how would you rate your riding skills ?

I would suggest that I am above average and possibly able to go for the IAM if I was in the UK!
I can potter with the best of them and also hoon a bit when required. I always think ahead though and am not as crazy as I was in my younger days.
There are things that I just will not do anymore!
The odd slight misjudgement going in to bends can occur now and again but these are dealt with in a non panic manner.

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Don't know how I'd be rated by the IAM, but quite frankly after doing my bikesafe course, I'm not sure I care what advanced trainers think.

But Jordan, Bikesafe is a few hours, IAM is built up over a number of sustained observed rides, the two cannot, in my opinion, be compared as they are so different. Admitidly the Bikesafe is similar to the "assesment" ride you do with an IAN observer the first time out though.

On another note, I have to say that the goal I had when doing observed rides was to make my riding better, I wasn't particularly worried about passing the test, I wanted to learn what I did wrong and how to correct it. I haven't been for about a year but will definately go back for some more IAM training this winter, probably with another group.

.

Originally Posted by Jelster

But Jordan, Bikesafe is a few hours, IAM is built up over a number of sustained observed rides, the two cannot, in my opinion, be compared as they are so different. Admitidly the Bikesafe is similar to the "assesment" ride you do with an IAN observer the first time out though.

Yeah I know. But it's only worth having your riding observed if you can ride as you would normaly. Maybe IAM isn't as bad for this as bike safe, but I had to ride so much more conservatively, it was utterly pointless.

[fizzwheel]

I reckon I am average, though to be honest I have some dirty riding habbits and I think I would need refresher training to pass my DAS again now.

Originally Posted by Jabba-the-Hutt

Sorry - DAS is Direct Access Scheme, where those over 21 years old can take their test on a "big bike" (I think it's >46.5bhp, so Honda CB500/Suz GS500/Kwak ER5 territory) and gain a full licence from the off.

I did it, and I'm sure many others on here did.

Oh, and you're far better riding as you do then going "plums out" from the word go.

Thanks Jabba,
I passed my bike test in 1989 when I passed part2! In those days things were much more simple.

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Yeah I know. But it's only worth having your riding observed if you can ride as you would normaly. Maybe IAM isn't as bad for this as bike safe, but I had to ride so much more conservatively, it was utterly pointless.

That's what is putting me off. When I make a point of it, like if I'm behind a police car/they're behind me, I can stick to the speed limits and be near-exemplary with my positioning, observations, stopping distances etc. However, even if they say, 'yeah great, no problems' that has little to no relevance to my normal riding. I certainly don't ride recklessly, but when you're doing almost 30 over the posted limit (not in 30s or 'proper' 40s, but on roads where it's safe to do so), the variables change so much.

Originally Posted by northwind

Though having seen some shocking riding today I suspect the average might be a bit lower than you'd hope.

Agreed. When you say average, don't think other SVers or the people you ride with, think of most motorcyclists you see on the road. Around this time of year, this typically means fair weather riders on sportsbikes, often running wide on bends, overtakes that make oncoming traffic brake, leaving inadequate stopping distances, no slow control, inability/lack of willingness to filter at lights, etc. (not a crack at all sportsbike owners- I'm just basing this comment on over 50% of the riders I watched when out at the weekend, aside from a pair of 1200GS riders and a very skilled bloke on a 916 SPS, I didn't see anything that I thought was particularly 'good' riding).

Seeing as the headings suggested this poll was based on safe, progressive road riding, as opposed to trackday/street racing/out and out speed ability, I'd say above average. Yep, I'm a novice with a mere 8500+ miles bike experience under my belt, but I've already got half decent observation/road sense from being a cager for many times that distance. Overall I'd say I strike a good balance between patience and progress. Feel free to correct me for thinking I'm a 'better' road rider than a lot of the idiots I see out at weekends...

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

That's what is putting me off. When I make a point of it, like if I'm behind a police car/they're behind me, I can stick to the speed limits and be near-exemplary with my positioning, observations, stopping distances etc. However, even if they say, 'yeah great, no problems' that has little to no relevance to my normal riding. I certainly don't ride recklessly, but when you're doing almost 30 over the posted limit (not in 30s or 'proper' 40s, but on roads where it's safe to do so), the variables change so much.)

This is the interesting perception issue with the IAM.

The IAM has two purposes; 1 to get you through the IAM test and 2 to make you a safer rider

The IAM test basically is about riding within the law, therefore any moving traffic offence will see a failure and included in this is speeding, particularly in any speed limit prescribed by a roudle. NSL's are very much dependent on the attitude of the examiner, however current Government pressure and the fact that most examiners are serving police officers and so risk their jobs by advocating breaking the speed limit means that the training for the test is mostly done within speed limits.

The scond phase happens after the test and comes from advanced observed runs. I did the Rider Skills Check on Saturday as part of my observers training. Posted limits no flexibility but the instruction for NSL's was that speed was down to my discresion. This put me in the position of concidering the appropriateness of my speed, there were times in an NSL where I felt that 35 was appropriate (country lanes with Grass in the middle) and times where I was happy at a ton plus, I rode to my judgement skill level and bike felt right. The senior observer (on a Pan by the way) was with me most of the time and I got the feeling that had he been leading he would have shown me a clean set of heels if he really wanted to.

IAM is about more than passing the IAM test.

[squirrel_hunter]

Voted for Police Class 1. Passed my IAM at a 'very high standard' with little effort (Quote from my examiner). But I agree with Patch about still having my moments.

I would recomend the IAM to everyone, yes they get you to stick to the limits, but surly you should have control and show it and legal speeds before moving up.

I regularly ride above the limits, but I also know when not to, something the IAM tought me.

But as always there is always room for improvement and I'm looking toward a ROSPA cirt now.

Hmmm. Still seems to me like the only thing I'd get out of IAM is lower insurance premiums.

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Hmmm. Still seems to me like the only thing I'd get out of IAM is lower insurance premiums.

Then you're probably right but until you have done it you will never really know.

My personal experience is that I am quicker and safer because of the IAM experience. I was quick before I started by the way.