A ‘Sensei’ has to be old

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

If you follow my monthly topics, then you might have noticed the red line to the struggle of riders on mental focus – so let’s stay on this topic and clear something up at the same time. This goes mainly out to the track riders and racers.

It seems that there is a wrong picture of what a teacher has to look like and be capable of. Sometimes I hear things like “Coach is to old”, or “He raced in the 80’s, that was different back then.” The conclusion seems to be that because I’m older, I can’t teach them anything. This is wrong and misguided, so let me throw a light into the dark tunnel for you.

Of course I am not as fast as I once was, but I actually still have the fire of a thousand suns in me when I’m on track, and I can rip lap times at Laguna Seca Raceway that would make active racers quite nervous, even when the years on me have replaced my 6-pack with a beer belly. Even when I am a little hip-lame… I still know what it takes to achieve Pole Positions, International Pro Racing victories, and even lap records. And here’s the deal… besides technology and tires – we’re still fighting the same old element… gravity.

Still not convinced? Remember Karate Kid’s Mr Miyagi? How about Yoda? Or Panda’s Master Shifu? They are all old, and they mentor their students to become hero’s anyway. Yea… I know. That’s all Hollywood?! So what about reality- like Coach Bill Belichick and his New England Patriots for example? He’s old and he keeps creating winning teams. Just recently I saw a documentary about Peyton Manning’s Super Bowl ending carrier. Here’s a multi-million dollar NFL player who got hip-lame himself and loaded with mental blocks. This man had a coach on his side- a 72 year old Sensei!

Does that mean that his sensei was expected to throw the damn ball further than record holder Manning? Was it necessary for his sensei to be quicker out of the pocket? Should his sensei have been mentally and physically strong enough to get past a 280-pound linebacker and throw a touchdown anyway? NO, but his sensei helped him on a way different level, and all what that 100 Million dollar MVP and multiple record holder was replying to his sensei was- ‘Yes Sir’ and ‘Yes Coach’!

Still not seeing the comparison? How about a basketball coach who is 2 ft smaller than his player- or a hockey coach who can no longer skate fast and handle a puck like a 20-year old. They may not be able to play the game, but they know what it takes to be a success in the game. They know what to say- when to say- and how to say!

So here is the logic, which I believe got lost with all those track day instructors who believe that a 10 minutes ‘workout’ and a succinct tip in regard ‘body positioning’ is all what it takes to be a good teacher. At a certain level of an athlete, a coach on the sideline is working just fine. I as a coach, see weak spots to delete, strengths to develop, tailor a race strategy, finding details to improve in the skill set and most important to mind set a competitive nature, because I know what to say- when to say- and how to say!

For this, I don’t have to be with the racer on the track to ’skate faster’ to proof credentials. Though, I bet I even can help a Top-Gun racer to drop lap times also with his riding skill set, because I’ve been there too. At that point to mention MotoGP. Even some of those guys have coaches too. Are they riding with them?! No, because how should that be even possible?!

You’re asking why I put this on the mental side?… well, you might shut yourself down with that type of thinking, and might miss out on something that finally could get you on the path you always wanted to walk… the path to success on the race track. If you still don’t see that the problems are between your ears, then you keep fighting wind mills. But if you are ready- come see me and I might help you to become a mighty Jedi.

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Sacramento 04/25/2018

Lithium is Power

/0 Comments/in /by

Do you guys remember when I upgraded my Ducati Panigale with a Lithium battery by BikeMaster (How to install a lithium motorcycle battery: Part 6)

I thought I should follow up on this one with a little review and insight. You need to know that I am a ‘burned child’ in regard Acid batteries, so that I am actually real happy about the quick development of Lithium batteries. It goes back to the mid 80’s when I was a amateur racer. Back then I still also had a street legal bike, just to take it up to the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

On one of those rides I noticed an immense disturbing smell, and a heat development in an area where you don’t want to have the one or the other. I’ve stopped right away and I heard materials cracking and a toxic steam came out of the seat area. I’ve walked away and waited it out and begun to dissemble the seat to check what the damage is. My Acid battery got some fat cheeks and cracked some stuff on its way to the outside. I think I was just damn lucky that this battery haven’t explode, cuz’ I probably wouldn’t have made it to be a Dad- or even made it to Valhalla instead.

So yea… welcome to the digital world, which brings even more benefit. Besides safety, weight reduction and a bunch more environmental sensitivity… there is this cool thing going on that you truly do a sense-full upgrade to your baby. So did I as you know… with a Bikemaster Lithium Battery. Those are affordable and they have them on stock for almost every motorcycle.

In my opinion, the weight difference is just amazing. I mean… 3.6 American pounds in weight difference… that is shocking. The damn thang is still working great, and that ain’t easy on a big volume like 1199R two cylinder with the torque of two R1’s. Go get some… you won’t regret it.

Pros of Lithium-Ion Batteries

  1. One great benefit of using a lithium-ion battery for your motorcycle is the energy density. A lead-acid battery has six cells, while the lithium-ion battery has only four.
  2. The batteries offer better resilience to self-discharge, and can hold a charge for a long period.
  3. Lithium-ion batteries are much safer for the environment.

Cons of Lithium-Ion Batteries

  1. An internal electronic circuitry is necessary to keep the cells protected from completely discharging or overcharging in extreme temperatures and current surges.
  2. Most lithium-ion batteries are charger-specific; hence, using a standard charger could damage the battery.
  3. They are significantly more expensive than lead-acid batteries, but it is in a good balance at Bikemaster if you ask me.

Link to BikeMaster Lithium Batteries

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

 

 

Track Academy, a New Program by Superbike-Coach

/0 Comments/in /by

I’m proud I can offer a new efficient and affordable class for track riders and racers—and of course for all those who want to get there…. the ‘Track Academy‘.

This class is fast-paced and for experienced riders, but you don’t need pre-experience with Superbike-Coach. I’ll teach you how to get past mental blocks and grow your skills with subjects and drills others don’t even know.

Suitable for

  •  Track day riders of all levels
  •  Racers of all levels
  •  Track orientated students who went through CSD-1 to 3
  •  Race, track and Sportbikes
  • If you’re ready to drop your lap times

Why on a small track?

You may say, “I won’t learn much on a small track. How will that help me win on the real tracks?”, but here is how: A smaller track means you get to repeat the maneuvers over and over until you have them perfected. The high repeating frequency allows you to focus on what’s really important―you, your fears, your imagined limitations. Think of doing this on the 13-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife

you’ll get in a couple of laps before your time is up. In addition, the slower speeds are not just a confidence booster, they also mean less hurt and damage if you push those limits and make mistakes. Finally, Coach Can Akkaya can see and stop you whenever it’s necessary, give you feedback, drills, tips, and demos that you can immediately apply while he watches. And, last but not least, the cost of being on a small track is significantly reduced. Think logic before saying no.

Sign up promptly, because this class will only be taught once per year.

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

Additional Wheelie Course in 2018

/0 Comments/in /by

We just added a 3rd Wheelie Course to the schedule to cover the steep demand. The additional date is: 7/29/2018

If you are on the October class roster already, but want to make this unique class earlier, then we would simply transfer you pretty quick. No problem at all.

Sign up soon

This is not a knee/Wheelie weekend btw.

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach

How to pick the right helmet size

/1 Comment/in , /by

If you are not a professional MotoGP racer, you probably won’t get much attention of a helmet factory. While these boys getting spoiled beyond the actual design- they also have customized shells and liner/pads to give the perfect fit- while you have to deal with standardized sizing.

The good news- at least the prime helmet manufacturers have a highly strategically selection of standard sizes for their lids which covers the demand very well. In case if not, then a big verity of lining and cheek pads can make the difference. Again… I know that at least the Helmet Top-Guns like Arai and Shorei has this on their portfolio.

So, based on these facts you should not have problem to find a decent size for your noodle, if it’s not extremely out of shape. The problems are mostly the riders themselves when purchasing a new lid- or, sometimes untrained motorcycle gear staffs who often seem to pick a size for their customers to reduce stock.

No, I’m not pulling this out of the blue… I’m seeing almost every day that especially brand new riders (which are mostly depending on size suggestions of that kind) who are coming to Superbike-Coach classes or 1on1- that their helmets dangling around on their heads or even bouncing down to their noses. Don’t laugh, that is really happening.

Let’s have a look at how important it is to pick the right helmet size in general, so here is my logic:

  • a too big helmet is louder
  • bounces into sight
  • can cause more injury as necessary
  • can even fly off your head as you crash
  • shaking can cause distraction
  • might feels OK in the store, but not comfy on the ride

How do I know?!… I’ve been there. I am a burned child, because my helmet flew off my head at my first ever crash. Of course it was all closed, but the quality back then compared to today- oh gee… my Arai Corsair is like a Ferrari around my head today. I’ve picked that helmet back then myself too, and I didn’t spend much of a attention to it as well. So here are two things I’ve learned, how a helmet has to be in the first place:

  1. Damn expensive
  2. Snug as hell

Let me explain point one. The price of a helmet displays its quality and that includes the test procedures a product like this underlays, materials, safety features, functionality, aerodynamics and tests, design, testing staff (racers often included). All of this becomes handy for you when crashing. At that point I should remind that you have only that one head which hosts your most valuable organ, and that should be prioritized over some fancy rear sets.

Point two is easy to put. I have my lids sitting so snug that I barley get in and out. I witnessed it ones, that a girl at a retailer chose a helmet she got easier in/out with. Horrible! It got to sit so snug that there is no way that you could move it around on your head- or to wiggle your head and to slide the sit of the helmet. I think of ‘as snug as possible’. It might doesn’t feel right in the store, but you’ll appreciate it as soon the wind starts playing with it.

So how to start this out?!

Have a friend measuring your head to evaluate the base size of your lid (Arai chart above). That will be also THE MAXIMAL BIGGEST SIZE YOU’LL PICK. Try now the next smaller one and see how much pain you can take :-)

With each size you try this: Shake, wiggle, try pulling it off (closed strap), if your ears are not squeezed, if your nose doesn’t touch the chin guard. The moment where your skin and scalp sticks with the lining… you’re good. Any additional movement shouldn’t be tolerated. If you hang between sizes- invest in different pads to make the helmet yours. You’ll get use to it as long your nose and ears have some clearance in there. I personally use size M for my Arai Corsairs and add a pad on top of my head because I like it sits slight higher, but let me explain that and more in my little video below:

Arai Corsair-X Helmets

Headcoach Can Akkaya Video Blog