Target fixation, target fixation, target fixation!!!!

[DataDan]

Here's a good book from the UK that describes the vanishing point (or limit point) technique: Motorcycle Roadcraft. See pages 91-94.

The cornering technique is actually an extension of the safe stopping distance rule:
Never ride so fast that you cannot come to a complete stop on your own side of the road in the distance you can see to be clear.

Here's my description of the VP technique from a post at the old ST.N:

Approaching a turn, find the "vanishing point"—the farthest bit of pavement you can see around the bend—and track it as it moves ahead of you. Nearing turn-in, distance to the VP will shrink. Decelerate, and continue to decelerate as it gets closer. At some point near turn-in, your view around the bend will begin to open up, and the VP will stay at a fixed distance ahead of you. Begin to roll on the throttle and maintain constant speed as the distance to the VP remains constant. Finally, your view will open up fully and the VP will quickly move far down the road. Again, match throttle to the VP’s progress, this time by accelerating as the VP jumps ahead.

[ZED]

Don't feel too bad about having target fixation issues.  

This past weekend was our first ride through the mountains of the season.  Even though we rode the same roads countless times last year, I found that my corners were really bad at first.  Part way through the trip I realized that "target fixation" was exactly what I was doing even though I know better!  After that things got much better.  (The tunnels with curves in them will always be disconcerting though)
So, you are off to a great start since you are recognizing it.

As for your comments on maturity level, you'll find that varies from post to post, thread to thread.  Welcome aboard!

BTW - looking far ahead is really important on gravel.

Oh, one more thing.  You're awfully brave to ride in Montreal from what I know of the drivers.

[GooseMan]

Thats why I plan to ride AWAY from the city  

[mtrider16]

What i do is close my eyes for brief periods.  Usually I can see more when I open them.  If not, I close them again. Plus you wanna roll your eyes around while closed so you aren't looking at the same thing when you open them.

Nobody ever hadda problem with target fixation when their eyes were closed.  Ever.

They don't teach this stuff in the classroom, it's something us experienced riders develop.

   I tend to snore when I close my eyes, especially in a cage.  Its very distracting for the passangers  

David

[UHOH]

never had to learn to ride in a city / traffic environment; so my 2 cents would be to get onto lightly traveled roads even if you have to ride a bit to get there (maybe early AM leave and get b'fast at a 'rural' cafe?) .  

if there are no cars around you can develop your skills/lessons with one less worry.   enjoy

[sketch]

Look where you want to go.