Ran off the road today when a dog went for my leg. By the time I had shaken it off, I was headed for the gravel at the side of the road.

Instead of looking at the road I needed to stay on, I looked at the gravel to see how bad it was and ended up in it. Luckily with minimal damage, except to my pride (bystanders found the whole event hilarious).

Now - I understand the physics of counter-steering and gyroscopic effect and I sure as heck know that if I look where I don't want to go I end up there; but can anyone explain why?

 

It's called "target fixation"... bad if you're a biker... good if you're a shooter.

 

Glad you and the bike are ok. Next time aim for the dog's face with your boot.

 

Can't answer the question, but I'm glad you're okay.

 

I'll bet that Rover hanging on your leg recked havoc with your center of gravity.

 

I was always told to look where you want to go. Sounds like you did that, you looked at the ditch and thats where you went. Glad you're ok.

 

I don't understand why you didn't open the throttle and out run the pooch but it is amazing - the bike will go where you look.

 

Probably the same reason a deer freezes in the headlights of an oncoming car. Something similar happen to me once and to this i can't figure out why I froze in my tracks as it were... Glad you weren't hurt...

BTW.. nice looking ride...

 

Did you ask the owner of the dog how he wanted to settle your "minimal"damage..?

 

I don't know, but I'm gonna disagree...it's not so much that the bike "goes where you're looking", it's more like you stopped looking where your going!