California Superbike School went bust in UK
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Their prices here in the US are very high... must have been higher in the UK. Must be a way to check and compare.
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Might be a casualty of the general decline in motorcycling. Bike sales have been declining for a while. Millennials appear to prefer the relative safety of video games.
I don't agree that US CSS prices are high. In fact, I'm surprised they can provide such top notch instruction on top notch equipment at the price they do. I didn't realize how totally spoiled I was by the CSS experience until I just did a RideSmart track day at COTA on my own RR. While it was a third of the CSS price, I had less than half the track time, and that was continually interrupted by red flags and so I was on cold tires most of the time. I was using my own bike, tires, brakes, gear, trailer, etc. I got approximately zero instruction and even had to pay for a crappy lunch. The experience is worlds apart.
Flyrider got it right (as usual?) a few posts up- the release CSS UK put out specifically cited Brexit and a weak economy for causing the drop in attendance. And unlike CSS in the states, the UK franchise has a lot more competition from outfits in Europe operating from GP tracks, can't escape poor riding weather, and (spitballing a bit) I'd wager their Ducati fleet generated a larger upkeep bill than one for BMWs.
A+ casting blame on millennials, always good for a laugh
A+ casting blame on millennials, always good for a laugh
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Track days/classes in the rain suck; a miserable waste.Flyrider got it right (as usual?) a few posts up- the release CSS UK put out specifically cited Brexit and a weak economy for causing the drop in attendance. And unlike CSS in the states, the UK franchise has a lot more competition from outfits in Europe operating from GP tracks, can't escape poor riding weather, and (spitballing a bit) I'd wager their Ducati fleet generated a larger upkeep bill than one for BMWs.
A+ casting blame on millennials, always good for a laugh
Britain clearly loses out on the weather. Even when choosing a CSS venue in the US, I look to the desert tracks (Vegas, Willow Springs) first for this reason.
I just booked a trip with buddies through the Pyrenees (Edelweiss Pyrenees Extreme) in June and the main reason for switching from the Alps Extreme tour (Dolomites) was (likely) weather.
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Dolomites/South Tyrol weather can often be bad indeed. Altho amazing scenery if the weather is right
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First, the UK Calfornia Superbike School is in business and has dates in the UK and abroad for 2020.
The company we previously licensed to went out of business due to a string of bad luck with weather. It had changed hands a few times with different managers and it only takes a few bad moves in this industry to get buried.
A new company was chosen to continue the school in the UK that is composed of previous long term coaches there with proven successful business experience.
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On the prices, we often get comments from our students in the USA who are businessmen saying things to the effect of: "I have no idea how you stay in business with how little you charge for your school."
Consider some of the overhead: each school we do has 22 paid staff in attendance (not volunteers). Pay them, feed them, fly them to tracks, hotel rooms, rental cars, etc. Rent a track, two ambulances all day, insurance, maintenance on bikes, transport two 18-wheelers all over the USA complying with all the strict regulations on that, book keeper, two full-time office staff, feed up to 63 students a day, have literally over a ton of spring water always on hand for the students and staff to drink, place to store the bikes, office space, utilities, it goes on.
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I did a class just last year at willow springs. It was by far on of the most informative and in depth teaching/training I’ve been too. If it wasn’t for my company paying for most of the trip (I incorporated a business trip in it too) I would have paid for it myself a lover again. I’m looking to 2020 to train again.
Come to California during May through November and guaranteed good riding weather. May actually get on the hot side but no rain! I have not been with CSS for a few years but my two times with them were excellent. Highly recommend this group and a great value for what you spend.
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I can't say enough good things about how good of an experience CSS is. You most definitely get a great value for what you spend like everyone has mentioned.
A little secret is to go to Thunderhill West in California (if you can). Amazing track, so much fun and not too many people realize it due to it being in the shadow of it's bigger counter part, Thunderhill East.
A little secret is to go to Thunderhill West in California (if you can). Amazing track, so much fun and not too many people realize it due to it being in the shadow of it's bigger counter part, Thunderhill East.
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I did all 4 levels, in retrospect, the more I think about it, it is an average school for $$$, mainly because it targets lowest common denominator, instead of providing more tailored approach. They are probably great in the US where average level is extremely low vs. UK and even much lower vs. mainland europe. IMO the best way to learn is 1-2-1 tuition with pro riders.
I was at Adria with the owner of trackdays.co.uk on his HP4 who was just skipping morning sessions because CSS had this stupid rule that you can only use 2 gears up until lunch time. That's somewhat not okay.
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So the Superbike School in the UK has been rebooted, looks like the title of the thread needs an edit.
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Superbike School UK recently held two events, one in Poland and one in Norway. Next month is at Bedford in the UK.
![105491589_3218191208238601_4244399383107756336_o.jpg]()
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Agreed. yes, it's a chunk of change for a few days, but the class is top notch in everything from the bike fleet to the learning to the food. all of it. have been nothing but impressed with every aspect of the CASB schools i've taken. i just need to listen to them better about rehydration if i ever do COTA in august again so i don't push heat stroke limits like last time!
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Here's a photo of the new CSS team in the UK. This was taken 4 days ago.
![213134]()
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you use ducs over there vs the s1k? would've thought purchase maintenance costs would be higher on ducs?
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