Lifesavers when going straight on?

[tactical_pancake]

Hiya, I'm a long time rider on L plates finally trying to get my restricted test before the jan deadline, so doubtless I've picked up some bad habits.

I've got mod 1 done, just mod 2 to do now and it's very close.

I haven't had any lessons for years, so just need some confirmation on when I should be doing lifesavers. I would book a lesson but that may not be an option as I'm getting near the date.

Stopped at traffic lights going straight on
Normally when moving off from traffic lights and going straight on, and not changing lanes, I very rarely do lifesavers at this point, instead relying on mirror checks (unless it's chock a block with other bikes). Should I be doing lifesavers here for the test? And how?

Other procedures I'm hoping are correct are:
Left turn into minor road:
Mirror checks, left lifesaver, signal, move to left side of the road slightly, then possibly a left lifesaver just before the turn if bicycles are about (is this last one necessary?).

Right turn into minor road:
Mirror checks, right lifesaver, signal, position closer to centre of road, then lifesaver before the turn.

Entering roundabout turning right:
Left lifesaver on entering

Upon exiting roundabout:
Mirror check and right lifesaver

It would be nice to have some definitive answers, my DSA guide to riding book refers to 'rear observation', but cunningly does not specify where this can just be a mirror check rather than a lifesaver.

[Supermoto_Fan]

I was always told to look both left and right behind me before pulling off at traffic lights...makes sense, left turn seems correct although not sure if you need the final lifesaver, definatley do when turning right

Good luck in your tests
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[stephen_o]

Hi, I passed in April with no lessons after practising on my 125cc. I would say Turning Right on Roundabout Right lifesaver on entering roundabout and then look at traffic waiting whilst turning on roundabout with left lifesaver before left indication before your exit.

And Left and Right lifesavers when pulling off from Traffic Lights going straight ahead.

Hope this helps.

Stephen
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[tactical_pancake]

Thanks guys!

I'll add some head-waggling to my repertoire at traffic lights then.

What I'd been using before was some advice I read to mainly do life savers when changing direction, and use mirror checks when speeding up / slowing down, but maybe that's incorrect as far as the test is concerned.

[illuminateTHE...]

[illuminateTHE...]

think of a roundabout as a clock..
if your going past 12... position yourself in the right hand lane... indicate right... then when you pass the last exit to yours... check mirrors and indicate left... then do a quick lifesaver to the left before heading towards the exit.. as you are cutting across the left lane were a car could be positioned in your blind spot...

if exiting before 12... pick the left lane on entry... when you pass the exit before yours indicate left OR indicate left to begin with if your taking the 1st exit ... quick check for your local ped boy on your left... then do your right lifesaver

[swampy]

[illuminateTHE...]

Some helpful videos off youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23fiCoLwpeg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR8905QZsTs&feature=related

roadcraft nottingham, his videos got be into the thought of ever riding on two wheels in london.

[tactical_pancake]

[Ribenapigeon]

I'm terrible for doing my lifeaver after indicating I'm trying to change that.

I also do a quick lifesaver when a hazard appears ahead of me, say parked cars=right lifesaver, oncoming traffic encroaching on centre of road=left lifesaver. In fact ivdeveloped a sort of constant sweeping motion of my head so I'm consistantly checking at least my mirrors.

[DonDino]

Here's how I was trained and passed.

Going straight ahead on traffic lights
Look at left & right mirrors as the light changes from red to red&amber. Not necessarily full lifesavers. Sometimes I even forget to look left and right, on lessons and on test did same, and passed. No minors for observation. But I do tend to look around me generally, every so often and not necessarily only when doing a manoeuvre.

Going right at roundabout
Entering the roundabout, right signal, mirrors & left lifesaver before you enter, then to exit, left lifesaver to change lanes inside roundabout as you go round (if possible, otherwise stay on your lane, although your lane should be spiralling outwards anyway), then left signal after you've passed the exit previous to the one you're taking, left lifesaver before you start leaning/turning and exit.

Turning left major to minor or vice versa
My CBT instructor said no further lifesaver on left turn is required (exactly as swampy says, where is the pushbike going to come from? unless you have the Olympic cycling team up your arse!), but my DAS instructor insisted on extra left lifesaver, just in case.
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First bike: CBF125, Feb. - Oct. 2012
Currently riding: ER-6N since Oct. 2012

[J.M.]

[Amnesty]

[covent.gardens]

[WannaBeDude]

Life savers for test, most of um, annoying total fucking waste of time.
____________________
Jogging on, destination living.

[J.M.]

[Biker80]

Are there any official motorcycle books or DVD's explaining in exact terms what is required for lifesaver glances?

As a learner rider, this is the most confusing aspect of riding on the roads. It seems to me as if we have to take life saver glances in the most pointless situations.

I don't doubt the life saver glances are absolutely necessary in many cases but going straight on at a mini roundabout or turning left at speed, why do you need to take a life saver?
Unless the cyclists are travelling faster than the speed of sound!!

[DonDino]

[Pete.]

I sometimes do a 'lifesaver' at lights when a number of bikes are bunched around me at the front, just so I can see what angle the bikes closest to me are sitting at. Other than that, no I don't.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[WannaBeDude]

[Pete.]

You know I planned to get one of those.

Unfotunately, right now, I have no clocks, bars or headlight to fix it to
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[WannaBeDude]

What bike you intending it for, ie what bike is the current poorly one?
____________________
Jogging on, destination living.

[Pete.]

Bandit 600 mk2. Hit the kerb clocks/headlamp first.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[WannaBeDude]

You putting clocks back on, what bars and do you have or intend a flyscreen.
____________________
Jogging on, destination living.

[Pete.]

I'll put more or less standard stuff back on.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good