I.A.M.'s course, anyone done it recently?,,,

[Big Si]

I am interested in doing the course as someone who has relatively recently returned to biking

I have looked up a few of the old threads on the course and was wondering if IAM had rationalised nowadays, it so it was based more on Roadcraft?

Would appreciate anyones views on the course anyway

 

[Timolgra]

Would appreciate anyones views on the course anyway

This year at the Dragon Rally I watched a guy 'ride' across some flat frozen mud....feet down and with THREE people helping hold his bike up, his screen was festooned with IAM stickers

 

[strimstrum]

I passed my IAM a few years back but now in hindsight I would have gone the ROSPA route. Once the IAM test is passed that's it - no follow up but ROSPA has a regular retest. But IMHO no bit of paper is any substitution for loads of riding miles in different places and conditions (I don't put my feet down on frozen mud). However, the best "test" I ever took was two days at the BMW off road centre in Wales.

 

[Packer]

I am interested in doing the course as someone who has relatively recently returned to biking

I have looked up a few of the old threads on the course and was wondering if IAM had rationalised nowadays, it so it was based more on Roadcraft?

Would appreciate anyones views on the course anyway

Much of any advanced riding course will be at least similar to the content of Roadcraft.

If you contact your local IAM group, you can get group details from the IAM website if you don't know which one is best for you, http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroupsdirectory/ they should offer you a free assessment ride. You will go out with an IAM Qualified Observer over a variety of roads. At the end of the run, which may take around 1 - 1½ hours, and possibly part way through as well they will discuss the run and offer pointers as to things that you might have done better. If you think it is of value sign up for the "Skill for Life" package. If you don't consider the feedback to be of value you walk away. It will only have cost you the fuel for the run which you may actually have enjoyed anyway

I should point out that I'm an observer for them. We get a very wide range of people coming along the vast majority of whom seem to find it very useful.

It won't make you an off road God like Timolgra though Of course, you may be that already for all I know.

 

[Packer]

I passed my IAM a few years back but now in hindsight I would have gone the ROSPA route. Once the IAM test is passed that's it - no follow up but ROSPA has a regular retest.

I can't speak for other groups but at Glasgow North you are welcome to join rideouts after you've passed your Advanced Test. Additionally some groups need observers so once you've passed and become a member of the IAM you can start Observer training. Talk to your local group.

 

[Big Si]

I passed my IAM a few years back but now in hindsight I would have gone the ROSPA route. Once the IAM test is passed that's it - no follow up but ROSPA has a regular retest. But IMHO no bit of paper is any substitution for loads of riding miles in different places and conditions (I don't put my feet down on frozen mud). However, the best "test" I ever took was two days at the BMW off road centre in Wales.

What are the main differences between the IAM and ROSPA courses then?

 

[phooey]

There should be little or no difference as they are teaching from the same book - Roadcraft.

RoSPA have more credibility IMHO due to the 3 year retest to keep your grading.

£20 to join, instruction costs are the tutors petrol only, and the test is £50.

Good on you for taking the instruction whichever way you go.

 

[Micky]

This year at the Dragon Rally I watched a guy 'ride' across some flat frozen mud....feet down and with THREE people helping hold his bike up, his screen was festooned with IAM stickers

I wuz there, saw that, and wuz so disappointed too Tim

I'm an IAM Examiner ... standards for the IAM, BMF, RoSPA etc all vary from region to region, but you have nothing to lose Big Si and perhaps something to gain

So that can't be a bad thing

 

[Lord Snooty]

Si, I trained with the Redditch Advanced group and passed; I really benefited from it but I was particularly lucky as my observer was excellent and had also had the benefit of having proper instructor training with tghe company I now work for RMT Motorcycle Training. Therein lies the problem as all observers are volunteers and not professional trainers and the quality and ability of the observers can vary wildly. There is no bike to bike comms so no corrective training actually takes place on the road; the system is reliant on the observer being able to recall any problems maybe two hours later when you have a break - in the meantime you have continued to ride with the same fault.

I am not knocking the IAM in any way as they really helped me to improve my riding but because of the above issues it took an awful long time. I recommend you contact a professional training company and do your ERS Certificate - at least it will lead to a reduction in your insurance. The initial ride will be to assess your riding and from that a personal training plan will be put together that will be based on your needs - this may be as little as one day's training or maybe 2 or 3 depending on your current level of skill. When you get your ERS you will be able to put in for your IAM test also and will not need further training.

At RMT we have three ERS qualified instructors, one of the highest ratios in the country - give me a call if you would like to discuss it further.

Mike 0798 408 5054

 

[The Reverend]

I couldn't agree more. Trainers train, poncy IAM types shout 'ride the ride' to each other before setting off. They even told a friend of mine that riding his Harley was detrimental to riding safely.

The Enhanced Rider Scheme is the best thing the DSA have come up with in years. Their website lists a register of Post Test Trainers for your area, and is what my local Bike Cops recommend.

IAM/RoSPA groups can never make up their mind whether to be social or examination wannabe's

 

[advancedbiker]

The Enhanced Rider Scheme - Advanced ?

I couldn't agree more. Trainers train, poncy IAM types shout 'ride the ride' to each other before setting off. They even told a friend of mine that riding his Harley was detrimental to riding safely.

The Enhanced Rider Scheme is the best thing the DSA have come up with in years. Their website lists a register of Post Test Trainers for your area, and is what my local Bike Cops recommend.

IAM/RoSPA groups can never make up their mind whether to be social or examination wannabe's

Have a look at the scheme, but it is NOT advanced and not surposed to be. It is an assessment of your riding ability and designed as a stepping stone towards advanced. So the DSA say, but thinking about it, they never set any ground rules and they only check test the instructors ability to teach....... They never set out any standards..... Although I am a post test trainer, I not convinced it is that good. It can get to be an expensive exercise if you need to have a few lessons. I run my one day courses and incorporate the scheme into it. It is a cheaper way in the long run.

Go for R0SPA.......

advancedbiker
www.advancedbiker.net ( Youtube )

 

[trebor]

I couldn't agree more. Trainers train, poncy IAM types shout 'ride the ride' to each other before setting off. They even told a friend of mine that riding his Harley was detrimental to riding safely.

That's a rather sweeping generalisation which is of no value, IMHO, to the OP's question, and the final comment is hearsay

No doubt whichever voluntary organisation you look at there will be some Observers that are good and some that are not as good, but the same came be said for professional trainers and teachers in any subject, not just biking.

Any kind of advanced training is likely to be of great benefit to someone who feels they need further training. The great advantage of organisations such as the IAM, RoSPA, BMF Blue Ribband (if it still exists) is that it is affordable for most people. I got a lot out of my IAM Skill for Life course and was one of the best things I've done since returning to biking 10 years ago.

 

[Martyn H]

I am interested in doing the course as someone who has relatively recently returned to biking

I have looked up a few of the old threads on the course and was wondering if IAM had rationalised nowadays, it so it was based more on Roadcraft?

Would appreciate anyones views on the course anyway

You're not far away from Gloucester - why not pop on down for a BikeSafe, which will stand you in good stead should you decide to go either the IAM or RoSPA route ?

http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/Crime Reduction/Bikesafe/Better Biking/item5534.html

Regards,
Pc 520 Martyn Hillier,
BikeSafe Co-ordinator, Gloucestershire Constabulary,
Operations Centre, Bamfurlong Lane,
Cheltenham, Glos GL51 6ST
Tel Direct Dial 01242 (27) 6443,

 

[Ogmios]

The view from a distance...

... living here where RoSPA has little recognition and the IAM recently gave up and went home , the view of "Advanced" or Post Test Training is a little jaded from the consumers point of view.
I cant say i'd blame anyone, anywhere for being confused at to what's the best for them.
My 2 cents, for what it's worth;

Roadcraft, the book, is sometimes called the bible of training as it is a very useful tool and will never lead you astray.
However, just like the other bible it is open to interpretation and look how much grief the various interpretations gets Christians into!

I'd suggest getting the book first. Read it as suits you, then get an assessment with a recommended Trainer - one who's been used by another rider who's opinion YOU value.
Take it from there and make your own plan as to the best way forward.

I'm a RoSPA DIP - meaning i'm an approved (by RoSPA) Advanced Trainer.
I've met total planks and absolute riding gods wearing both the RoSPA and the IAM badge.
The badge is just that - a badge, a label.
The "System Of Motorcycle Control" taken from Roadcraft, i.e; the procedural riding technique as preached by RoSPA and the IAM is inflexible text, black and white, in a book.
Its application (meaning how YOU ride your Bike out here in the real world) is what makes the difference between sense and NONsense.

... now i'm waffling / time to shuddup.
There's lots of good sense in this forum and probably more local than me - keep asking questions and you'll get what you need.
~~
Og

 

[wknight]

Getting any form of further training is an excellent idea, both the IAM and RoSPA schemes offer insurance discounts. Avon & Somerset Constabulary do a weekend Ride to Arrive course which is excellent.

As others have said the standard of training varies enormously. There are some great instructors out there who may not have passed any formal qualification, but if you are looking for some form of standard then check the DSA or RoSPA register of advanced instructors in your area.

There is no substitute for practise, so a 1 day BikeSafe is a great start, but a regular meeting with someone over a period of time should really improve your riding and if you don't want to join in with the social side of the IAM then it may be better to look for a local instructor as it won't cost that much more once you factor in contribution to Observer's fuel.

 

[thauma]

I did my IAM a few years back, not because I wanted insurance discounts, or to 'join' a club, be elite or anything of that nature. I simply did it because I was planning on taking SWMBO overseas on the bike, and thouight that some form of 'riding check' and hopefully some 'pointers' on how to improve / be safe would be a good idea. It's one thing risking your own life, but risking a pillion as well was another ball game.

So.......... I thoroughly enjoyed it, I learned loads (having come from a ducati 996 to a GS was an eye opener) and my observer helped me to learn to ride the small roads safely and quickly. His words to me were that ' I was like 2 riders, on the big B roads, & A roads he couldn't keep up and I was clearly an excellent rider, but on the narrow B roads I had no confidence and was like a novice.' He changed that, and gave me confidence to ride the bike on all types of roads (not on iced mud though !)

So I would say any type of training is good - and it takes guts to admit that you could benefit from it.

The IAM (at least TVAM) run refreshers, or enhanced-advanced courses, where you still keep up to date and scratch by having longer observed rides as you need / want them - so there is the opportunity for continued learning.

From what I've heard ROSPA are just as good, and possibly better. Personally I achieved my objective with IAM, but would certainly consider RoSPA to get an alternate view.

Good Luck with whatever training you decide to go for

 

[Wapping]

Ogmios' reply sums it all up very nicely.

 

[wheelnut]

With both IAM and ROSPA it can be down to the luck of the draw as to what sort of observer you get. Some will be brilliant, some will be woeful beyond belief, a lot will be somewhere in the middle. Ultimately, these groups are volunteers and are enthusiastic amateurs. The actual test (IAM level not that high tbh) should be of a consistant standard should should give you a feeling for how good the training has been.

If you go down the IAM route though, and you don't gel with your observer, don't be afraid to pipe up and ask for another one.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

Why worry about IAM or ROSPA, if they are both available in your area then start with one and then do the other as well.

 

[harry the cat]

Born again.

I'm a born again rider who came back to two wheels about four years ago and went down the IAM route because of a friend being an observer and another friend who has posted above an examiner.

In my view if you look at it as an end in itself might be disappointed although the training will be useful in itself.

If you look at it as a platform to help you improve your riding coupled with other things such as lots of mileage, varied riding in different environments, and other training then you will both enjoy it and learn from it.

If I sum up what I got out of it in addition to the badge (which is in a drawer somewhere) it goes something like this:

• A good base to further improve my riding.
• Contacts to provide me with further professional training and advice.
• Access to regular rideouts with other people who have gone through the IAM process and are still involved to various degrees.
• A knowledge of some of the best routes and purveyors of 'fat boys' breakfasts in the North.
• Good 'craic'.
• Some good foreign trips, organised and not so, although I have to say that the organised ones have often been organised by Micky, and I thoroughly recommend them.
• The confidence to get on the bike, cross on the ferry, and wander off somewhere without a chaperone.

My advice for what it's worth would be try the IAM and see what you think of it. If it suits you great, if not go another route.