California Superbike to BMW
 

Some of you might not care but I just read (found out) that the California Superbike School switched from Kawasaki's after who knows how many years to the BMW S1000RR for 2010.

So if you take their class next year you will be riding one of these with ABS, traction control, lean angle sensors and all, I do believe. Zoomie could probably tell us since she is resident BMW expert :)

http://www.superbikeschool.com/machinery/bmws1000rr.php

Their old Kawasaki fleet is up for sale, street ready or track ready....wish I had some spare cash laying around to snatch one or two up.

Not sure how I feel. I just hope they add Mid-Ohio to their schedule, through them is how I feed my track addiction.

I had met Keith when I was at Laguna, he was researching BMW as his 25 year contract with Kawasaki was up and he didn't want to renew. WOW, to have those options, right?? Nice guy - really knows his stuff.

We have talked about him adding H2R to his calendar - but, he had decided after logistical constraints... if he couldn't have Mid-Ohio, he wasn't going to add another track.

Evan and I plan on attending his school this year.

You guys will have a blast. They are all a great group of guys, as you already know. Will you ride their bikes or take your own then?

Theirs.

You know, thinking about it... would anyone else be interested in going? Things like this are usually more fun in groups. Mind you, I'm just thinking out loud.

What time of year are you thinking?

We may be out that way this summer...

what track and when you thinking

I just emailed Keith for some better ideas of where we would fit best... I know a few more people that would want to come. I'm thinking Willow, and April works better in our calendar. But, I'll wait for what Keith says :wink:

I might take his class next year just to ride the 1000rr on the track. Prolly at Streets of Willow in CA.

It really seems odd to me that a school, which is primarily attended by street riders and relatively low exp track riders would switch to THAT bike of all the choices. I would love to hear his logic.

I agree.

The site claims it is the perfect learning bike.

Yes it has some whiz-bang electronics, but it is still a 180+hp bike.

Plus it is new and it is a BMW, I can't imagine the repair bill to rebuild one after a get off.

And you would have a hard time convincing me it will handle as well as a ZX-6 on most of the tight courses they ride on, hp aside. It just comes across to me as a business decision only. Without proper regard to students. But I am way out of the loop on this.

All I know, that bike has incredible handling for a bike with that much power. I mean, with traction control engaged... first gear, front tire leaned WAAAAAYY over is absolutely planted. It's light, it's easy. By far, the best handling bike I've ever been on. Couple that with quality instruction and it's a powerful combination.

Would you put your daughters on one for a trackday?

I'm sure it is a great bike. I look forward to riding one.

I'm just not sure it is the best tool for the trackday newbie or the aspiring amateur racer to learn on.

I also wonder is the move will eliminate the braking bike and the slide bike. :scratch:

No, but then - they need to master something small first. :lol: They are 15 and 12. That said, I have a 13 year old racer that I would put on one... certainly.

You have to understand the different modes on the BMW don't just change the horsepower. It also controls the throttle delivery. So, in RAIN mode it's 150hp with a slow delivery throttle... compare that to the RACE mode that has 193hp with a quarter turn throttle and it's a different bike.

let me know the dates - I'm in!

i wonder if bmw cut them a deal. Code's school is recognised worldwide and it would do much to bolster bmw's lack of cred in this segment

Kind of my thoughts, plus the cost of one of these bikes new is kind of expensive, IMO.
MSRP*: $13,800.00
OPTIONS:
Race ABS and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) Combined: $1,480.00
Gear Shift Assistant: $450.00
Anti Theft Alarm: $395.00
Motorsports Paint Scheme: $750.00

TOTAL = $16,875 guess that isn't as bad as I thought, but still a lot of money.

Brake Rig, Onboard Camera Bike, No B.S. Bike, the Braking Trainer and the Lean/Slide Machine

The school recently added the Control Trainer, teaching riders to operate and correctly time their control operations.

Cost of the bike probably isnt a consideration given that they will depreciate them as business expense, BMW will love the press and get rid of a few bikes that wouldnt leave the dealerships this year anyway given the economy...