Join me at Freddie Spencer School, Level Two

DubbleRNR · 12-07-2006, 9:39 PM

BTW, small world it is. I just sold my FZ1 and am in the market for a DRZ 400 SM. How do you like yours?

bwhip · 12-08-2006, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubbleRNR

BTW, small world it is. I just sold my FZ1 and am in the market for a DRZ 400 SM. How do you like yours?

It's the ultimate affordable play bike. Try to find a used one with some of the preferred mods already done. I highly recommend the FCR carb mod - it gives it a lot more low end grunt and really makes it a fun little wheelie machine. Lots more info here: DR-Z 400 - ThumperTalk

DubbleRNR · 12-10-2006, 3:51 PM

Well Brian, I downloaded (all 30 something pages) of your 2 write-ups and have to say WOW! I was on the fence about level 2 but your accounts convinced me to sign up! I'll be in Vegas March 28-30, 2007! I even feel faster and better after reading them!

Thanks and I AM GRATEFUL as well!
Ralph

DubbleRNR · 12-10-2006, 4:26 PM

BTW Brian, check out this bike. Is it a good deal? He dropped his price to 4500 modded. I'd have to meet him in Boston as I'm in NJ and he's in ME. He said an extra 100 for the delivery to ME. There aren't many SMs for sale and this one has been nicely modified.

I test rode a stock one yesterday, some local streets, a few miles highway and some horseplay in a parking lot. The bike was fun but a tad underpowered. The guy selling the bike in ME said the difference between a stock bike and a bike that's been modded like his is night and day.

I have virtually no experience with the DRZ SM. Any insights? Any thing to look out for? I want to be as certain as I can before I drive a few hours to Boston.

Thanks again...

DubbleRNR · 12-10-2006, 4:27 PM

ooops...forgot the link:

Supermoto Junkie

bwhip · 12-10-2006, 5:12 PM

I'd say that looks like an excellent deal. The pipe and the FCR carb will make an amazing difference over what you found with the stocker, for sure. It's never going to be a rocketship, but part of the appeal of that bike is that modded the way it is, it's fun, light and flickable, with enough power to have a great time but not be scary.

A KTM 950 or others will have more power, but be much heavier, more maintenance prone, and more expensive. You'll have a blast on that bike, believe me, and it will help your track riding too.

bwhip · 12-10-2006, 5:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubbleRNR

Well Brian, I downloaded (all 30 something pages) of your 2 write-ups and have to say WOW! I was on the fence about level 2 but your accounts convinced me to sign up! I'll be in Vegas March 28-30, 2007! I even feel faster and better after reading them!

Thanks and I AM GRATEFUL as well!
Ralph

Awesome, Ralph! I'm excited for you, and I know you'll have a great time, and your riding will get even better. Have fun!

thinair · 12-11-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubbleRNR

As a side note, I'm in touch with Robert (the Swedish gentleman) and Ann. I think she did the school at least 1 more time after March.

i did the course this Oct and Ann was in it - i think she's done it a few times getting ready to race - she'll remember me - being from Montreal she knew where London, Ontario (Canada) is

DubbleRNR · 12-11-2006, 10:08 PM

Race??!! That's amazing! She was such a noob back in March. I remember someone passed her (no too closely) and she got all spooked out and confronted the guy. I do remember her being very adventurous. Good for her! I'll have to shoot her an email.

thinair · 12-11-2006, 10:11 PM

she's much better now - good technique, now she's working on picking up her speed...

Nevermore · 12-12-2006, 2:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinair

she's much better now - good technique, now she's working on picking up her speed...

I guess she's a regular . . Ann was in the Pro School I attended last week. We had a great time and took turns almost running over each other on the dirt bikes

She's a smooth rider and it was a real pleasure meeting her.

bwhip · 12-12-2006, 4:46 PM

See, believe it or not, there are really people that go to the school even more frequently than I do!

bwhip · 12-12-2006, 4:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermore

I guess she's a regular . . Ann was in the Pro School I attended last week. We had a great time and took turns almost running over each other on the dirt bikes

She's a smooth rider and it was a real pleasure meeting her.

So how would you compare the Pro School to Level One of the Sport Rider school? I'm assuming you did the three-day pro school, since you had some time in the dirt?

My next step will probably be Pro School, so I'm wondering how it compared...

Nevermore · 12-12-2006, 5:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

See, believe it or not, there are really people that go to the school even more frequently than I do!

It's definitely addictive. There were at least four students from last week who were doing it again this week

Even if my wallet could take it, I don't think my body could!

The Pro School was awesome. A lot of the same drills as Level One, but more intense. For example, during the panic stop drill we were expected to do stoppies. This was a pretty fast group, although no real pros, mostly WERA national and club racers. I knew three other students from WSMC.

I'd have to say that I got just as much from this class as Level One, which was A LOT, but probably the biggest single technique was rear brake usage. I have always stayed away from it on the track, however the time on the dirt track really gave me the comfort to go back and use it on the road course. Freddie also put in a really tight chicane on the straight that gave people fits, but it really made us move around on the bike. We were filmed all three days and the dramatic improvement could be seen in each and every student. You go into the class thinking you're riding pretty good until you see all the mistakes, but probably the best thing I took away was a long list of specific areas where I can still improve. At least I know what to work on!
The Freddie Spencer school has already improved my riding more than I ever thought possible, but yes, I will be going back.

thinair · 12-13-2006, 4:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermore

This was a pretty fast group, although no real pros, mostly WERA national and club racers.

nice to hear - i was surprised by the overall lack of speed at my level 1 course - there were really only three of us that i would say were fast from the get go.

just one more example of how the "years" of riding do not necessarily translate into an understanding of bike dynamics, proper use of the controls or an understanding of what your bike is capable of.

Nevermore · 12-13-2006, 5:32 PM

For comparison, I would also guess that I was top three at Level I, and although I've improved since then, was barely in the middle of the 16 students at the Pro School. I think the instructors do a great job, however, of matching riders (4 per on track instructor) and varying the pace to keep everyone comfortable. One guy asked for a few slower laps from the instructor and then there were a couple of guys who asked for more open track time and got it. There seemed to be a lot more flexibility at this level and they allow students to identify areas they want to work on. I'm sure that's what keeps so many of them returning.

bwhip · 12-13-2006, 8:03 PM

It is pretty remarkable to see how many return students they have, on an ongoing basis, given the cost. Definitely a testament to how satisfied their customers are. I saw virtually everyone in each class I was in notice an amazing amount of improvement in their riding, in a short time, due to the focus and intensity of the training.

I'll be back for sure, sooner rather than later.

DubbleRNR · 12-13-2006, 8:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermore

I guess she's a regular . . Ann was in the Pro School I attended last week. We had a great time and took turns almost running over each other on the dirt bikes

She's a smooth rider and it was a real pleasure meeting her.

That's amazing! That must be her 4th or 5th class since March!

Ann must be independently wealthy!

DubbleRNR · 12-13-2006, 8:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwhip

It is pretty remarkable to see how many return students they have, on an ongoing basis, given the cost. Definitely a testament to how satisfied their customers are. I saw virtually everyone in each class I was in notice an amazing amount of improvement in their riding, in a short time, due to the focus and intensity of the training.

I'll be back for sure, sooner rather than later.

Hey Brian, why the Pro School and not level 2 again?

bwhip · 12-13-2006, 9:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubbleRNR

Hey Brian, why the Pro School and not level 2 again?

They have a pretty cool race series coming up next season at Miller Motorsports Park, and I'm thinking I'm going to give racing a try. I'm sure either Level 2 or the Pro School will help, but I'm hoping the Pro School would be a better way to prep me for racing.

Nevermore · 12-14-2006, 12:04 PM

The only downside with Miller is that they don't do the dirtbikes there.

stoney0422 · 12-24-2006, 5:16 AM

WOW!!!!!

Punebikerboy · 01-03-2007, 11:15 AM

Great Write up whip...so much to learn from Pros.