Discussion
FazerBoy said:
You’re joking, surely.
This is probably the most important lifesaver of all given the speeds involved. You don’t want to change lanes at that speed only to find a Porsche overtaking you at 90mph+.
Ps. Other makes of car are available.
I'm afraid I'm not. Okay I'll be sure to do it next time, is there a technique to do a lifesaver so the wind doesn't knock your head back?This is probably the most important lifesaver of all given the speeds involved. You don’t want to change lanes at that speed only to find a Porsche overtaking you at 90mph+.
Ps. Other makes of car are available.
KumiSinghs said:
Loyly said:
And always check that your visor won't blow open if you do a lifesaver at speed! 
Do you do them at speed, like 70+? I find the wind pushes my head back and I lose my concentration, so I rely on my mirrors before changing laneI will do lifesavers, but not at the rate suggested by instructors. As others have mentioned, motorways are an obvious one, but can't really see the point on some of the back lanes I ride.
Mr Dendrite said:
Use them on the bike
Use them in the car
Oh and also that quick glance to check for bog roll before commencing a dump.
I find myself doing them in Asda when I'm using a trolley. Muscle memory or some sUse them in the car
Oh and also that quick glance to check for bog roll before commencing a dump.
t my instructor said. You'll do it a lot more than you think, try driving a van, you'll realise how much you look in the rear view mirror when you go to glance and its not there.
moanthebairns said:
I find myself doing them in Asda when I'm using a trolley. Muscle memory or some st my instructor said.
You'll do it a lot more than you think, try driving a van, you'll realise how much you look in the rear view mirror when you go to glance and its not there.
Totally agree, well apart from shopping in Asda! Was taught to use them by my instructor, oh god just realised it was 38 years ago!!! Back in the day of Camrider bronze, silver & gold courses. t my instructor said. You'll do it a lot more than you think, try driving a van, you'll realise how much you look in the rear view mirror when you go to glance and its not there.
KumiSinghs said:
I'm afraid I'm not. Okay I'll be sure to do it next time, is there a technique to do a lifesaver so the wind doesn't knock your head back?
Well, the technique is moving your head down towards your shoulder looking at your blind spot with the corner of your eye, rather than looking behind.As a previous poster said - you should not be attempting to look behind you, that’s what your mirrors are for - the lifesaver is a look at the blind spot to the rear and to the side which is not covered by the mirrors.
Generally you should be aware of exactly what is behind and around you through frequent mirror checks but you will find once in a while that a lifesaver will do exactly what it says on the tin.
I’ve been riding for about thirty-five years and there have only been two or three times when a lifesaver has saved me, but I genuinely could have had very serious accidents on those occasions if I had not performed the check prior to changing course as I had not been aware of another vehicle in my blind spot.
FazerBoy said:
KumiSinghs said:
I'm afraid I'm not. Okay I'll be sure to do it next time, is there a technique to do a lifesaver so the wind doesn't knock your head back?
Well, the technique is moving your head down towards your shoulder looking at your blind spot with the corner of your eye, rather than looking behind.As a previous poster said - you should not be attempting to look behind you, that’s what your mirrors are for - the lifesaver is a look at the blind spot to the rear and to the side which is not covered by the mirrors.
Generally you should be aware of exactly what is behind and around you through frequent mirror checks but you will find once in a while that a lifesaver will do exactly what it says on the tin.
I’ve been riding for about thirty-five years and there have only been two or three times when a lifesaver has saved me, but I genuinely could have had very serious accidents on those occasions if I had not performed the check prior to changing course as I had not been aware of another vehicle in my blind spot.
I do 'em when riding and driving, I've scared myself s
tless when I've found something hiding there despite *thinking* I've got good observational skills.I also do one over both shoulders before doing seated cable rows in the gym.
Rallynav said:
MoelyCrio said:
I do a quick check before changing the trolley direction in Tesco. Its ingrained in my muscle memory.
Been taken out by many trollies from people failing to negotiate a quicker shopper. 
I had an observed ride a few months back (IAM) and my observer made the very valid point that full-on 180-degree Lifesavers ought to be used with great caution at speed due to all the activity that could happen in front of you while you were twisting your head back - very true. He suggested that you should be well aware of the road behind due to good mirror usage, and a quick blind spot check that didn't involve much head movement would be much safer...
KumiSinghs said:
Do you do them at speed, like 70+? I find the wind pushes my head back and I lose my concentration, so I rely on my mirrors before changing lane
Seriously? What size shirt collar are you, a 13? Or have you just got an very unaerodynamic head......?
Edited by poo at Paul's on Thursday 1st February 00:28
laurenz said:
I had an observed ride a few months back (IAM) and my observer made the very valid point that full-on 180-degree Lifesavers ought to be used with great caution at speed due to all the activity that could happen in front of you while you were twisting your head back - very true. He suggested that you should be well aware of the road behind due to good mirror usage, and a quick blind spot check that didn't involve much head movement would be much safer...
I do my RoSPA every 3 years and its similar advice, at speed its just a quick blindspot check before moving position e.g. for an overtakeAll the advice on this thread is spot on.....its scary when you passenger with other car drivers that do not ride bikes, and you notice they dont check blindspots before overtaking or changing position....then you understand why accidents happen...and the importance of road positioning on overtakes.
You are most vulnerable on 2 wheels, so as we all know, the importance of lifesavers cannot be over stressed. Its a real good habit that will save your life one day.......
OP is doing his test - he will not be failed for too many life savers, whereas he could be for too few.
Once passed the test I'm very much in agreement with the IAM (brace for abuse), CONSIDER they use of a life saver. If there is value in moving your head, do it, if you know damn well there can't be anything there, don't.
I well remember performing my test life savers when turning left - Ah yes the grass verge is still up my inside...
Once passed the test I'm very much in agreement with the IAM (brace for abuse), CONSIDER they use of a life saver. If there is value in moving your head, do it, if you know damn well there can't be anything there, don't.
I well remember performing my test life savers when turning left - Ah yes the grass verge is still up my inside...
I recall my lessons and having to do lifesavers everywhere, and really making a point of turning my head so the instructor/examiner could see I was doing them.
Passed my test and when I left the test centre my instructor said follow me, this is how we really ride and proceeded to ride like he stole it with me trying to stay with him :-)
Needless to say though it becomes second nature on the bike, in the car, in a van etc. You become acutely aware of your surroundings on a bike compared to a cage.
Passed my test and when I left the test centre my instructor said follow me, this is how we really ride and proceeded to ride like he stole it with me trying to stay with him :-)
Needless to say though it becomes second nature on the bike, in the car, in a van etc. You become acutely aware of your surroundings on a bike compared to a cage.
The way I was taught was touch your chin to your shoulder, rather than twisting right back. Should be more than enough for the examiner to see you've done it.
They are absolutely as essential as they make out, you never know when someone is going to try to squeeze down your inside while you're indicating right on a roundabout, squeeze round your outside when you're indicating left on a roundabout, or squeeze along side you at a junction, lights or right at the end of a merge. You never know when a chav in an A45 is going to come up behind you at 100 in a 30 and try to prove how fast he is by over taking a bike on a blind bend with an island.
And sometimes you just haven't been as observant as you thought.
Habit makes it easier, quicker and smoother.
At speed, doing it a lot you learn to hold your neck against the wind easier. Again by tucking your chin to your shoulder you're giving your muscles better leverage.
They are absolutely as essential as they make out, you never know when someone is going to try to squeeze down your inside while you're indicating right on a roundabout, squeeze round your outside when you're indicating left on a roundabout, or squeeze along side you at a junction, lights or right at the end of a merge. You never know when a chav in an A45 is going to come up behind you at 100 in a 30 and try to prove how fast he is by over taking a bike on a blind bend with an island.
And sometimes you just haven't been as observant as you thought.
Habit makes it easier, quicker and smoother.
At speed, doing it a lot you learn to hold your neck against the wind easier. Again by tucking your chin to your shoulder you're giving your muscles better leverage.
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