Coaching

[Turbo]

There a few different companies offering coaching/training/cult membership. Who's tried what? What's the verdict?
Some of them are pretty expensive, 4 times the price of an ARDC day! Assuming you were already going to the track regularly, is it worth the cash?

My first time on track was pretty early on in my bike career so I opted to start out with level 1&2 of California Superbike School. I found the format pretty useful. Outside of what was actually taught, the coaches picked up on a lot of bad habits and I felt I progressed leaps and bounds over the two days. The content seemed good too, basically they give you one thing to do on the bike at a time.. So, first session you can only use 1 gear (4th on a 4cyl 600) and no brakes. This meant all of your attention was focused on the throttle, their number one rule.
The days progress like that, adding new things once you've done the previous stage which is why they make you do the different levels in order.
Some people come out of CSS a bit evangelistic about the whole thing, preaching that it's the only way to ride. The coaches and even Keith Code tho, seem absolutely open to there being other ways to ride, coach and improve.
So, who's had good or bad coaching experiences out there?

The best experience I had at CSS was actually being instructed to leave the track. I was told I was about to high-side due to adding throttle and lean angle at the same time. Yikes, Thanks!
The worst experience was an instructor whizzing past and slapping his tail, to follow him, before he promptly grabbed a handful of throttle and high-sided (instructor bikes never been crashed, my arse!). Broke his collar bone and shoulder...

Overall, I learned a lot more than I would have at 2 ride days so i feel it was worth it. It also gave me the info on what I 'should' be doing.
Being a bit further down the road now, and knowing what I 'should' be doing... Is the money better spent on track time, then analysing where it's going wrong on camera or data logger??

[chubb]

I've done all the Bernie Hatton schools.

Very well structured and Bernie is a cracker. He breaks everything down and you really get to practice the skills he teaches. Then you can go on the following track day and put it all to use.

He does one-on-ones as well and trained the likes of Glenn Scott and Anthony West.

Alex and Damien Cudlin are others who have done one on one schools as well.

Now that I'm quicker and getting consistent I will be looking to do some one on one to fine tune my riding.

Either with Bernie or Alex Cudlin.

In my opinion definitely worth the money spent. Unless you got natural raw riding talent which I'm hoping to buy off eBay.

Ps looking at the data and onboard footage from the recent ARDC day I still slow down too much in some areas so I know I can cut my laptimes further!!!

[Nelso]

Assuming you were already going to the track regularly, is it worth the cash?

If you get something out of it and improve your riding, it is worth the cash.

I've done 3 levels of California Superbike School, the first one when I first started track riding, the second 12 months later and the third about 2 years after that. I got something out of each level, but less and less the higher I went. During the 3rd level day, my instructor nearly highsided trying to keep up with me. He couldn't pass me to get in front, even when I was using 2 gears and no brakes, so he would wait for me to come around and pull out in front to demo the drill and I had to slow down to sit behind him. He still offered a bit of advice and gave me a few things to think about and work on, but the best part of the day was Al's lesson at the start of the day and his personalised tips regarding body position. Sadly, Al no longer works for CSS, so I have no idea who their 'specialist' instructor is now.

6 months ago, my wife and I paid for Alex Cudlin to do a day with us and it was great. We both got some tips from him to work on and he is a great bloke and easy to work with; and he had no issues keeping up.

[Mr.Ed]

I've done only on CSS lv1 but it was definitely worth it.

As for the 'he couldn't keep up' I understand the logic behind that and have heard others mention the same scenario before. Whenever I hear it though, I remember of an old interview with Michael Jordan (the one and only) where they ask him if he taught anything to his team mates like how to shoot better and etc to which he replied 'no'. And the proceed to explain how even though he can shoot a lot better than the Bulls' shooting coach, the coach understand the mechanics behind the shot and has been trained to see the mistakes as they happen and know how to correct him whilst him, well... he just knows how to shoot.

Not saying the same scenario applies here but something to keep in mind I suppose. Who would you rather to have as a coach, Michael Jordan or the guy that coaches Michael Jordan?

Then again, Jordan did release a 'how to' DVD at one point, so there's that... lol

[Turbo]

I've done only on CSS lv1 but it was definitely worth it.

As for the 'he couldn't keep up' I understand the logic behind that and have heard others mention the same scenario before. Whenever I hear it though, I remember of an old interview with Michael Jordan (the one and only) where they ask him if he taught anything to his team mates like how to shoot better and etc to which he replied 'no'. And the proceed to explain how even though he can shoot a lot better than the Bulls' shooting coach, the coach understand the mechanics behind the shot and has been trained to see the mistakes as they happen and know how to correct him whilst him, well... he just knows how to shoot.

Not saying the same scenario applies here but something to keep in mind I suppose. Who would you rather to have as a coach, Michael Jordan or the guy that coaches Michael Jordan?

Then again, Jordan did release a 'how to' DVD at one point, so there's that... lol

Yeah, I think you're right there. They don't claim to be the fastest riders, but getting the info across is where they do well. That being said, if they can't keep up with you to see what you are or aren't doing, it's pretty hard to give feedback!

[Turbo]

the best part of the day was Al's lesson at the start of the day and his personalised tips regarding body position. Sadly, Al no longer works for CSS, so I have no idea who their 'specialist' instructor is now.

YES! Al is a legend, had him for one of my days too..

[Turbo]

Either with Bernie or Alex Cudlin.

Whats the structure with these guys? Can you book either a one-on-one or do the Schools? Different levels involved?

[chubb]

Bernie got structured school days as well as one on one.

I think Alex is more one on one. Maybe Neslo can provide more insight?

[Turbo]

Ps looking at the data and onboard footage from the recent ARDC day I still slow down too much in some areas so I know I can cut my laptimes further!!!

Favourite thing to do during the working week.. analysis!

Some videos more useful than others...

Giddo.jpg

[Nelso]

I think Alex is more one on one. Maybe Neslo can provide more insight?

Yeah, he just does a day one on one with you and it's not structured or formalised training like Bernie, MotoDNA or CSS. You pay Alex for the day, plus his track day costs and he rides with you all day and gives you tips and feedback, shows you better lines, explains how to do things better as well as why particular techniques work better than others and for different styles of riders etc. It's very personalised and he takes into account your individualised needs, i.e. he gave Leanne and I completely different things to work on as we had very different riding styles/problems, so it's not just a one style for everyone type of training that he does. It is also done on the quiet too, as ride day operators that also do rider training don't like other coaches working at their days.

[Tristan]

Steve and I did one with Damo. Steve got about 2 seconds off his lap times I didn't but. I was sick as a dog but it wasn't a waist of time I took what a learnt and put it to use when I recovered from my aids lol. And as soon as I get back to Aus I will be booking anther one with him.


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