4 Ways you are Distracted on a Motorcycle

[@MCrider]

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[@shelomith365]

I picked up a helpful tip in the book "Riding in the Zone" by Ken Congdon. He talked about making a mental game out of scanning and predicting events in traffic around you. He suggests getting in a habit of watching for clues in sounds, movements, and traffic patterns that could lead to potential hazardous situations. Every time you predict a possible hazard before it happens you get a "point". May not work for everyone but I find this "game" aspect kind of fun and it helps me to stay focused longer.

[@Potatohead55]

Thanks for the book recommendation. I just purchased a used copy of Riding in the Zone shipped to the house for $13. My wife has been riding a Spyder for over two years now and I hope it will reenforce some of the techniques I have been coaching her on.

[@kendotek9414]

I too think of "Gearing up" as my pre-ride ritual. The ritual reminds me of being in the Army and putting on full battle-rattle before going out. There is something about gearing up that tells my brain that its go time.

[@motzoh]

Ex-zacky!!! Like EMS response to a call.

[@thomasche]

Exactly

[@michaelwalker3920]

That’s why I love my basic Harley Road King. Just me and my bike in harmony. No music, no screen.

[@markcollins5026]

Man, the only music I need to listen to comes from my exhaust pipe !

[@nataala_]

Period. No other sounds must matter.

[@thomasche]

Same

[@thehabman]

The cognitive is the main reason I ride. Riding puts me in a different mindset, focused and always in the moment, which is why I ride. And why I rarely ride with others.

[@davedevries5866]

thehabman when I group ride I always ride at the back so I can ride my own ride without worrying about other riders doing stupid things.👍

[@sabeillard]

Thehabman: I absolutely agree with you! I'm not saying that riding in group is not good, but that doesn't work for me. For me, riding a motorcycle is a lonely and personal experience and I take a lot if fun of that, riding alone. Cheers from Portugal! 👍😁

[@conn1e]

Popular for ADHD folks. The leaning, wind, gear changes all keep you focused. Cars are like couches that glide, not nearly as stimulating although manual gearbox again helps.

[@thehabman]

@@sabeillard I could not agree more with you. Even when I do ride with a group, it is always a small group,

[@thomasche]

You should always ride alone

[@danporath536]

I ask myself questions of myself occasionally to stay focused: How is this road surface? Is anyone coming up fast behind? Look ahead, anything up front I see? It does help.

[@MCrider]

Good tip, thanks for sharing.

[@tvalecic]

Start engine, and while it "warms up" I use same routine - gloves, helmet ... Biggest distractions are nice scenes that I pass by, so I stop and take camera to make some pictures. This is also opportunity for "reset" :D

[@MikeyLakeman]

I ride very weirdly, I act like I'm giving a lesson, I'm constantly saying to myself so there's a car in front is he wanting to turn? Where should I be positioned ect .. I find it helps me quite a lot!

[@burnerjack01]

I act like I'm almost invisible and yes, they really ARE trying to kill me.

[@AO1YinYang]

I play a similar game, guess the direction this person is going to, change lane or intersection turns, i call it direction roulette. All it is really is keeping me focused on practicing my learning of drivers "tells".

[@kickerpunter]

I will often say out loud the steps to turning. "Slow....look....press....roll."

[@williamdimond1548]

Thank you Kevin, truly enjoy the wisdom that you share each week. For me, I like to ask the Lord to help me stay focused, to keep me safe, and to ride with wisdom, and to be courteous to others. Hope that your garage project is coming along well. Have a blessed day Kevin, and again, thank you for all your work here.

[@MCrider]

Thanks William!!!

[@Cake...]

I may only ride a motor scooter but there's a lot of stuff I pick up from this channel

[@robertmanigault625]

Kevin, I like it when you’re on the road riding. I get to go on a vicarious ride while listening to your presentation. Great presentation, as always. Proud supporter of your channel and look forward to my weekly safety training.

[@MCrider]

Thanks Robert, the riding video has been more out of necessity since I am still getting the garage set up but I may do more of it in the future if everyone likes it.

[@rocbike4]

@@MCrider I LIKE IT TOO!!! Keep it up. I ride a sportbike but I like Kevin's point of view while on the road.

[@-MrMidnight-]

@@MCrider I enjoy both types of videos but I recommend doing more videos of you riding as we get to learn directly from you. We get to see practical application of what it is you are teaching. As always keep God's work and stay blessed.

[@vendigrothianv2997]

Before each ride when I put my helmet on and tighten the chinstrap, the thought that I should be the one removing it after the ride is like a mantra, which makes me focused and safety conscious. Although sometimes I do push beyond the legally accepted safe limits when riding (who doesn't), because of your videos I find myself choosing safer road strategies than before. Thank you for the work you do here and God bless.

[@conn1e]

Worrying about being late! Come to peace with the fact you'll be late and slow down. How I had my first crash.

[@l.d.barneske8qbi5]

I use my truck driver training to keep my focus on driving, looking at the following keeps your eyes and head moving, Left mirror, look forward, look left, look right, look at dash , look forward, look left , look right, right mirror, look forward, look left, look right. Repeat

[@autumngreenleaf3390]

Thanks. My last task when getting ready to ride is to pray. I would never ride without full armored gear but praying is the number one priority.

[@michaelrmanley]

I change lane position often to get a different "look" of the road if safe to do so. Helps me keep focused. Changing pace, closing/opening helmet vents, etc. are a few other things I do.

[@clydewilson1141]

I use a routine I learned from an instructor at the Grampian Police High Speed Driving School in Scotland when I was stationed at RAF Edzell while I was in the USN. You keep your eyes forward and you speak out loud to your self everything you see. Road is straight, car approaching in the left lane, truck pulling out from the right, etc etc etc. Eventually it will become natural and you just begin talking like this in your mind to yourself.

[@williamokeefe9677]

Kevin, spot on about pre-ride ritual. Sometimes I know I'm not in it and I don't ride but most I go through the gear ritual; boots, jacket, helmet, gloves, keys, wallet, phone, then T-CLOCS and C-FINE. Just methodically going through that sets my mind to the ride at hand and centers my attention. Great video.

[@scottwooldridge8946]

My bike makes all the music I want to hear while riding, but I guess all ya get with a gold wing is the sound of wind.

[@MCrider]

Even on my Road King I had music going.

[@jsprite123]

Scott Wooldridge Yes, but the sound of the wind is golden

[@theChestnutMtnTinman]

I agree that it is very easy to get distracted with all of the extra electronics that are now on the bikes. Add our GoPros, cellphones, and water bottles, and you could quite easily do like what happened on the video or worse--hit a semi head on. I have to remind myself that I must pull over if I need to change or adjust something. Thank you for your very informative videos. They not only help us in maintaining our bikes, but keep us safer on the road. 😎😎

[@nowornever1073.]

STAREDOWN!!! YOU ARE SO RIGHT! IT WASNT MY ALMOST CRASH THAT COULD HAVE KILLED ME BUT THE 2SEC. AFTER THE STAREDOWN. SO STUPID OF ME!!! I LEARN EVERYDAY THANKS TO YOUR VIDEOS! LOVE FROM AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS!!!

[@jamesyoumans7050]

Like you ... I have a pre-ride ritual that helps me prepare for my ride ... I love music too but I have SiriusXM radio which allows me to set the channel and get non-stop music in the category I want ... so I try to keep my distractions down to just the task at hand - riding ... Love your videos ... Never miss one because they all are very informative ...

[@bandaddie]

My pre-ride ritual is a pre-trip inspection of bike. I also do a pre-trip inspection of gear as I am putting it onto my body, right down to the spit-shine on my boots.

[@tedspaete1002]

A Couple of deep breaths before getting underway is part of my ritual to get in the moment and focused. Then if I find myself distracted out on the ride, a simple return to a breath, gets me right back into the moment.

[@firedog9113]

Taking my bike out for the first time today riding around my block. So glad I listened to you and some others for beginners. I used a few of the thimgs I heard and seen on your videos today. After a month and a half, I finally put a few miles on my bike. Still learning from ya toady

[@daviddougherty7289]

I prefer just the wind through my helmet and the sound from the engine.

[@tel1jla]

I own both a modern Yamaha and an old Norton. The Yamaha's shift lever is on the left, the Norton's is on the right. That helps keep me focused as I often ride both bikes during the same day.

[@dandersonjr]

When ride I smile and keep reminding myself how much fun I'm having and how lucky I was to discover riding motorcycles at a young age. It never gets old although I'm not a long touring type person either.

[@B235RViggen]

I find physical discomfort as major distractions as well. What I mean is that anything that can cause you to take your attention off of riding like: Fatigue, Heat, Cold, Itch, Hot-spot on the scalp due to ill-fitting helmet, flappy gear, gear too tight, bad suspension settings (too harsh, too willowy), foggy face-shield, etc. The list goes on. Make sure you mitigate these distractions ahead of time, as best you can, and deal with them when they creep up by pulling off to the side of the road at your earliest convenience. Case in point, a hot-spot on your scalp that you start to feel can escalate to a piercing painful ordeal VERY quickly. You don't want to experience that while riding through heavy highway traffic or a string of technical curves.

[@josh8494]

Hi Kevin. First, great video. As with so many of your lessons it is a good reminder for those of us who’ve been on bikes a long time and great points for our newer brethren. For me, I ride solo. No groups. I just like to roll at my pace and watch the world around me. It is my release from a stressful job. I have two bikes, one pretty bare bones and one with more stuff on it than I’ll ever use. I do listen to music on the Star Venture. It helps me relax.on the other I listen to the wind. On both I have no pre-ride rituals other than the basic checks, tires, lights, etc., to make sure I’m mechanically prepared. How I keep myself in check is I periodically remind myself of the basics and challenge myself to take my next corner with textbook form. I find myself in autopilot sometimes and mentally ask myself to focus on a slow, look press and roll. It brings me to the fundamentals and puts me back in the mode of focusing on riding right. In my work we focus a lot on safety (refinery work) and as a leader in my organization I take old military habits, like being an NCO and needing to set the example and leading from the front, to remind me to keep my head on because I just got done training my team on hazard recognition. I don’t feel like I can properly lead others on these matters without trying to live it myself. This keeps me dialed in. I use many lessons you teach and adapt them to so many situations we find ourselves in daily in the field because the points carry over to so much more than just motorcycles. This is my focus to stay on the path of riding right and safely.

[@someone46018]

I used to hear music when riding, until I crashed as well because of it, I use the phone on the handlebar for GPS when I don't know the location of the place I'm going, but like Kevin says, it is as distracting as you let it be.

[@robsmotovlog561]

I’ve fallen victim to cognitive distractions. Now, thanks to you, I make it a point to constantly focus on lane position. Doing so, keeps me alert. Thanks Kevin!!

[@joemgarcia3095]

Riding has brought me closer to my creator God....I give thanks unceasingly all the day/ride long.. this attitude of gratitude allows me to be present and focused....while acknowledging all behaviors, especially at cross sections....head is always on a swivel....and keep proper/appropriate distances from "cages"...lol....God bless you Kevin, and ALL of US who appreciate and comment on your professionalism.....ride safe everyone....amen

[@johnnycop77]

Entertainment features on a motorcycle will kill you. Riding should be entertainment enough, if not get a car.

[@2wheel_weekend]

My mental state determines whether I listen to music. Leaned that the hard way with close calls. At times just listening to the bike and the environment is best but again this varies for me on my mind set at the time of riding.

[@TennRides]

I always spend the first several miles watching MCRider on my cell phone while riding to remind myself to stay focused. LOL

[@MCrider]

Smart man. ;)

[@TennRides]

@@MCrider Haha, I thought you would get a kick out of that if you read it.

[@willmcgregor7184]

Attention is required if you are stopped too. Couple times Ive seen people drop the bike while stopped Cuz they were talking/distracted at a gas station, in P lot etc.

[@BloozBone]

I've had all the distractions to some degree at some point. But the one that had my wife yelling at me from the back seat was visual. I was enjoying the sights and almost ran into my brother who was leading. I felt stupid, but it got my attention. No one is immune from these distractions. It takes a deliberate effort to avoid them.

[@jeep2liberty]

What keeps my focus? Many of Kevin's videos say something like "what could you have done 10 seconds before the crash to prevent it?" Many time this pops into my head and it causes me to re-evaluate my situation in traffic, weather or other safety factors. Indeed we wish we could rewind time and prevent an accident. Since we can't it is wise to get into the habit of asking this question while on 2 wheels. Ride with a strategy, ride with developed skills! Thanks brother Kevin for the excellent videos. You are making a difference!

[@KLP99]

What do I do to stay focused? I think of the people I've personally seen killed or seriously injured on bikes. I don't dwell on anything, ever. Any time you dwell on anything, you've taken your mind off what should have your focus. This is true of being at work, playing with your kids/grand kids, discussing things with your wife or whatever, or any number of other things, but riding is that one thing that loss of focus can be fatal or if not, permanently alter the course of your life. I stay focused simply by sheer will. I have serious A.D.D., so I really have to work to stay focused. I know others are like that, and some are worse. I think at least one of the 2 people I've seen killed died because of complete loss of focus.

[@keithwaite5026]

Your motorcycle is not to blame. Only human error!

[@RANhxcCORE]

My MSF instructor in DFW said he would clap his hands 3 times before mounting the bike and for whatever reason I stole that.. every time before I get on the bike, 3 quick slaps, and a deep breath and on my way to work. Thank you Mark in DFW for instructing me and being such a great teacher!

[@matthiasweiss1144]

I don't need a special ritual. Getting dressed for a ride is a complex enough undertaking to get my mind into "the groove" several minutes before I even leave the house.

[@moeb434]

A pre-ride focusing routine for me is checking tires...tread and both sidewalls for both tires.

[@SweetartistacademyAuPerth]

My concentration comes from Kevin's voice in the back of my head. Always there Thank you

[@ghostpepperrides4805]

If I fine I'm not focused, I change things. Turn off the music, open or close my helment visor, adjust my seat position. Even stop for a time out break. Stay focused, stay alive.

[@edwardtupper6374]

Probably the most important video you have ever made.

[@kingfisherphil]

Great topic and insights Kevin. I agree 100% that a ritual before riding is good to get in ride mode. My ritual is putting on my gear, including boots, jacket and pants, then the helmet with camera. Unlocking the bike in garage and we are off, it takes me 15-20 minutes, sometimes it frustrates me BUT I realised that it puts me mentally in the right place to ride, well worth it. Thank you.

[@sabrinapittsley2304]

I like listening to music on open roads only where there’s minimal traffic. Can’t listen in town or city traffic. Beautiful scenery can be distracting, so I will pull off the road to look at it. Thanks for all your great videos and tips.

[@erichaagen9973]

Great vid as usual , we all need to be reminded from time to time to go back to basics

[@paulschreiber1032]

Pray for my ability and alertness of other drivers

[@patmurphy389]

kevin, this is so true!....I try to stay focused when riding, but there was one time I was going up a hill & turning a corner & unfortunately, I was focused on the scenery to my right, I almost lost the bike, but corrected & I didn't lose it-it was very scary for me so I made a mental note not to do that anymore. thank you for all of your updates & videos!

[@harrybeck2791]

Close your eyes, say "my ride" three times for focus before turning the key. A little prayer for good luck too.

[@motzoh]

Nice ride, Kevin! She purrs like a kitten. I love the pre-ride ritual: dressed right, start 'er up, check garment closures, secure helmet & gloves, check lights, then sit in saddle and pause a moment to consider the ride--every time--before dropping out of neutral. It's so habitual that it's almost superstitious.

[@dogsnmotorcycles]

I always do a pre-flight before each ride, checking the lights, tires and my gear to help put me into the right mind set. Sometimes as I merge onto the freeway, I'll loose forward focus as I'm crossing lanes, watching out for cars behind me. I've often had cars speed up as I change lanes in front of them. It's usually only for a fraction of a second, but at those speeds, a lot can happen in that fraction of a second. I kind of have to watch my mirrors and watch forward, so it's just something I have to be aware of.

[@lovinwhatwedo...6629]

Thanks for yet another great video with wise counsel. With regard to the music, I listen to a specific playlist, this way I'm not listening to that new song. When the workload begins to increase I sometimes stop it altogether. But yes, the technology is simply a tool for use at our discretion, maximising safety.

[@tonypybus8003]

So true and a great lesson once again. I recall a few years ago getting back on a bike and buying a blue tooth device for my helmet (i just don't like being attached to the bike by a cable). I linked it up to my phone to listen to music. My first mistake was not switching the phone element to off. My second was not knowing the device well enough to reject a call. As I approached a round about my phone went off and the device automatically answered the call. I could not get the caller to ring off and so found myself arguing with someone as I was pulling up and forgot to put my foot down in time ending up laying the bike down. Whilst there was little damage to the bike and i was not hurt it taught me a big lesson on the use of tech whilst out and to ensure only what is needed to be engaged whilst out on the bike. Whilst the bike is warming I check the phone is correctly set (i.e phone on do not disturb) setting my mindset to riding the bike and finished with ensuring all safety equipment is done up and secure.

[@bandaddie]

I stay focused by calling out loud everything I see and hear. "Approaching intersection/side street controlled by stop sign/blue car entering from right." "Shopping center ahead on left, line of cars waiting to enter highway." Speed limit signs, etc. I talk to myself in this manner constantly and I miss very little in the process.

[@max_955]

Chetin Basaran I stay focused swearing all the time without going mad lol

[@johnnylightning1491]

Just like cars motorcycles are getting WAY too "interactive" with the driver. My truck has an older style push button radio, I can change stations in a fraction of a second, you can't do that with the radios integrated into the screen. Heck you can't even change the heat setting without jumping through a whole bunch of menus. I think that after a few dozen or hundred people are killed because of this things with change. Until that time, we all need to be mindful of where we are focused. I've told folks one of the reasons that I ride is that I must have 100% of my focus on the 400 feet or road in front of me and nothing else. Thanks for another excellent video.

[@jimhayes4000]

Hey Man , great and informative class . I am guilty of conversations with my girlfriend passenger while riding. It may sound strange but I get more intense on the safety for her while traveling and operating the bike during the conversations.

[@larryfm]

Another great video! For me auditory distraction the worst. I have a very nice sound system on my Harley as standard equipment that I seldom, if ever use. It's normally tuned to the weather station and the volume off. I just finished a 2200 mile trip from Iowa out to Deadwood, SD and only listened to my radio two or three times for a minute or two each just for weather updates as we rode into some threatening weather areas. Nice radio, but not if it distracts me. I think about lots of things while riding but it's much easier for me to focus on riding with the radio off;

[@AO1YinYang]

I use a cell phone on my handlebars purely for gps direction since i do not have a fancy gps built into the bike, i set it before i pull off so i don't ever have to touch it during the ride. I tried listening to music, and tried different genres, but found it too distracting, as well a bluetooth head set for "emergency" calls, but found that distracting too, so i decided, if its that important, people can call me back, or ill check my phone next stop. I do have a pre-ride ritual besides the gloves and helmet strap, i check all my pocket zips, are they closed on my jacket, is everything closed, not flapping, i do not want to lose my wallet or house keys, so that pocket/s zipper check every time helps me get focused.

[@miguelriverocolado5202]

Kevin, once more, thanks for your videos! are GREAT! Regarding, distractions, you have a point, there is many distractions while we ride the bike, and is up to us to manage them. Technology is one of them that for sure we look in to them and do not think they will affect us, but sure they do. Every time I around my bike in preparation for a ride I work out mentally that I am going to enjoy the ride and I perpair my self so when I'm riding I do have fun and love it. Thanks for your great advices. Looking to see soon your new facilities! My best regards.

[@MCrider]

Thanks Miguel!!!

[@burnerjack01]

I use my phone for Nav, music, road hazard ahead annunciation and yes, phone calls. I find it no less distracting that the radio on in my truck. I don't make calls while riding but have the phone set for automatic answer. It rings, I say "hello' and the call is on. At the end, I just say 'goodbye' and just wait for the caller to hang up . How do I avoid being 'distracted' (what the previous generations called 'negligent')? I NEVER forget that riding my bike is THE MOST SERIOUS THING I'll do all day. Always watching, always calculating risks, traction, probabilities, likely actions and or course "exit strategy". I am forever looking for sand, other road hazards, kids, dogs, deer, and of course, a driver bent on making a mistake or just trying to invent a new kind of 'stupid'. Mental discipline let's me ride safely and enjoy my ride to the fullest.

[@4jcar]

Great subject Kevin. Using rolling commentary is a great way to keep focus. I find that another distraction for some, are the billboards and bright lights of the big cities. It takes a lot not to be drawn in. As an instructor myself in Australia, as I am finding more often in all age groups is the mobile phone. As soon as we stop anywhere, the student has to be on the phone. Keep up the good work and really enjoy the videos and content. Stay safe

[@oulupulu]

Lovely to see you out and about on the goldwing :)

[@rosemaryus-ct6151]

great vid; it's so important not to be distracted... wait... u can cook a hotpocket?!!! lol

[@1stcarver]

I like my music, classic rock form the 50's! It easies my mind, and lets me focus on riding, and enjoying the ride. My ritual is a prayer. God grant me the awareness of others, and for the awareness of others to see me, and to keep my attention on the ride, and possible dangers. Actually a bit longer than that, but you all get the idea.

[@bobsmith6748]

Agree 100%. Riding a bike requires 100% concentration 100% of the time.

[@v2vortex]

Lots of great gifts of knowledge Kevin, I too use that moment of putting my gear on as a ritual that tells my brain to get ready we are about to ride....It funny in a car I always have always had music to listen too while I drive. It calms me and sometimes keeps me focused on watching out for bad driving... Now while I ride I don't have that background noise, I acutally sign in my head and that helps me focus on what I am doing.... One day I would like to add real music, I don't always know the entire song and I end up signing the same song over and over... long rides can get boring on the same song.... hehehehehehe Sad to hear that Waltferific had a one of those moments you wish you could of done differently.....

[@FarkyDave]

To help me stay focused, I make a point of scanning with my vision. I don't just stare straight ahead. I think having music on might pose a problem with being able to hear emergency vehicles and anything else you need to hear. Thanks for the video and I hope your new garage is coming along.

[@marekstawicki8811]

Hey Kevin! Answering your question is not that easy. One thing for sure is - when I ride, nothing else matters. I mean: NOTHING. But how do I do this? I really don't know. I just do. Maybe it's because I know, if I don't I may not get back home one day. Anyway, I stay focus all the time. I can literally recall few cases when I lost that focus, and then I've stopped, got my mind cleared, and then continued. I hope it will help me make all my rides safely all the way. cheers and regards from Poland

[@stephtraveler7378]

My distraction is that I get increasingly impatient when behind distracted drivers. I get this uncontrollable urge to pass and it leads to unnecessary risks. i.e. stuck behind cars going 5 mph below the speed limit; cars over braking for no apparent reason at all; cars with not using signals; cars making such slow right turns that other cars enter the intersection creating a dangerous situation.

[@patrickcoleman3]

I have a remote switch on my handlebars with a rocker switch for answering calls and volume and track changing.

[@esa062]

I just don't ride very long continuously. When I find my focus is dropping, I take a break. Also, what helps to focus longer is a well balanced, quiet helmet and earplugs. And standard muffler. Noise wears you down fast.

[@RevJay_Rides]

Your description of “a stare down” with the driver who cut you off is descriptive enough that it makes me believe this was shared from experience. LOL Yes, I have too. Have a blessed week, MCrider.

[@MCrider]

I have never had it happen on a bike but I have in a car. ;)

[@rider14mcd63]

Outstanding as always

[@stevena3446]

Due to some family health issues, I have my phone mounted to the handlebars, but turned off. If a call or message comes in, phone screen lights up, gets my attention, and I find a safe spot to pull over to check phone. As an “old” printer, I was always acutely aware of the sounds and rhythms of printing presses and knew I would hear a change in those sounds prior to something breaking or otherwise going wrong. I do the same thing when I’m riding. I can always hear if something is just not right with the bike. So no music for me. Just the rhythms of that motor.

[@georgejed6869]

Auditory.... I do not listen to music when I ride. It messes up with the moment. G

[@BR1.618]

Funny enough that you mentioned the ritual before driving your motorcycle, I have actually been doing that naturally everytime I get on the bike and it somehow mentally prepares me to ride, now I know, thanks! Of course there's too many things to thank you for, like the few times I avoided possibly fatal accident, twice, all thank to your videos about fixating and proper driving.

[@MCrider]

Thanks Kaps!

[@chrisherman7531]

Excellent video Kevin. Thank you for posting this.

[@BigMoeFo]

I completely agree with you with music....it totally centers me. But the music I choose definitely effects my riding....AC/DC works for me...I once tried Bob Marley and I thought I would crash.

[@rubencangelosi193]

Thanks Kevin for your video!, I like this kind of videos from your motorcycle instead from your garage... for me it was a little boring, but this new format is like to take a little ride! Thanks!

[@Uraltreter]

I can’t even imagine how you stay focused on boring straight roads, I live in the mountains in the Tyrol (Austria) and its all twisties - even to the extreme. That keeps you well focused... there’s one long straight road I have to take when I go to Italy and I almost fell asleep last time I took it.

[@davidmoore9449]

Thanks for another great seminar.

[@thodthverdthur]

Wearing dark sunglasses is a distraction for me. I feel it obstructs my natural sight of view which should be bright and clear.

[@AO1YinYang]

i had the same issue, and when your on the highway/freeway, helmet moves, and thus the glasses. Ever since i got a helmet with a built in glasses visor, that distraction completely disappeared and also took away the worry of trying to keep glasses with, and trying to ram them in my helmet to fit properly, and also quick to "remove" glasses if too dark..no regrets.

[@STho205]

You definitely have a point on the two wheel Honda Accord, and many new bikes, even little ones. I ride a 80s design era CB and have nothing but naked bike. My phone velcroed is in my jacket phone pocket as an emergency phone booth in case of accident or stranding (unused so far). I've been country riding for 44 years and seldom find myself lost. I know where I'm going and try to know where I am. Drawing a small map or directions on a notepad works for me better than glowing LCD in the sun. No radio, no helmet speakers, no cruise control, no programmable modes, no bike computer at all. I may do differently if I lived elsewhere. I have to ride over an hour to get to roads as straight as the Texas road you were on. If I was on lonely, wide FM roads a lot, I think I'd want a Goldwing or modern screen cruiser too.

[@chrispomphrett4283]

S Tho, I couldn't agree more. I ride a bike with lots of items to play with. It sort of creeps up on you adding more and more bits, spotlight switch here, camera bracket there,....etc. BUT it wasn't until I finished the restoration of an old British 500 this spring that it dawned on me just how free I felt riding it. It has a speedo with a blue high-beam lamp. That's it, nothing else. Now I've come to appreciate as I did when I started riding in the 70s, proper riding without all the intrusions of 'stuff'. You Can live without it.

[@billsawyer5265]

phone needs to stay on your body in case you crash and get separated from your bike. A friend learned that the hard way and laid there all night.

[@MCrider]

Bluetooth keeps you connected to it.

[@billsawyer5265]

@@MCrider yep that works if your helmets connected to your body. My buddies was not

[@NINZIE1949]

Always great info, I get refocused every week when I watch your video, thx Kevin.

[@virtualadmonisher6844]

Hot Pocket - love it!

[@bradshaw2288]

I broke 2 of the top 5 Deadly Rules of riding 0n my 4th Bike with less than 7000 miles under my belt, less than 3 seconds gazed or target fixated Angry an I ran off the road in a soft curve on my new bike with less than a 1000 original miles, the Bike took a light hit, with minimal damage, I was very very lucky because I landed right beside a big builder in someones yard for landscaping effects at my neck / head area and a tree at the point of my lower spine, I ended up with a broken humerus bone on my left side, the 2nd most painful bone in the body to break from what the professionals told me... sadly that's what it took for me to never forget or take riding lightly ever again, listen to Kevin, I'm telling you from 1st hand learned knowledge, He's telling the absolute truth!!! And Kevin I Myself also become razor focused and extremely relaxed riding with tunez!!! But It's a can ride without it thing with me as well, and at times I prefer just my Bike as background noise as well, & I have Bluetooth wireless earbuds to with an answer phone feature, but why would I even want to talk on a phone while riding??? I didn't become an everyday rider to have phone calls, I only keep it with me in case of emergency, PERIOD!!! Thanks Kevin!!! Safe & Happy Riding All... 🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍

[@JT-cloverbottomt]

Kevin, I was shocked to learn that you were a death metal music fan! (Those are the lyrics you focus on right? I know me too. The growls and yells are just so distracting and they attract sharks too. 😂). Great video, I hope you and your family are enjoying the new house!

[@nickmiracle2317]

For me it’s all about the ride, I try to enjoy every aspect of it. In my car or pickup it’s more about getting where I’m going. I found the radio on my voyager was distracting me so I no longer use it. Instead I use a Bluetooth headset connected to my phone which is always in my pocket or saddle bag. It wasn’t the music so much as being able to skip or search for another song.

[@fredmaldonado9204]

Now cooking a Hot pocket on your ride is very cool.

[@garyhalsey7693]

Hi Kevin, great video as always with really good points to think about. As for the staying focussed, I’m still new enough to a big bike that the only way I CAN ride is to be focussed!! I haven’t reached the state of nirvana yet where things happen through muscle memory!! Ride safe, from a UK rider.

[@gabrialavichai9615]

I used to listen to music, through the bluetooth feature of my Xena sound system. I could change the song just by tapping and lightly turning the dial on the control device on the side of the helmet. Now I listen to the pipes and road noise....

[@neokix1265]

last week, I replaced my key ring and I realized how much I was distracted by the previous one. It jiggled and it was distracting but I didn't think that was so important until I replaced that.

[@betruly7894]

I avoid music in the car when approaching a busy intersection, what make my wife mad at me because i turned the volume down a bit or all together. The music in some degree make me miss judge to other drivers or make me think harder in simple tasks only when driving. I love music at long highway. When i'm driving it is easy to loose focus on driving, but on the motorcycle i'm so much awake because my brain busy using the technique "what if?"

[@neptune3doz]

Thank you for all you help always brother!!