I.a.m

[Paivi]

Originally Posted by JR

David - I have never been asked to wear a "bib", nor are they provided as part of the course. Some people wear plain dayglo stuff but that is a matter of choice.

I always wear my BikeSafe vest. Last year on the Swiss leg of my Italian tour (sold-out, of course), two Swiss bike cops came over to have a chat with a 'colleague', as they had heard of the scheme.

[998gsb]

I did my IAM Advanced Training and passed the Test in 2006. I am an experienced rider, haven ridden since the Age of 5 (started on Moto xers!) but even so, I found some benefit out of it........you will find it will make you a quicker but safer and more observant rider and you will get more pleasure out of riding, as you are not constantly in reaction mode, rather proactive mode - reading the road ahead much more.

Our IAM group has a couple of Class I Police Riders - and they are a just a pleasure to watch - they are so smooth and so quick....!

When / if you pass many insurers (including Ducati Insurance) will offer a discount off your premium..typically 10-15%.

The course costs £85 which includes all of the observed ride outs, a couple of theory sessions, an Advanced Motorcycle Riding Book and the test.

You also have to pay for the Observer's petrol on the rideouts - which in our group was£5....

[Herb]

I started with the IAM under the 'skills for life' scheme which was £85 inc test. As others said a contribution for fuel is expected to be offered, though in my group most of the guys refused to accept it. I just made sure I bought the drinks after the ride.

I was told the 90% of people pass first time. I was in the other 10%.

I have done advanced training with RoSPA when I was in my teens (Mum made me) and then lots of advanced training in the car due to my job so I was confident that I would pass to be honest. It really deflated my ego to fail as it is the first time I have failed anything.

After the test the instructor said 'that is the best ride I've seen come out of that group for a long time, however i've got to fail you'

Turned out I broke a 20mph limit when I missed a repeater and was convinced we had moved back into a 30 limit. I was really ****ed off.

I never went back to do the test, but have been continuing with advanced training with a different group. I will probably stump up the cash and repeat the IAM test in the summer. Here are some of my thoughts.

IAM is a great intro to further training and good value but the standard of the observers can be mixed.
There are also differences between groups which I found really frustrating. For example, the instructor I had at RoSPA (Police class 1) taught offsiding as did the advanced group where I lived before, however my local IAM group have banned offsiding as a policy and its an automatic failure. This and lots of other details meant that I had to change my style, not to improve my riding, but to meet policy of the local group.

I would advise you to do the IAM training, however try to understand why you are doing certain things and whether its for safety or for policy. Then make up your own mind about the way you want to ride.

If you want to try something different with some of the best riders out there then try a day with Rapid Training advanced motorcycle training

Sorry for the long post......3,2,1....your back in the room

[MarkST]

Originally Posted by Herb

my local IAM group have banned offsiding as a policy

What's 'offsiding' ?

[Herb]

Where you cross the broken white centre line on a left hand bend to get a better view.

My local group state that no part of the bike or rider should cross the white line apart from on overtakes.

I found this quite restrictive as I have spent 20 years doing this where I felt it was necessary (and obviously when I felt it was safe to do so) to get a better view.

[998gsb]

To my mind there is nothinh wrong with offsiding, where it is safe to do so.....the police motorcyclists I know all use the full road, and as one of them said to me, there is no law stating that you must not use all of the road (except of course solid and double white lines)

[Herb]

They also stopped you crossing the broken line to straightline bends, even if you had a clear view for miles.

The reasoning was that if you make an error, and the road is not clear after all, then you will come into conflict with oncoming traffic, whereas the consequences of any error are likely to be less severe if you are on your own side of the road.

I did not really have a problem with it to be honest, I just amended my riding accordingly when I was on an assessed ride. The point I was trying to make was that the IAM can teach you a lot, but you still have to ride and think for yourself.

One thing to remember is that for the most part they are not riding instructors. The IAM is a charity and these guys and girls give up their spare time to help others, which is admirable, but the quality of instruction can vary from the OK to the very good. If you want to start down the right path, and have something of a social experience then the IAM is a very good start.

[NedLudd]

Originally Posted by Herb

Where you cross the broken white centre line on a left hand bend to get a better view.

I always thought the advanced mantra was that you could stay on the 'wrong' side of the road to maintain a sightline but that you shouldn't cross a white line to gain one, if you see what I mean.

Agree with much of what you say about the slightly frustrating variations in what examiners will and won't accept. I've heard one IAM examiner say any infraction of the speed limit is an automatic fail, and another say to obey the red rings but that in NSLs "anything goes" (though he advised against 100+...).

[NedLudd]

Originally Posted by Herb

If you want to try something different with some of the best riders out there then try a day with Rapid Training advanced motorcycle training

Second that. They're highly rated with many of the magazines, which is how I heard of them. I had a very useful day out with one of their instructors [all serving Class 1 plod] this summer.

An example of the little things they pick up: I often had my instep / heel rather than the ball of my feet on the pegs. Fine in a straight line, but my instructor made the point that if I had the bike cranked over in a tightening bend, the first thing to deck out would be the front of my boots, possibly upsetting the rear just when you didn't want that to happen.

[mazzamazda]

Interesting thread, I would reccomend ANY advanced riding.

I am an observer for the IAM, the offsiding rule is a difficult one, I use offsiding, the trouble comes in when its done in an inappropriate place. The examiners rule book states that if offsiding is done properly, then go with it. The local group probably ban it as its difficult to learn and if it goes wrong then its a massive problem.

Hope that helps,

Mark

[mark749s]

just my 2 pence worth
best £85 I have spent on biking
took my test on the 749s and passed 2 years ago
really enjoy the IAM way
leading my first sunday ride out next sunday oh er!!!!

If in doubt go for it


Mark

[harriebird]

i'd like to have a go at some IAM training this summer, if only to find some more nice local roads that i haven't discovered yet.

got to admit i'm a bit put off by the BMW and sturdy all weather gear reputation, but i will lay into others for being prejudiced so should have a listen to myself really! hopefully they won't be too shocked when a slip of a thing in scuffed race leathers turns up for a sunday spin! i'm not the most confident of riders on the road, but have managed to ditch the red mist a bit now i can get it out of my system on the race track

[998gsb]

Harrie - there is of course an element of GS Riders in the IAM and in every group, but theres lots of others too....in our local group, there were triumphs, a GSXR 750, Blackbird, CBR1000RR, A Ninja, a 999R and my 998 as well as GSX1300s, and loads of fazers and bandits.....

Have a go, you will take something positive away from it...

[funkyrimpler]

Got my IAM car test in a couple of weeks and ive found this really good fun-its also polished up my observation and planning skills. Im hoping to start the biking course this summer (when the IAM get their fingers out and send me my info)..Im just a bit worried about getting my bike wet...is that pathetic?

[stevel]

Funky/ That's the most sensible thing you've posted in ages mate.......you ok?
Have to say I'm still smiling at the pint pot / cat story.....LOL!