The YCRS just recieved a few FZ8s and I was able to ride one for the first time today. I’ll post up a review later, but for now, what a FUN BIKE!
The bike in the video was 100% stock, including tires and had about 9 miles on it when I started riding it in the morning.
Quick report:
Tiny
Great chassis and handling
Soft suspension-at least for the track
Excellent low/mid range-soft top end
Excellent transmission
Excellent brakes
Slippery footpegs
Did I mention fun?
Yamaha Champions Riding School Announces Women’s School
On-track and ‘audit-only’ classes available
TOOELE VALLEY, UTAH (March 18, 2011) — The Yamaha Champions Riding School, based at Miller Motorsports Park, will offer a class for women only on August 17-18, 2011.
“There are a lot of women who ride motorcycles and would benefit from the Yamaha Champions Riding School,” said lead instructor Nick Ienatsch. “We average about one or two women riders per class, but we know there are more women who would like to participate. We’ve decided to hold a women’s-only school just for them.”
Research conducted with women who have attended the school indicated they were initially tentative to come to a motorcycle riding school for several reasons: nervous about too much ego in the room; worried that they wouldn’t fit in; worried that they would be too slow, too new or too tentative.
To address these concerns, the Yamaha Champions Riding School will conduct a two-day riding school for women of all skill levels at Miller Motorsports Park on August 17-18. There will be 18 spots available, and another 20 “audit-only” spots for women who want to attend the classroom sessions, watch the videos and learn more about high-performance motorcycle riding without actually getting on the track.
“There are measurable, understandable and repeatable reasons why riders win championships…and that means riding quickly and consistently, with consistency being the most important of those two factors,” said Ienatsch. “We take this Championship mentality to every facet of riding, from a Sunday-morning breakfast run to a daily work commute or cross-country adventure. This women’s-only school will show them how, explain it in an understandable manner and then help our students attain whatever goal they have on two wheels.”
For more information about the Yamaha Champions Riding School, go to www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com or call 435.27.SPEED (277-7333).
KH Coaching March 2011 Update
The 2011 riding season is ramping up and I have a ton of things to go over in this update. How has your off-season been? Did you stick with the fitness plan you promised you would do? What about all that bike maintenance you swore you’d take care of? Trying to save some money? It cost nothing to work on your flexibility or core strength, both which are the most essential areas of fitness needed for our sport. I plan on having another update in the next few weeks that will go over my 2011 sponsors, why I use them and what they can do for you.
YCRS- The Yamaha Champions Riding School has been in Las Vegas this winter and the schools having going great. The Graves Factory Yamaha team has been out testing with us and it is always great to see them ride, talk to the riders and check out their bikes. The school just keeps getting better and better and if you can do it, do it! Fly yourself in, use our bikes, our gas and tires. If you go to Miller Motorsports Park, Salt Lake is a Delta hub, so usually good flight prices. We pick you up at the hotel, shuttle you to the track, feed you and we ride a lot! The 2011 schedule is posted and we also plan on having a woman’s only school August 17-18th at Miller. Contact me for more info or go to: http://mmpschools.com/yamaha-champions.html
Great video www.4theriders.com did for Yamaha School. Thanks Joe and Kevin! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7iB4_UCBjI
My bikes: I switched up my bikes for this year and am riding a CBR1000 and GSXR750. I have always liked the CBR, as it is such a fun easy bike to ride and this one is no different. I was sold on the GSXR after riding Mike Canfield’s GSXR600, set-up with Ohlins suspension like only he can do. Both my bikes have Canfield Ohlins TTX shocks and 30mm fork kits, great stuff.
Schedule: Why didn’t I release a 2011 schedule? At the end of 2010, my waitlist was large enough that if pretty much filled all my 2011 dates. I posted a few dates below that are still available, but if you want to get on my waitlist to see if anything opens up, email me so I can get you placed on it. If you see a date that isn’t on my website calendar, let me know to see if I am available that day.
Open Dates:July 2 Pacific Track Time Thunderhill
July 3 Pacific Track Time Thunderhill
Sept 5 Pacific Track Time Thunderhill
Sept 13 Pacific Track Time Thunderhill
Oct 10 Zoom Thunderhill
Riding Tip: At this last weekend’s trackday, the 3 biggest issues I saw were:
1-Missing apexes-I was amazed how few people really hit their apexes. Understanding that there is an entry AND exit apex and getting the proper trajectory between the two is key. Everything with throttle control, brake control and body position won’t help you, if you are in the wrong place on the track.
2-Sitting in the middle of the seat. Pretty hard to tell your bike where to go sitting in the middle of the seat. We need to be either on the left or the right side of the bike, before we get to the braking zones. If not, getting the bike stopped and turned will be very difficult, resulting in missed apexes and more lean angle than needed. If there are 2 left turns in a row, stay off to the left, make things easier by moving less and moving at the right time.
3-Abrupt inputs-Wow! I couldn’t believe how many people I saw stab or grab their brakes, or hammer the throttle. These inputs typically happen because of the 2 reasons I saw above, as well as going to them too late. Using the controls in a smooth, calculating manner is more important the faster you go and will certainly prevent crashes and bike set-up problems like I saw this weekend.
Ride safe and see you at the track.
Ken
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Ken Hill
KH Coaching
www.KHCoaching.com
YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/khcoaching
Awesome video by Joe and Kevin!
