Motorcycle Cornering Techniques - How to use your eyes

[@MCrider]

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[@petermaverley8014]

Dear MCRider, I’ve been riding motorcycles since 1975 and after watching your videos I’ve learned more from you than I have learned by my mistakes in all those years. Thanks for the education as it is much appreciated. Mav in Ireland

[@swarupdeysarkar4753]

This is what I called a perfect video. Pointing the nose in the direction and at the same time scannibg the conrner and the surrounding is perfect combination. I m certainly making it a habit from now on....

[@lpd1snipe]

Another excellent informative video, as always! I learned this technique 48 years ago when I started riding on the street. Also when I was still in the Navy in 1977 the Norfolk base offered a motorcycle safety course. You had to take it in order to keep a motorcycle on base, otherwise you had to get a daily pass. It really opened my eyes, I thought I knew a lot more than I until I took that course. I highly recommend everyone take a safety course.

[@fredallen7493]

Langley AFB had the rules. From 76-81. Had to take it before you got your mc certification.

[@justanoldman697]

Parking lots are my best friend in the spring after a winter of not riding. Gets my head back in the game! Thanks Kevin for your videos!

[@RavenwestR1]

I cant find a parking space big enough on my area :(

[@afterburner2869]

I appreciate your professionalism in the way you teach. There is no arrogance from you, nor do you talk down to us “average riders” like some other guy does on his channel. 👍🏻

[@corkyakins1519]

Great advice to practice treating a no-threat object in the road like a real threat!

[@MCrider]

Just make sure you are on an empty road or the drivers around you will start to wonder about your mental stability. :)

[@phillipdoyle2679]

I don't know if you will see this, but I just got a motorcycle and started riding yesterday, and I'm very thankful for you and your videos. I feel like they will help me out a lot. Thanks!

[@kf8575]

You Sir, are a saint. Rather than skimming over things, explaining them with great examples, you have encouraged me to look at the way I ride, and have helped me a great deal in figuring out a few "why do i keep doing that?" moments that were getting on my nerves lol. Thanks again👍👍

[@vinokumar9697]

I always mess up hairpin turns but turning the whole head not just the eyes is revolutionary. Thank u . 🙏🇮🇳

[@marsoelflaco5722]

Robert Simmons "Paying it Foward". He's a retired New York City Motorcycle Patrol Lieutenant, currently residing in Georgia. He specializes in slow motorcycle operations. He's down to Earth, easy going, but passionate about "preloading and keepin' it loaded".✌🏽👍🏽

[@Sledge-fu5zr]

Kevin may you and your family be blessed this Christmas. You very effectively reminded us that we should never stop scanning with our eyes no matter what other skills we are using. Scanning with the eyes is constant

[@MCrider]

Merry Christmas!

[@NobodyWhatsoever]

Kevin, I just had to pause. You were talking about target fixation approaching the 6 minute mark, and it reminds me of some of the on-road practice I do. And then you describe basically what I've been doing. To those passing by, this is good advice. To reiterate what is described, and to explain what I do, here is how I have been training away from target fixation: I pick a "hazard" on the road. So, for example there's a stretch of road on my way home from a lot of rides with a bunch of manhole covers. That can be some "hazards," as well as any flaw in the pavement. I look at the hazard, and label it as such, then I look where I wish to go and label that, "escape," in my mind so to speak. Or I at least look at what I wish to avoid and look elsewhere. It is definitely helping. Like I said, I think it's really good advice. Something else I like to do on that road with a long line of manhole covers is using them for low-key swerving practice. I push right or left on the handlebar as I approach closely. In fair weather, they aren't a serious threat to traction with steady throttle and road speed. It's a bit more difficult to practice emergency braking in the middle of traffic, however. I save that for the parking lot.

[@02155Tony]

Great advise. I had this problem along with the dreaded U turn. Practice practice! I finally got it! I have seen this problem many times when riding with others totally misjudging corners and driving onto the shoulder of the road. Thanks Kevin

[@daninboca]

Great video Kevin! Thank you! Everyone talks about turning your head and pointing your nose or chin in the direction you want to go; however, I haven't heard anyone else say to scan back and forth while your head is turned. I do that naturally, and appreciate you confirming what I do. Thanks again for all of your terrific videos!

[@fvcostanzo]

Hey Kevin - one of your BEST videos ever. This skill can't get enough emphasis. I've been riding for over 40 years, and I still practice this every season.

[@wadeblake3451]

Excellent description Kevin. I particularly like you pointing out how practicing in parking lots turning your head and looking where you want to go can be utilized on the street under speed. I hadn’t made that connection. Thanks for tying the two together.

[@Jleonpolanco]

Literally answered the exact question I had for wide corners I came to this video for. Thank you!!

[@mobiletech.dgmain3074]

Thank you for what you do for the motorcycle community I have learned a lot from you Moto jiu jitsu and a bunch of others. If these videos weren't available I don't know where I would get this information. Honestly you guys are doing the whole writing community a great service by posting these types of videos please keep up the good work I would love to come ride with you someday.

[@wallywalroo7296]

I am brushing up on all of your fundamental basics videos to prep for the riding season which is right around the corner. you have the best Moto channel as you explain things calmly, concisely and time efficiently while still not rushing through it. @MCrider is Very entertaining and an actual public service channel in your valuable content. Thank You.

[@JHV166]

Thank you for validating a point that I have argued for decades.. And remember, NOTHING is carved in stone. Adaptation is what will keep you alive once you know where and how to see. But to think that you don't make ANY adjustments (Sneaking a peek as you round a corner) because someone somewhere told you that you simply HAVE to do it a certain way is a SURE way to get in a jam..

[@daveedds]

Well I thought I was cheating by taking those little glances!!! I feel so much better now!!!! Merry Christmas sir

[@SpeedieDee]

I like to practice using my eyes in my car in the off-season as it helps me get ready using these techniques for spring riding

[@CanukWoodChuck]

Thanks Kevin. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Stay safe

[@MCrider]

Merry Christmas!

[@MotoMiles]

Such incredible information Kevin.and we are brothers with our wiggly eye !

[@stefan8271]

Great tips , as a rider going back to riding after over 10 years out , your posts and advise have been the best reminder , thank you

[@dominictwist657]

Great advice Kevin, thank you. I have always had issues with looking where I want to go and the perfectly reasonable fear of hitting a pothole. The roads here in the UK have suffered from underinvestment for a number of years and in some places are in terrible condition. I’ll certainly try your technique next time I’m out. I hope you and your family have a very Happy Christmas. Bless you and yours. 🙏🏻

[@DaxXx988]

I'm so happy I started doing this scanning "intuitively" on my ride in the twisties yesterday, and now stumbling on this video explaining it's the right thing to do!

[@terrydebord7878]

Great information Kevin, thanks

[@steelmand]

This is exactly what was thought to new riders 25 years ago when I took the course. This also made me be a better car driver as well. Good job explaining it well Kevin.

[@jrforeman279]

I had a fairly, new to riding, friend ask me how far ahead I look while riding. I relayed all your information because I heard most of it while taking the MSF course. When I told him about not focusing on what is 10 feet in front of him because that close stuff has already happened to him. He just hadn't felt it yet. Good program. Merry Christmas Kevin.

[@Dan-nt2yb]

Thanks again Kevin. I’m in a cold and wet part of Canada and, my Honda VTX1300 has been put to sleep until next Spring but....I never stop learning from you thanks to KZbin and your awesome channel.👍🏾👍🏾🏍

[@wayneclifford3409]

I love this as it is so much slide saving technique for new riders and old (it really works)

[@gloredon]

This is good advice even on the straight part of roads, to ensure that obstacles like potholes are properly avoided as you approach them. Looking twelve seconds ahead will not allow you to spot potholes, especially when riding at night. Thanks again Kevin!

[@iloveketo8916]

This is great advise and technique. I for one see this as a no brainer. I've been doing that for years, but in talking to other riders about safety on the rode it seems that these facts are not as obvious to others. Thanks for sharing Kevin!

[@FNGMOTO]

The shop looks great Kevin, excellent work. I’m glad that peeking back at the road isn’t frowned upon.

[@reezonoce]

Have been watching your videos for a year now, its has been a great help in bettering my technique here in australia, but a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart as it has also saved me ass a couple of time. Love the new garage and setup too, definitely need a panoramic 360 of it :)

[@kennethainetdin3401]

Thanks for your great info. I was today riding, and used my eyes as you described and woooow, it was so easy and intuitive. I'm very grateful!

[@robthebank9453]

This video has taught me so much, thanks Kevin!!! I have found simple turns in town challenging, and even go wide on these turns sometimes!! Now I totally get why!!! Thanks so much!

[@addisonwilliamsjr4450]

Kevin I ALWAYS pick up something from your videos... at least one thing that I did not know or that needs to be paid attention to. This week, it was "target fixation" and from your explanation of that phenomenon, I looked back and realized that every time I hit a pothole or a rough patch in the road, it was because I was staring at the problem and not the solution, so I wound up running straight into the target I was fixated on... the pothole. This bit of training will be in the forefront of my mind now as I ride. BTW, I am in Thailand now in the middle of my 6-month vacation here, and my PCX 150 is my only means of transportation, and I am loving it - although I do miss my 1600 Vulcan - because most people here ride motorbikes and the PCX is considered a big bike. Even though less than 1/10th the size of my bike back home, I find that a lot of the rules still apply. Thanks for such a great effort.

[@dougholland8852]

Thank you sharing your techniques Kevin . This summer I had a bit of a scare on one of my rides. I was on two lane highway entering a wide sweeping righthand turn and the turn was not blind. I was within the posted speed limit for the turn. On the side of the road there was a large dog at the apex of the turn, and I did not see the dog until I was almost beside it. The dog stayed on the side of the road, but if it came on the road I would have hit him, and this would have been a different story. The technique you just explained, will help me see the obstacle sooner and be better prepared. I clearly remember looking through the turn, but not scanning for obstacles on the side of the road. All the best to you and your family over the holidays. .

[@daveevans2261]

Great video thanks for showing us, great advice I am going to try that on my next ride, thanks 👍🇬🇧

[@vess6934]

Parking lot practice helps A LOT. It's foundational.

[@christiankollar3306]

A very good tip to contol the motorcycle on low speeds! In Austria (not that with the kangurus) we have a saying. "Einen guten Motorradfahrer erkennt man beim langsam fahren. Gasgeben kann jeder!" what means "A good Rider can be seen on low speed. Everyone can drive fast!" Greetings from snowy Austria!!

[@Gwambua]

thank you for these weekly videos, they are very informative, God bless you and God bless America

[@NINZIE1949]

Always in a crystal clear way, as well as a great wake up call. Thxs for all your videos, hope you and your family have a great Christmas.

[@cathycraig1301]

Good advice. I’ve been avoiding intersections where I know there is usually gravel, and even avoiding riding after a rain because where I live lots of gravel accumulates on many streets. I’ll see if I can begin to focus on avoiding the gravel.

[@iseverelst1905]

love your little philosophical touch

[@piggysister01]

"Practise till you can't get it wrong" has just joined "body, head, bike" in my top mantras list!

[@MC-qj2zd]

Life saving information. Thank you

[@kingfisherphil]

Good guidance Kevin, target fixation I discovered by accident! (it was never explained to me before I met it). As a newbie I pulled out of a drive way looking across the road, incase I hit the kerb...........and rode into the kerb and fell off!!!!!!!!!!!!!It was like a magentic field pulling me.......... My ego was the only thing that got bruised but I was shaken. Have a great holiday and look forward to more videos from MC Rider in 2020.

[@timothymidkiff2894]

Today when I went on a ride it was to get to about 53 degrees today. When I left home in WV it was about 40 degrees. On some of these backroads not heavily traveled on the northern sides of the mountains they was still ice from natural springs and runoff from driveways. That scanning back with the eyes is really important like when fall drops all those leaves on the roads, or looking for grass clippings people blow out into the road.

[@souljaforgod6276]

Once again very good information Kevin thanks for sharing your experience with us. Have a Happy Merry Christmas.

[@MCrider]

Merry Christmas!

[@dickjohnson5025]

Great video! And who gives this a thumbs down? Come on.

[@RadoRadimir]

Just some not bikers, or suicide riders

[@rajaayoub8136]

Merry Christmas Kevin! God bless you. 🙏🏼

[@MCrider]

Thank you, Merry Christmas!

[@zeplin4078]

Thanks for all the great videos through 2019 God bless.

[@dnlgrhm]

Wonderful advice - one of your all time best videos!

[@pablod6872]

The one dislike was from Stevie Wonder. Merry Christmas, Kevin! Looking forward to more good, informative videos in 2020.

[@MCrider]

Stevie rides? ;)

[@keyvannematollahi2844]

New composition and lighting in the video...good job

[@shaneelson]

Hi Kevin. The new location and the new set up looks really good. Keep up the great work. Your depth of knowledge and easy to watch videos are a valuable resource. All the best for the season and I hope 2020 brings lots of new adventures. Cheers.

[@benpearl7475]

Merry Christmas to all the viewers and Kevin.

[@barryholland4082]

Excellent video Kevin. Spot on in every way!

[@glenns6923]

Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@PeopleAlreadyDidThis]

Looking through the curve while glancing at pavement condition is much like high speed jet skiing. You have to keep the head and eyes well ahead, on your path, looking for traffic (because nobody honors the rules of giving way on the lakes and pontoon barges are all camouflage colors), but you have to read water condition all the time, looking for swells or wakes that can throw you, or hazards in the water. Always two visual jobs simultaneously, on water or the road: head and eyes on your path, eyes quickly and frequently checking conditions. Don’t you do that in the car as well?

[@ihknilsen]

Thanks Kevin! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@bugfeet73]

Target Fixation is true. I was riding a trail bike on an old sawmill road and saw a log. Sure enough I run over it and was thrown. When I got up I saw the tracks in the leaves, it was plain, when I saw the log I headed straight for it! THE IDEA WAY IS TO START RIDING A TRAIL BIKE IN THE WOODS (WON'T GET RUN OVER BY 18 WHEELERS.)

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks MCrider. Great tips as always.

[@markrumfola9833]

Good man Kevin

[@howardcarroll3964]

Very good info Kevin . Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!

[@rikenglebert7558]

Another outstanding video! The only problem is you keep talking about the parking lot practice sessions... my wife hears this & gives me “the look” that means get out to the lot & practice! When I have time to ride I wanna ride somewhere. I’m like the eight year old at the piano, I wanna play without the practice... I know I know... I need to practice! Thanks, you are amazing & I appreciate you! MERRY CHRISTMAS praise God for the birth of our savior!!!

[@RealButcher]

Thanks man. Thanks for all this excellent advise you give.

[@streetglidescott6424]

SCAN SCAN SCAN ------ALWAYS SCAN! Again, great vid.

[@esa062]

Nothing look sillier than hitting right in the middle of a pothole on a wide open road. But that's what you do, if you stare at the hole :-)

[@24james]

So true. 🏍😂

[@billbanche4605]

Another good one, thanks! either new to me or a reminder, I appreciate!

[@johnjohnston214]

Merry Christmas and thank you.

[@jekyllisland7]

Always helpful. Merry Christmas!

[@mseifried5]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Safe Motoring to you.

[@skatetown100]

great advice

[@afsalms7912]

Could you please make video on when to turn head with a diagram. Where to look is clear but when to look is confusing

[@rider14mcd63]

Thanks Kevin

[@patmurphy389]

Always good information from you kevin! Thank you! Hope you and your family have a wonderful xmas & new year's! See you down the road kevin.

[@stevevsmotorbikes4227]

Great advice there, nice one Kevin

[@monkeydink9933]

Target Fixation happens in cars, too. Especially when there's a cop w/a car pulled over or an automobile on fire...the "Gapers Delay" could be avoided if more motorists realize their surroundings.

[@2854Navman]

Happy Holidays Mr MCrider and family 🎅🎄❄

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Happy holidays Kevin. Thanks for keeping up the good work.

[@MCrider]

Thanks 2bikemike!

[@glenns6923]

Thank you again Kind Sir.

[@atrenthillman]

Thanks man 😊

[@eddcurry1245]

Enjoyed the video. Good topic.

[@peterbergeris6510]

With a right hand sweeping turn I always took the outside of my lane so I can see on coming traffic and they can see me.

[@islamabdalla3838]

Great info. Thanks for the video

[@franklucas4896]

Hi Kevin thx for the tip and vids. My question is when riding on an interstate/turnpike etc at high rate of speed -70-80 mph On a long winding sweeper I’m sure this technique applies. When going that fast on a sweeper what is the best way to negotiate the long arc??? Don’t want to lean to much so I have been using throttle control and sometimes engine braking? Any other tips? Plz make a video on riding at faster speeds on highways and negotiating these sweepers, corners etc. thx very much! Great stuff...

[@spudgunson]

Thanks Kevin. Great feature :-)

[@calderon551]

happy holidays Kevin!

[@Pawsforreal]

Turn eyes ,head and chest I think.. Helps me

[@GaryHorn]

I practice this with utility holes in the road.

[@seton3342]

I agree when you say “turn your head in the direction you want to go”, however when I do a shoulder check/life saver, I find it quite unbalancing. Any times how to prevent this?

[@joemgarcia3095]

in gratitude.....not only should your head be on a swivel, your eyes as well.....1

[@TennRides]

Great video...Always!

[@rovan26]

I am a new rider in Pennsylvania where the roads are some of the worst maintained in the country. Most of the roads I ride on are rural, have lots of hills, blind turns going uphill and downhill and deer. When I'm trying to set up for a curve, it's difficult because many times I'm on roads that have gravel or large potholes where I need to set up. To avoid target fixation, I end up slowing way down for the curve but feel like I'm going too slow. I don't think Eileen as much as I should because I'm worried my tires are going to hit gravel or deep ruts n the road and that I'lll lose traction and wreck. Other riders tell me I'm doing fine for a newbie and that speed in curves will come naturally with more experience. Any tips you can give for new riders to handle curves when the roads are more likely to be in horrible condition rather than smooth and level?

[@michaellawrence5492]

You must always realize and learn adapt to both your motorcycle style and skill limits in the way you ride your machine as time goes on. Always being able to retain the necessary skill level to be safe will be really realized as the bottom line. As time tics on you will realize changes in yourself mind and body as well as traffic not to forget motorcycle behaviors like heavy to light and old bikes designs verse currant bikes. These are just the facts. I started riding motorcycles at 12yrs old and have 55 yrs of riding under butt thus far, knock on wood and thanks for prayer. What I have learned is if you wish to continue enjoying motorcycle riding you must continue to sense feeling safe. Being able to adapt to these changes that will happen are staying capable to meeting posted traffic speed limits as well as accepting and at the same time being able to adapt to the traffic behavior it self which in some cases breaks the speed limit laws. You have wittnessed law enforcement just letting the herd effect go along over a posted speed limit until that one driver is seen passing even the herd; Might that be you? It is sad wittnessing over the years fellow riders that come to the point of concern or even fear that they sense a lacking in ability by execution having a safe level of skill. It was not for the lacking of what they learned but rather safely discovered by simple practice. Every moment is blessed practice of life. Being safe helps extend it and you are left to decide how much and well the practice will be to find it.