Bay Area Class Suggestions?

1656 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by hairpin, Oct 25, 2013

hairpin

Discussion Starter · Oct 22, 2013

I'm looking to take a dirt bike class for my family - might have 5 people or more on board to sign up - all age ranges and mostly beginners. I've heard good things about the Mystery School.

I'm also looking to do a basic cornering school. I need skills and riding in the city doesn't really give you much except traffic management skills and accident avoidance. My husband was going to pay for me to do California Superbike School with him, but there's no way I'm getting on huge 1000cc BMW's that they use for the class. So something more my speed, maybe that I can ride my grom in or buy a 250-500 cc for?

I am really more excited about dirt bike, but feel like I need to take cornering class to be responsible, i.e. not suck.

Thoughts? :smile:

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FXCLM5

· #2 · Oct 22, 2013

zoom zoom has a beginner track riding thingy, and you use your own ride.

more seat time on the grom will go a long ways too, its easy and forgiving and a really good learning bike.

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hairpin

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 22, 2013

FXCLM5 said:
zoom zoom has a beginner track riding thingy, and you use your own ride.

more seat time on the grom will go a long ways too, its easy and forgiving and a really good learning bike.

Ok, cool! I didn't even know about zoom zoom. And the prices for classes are not bad. I like that they have a section for track nooblets like me.

https://z2trackdays.com/ti/z2/content/info.html

I will look into this more! Thanks!

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ShapeShifter

· #4 · Oct 23, 2013

Kate, I followed you from Alpine Lake to Fairfax and you seemed to corner fine. Hmmm...maybe I need some training too...

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Freakytikitv

· #5 · Oct 23, 2013 (Edited)

Doc Wong classes get high ratings
Street Riding Clinics: Introduction and Clinic Dates
I know a lot of women that have taken his class to improve their skills. I have been out riding and seen his class. He takes time to explain stuff.

Just remember dirt and street riding are way different . Dirt riders make good street riders but street riders don't make good dirt riders.
Please don't get on my case about that statement. This is personal experience.

fyi: I was riding at a fast pace and never had to wait for you. I think more time in saddle will build confidence. Just be on guard for idiot drivers. No matter how good/fast you get you can never prevent what poor decisions they make.

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hairpin

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 23, 2013

Ok, thanks for the input! I'm self conscious about my speed riding with you guys that have more experience than me. And my first time on twisties, so I was definitely going slower - especially when I missed the mark on those first tight turns heading up into Mt. Tam. It seemed to get easier after that.

People have said I ride on top of the bike (stay vertical) like dirt rider when leaning/turning my bike vs. leaning my body into curves like sport- so whatever!!! Maybe that's a better way to ride a grom?

And yeah I'm thinking of checking out Doc Wong too. Free is good. I'm already signed up on meetup there.

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Marmotos

· #7 · Oct 23, 2013

You SHOULD do the California Superbike School! It teaches you all those things you mentioned. The cc's shouldn't scare you, the bike needs to be responsive and it builds great confidence! Check it out! They take you through everything, it's intense and you feel really great about your skills when you leave!

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banks619

· #8 · Oct 23, 2013

Marmotos said:
You SHOULD do the California Superbike School! It teaches you all those things you mentioned. The cc's shouldn't scare you, the bike needs to be responsive and it builds great confidence! Check it out! They take you through everything, it's intense and you feel really great about your skills when you leave!

I wish they had something like that out here. Would love to take that course.

Sent from my iPhone using HondaGrom.net

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averian

· #9 · Oct 25, 2013

ShapeShifter said:
Kate, I followed you from Alpine Lake to Fairfax and you seemed to corner fine. Hmmm...maybe I need some training too...

I did finally make it down to Alpine Lake (and to the top of the mountain to the hang glider spots). Those corners seem made for the Grom right? On the way back I was weaving between the metal plates on the dam and a sport bike turned around to follow me, but by the third turn he disappeared from my mirrors and never caught back up. The Grom is just so flickable, ideal for the really tight sections.

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hairpin

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 25, 2013

averian said:
I did finally make it down to Alpine Lake (and to the top of the mountain to the hang glider spots). Those corners seem made for the Grom right? On the way back I was weaving between the metal plates on the dam and a sport bike turned around to follow me, but by the third turn he disappeared from my mirrors and never caught back up. The Grom is just so flickable, ideal for the really tight sections.

Yeah! I tried to imagine doing those roads on my old heavy 480 lb. sport tourer I used to have. No way! Those roads are great for groms.

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