Target Fixation

Andy_Pagin · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Nov 2010 Karma :

Had my first real experience of this last night.

Riding down Enfield Highway in the pouring rain, know the road like the back of my hand, every lump bump and man-hole cover so wasn't paying enough attention to the tarmac. Suddenly I see a brick directly in front, target-fixation kicks in, I can't take my eyes off of it, my brain refuses to let my arms counter steer past it, I ride straight over it, except it wasn't a brick but a paper bag doing a pretty good brick impersonation.

Scared the crap out of me. Hopefully next time I target fixate that experience will let me break out of it.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Weird, isn't it, like your brain is saying "Naaah, we don't really want to go around it, let's see what happens if we go over it." Shocked

I'm quite tempted to try some offroad stuff to see if that helps.
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

Alex_B · Brolly Dolly Joined: 15 Jul 2011 Karma :

Lucky man. Thumbs Up

It's so counter intuitive to not look at what might kill ya though. I hope I never have to find out Laughing

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phillyctr · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Karma :

i know how u feel as i went flying over a massive pothole,luckly i was going that fast i glided over it any slower i think i would have been roadkill.

J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

When I was just starting riding after my CBT I got target fixation a few too many times, it was really horrible.
I find that sometimes, especially on a corner, if you get target fixated then try physically moving your head rather than your eyes. Thumbs Up

On the plus side.. you scared the brick outa that bag Laughing

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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

ElliotReidMD · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 08 Jul 2011 Karma :

I almost had target fixation during my DAS earlier in the month. I was leading our group of 3 going down a country lane when our instructor said over the radio that the zig zag road sign coming up that had 25mph on it really meant it (we were in a national speed limit area).

As I went round the first bend, left hand, a truck with a huge skip was entering from the opposit direction and I looked at it. For a fraction of a second I thought "I'm going to hit that" but my brain screamed "TARGET FIXIATION" so I turned my head, looked round the bend and easily missed the truck.

Was somewhat happy I didn't hit it.
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