Years ago I subscribed to the mantra "You spent $$$$ on your bike so you might as well become a student of riding"

I pulled this from another site and felt that it is worthy of being shared.

1. Tunnel Vision Occurs. Your vision narrows to the point that all you see is the object you are trying to avoid, and not seeing other possible directions to avoid it. This prohibits you from applying SEE (remember from the BRC). In simple nonprofessional’s terms, what you are doing is "Target Fixating.

2. Sense of Being Uncomfortable. Rossi feels it, I feel it, and so do you. This not always associated with going fast. You can also feel this while negotiating U-turn. This comes from a sense that something is wrong, though you may not know what it is at the time. Past this point, turns into sheer PANIC.

3. Gripping the Bars Tight. If you recall from your BRC, ERC, MSRC course, Track Day (you get the point) gripping the bars and not maintaining a bend in your arms will result in difficulty in applying improper and extra unwanted steering inputs on the bars. Any chiropractor will tell you that this also induces hand, wrist and neck problems.

4. Holding Your Breath. Stress causes this. When you stop breathing even for short moments, certain physiological things occur. You body has to compensate for not releasing the air in your lungs. Your blood vessels constrict, etc. If you tired, unfit, or low on energy this will certainly effect you even more.

5. Improper Corner Lines. You not only see this, but other riders will to. For example, you are making mid corner steering corrections because you go in too wide, turn in too much and then have to make another correction.

6. Chopping the throttle. This can also be a byproduct of #4. Remember from the BRC exercise in which you negotiate a turn? Usually a rider who rolls off the throttle entering the corner, or shutting off the throttle while mid-corner does so because of the #2 and is going too fast and uncontrollably shuts down the gas.

7. "Trying" to Stay With the Pack or a Faster Rider. In the words of Yoda, “There is no try, only do” In essence, you can because of your riding skill, or you cannot. Discerning what you are capable of, that's what keeps you out of trouble. I recall the first time I rode with Mike. We had done a few laps on a section of road, when Mike asked, “Can you go faster?” I responded whimsically, “No”

These symptoms are not all that are or may be occurring, but they are what I feel are more prominent. Some of the symptoms you obvious can see in another rider, others are not. When you do notice these or any other symptoms have the courage to let the rider know. How you approach them with it is up to you, but do let them know what you observed.

Have fun, and I will see you out there

All very good point Chris. #1 is one one of the hardest and most important problems new riders need to get past. If anyone has issues with any of these and would like help feel free to contact me or one of the Organizers. I will either help personally or set you up with someone who can.

I have gone through all 7 of these to one degree or another and every now and then still do. For example I still target fixate once in a great while, but I have learned to notice when I do it and am able to correct right away.

Thanks for the post Chris! It's great to have reminders now and then.. or a lot.. to keep us on our toes and I will say for me personally (not that this ever happens lol) but if anyone's ever behind me and notices something I can improve upon please do not be shy in approaching me to let me know. I'm all ears!

I think number 5 and 6 are really important. It really is not good to chop your throttle, but it is good to keep a steady throttle. Corner lines are very important too because it can lead to one or the other. I have to keep reminding myself of these. I still do it from time to time but I try to give room to adapt. It makes it harder to correct the faster you go plus how far you are leaning over.

Its great being reminded of these things.

These all are important to keep in mind no matter your skill level, great write up.

These are ALL very good points. I would like to share a few notes on them if nobody minds. I have 32+ years of riding motorcycles, I started on dirt at 5yo and been on sportbikes since 1996.

1. Tunnel Vision - Something I have noticed over the years is that a VERY common cause of tunnel vision is speed. The cure....slow down. This has worked for me for many years, when my peripheral vision starts to narrow, I slow down. Now speed is not the ONLY reason for tunnel vision but it is a very common reason. So just slow down, the streets and highways are not a race and there are no points or trophy for getting there first.

2. Sense of being uncomfortable - we all feel it, stay relaxed and trust the bike and yourself. A common cause of being uncomfortable is speed (there's that word again). I still have moments when I will get uncomfortable and it is usually because I am going too fast, again...slow down, the feeling will pass and you will keep riding. If you get to the panic point....DON'T PANIC...lol easier said then done, I know but don't be afraid to pull over (when it is safe) and get off the bike for a few minutes. Nobody is going to clown you because you felt uncomfortable (which usually translates into "unsafe").

3. Gripping the bars too tight - this is usually a sign that you are uncomfortable with yourself, the bike or the speed (oh, see that, there's that word again). Relax, slow down and take a breath. Don't go limp on the bars though, what works for me is I try not to squeeze the bars more then I would squeeze my kids hand/arm...I know it sounds funny but think about it the next time you ride. It works for me. Oh and I almost forgot....use your legs. Grip the tank/frame of the bike with your legs to hold you up, do not hold your body up with your arms/hands, a good set of techspec or stompgrip tank/frame pads will help ALOT for this.

4. Holding your breath - try holding your breath while sitting in front of the computer, now cut that time in half and that's how long you will hold it while riding. If your holding your breath while riding then you are gripping the bars too tight, you are uncomfortable and more than likely.....yes..your going too fast...speed.

5. Improper cornering lines - usually because you go into the corner with too much speed or not enough speed. One BIG thing to remember is "LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO", do NOT look at the guardrail, or that pretty yellow/white line that's below you. Look through the corner and relax, do not make any hard throttle adjustments or braking.

6. The description posted pretty much sums it up.....speed is a factor here.

7. "Trying" to Stay With the Pack or a Faster Rider - WHY? Ride your ride, only YOU know what you and your bike can do and you NEVER have to "prove" yourself to anyone...not even yourself! There is almost ALWAYS a slower group, if you don't want to ride fast then don't, either others will ride at your pace or you will all meet up at the next gas stop. If your always the last one to show, maybe try doing a trackday or find other riders who ride at your pace. There are no points for first one to the gas stop and no penalty for being the last, as long as everyone arrives alive, it's a good days ride.

Notice all of these have something in common..."speed". I have been around sportbikes for many years, wrenching and riding, I have family and friends who are paramedics and ER doctors and I can assure you that most accidents are caused by speed, going too fast for the roads, bike and most of all yourself. One last piece of advice I would like to give is that IF you ever find yourself with no way out and you are going to crash...RELAX, yes I know, how do you relax when you know your going to hit the ground or whatever. Well this is from experience, if you tense up, you ARE going to get hurt more as all your muscles are fighting what your body is going to do. Relax and let whatever is going to happen just happen, pick a point in the distance, close your eyes, let your breath out and relax. Please trust me, it works......oh and WEAR YOUR GEAR, I am alive today with little to no roadrash BECAUSE I wore my gear.

Ride safe people, there is always someone who wants to see you alive at the end of the ride!

With the amount of riding incidents happening lately I wanted to bump this up for everyone to review...

I would also like to add situational awareness to this. I notice many riders not paying attention to where they are in relation to other vehicles and riding in their blind spots. Try to anticipate what the other idiots on the road are going to do. If you think a car might pull out they probably will. They don't see you no matter how bright your gear or headlights are. I get people trying to run me off the road all the time and my bike is lime green with 6k HID lights. I also wear a green jacket most of the time. Don't put your life in someone else's hands take control and take appropriate precautions to keep yourself safe. I would also encourage each of you to take a refresher MSF or advanced riding course every 3 years or so. Keep the shiney side up :)

It almost seems there has been a permanent shift of mentality towards being outside a cage. It's seems to just be accepted that it's dangerous/stupid/careless behavior, therefore injury or death related to this is normal or acceptable. It just happens with "X" hobby/lifestyle so it's ok? Growing up, over and over...you fall out of the wagon, you get back in... you fall off your bicycle, you get back on...you fall out of your tree house, you climb back up and so on. Blood, bandages and broken arms, heal and go. Now it seems it's at the point were ...Yeah motorcycle related, therefore they are bad and evil, really the persons fault since the day they made the decision to ride. But, but, but...you said to get back on my whole childhood and that individual was braking they law or not paying attention. Nevermind what I said, they're evil, bad things of death and doom. So there seems to be a seperation that it's justifiably tragic if a deer goes through your cars windshield, or you're hit by a drunk driver while in your car, you're out walking your dog and someone runs a crosswalk and hits you...motorcycles are still evil bad things! Don't worry, we'll get you another car...get better so you can get out and walk that dog again. It doesn't matter that I often find myself 50~60 ft in the air at work, or climbing to the top of a peak on Mt. Lemmon, the uncaged machine is evil and it's the fate you accepted on the day you chose to ride. That seems to be what we have come to.
The roads are really filling up and there is a really strong "me individual" state floating around now, where I gotta do this and have this going on in my car being just a smal portion. I am really sick just of all the near tangles caged or not from driving while texting, I cannot believe how much that alone in just a few recent years compared to the past 40 years has had some effect. With all the unnecessary multi-tasking going on in while driving, I'm suprised we're not extinct. I'm not ready to give this up yet so I guess I am going to die trying!

I am absolutely 100% agreeable to your comments and facts !
Everyone of us that ride have had and will continue to have the
careless,thoughtless, multi-tasking, " cage pilot" that eithers turns in front
Of you and or cuts you off in traffic.
Can not count how many times I have had an oncoming cage start to turn
In front of me, then as we make eye contact driver hesitates realizing that they are going
to cut me off, but dam if while we are making eye contact, they decide to try it anyhow!!!
I have been saluted with the 1 finger salute to many times, for me just shaking my head
At these thoughtless , uncaring , #$%$#!%%$'s.

Why can't we as riders some way some how , start making enough political noise, maybe
Having a local news network have an article on the issues we as Riders deal with everyday,
And sometimes numerous times daily. Nine on your side ? Maybe ?

Heck, if we can just save 1 Motorcyclist from tragedy, it's worth the effort.

I have many times after being cut off thought, what if I follow that individual until there destination
Then call the authorities for wreckless driving ? Is that feasible, no physical harm would be invlolved,
No road rage ! Just a complaint that needs to be addressed !!
1 or 2 riders doing this would help, but imagine 10-15 complaints a day might open some eyes on both
Parts.
I am not trying to be a whinebag, or want to be treated special because I ride a motorcycle,
But I am not ready to have a thoughtless person take my life either.

Any Ideas ?
John
444-3438