When riding a motorcycle, you tend to go in the direction you are looking, and if you fix your vision on a particular target, you will find yourself heading right at it. This is what is known as target fixation and it can get you injured or even killed.
Let use an example. You're riding down the road and you notice a pothole up ahead. If you keep your eyes on the pothole, chances are very good that you will end up riding your motorcycle right into it instead of avoiding it. Why does this happen?
When you fix your sights on an object, your body instinctively aligns itself with the direction you are looking, even though you may not be aware of it. And when you're riding a motorcycle, every move of your body makes a difference. Just a little pressure on one hand grip or the other can subtly steer your motorcycle in the direction you are looking.
Knowing what we do about target fixation, we need to learn how to use it to our advantage to try to avoid oncoming trouble. Let's use our pothole example once again.
Instead of keeping your focus on that pothole, adjust your focus to where you think you should be and you will find that your motorcycle will follow your line of vision. In this way, you can avoid hitting the pothole and place yourself in a better position.
Understanding the theory of target fixation, and turning it to your advantage can help you t become a better motorcycle rider.
