Rear Observation and lifesavers

[Wise1]

I thought I would post this as there seems to be a few threads about lifesavers.

Personally I think there is an over use of lifesavers being taught in some schools, Rear observation is not to be confused with lifesavers, they are different. At the end of the day the more time spent looking behind you is less time spent concentrating on whats ahead of you.

As per the DSA :

Rear Observation refers to a combination of mirror checks and looking behind which ensures your always fully aware of whats happening behind you.

Before you signal, change direction or change speed you must know how your actions will affect the traffic behind you. You also have to know when traffic is likely to over take or come alongside you.

Looking behind is important because not all motorcycles are fitted with mirrors, and mirrors dont always give a clear view behind, leaving significant blind spots. There will be times when you need to look around to see the full picture.

Looking behind also warns other drivers that you may be about to signal or alter course.

When to look behind

Use judgement in deciding when to look behind. Obviously when your looking behind your not looking ahead. This could be hazardous, if, fro example, your close to the vehicle in front or if your overtaking at speed. Equally there are situations when it is dangerous not to look behind, such as a right turn into a minor road.

Take rear observation when your about to change position or speed as you approach and negotiate a hazard. This might be before:

Moving off
Turning left or right
Overtaking
Changing Lanes
Slowing or Stopping

Looking over your shoulder to often or at the wrong moment can be hazardous and lead to a test fail, in the time you take to look behind, you can:

Loose touch with whats going on in front
Run the risk of veering off course

At high speed or in congested moving traffic your attention needs to be focussed ahead. In these situations time your rearward checks carefully.

Combine regular and sensible use of mirrors with the lifesaver check into the blind area before altering course.

The "lifesaver" check is a last check over the shoulder into the blind spot to make sure nothing unexpected is happening before committing yourself to a manoeuvre.

If your turning, use it to check the blind spot on the side you intend to turn. Use your judgement about when to use it. In congested urban situations a lifesaver is normally essential, especially when turning right into a minor road, but during high speed overtaking, when your certain whats happening behind you, its often safer yo keep your eyes on whats happening ahead.

The blind area

The blind area is the area behind and to either side of you which is not covered by mirrors, its very important to check for traffic in this area before:

Moving off
Changing direction
Changing lane
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[Kal]

Good post.

Should be part of a sticky along with tips on how to perform a U turn and emergency stop.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[yandy_yay]

[Wise1]

Might add some things for the U turn and E stop as well
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[neil.]

Or we could make it into a 'How to pass your test' superpost? Amalgamating hints and tips from everyone about each aspect of the test?
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Kal]

Stickied and locked so relvent information dosn't get drowned out in the noise to signal ratio.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[ajacko]

I thought that once my test had been passed all my obs and lifesavers would go the way of the Dodo. Fortunately that hasn't happened and I still perform them, as a matter of habit now.

The right shoulder lifesaver when pulling right out of a 'T' junction onto a major road was destined to be the first casualty of my laziness, but i've got that efficient at performing it without losing sight of any traffic that ends up in front of me once i'm out that I still do it, along with almost all of the other obs too. However, the right shoulder check while pulling away to continue straight ahead at traffic lights does get missed, i know what's behind me when i'm stopped so as long as i can still see it in the mirror as I pull away it hasn't moved and nothing's changed. Every other observation still gets my attention and I must admit I am surprised.
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Current bike:- Suzuki GS500 '02 plate. Next bike CBR600F or GSX650F. I'll leave the race reps to the kids.
www.xembly.com

[Wise1]

My view on the "expected" number of lifesavers and rearward observations has never changed, too many required!

I dont do the shoulder check when going ahead, I use the mirrors more. But yes certain ones I will always use such as using a left coming on, another going round a roundabout.

Once your get a bit of experience you know who is where and what to watch out for.
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Current - 2007 Suzuki Bandit GSF1250 - 1999 Suzuki TL1000R
Previous - GSXR750 SRAD, Fireblade, ZXR750, CBR600

[loply]

In my oppinion many of the checks are pointless or only for freak-incidents and not worth bothering, e.g.:

Left hand lifesaver on exiting a single lane roundabout, for all those times a pedal bike is overtaking you on the outside of a roundabout? Only relevant in a small number of cases e.g. big traffic light roundabouts.

Right hand lifesaver as you turn right a T-Junction. Fair enough if you stalled and spent an hour faffing with your gears, otherwise nobody in their right mind will be overtaking you on the wrong side of the road at a T-Junction.

Left-hand lifesaver as you turn left at a T-Junction, again, for all those times a suicidal superfast pedal bike wants to overtake an indicating motorbike at a junction? Right...
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Kal]

[iooi]

[ajacko]

[Wise1]

[Bikecrazy]

Thanks for that Lee going to do DAS tomorrow hoping to pass to take wife out on it she is scared on bikes so hope this will show her how bikes are when they out on road.

Did u pass your DAS test by the way joined today so didnt know

[neil.]

My other half was terrified about going on the bike but when she tried it for the first time after I passed my test, she loved it and always pesters me to let her ride pillion now. Good luck!
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Wise1]

[Bikecrazy]

Thanks, hope i pass
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CBR 600 starting it low

[The Disapproving Brit]