IAM

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

The observer guy doesn't seem to be there to protect you in the way a DAS instructor does. Mainly there to watch what you are doing then tell you it's all wrong!!

That was one of the reasons I jacked it in at the end, some jumped up BMW/deauville/whatever rider explaining how they didn't think what I'd done was right and had I thought about this that and the other.

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't think about all those things I WAS TOO BUSY RIDING. A lot of the time it was things they didn't like but which were perfectly safe or reasonable. Sometimes if you lose them it must be because you're riding too fast for the conditions, not because they can't keep up

They're not all bad - many of them are brilliant riders and have loads to show you but some of them... just hope you don't get one of those...

Best thing is to take what you can from the experience and make it work with our riding style. I'm faster, safer, see opportunities and hazards way, way ahead of where I used to and enjoy it much more. I'm very grateful for the training they gave me and I wouldn't go back to doing it just for the green badge.

Originally Posted by SVeeedy Gonzales

Sometimes if you lose them it must be because you're riding too fast for the conditions, not because they can't keep up.

Yes, I've had someone say, "but he's a senior examiner, if you were getting away from him, you were probably going a bit too quick." [Mogs, this isn't Chris I'm talking about ] So, nothing to do with me having a faster, better handling bike and being able to better judge available grip (on what were an open set of corners)? Some do seem to fall into the trap of thinking they're perfect and anyone quicker is in the wrong.

Passed mine a couple of years ago. I think it was well worth it. Like everything else - listen to everyone and mke your mind up as to what is good for you and what is bull.

Apparently I now ride about 10mph faster on open roads (I'm hoping to reach 30 in the next few months ), but I'm happy to ride in all weathers (except ice & snow).

Anyone who is thinking about doing it - just stop thinking and do it.

[TEC]

Originally Posted by ArtyLady

How do you know they were IAM?

Well I have to assume the rest of the group were IAM (enough fluro bibs between them) but the guy who was leading did have a great big logo on the back of his fluro jacket

I'm probably just being cynical from my bad experience of IAM when I was still on 'L' plates...............but I think they're a bunch of pompus bearded farts on FJR's who think they are better than the rest. At least that is my experience of the numerous IAM people I've come into contact with. Or could it be I just remember the bad ones? I've also have seen many tits on bikes who proudly display the IAM badge on there bike yet doing silly speeds just like any 'normal' rider. And why is it people feel the need to shout from the rooftops that they've done IAM? So what! I think many people feel that once they've passed the advanced test, that's it they are wonderful at riding. There is never a substitue for experience and you only get that from getting out there, no matter what the weather. That being said I guess further training is always good, I just prefer to get it from a qualified instructor (you get what you pay for I guess). You don't have to be that highly qualified to be an observer in IAM which is the biggest issue I think.

Of course this is my opinion based on a bad experience so could be somewhat jaded.

Originally Posted by HooliganDan

...............but I think they're a bunch of pompus bearded farts on FJR's who think they are better than the rest. At least that is my experience of the numerous IAM people I've come into contact with. Or could it be I just remember the bad ones?

Well, as far as I know I'm not pompous. I don't have a beard either. And I ride an SV650. And I know I'm not better than everyone else.

Originally Posted by HooliganDan

And why is it people feel the need to shout from the rooftops that they've done IAM?

Who's shouting it from the rooftops?

Originally Posted by HooliganDan

There is never a substitue for experience and you only get that from getting out there, no matter what the weather.

So everyone can tell what bad habits they've picked up over the years with no advice from someone else? I don't think so. How is a rider who always rides badly, has no sympathy for the mechanics of the bike, takes poor decisions, etc going to get better if they always ride like that, and practice doing it over and over? Do you think you don't have to have any decent riding skills to be assessed by a police class 1 rider as passing a test? The IAM groups across the country are pointless? Insurance companies give discounts to IAM members for no reason? Yes, experience is most definately needed, but RoSPA and IAM have definately helped all the riders I have seen take it improve. I'm not saying the IAM are perfect, but I certainly don't agree with your opinions.

Originally Posted by HooliganDan

I'm probably just being cynical from my bad experience of IAM when I was still on 'L' plates

And what experience did you have whilst still on L plates? I'm fairly sure you have to have a full licence to be observed with the IAM.

[yorkie_chris]

Its like anything else where you can get qualifications, the biggest eejits will have IAM and declare it to the world, but the decent riders (I daresay the majority) will do the training, get their insurance discount and be subtle about it and be generally faster, safer riders.
As for displaying the badge, yes, have a pat on the head, you're showing off your shiny qualifications. Tart.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

As for displaying the badge, yes, have a pat on the head, you're showing off your shiny qualifications. Tart.

Yep. That's the reason I don't display the badge; it will only ever work against you. Get into an argument with another rider, they will never look at the IAM badge and say, "Oh, I guess you probably are right, I can see you've done IAM." They're more likely to say, "You IAM ***ts think you bloody own the road". Similarly, I can't really see it doing you any favours with the coppers, they're likely to think "he should know better", rather than, "Well, perhaps he does have the skill to be doing 90 down here".

Good for those who want it, however, having someone watch over and scrutinise my riding for 35 minutes (bike test) was sufficient for me. I don't want to repeat it.

I've spoken to several advanced instructors and they are very pleasant. I've yet to see one on a sports bike though.