IAM

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by 21QUEST

ETS, might go through the training/test just to show that, even kn*bs can get through

Too late, I've already proved it!


As fro the IAM advocating soeeding I was always told to stay within the speed limits

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

Morning all.
At the risk of starting a right old barney. I must say that I'm not a fan of such things. Granted they can make you more aware of the need for observation etc, but that should have all been covered by the CBT if you think about it.

It could be a good idea to cover it in CBT - but I think they are more interested in passing you with minimum cost to their organisation like any other business. If CBT was 5-10 days and covered all IAM requirements plus cost the same then maybe it would be great. I doubt it would happen.

I also find it somewhat hypocritical to call it advanced riding, when quite often they advocate breaking the speed limits. We all know it's safe to do so on occasion, but to advocate breaking the law? & as pointed out, flashing your card wont get you off a speeding nick!

Our local IAM always rides within the legal speeds during the Observed Sundays. No advocation - you not encouraged to speed. I cant speak for others clubs.

It also seems to me that they can make inexperienced riders somewhat over confident, which isn't a good thing.

They do it over a period of months between normal riding - which is where you gain the experience. The best thing with it as the observor will pick up any over confidence and point out the mistakes that are occurring for whatever reason.

A lot of the things taught appear to be based on ideals, line of approach to bends etc. I have recovered several bikes from hedges after the rider lost it due to a pothole/gravel/dead Deer etc that had the audacity to be across the 'perfect line'.

Perfect line but poor observation maybe? You should have a go at it - its free to try and it may change your perception of the process and whats involved. In saying that I should pull my fingure out and do the test - been a member for more than a year now...

Cheers.

Cheers

[21QUEST]

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Too late, I've already proved it!


As fro the IAM advocating soeeding I was always told to stay within the speed limits

Haha....I didn't say kn*b faced Kn*bster though but yeah, I'll still do it just to confirm what you have comfirmed..........


Ben

Inept Ageing Motorcyclists.

Here stands a card holding member!

me as well both car and bike

The speeding aspect differs from group to group. Most groups disregard the speed limits on social rides (although not by massive margins), their attitude to speeding on observed rides seems to vary massively, from "so long as it's safe", to "never, not even during overtakes".

On the subject of it giving people a false sense of their riding ability, most IAM groups have at least one person who rides as bad as the worst weekend worrier on a sportsbike and yet thinks they are fantastically good because they once (somehow) passed the IAM test. We have one in our group and a large number of members want to kick him out. Whenever he is confronted about dodgy manouevers, he shrugs it off as the person critiquing him (even if they are vastly better/more experienced riders) being too hesitant/not as good at making progress as him, "Well, you might not have gone for the overtake, but I was confident I could do it in time and pulled it off safely". He overlooked the car coming the other way standing on the brakes, flashing their lights and the other IAM rider he nearly took out as he cut back in.

That all said, it'll make most people (the very extremely experienced aside) better riders. Of course, it depends on how much experience you already have, how you ride already (IE your attitude to risk), how much you're prepared to alter your riding, etc. Obviously, a new rider who currently rides like a maniac, but is prepared to change their habits will get more out of it than someone who has ridden for 20 years and already done ROSPA.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

The speeding aspect differs from group to group. Most groups disregard the speed limits on social rides (although not by massive margins), their attitude to speeding on observed rides seems to vary massively, from "so long as it's safe", to "never, not even during overtakes".

On the subject of it giving people a false sense of their riding ability, most IAM groups have at least one person who rides as bad as the worst weekend worrier on a sportsbike and yet thinks they are fantastically good because they once (somehow) passed the IAM test. We have one in our group and a large number of members want to kick him out. Whenever he is confronted about dodgy manouevers, he shrugs it off as the person critiquing him (even if they are vastly better/more experienced riders) being too hesitant/not as good at making progress as him, "Well, you might not have gone for the overtake, but I was confident I could do it in time and pulled it off safely". He overlooked the car coming the other way standing on the brakes, flashing their lights and the other IAM rider he nearly took out as he cut back in.

That all said, it'll make most people (the very extremely experienced aside) better riders. Of course, it depends on how much experience you already have, how you ride already (IE your attitude to risk), how much you're prepared to alter your riding, etc. Obviously, a new rider who currently rides like a maniac, but is prepared to change their habits will get more out of it than someone who has ridden for 20 years and already done ROSPA.

I think he's moved onto my group now! Someone exactly like that nearly took me out on a social run. He was on a Frieblade and was severely naffed off that he couldn't get past an SV650. When I overtook two cars he wasn't going to be outdone.
Pity he left it so late that the oncoming car had to swerve out of his way and then he nearly took me out as he hauled on his anchors..........

Proof positive about Fireblade riders!

I'm a firm believer in additional training and went down the IAM route earlier this year by way of a full time course; most of the training was conducted in the wet and the speed limits were adheered to at all times.

I think it has had a positive effect on the way I ride; but so would any of the other courses available such as the ROSPA or even just an occasional trip out with an instructor.

As part of my job I examine and instruct at a very high level and still find I learn something when I go back for my six monthly checks; so no matter how experienced we are we should all gain from an IAM or similar course.

Originally Posted by Essex of Essex

I'm a firm believer in additional training and went down the IAM route earlier this year by way of a full time course; most of the training was conducted in the wet and the speed limits were adheered to at all times.

I think it has had a positive effect on the way I ride; but so would any of the other courses available such as the ROSPA or even just an occasional trip out with an instructor.

As part of my job I examine and instruct at a very high level and still find I learn something when I go back for my six monthly checks; so no matter how experienced we are we should all gain from an IAM or similar course.

Did you pass your MOT then? Or were you let down by a flat tyre

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the observed rides that I had with the IAM. I had a lot of bad habits to unlearn; it took me a long time to be ready for the test. The critiques in the early stages were sometimes very hard to swallow. Now I’ve passed I enjoy the social rides, but I still want my friends to point out my errors.

The observers that I’ve met have all been very good, if you do something stupid then you can expect to be told about it, they won’t pull their punches, but that’s what you’ve signed up for.

I don’t think that they have reduced my reaction times, more that they have honed my observational skills. Better earlier observation therefore reducing the need for fast reaction time as potential hazards are dealt with before they become real hazards.

For an IAM member to believe that they are better than any other rider/driver is not only arrogant but foolhardy. There isn’t a ride that I go on that I don’t make mistakes, I have learned with the IAM to be very critical on myself.

Riding and driving mistakes usually (and fortunately) go “unpunished”. An advanced rider should be able to identify these mistakes and take action to avoid repeating them. Other riders will make these same mistakes but won’t realise it and continue to commit them, until one day the “punishment” is upon them.

The cash outlay for IAM is well worth it, I recommend it to everyone.