Is it me? I am finding it quite impossible to look straight back over my shoulder for a full LifeSaver while wearing my BMW System 6 helmet on my R100RS. At a guess the best I can manage leaves 45degrees (each side) as a blind spot. Does anybody else have this problem with this combination of helmet and RS? Or is it me with my neck stiffening up as I get older (69 yrs old)?
Lifesaver with a System6
- Thread starter John Roberts
- Start date
Afraid it's the latter..... I sometimes have to use the Valentino Rossi get on/off, like a hurdler.... (Seventy-one. )Some say that your mickey falls off at seventy-five!!
No it isnt just you !
I had trouble withe the system 6 due to its "width"
I had trouble withe the system 6 due to its "width"
Get someone to help you check your 'mirror blind spots' then turn your head until they come into view (rarely more than 60 degrees )
This is all you need to perform a 'Lifesaver'...... I don't know anyone that can turn their head through 180.
Steve
This is all you need to perform a 'Lifesaver'...... I don't know anyone that can turn their head through 180.
Steve
B Murr
Registered user
This is all you need to perform a 'Lifesaver'...... I don't know anyone that can turn their head through 180.
Steve
That girl in the film 'The Exorcist' could do it, no bother at all.
I used to be able to do so a long time ago with little difficulty, yes- I was younger then.... 60 degrees.
This is all you need to perform a 'Lifesaver'...... I don't know anyone that can turn their head through 180.
Steve
That was with a different bike and a different helmet though.According to Micky here on UKGSer, ex-plod rider and instructor, he expects to see your eyes when he's directly behind you when you do a LifeSaver.
This is a common issue with modern helmets big and heavy, reducing head mobility.
Unfortunatly we seem to have been suckered with the idea that passive safety trumps accident avoidance every time.
Unfortunatly we seem to have been suckered with the idea that passive safety trumps accident avoidance every time.
I doubt this is possible for anyone with modern helmets/jackets. You'd have to be some kind of contortionist to get the chin guard of a Shoei Multitec or System helmet far enough past your shoulder.
I used to be able to do so a long time ago with little difficulty, yes- I was younger then.
According to Micky here on UKGSer, ex-plod rider and instructor, he expects to see your eyes when he's directly behind you when you do a LifeSaver.
With the greatest respect to Micky, it's been a while and thinking has changed.
To do a 180 lifesaver in modern Jackets and helmets you would need to take your hand off the throttle to enable you to turn.
Modern thinking is, you need to check the area which cannot be seen in your mirrors (Blind spot ) No need to turn through 180 to do this. Also in attempting to do a 180 it's very difficult to maintain full control of your bike, plus your eye's are directed away from the direction you are travelling for a very long time.
The 'Lifesaver' is not even considered compulsory these days, but deemed to be something you should consider. Having said that, it would still almost always be pertinent to use a lifesaver when in busy urban area's, but if turning right from a major road or performing a high speed overtake and you are certain nothing is behind you then what's the point of taking your eye's off the road ahead.
Steve
Steve
I have exactly the same issue with my 'System-5' 
.
For that reason I prefer to use my Caberg on short trips as it gives better side vision. Its not as comfortable or weatherproof as the BMW lid which is better for touring.
When abroad, I take my left hand off the bar and turn from the waist to get a good look behind. Its not as easy when we drive on the left!
Bob.
.For that reason I prefer to use my Caberg on short trips as it gives better side vision. Its not as comfortable or weatherproof as the BMW lid which is better for touring.
When abroad, I take my left hand off the bar and turn from the waist to get a good look behind. Its not as easy when we drive on the left!
Bob.
Two things I'd like to mention; looking straight back doesn't mean turning my head 180 degrees- only enough to see if there's a lurker. The answer seems to be that modern helmets don't make it easy. The other thing is regarding current thinking about the Lifesaver, interesting that it is now to be considered rather than an imperative before virtually every action irrespective of need.
Oh, and is the famed 'Hendon Shuffle' still encouraged? Not moaning about that, actually, I do it naturally if circumstances allow.
Perhaps the best solution in my case would be to get some better mirrors, the ones on the RS are crap and located so as to give a perfect view of my shoulder and upper arm.
Oh, and is the famed 'Hendon Shuffle' still encouraged? Not moaning about that, actually, I do it naturally if circumstances allow.
Perhaps the best solution in my case would be to get some better mirrors, the ones on the RS are crap and located so as to give a perfect view of my shoulder and upper arm.
fayeslane
Registered user
Perhaps the best solution in my case would be to get some better mirrors, the ones on the RS are crap and located so as to give a perfect view of my shoulder and upper arm.
A couple of stick on blind spot mirrors attached to your existing mirrors might help. Anyone made spacers to push RS mirrors out a bit?
I very rarely do life savers.
I remember back in the mid 80's they were all the rage - Turn at any junction (Major to minor / T ..) and you were expected to do them. Daft if you think about it - Turn left out of a T on to a main road and as you're about to join you were encouraged to look over yer left shoulder
I use my mirrors
The only time I pretty much do them as a black and white thing is joining a motorway. Changing lanes on a motorway I'll only do it if I feel I've lost my concentration for a second or two ....
I remember back in the mid 80's they were all the rage - Turn at any junction (Major to minor / T ..) and you were expected to do them. Daft if you think about it - Turn left out of a T on to a main road and as you're about to join you were encouraged to look over yer left shoulder
I use my mirrors
The only time I pretty much do them as a black and white thing is joining a motorway. Changing lanes on a motorway I'll only do it if I feel I've lost my concentration for a second or two ....
My head moves easily through 180°. The trick is not to start from straight ahead.
Fanum
Toubab
I very rarely do life savers.
I remember back in the mid 80's they were all the rage - Turn at any junction (Major to minor / T ..) and you were expected to do them. Daft if you think about it - Turn left out of a T on to a main road and as you're about to join you were encouraged to look over yer left shoulder
I use my mirrors
The only time I pretty much do them as a black and white thing is joining a motorway. Changing lanes on a motorway I'll only do it if I feel I've lost my concentration for a second or two ....
Once you've passed your test, the only absolute need is to know what is around you, sneaking up on you, about to (potentially ) cut in on you, or bearing down on your right hand side at a stupid speed.
How you achieve that awareness is irrelevant, as long as you can bet your life on it (which is what you're doing)
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