My apologies if I put this in the wrong forum...
I'm signed up for Keith Code's school this coming Saturday :) and I was planning to ride one of the school's bikes for the class. On the other hand, yesterday a friend nearly convinced me to take the VFR.
I'm not sure I can change at this late date, OR if I can get new tires before then, but if there are good reasons for going either way, I'd like to hear them.
Anyone have any comments positive on negative on taking your VFR vs. using the school's bike?
Thanks! :)
I have done a few days at schools, but have used the schools bikes. But have taken my bike to track days. If I do attend another school day though I will take
my own bike. It will reduce the cost by about half, and you learn on your own bike
which you are already confortable on. But you have to be prepaired to pay for repairs if you dump it. One of the benefits of using a schools bike I guess. Minus
the repair deductable.
I would check to see how much it reduces your cost, then deside if you are comfortable pushing your bike to the limits on the track.
my 2 cents.
I think any schooling on any bike is helpful, but learning what your bike's limits are even better. I'm sure no track bike has linked brakes, etc. and the feel is very different, but wrecking your street bike would cost a bunch more that the extra cost of using a track bike !
I haven't taken any Schools, just two track days and neither on my VFR. I would love to use the VFR one day, but I will most likely bolt on a extra set of scratched plastic I have when I do use the VFR. :thumbsup:
I guess what I'm saying is it's always better to learn what the bike you ride every day does unless you wreck it, which is always a chance of.
If your just trying to learn some new skills and don't plan on pushing it, it really doesn't matter.
I haven't done a track school (yet), but I think I would lean (no pun!) towards using their bike...I know it may cost a bit more, but I know myself, and I just know that I would hold back for fear of dumping my baby. Personally I think I would extract a whole lot of skill, even though it's not my bike - but I do see the point of being able to explore the limits of your own bike.
I have 2 1-day track days coming up in June and for me, I will use their bike only despite no link-brakes.
BOBINOTTAWA, Mar 28 2005, 11:04 AMI have 2 1-day track days coming up in June and for me, I will use their bike only despite no link-brakes.
:wheel: My wife and I just got back from Freddy Spencer's school in Vegas. They use 600rr's which felt very small compared to my VFR but the techniques learned transferred very nicely to my own bike. I'd say don't risk your own bike. By the way, part of the Freddy school involved us riding on the back of Freddy's VFR for a lap. Absolutely cool to see how smooth Freddy is and how his techniques feel on the track! We also watched Freddy on the VFR chase the other instructors on their CBR100rr's. The VFR has a LOT more potential as a track bike than most people think.
Let us know how the Code school is..it's on our list of things to do.
Oh...forgot to mention this but I feel it's important. I do a certain level of maintaining my bikes, but I'm not a mechanic. There's a lot of things (besides tire pressure/wear, oil, coolant, chain) to check on a bike you take out on the track. By using their bikes, I felt more assured of the bike being up to track spec. At Spencer's school, the bikes came with a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Powers. The bikes were always fueled and ready to go. Nice to not worry about that whole aspect of the class. Just concentrate on riding!
Laney, Mar 28 2005, 01:26 PMMy apologies if I put this in the wrong forum...
I'm signed up for Keith Code's school this coming Saturday :) and I was planning to ride one of the school's bikes for the class. On the other hand, yesterday a friend nearly convinced me to take the VFR.
I'm not sure I can change at this late date, OR if I can get new tires before then, but if there are good reasons for going either way, I'd like to hear them.
Anyone have any comments positive on negative on taking your VFR vs. using the school's bike?
Thanks! :)
Pro - Nothing better than learning on the actual bike you ride on the street, so there would be no surprises out there.
Con - I've heard that a lot of insurance companies frown on taking your bike on any track and would sometimes pull their policy if they find out. Maybe you can do an anonymous call to find out with your Insurance company and explain that it's for a riding school session....I dunno..... :blink:
Beck
95 VFR
Beck, Mar 28 2005, 01:45 PMPro - Nothing better than learning on the actual bike you ride on the street, so there would be no surprises out there.
Con - I've heard that a lot of insurance companies frown on taking your bike on any track and would sometimes pull their policy if they find out. Maybe you can do an anonymous call to find out with your Insurance company and explain that it's for a riding school session....I dunno..... :blink:
Beck
95 VFR
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........don't tell State Farm.......I plan on taking the VFR to Barber's later this summer. :wheel:
baileyrock, Mar 28 2005, 09:10 AM...but learning what your bike's limits are even better.
That was what I thought -- I'd rather learn how far I can push the bike while in a controlled setting, then if I ever need to push it on the street, I'm already aware of what response I'll get.
Unfortunately, it's too late for me to change this time. I guess that means I'll have to take the next level someday soon. :thumbsup:
I'll put one more vote to using your VFR!
I've used mine for probably a dozen track days, it's performed fantastic!
I wouldn't be too worried about cost of repairs... the vast majorities of track crashes are low sides that just result in scratched up plastic... most of the time this is cheaper to fix than the deductable on the track bikes...
I've obviously played this gamble to success many times... for contrast, I have a friend that borrowed a SV from one of the track school organizations, crashed it, and ended up being far out of pocket, worse than if he'd crashed his beemer. So, I've seen both sides.
AZVFR, Mar 28 2005, 06:28 PM:wheel: My wife and I just got back from Freddy Spencer's school in Vegas. They use 600rr's which felt very small compared to my VFR but the techniques learned transferred very nicely to my own bike. I'd say don't risk your own bike. By the way, part of the Freddy school involved us riding on the back of Freddy's VFR for a lap. Absolutely cool to see how smooth Freddy is and how his techniques feel on the track! We also watched Freddy on the VFR chase the other instructors on their CBR100rr's. The VFR has a LOT more potential as a track bike than most people think.
Let us know how the Code school is..it's on our list of things to do.
I wonder what model VFR he rides at the track? Does he ride one on the street too? Just wondering the specifics of Spencer's VFR use etc.
Bagwell
Bagwell, Mar 29 2005, 07:58 AMI wonder what model VFR he rides at the track? Does he ride one on the street too? Just wondering the specifics of Spencer's VFR use etc.
Bagwell
He has 2 at the ready. One is a bone stock '02 and the other '02 has an arrow exhaust but no other mods (that they would tell me about). I sat on both and the suspension felt about the same as mine which has no mods.
Bagwell, Mar 29 2005, 02:58 PMI wonder what model VFR he rides at the track?� Does he ride one on the street too?� Just wondering the specifics of Spencer's VFR use etc.�
Bagwell
My understanding is that the only other addition is a Power Commander....other than that, they are just like our 6th gen Viffers.
BTW, Good luck at the Code school Laney, I'm sure you'll have a great time a learn lots of cool stuff.
Give us a report on the class, O.K. B)
AZVFR, Mar 28 2005, 11:28 AM
We also watched Freddy on the VFR chase the other instructors on their CBR100rr's. The VFR has a LOT more potential as a track bike than most people think.
You're are correct... even though Freddie owns the first RC45 offered in the US (serial number 6) he prefers the effect VFR has on students... I think it places the emphasis on the rider and away from the lastest and greatest track tool...
(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1112110552/gallery_3131_51_3329.jpeg)
Take the VFR if it is the bike you want to learn how to ride better. You are NOT in a race. There is no trophy girl, no checkered flags, and no contingency money. You are there to learn. Learn at your own place. It does not matter if someone is faster than you, as long as you are understand how to ride your bike smoother, safer, and with more confidence.
Since you are going to an actual school, talk to every instructor, have them follow at different point throughout the day, and then follow them. You are paying for their time and assistance. If you go there with this mentality, you will come away feeling empowered and more intune to the whole man/machine interface.
Good luck to you, and enjoy yourself. Go let the riders that have something to "prove" crash out.
It sounds like Saturday is in the bag, but schedule a track day in the future to use the VFR. I did 4 track days on the VFR and don't regret it one bit. You should see Randal fly around the big track at Willow Springs on his VFR. MTC will be doing another track day in April at the big track, and Lee and I will be there. :D
Das Bone, Mar 29 2005, 10:00 AMMy understanding is that the only other addition is a Power Commander....other than that, they are just like our 6th gen Viffers.
BTW, Good luck at the Code school Laney, I'm sure you'll have a great time a learn lots of cool stuff.
Give us a report on the class, O.K. B)
That would make sense. The feel was almost identical to my '03 which does have a PCIII.
AzizaVFR, Mar 29 2005, 01:21 PMTake the VFR if it is the bike you want to learn how to ride better. You are NOT in a race. There is no trophy girl, no checkered flags, and no contingency money. You are there to learn. Learn at your own place. It does not matter if someone is faster than you, as long as you are understand how to ride your bike smoother, safer, and with more confidence.
Since you are going to an actual school, talk to every instructor, have them follow at different point throughout the day, and then follow them. You are paying for their time and assistance. If you go there with this mentality, you will come away feeling empowered and more intune to the whole man/machine interface.
Good luck to you, and enjoy yourself. Go let the riders that have something to "prove" crash out.
Good stuff, but in this case it's "the whole woman/machine interface" :P
I just finished a track day on my VFR and I would say that the only issue about using the VFR at Keith Code's school is the high center of gravity. That school takes place on the Streets of Willow Springs so you would be muscling that bike around corners all day long. Probably not a big deal unless you are out of shape like me.:D The cool thing about the Streets is that since the speeds are lower, it is more likely to not do any serious damage to the bike if you do lay it down.
Crash1973, Mar 29 2005, 09:56 PMI just finished a track day on my VFR and I would say that the only issue about using the VFR at Keith Code's school is the high center of gravity. That school takes place on the Streets of Willow Springs so you would be muscling that bike around corners all day long. Probably not a big deal unless you are out of shape like me.:D The cool thing about the Streets is that since the speeds are lower, it is more likely to not do any serious damage to the bike if you do lay it down.
I'm not in great shape either and the only thing that was sore after the 3 day Spencer School was my legs. I'd estimate we were on the bike lapping almost 5 hours a day. The technique they teach puts most of the physicality of riding on your legs. This transferred to my VFR very well and the first "twisty" ride I did after the school I couldn't stop laughing at how much easier "tossing" the bike around had become! No arm pump, wrist or back pain after a 2 hour hard ride on the VFR.
Looks like I really need to go to school then!:lol:
I would use their bikes, Keith Code is an excellent school but the lessons are somewhat different, you want a light and easier turning bike.
I need to go back for level 2 soon.
Das Bone, Mar 29 2005, 09:00 AMBTW, Good luck at the Code school Laney, I'm sure you'll have a great time a learn lots of cool stuff.Give us a report on the class, O.K. B)
Thanks! I'll do that . I've signed up and had to drop out at least twice over the last year and a half, so I've waited a long time to get there. :)
The VFR is absolutely fine on the track, the linked brakes are not an issue at all, and the bike is far more capable than you unless you have lots and lots of track time.
Yep I agree....several track days under my belt on the VFR and enjoyed them all. Only pain was having to drain my antifreeze.
The added bonus of using your own bike is the fun of tweaking it for the track - baffles out, new power-commander map, tyre adjustments and away you go.
End of thread · 26 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 1 May 2005