Questions on schools?

sheepofblue · 07-26-2005, 12:05 PM

All this talk has me looking at the possibility of attending one in the spring. The favorite right now is Schwantz School although there are two things I don't care for.
1) Suzuki bikes only; but I can get over this
2) Since I cannot bring mine there is a $1000 damage deposit with open ended repair possible

On #2 has anyone that attended class seen folks wad the bike? How common etc.? While I tend to ride conservative I would prefer to push harder in the class to get the highest value from my betters while they are available.

Thanks for the opinions.

abtech · 07-26-2005, 2:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

All this talk has me looking at the possibility of attending one in the spring. The favorite right now is Schwantz School although there are two things I don't care for.
1) Suzuki bikes only; but I can get over this
2) Since I cannot bring mine there is a $1000 damage deposit with open ended repair possible

On #2 has anyone that attended class seen folks wad the bike? How common etc.? While I tend to ride conservative I would prefer to push harder in the class to get the highest value from my betters while they are available.

Thanks for the opinions.

I saw a smartass from Florida wad a school bike because he thought he was "really fast" . . . He got to keep the bike after he paid for it

sheepofblue · 07-26-2005, 3:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

I saw a smartass from Florida wad a school bike because he thought he was "really fast" . . . He got to keep the bike after he paid for it

You've seen me and the herd ride

I am more concerned with a oh s### moment that gives me a multi-thousand dollar bill rather than my own ability to go slow enough

abtech · 07-26-2005, 3:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

You've seen me and the herd ride

I am more concerned with a oh s### moment that gives me a multi-thousand dollar bill rather than my own ability to go slow enough

It's a push as to what the chances are, but I really wanted to take this school and kept the 1K deposit and the open ended deal (buy a crashed bike) in mind. I have been to enough tracks (and RA is one of them) racing and doing schools/trackdays that I figured I was pretty safe going with the program. With the way they operate, it would take a major f*ckup or brainlock to total a school bike. If you check your ego at the gate, then I don't see a problem. As regards to using their Suzukis, I had a blast wringing the piss out of the 600s. They were well setup, in excellent shape and were more than adequate for the task at hand.

CBRVFR · 07-26-2005, 3:48 PM

Take the course with an SV. You'll be able to push it hard and you'll learn a lot. And if you wad it, I get first dibs on the useable bits..

sheepofblue · 07-26-2005, 4:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

It's a push as to what the chances are, but I really wanted to take this school and kept the 1K deposit and the open ended deal (buy a crashed bike) in mind. I have been to enough tracks (and RA is one of them) racing and doing schools/trackdays that I figured I was pretty safe going with the program. With the way they operate, it would take a major f*ckup or brainlock to total a school bike. If you check your ego at the gate, then I don't see a problem. As regards to using their Suzukis, I had a blast wringing the piss out of the 600s. They were well setup, in excellent shape and were more than adequate for the task at hand.

Thanks and as far as the ego thing.... one of us had a sheep on his bike at Grattan

I am to old, fat and slow to worry about what others think

Plus the school is close and I think based on comments that the style taught would fit me well.

abtech · 07-26-2005, 4:17 PM

You can use either the 600 or the SV and switch back and forth between sessions.

abtech · 07-26-2005, 4:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Thanks and as far as the ego thing.... one of us had a sheep on his bike at Grattan

I am to old, fat and slow to worry about what others think

Plus the school is close and I think based on comments that the style taught would fit me well.

Kevin and Jamie are both ex flat-trackers (as are you if I remember correctly). I highly recommend this school if you can swing the costs . . .

sheepofblue · 07-26-2005, 5:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Kevin and Jamie are both ex flat-trackers (as are you if I remember correctly). I highly recommend this school if you can swing the costs . . .

By spring easy, especially if I don't go skiing out west

As was wisely pointed out it is not terribly out of line with track days. $1600 for 2 days vs just under $400 but with the rented zuki I also have no tire cost which makes it closer.

I like the concept of switching back and forth as they suggest. Ideally I use mine but I can also see the advantage of learning technique that varies by bike.

maxib · 07-26-2005, 7:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

With the way they operate, it would take a major f*ckup or brainlock to total a school bike.

Uh...

Frank, I'm signed and confirmed for the October 10, 11 school. Should I be concerned???

sheepofblue · 07-26-2005, 7:38 PM

Only if you don't give a review in order to repel (from you not necessarily the school) the rabid sheep

maxib · 07-26-2005, 8:14 PM

Naw, you're cool, even if you are blue!

I just happened to have that week off, and before I could ask the wife what she thought about it she said do it. Gotta love a gal like that!!!

Joyce told me that class is half-filled, and will probably be full within a month. So, are you gonna come race me to see who is slowest around the track?

sheepofblue · 07-26-2005, 8:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxib

Naw, you're cool, even if you are blue!

I just happened to have that week off, and before I could ask the wife what she thought about it she said do it. Gotta love a gal like that!!!

Joyce told me that class is half-filled, and will probably be full within a month. So, are you gonna come race me to see who is slowest around the track?

nope $1600 is to much to spend before next spring, that is why I want a review. I am plotting a single track day and Barber before year end and that is likely all until next spring.

maxib · 07-26-2005, 9:11 PM

Sorry to hear that. I really wanted that slowest title won from a Fireblade.orger plaque who's done Grattan.

Speaking of that...abtech are you going to answer my question?

sheepofblue · 07-26-2005, 9:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxib

Sorry to hear that. I really wanted that slowest title won from a Fireblade.orger plaque who's done Grattan.

Speaking of that...abtech are you going to answer my question?

Despite being two up I was not quite the slowest

abtech · 07-27-2005, 7:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxib

Uh...

Frank, I'm signed and confirmed for the October 10, 11 school. Should I be concerned???

I have re-read the statement and guess I don't understand what you think I meant.

I am saying that the school is run in such a safe manner with an extremely low ratio of teachers to students that a student would have to totally ignore all of the advice, direction and guidance to total a bike (or even crash at all for that matter).

The gentleman I referred to in an earlier post did exactly that. He decided he knew everything there was to know before he sat in the first classroom session and once out on the track he tried to impress the staff with his awesome skillset (NOT!). Early in the second day he highsided exiting turn 6 trying to pass an instructor.

He spent the rest of the school on his cell phone convincing "daddy" to pay for the bike . . .

maxib · 07-27-2005, 7:46 AM

Thanks for that explanation. That is reassuring and really makes me feel good about this event. I'll write up a report about my experience in October after the class for everyone.

Oh...one last question for you abtech. Remembering what I did to my foot at Grattan in 2004, do you still think I shouldn't be concerned?

bubba · 07-27-2005, 7:57 AM

we had a guy in my class that got so brainlocked coming under the zook bridge that when he came down the roller coaster hill he decided he would jump off the bike

. he went home that evening

bubba · 07-27-2005, 8:01 AM

s.o.b - this school is really good. the instructors spend a lot of 1 on 1 time with you if needed. i had the issue with blippling the throttle for shifts and lance spent 20 minutes with me on it. seems this technique is wasted on me as my slipper clutch doesn't really care if you blip or not

there are all sorts of people in the school, racers and beginners. not once did i feel unsafe or uncomfortable out there.

i have said it many times before it was WELL worth the $$.

what kind of info are you looking for, i went a year ago and things are still fresh.

abtech · 07-27-2005, 8:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxib

Thanks for that explanation. That is reassuring and really makes me feel good about this event. I'll write up a report about my experience in October after the class for everyone.

Oh...one last question for you abtech. Remembering what I did to my foot at Grattan in 2004, do you still think I shouldn't be concerned?

I personally wouldn't think it's a problem, but if it restricts your range of movement, you might want to work on stretching for a couple of weeks prior to the school.

sheepofblue · 07-27-2005, 8:40 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys, time to save $$$ for the school and stock up soap to get the zuki off after