The most important riding skill of all! | Episode 20 | The PowerDrift Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Power Drift podcast, the focus is on a fundamental riding skill: looking where you want to go. The importance of eye movement is highlighted, emphasizing that your eyes dictate the direction of your motorcycle. By practicing conscious eye control, riders can improve their riding smoothness and confidence, especially in corners. The podcast also touches on how this skill can be trained and refined, particularly on the racetrack, leading to faster, safer riding without consciously pushing speed.

Takeaways

• 😀 Looking where you want to go is the most essential riding skill for motorcyclists.
• 😀 Your body naturally follows where your eyes are looking, which is why it's critical to focus on your desired path.
• 😀 Keith Code, a legendary motorcycle instructor, emphasizes that the central piece of riding advice is to 'look where you want to go'.
• 😀 Target fixation, where you focus on obstacles instead of the path, can lead to dangerous situations like hitting a wall or tree.
• 😀 Peripheral vision helps riders monitor the surroundings, tracking moving objects while focusing on the path ahead.
• 😀 Practicing looking ahead and into corners builds confidence, smoother lines, and safer riding.
• 😀 The faster you ride, the more crucial it is to look further ahead in order to react to the road faster.
• 😀 Training to look where you want to go can be practiced and honed on the racetrack, where you can repeatedly work on the same corner.
• 😀 The 'look then turn' technique, which involves shifting your gaze into the corner two seconds before turning, helps achieve smoother, more controlled turns.
• 😀 As you practice consciously looking where you want to go, it becomes automatic and part of your subconscious, improving your riding without thinking about it.

Q & A

Why is it important to look where you want to go when riding a motorcycle?

It is important because your eyes direct your body's movements. If you focus on the road ahead or the path you want to take, your body and motorcycle will naturally follow that direction, leading to smoother, safer riding.

What is 'target fixation' and how can it negatively affect a rider?

'Target fixation' happens when a rider focuses on an obstacle, like a wall or a tree, instead of the path they need to take. This can cause them to veer toward the obstacle, miss the proper timing to turn, and potentially lead to panic braking or a crash.

How does peripheral vision play a role in motorcycle riding?

Peripheral vision is excellent at detecting motion, helping riders monitor the dynamic environment around them. While central vision is used for focusing on targets, peripheral vision helps track moving objects, contributing to better situational awareness and smoother riding.

What is the 'look then turn' technique and why is it effective?

The 'look then turn' technique involves looking into the corner about two seconds before you turn. This allows you to identify the path ahead and smoothly initiate the turn, building confidence and ensuring better timing in your movements.

Why should you avoid looking at obstacles like a wall while riding?

Looking at obstacles like a wall can cause you to focus on the danger, which leads to target fixation. This distracts you from the necessary actions, like timing your turn correctly, and increases the chances of making a mistake or getting into a dangerous situation.

How does a rider's experience affect their perception of speed?

As riders gain experience, they adapt to higher speeds. What feels fast for a beginner may feel slow to an experienced rider because their brain becomes accustomed to processing the world at faster speeds, allowing them to ride with more control and confidence.

What role does practice play in developing good riding habits?

Practice is crucial for developing good riding habits because it trains your eyes and brain to work together efficiently. With repeated practice, the actions like looking where you want to go become subconscious, allowing you to ride smoother and faster without thinking about it.

Why is timing so crucial when riding a motorcycle through a corner?

Timing is crucial because the moment you begin to look into the corner influences when you can initiate the turn. If you delay the timing of your gaze, you may end up turning too late or panicking, which can disrupt the flow and smoothness of your ride.

What happens if a rider's brain gets overloaded while riding fast?

If a rider's brain becomes overloaded, they may lose the ability to process the information around them and make proper decisions, increasing the risk of a crash. This is why it's important to recognize when you're riding beyond your capabilities and slow down accordingly.

How does the concept of 'looking where you want to go' relate to biological instincts?

The concept ties into a basic biological instinct where your body naturally follows the direction your eyes are focused on. This is the same instinct that allows us to walk or run smoothly by simply looking ahead, and it can be applied to motorcycle riding for better control and safety.