Looking Through The Turn

[no_morelipfrom_you]

I noticed that when I'm driving fast in a sharp turn, in my truck, I naturally look through the turn.

This is pretty significant to me because I've long wondered if it was necessary to look through the turn (on a bike) in order to turn well.

Or if one could stop looking through the turn once they get proficient at riding. I guess that since I do it even in a cage, and since the pros do it when racing, I probably should have known all along that it never becomes optional.

Or am I wrong?

[kawadef]

It is highly recommanded to look through a turn, well thats what they tell you at the msf course. And its also commen sense to look where you wanna go, if your looking at a pole while turning you're most likely to go into its direction, but another thing you gotta keep in mind is to also check down for potholes, spills and what not.

[RACER X]

it's very important, esp. in your in a sit. where you've gone into a corner to hot, your instincts will tell you to look to the guardrail, but you need to change your focus to the exit.........

[no_morelipfrom_you]

Racer X ..... so what if youre going slow? Is it still really important then?

[chsnprodigy]

Originally Posted by no_morelipfrom_you

Racer X ..... so what if youre going slow? Is it still really important then?

Racer X is correct, and yea also at slow speeds its neccesary, have you ever tried doing a u turn without looking were your going.....what will happen at slow speeds is the bike will basicly fall on its side, becuase you cant gauge how much throttle input you need if your not looking through the u turn. does that make sence?

[RayOSV]

When riding it's usually (always?) a good idea to look as far ahead as you can (within reason). Looking where you want to go is a big part of it instead of target fixating. The other reason is that the road/track gets much wider the farther ahead you look. Try it out and see. It's much easier to pick a good line and correct that line if necessary if the road looks wide instead of too narrow to possibly make it. As was said before, do save some "looking" for hazards in your near field as well.

Regarding target fixation, looking ahead to where you want to be really helps to prevent that. Ever wonder how skiers/boarders who may be in over their heads or too tired manage to hit the only tree in the middle of a slope? They aim right for it trying to avoid it.

[black r1]

its critical to look into a turn! just remember, your bike will go wherever your head goes!

[Newfie TLR]

Basically, you want to be looking 3-4 seconds ahead. Fast, or slow.

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by no_morelipfrom_you

Racer X ..... so what if youre going slow? Is it still really important then?

yup.....have you taken the www.msf-usa.org class. there's an exercise where you'll do a figure 8. and it'll be so much easier of you look thru the curve.

and yes we all pretty much recommend taking the msf class, i even teach it.

[Newfie TLR]

Originally Posted by RACER X

and yes we all pretty much recommend taking the msf class, i even teach it.

+1

[no_morelipfrom_you]

Racer X is correct, and yea also at slow speeds its neccesary, have you ever tried doing a u turn without looking were your going.....what will happen at slow speeds is the bike will basicly fall on its side, becuase you cant gauge how much throttle input you need if your not looking through the u turn. does that make sence?

Yes it makes a lot of sense. Thanks.


Racer X I took the msf course.... about a year before I ever actually owned a bike. So I still remember most of it, now I just need to practice it.

[chsnprodigy]

Originally Posted by no_morelipfrom_you

Yes it makes a lot of sense. Thanks.


Racer X I took the msf course.... about a year before I ever actually owned a bike. So I still remember most of it, now I just need to practice it.

Take it again as a refresher....never can have to much practice.

[blndebmbr]

I always practice the looking where you want to go theory....it saved me once on the street-truck pulled out, I had about a foot or so of asphalt-stared directly at it instead of the gravel/slope or the truck....came out just fine!!! Ever since that day it is a skill I work on, even in the cage.

[blndebmbr]

Sorry for the additional post...
My sister's boyfriend is an MSF instructor. When they came over for dinner one night we were going through pics of us running mini-moto. He jumped up and down when he saw this pic and said he wanted it for his class to SHOW people the head turn. So based on that I am posting it for you....
The first pic is just BEFORE I am in the turn, the second is the actual turn....(Yeah, I'm kind of proud that I have this in my head! It was quite a compliment.)

[no_morelipfrom_you]

thanks bmbr