Passed my IAM test :)

Originally Posted by Dave20046

When I first started to take my A2 I was penalised for using some 'advanced riding techniques'. Since the test I've been riding slightly to the left of my lane and moving out to the outside when approaching a junction or whatever (basically whenever it helps me to be seen). A few bikers have told me to always maintain that position but I don;t know if tht's them slipping into bad habits or if they're right. I did actually notice when my instructor followed me he would keep that position or was thta just as it's a safer formation to have when group riding? I'd be interested to know what the IAMers say about general positioning.

1st of all, thanks 2 every1 for their comments, their much appreciated

dave20046 - when i was doing my training, i was told to ride @ about 60 to 70% from the curb which as mogs rightly said is to stop other people overtaking you. as bikes are smaller, you have to dominate your side of the road and by taking this position, it makes people think twice. when approaching a left hand bend, you should generally be about a couple of feet away from the central white line and vice versa for a right hand bend (making sure to watch out for drains, loose dirt etc). the whole point of using all of your side of the road is to maximise your view of the road ahead, which in turn gives you more time to react should you encounter a hazard. one of the most important things i learnt was how to effectively use head checks. they are extremely important when performing even simple manouvers such as slowing down or accelerating away as they maximise the amount of information available to you. to quote my examiner "not only are you gaining knowledge of whats going on around you, but the driver / rider behind you will notice that thing at the top of your body moving around and think whats he looking at? making the person behind more aware of your intentions". again as already stated, this is something you can only achieve with practice so do the course! you won't regret it

darylb - i'd like to give something back and pass on my knowledge but i'm not sure if i have enough time at the moment. what is involved in becoming an observer? do you have to take another test? i've already looked into the insurance by the way (same as surety i think)

http://www.adelaideinsurance.com/

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Hehe, my experience of IAM riders, is them booking out a whole group on a Lydden track day and the creeping round at 30 mph in a big long line!

So true. You will also recall then that out of the group of 26 riders, 23 of them had never been on a race track before and that by the afternoon over half of them were going round fast enough for the organizer to want them moved up into the intermediate group, in which there was now plenty of room due to loads of crashes.... Oh, and none of the IAM group crashed, all day.

So Ner :¬P

Originally Posted by Red Herring

You must have a very limited experience of IAM groups.....

And why would i need to belong to more than one group?

Ps. for the record- I do wear slippers, and jolly comfy they are too!

Nod to you, HellFire.
Here in the 'States we have the IMC.
Not sure how comprehensive IAM was, but by my clock
I rode thirteen miles in a parking lot over six hours; never getting out of second gear. Oh, my ****!
One of the instructors is a motor-cop who brought his brand-new HD Street-Glide. He could lean that beast over till it dragged the floorboards and then he'd just run circles around the cone!
The course broke me of some bad habits, taught me some good ones and left me with confidence that if I can put my bike anywhere I can see.

Originally Posted by Red Herring

So true. You will also recall then that out of the group of 26 riders, 23 of them had never been on a race track before and that by the afternoon over half of them were going round fast enough for the organizer to want them moved up into the intermediate group, in which there was now plenty of room due to loads of crashes.... Oh, and none of the IAM group crashed, all day.

Hey - just saying what I saw with my own eyes! Even by the end of the day their "shoehorning" road techniques to the track, made some of them a bit of a liability.

Some of them were indicating, shoulder checks etc.

Don't get me wrong I think the IAM is a good group for a particular rider. However, I am not one of them nor do I think their techniques are particular apt for the racetrack.

[Red Herring]

I must admit some of the indicating and shoulder checks were amusing, however it can't be easy to break the habits of a lifetime, and like i said they had never been near a racetrack before. As for the IAM technique not being apt for the racetrack you are spot on, in the same way as techniques for the race track are not always appropriate for the road. At least this group had the sense to try race technique on a race track.......Don't knock something until you're tried it.

[Red Herring]

By the way Luke, which group were you in and what were you riding?

Originally Posted by Red Herring

By the way Luke, which group were you in and what were you riding?

Fast group or inters-> can't remember - fast - I think. Black 06 R6

+ I agree about riding on the road like it's a racetrack - definite no no!

[Red Herring]

Then you must remember some old duffer from the IAM group who went out on an old ZX7r and pretty mush dusted the entire group.......As I recall the marshall at the pit wall threatened to throw him out for wheeling down the hill.....