This last weekend I took the level 1 and 2 Total Control classes, and figured I'd share back in case any others might be helped decide if the class is or isn't for them.
After seeing this shot from a track day, I was convinced that self-teaching and me were not going to be very efficient together:
I was trying; getting pointers between sessions from other riders, but I wasn't really getting it. Youtube, 'how-to' type posts, articles and books/dvds were helping, but for me I do learn so much better hands-on with a coach/instructor.
The classes seemed perfect for me; I thought they would take my novice self and help ramp up my understanding of both the how and why sides of body position, speed shifting, trail braking, and initiating the turn decisively. The why sides in the classroom discussions (not lectures!) were suprisingly more helpful because they were very interactive. The how sides, even though in a parking lot, were a huge help in progressing through the skills adding on a bit more technique with each excercise.
Level 1 flowed right into Level 2, and by the end of the second day many of my self taught bad habits and ideas were starting to fade away. And I finally had a much better body position and I know what I have to work on to keep improving it. As well as better throttle/brake control and transitioning through both in a turn. And so much more, including some suspension discussions to understand what changing the settings affects.
At the end of day1:
At the end of day2:
Really felt like significant improvement to me, and I had a great time.
More info can be found at:
www.totalcontroltraining.net
I took the classes through Team AZ:
www.motorcycletraining.com
Total Control Levels 1 and 2
'09 ZX6R Race Bike
Domn8er
Jeep Rubicon
S1000RR
Linear Mode
