Will the IAM or ROSPA train learners?

[Fordward]

i'd normally recommend doing the DSA test, doing a few thousand miles, then going for some advanced training. the reason being there's some things a DSA examiner wants to see that an advanced observer or examiner doesn't, so get the DSA test over with before you start learning to ride properly

new test rules are leaving a lot of young people planning to ride for up to three years with only a days CBT for training, perhaps repeated after two years if they first did it at 16

if they take an A1 test, they are still restricted to a 125 until they are 19, then they have to take another test, so unless you need to carry a pillion or use motorways then there's no point in the hassle and expense of taking a test until you are old enough to do the A2

pretty convinced that's not a good thing

will IAM or ROSPA train learners, and if so could we see riders going for a DSA test for the first time, with 3 years experience and an IAM or ROSPA test pass already under their belts?

[Tomor]

AFAIK you have to have a full license to do your IAM test, No l plates

[Fordward]

ironic that test rules that the government claim are to improve safety will lead to riders spending three years on a 50cc, then a 125, with not much more than a cycling proficiency test, whereas before the rules 17 yr olds had an incentive to go and pass a test to get onto a 33bhp bike

[Tomor]

I have just passed my IAM test at 19, and it has made me a much better rider for sure, but it has done nothing to reduce my insurance :( I would recommend doing some sort of advanced training to everyone, as you can never stop learning IMO

[Scythe92]

I have just turned 21, and I am self learnt. I had one lesson (day session - 4 hours or so) before my mod 2, and that was it, I had ridden a YBR125 for nearly 18 months. I've never had any negative comments on my riding, in fact I've had a load of positive comments after rides. To be honest, I do tend to ride with older, more experienced riders but I've seen it as a learning path. I see that more road riding teaches far more than an instructor could. At the end of the day, it depends how much the rider wants to learn. Personally, I wanted (and still do) learn as much as possible.

[Fordward]

I have just turned 21, and I am self learnt. I had one lesson (day session - 4 hours or so) before my mod 2, and that was it, I had ridden a YBR125 for nearly 18 months. I've never had any negative comments on my riding, in fact I've had a load of positive comments after rides. To be honest, I do tend to ride with older, more experienced riders but I've seen it as a learning path. I see that more road riding teaches far more than an instructor could. At the end of the day, it depends how much the rider wants to learn. Personally, I wanted (and still do) learn as much as possible.

you're right there mate, there's no substitute for mileage that's for sure

what I can guarantee though is although you're getting along just fine and you've passed your DSA test, if you do decide to do some advanced training you'll be amazed how much you have been missing up to now, there is definitely a lot to be learned from it even for a rider with many years experience

[DJ123]

you're right there mate, there's no substitute for mileage that's for sure


This is a phrase that always bugs me, to a certain extent i agree with it & at the other end i disagree. Miles help you to learn if you are open to learning, can spot your own mistakes/errors and learn the correct way/technique to amend those errors. If you are pig headed and believe you are the best rider in the world, then no amount of miles will help you.

[Fordward]

This is a phrase that always bugs me, to a certain extent i agree with it & at the other end i disagree. Miles help you to learn if you are open to learning, can spot your own mistakes/errors and learn the correct way/technique to amend those errors. If you are pig headed and believe you are the best rider in the world, then no amount of miles will help you.

agreed, mileage is good for learning the physical elements of riding a motorbike, and up to a point for learning how traffic flows, how other road users behave and developing anticipation skills as a result, and there is no substitute for mileage in that respect, you can't learn that any other way

to spot your own errors you have to realise your making them, and usually that means some kind of near miss or accident, then thinking to yourself 'what the hell caused that'. that's what I mean when I say you'll be amazed what you were missing, because advanced tuition will help you to see the mistakes you are making that through luck have never caused a problem for you

if you are pig headed and believe you are the best rider in the world, then you probably won't seek out any training other than that required by law anyway, and if you have that attitude from a young age and you are going to ride a motorbike, enjoy your time on earth while you are still here ;)

[Ceri JC]

You need a full licence first. They also like you to be comfortable getting up to speed and making use of the bike's power, particularly on the motorway. If you're still wobbly at low speeds and constantly riding <10mph under the speed limit, it's best to get some more miles under your belt before you seek advanced training.
Source: I am IAM.

Fordward: RE
"if you are pig headed and believe you are the best rider in the world, then you probably won't seek out any training other than that required by law anyway," This +1000. I can count on one hand the number of truly great (road) riders I know who haven't done any form of post-test training. I know more than ten times that number who really genuinely believe they are 'a lot better than average' who aren't. These only 'better' in so much as that their average speed is a bit higher than most riders (even when doing so is illegal) and that they can hit 3 figure speeds on a motorway without dying. When someone who thinks they're a great road rider repeatedly leaves their indicator on when I'm following them, I just laugh to myself how that'd be fixed by the end of their second IAM/ROSPA ride (and that alone would probably halve the chances of them having an accident).

You get the exact same thing in cars. People love to assert that they are a "safe driver". Yet they lack even basic fundamentals, such as getting ROW correct, knowing how to indicate properly on roundabouts and knowing what the speed limit is (and being prepared to drive at it when safe to do so).

[Fallout]

To be honest, I've not leant a whole lot from TVAM so far. I can identify 2 or 3 tips I've picked up, but mostly its just reiterating minor weaknesses i already knew were there. I put this down to riding with a good calibre of people and learning it all through observation of others, discussions with people and online theory, plus having an attitude of wanting to be safe, learn and get faster!

So I don't think you need advanced riding coaching to become an advanced rider. All you need is a good attitude to improvement and a rich group of people to ride with. Not taking anything away from TVAM though. It's still a valuable way to get good targetted advice from knowledgable folks.

[Fordward]

i'm 36 years old been riding 20 years now, I still learn something new every year

[SvNewbie]

ironic that test rules that the government claim are to improve safety will lead to riders spending three years on a 50cc, then a 125, with not much more than a cycling proficiency test, whereas before the rules 17 yr olds had an incentive to go and pass a test to get onto a 33bhp bike

Exactly that. I think its scary that we allow kids out on the road themselves with almost no training. However, I assume they aren't hurting themselves in enough numbers to incur the wrath of the nanny state.

For me, as someone who had driven for 10 years, the CBT was a great little refresher and obviously all the motorbike specific stuff was interesting. Wouldn't have been so keen if that's all the training I ever got.

[Fordward]

Exactly that. I think its scary that we allow kids out on the road themselves with almost no training. However, I assume they aren't hurting themselves in enough numbers to incur the wrath of the nanny state.

For me, as someone who had driven for 10 years, the CBT was a great little refresher and obviously all the motorbike specific stuff was interesting. Wouldn't have been so keen if that's all the training I ever got.

they are hurting themselves in sufficient numbers. Round town where the majority of small bikes are, is the biggest accident zone for two wheelers.

the politicians just count them in the overall two wheeler statistics, use it as an excuse to introduce new laws we didn't need, and haven't made the link!

the CBT is exactly what it says on the tin compulsory BASIC training. if you like its a cycling proficiency test for moped riders. it's intention is to give learners some training and allow them on the road to gain experience, for a short period of time, with the aim of training for and taking a test.

now we have rules which encourage riders to go three years with no intention of taking a test

[Steve_God]

I have just passed my IAM test at 19, and it has made me a much better rider for sure, but it has done nothing to reduce my insurance :( I would recommend doing some sort of advanced training to everyone, as you can never stop learning IMO

Even through the IAM Surety insurance scheme?
Even if they don't come out initially cheaper, they should still be able to match any on a price comparison, and it's often better cover too?

[Tomor]

Surety won't insure fully comp unless you are over 25