As motorcycle technology advances at a rate previously unheard of, all of us here are always looking for ways to improve our riding (and our writing for that matter). Knowing what we know about modern sportbikes and its evolution, there's one aspect to them that many overlook: the rider. Riding styles have also evolved over time to accommodate ever improving machinery, and while there's certainly more than one method to ride a motorcycle quickly, now there's a school that recognizes and breaks down two-wheeled dynamics and formulates a curriculum to take advantage of what modern machinery can do. Oddly enough, the name behind this school built its reputation on four wheels. That name of course is Skip Barber, and the Skip Barber Superbike School Powered By KTM (www.skipbarbersuperbikeschool.com).
Wait, Skip Barber?
Obviously motorcycles are a new venture for the company and the right pieces had to be put in place to uphold the Skip Barber reputation. The first step was hiring Jeff Haney, a well-respected rider coach with a long track record and a knack for teaching. Next came the motorcycles: KTM stepped up to the plate and provides the school with a bevy of models, from the 690 Duke, to the 990 Super Duke, and even a handful of RC8 superbikes. Granted, the two torque-happy V-twins aren't exactly ideal models for a school, but surprisingly not a single one went asphalt surfing during our two days of instruction. The last step needed to complete the school was a marquee racetrack that offers a variety of challenges. What better place than Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca? Perched within a hillside, Laguna Seca's 11 turns is packed into 2.24 miles, each with its own unique personality and challenges. Then there's the legendary Corkscrew, a seven-story drop that you enter completely blind. It can be downright frightening for the first timer, but absolutely intoxicating each time after.
Field Training
We welcomed the opportunity to learn something from Haney and his hand-chosen group of instructors, each paired with no more than four students. Obviously, a successful school needs to have instructors who are not only quick riders, but can also explain the reason behind their actions as well. Haney's choice of instructors well demonstrates that point. Just a sampling of these instructors include Ty Howard, current AMA MotoGT number one plate holder; Michael Czysz, founder and CEO of MotoCzysz (and an experienced rider in his own right); Hawk Mazzota, AMA superbike rider, and James Randolph, two-time AFM number one plate holder. Also joining the class as a special guest instructor was AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike rider, Jason DiSalvo, whom Haney has coached for over a decade.
Lead instructor, Jeff Haney,...
Lead instructor, Jeff Haney, has a long history as a rider coach. A fixture at the now defunct Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School, when that program shut down he was then approached to spearhead his own school.
Ty Howard, current AMA MotoGT...
Ty Howard, current AMA MotoGT champion explains the next drill to the class.
Michael Czysz, founder and...
Michael Czysz, founder and CEO of MotoCzysz, lends his hand at the school and sheds some light as to why a motorcycle behaves the way it does.
Each morning starts with a...
Each morning starts with a van ride around the course with the instructors to inspect the track. On the subsequent laps, the caravan stops at strategic points, where Haney and company demonstrate a variety of lines (both right and wrong) at speed.
Each morning begins with a van ride around the track with instructors breaking down each turn. Proper lines, entry, apex, and exit points are discussed as well as distinguishing noteworthy features. This is so the student can familiarize themselves with the track before ever throwing a leg over a motorcycle. After the van ride, students then suit up for the first of approximately 15 different lessons. Under the Haney curriculum much of the emphasis is on body positioning and proper braking technique, with each exercise building upon the last. Like other schools, this one also has a classroom-seven stations complete with a TV monitor for video review situated directly under the awning from the KTM semi-truck.