training and coaching » Yamaha Champions Riding School

Back from two days of the Yamaha Champions Riding School at NC Bike. I've done multiple riding schools and YCRS ranks at the top...by far. I chose to do the school on my RS, rather than my dedicated track bike, because I do far more street riding and I wanted to learn their skills on my street bike. The RS was definitely up to the task. YCRS is highly focused on braking both to slow the bike and to adjust direction. The RS brakes are not only powerful, but very easy to modulate throughout a corner. I thought I knew trail braking, but had no idea what is really possible with the right technique and intention. What these bikes can do when properly ridden is astounding.

4TR_2260.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Great photo. The angry Austin Yellow hornet looking good... seems noticeable how much more ground clearance would be available without the centre stand...?

Zitat von OlieL im Beitrag #2

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Great photo. The angry Austin Yellow hornet looking good... seems noticeable how much more ground clearance would be available without the centre stand...?

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I'd really enjoy taking the RS to a track day, but not sure I'd push it to it's limits at my age. But the pointers and lessons learned would be enormous.

Great pic! I've heard good reports about YSRS. How does it compare to Cornerspeed? I'm assuming you had swap the standard anti-freeze mix for pure water, with an additive. What do you prefer to use in these circumstances?

YCRS has no requirements against anti-freeze, so the only thing I did to prep the bike was to install some Q3+ tires. For organizations that do require water, I just use my track bike and I run Red Line water wetter. That bike is fully safety wired, so will pass tech for any organization.

I've never done Cornerspeed, although they do run out of VIR so it would be fun to try. I've done multiple Code schools and Pridmore CLASS in addition to YCRS. All are very different. Of the three, I would recommend YCRS without hesitation. What they are teaching translates directly to the street and will save lives.

Zitat von azqkr im Beitrag #4

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I'd really enjoy taking the RS to a track day, but not sure I'd push it to it's limits at my age. But the pointers and lessons learned would be enormous.

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #7

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If you do it, go with an open mind because some of what they are teaching goes against what you might have already learned about riding.

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #8

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #7

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If you do it, go with an open mind because some of what they are teaching goes against what you might have already learned about riding.

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Care to share any details?

Since the R1200RS front brakes are integrated (linked) with the rear, how did the YCRS recommend using the brakes in emergency (maximum) conditions?

I've taken some advanced classes that insist both brakes have to be used, but acknowledge a sportier bike will have 90% of the braking traction on the front wheel. So, in the case of our bikes, the rider is left with the challenge of modulating that small amount of rear brake pressure that isn't controlled by the linked front brake. For me, all of my attempts activate the rear ABS and screwing the whole process. If I just use the front brake, I get my shortest stops, but the technique is judged wrong.

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #9

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How does activating the rear ABS screw the whole process?

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #10

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #9

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How does activating the rear ABS screw the whole process?

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In my attempts to control the amount of rear brake during extreme or maximum braking that isn't being applied by the linked system on our bikes, have resulted in activating the ABS. Of course, these attempts are made while lying chest down on the tank and my butt slid as far aft as possible. Skillful control of my right foot in that position is a bit questionable.

If I just leave my feet on the pegs and use the front brake which is linked to the rear (but not the opposite), I get a shorter stop.

Just my experience and I'm not an expert rider or racer........

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #11

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #10

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #9

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How does activating the rear ABS screw the whole process?

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In my attempts to control the amount of rear brake during extreme or maximum braking that isn't being applied by the linked system on our bikes, have resulted in activating the ABS. Of course, these attempts are made while lying chest down on the tank and my butt slid as far aft as possible. Skillful control of my right foot in that position is a bit questionable.

If I just leave my feet on the pegs and use the front brake which is linked to the rear (but not the opposite), I get a shorter stop.

Just my experience and I'm not an expert rider or racer........

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On a track approaching a turn I will sit up and brake with front and rear. By the time I lean it over I am just dragging the rear brake (at most) but am still pretty hard on the front. My normal Ducati track bike doesn't have ABS, so the rear brake requires a ton of respect even though it is tiny. I normally don't bother with it at all when leaned over. Given my average skills, the risk is not worth the reward in that situation.

On the street I almost never use the rear brake on the RS. I do try to keep in practice, though...just in case.

If you stop more quickly with just the front, that is what matters. I would still try to get comfortable with activating the rear ABS under braking. It shouldn't upset the bike too much and you never know when you will want that to save that last 5 meters of stopping distance.

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #12

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #11

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #10

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #9

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How does activating the rear ABS screw the whole process?

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In my attempts to control the amount of rear brake during extreme or maximum braking that isn't being applied by the linked system on our bikes, have resulted in activating the ABS. Of course, these attempts are made while lying chest down on the tank and my butt slid as far aft as possible. Skillful control of my right foot in that position is a bit questionable.

If I just leave my feet on the pegs and use the front brake which is linked to the rear (but not the opposite), I get a shorter stop.

Just my experience and I'm not an expert rider or racer........

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On a track approaching a turn I will sit up and brake with front and rear. By the time I lean it over I am just dragging the rear brake (at most) but am still pretty hard on the front. My normal Ducati track bike doesn't have ABS, so the rear brake requires a ton of respect even though it is tiny. I normally don't bother with it at all when leaned over. Given my average skills, the risk is not worth the reward in that situation.

On the street I almost never use the rear brake on the RS. I do try to keep in practice, though...just in case.

If you stop more quickly with just the front, that is what matters. I would still try to get comfortable with activating the rear ABS under braking. It shouldn't upset the bike too much and you never know when you will want that to save that last 5 meters of stopping distance.

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When you mention the sit-up...........that's to signal you're braking to other riders and create a bit of aerodynamic drag? Correct?

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #13

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #12

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #11

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #10

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Zitat von TriangleRider im Beitrag #9

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How does activating the rear ABS screw the whole process?

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In my attempts to control the amount of rear brake during extreme or maximum braking that isn't being applied by the linked system on our bikes, have resulted in activating the ABS. Of course, these attempts are made while lying chest down on the tank and my butt slid as far aft as possible. Skillful control of my right foot in that position is a bit questionable.

If I just leave my feet on the pegs and use the front brake which is linked to the rear (but not the opposite), I get a shorter stop.

Just my experience and I'm not an expert rider or racer........

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On a track approaching a turn I will sit up and brake with front and rear. By the time I lean it over I am just dragging the rear brake (at most) but am still pretty hard on the front. My normal Ducati track bike doesn't have ABS, so the rear brake requires a ton of respect even though it is tiny. I normally don't bother with it at all when leaned over. Given my average skills, the risk is not worth the reward in that situation.

On the street I almost never use the rear brake on the RS. I do try to keep in practice, though...just in case.

If you stop more quickly with just the front, that is what matters. I would still try to get comfortable with activating the rear ABS under braking. It shouldn't upset the bike too much and you never know when you will want that to save that last 5 meters of stopping distance.

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When you mention the sit-up...........that's to signal you're braking to other riders and create a bit of aerodynamic drag? Correct?

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Correct..more than drag, it is just a way more comfortable way to deal with braking forces by making it easier to lock onto the tank with my knees.

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