Anyone done the IAM Special Assessment?

[Selous]

Right first off just to clarify
I have on Bike ROSPA Silver & IAM

In Car Various Security Driving qualifications

My 10p worth I have done both hopefully 2011 I will get my Gold.

I do not see the point of IAM as it is a Pass or Fail so once you have passed you have no incentive to maintain a hi standard of Riding/Driving, other than your own self.

Where as you get a full written/Oral report on your ride & the incentive to try to improve your skill to that Gold.

If IAM want to get more ppl in under the 40+ age group, then they should make younger drivers welcome I am 46 & I even felt awkward at a meeting.

I got the impression that the younger drivers where children of members already

 

[Micky]

Right first off just to clarify
I have on Bike ROSPA Silver & IAM

In Car Various Security Driving qualifications

My 10p worth I have done both hopefully 2011 I will get my Gold.

I do not see the point of IAM as it is a Pass or Fail so once you have passed you have no incentive to maintain a hi standard of Riding/Driving, other than your own self.

Where as you get a full written/Oral report on your ride & the incentive to try to improve your skill to that Gold.

If IAM want to get more ppl in under the 40+ age group, then they should make younger drivers welcome I am 46 & I even felt awkward at a meeting.

I got the impression that the younger drivers where children of members already

That about sums it up. Although with the IAM you will/should get a full debrief and a copy of the examiners sheet that he submits to London.

Well don e on those qualifications by the way


PS ... There are incentives to get the younger people in, like their money back, and we have a good number of younger riders in our group.

 

[mr badger]

There is a local group covering Suffolk, S norfolk, N essex etc...

That's interesting, ROSPA told me thatthere is no local bike group in Norfolk. PM me some details.

I will take the ROSPA eventually - my riding coach is a Diploma holder of some years.

 

[SteveS]

Yes Badger, I've done it. In fact I did the very first motorcycle one. All Special Assessments are conducted by IAM Staff Examiners so that the standard can be maintained. Described as the toughest test you can do, I would say that's right. It is exactly like the police advanced test, graded the same way but all done at legal speeds. The report is an eye-opener and a true reflection on the standard of that ride.
In my view, any training is good and being assessed by one of the best riders in the UK can't do you any harm.

And by the way, the IAM CEO is Simon Best, not Ian.

 

[Kahuna]

Yes Badger, I've done it. In fact I did the very first motorcycle one. All Special Assessments are conducted by IAM Staff Examiners so that the standard can be maintained. Described as the toughest test you can do, I would say that's right. It is exactly like the police advanced test, graded the same way but all done at legal speeds. The report is an eye-opener and a true reflection on the standard of that ride.
In my view, any training is good and being assessed by one of the best riders in the UK can't do you any harm.

And by the way, the IAM CEO is Simon Best, not Ian.

So that'll be the same as the Rospa Gold then???

From ROSPA Grading: This grade is recognised as the highest riding award available to the public. It will be awarded only to the polished systematic rider, who displays a complete understanding and appropriate application of the principles outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft. The candidate will display a confidence and ability throughout the whole test which leads the examiner to consider that, if afforded the opportunity, the candidate has the potential with the basics already in place to do well on a police advanced course. The candidate's performance must be consistent throughout the whole of the test and so any lapses may result in a lower grade. Awards of this grade will therefore be reserved for the very best riders.

Fully agree - any training is good and though I'm not partial to certifications I think these both have a place to keep a rider on the straight and narrow (no pun intended!)

 

[mr badger]

Yes Badger, I've done it. ...

And by the way, the IAM CEO is Simon Best, not Ian.

Thanks for that, and welcome to the forum.

I'll have a crack at it in the autumn.

Just remembered Ian Best id someone else altogether - long story

So that'll be the same as the Rospa Gold then???

Sounds about right, with a high score equating to the Diploma level.

 

[Dan]

A mate of mine is doing his Special Assessment this week.

I was going to do it, but am no longer an IAM member - just too dull for me.

 

[demonbiker]

Can't see the point of a special Assessment if you've done a Rospa Gold ? I agree the. IAM is dull and insurance discounts are negligible.
I prefer the Rospa grading to IAM and the advanced group I belong to became independent of IAM and has become a better group with a good social side, plenty of rides and further training for full members to keep your skills up!

 

[Dan]

Can't see the point of a special Assessment if you've done a Rospa Gold ? I agree the. IAM is dull and insurance discounts are negligible.
I prefer the Rospa grading to IAM and the advanced group I belong to became independent of IAM and has become a better group with a good social side, plenty of rides and further training for full members to keep your skills up!

Which group do you belong to? I'd like to do some more training.

 

[demonbiker]

Essex Advanced Motorcyclist Group

http://www.eamg.org.uk/

They are now an independent training group
With some really good riders as observers, without the typical I AM attitude

Meet in Chelmsford . I live in Stevenage and find it's much better than the local group, (and a few others I've tried)plus it's a decent ride through the lanes to get there!!

 

[demonbiker]

Could also put you in touch with a trainer I've done some police stuff with

 

[Dan]

Thx, I'll look in to that. I was a HBAM member, but didn't bother renewing my membership. The training was a good start, but that was about all. I found it all quite dull.

I joined TVAM but that was just to get on the Nurburgring trip. On the trip I got talking to some of the members, and they seem to really love the club. They seem to do a hell of a lot more than HBAM, that's for certain.

I live in Stevenage as well, by the way. The ride towards Essex is my commuting route.

 

[demonbiker]

My personal opinion of HBAM is poor , for various reasons , but there are some good people there just some people are too far up their own arse !!

I like a more spirited ride sometimes and don't need the tutting and huffing and puffing from the " I do it by the book within the speed limit " brigade!!

I see a 1150 near the Twin foxes sometimes, is that you??

 

[Dan]

My personal opinion of HBAM is poor , for various reasons , but there are some good people there just some people are too far up their own arse !!

I like a more spirited ride sometimes and don't need the tutting and huffing and puffing from the " I do it by the book within the speed limit " brigade!!

I see a 1150 near the Twin foxes sometimes, is that you??

I agree, some good people in HBAM but the club is not for me. It seems we share the same opinion. I take it the Essex club are allowed to enjoy their bikes?!?

Unfortunately that wasn't me on the 1150 - I don't have a GS, but I do like them. A possible next bike.....

At the moment I have, er, Hondas - a beaten up E reg VFR and a not beaten up R reg Fireblade.

 

[demonbiker]

I agree, some good people in HBAM but the club is not for me. It seems we share the same opinion. I take it the Essex club are allowed to enjoy their bikes?!? You could put it like that!!

Unfortunately that wasn't me on the 1150 - I don't have a GS, but I do like them. A possible next bike.....

At the moment I have, er, Hondas - a beaten up E reg VFR and a not beaten up R reg Fireblade.

Ive got a 99 ZX9R ad a ZZR 1100 too, if you want to go down there ,give me a shout.

 

[Dan]

OK thanks, will do.