What's a lifesaver?

Message

Shiv · #1 Unread post by **Shiv** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:05 pm

Besides a small, circular flotation device and a delictable candy that resembles the flotation device in shape.

What's it mean in motorcycle terms? I hear people talking about it but have no idea what it is. The little term guide in the beginner's thread didn't help either.

From what I can gather it's just looking over your shoulder to make sure nothing's behind you when you're changing lanes, something you should do regardless of whether you're on a bike or in a cage.

#2 Unread post by **Sev** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:03 pm

Small round fruit flavored candy that's shaped like a hoop. Very tasty.

#3 Unread post by **Kal** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:33 pm

You're right, it is the glance over your shoulder, usually left before you move your bike in that direction.

Basicly it's a physical check of your blindspot.

Something my driving instructor has been trying to train me out of.

#4 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:03 am

Kal wrote:Something my driving instructor has been trying to train me out of.

In favor of what, trusting two postage stamp sized mirrors to reveal all that is behind you?

Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:55 am

ZooTech wrote:
Kal wrote:Something my driving instructor has been trying to train me out of.
In favor of what, trusting two postage stamp sized mirrors to reveal all that is behind you?

Zoo- don't be ridiculous. He's obviously referring to the good samaritan motorist that is watching him and giving him room as needed. You guys from ohio are silly!

Nibblet99 · #6 Unread post by **Nibblet99** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:51 am

Yeah, it's a check over your shoulder, just at the last possible moment (allowing braking distance) before entering a maneuver. Just like a rear observation, but not so much in advance... - the order goes something like this (but I wouldn't quote me on it)

OS MP SL

Observation - an early look behind you
Signal - indicators / brakes as necessary

MP Move Position to the correct part of the lane for the maneuver

S setup the bike for Slow control (clutch at biting point, lightly on the rear brake, to steady the bike)
L Lifesaver look over your shoulder to confirm it's still safe to proceed

Mustang · #7 Unread post by **Mustang** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 6:00 am

storysunfolding wrote:.....He's obviously referring to the good samaritan motorist that is watching him and giving him room as needed. You guys from ohio are silly!

Whats funny here is when I look over my shoulder before a manuever on the motorcycle, 7 times out of ten any car thats behind (but in the lane I'm looking to pull into) will give me more room to pull in. Try to do the same thing in a car, they move up to stop me from pulling over. I drive a convertible with the top mostly down (love the fresh air) and they driver can see me looking in either vehicle, so its a fairly scientific survey.

Strange.

#8 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:11 am

Mustang wrote:Whats funny here is when I look over my shoulder before a manuever on the motorcycle, 7 times out of ten any car thats behind (but in the lane I'm looking to pull into) will give me more room to pull in. Try to do the same thing in a car, they move up to stop me from pulling over. I drive a convertible with the top mostly down (love the fresh air) and they driver can see me looking in either vehicle, so its a fairly scientific survey.

Strange.

I've noticed similar behavior here. The "leftists" that annoy me so much in the truck will actually move over for me when I'm on the bike. I usually split lanes past the ones that don't, but the vast majority of them seem to look out for bikes for some reason.

#9 Unread post by **Sev** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:30 am

Probably because a bad lane change into someone while in a car usually just results in some fender damage. But doing so in a bike... they're smart enough to realize they don't want that sort of hassle.

That or the reputation of bikers as being outlaw criminals persists to the point that people don't want to mess with any of us.

jmillheiser · Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:38 pm

Kal, the instructor was trying to get you to NOT shoulder check when driving a cage?

The Wyoming state drivers test requires you to shoulder check when changing lanes, even in a cage.