How to Pass an Advanced Bike Test - Mirrors & Rear Observations

*I have re-uploaded this video as the first version had an issue with the sound!
In this video, I take a look at the importance of good rear observations, mirror & shoulder checks & what is required in order to pass an advanced bike test.
For more information on advanced & performance riding & driving, visit my website www.reglocal.com & give me a follow on Twitter @RegLocal

[@mikeroberts]

I have to say Reg I was quite surprised to hear what you were saying in this video. We are normally pretty much on the same page. "Shoulder checks at EVERY left/right turn". How bad are your mirrors? Regular mirror checks: yes. Maintain a 360 view in your head: yes. Be more vigilant in busy built up areas: yes. But Roadcraft clearly says to CONSIDER a Lifesaver.

[@mikenash4216]

Great video Reg. Shoulder checks are clearly very important in many or most cases. That said, I have, on numerous occasions, failed to get my timing correct. For example, when turning left at a sharp angled T-junction where the bike is pointing left down the new road, I have done a check whilst moving to continue out...only to find a vehicle approaching from the right at excessive speed. This has caused me safe stopping issues on a number of occasions. LESSON LEARNED: It's all well and good to do a shoulder check, but make sure you can stop safely if something unexpected does suddenly appear by reducing approaching speed or even stop at Give Way junctions that might cause this kind of issue.

[@richardnicholson3912]

Hi reg, another great video. Just to add a small point about hgvs sticking it on the 56mph limiter through 50mph restrictions yes many do that, however I’m an hgv driver myself and what also happens often is the hgv puts the cruise control at 50 and the truck as I assume you know from your time the in police is re calibrated every couple of years so if his or her speed reads 50 then the vehicle is usually actually doing 50. When a car or I guess bike thinks they are doing 50 it is usually actually 48 even 47, again as I know you mentioned in your video on speed. So just making the point to people who are unaware not all hgv drivers just leave it on the limiter it’s just our speed reading is more accurate than theirs and we are actually doing the speed limit.

[@techtinkerin]

Definitely the top gun of shoulder check lessons! Thanks absolutely excellent 👍

[@loukennedy9058]

Fantastic video, full of great information as usual , thank you 👍

[@davidmccutcheon1181]

Nice seeing you out on a cold day. very good video.

[@maz2496]

I find Wide angle little mirrors stuck on mirrors sorts out your blind spots, probably better than a actually blind spot check as you can keep eyes on road more, great video

[@EmeraldExplorer1200]

Lifesaver checks are something I do all the time, even when I'm in the car, I've had a few cars leaving it to the last second to leave the motorway and cutting across in front of me from lane 2 or 3 while I've been in lane 1, I keep telling my son to check his blind spot before he turns or changes lane in his car

[@trevor20988]

I'm less keen on the long shoulder checks on motorways, especially when it's busy. While you're looking behind you're not looking forward and might miss a developing hazard ahead. So I advise people to do any required shoulder checks much more quickly. Also don't agree with a lifesaver at EVERY lh junction.

[@MultiOutdoorman]

Yeah Trevor. Were moving at about 1.5 times our speed in feet per second ( 1.5 x 70 mph = 105 feet per second), So looking backwards on motorways ( apart from merging perhaps) doesn't. always strike me as ideal. Regular mirror glances and 360 degree awareness is more important IMHO LH turns (for me and my associates) involve "closing the door" by moving in to the nearside away from active traffic ..the turns are slower and tighter anyway . This virtually eliminates any space for rogue mopeds. scooters or cyclists to encroach inside our turn and helps us riders accommodate our focus on where we are heading and deal with prioritising other hazards !

[@iainbaker2742]

Agree with u on left hand turns, lifesaver where appropriate, but also consider the lane position of the bike and whether other oncoming hazzards(eg, cars turning right) should take priority.....

[@chrisowens3781]

Great video Reg thank you

[@MultiOutdoorman]

We remember M.S.M ? Mirror Signal Manouevre from our original DSA test ? Well for those that recall, i always say M.S.M.M ... Mirror, Signal (if of benefit ) MIRROR, Manouevre, The amount of times over 40 years of motoring i have avoided a catastrophe from having made that final observation cannot be quantified ! That wedge of invisibility that forms in our blind spots is even worse on lots of modern cars with chunky pillars that block drivers views. We need to check those even more-so in the car ! Most IAM associates that I've had get a shock when i demonstrate the point by deliberately following them for a short distance riding in their blind spots just to prove a point ... works every time ! We have to think for everyone and compensate for them not seeing us at all ! I try to "close the door" on tight, slow left turns so nobody can sneak up beside me. it helps me focus more attention on other vulnerable spots ! Definitely on right turns when folk only look AS THEY ARE TURNING.get picked up on. Keep em coming . Maybe some reverse breakdown of IPSGA ? It seems to be a regular occurrence that new associates and experienced riders alike, get picked up on and often struggle to grasp the concept.

[@johnbellamy5970]

I noticed that you didn’t do a left shoulder check when you exited the motorway, any reason why not? I do do it but sometimes question myself if it’s really needed as I’m aware that nobody is there. Thanks

[@MultiOutdoorman]

Yeah John. Unless we think the hard shoulder is occupied or some goof is going to undertake us ... i do the same. It only takes a second and it forms part of good habits that don't do any harm....

[@NeilSanderson-z2w]

I’ve just completed my IAM advanced bike course. I got picked up by the examiner for conducting the right shoulder check on exiting the M42 junction. I was told the threat was from the near side and not the offside. I passed but was slightly confused as I’d seen this video previously?

[@virtualllama]

I'm glad I re-watched this video and read all the comments. I've had zero criticism of my shoulder checks until my mock test a few weeks ago when the observer told me that some of the ones I was doing were unnecessary... the checks for electric scooters and stuff before left turns and right shoulder when going from 30 to national leaving a village (the logic being that if there were no exits and I'm watching my mirrors I should already know if there's nothing behind me that I don't need to check. However having been overtaken by a car on one occasion leaving a 30 limit AND having been passed by a car on the hard shoulder while exiting a motorway (that was in a car) I would honestly prefer to be safe than sorry. And I'm taking my test next Monday so we'll see what happens!

[@yodomcat]

Great video. If you want a real world example of why you should always do your shoulder checks (in this video I was even commentating on what was behind me!): kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6Kwi6B9hdSorqM

[@frazzle657]

*5:54 if only that was all it took to stop that happening 6:15 it happened again

[@krytenLister]

Sorry, have to disgree with the need for all those shoulder checks. Right turn, yes definitely but Left should be "It depends". The left you took at 5:30 didnt need a shoulder check - we could see the whole of the road and hazards on the left hand side all the way up to the turn and there was nothing on the inside that could have been a danger. Also disagree with Left checks on a roundabout going straight ahead. You have seen all the hazards to your left as you approach that left junction. If there is a car\van etc...in that junction, where will he pull out to as you ride past? He can only slide in behind you. If there was a bike\cyclist at the junction or approaching it, then a Left shoulder would be appropriate there. However going straight ahead, where is the real danger? I'd argue you need to be doing a right shoulder check.

[@colinharrison5501]

not all people are owls, making your own rules up,

[@NeilSanderson-z2w]

I’ve just completed my IAM advanced bike course. I got picked up by the examiner for conducting the right shoulder check on exiting the M42 junction. I was told the threat was from the near side and not the offside. I passed but was slightly confused as I’d seen this video previously?