Hey guys,

I took the MSF last weekend and bought a 599.. haven't picked it up yet. I'm not planning on going out onto the highway for a while but i had a question about lane changing.

Obviously you should turn your head to look as well as use the mirrors, but, do any of you tend to drift a little in your lane as you turn your head? I would think it would be inevitable, since your head is turning. Are there ways to avoid this?

I've noticed myself drift a few times (I'm new to riding as well), but not too bad and not too often. I assume you just get better with experience, at least, as long as you're conscious of it.

I'll drift if I keep my head turned for an extended period, but you shouldn't need to do that for a lane change. You're just checking your blind spot, after all. Get your signal on, check your mirror, quick head check, change lanes.

If you find it necessary to make a long look, then you might want to consider adjusting your mirrors to give you a better line of sight or getting new ones that work better for you.

I did at first, but just like in a car, it got better with time. As Transient said, just a quick look to make sure nothing is in your blind spot is all you need.

You'll get used to it, use your signals too.

Quick glance is where it's at! And don't be afraid of the highway, you'll be just fine.

And there are other reasons to get new mirrors . . . . :mrgreen:

Quick glance is where it's at! And don't be afraid of the highway, you'll be just fine.

And there are other reasons to get new mirrors . . . . :mrgreen:

+1 :thumbsup

I never really thought about where I do or not, I fall into the "quick glancer" when I look over my shoulder changing lanes...

yea, i do it too, i remember my MSF course teacher was explanin it to us, when you turn your head, you turn your shoulders, which in turn, move your arms which move the steering wheel/handles, and then turn the tire(s)... so yea

i've tried to turn my head without moving my shoulders, its a stretch and i didn't get to look as far back as i'd like, but i still stayed goin straight
i've also tried to throw a lil weight the opposite way of my head turnin too, it seems to keep the bike straight, but its just really a hassle in the end since imma be goin the way im turnin my head about 90% of the time

sidenote -
i also have some bar end mirrors that are convex, they allow me to see more, but its not as detailed as in flat mirrors, but they're perfect, they let me see cars in my blindspot, and as soon as i can't see them in my mirror, i can see the front end of the car in my peripherals, but i still turn my head and glance back as a precaution, never can be too safe when there's 2ton objects moving at 40-70 mph out there :P

...any of you tend to drift a little in your lane as you turn your head? I would think it would be inevitable, since your head is turning. Are there ways to avoid this?

get really good at doing this:

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If you really need to turn around and you know the path in front of you is clear, you can let go of the left bar and turn your whole body without affecting steering. Or stick your elbow out and look down between your arm and body.

You'll pick it up. When you turn your head, shift your weight on to the pegs, let go with your left hand, relax your right arm, and just try to stay centered as you turn your shoulders.

If you really need to turn around and you know the path in front of you is clear, you can let go of the left bar and turn your whole body without affecting steering. Or stick your elbow out and look down between your arm and body.

I cnt get 'tourist trophy style to work w/o clip-ons.