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Hey all, just thought I'd throw out my experience during last nights ride, hopefully people can learn from the experience.

I picked my bike up on Sat, it was raining. managed to get a short ride in the afternoon, but not much. Sun and mon, more rain. Again, a couple short rides and some practice in the parking lot. Finally, last night, 70 and sunny. I was all over it. After some time again in the parking lot I ventured out onto a local rural road. 55mph limit, light traffic, very familiar with the road. I felt very comfortable doing this. My goal was to actively practice my cornering, countersteering and observation. Looking 12 seconds ahead is hard. Anyways, I go about 15 miles out, turn around and head back. I'm doing great. I'm remembering what I've read, my corners are relatively smooth (for a newbie anyways) and my observation is decent.

As I'm taking one of my last corners, a gentle right hander, I'm setting myself up towards the center line and looking. Now, remember that part where you go where your looking? As I'm looking a see a very big truck coming towards me in the opposite lane. He's fine, in his lane and all, but I couldn't help but think, man that's a big truck. Because of this I became fixated on it for a minute and almost didn't make my turn. I had to hit the brake a bit and force my eyes away. Pretty scary.

So, word of advice for the newbies, look into the turn where you want to go.

I've been out twice since the MSF. That whole look where you want to go thing they teach really does work. You just need to put your trust in the theory. Feels a little wierd at first. I think its because of the lean angle as opposed to steering like a ship when your in the car.

I never got to take an MSF (I'd still like to though) and when I started riding, I'd never really have a big problem with potholes until I started looking at them. I'd always wonder how big it was, how deep it was, whether it was going to be a problem if I hit it or not... Now I just slap myself when I entertain a thought like that and shoot my eyes over to someplace on the road which doesn'thave potholes.

when i was just getting to learn to ride on the freeway i came across a huge chunk of tire tred laying across my lane. i stared at it and almost made me hit it. its a helpless feeling when you stare at something like that knowing you need to avoid it but you dont. luckly i did manage to avoid it though just barely.

Telesque wrote:I never got to take an MSF (I'd still like to though) and when I started riding, I'd never really have a big problem with potholes until I started looking at them. I'd always wonder how big it was, how deep it was, whether it was going to be a problem if I hit it or not... Now I just slap myself when I entertain a thought like that and shoot my eyes over to someplace on the road which doesn'thave potholes.

Well, I went out again last night during a brief patch of sun, Been raining for over a week here and supposed to over the weekend as well. Lously smarch weather. Anyways, I made a more conscious effort to look up the road and well into my cornes and things went a lot better.

Is that an SV reaper??

05 Yamaha FZ6. I'm still working on getting a better picture but the sun hasn't been out long enough to do it.

Reaper, I think we all have a close call when we first start out. I did, too. Shortly after I finished the course. The road was the most challenging I had been on. Coming around a curve, uphill, lots going on, car coming down the hill, I lost focus and almost rode into the car. Holy crap! That scared me so bad, I learned fast about looking where I want to go and keeping my focus.
I keep that in mind...how scared I was....how close I came....it has made me a better rider.
Awareness is a hard concept to teach. Once we learn it, though, it's a lifesaver.