Fancy doing a test?

[Hot_Air]

I know you can use the clutch to enable a right-arm signal — I’ve done it myself on the odd occasion I needed it. But most of the time, I find using the left arm much safer, as @Dodgy69 highlighted: when you have a hand on the power, you can keep the bike rolling or accelerate as the circumstances dictate.

If you have a hand on the power, you could keep it rolling or accelerate, depending on circumstance. Each to their own in the real world I suppose.

And while I like to think my clutch control isn't bad, I’ve finer control over my rate of deceleration with my right hand finessing the throttle. So in the real world, I use my left hand for the slowing down signal.

I'd guess it's the right arm because bikes used to ride 1 yard from the kerb - that was the official guidance as late at the mid-70s when I was starting out on two wheels...

Not for the first time, the DVSA advice is out of date

[The Spin Doctor]

Your probably right, but then you have no control of the bike. If you have a hand on the power, you could keep it rolling or accelerate, depending on circumstance. Each to their own in the real world I suppose.

One reason I prefer the 'half arm' signal to the full arm out flapping.

You keep your elbows by your side and simply rotate the forearm out to make the signal.

It doesn't destabilise you as much on the bike, it's MUCH quicker to get a hand back on the bars and onto the front brake (that's the one you'll normally need, though of course the throttle is accessible too) and it's just as eye-catching from behind when you see someone do it.

I had a VERY good demonstration of how useful slowing down arm signals are when I was in the middle of my National Motorcycle Escort Group training / assessment. I was following the ex-copper who was the trainer in using the caterpillar system (where the lead rider marks out a spot for the following bike to block a junction, who then waits and swaps with the bike behind them and so on) and he was taking us round a loop where we could all exchange position as leader. The trick is to JUST keep the rider ahead in eye sight, and he went into a right-hand bend and his brake light came on.

I was just having a quiet scoff at a police rider misjudging a bend and having to brake mid-corner when his arm came out and started making the slowing down signal just before he disappeared from view.

Forewarned, I went into the corner a lot slower than I would have done, to discover a large group of disabled kids riding ponies on lead reins.

That's the sort of situation that you use arm signals for - to show that there's an unusual problem ahead. As well as something like the ponies, I have used arm signals to warn about a cow or sheep in the road, a collapsed bank distributing mud all over a corner, temporary lights round bends or over blind crests, or to signal I'm making a manoeuvre that may not be obvious - such as turning right into a petrol station just before a right turn, or turning right just round a blind bend.

If there's no-one in sight, there's no need of course. The idea is to make a cost:benefit judgement. Is the slight loss of control compensated for by the reduction of risk from someone behind who may follow me too quickly and not be able to slow / stop in the space available?

Each of us has to make our own decision - that's natural... but it's really worth thinking through what information we can give whoever's behind us and whether that will make like safer for both of us.

[Scootabout]

47. Got these wrong:
- starting a motorcycle (!)
- what happens after 6 points
- red/yellow signs

[formula400]

37

[ninja]

43
I wonder why are they obsessed with trams?