#keith code

The Cornering bible is a great video that teaches the science behind the motorcycle and motorcycle riding techniques.  Riders beginner to advanced can take advantage of this video and learn how to be  a much safer rider.  This is only part 1, so once your finished go to The Cornering Bible Page and watch the rest of the videos.  Remember to like us and share with your friends.  Thanks Keith Code for such a contribution to motorcyclists everywhere…

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Video: Keith Code loves cornering

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Keith Code runs the California Superbike School, he’s a well-respected moto-writer, he’s taught riding secrets to everyone from average Joes to well-heeled celebrities.

Here’s what he has to say about cornering and coaching, in this video promo for his school.

I finally attended California Superbike School yesterday and had to share this with everyone. In summary - if you are thinking of going, just do it! 

Packed the night before and ready to hit the road at 5am.

My case is a bit different, because I only completed Level 1 this Monday, 30 April, but I had previously already experienced some great success... reason being that I actually went out to Queensland Raceway for CSS Coach Tryouts last September. Even though I was not there as a student, and did not have a Coach assisting me, I still managed to take away some great points from the day.  The very next track day I started off in Intermediate Slow group which I had been riding in for years previously. A few laps in I was starting to feel that everyone was just getting in my way... going too slow... or could I have been going that much faster after putting to use those few points I'd learnt at CSS? I moved up to Intermediate Fast and felt much more comfortable. I thought maybe that there were just more slower riders than usual in the Slow Intermediate group, but I don't think that was the case. In December last year I went to another track day, except this time there weren't as many riders and they combined Intermediate Fast with Advanced (think of hardcore track junkies and racers - fast guys running slicks and tyre warmers). I was a bit nervous of being out of my depth with those fast guys, but as the day went on I was surprised to find that there were only 3 or 4 riders who consistently lapped me each session. Maybe there weren't that many from Advanced group there? Perhaps. But I'd expect to be passed alot more by people using slick tyres, especially since I was 'only' using Michelin Power Pure's... (a tyre whose usage chart reads "80% street, 20% track). But after those days were done and I got to thinking about it, I could only credit CSS with the improvement in my riding.

All was fine at Qld Raceway. Thankfully it was a perfect, clear day - as it had been raining for about 11 years prior. (Okay, I'll admit that I stole that joke from Steve Brouggy.) 

Getting in to actually complete Level 1 as a student was a priority, and helped to round out my understanding of all the Level 1 drills. Having Tony (my Coach) point out some things that I was doing helped me to correct some bad habits as well. Notable points of the day included learning how to ride off the track and into a gravel trap at well over 100km/h (for anyone who has not done CSS, don't worry - this is definitely not part of the curriculum.) I had never left the track at anything close to that speed before, let alone into deep gravel. I kept it up, pretty sure that was during the session we were working on the rider input/relax drill. Timely information, yeah I reckon there is some benefit to it. The other great thing about having a Coach is that they can point out what areas you're doing really well in. Tony mentioned early in the day that he noticed I was using the quick steer, but once we got to the quick steer drill and I began to concentrate on it, that was pretty good. I found out that I can do a really mean quick steer, which is good to know - something else that I can work to improve. Accentuate the positives, right?!

Result of my off-track excursion - thankfully just a dusty sidewall & nothing more.

I had mentioned to a friend that I was going to do CSS, and asked if he wanted to come as well (he had recently traded his K4 GSX-R1000 for a new GSX1400). Strangely though, he said he didn't want to do CSS on the 14, but would take it to a track day. I'm not sure why he was thinking that way... but my experience was that I was actually uncomfortable in the very first session because the pace was so slow. Not yesterday when I was attending as a student, but when I was there for the very first time in September for the tryouts. As a track day regular it was something very different from what I was used to. My usual rhythm was thrown out of whack as I tried to fit in with everyone else using 4th gear and no brakes... with a regular track day as my only frame of reference to track riding, I was actually expecting to see a black flag pointed at me... but of course I didn't, and then I realised that my mate with the GSX1400 shouldn't have been worried about not having a sportbike (if that's what he was worried about), because you just ride at whatever pace is comfortable. All up it was a great experience, but now the work really starts and I have to practice what I've learnt and put everything to use. I ought to have plenty of opportunity for practice during the 5 prepaid track days that I need to use before July. Ah, the things some people are made to do! I'm not expecting quite as dramatic improvement as I saw after my initial exposure to CSS, but I'm sure the benefit will definitely be there and I'm looking forward to see what I can do. From July onwards I'll be making plans and  looking forward to completing Level 2, can't wait!

It gets really dark out there at night... didn't get packed & leave the track until 6pm. By the time I got home it had made for a big 14 hour day. Make sure you get a good nights rest before and after...

It makes for a fairly big day since you need to be at the track by 7am and the last classroom session ends at about 5pm. To get the most out of it also requires that the participant be a good student. If anyone were to go into the day with a closed mind, thinking they already know it all because they have so many years experience, I can easily see how they wouldn't get much out of the day. It's worth noting that there are no magic techniques, no mysterious discoveries will be made - but what you do learn is how to do the basics, and it's amazing what a change it makes when you can do those basic things in a very accurate and direct, effective manner. At the end of the day it really stands out how easy riding (fast) is, if you leave out all the unrequired inputs and just do the essentials right.