Total Control Track Clinic

[gbw]

Weekend before last I had an amazing experience that I want to share. In the interest of full disclosure I am a Total Control instructor and affiliated with the outfit that offers what I'm about to describe. So I'm biased but I had so much stinkin' fun and improved my riding so much that I can't not share.

I took Total Rider Tech's new offering called Track Clinic 1 (TC1). This was the first time Lee Parks offered this outside of California. TC1 is not a race or a track day but is taking what is taught in Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic Level 1 (ARC1) and some of what is taught in ARC2 and putting it to practice on a closed track with direct feedback. ARC1 is prerequisite for TC1.

There is no classroom portion of the day. You basically get a quick review of a specific skill, then hit the track to work on that skill. There are observers on the track radioing feedback on your riding back to Lee Parks in the pit. After three laps you exit the track, staying on your bike, get about 1 to 2 minutes of feedback from Lee on things to work on, and then roll right back on the track for three more laps.

The riders are divided into three groups and only one group is on the track at any time. Most of the time it felt like I had the track to myself, and one-on-one instant feedback really helped me improve a few areas of weakness that I needed to work on. Once your track session is over you take a break and after the break you go to a range to work on the next skill and then you head back on the track.

You get plenty of track time, feedback and instruction. Then at the end of the day there is an open track session for you to put everything from the day together at your own pace.

TC1 is offered now in the Midwest on the supermoto track at Road America in Elkhart Lake WI. Here is picture of the track we used. It has a fantastic surface, some nice elevation changes, is just less than a mile long, and configured with 11 curves. It is like riding your favorite super twisty road with no risk of gravel in the corners or a UPS truck crossing into your lane.

TC1 is a fantastic experience no matter what you ride. I think every motorcyclist will greatly benefit from this clinic. The day I attend there were two Harley Sportsters and a VRod, a BMW LT, RT, K1200S and a couple of R1200GSs, a Triumph Bonneville and America, a Moto Guzzi V7, a Ducati Multistrada, a Monster, and a couple of their sport bikes both old and new, a Yamaha R1, a KTM and a couple of Suzuki supermoto bikes, and of course my 77 GS750B

Every attendee, bar none, raved about the experience and each said they greatly improved their riding and confidence through the experience. Plus, everyone had a huge smile on their face and had a ton of fun.

Of course the riding season is about over here in the Midwest but Total Rider Tech will offer both ARC1 and TC1 many times next year. I'm telling everyone they need to attend even if they have to travel to do it. It is just that good.

Keep an eye on totalridertech.com after the new year to see the 2013 schedule. I'll also try to remember to post here as a reminder. I'll be taking this clinic again at least once next year and am trying to get several people to join me.

One last pic...here is me coming out of turn 10 (a tight, down-hill, decreasing radius, hairpin), looking for the turn-point for turn 11 What a BLAST!!!

Thanks for reading! Sorry for the long post but it was a real blast.

If you want more pics of the day, see here: http://www.motocentral.com/trt2012/6/med/_KAM6722.htm

 

[Baatfam]

Greg, what is the cost? And how is the lodging in the area?
I assume some minimum gear level is required. Can you take the course two up?

Also, does it include have Lee Parks take your bike out for a test ride?

 

[gbw]

Bob,

All Participants Must have the following Riding Gear (same as what you wore for ARC1):

- DOT approved helmet (full face recommended)
- Riding Jacket
- Riding Pants (leather or textile, Chaps are ok, but Kevlar Jeans are NOT allowed unless armored),
- Full fingered gloves
- Over the ankle boots.



There are several options for lodging in both Elkhart Lake and Plymouth both of which are very near the track. We stayed at the AmericInn in Plymouth. It was good enough and priced right with a store that sold a New Glarus sampler pack right next door They didn't seem to mind us drinking in the parking lot in the evenings either...felt a lot like a GS rally


I'll find out about two-up. I don't see any reason why not. They might want you both to have taken ARC1. I was thinking about taking Tahna next year. Maybe we can put together a couples group


Cost was $395. But I'm sure with my connections and if we can get a group together I can get us a discount

 

[gbw]

Bob...I confirmed that the ARC1 prerequisite exists for the pillion as well as the rider. If there is interest in doing a couples TC1 I'll see what I can do about getting us a bundled price on an ARC1/TC1 combo.

This year at Road America we offered the ARC1 on Saturday and the TC1 on Sunday. So we could do both in one weekend. Or we could spread it out and take the ARC1 anytime we want before the TC1. Lots of options.

Plenty of time to stew on the idea, see if there is interest in a group buy, and ask questions. I'm having fun just thinking about it. :dancing: Will be interesting to see if Tahna is on board :-k

There is also a suspension clinic part of the day. Sag, rebound, and compression damping are measured and adjusted (if possible) with your bike and you in gear right there on the spot. Would be interesting to have this done two-up as well.

 

[Dogma]

...
This year at Road America we offered the ARC1 on Saturday and the TC1 on Sunday. So we could do both in one weekend. Or we could spread it out and take the ARC1 anytime we want before the TC1. Lots of options.

Plenty of time to stew on the idea, see if there is interest in a group buy, and ask questions. I'm having fun just thinking about it. :dancing: Will be interesting to see if Tahna is on board :-k

...

I am very definitely interested in doing this. It was already on my list for spring to check the year's schedules.

 

[Whitedog]

Gregg,
Ann, myself, Ben ( my son) and maybe one of his buddies would be in on a group weekend. Let us know. It was on our list for last summer but did not happen.

 

[gbw]

Will keep you guys posted.

 

[82Shafty]

$395 covers both ARC1 and TC-1 correct?

I would think a heads up at this point is a great idea. Heads up as in, here's what loging would cost, approx meals, yada yada so people can budget and set time aside for this next year.

If you'd be willing to spearhead this, you have my vote.

 

[gbw]

$395 covers both ARC1 and TC-1 correct?

I would think a heads up at this point is a great idea. Heads up as in, here's what loging would cost, approx meals, yada yada so people can budget and set time aside for this next year.

If you'd be willing to spearhead this, you have my vote.

Jason...I'll spearhead it for sure. Mostly because I want to go again and would love to take it with you guys.

$395 is just the TC-1. The ARC1 would be a separate $295.

But I'm sure we can get a good group discount on either or both.

Those of us who have had ARC1 don't need to retake it, but if we want our wives to ride pillion for the TC1 they will need ARC1 first. If memory serves no one in our group had a pillion in ARC1.

Pillions take ARC1 free with the paid rider, but I'm not sure that is the case for TC1. As we get closer I'll get more details.

So, and these are just assumptions, but lets go with this for now (assumes pillion pays same as rider for TC1)

Single Rider, already taken ARC1, takes TC1 = $395 less discount
Single Rider, takes ARC1 and TC1 = $690 less discount
Rider + Pillion, takes ARC1 and TC1 = $1,085 less discount

The place we stayed (AmericInn in Plymouth) has a rack rate of $90 for a decent room with 2 beds. That includes breakfast, a pool and hot tub, and WiFi. I'm sure we get a better rate with a group. I'll look into those details as time get closer.

As far as meals, we ate free breakfast at the hotel, a box lunch was provided at the track, and there are a few decent places near by in downtown Plymouth for dinner. Expect to pay between $10 to $20 for dinner plus whatever beers you drink. I had several New Glarus Fat Cows while I was there...yummm

So once I get a feel for the size of the interested group, and Total Rider Tech publishes the schedule for next year, I'll start working on planning and discounts with Total Rider Tech and the hotel.

Its very fun for me to think about all this stuff. Sucks that I have to wait the whole winter before having motorcycle fun again

 

[gbw]

Also, does it include have Lee Parks take your bike out for a test ride?

Bob...I neglected to answer this question earlier. Lee LOVES to ride so it is not hard to talk him into taking your bike out for a spin :lol: I saw him take several student and instructor bikes out on the track and several times he took people two-up to show them what their bike could do.

However, beware of his feedback. After a few laps on my 77 GS750B, Lee said, "The engine is ok, the suspension is terrible (this is with Racetech springs and cartridge emulators and KONI shocks), but the brakes are dangerous!" He also described by bike as having been built just before the bronze age

That being said, the observers watching me on the track said I was riding at it a 9/10th pace with almost no suspension movement when braking. Of course that might be because the brakes are so bad they can not make the suspension move

 

[tkent02]

What brakes do you have? To get the max braking are they one finger? two fingers? three fingers? More?

 

[steve murdoch]

gbw, they ran the courses this summer in Toronto as well.
I would have loved to have gone but just did not have the money.
In this LONG thread with over 250 entries from a local motorcycle website the vast majority were thrilled with the course and results. Not saying to read the whole thread but just another example of the positive reviews.
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...Parks-and-Total-Control-are-coming-to-Ontario

 

[gbw]

gbw, they ran the courses this summer in Toronto as well.
I would have loved to have gone but just did not have the money.
In this LONG thread with over 250 entries from a local motorcycle website the vast majority were thrilled with the course and results. Not saying to read the whole thread but just another example of the positive reviews.
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...Parks-and-Total-Control-are-coming-to-Ontario

Yeah, I met the instructors from Toronto at this event. Very good, skilled people. Take the class as soon as you can. You won't regret it!!!

 

[gbw]

What brakes do you have? To get the max braking are they one finger? two fingers? three fingers? More?

I have EBC pads I bought from Z1 9http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Brake+Pads+EBC+FA35+GS750+GS850&item=LAFA35). They worked fine, but then I was trail-braking in some hairy corners and they faded and never came back. I just haven't had much spare time to try to figure out what is going on.

 

[80GS1000]

I have EBC pads I bought from Z1 9http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Brake+Pads+EBC+FA35+GS750+GS850&item=LAFA35). They worked fine, but then I was trail-braking in some hairy corners and they faded and never came back. I just haven't had much spare time to try to figure out what is going on.

More than likely it's your brake fluid that's boiling and causing fading. Racetrack riding puts special demands on brake fluid since you brake hard in quick succession from high speed. It's recommended to use a high temp brake fluid which boils at a higher temp than standard brake fluid to prevent fading on the track.

I use the Motul racing brake fluid on my GSXR 600 track bike and it works great. Little to no fade, lap after lap.

http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/600_Racing_Brake_Fluid/web1004930

 

[salty_monk]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5.1

Note they are also more Hydroscopic (i.e. absorb moisture more easily) so you need to flush the brake system more often.
Once you get water in there the boiling point lowers. When did you last flush your brakes?

 

[gbw]

I think I changed the fluid right before the track time. I also pulled the front rotor and sanded it thinking there might be some scorching. I did not however sand or replace the pads. Also, the lines are probably 5 years old and need to be replaced. I was thinking stainless lines. Basically, I just need to go through the whole system. Looks like a winter project.

I was actually thinking of buying a 78 or 79 front end so I could have two rotors up front and maybe drilling the rotors.

That sounds like a bunch of work. Maybe I'll just sell it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_5.1

Note they are also more Hydroscopic (i.e. absorb moisture more easily) so you need to flush the brake system more often.
Once you get water in there the boiling point lowers. When did you last flush your brakes?

 

[salty_monk]

Buy the 78/79 fork legs & fit some twinpots like the ones on my skunk... Lee will then say your brakes are less terrible than the suspension

 

[82Shafty]

Greg,

I spoke to TJ about this and he has expressed some interest as well. Hopefully it all works out and you'll have a pair of Bonnevilles joining rank.

 

[Tom R]

Also, you can camp a few hundred yards from that track inside the carousel at Road America - I camped there this summer for vintage races. IIRC, it was $40 for the weekend. It's a huge track with lots of camping, just don't plan on sleeping in on race day.