Wednesday How to Tip - Eyes Up!
by Mike Fraser
14 April 2004
Well, spring has finally sprung. With the coming new season I figured it would be a good time to start a series of mid week how to's. There are always things that new riders have to learn and experienced riders need to be reminded of.
This week we'll look at one of the most fundamental aspects of riding. This skill, once learned and ingrained into your riding technique will help you go much faster. It is one of the key fundamentals that seperate the amatures from the pros.
Eye position.
Watching pros and amateurs on the track at the same time is always interesting, especially when you start to compare their techniques through different sections.
Pros look at least 4 seconds ahead of themselves. In some cases and conditions it may be even further than that.
Keep looking up!
Amatures and beginners have a tendancy to look about 5 - 15 feet ahead of their front fender. Some even look right at their front fender, this is never good.
If you ever go to a racing school you will hear the instructors yelling "LOOK AHEAD!", "KEEP YOUR EYES UP", or worse "OPEN YOUR EYES!" haha.
But why does this make a difference in speed? Shouldn't you be able to go faster if you just open the throttle more? Yes and no. Yes opening the throttle will make you go faster, but if you don't look far enough ahead and see what is coming to allow yourself a reaction time to prepare for what is ahead, you are likely going to crash and that will greatly reduce your speed.
It comes down to two key elements: reaction time and depth perception.
Riding a motocross bike, quad, or any OHV should be similar to riding in a car (just a bit more bumpy). When you are driving in a car down the highway at 100km/h and looking down the road, it seems like you are not going that fast. You are driving at a comfortable speed looking ahead and seeing other cars and obstacles you may have to react to. The further ahead you look down the road, the sooner you can pick your line and react to any situation as it may occur. Thus making your driving experience smooth and safe.
Now, if you are in the same car going 100km/h and you are looking two feet in front of you or you are looking out the side window at the road going by, it "SEEMS" you are going much faster. Everything is happening at a blurring speed. In order for your brain to process what your eyes are taking in, you would have to slow down. If a car cut out in front of you and you only saw it when it was two feet in front of you, it would be impossible to react in time.
The same principles hold true in motocross and other off-road racing. The further you look ahead, the better you are able to adjust to what is coming down the track, making your ride faster, smoother, and safer.
So, get into the habit of looking as far ahead of yourself as you can. For example, when coming out of a corner force your eyes to look to the next corner and keep them there. You may have to remind yourself to keep your eyes and head up. Being aware of your mistake is the first step to correcting your mistakes.
Using this principle it will seem like you are not going as fast, but your friends will all be asking how you were able to increase your riding speed almost overnight.
Practice this technique everytime you ride and watch your laps get faster. Good luck!
Mike
