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[robbosliding]

I went to Silverstone yesterday and under took level two of the California Superbike School. I did level one last August to try and sort my riding out and raise me a level as my track day abilities seemed to have hit their ceiling which wasn't as high as I would have liked.  The penny didn't really drop on the day about counter steering and that held me back for the rest of the day. I took away their advice and worked at it and got there after a few more track days and some road miles. From that point Level 1 has made a massive difference to my riding. I'm faster, steering more postively and changing direction much quicker. Level 2 focuses upon what we see and how we use the infomation. It is taught on a 80% speed basis to enable you to learn and employ the techniques. The circuit we were on was the Stowe in field circuit which was fansastic, lots of flowing bends, bend after bend, not much in the way of straights, perfect for learning cornering. I came away "seeing" much more which helps pick out the right reference points, apex and exit, use more of the circuit and seeing more (wide vision) actually gives the impression that everything is actually slower and buys you time - it makes you quicker. Simple concept utilised. I really enjoyed the learning and came away processing the track information making me smoother and quicker in a safe and relaxed riding style. I would strongly recommend the California Superbike School to anyone whatever their riding ability.

[NinjaTim]

Good to read your report of css lvl2, I remember reading your report of lvl1 and the trouble you had initially trying to make it work for you, its great to hear its really making a difference now, I have read other views of the whole widening the view idea and everyone says basically the same thing, that it seems to slow everything down from a perception point of view.

I have all the Code books and the video and always try to put a bit more of it into practice everytime I ride and would definately like to do atleast lvl1 and 2 in the future and I am also looking to book Lee (an ex css coach) for some 1 to1 coaching, I have tried widening my view as the described in Keith Codes books but feel its one of those things that really makes sense when someone points it out to you in person.

Thanks for the report and your reccomendation is well and truly noted 

[robbosliding]

The vision thing made a big difference to me yesterday, I did Cadwell in the rain - I had a few confidence issues going around Hall Bends, looked very greasy and was making flicking from right to left hard in my mind - I lifted my vision from the track in front of me to the crest before the hairpin - removing the picture and thoughts of slippery surface AND giving me more thinking time - its a bit of a mental thing really - once I lost the focus of the surface and looked further ahead I was going around as quick I can in the dry (I had wets on). This led me into other corners faster too, really lifted my wet riding confidence, everything else the same, just by looking at things differently. I cannot recommend CSS enough.

[robbosliding]

I'll add a bit more to that too- I did Snetterton for the first time on Tuesday - the vision thing allowed me to learn a new circuit so much quicker than I have done before, allowed me to carry much more speed earlier on at a new circuit, good drills and good instruction.

[davemfox]

Sounds like the way to go. Have a dobbin 

Dave

[Kaos Theory]

I did Level 1 in '08, I was so excited I got about 2 hours sleep the night before! As a result I struggled to take everything that was said but like you, I took it away and worked on it and it made a massive difference!

Hopefully they'll come back to Ireland soon and I can do Level 2!

[GRNINJA]

Out of interest a message to the OP , do you tape up your speedo ? this is another thing to stop the problems of freaking out ...

soon as i started doing this it improved so much

[RedRock]

Out of interest a message to the OP , do you tape up your speedo ? this is another thing to stop the problems of freaking out ...

soon as i started doing this it improved so much

I have done up to level 4 with CSS, never had to put tape over the speedo - the instructors go arround the bikes and tape it up for you (as well as the mirrors)

[Wayno]

I'd like to go and do level 1 with CSS.
I have purchased Twist of the Wrist book and love reading it.

But would be good to put real life skills into practice.

[Crownan]

I'd like to go and do level 1 with CSS.
I have purchased Twist of the Wrist book and love reading it.

But would be good to put real life skills into practice.

   Same, I've got Twist of the Wrist 1 and 2, and Simon Crafer's Motovudu book and DVD but need to put it into practice! 

[robbosliding]

In reply to Kaos Theory I have always taped up my speedo. I have just booked a CSS day at Cadwell in 2013, level 3 here I come, can' t wait.

[NellyB]

I have got the books and both twist DVD's and it has made a huge difference to my riding on the road not just the track.
Hope to make RAF Whittering or Waddington this year again

[robbosliding]

Not sure about Wittering yet but the Waddington event is on the 11th May 2013 - I will post when we open up for booking, a few more additions to this years event and all for charideee

[EXJ10R]

I highsided at CSS last year, even before then didn't feel I got anything from it and felt short changed.
At Jerez there was an ex-instructor who said he left due to the way things are run...plus on how they cram the students in and the instructors don't get enough time to fully teach you what they want (to save highsiding) Basically I felt it was all very hurried and brushed over the bullet points.

Anyhoo, all this was compounded when I had a day's 'rider clinic' with Neil Hodgson.
He's the sort of guy who doesn't mince his words and said CSS is bullshit.
After a short few laps he told me to kick the CSS habit and broke my riding down and reconstructed my riding which resulted in turning earlier and 'rolling the bike in' (rather than CSS theory of 'the quick flick' counter-steering) later braking getting on the power later and harder and shaving a whopping 14 seconds off my lap times. And feeling more in control and a whole lot safer.
This was over half the cost of CSS and made me a better rider and 14 seconds quicker in one day.

Obviously this worked a real treat for me, and it may not work for others.

Just my tuppence worth.

[robbosliding]

In response to EXJ10R I would say fair dincum but I don't agree with you. I haven't felt short changed at all from them (it still isn't cheap though granted!!!). I haven't felt cramped or neglected by instructors and I think they run the day very very well. As for highsiding they ask you to ride at 80% during training to absorb and put in place what they are asking you to do. I have had all sorts of advice offered to me by so called instructors at trackdays (when I have asked for it) but it is always piece meal or not full in its explanation or context. I know Cal Crutchlow, Stalker and the Lowe Brothers. One of them (no names) has said to me the Keith Code thing is crap, counter steering theory is crap, their body positioning is crap, their theory that you can't steer through foot pegs is crap......etc, etc it goes on. One of them wears boots out per race he pushes that hard on the pegs. Different opinions. Sat in the sauna with one of them they can't explain to me what THEY actually do which is interesting. I can see their body positioning is not Code compliant but here's what I will say about CSS. It has revolutionised the way I steer a bike - completely changed how I steer - faster turning at much faster entries and more confidently. I am turning later - I use more of the track (I would have though an earlier turn in was a negative thing in some cases???) I am feeling more feedback and seeing more of the track as I ride, time (seeing) buys me space which allows me more thinking time which lets me brake later and/or ride more smoothly. It has reduced my lap times by about 5 seconds which is completely subjective - when I started and was clueless I was doing 2.36 - I went to an average 1.58 with time and experience. Following CSS training (levels one and two) my average is 1.52 so quoting huge lap time reductions is subjective - either a phenominal improvement or you were really shit before!!!  I jest but I'm sure you get my point. For me the CSS package is very well thought out, progressive and it is improving my riding each time I go. I will in time do Stalkers Race School and see how that compares but I am sold on the California Superbike School. That said I left level one unable to utilise what they were teaching and I was extremely frustrated (previous posts re this) but I persisted with it and the penny dropped a few trackdays after and 5 seconds fell off my laptimes. It started with being able to change my body position which then allowed other elements to start working. I don't doubt Neil Hodgeson knows what he's talking about ( I think he wons some races....) and a few pointers here and there is fine. For the average rider the CSS provides solutions for every type of turn/corner. It is a brilliant package for every level of rider.