superbike coach corneringschool General Pics

When I talk about braking- I am not talking about picking up a six pack at a gas station for sure. There is extreme heat, G-forces and wining tires!

You also need to know that I’m a ‘burned child’ in regard brakes. In all the years of riding and racing, I’ve had three major front brake losses out of high speed. Luckily all happened on a track where there is plenty of space to at least reduce impact. My first one was during a European Championship race, when a brake piston seal broke. I was lucky cuz’ I could run this one out without hitting something. The second one happened way later when I was teaching. Brake fluid was boiling due to cheap brake pads (long story and I don’t want to go there). I won’t ever forget the impact at about 200 km per hour. The third one happened at Thunderhill West, when the G-forces of a huge tank slapper (another long story) pushed back my caliper pistons.

So yea, try to imagine that when I figured that there ain’t no brakes- that that happen at a time when I was late braking. You know… that comes with quite a surprise at ya. Great way to test your mental strength btw. For me- brakes need to be top notch and well maintained.

Braking in Pro racing is like martial arts. High temps taking and with a stopping power which makes your sweat comes forward off your face. MotoGP brakes cost a fortune and most of the time only go out to hand picked teams and racers. Today, I am still somewhat in need for high level brake equipment but not willing to invest that kind of money into bikes which are not prototype race bikes. So just like in my prime, I am abusing what’s there. One brake rotor after another needs to be replaced because they are binding and wrapping up, and my brake pads go like butter in the sun.

BrakeTech is sponsor of the Superbike-Coach CorpLet’s take my 2022 KTM 450 SMR Supermoto as an example. The bike had about 18 hours on it. You can say 15 hours of this were done at slow to moderate pace during classes- and about 3 hours at my pace. That front brake rotor is toast! I needed a solution and found it with BrakeTech braking rotors. Why?… because of how they are designed and materials been used. When looking closely at the picture, you’ll notice the rotor carrier is meant to be holding the majority of brake force, and not the buttons themselves. Besides this smart design, this rotor is about 2mm thicker, uses exotic materials and is real floated. That keeps temps at the actual disc in check and delivers a more linear bite and more even wear (more info in regard materials etc).

Braketech and superbike-coach supermotoI am still glad that I kept looking in the BrakeTech product portfolio, because I also found brake caliper replacement pistons which are coming directly from MotoGP. High end titanium can take the heat way easier than aluminum materials, and ventilation holes around the pistons allow the air to go inside the pocket between piston and brake pads. Best part… they seem to have these pistons for Brembo and Nissin applications for an actual affordable price.

Don’t know yet if we are able to make a install video, but this is fairly simple. Maybe you’ll think about it when you next brake fluid change need to be done.

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

Our wheelie machine made it all the way though the heat, just like my boy Mark Stewart​ and Wayne Steele there.
Outstanding job and 101% committed. So did Marion Akkaya​, Christian Baird​, Nick Baker​, Dean Lonskey​ and Lindsey Alexander​.
We gave it all we had that day. A virtual applause goes to those students who took the challenge and stand tall at a 107 Fahrenheit.

braketech superbikecoach

Superbike-Coach is proud partner of BrakeTech USA. All of our school bikes are running with their parts and pads for many good reasons. The Ferodo Motorcycle Division, headquartered at the Federal Mogul advanced engineering Special Products Plant in Mondovi, Italy, is an integral component of the Motorcar Racing cell.

All aspects of development and testing are performed at this single site with the worlds most advanced computer controlled dynamometers and test facilities. Non-stop R & D and a coveted close association with major World Factory Race Teams is the key towards continued dominance in Racing and high performance friction materials for most demanding enthusiasts. BrakeTech USA, Inc. is the North American technical liaison, importer and distributor of Ferodo Racing products.

BrakeTech USA Inc.

www.braketech.com

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

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This is might controversial to you, but I literally get to experience a phenomenon every week- not just with riders I don’t know, but also and mainly with students. It obviously doesn’t apply to all of you, but to a big percentage for sure.

So here is ‘Joe’ who is signed up for his very first track day. Joe did some schooling and has a lot of riding experience. His visions, wish-thinking and especially expectations of how he’s gonna look like during that track day are astronomical. The same goes for hundreds of my own students, who went through a lot of hands-on and real life coaching. Most of them did it all- cornering programs, knee down classes, and 1on1’s. Also here… visions, wish-thinking and especially expectations towards their first ever track day at ‘the big track’.

The expectations of/in themselves and especially in what they’ve learned, will probably lead them right into confusion and frustration, and that will cause them to question that what they’ve learned was good or right. Some will start pushing their limits and crash- some won’t come back to finish their schooling. At this point you might smile and think that I am worried to ‘lose them’. I can tell you that I am worried to lose them to foolishness. Not more- not less.

So I am extremely confident in what these guys have learned and I am truly not looking for excuses… they are at the end of their first track day. The actual problem is though, that their expectations are STILL beyond their capabilities. That’s just one point. Another one is, that they are dropped off into a boxing ring. There will be passing all over them, which is something a brain has to get use to. Additionally, the pace they gonna make is way beyond they ever been and the track they are on is way wider.

There is a lot you do not know yet. You are only totally overwhelmed, so that you might can’t put to action what you’ve learned. This is fooling you quickly!

I remember one kid at this point. He had a blast during cornering day 1 and he made a quantum jump forward with his abilities. He came to me and said that he can’t wait to get into day 2. Till then, he got himself a new bike and went to a track day. Naturally, pretty much everyone was faster than him and he very likely was all over the place which is probably why he crashed. Finally day 2 arrived and I already felt a distanced student there. He already looked frustrated and wasn’t really ‘attending’. First turns into the first track session, I saw him overly pushing already. It didn’t take long from there for him to crash.

I had a lot of talks with him from there, just to understand what happened to him. It was like talking to a different person- to someone who lost faith and trust in what he had learned. Someone who is more frustrated than confused. He actually started talking to other riders, expecting that they can help. How can they, when they don’t understand neither what the actual problem is, nor to know what the fix is?! Then it was on me to tell him what I am thinking the issue is, but held back, cuz’ he might only sees it as a desperate attempt to not to lose him.

Trust me… I don’t want to even look this way and I actually think he is a loss already because he ‘likes to think’ that this is a good excuse. This is some deep shit, you know?!

So… for the rest of you going into your first track day… It is not about what you’ve learned. It will be all about being totally overwhelmed. It will narrowing your vision because you are STILL far away from being in control of distraction and fears. It is because of high speed and passing’s you’ve never experienced. You might still believe that this is all about balls and that sticking to track days does the rest…

Don’t be a fool!

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

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There it is… the Superbike-Coach Track Day at Thunderhill Raceway has been BOOKED UP!!!

Let me be clear- that’s two and a half months upfront folks. Superbike-Coach is calling, and you are coming. I am super excited and I know you are as well, but please understand that a ‘track day’ is not a replacement for solid rider education. Ask me how I know, cuz’ we get to see this misinformation and also wish-thinking all the time. Yes it’s exciting, but what I got to see in all those years is almost unreal. At this point I want to invite you to read an old article: ‘Does a track day really make you a better rider?!

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to scare you, because that’s why I actually offer track days. You don’t get any better just because you have a track ticket in your pocket or just because your friend ‘shows you around’. That’s like learning to play the guitar from someone who held a guitar in hands the night before. I might sound like sales pitching, but I am not trying since we’re booking up all cornering

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school classes anyway. This is maybe something you look into, since there is plenty of time left till 8/27/. This program is not just to learn to corner from A to Z, it’s also a great track introduction same time.

So, if you are signed up for my track day already, then this is another great article to get familiar with what our track days look like: ‘Clarifying Superbike-Coach Track Days‘. Please read it, so you know what’s coming. Another good one for preparation is this one here: ‘How to prepare for track days‘. You’ll also get an email anytime soon, but these articles will help you getting organized with your equipment and how to make the best out of it.

Now go get some education till then, and I’ll see you around. I can’t wait :-)

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

superbike coach wheelieschool Wheelie machine

Our next Superbike-Coach wheelie class is coming up quick on 10/21/2023. A few tickets are left.

We are excited to let you use our new wheelie machine, which were standing the real life test last July. We also changed the general agenda and schedule, which puts our students even into more action. Once more, we are welcoming riders from all over the world to this class. Join us and sign up before it’s too late.

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

BrakeTech is sponsor of the Superbike-Coach Corp

Superbike-Coach is proud partner of BrakeTech USA. All of our school bikes are running with their parts and pads for many good reasons. The Ferodo Motorcycle Division, headquartered at the Federal Mogul advanced engineering Special Products Plant in Mondovi, Italy, is an integral component of the Motorcar Racing cell.

All aspects of development and testing are performed at this single site with the worlds most advanced computer controlled dynamometers and test facilities. Non-stop R & D and a coveted close association with major World Factory Race Teams is the key towards continued dominance in Racing and high performance friction materials for most demanding enthusiasts. BrakeTech USA, Inc. is the North American technical liaison, importer and distributor of Ferodo Racing products.

BrakeTech USA, Inc. is the manufacturer of the patented AXIS™ and SuperAxe™ line of billet manufactured Ductile iron, Cobra™ stainless steel and AXIS/CMC™ full-floating front and rear rotors and oversize kits.  BrakeTech USA is dedicated to bringing the highest quality brake components to market for a wide variety of application requirements.

Coach Can Akkaya will make a blog article about his experience with BrakeTech products soon.

BrakeTech USA Inc. www.braketech.com

Superbike-Coach Corp