 Head and eye practice
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 252
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 252 |
In a previous post (50 Ways to Save Your Life), Brian added number 51 - practice practice practice. I am here to second that motion.
I started riding at 15 and quit at 35. I rode everything from 50cc Honda's (tricked out, of course) to a big-bore '56 Sportster. So, how come I am nervous all the time, now? Lack of practice.
Low-speed handling of my TBA had me as tense as the rubber band launcher on an aircraft carrier. (Those aren't rubber bands, you say?) I bought Ride Like A Pro IV, and it is proving to be worth every one of the 3,495 pennies I spent on it. It's pretty hokey, but the lessons are very useful.
Most improtantly, and the thing I have the most trouble with, is keeping your head and eyes up, and focusing on where you want the bike to be, not where it is. That, I'm finding, takes practice.
It sounds easy, but it isn't. I keep catching a glimpse of the curb and head for it; or the parked car whose fender I come periously close to bending; or the pedestrian who runs away, screaming. But every once in a while, it works. I look up and at where I want to be, and I move my gaze ahead to the next place I want to be, and before you know it, I've done a u-turn. It feels like first prize.
Get the video, or not, but learn the technique. Practice, practice, practice.
He was fun while he lasted.
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Re: Head and eye practice
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
Most improtantly, and the thing I have the most trouble with, is keeping your head and eyes up, and focusing on where you want the bike to be, not where it is.
It sounds easy, but it isn't. I keep catching a glimpse of the curb and head for it; or the parked car whose fender I come periously close to bending; or the pedestrian who runs away, screaming. But every once in a while, it works. I look up and at where I want to be, and I move my gaze ahead to the next place I want to be, and before you know it, I've done a u-turn. It feels like first prize.
Personally, I find it amazing how well this works - it almost seems like a trick. I can be in a tight turn and getting worried, then I remember to look through the turn and my problems go away. As you say, practice and repetition are important.
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 Re: Head and eye practice
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Let me add- Empty mall parking lots are a great place to practice.   
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Head and eye practice
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948 |
Another trick is to be able to pick out rocks, bumps, roadkill, etc in the road just as you start a sharp turn. The MSF courses teach a little bit of this and so do the 'Ride Like a Pro' series but there is no substitue for practicing before you run into something like this. I have a bunch of tennis balls cut in half that I place 15-20 feet apart in the highschool parking lot. You have to keep your eyes up to maintain your course but you pick up the balls in your peripheral vision. I try to do this every month or so. I got the idea from watching our local motor officers who ride a course like this before every shift. Riding slow(10mph) is much more physical than going through them in second at 20mph.
Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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Re: Head and eye practice
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
That brings up target fixation. Focus on the space between the balls, not the balls themselves!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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