GIve me the lowdown on.... observation!

[steppen22]

I think my observation skills are quite high, because I'm a keen cyclist.

Still, there's always room for improvement. My problem is, I don't have an "obseravtion" routine - sometimes I look too early, other times I leave it too late. I tailer my observation to the road situation, which I think is fine, but on the test, it won't be appreciated.

So what's going to be expected of me during the test.

What does OSM/PSL actually break down to on the road?

Okay, I'm approaching a left turn. Am I right in thinking that this is the routine:

- Mirror check.
- Signal
- Move to left
- Slow down, switcfh gear
- look into road, behind, etc.
- take bend.
- look behind, accelarate

Where does the lifesaver come in?
Is it before I signal (with the mirror checks)
Or before I turn? Or both? Oh, my poor neck....

When should I begin the routine? 100 metres away? 10 metres?

When should I OSM/PSL?
When should I do lifesavers (seem unnecessary most of the time - the mirrors suffice)

Will I have to do the "head shuffle" - that annoyed me during my cbt, "look in my mirrors!? - I AM looking in my fucking mirrors!!" , how far away does the examiner ride? Is the test pretty much front tyre to my exhaust, so I have to be spotless for the entire time?
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no regrets, no retreat, no apology.
I've made mistakes in the past, and I apologise for FUCK ALL.

[deanoet]

Mirrors
Look (shoulder check(s))
Signal
Manouevre
Shoulder Check before you turn

That is how i was taught

Always do a right shoulder check, so for turning left:
Check both mirrors starting with the right, check both shoulders starting with the right, signal to the left, position to the left, before you start the turn check over your left shoulder again to make sure nothing has come up your inside, make the turn

Same for turning right, only you dont need to do a left shoulder check


When speeding up or slowing down check both mirrors (after coming out of a junction / roundabout etc etc)
If there is a change of speed limit check both mirrors and both shoulders before slowly down / accelerating

Keep checking both mirrors every 30 seconds or so



OSM - Observe Signal Manouevre
PSL - Position Speed look (added onto OSM, Manouvre = position and speed)
MSPSL - Mirrors Signal Position Speed Look (car learners are taught this as they dont do shoulder checks)
POM - Prepare Observe Manouevre (for when moving off from stationary)
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[jack_zxr400]

I'm not sure the exact distance but when you come up to the junction you begin your OSM/PSL

-Observation: check mirrors
-Signal: indicate your direction
(*life saver comes in here*)
-Manouver: moving into the correct road position for turning (if your not already in it).
-Position: when your actually in the correct position
-Speed: slow down
-Lifesaver: perform this before you make the turn

then straighten up your bike, check your mirrors and cancel indicators

hope it helps
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Previous Bike: ZXR 400
Current Bike: R6
Test Date: 8/8/2008-PASSED

[steppen22]

Is there a difference between a lifesaver and a shoulder check? I'm quessing not.

See, it all seems so involved, but it's just a matter of developing the "habit"!!
____________________
no regrets, no retreat, no apology.
I've made mistakes in the past, and I apologise for FUCK ALL.

[Im-a-Ridah]

There's no need to do a right lifesaver when turning left, lifesavers check the blindspot you are about to cross... at what point during your left hand turn do you see yourself passing through your right blindspot?

For a left turn personally:

right mirror
left mirror
move to left of the lane
left lifesaver + left indicator
turn left
cancel indicator
check both mirrors

[Paivi]

[Im-a-Ridah]

[deanoet]

it seems to differ from different schools
I was taught to do a right life saver before signalling left, but other people havent and have passed okay..

I would be tempted to get a couple of hours with an instructor just to brush up
____________________
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[neil.]

[Noxious89123]