Panic in Motorcycle Track Riding: How to Prevent & Control it

[@navystrackstar]

Since this is my rookie season in the MRA I find myself constantly telling myself to pick my eyes up and look through to where I want to go. Eye control is very big in improving riding and saving what may seem impossible to save.

[@wallycunningham5090]

In the past I've forced myself to say "look look look" in my mind to force my eyes through the panic target fixation and onto where I want to go. I works beautifully and the panic usually washes away nearly instantly and I am able to complete the turn etc. Probably helps that I'm slow AF

[@GhostHammerX]

Must be a Cunningham thing, haha…(I am a Cunningham as well, lol)

[@timaurus]

Great tip, will keep that one!

[@brianglendenning1632]

Echo the comments of others - it is about the eyes. I did a track day at Sydney Motorsport Park last Saturday, when it was 48 Celsius (air!) in the afternoon. I noticed that as I became tired due to extreme heat I tended not to look far enough ahead, and so started having more “frights”. Made a deliberate decision for the last two session, where there were only a very small number of other riders (4 on the last session) to concentrate solely on my eyes, and things were much more consistent and almost easy. The 2.5 hours ride home via motorways, however, was tough and again it was keeping my eyes up. Eyes are the key.

[@Bosephjones]

Fantastic Video! I'm knocking on the door to my first track day (less than 48 hours away) and this is huge to me. One of the classes I took talks about the frontal lobe of the brain(where creativity and concentration live) vs. panic and fight or flight. It also helps to break the mental hold that panic has by speaking out loud "I can make it" "I got this" etc. I've been trying to keep focused on that switch and being able to flip it to concentrate and get myself out of any hairy situations, but I just dont know how I'll behave on the track until I'm out there. Great video!

[@LifeatLean]

How did the track day go???

[@Bosephjones]

Life at Lean check your email brother ;) it went fantastic. Great experience, great learning. Can't wait for the next one!!!

[@woobykal68]

Great video. Hit the nail on the head. I don't panic about my own skills I panic about somebody else's skills. Doing something stupid and taking me out with them.

[@davorbogut6379]

I would add that panic is absence of rational thinking and acting, otherwise it's not panic. You're absolutely right when you say that advice "don't panic" is senceless. Freezing (in any kind) and overreacting are what we can expect in panic. Constant learning and exercise is the best way to prevent panic attacs. Good job Dan, thank you.

[@mikegleeson3418]

I know the "in to fast" feeling well. At Sandown recently in the pouring rain this happened at turn 1. In to fast & started having target fixation. Managed to realize it moved my eyes to where I want to go. Ran very wide but stayed on track! Another top vid mate!

[@baronburgamot243]

This is great video as we've all been there. On track on the road too. I've had a couple of butt puckering moments but staying calm, even if you have to say it to yourself, makes a huge difference. I recall an instance of the 'in too hot' panic. I started staring at the wall on the outside of the bend - but as you said, I only carried in maybe a few extra mph - so I quite literally forced myself to look through the turn and drive it out by saying it out loud to myself "look through, drive it out". It worked. Now my first response is to look for the escape route rather than at the hazard (or perceived hazard). In a turn, that's the exit, on the road that's a way around the hazard, or at least a way to a safer place to stop. You're videos are superb I really enjoy them and learn a lot. Keep em coming! 👍🤙

[@LifeatLean]

Perfect example mate. Thanks for sharing!

[@stevejohnson1892]

Hey Dan, I am a new rider(riding for just over 1 month now) Your vids have been very helpful to me, when I first started I used to watch other channels do knee slides around corners on the street and I tried to imitate them. I spend the best part of 3 weeks practicing body position when there are much more important skills than getting knee slides. I was practicing trail braking today and have found myself taking corners so much smoother than when I was hanging off. I think the most important skill I have learnt is the visual skills as you really do go where look, one time there was a yellow sign at the outside of a corner and I couldn't figure out why I felt I was drawn to it when it was the very thing I was trying to avoid, then I remembered your visual skills video and realised I was target fixating, I looked at the exit of the corner and this immediately fixed this problem.

[@DickoMasSoebekti]

If you're training body position for the sake of knee/elbow slides, then you're right to move on to other things. But body position training itself is a major factor in controlling your bike better. Legs support, weight transitioning, wrist position, etc. Don't neglect the importance of it.

[@johnnychimpo3825]

These are great videos! Also, Ken Hill has an amazing podcast series, go to Ken Hill Coaching on Sound Cloud. The BEST info on learning how to get better. Btw, body positioning should be last in terms of what to focus on in getting better.

[@sandysutherland3850]

This is an excellent quick insight into Track Panic and how to avoid it !

[@worldhello1234]

@0:45 Keep calm. Don't panic, lad. :D

[@mattmann6328]

Can you do one how to deal with panic in Pitts ? I'm nervous wreck before I go on track once I'm out there the nerves leave

[@LifeatLean]

Noted it down, Matt.

[@scomoto6647]

Very good video - as always! Keep up the good work, and ride safe.

[@astramorikes224]

Great video as always! I will go for my second track day in a couple of week so your videos are a real gift! Thank you for all your really well explained advices!

[@brno221973]

Great advise if I can put it into practice. My very first track day is tomorrow but I’m not intending on going all out & gunning it because I have zero track experience. If I can get around without incident I’ll be over the moon & if I enjoy it then I’ll start booking them on a regular basis & take it from there. Remember it’s not a race!!! There is some logic somewhere in that phrase.🤷🏻‍♂️😂

[@mikedinni6318]

Check out my latest video of me at snetterton. This is exactly panic braking. I looked behind to make sure there were no bikes in my way, then when I looked back the 2 bikes ahead slowed down way slower than I anticipated. So going straight into the gravel *seemed* my only option, when in fact I now take that corner way faster than when I slammed on the brakes and made the decision to ditch it.

[@LifeatLean]

Yeah the biggest issue was the look behind. As soon as you do that you lose reference of where you are, and that's a fast part of the track too so it's more likely to create a panic situation. Keep eyes ahead at all times. Be predictable and trust riders to pass safely.

[@billsmart2532]

Tracks are different, on the tracks near me if you panic on corner entry you have the option to just ride off into a field and get back on track when traffic allows. Myself I freeze up on downhill corners. My lower brain reacts to the plunging sensation.

[@catapfract]

All your content is excellent...i love it ...absolutely must watch...

[@inoneday13]

please do a video about how to read another rider and how to learn when and how to make your pass. Especially when VS. marginally slower riders riding a Faster Bike. Ex: At my track day i often found myself stuck behind guys with 1000cc or 750cc bikes while riding my heavier slower VFR800 I know I possess the skill to pass them but I lack the knowledge to know where to safely pass and how to better read a riders weaknesses! Hopefully you can get this video made up before July 21st for my next trackday weekend! @Life at Lean

[@Angelripperize]

From your video on this of your crash, I did something similar once. Couldn't really see where the corner was, then when it popped up I shit myself. Hard on the brakes but washed out the front and dropped it, even when I could've just ran straight off (it was just more tarmac). Panic can really ruin your day on a bike.

[@LifeatLean]

Indeed it can!

[@RobertBardos]

Nice video !

[@everss02]

I struggle braking too much and having to get on the gas up to a corner and not having speed to load the front. Can u do a video how to do super sharp corners with braking?

[@RyukoTR]

Nice one, I struggle with this

[@jeremyjohn8199]

Are there any videos of this guy riding on the track?

[@hughmcgrath7964]

Thanks Dan!

[@one-of-us9939]

Hazzard fixation... And you thought heroin was a tough addiction to break!lol Way great video my brother!

[@Juke_SL64]

I wonder if all the video-games from my childhood and the simulation racing I have done, have removed these problems, because I just don't have these problems, even if I'm not a seasoned rider

[@Keka-vg3ut]

DJLuke420 Or you are just slow aß fuck. Wr will never know. Just a joke all in the good😉

[@stevejohnson1892]

Hi Dan!

[@GBMark90]

Need some advise. I seem to have a small panic while leaning, When I lean so far I feel the handle bars "flick" a little, if that's the right word to use and it's stopping me from getting my knee down. Is it just a me or should I seek mechanical advice

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

Mark Russell Worn tires? If there is a flat spot that cause similar things when you lean over.

[@DerAlteGriesgram]

Don't panic Day is tomorrow, you're a little early.