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Actually I was planning to announce our new program with the first newsletter in 2023. Same time I am thinking… why waiting?! So here it is, the Track Rookie class. The background first.

You have absolute no idea what I got to see in all those years while teaching people on big race tracks. What I witnessed there was sometimes worse than seeing things going down in professional racing. I personally can handle it, cuz’ I know what to expect and know what I’m doing, as well those students who are with me later on.

But what about you, and those who are at the point to finally do their first motorcycle track day ever?! You are about to find out in what kind of chaos you bought yourself into. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to talk you out of it, but this is not really a save and especially not a non-competitive place, even though organizers saying it. Yes there are rules, but only a few, which are mostly only in the hands of the other attendees. You know… a control rider can see only that much, and most of the time only then, when the damage is done already.

Sure, a track day ain’t racing. Well… go ask that ego driven guy who just slammed the door on my student and almost got him down on T4 at Laguna Seca. Go ask that organizer who welcomed all those hooligans and didn’t care much about 38 crashes in one f’n track day. You ask for safety at a track day? That’s like asking your Commander for safety before going straight into enemy lines. Go in the ring with Mike Tyson and ask him not to punch you.

Superbikecoach track rookie classSame route goes for the learning effect. Even though those organizers say they have instructors and you’ll learn a lot… understand there ain’t much of it. Talking about where elbow and butt should be won’t help much while you ‘roll’ down the straight with 60 miles an hour and others flying by at a 160. Learning there is very limited, unless you are an extremely experienced street rider already.

You feel like that’s what C-group is for? It should, but reality is that most are all over the f’n place. Speed differences are almost dangerous, and some fast guys going in C just because their friends are there or there was no B or A slot left. Yep… blame me for telling the truth! So let’s call it what it really is in the end… exciting. That’s what it comes down to and I surely don’t want to take away from you, but don’t be a fool.

Intensive huh?! Yep, and guess what. In the end it’s as safe how you make it, and that’s what this ‘Track Rookie Class‘ is all about- to un-tense it, and to prepare you for it. I remember when I got on a track first time, and how intimidated I was just because of that facility of speed. This is why we let you ride for many hours on our Little 99 Raceway to fade that feel. We’ll go through the entire process of bike and rider preparation and its requirements. From registration to tech inspection. Track etiquette- the official and the unofficial ones. And of course to ride on a race track.

For only $139, you’ll get the class- track riding- free sport photography and snacks/water. But what you mainly get is- a smooth transition into a new, very exciting world and interesting motorcycle community. This class gives you a head start!!!

Join our first Track Rookie Class on 3/5/2023

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

So I was watching a Moto America race on TV the other day. Truly enjoyed it but less the commercial breaks though. During one of those commercial breaks, there was one of a more or less renowned motorcycle racing school, which appeared to me to operate more on the smarter edge. I’m not to shy to admit that I was wrong…

Fancy production, but still on the cheesy side they explained how Trail Braking works. Goal is to ‘appear samaritan’- but you figure quick that the actual goal is to showcase that they actually teach to Trail Brake in their school. That’s the truth. However, that’s not my problem. What bothers me at this point is, that they blasting critical information with a wide spread shot to riders who mostly NOT READY for such skill yet. Trail Braking separates the men from the boys. This is a skill to be mastered only when other physical skill subjects are sitting well enough and habits are successfully removed beforehand.

What the problem is

You also can’t just drop off only a fraction of the full scoop to a wide spread of people and leave the rest to ‘figure out’. Do Trail Braking wrong and it can turn to a death trap. Quite a risky move on their end if you ask me. To Trail Brake, lots of things will have to be adjusted under control. Only then you can move into it. Trail Braking goes way beyond physical capabilities.

This technique demands a solid range of ‘mental coolness’. This can freak most riders out, because throttle, brake, clutch and shifting procedures are different then what MOST riders have learned over years. Change all this and more while you go way faster into turns under Trail Braking could also trigger to panic. Your eyes and brain are not trained and ready for this yet (mental coolness) and that will be the biggest problem.

Things have to be unlearned to be able to learn. Mental coolness has to be established to be able to try and master.

Spreading these information without all of the above is almost like a half-way-instruction on how to climb Mount Everest without a guide. Now how many pairs of ears and eyes who’ve seen that commercial are even capable to climb Mount Everest in the first place… especially when there is no guide?!

Smart move!

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

 

I can happily announce that the Carrillo Law Center has become a Superbike-Coach sponsor.

Their heart for motorcycles and their riders are in the right place because Rafael Carrillo is not just a top notch lawyer- he is also a motorcycle rider himself. Just that is a 100% loyalty guarantee to those riders who need him. There might be the day when you need someone who speaks your language, and that’s Carrillo for sure.

Rafael, aka the MotoLawyer, and Yazmin Carrillo’s dedication to the sport and Superbike-Coach is undeniable. They strive to provide the very best legal services for their clients. They can provide a plethora of legal services in various different areas of the law, which creates a more complete availability of services for clients. As a lawyer, Rafael’s focus is personal injury cases and he is based in Stockton, California.  He has been helping injured persons receive the compensation they deserve for over 10 years.  His law firm, Carrillo Law Center, is a full service firm and has attorneys that handle immigration, family law, criminal law, wills and trusts, landlord/tenant law, and more.

Carrillo enters with Superbike-Coach the opportunity to help motorcycle riders and so their families. Rafael is a man of his word, so welcome to the Superbike-Coach family Mr and Mrs Carrillo!

Carrillo Law Center

333 E. Channel Street, Stockton, California 95202

Phone: (209) 900-2100 | Email: info@carrillo2.com

Website: https://carrillo2.com/

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp

I remember testing one of the first Traction Control systems coming out, and it was horrible. Back then, a TC prevented any rear wheel spin immediately. Not in a smooth way, but almost like a light-switch type shut off. That might have helped a less experienced rider, but for those who operating the throttle on turn exits at a level where the rear wheel purposely spins faster than the front- might works against them. It takes smoothness to powerslide and a committed and steady throttle control. An interruption just like a TC causes at that time got me in trouble. That clearly has changed a lot over the years and electronic rider aids have improved immensely. That benefits especially street bikes/riders, and the development ‘department’ is motorsports.

More stuff is coming from there, like: Backing-In control, Wheelie control, Launch control, and even Powerslide control. Other rider aids like ABS have not been developed there because they are not using any ABS. Why not?… because they extent braking travel- ergo- you’d have to brake earlier- ergo- slower lap times. That should ring the bell already, shouldn’t it?!

In motorsports… doesn’t all the electronics take away the advantage the top racers have in terms of riding skill actually?! Where did the ‘surprise effect’ go when the red light turns off and all bikes/cars coming off the start literally equally? How to judge a performance when a TC replaces pure determination and drawing fat black lines on the exits of turns? When mastering a throttle turns to a ‘just hold it wide open’ wheelie control. Does it really give the race more quality this way? Personal preference I guess…

Significance had the computers entering the motorcycle sport. Tons of sensors reading data into the software which truly helps to get closer to the ‘perfect’ setup. Just imagine what kind of advantage this took away from those racers who had the ‘butt-meter’ and the smartness to communicate it to the team engineers. Sure, the top guys are still able to do this, but what does this make the others?

Examples out of Formula One are easier to pick because the influence of electronics is way more obvious as in MotoGP? In the area when Formula One cars had a few driver aids, there was Canadian racer Jacques Villeneuve the only one who took the Eau Rouge chicane at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, flat out. Needless to mention that this didn’t work out all the time but you can say the man was flying and on height of his career. Electronics makes the famous Eau Rouge chicane to a video game everyone can play, well almost. There is barley smoke coming off those fat tires when they start. Launch control took it away from those who could control a almost 900 hp beast, and not to mention traction control which replaces a sharp feel to max out tire grip.

Lot’s of it has been banned meanwhile… luckily, but the technology went over to street cars. Power-steering and stabilization, auto-downforce wings, electronic stabilization- just to name a few- and also to see in motorcycles such as active suspensions, traction control, power brakes, backing-In control, cornering ABS, quick shifters, auto blib and whatnot. Don’t understand me wrong here, because I don’t undergo today’s MotoGP or Formula One racers at all. They are on the highest level of Motorsports for a darn good reason, and to max out these new elements have to be mastered as well.

Sure, the aspect of rider aids in regard rider level quality has no relevance for street legal bikes. Mainly these e-gizmos are helping riders in regard safety, but… is all of it really such a great thing?!!!

ABS for example. Good thing to cover the panic grab, but other than that it actually extends braking travel (which is why it’s not in racing btw). It takes braking power away. So I coached a upcoming CHP Motorcycle Officer ones and when I told him this, he actually choked. He mentioned that the CHP ran statistics to find out why their Officers got more hurt since they swapped from Harley’s to BMW’s, which supposed to be safer rides. They found that Officers ride beyond the pace they use to and that all those electronic aids kicked off a confidence boost and a false feel of safety. Hmmmm…!

My theory also goes into Traction Controls, which are making young riders more likely buying a 230 hp motorcycle. In the end, Joe might rides over his capabilities. Oh and there is a Slid Control now too, which controls a powerslide when exiting turns in lean. You gotta be freaking fast already to even get there and to make that work… but Joe might thing that this is no big deal anymore:

Headcoach Can Akkaya, Superbike-Coach Corp