’ve checked on the wheel alignment to see if the swing arm is bend. That went well so I can move on to center the two sprockets for a flawless chain run (next update)

Headcoach Can Akkaya

How to adjust the ride height on a Ducati: Part 3

August 29, 2017/0 Comments/in About Racing, About Superbike-Coach, Experience/by Can Akkaya

Ducati Update 3

Some stuff around the swing arm and rear sets has been done. A carbon cover for the looks (the tire huger goes soon), and the toe protector makes truly sense. Rear shock pos changed to ‘flat’, and preload adjusted (gotta get familiar with the electronic setting system though). The rear sets journey was interesting. The challenge… to keep the expensive, but hell of smooth Ducati ‘PULL’ quickshifter- BUT use it in a MotoGP shift pattern system. Funny is, that Ducati offers a 4 page long description to just turn this around on the stock rear sets- but doesn’t even mention that a ‘PUSH’ quickshifter would be necessary. Thats about 300 bux extra, and I go… no. So I went to see if there are rear sets which allowing all kinds of constellations in the leverage to keep the pull shifter. I found a nite set in China for 120 bux incl shipping and they work smooth as hell. The pegs are quite short though, so i had to find washers which allow me to adjust their length a bit. What I extremely like with these rear sets is that they are fully adjustable since the stock sets are way to far in the back and making tired real quick. Those going all in the front and up… as I was use to on my prototype race bikes :-)

Headcoach Can Akkaya

How to build your own fender eliminator: part 2

August 29, 2017/0 Comments/in About Racing, Experience/by Can Akkaya

Ducati Update 2

Unfortunately it needs a license plate to run this bike on some public roads, cuz’ I’ll use it to teach Road Skill 1on1 students. So, since the ugly and way to heavy holder is out… I’ve build my own fender eliminator with a few simple things: The license plate, a piece of Lowes aluminum sheet, and a plate light from BikeMaster Products. The cost… about 10 bux!!!

Headcoach Can Akkaya

How to Customize a Motorcycle: Part 1

August 11, 2017/0 Comments/in Experience/by Can Akkaya

Ducati Update 1

I got a custom paint job on the way (the boring Ferrari image red dress gotta go!). Till it comes in, I’ve made some mods to the bike which 1) look better (for my taste), and 2) saving weight. I absolutely HATED that high/black windshield and replaced it with a shield from a friend until mine is coming. The mirrors got replaced by cheap SSR block off plates.

The shock cover is carbon now, and the heavy gas cap got replaced by a $19 (!!!) CNC machined gas cap which I believe looks bad ass. I am happy now that I couldn’t sell my brand new Hyperpro RCS steering damper I had left from the R1 project… because the Ohlins damper was not working at all. Now I have 24 position getting satisfied with.

How to Customize a Motorcycle: The Strategy

August 8, 2017/0 Comments/in Experience, Riding Tips From A Pro/by Can Akkaya

Most riders are too afraid to turn some wrenches on their bikes themselves, but since we know that there is a potential to adjust levers etc to a riders advantage (see previous articles), we could more or less easily semi-project our bikes and make them ‘ours’ on a bigger scale. I have such a fun doing this as soon as I have a new bike, that I am willing to share the process with you. You might get a taste of one or another upgrade, and try it on your own motorcycle. All the things I am doing are going under the motto… finding performance (power and grip) resources, reducing weight (general and rotating masses), and last but not least- the look of it. All of this as affordable as possible! It all begins with the actual motorcycle and its raw numbers, so here is our ‘example’:

2014 Ducati Panigale 1199R

This is a pretty darn good bike already, so we don’t want to mess around much with geometries and electronics. The picture shows a absolute stock 1199 which comes up with these facts:

195 HP at 132 Nm of Torque
525 chain, 15/41 sprockets, gear ratio 1.77
Weight of 165 Kg (363.8 pounds)
Power/weight ratio: 1.1818 HP/kg

Let’s see where these numbers- and the appearance of “Cleopatra” is going…

Summarize- A necessary strategy

To just sit down with pen and paper and to make notes in which direction you want to move forward makes sense already, but to also set upgrade limits per month and in logic installation phases even more. This makes you staying in control of costs and fall-out time. Plain said… if you just go by feel, then you probably start working on something which takes too much time- or to have parts ordered which you can not use at a certain time on the project. What happen is that you can’t use the bike at all in between. So spend your money wisely and order parts logically. Start only working on it when the parts arrived, and skip on the frustrations.

Let’s do this

Each time I’ve done a upgrade phase, I will post about it here as soon as I can. So watch out here for new posts- or go on ‘Coach’s Motorcycle Bible‘ (scroll down to the story) where the story will be summarized. Watch out for the next step!

Headcoach Can Akkaya

Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach during track drill session

Report SBC Track Day at Thunderhill West Raceway on 8/5/2017

August 7, 2017/6 Comments/in About Superbike-Coach, Experience/by Can Akkaya

Congrats Day 3 Graduates

July 1, 2017/0 Comments/in About Superbike-Coach, Announcement, Experience/by Can Akkaya

Another bunch of motorcycle riders just graduated from our Cornering School Day 1 to 3, and finished the street rider part. Some of them will continue with the track/racing orientated part- Day 4 on 7/236/2017.

I am proud for each one of them. May the force always be with you! :-)

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 653 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Brian Wang 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had a great experience with Superbike Coach! I took both the Knee Down and Wheelie classes, and I really enjoyed both of them.

Can was an excellent instructor — very patient, professional, and easy to learn from. He explained everything clearly and gave helpful feedback throughout the classes, which made me feel much more confident on the bike.

Dean, the photographer, was also awesome. He captured a lot of great moments during the classes, and the photos turned out really nice.

All of the other staff members were friendly, helpful, and well organized as well. The whole experience was fun, professional, and definitely worth it.

Highly recommend Superbike Coach, and I’ll definitely be back for more classes!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your amazing and heartfelt review! We're thrilled you found value, confidence, and connection through the program. It's great to hear you felt supported, and we look forward to seeing your continued growth on the road.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Justin Van der mei 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I'm new to riding and was looking for a way to develop my skills and grow my confidence beyond the usual "watch it on  YouTube and try it on the streets" approach.   So I pulled the trigger and signed up for the day 1 cornering class.  I knew right away when coach started in on his introductory speech that I had made a great decision, and the rest of the day only continued to confirm that.   And not only was it full of highly valuable education,  it was fun as hell too!   I've signed up for the second day as well and can't wait. If you're reading this and still on the fence, please take my advice and do it; you'll be glad you did!
………………………………………………………………

Post Day 3 review:

I've been holding out on this one, mainly because I like to see coach Can squirm while waiting for his reviews to come in.
Mainly, though, I wanted to offer an honest and heartfelt review having completed all 3 days of cornering classes.
I can honestly say that I rode away from day 3 feeling more confident and better equipped to take on the challenges of the road.   That being said, this is a continuing learning process.  Coach offered us a variety of tools we can use; it's up to us to honor his teachings and practice all that we learned over those three days.   If not I fear he'll haunt our dreams and rip out our souls.
To add to all that, I really must talk about how welcoming and supportive the entire crew is.   They're all deeply invested in making sure that everyone is having a positive experience.   There's also a connection that forms over the course of the three sessions,  wherein, I believe, all the participants are made to feel "seen."  Not just random faces in a crowd, but members of a tribe.   That's one of the true beauties I found by the end of day three.
Much love and many thanks to entire superbike-coach team!

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled you and your son enjoyed the classes and found them valuable. Your kind words mean a lot to Coach—looking forward to seeing you both back for more!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   David Miller 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My son and I completed the 3 day cornering classes. I can't thank Coach enough for everything we have learned. The classes were a blast and his passion for riders is top notch. We will definitely retake the classes again. Even if you have been riding for years, these classes will help you out more than you realize.

Keep it up Coach!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your detailed review and for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear how much you've gained from the classes. Your feedback about lunch is noted, and we'll work on improving it.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ralph Acosta 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Classes Taken(Will get updated periodically)
Cornering Day 1
Cornering Day 2
Cornering Day 3
Suspension

I have attended Cornering Day 1 of 3 and a Suspension class so far. I have already signed up for multiple other sessions with this team.  I am not necessarily a beginner, but I have not ridden in 13 years since my lowside.

I can wholeheartedly endorse this team and coach for what they have taught me so far. The skills I've learned here have made me more confident as a rider and taking care of my own machine. Track time is also very beneficial since it is the safer riding environment in order to up your skills.

As for the staff, they're all highly professional and are willing to take your questions and answer to the best of their ability. It is a large class, so you won't get 1 on 1's really, but there's an option for that if you want lol. So no complaints there.

Coach is very knowledgeable and does have a rough tongue, but I personally like that. If you don't have thick skin or can't take a joke, that's your problem. I came to these guys to learn and the knowledge I've gained is immense.

Go sign up now. Do your research on the classes. That 1 star review is a dude complaining cus a guy's skill level wasn't high enough but he went anyways to an advanced class. Go through the steps. Don't skip out and book Cornering Day 1 at least.

Edit:
Day 2. More advanced stuff. Remember stuff from first day or you'll be lacking. Body position was fun, but no pics of that?! Dawg! That was when I looked the coolest lol. Uber steering. Yeah, it works learn it. It'll be very useful. Counter-steering. Yes, Will for sure get better at it.

Edit 09/15/2026:
Cornering Day 3. Lots of new skills learned which could save you out there in the streets, as well as making you a faster and safer rider overall. Trail Braking, while I already was doing it, was better refined with the feedback, and practice I got in the class. This for sure will make you a safer rider overall. Learning to brake, emergency brake, during a lean. Oh yeah, this for sure can save your butt in the future. Completed all 3 days. I for sure will come back as a refresher annually at least. Practicing these techniques is what will hammer it into your muscle memory.

Note: The lunch could be better. I bring my own now lol.

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing your experiences and enthusiasm! We're thrilled to hear how much you've gained from our classes and track days. It's great to see your growth as a rider, and we can't wait to welcome you back!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   David Schwartz 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 2026:

There’s no reason to be content with your riding skill. Coach will help you unlock the rider you want to be. I’ve been riding since 2010 and in 2018 I started training with Coach Can. Days 1-3 are the real deal and you should sign up too. I went with 4 friends this year and we had an absolute blast! The focus is not about speed, it’s about being in control and proper technique, sited is a side effect of doing this right! Coach has taught me so much riding and life. If you want improvement to your riding, this is the class you need. New riders, veteran riders, it doesn’t matter your skill level, I promise you will learn new skills. I am a much safer rider now thanks to coach and will keep coming back to his classes and track days.

This is the best upgrade you can get for your bike!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??
LET’S RIDE!!!!

2018:
So far I’ve been in Cornering School Day 1, Track day at Thunderhill West, and the Suspension workshop/Track time and I have to say each program has been an absolute blast!

The skills and techniques I learned from Cornering School Day One will stay with me for the rest of my riding career! I now have more control and confidence with EVERY bike I ride. The cornering program is exactly the type of school I was looking for. Don’t waste your time and money with parking lots & cones, videos or books, get on the track with Can! He will show you the ways. If you're interested in improving your skills I HIGHLY recommend these classes. The free photography with every class is always awesome and  the memories great to look back on. They're is a reason they sell out quickly.

After Cornering School Day One I decided to try Track Day: Thunder Hill West, I was a little nervous but really excited to get on a large track for the first time. The atmosphere is welcoming to first timers so I didn’t feel out of place or intimidated and being able to apply the skills from day one was an absolute hoot. Taking corners knowing that there's no gravel, cars, trees, etc. and riding on a closed coursed with every corner being monitored and controled allowed me to ride the bike to a limit that I would never dare come near on the streets,  and that was just in C group! What are you waiting for? Go ride track!

Suspension Workshop/Track Time. Riding Little 99 is always a good time, but the Workshop is what really made it a great experience. Learing about what my bike is doing in a corner with it's suspension helped me better understand what exactly is going on underneath me everytime I swing a leg over.  It was awesome having help tailor my stock bike to make it a perfect fit for me  I had no idea how much I was missing out on with my bike. The adjustments made to my bike really improved to the ride quality, which translated to more control. I'm also very eager to apply the recommendations I was given for my bike's suspension.

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing your detailed experience! We're thrilled the course helped refine your skills and mindset, and that you found value in both the instruction and camaraderie. Your insights will surely resonate with other riders seeking to grow.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Yi Xie 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I ride an S1000RR, and I got there by going from a 400cc cruiser to a liter bike in five years. Somewhere in that jump I picked up an ego and told myself I knew things. I didn't, which is why I signed up.

The bike is not the point at this school. The course is about skill, and one of the first things it made obvious is how slow I actually am. Not slow in a discouraging way, just measurably slow, with a lot of room left. I could feel the gap clearly for the first time, and now I want to close it.

Day 1 isn't really about "advanced" technique, though a few people did their first stoppie that day. It's about mindset. Coach Can spends real time on how to slow down in order to go fast, and on thinking critically instead of taking whatever the internet says is right or wrong. That framing carried past the parking lot and into how I approach things off the bike.

The vibe is the other thing worth mentioning. Supermoto, cruiser, Gold Wing, naked, sport bike, all in the same group, and nobody was made to feel out of place. A couple of people dropped their bikes and the coach team jumped in to help fix them. Shout out to Dean, who ran all over the lot hunting down a single nut so someone could keep riding.

And on Day 2 I got my result before lunch. I went in unable to get my knee down and came out of that first morning starting to actually do it, on top of real work on body positioning.

About Coach Can: he's direct in both directions. When you're doing something well, you know the praise is real. When you're making a mistake, he calls it out on the spot instead of letting you rehearse it for another twenty passes. Sitting through his instruction feels like old school stand up comedy with an enormous amount of practical riding technique baked in.

Riding has always been the thing that keeps my head in order, and I didn't expect a cornering school to add to that. It did. There's a surprising amount of life philosophy folded into the riding instruction, and it lands harder because it's attached to something physical you just did badly and then did better.

I'll be back, including for courses I've already taken, because there's obviously more in them than I could absorb the first time. If you're a rider who thinks he's got it figured out, this is a good place to find out otherwise.

Fair warning: it's a long day, it's physical, and if you don't like being corrected in front of other people, this isn't for you. That's also exactly why it works.

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad the personalized feedback and Can's guidance were helpful for you. Hearing your plans to continue with Cornering Days 1–3 is fantastic—happy riding and practice!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jay Reganti 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I took the Road Skills 1-on-1 class last week and had a great experience. The personalized feedback was easily the most valuable part of the class.

We started with parking lot drills, U-turns, and braking practice, where Can’s tips on proper and emergency braking were really helpful. We then moved onto twisty roads and worked on vision, lines, late apexes, and cornering techniques.

As a returning rider after almost a decade away from motorcycles, the class helped me identify specific areas I need to improve and gave me a lot to practice going forward. Can has a wealth of riding knowledge, and getting one-on-one feedback on my actual riding and mistakes was extremely valuable.

I highly recommend the Road Skills class to anyone looking to improve their street riding. I enjoyed it enough that I’m already planning to take Cornering Days 1–3!

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing such an in-depth and honest review! We're thrilled to hear Coach Akkaya's approach made such a meaningful impact on your confidence and learning journey. Your insights will surely inspire others considering starting their motorcycle adventure!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Heman Perdomo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 'll give my honest opinion from a 34-year-old who has absolutely never ridden a motorcycle in my life and was pretty sure I never would. I took the one-on-one with Coach Akkaya. When you meet the coach, if you are a complete noob like myself, you might feel a bit intimidated. The dude has a very extensive background in motorcycles, not only in his technical career, but also in his personal journey, and I'd dare to say his spiritual connection with riding is extensive as well. As a result of this, you finish off with someone who is very good at what they do and very passionate. This being said, expect a no-BS type of persona, a kind of personality that says, "Don't waste my time, I won't waste yours," but not in a bad way.Which, in my opinion, is exactly what you need when we are talking about your life being on the line. If you choose to do the one-on-one and you know absolutely nothing, come in humble, be transparent, and let yourself be coached. I came here not knowing a goddamn thing, extremely anxious, and with very low confidence, to the point where I thought once I got on the bike I would chicken out and it would be one of those things. Coach could see this in me and he just worked with me as an individual and helped me through the process. I almost felt like the class was tailored to me personally. It was the opposite of what I was being offered from other places. I left that day knowing how to actually get on a motorcycle, shift, brake, and even get some speed. Obviously, I need more work before I get on the road, but I truly feel like I left that practice a better version of myself than I was before I came in. It was actually one of the best days of my life, with newfound confidence, feeling 10 feet tall, and a skill I never thought I would have.

I also have to mention this was not my first option because I wanted a Harley and I thought this was just for sportbikes. I went to Harley, a complete noob, to check out the course, and before I knew it, I was signing papers and getting a 1600cc bike delivered to my house under the pitch that they would deliver it to me and pay for a course. Because of a technical issue on their side, I did not leave that day with a motorcycle. It was all easy hopes and dreams. That would have most likely at best made me crash a brand new, beautiful bike, and at worst, I could have lost my life. This is very common, apparently. In contrast to Coach Akkaya, who recommended I buy an actual pedal bike for practice, these guys are literally saving people's lives. Education is probably one of the main factors when it comes to losing your life on a motorcycle. The DMV will make you brake a couple of times, drive in a circle, and now you can go on the freeway with huge trucks and all sorts of situations even pros sometimes have difficulties with. That is just a recipe for disaster.I truly believe educating yourself as much as possible with courses and good coaches that are not trying to just make a quick buck and actually care for your health is crucial, and these guys are exactly that.
now the price.  I have to say 75 bucks for an hour, and I learned so much in this hour, is pretty much giving the class for free. I'm not going to criticize it because I'm sure they have their reasons. But as a business owner and in this current economy, 75 dollars is a gift. Very economic for what you are getting. in my opinion worth atleast 300 an hour. If you are new and scared or think you're too old to start or for any reason not doing it, I'd say just go with the flow, don't deny yourself the opportunity. 100% recommend.

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing such a detailed review of your experience! We're thrilled to hear how the course helped you refine vital skills and boost confidence. Your feedback highlights its real-world value. Looking forward to seeing you again!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Robin Egan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. WHAT A DIFFERENCE
!If you are a street rider looking to build real-world confidence, you need to sign up for next year’s Ladies Cornering Class with Superbike Coach Corp. Held on a closed kart track, this course was technically geared toward beginner street riders. However, as an experienced street and track rider, I can confidently say this course still offered many benefits. It helped me identify bad habits and dialed in foundational safety skills that translate directly to twisty backroads.

Here is what made this experience beneficial for me:
CHANGING MY MIND ABOUT THE TRAINING COURSE
I will be honest: I was never quite fond of the tight little kart track before this clinic. Although the surface of the course was older with concrete patches and tar snakes, it actually better mimicked a real street experience. Once the coaches taught me the correct line, everything clicked. WHAT A DIFFERENCE that made! Learning exactly where to position the bike completely altered the experience, turning what used to be a stressful layout into the perfect, controlled laboratory for perfecting street geometry.

SHIFTING FOR SMOOTHNESS, NOT SPEED
One of my biggest personal breakthroughs was changing how I thought about my gears. I learned that shifting into the next gear wasn’t always about trying to go faster. It actually made the bike significantly smoother. Upshifting stabilized my chassis, settled the engine, and took all the jerky nervousness out of my riding. It was a masterclass in finesse over speed.

STREET SURVIVAL: "VIEWING" AND SAFEST LINES
Head Coach Jill Akkaya and her team maintained a relentless focus on safety. Everything they taught centered on a core philosophy: Lean = Risk. To keep us safe on public roads, they focused heavily on two main skills:
*The "Viewing" Drill: We worked extensively on training our eyes to look much farther ahead of where the front tire was. We practiced viewing and predicting upcoming corners, which gave me the time to react before I was already in the turn.
*The Safest Lines: They taught us how to read a corner to find the line that requires the absolute least amount of lean angle. By minimizing our lean, we drastically reduced our risk on twisty roads.

EMERGENCY BRAKING: THE LIFESAVER
We also did an emergency braking drill, which came in handy sooner than I ever expected. In our very next riding session, I came into a corner too hot and completely over-blew the turn. Even with my background, survival reactions can kick in, but my fresh muscle memory from the drill instantly took over instead. I was able to bring the bike to a very quick, safe stop right there. The safety habits they introduced us to literally prevented me from going off track that same day.

THE VERDICT
Jill Akkaya created a supportive, ego-free space. This inaugural Ladies Cornering Class is currently only offered once per year, so spots are limited. Whether you are a brand new rider or someone with thousands of miles on the odometer and track days under your belt, keep your eyes on their schedule—this course delivered essential tools to stay alive on the streets.

Owner's reply
We're thrilled to hear you had an awesome day and learned so much! Jill will be so pleased to know her instruction made a difference. Thank you for sharing your experience!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nikki Hicks 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Took the all Ladies Cornering Course and Jill did an amazing job instructing. Had such a awesome day and learned so much!

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled our Women's class made your first track day so memorable and helped build your confidence. We look forward to seeing you in future classes and continuing your journey on a sport bike!
  
 
  
  
 
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How to reduce rotating masses: Part 4

How to adjust the ride height on a Ducati: Part 3

Ducati Update 3

How to build your own fender eliminator: part 2

Ducati Update 2

How to Customize a Motorcycle: Part 1

Ducati Update 1

How to Customize a Motorcycle: The Strategy

2014 Ducati Panigale 1199R

Summarize- A necessary strategy

Let’s do this

Report SBC Track Day at Thunderhill West Raceway on 8/5/2017

Congrats Day 3 Graduates

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