reading material
Hey Phil, there's lots and lots of reading material out there for you to get your hands on. I'd start with "Total Control- sportbike riding techniques". This book will give you plenty of ins and outs of sportbike riding. It gives you the very basics that some of us take for granted for cornering. Things like picking your entry point, picking your exit point, turning your head to look through the turn, body position in several different situations are all in there. I strongly suggest that book or any of Keith Code's materials like Twist of the Wrist and Twist of the Wrist II.
An alternative to the reading material is to pack up and go to a track day and take the Novice course for a lapping day. You will learn more in 30 to 40 miles from a track day than you could learn on the street in 300 to 400 miles. Or better yet, if you feel up to a professionally taught riding school, you could attend STAR school, Ride Smart, Keith Code's schools, or any Racing Club's pre-event schools to develop your skills without the stress of people in cars, wildlife on backroads, or any other hazards that would be associated with the usual road trip. Don't let the term "track day" intimidate you. I'm still learning every time I go. I managed to run a 1:40 at Hallett, Oklahoma my first run out there after having my 750 gix only 1 week. I look at track days as a time for me to work on skills and refocus on the things I take for granted on daily traffic riding. "It's all how you spend your $10"= Keith Code Twist of the Wrist (someone feel free to correct that if it's the wrong quote); and believe me, you will have plenty of that $10 on the track.
In fact, MotoGP will be coming to Cali, at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway, next year and I would suggest that if you get the chance, go! It may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Here's a couple of school websites for you.
http://www.starmotorcycle.com/ by Jason Pridmore
http://www.cornering.com/ by Keith Code
http://www.ridesmart.info/ by Ty Howard
These are just a few to list. I'd check with your local track to see if they host motorcycle track days or riding schools. They are so worth the money if you put the effort into it. Ride Smart and Star will be at Hallett, Oklahoma in 2005. With 2 dates for Ride Smart. Hope this helps.
