Target Fixation 101

[Trinith]

Last weekend I stumbled across a downed Harley rider on the Dragon. Photog caught it in progress. This, my friends, is how target fixation works. Rider even said he was looking over the edge thinking he didn't want to fall down there.. Keep clicking next, and pay attention to how much lean the guy had left. http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Order ... po=0&pc=28

 

[Sh1ftyClutch]

I was told this many times, its true! Look to where you want the bike to go.if your focused on something your trying to avoid or in this instance not looking through the turn and focusing on the edge.its easy to do so we all fall for it sometimes. Good to practice so it minimizes the chances if it happening

 

[Darknitevlog]

Target fixation is no joke..you do go where you look...been riding since I was 4 years old...35 now..yep 35...it is true..sorry to see that rider go down..and a beautiful bike atop that.

 

[Bikermole]

I nearly stuck a Yamaha 125 in a hedge because I was just staring at the hedge hoping that I don't hit it. I was only inches away from crashing a demo bike. I got a dressing down by the dealer when I got back!

 

[Trinith]

I ran my old M50 off the side of the road doing pretty much the same thing. Kept it upright though and ended up riding it back out. Real wakeup call!

 

[BritishMotovlogger]

I can just imagine the situation.
You: OH MY GOD, are you ok?
Rider: (still shaken up) Uh...
You: Want a picture?

And yea, target fixation is a bitch! I think I have pretty much got it sorted now, but I have had a few moments thinking "I dont want to go into that hedge" which made me get closer and closer until I finally forced myself to move my head look round the corner which is increadable difficult the first time you are heading towards a hedge at speed, mid corner. It goes against everything you believe in to not look at what you are about to crash into but its the only way to get out of a situation like that.

I do still have to tell myself to look further round the corner every once in a while but I havent almost run off the road due to fixation in a good while. Its definately something that comes with experience

 

[Mr AusAdventure]

Ah man! That sucks big time. I hate watching bikes go down because I have been there and know the feeling.

He was so lucky not to wipe himself out on that tree though.

Yep, target fixation is very real. I have done it myself. Focused on bumps and hit them at the same time as panicking and gone down the road.

Other times, I have seen the bumps, hit them and had a wobble but been able to focus my attention ahead and managed to accelerate through it and to pull the bike back onto the road.

There is a great sense of achievement in being able to save yourself so simply, just be staying calm and not going into panic mode.

 

[kryten]

I've been to the Dragon a few times and I think it's highly overrated. Each time I've been nearly wiped out several times each pass by sportbike riders that think it's a race track, cruiser riders that are in way over their head or sports cars driven by idiots trying to show off. There are much nicer roads in the area with less traffic and a lot fewer morons trying to prove themselves.

This is another crash that happened last weekend at the Dragon. Not long after this crash another guy went down in the same spot because of the oil spill this douchetard left behind. First pic that guys looks ok but keep clicking next until you end up with his ass on the road and some poor guy's car destroyed because this guy was trying to look cool for the cameras.

http://xtremesportsphotography.photoref ... po=0&pc=28

 

[Trinith]

I've been to the Dragon a few times and I think it's highly overrated. Each time I've been nearly wiped out several times each pass by sportbike riders that think it's a race track, cruiser riders that are in way over their head or sports cars driven by idiots trying to show off. There are much nicer roads in the area with less traffic and a lot fewer morons trying to prove themselves.

That's why I'll almost never be seen there on a Friday or Saturday. Those are the days when the dumbasses show up, the rest of the week is generally pretty sedate. But I do agree that there's MUCH better roads. I'd rather spend the day riding Hwy 28 or the Skyway.

I love those pictures though, especially the part where he stands the bike up and points it straight at the front wheel of the Vette.

 

[kryten]

I absolutely love the Skyway. It's so beautiful up there and I love the long sweeping curves.

We have a few good curvy roads down here in Alabama but Tennessee is full of great roads. You're going to miss them when you move to Atlanta. There are a few good roads in the Atlanta area but it doesn't compare to Tennessee.

 

[24HourBiker]

Everyone suffers from target fixation, and the only thing that cures it is experience.

If you happen to get yourself into a spot of trouble and you're heading towards a wall/hedge/car/old lady, look away and 9/10 the bike will turn away (you'll be surprised).

Motorbikes are more capable than we, normal riders, will ever be. Trust your bike, and it will look after you.

 

[NastyEvilNinja]

Everyone suffers from target fixation, and the only thing that cures it is experience.

I wrote out a post yesterday saying I don't suffer from it anymore, but deleted it because it sounded a bit I'm-considerably-better-than-yow!

Glad it's not just me!

I CAN look at something and avoid it - but that's after nearly 13 years of riding. I have crashed in my earlier days du to target fixation, too!

Most times when I am in the poo, I will still fall back to looking where I want to go rather than at the threat, but watching the threat can be a huge advantage sometimes, as well.