I A M , advice needed

[wishbone]

I've had my gs nearly a year now and i feel my confidence is growing every ride , however im very interested in taking some kind of advanced training , I did the the bikesafe course last year and enjoyed it , I read all the articles i can on better riding and try to put them into practice ,
I was speaking to a north yorks IAM observer the other day and told me it may take me approx 9 to 10 lessons to get to test standard (dependant on my skills already)
Will IAM give me the skills I need for every day riding that i can take away and use and improve on , or ! is it designed (nowdays) just to get me through the test , give me a certificate and cheaper insurance ??
Im very interested on anyones opinions on this
thanx

 

[slimbo]

its whatever you want m8 .

you do the learning and the observers give guidance. it will if completed make you more aware and ensure that whilst lying in the hospital of your choice you are more than qualified to asses what went wrong to put you there in the first place..

or in other words its well worth doing and you will be safer and wiser.

 

[cobbster]

My opinion

Hi,

I got back in the saddle in 1999 and joined Nottingham Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM group); at the time they took me for an assessment ride and used that as a start point. It gave me clear indications on what I needed to improve. I was given very good advice and practical examples, even following the Observers giving a running commentary as we went along with their radio equipment.
I would go out and practice between runs with the observers, who would give me an updated assessment; there would be 2 to 1 observer. The observer would follow first trainee, with the second trainee following the Observer, this also helped to see others in the same boat.
I passed my advanced test in 2000, I believe it was of the best things I did. The skills I learnt I use every time I get on a bike or drive a car.
I'm still a member of IAM and Nottingham Advanced Motorcyclists and enjoy the club.


Cobbster

 

[MMC]

Any training that makes you think is worth doing. It's your brain that'll keep you alive on a bike - nothing else.

 

[Micky]

Sheffield IAM meet up the first Monday of the month at Treeton WMC (Rotherham) so come along and get stuck in. A great group of lads'n lasses. Good social scene, good rides out, nothing to lose and everything to gain

 

[advancedbiker]

Consider RoSPA as well

There is also RoSPA motorcycle advanced training. It is worth a look. Local groups can be found on www.roadar.org

Any training is worth considering, whilst you thinking about it, try this link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/advancedbiker?gl=GB&hl=en-GB

 

[Glyno]

Advancedbiker gets my . Worked with Nige for many a year. Knows his stuff.

 

[les049]

Not always straight foward !

I have been with my local IAM for almost 2 yrs now and for all i have not been able to take my Adv test the trg is well worth it.

At the end of the day I can honestly state that my riding has improved and I feel safer on the road even after riding for many years and this is all thanks to the dedication of the groups volunteer observers, so hats off to you guys/gals !

So yes any form of rider trg is worth it, whether it be IAM or ROSPA.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

Cheaper insurance

The IAM insurance has never been competitive for me and all (yes that is all) the quotes I have had over the years from other firms have been no different due to IAM membership, and I always ask.

However, join up now and take it as far a you can, you won't regret it, whether IAM or Rospa, the training is stimulating as well as useful, the fact that your insurance might not be cheaper is not important, what is important is your attitude and skills on the road.

 

[wishbone]

thanx for all the advice guys , my local IAM is sheffield so I think i will pop down and go for an assessment I can take it from there , its like I said from the off , its the skill and awarenes i need , most of my riding is two up (the wife)

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

If you decide to go the IAM route then you will be allocated an observer. Do not be afraid to request a different observer if you don't get on with the one you are allocated. You need to gel to get the most out of the experience.

Others might disagree but I find lots of observers to be full of self importance and harbouring a deep rooted desire to Police riders.

Of course there are superb observers as well so do not compromise.

 

[Rasher]

After my recent Bikesafe course i am also thinking of either ROSPA or IAM, gonna check out what they have in my area.

I would guess most training is worthwhile and will add to your "riding toolkit".

I am a huge fan of the Keith Code (California Superbike School / Twist of the wrist books & DVD's) the on-track training is quite pricey at £350 a day, but the DVD at £15 has something (probably quite a lot) for everyone, not much "roadcraft" as such, but lots about how to ride and control a motorcycle that applies to the road, and particularly handling tricky situations (which you do not have to be on a track to get into!)

I also want to do some off-road schools at some point, not because I am likely to ride off-road much (if at all) but I believe these also enhance your riding skills (and are a lot of fun)

I try to do as much as I can and take whatever applies to / works for me from it.

 

[davnjud]

great value to get hours and hours of observed riding for £160. got cheapest insurance by far for my gs and street triple fromIAMsurety after an mcn search first. the adverts have it right - my confidence from doing IAM has dramatically improved my riding experience. IAM rideouts are fun with a good safe but progressive riding ethos. a big thumbs up from me but keep your ego at home when you are observed to get the most out of it.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

keep your ego at home when you are observed to get the most out of it.

very good point. Easier said than done though isn't it.

 

[phooey]

IAM and RoSPA both promote and provide advanced tuition based on Roadcraft. Whichever route you choose you are going to benefit in terms of safety, skill and ultimately enjoyment of your riding. The test for either group is the same but RoSPA will give you a graded pass - I think this is preferable. Many IAM associates retake the test with RoSPA because they want to know if they are a high end pass or not. There is a RoSPA group based at Wakefield if that interests you. Some insurers give a small discount for an advanced qualification.

If you get a tutor you 'gel' with you should learn a lot and have fun doing so.

You will meet lots of other GS's.
Enjoy!

 

[Bikerbuk]

If you decide to go the IAM route then you will be allocated an observer. Do not be afraid to request a different observer if you don't get on with the one you are allocated. You need to gel to get the most out of the experience.

Others might disagree but I find lots of observers to be full of self importance and harbouring a deep rooted desire to Police riders.

Of course there are superb observers as well so do not compromise.

I have to agree. I'm an advanced driver having been in the police in a past life and I joined the IAM for cars a few years ago. I automatically got the IAM certificate as I was already qualified. I went along for a bike assessment as I wanted to do that test too. I have to say the the observer I went out with was an extremely nice guy. He was obviously dedicated to his IAM observer position and was full of information and advice.

However, what did concern me was that a lot of what he was saying was from the book - parrot fashion. He criticized my road positioning at one point approaching a bend (too long to go into it here) and I had a long and quite informed discussion with him on this point. It appeared to me to be the case of "thats what the book says" rather than " on this road, here and now this is my plan". There was also another criticism about my speed (60mph) on what he referred to as a dual carriageway. It wasn't a dual carriageway ( no central reservation) but he couldn't accept that. Fair enough, but I decided IAM wasn't for me.

I agree, any training is worth it and it will make you safer and look further along the road. But if you're not happy with your observer, don't hesitate to request another. There's no substitute for professional training.

 

[Micky]

thanx for all the advice guys , my local IAM is sheffield so I think i will pop down and go for an assessment I can take it from there , its like I said from the off , its the skill and awarenes i need , most of my riding is two up (the wife)

Next meeting should be Monday 9th May at Treeton Miners Welfare.

Tell 'em Micky sent you, I may well not be there ... off to Germany today, back home on Sunday 8th May and then straight off to Wales for a few days riding the hills with the Irish pals

 

[James Bryan]

You are very lucky!

Sheffield IAM meet up the first Monday of the month at Treeton WMC (Rotherham) so come along and get stuck in. A great group of lads'n lasses. Good social scene, good rides out, nothing to lose and everything to gain

Wishbone -- The "issue" with almost all training/coaching, (and those two terms describe different processes), is the relationship between pupil and teacher. Find someone you like, respect, feel able to accept constructive comment from, and enjoy the whole experience - you will never look back.

However, put yourself through a prescriptive, narrow, formulaic and ultimately stilted regime and you will suffer increased anxiety, reduced capacity to learn or develop your riding - it will also be a pretty unpleasant experience.

Both I.A.M. & RoSPA have advantages, and each will offer to assist you to develop as a rider. Briefly, I.A.M. offer a "social" element to their members, something lacking in RoSPA's provision. Each local I.A.M. group develops its own atmosphere and culture, and to a degree, its own standards of "advanced" riding. RoSPA tends toward a more individual approach, lacks the camaraderie to be found in some of the I.A.M. groups, but the levels of riding that it requires for achieving a graded pass, tend to be higher than that of the I.A.M. (some I.A.M. groups set a very high standard). RoSPA also requires all its graduates to be re-examined every three years, otherwise their qualification lapses - something that I feel to be a very good thing.

Why do I say that you are so very lucky? Well, because you live near to one of the very best I.A.M. groups in the country, one that sets very high standards, has an active and welcoming social side, and an examiner in Micky Wheeler who is superb, (oh, you have no idea how much it cost me to say that!). Go along to one of their meetings, see if you like the atmosphere, see if you can relax with the observer you choose - your choice not theirs, and prepare to enjoy yourself.

You are also lucky in that you have several local RoSPA qualified instructors surrounding you, so if you find, for whatever reason, that the I.A.M. is not for you, and that you'd rather go the more "bespoke"/individual route, then you are spoilt for choice.

Just make sure that you find someone whom you feel comfortable with, confident in the knowledge that you can relax, enjoy, and learn with him/her.

After all, we learn best when we're having fun.

All the best, Jim.

 

[cliff]

I was speaking to a north yorks IAM observer the other day and told me it may take me approx 9 to 10 lessons to get to test standard (dependant on my skills already)
Will IAM give me the skills I need for every day riding that i can take away and use and improve on , or ! is it designed (nowdays) just to get me through the test , give me a certificate and cheaper insurance ??
Im very interested on anyones opinions on this
thanx[/QUOTE]



The amount of time it takes depends on how much time and effort you put in yourself and everyone is different. Back in 2008 i was looking to join a group just to get more out of my riding and i looked at Rospa but my nearest group was down near East Grinstead so was too far to travel.

The IAM had a group near to where i lived so i joined the Middlesex Advanced Motorcyclists in April 2008 which involved 2 theory evenings in a classroom then 4 Saturday rides on the fourth ride i asked for a mock test as i had put in for my test as soon as the information pack came to me from Chiswick (IAM headquaters) and did not realise that the examiner would contact me so soon too arrange my test.

So i had my mock test on the 4th Sat and my test on the following tuesday so from start to finish i managed to do it in 35 days. So it doesn,t always take ages. We do have some members at the group who have been with us for more than 2 years and use it more for the social rides than concentrating on passing the advanced test. The best way is to take on board like a sponge whatever your Observers tell/show you and keep prcticing over and over again. If i was approaching a bend and my line was wrong or i was not happy with my positioning then i would continue until i could find a turning place to go back and do it again and again if necessary until i was happy with it.I also went out as much as possible between Observed rides to practice.

I hope that helps.

 

[cliff]

I was speaking to a north yorks IAM observer the other day and told me it may take me approx 9 to 10 lessons to get to test standard (dependant on my skills already)
Will IAM give me the skills I need for every day riding that i can take away and use and improve on , or ! is it designed (nowdays) just to get me through the test , give me a certificate and cheaper insurance ??
Im very interested on anyones opinions on this
thanx[/QUOTE]



The amount of time it takes depends on how much time and effort you put in yourself and everyone is different. Back in 2008 i was looking to join a group just to get more out of my riding and i looked at Rospa but my nearest group was down near East Grinstead so was too far to travel.

The IAM had a group near to where i lived so i joined the Middlesex Advanced Motorcyclists in April 2008 which involved 2 theory evenings in a classroom then 4 Saturday rides on the fourth ride i asked for a mock test as i had put in for my test as soon as the information pack came to me from Chiswick (IAM headquaters) and did not realise that the examiner would contact me so soon too arrange my test.

So i had my mock test on the 4th Sat and my test on the following tuesday so from start to finish i managed to do it in 35 days. So it doesn,t always take ages. We do have some members at the group who have been with us for more than 2 years and use it more for the social rides than concentrating on passing the advanced test. The best way is to take on board like a sponge whatever your Observers tell/show you and keep prcticing over and over again. If i was approaching a bend and my line was wrong or i was not happy with my positioning then i would continue until i could find a turning place to go back and do it again and again if necessary until i was happy with it.I also went out as much as possible between Observed rides to practice.

I hope that helps.