I only passed my test about 3 months ago and could do with some proper "post DAS" training I reckon.
Will probably do a "BikeSafe" course first though...only £45.
I only passed my test about 3 months ago and could do with some proper "post DAS" training I reckon.
Will probably do a "BikeSafe" course first though...only £45.
First let me say I'm glad to hear that (unlike a lot of bikers!) you realise that just because you've passed your Test you don't know everything that there is to know about riding :thumbup
I joined my local IAM Group, Solent Advanced Motorcyclists because I also realised that I could ride my bike better, but I didn't know how and I recently qualified for my Green Badge.
Just looking back on how I used to ride, I've certainly improved a lot and I'm glad I did it, as it was well worth the time and money, so I'd certainly recommend it.
One of the most impressive things I learned on the "extracurricular" rides with some of the advanced instructor blokes (not on the IAM observed rides, of course!) was the ability to ride flat out down B roads without using the brakes! :evil
I only passed my test about 3 months ago and could do with some proper "post DAS" training I reckon.
Will probably do a "BikeSafe" course first though...only £45.
First let me say I'm glad to hear that (unlike a lot of bikers!) you realise that just because you've passed your Test you don't know everything that there is to know about riding :thumbup
to pass yer IAM and Rospa....you cant exceed any speed limits no matter how " open" the road is. IAM is actually all about safety not speed as such.
The Examiner (a service PC)
After a sabbatical from motorcycling for a "FEW" years I returned earlier this year. Although everything has improved from 80's bikes I used to ride, I'm steadily growing in confidence with practice. I've no intention (or every did come to think about it!) of of being the quickest rider but do enjoy getting out at moderate speeds (keeping with traffic or maybe a little quicker) and I'm considering some type of course but am unsure if I should improve my basics to avoid embarrassing myself or go for it now when it may be of more use?
Andy
I really doubt it will be a credible defence if you do get caught speeding ....Rospa are even more strict than IAM.If anything , my police instructors said its even worse to get caught speeding after doing an IAM, as you " should know better"...
yes on a well thought out overtake, use the acceleration of the machine...but that doesnt mean big speed multi car overtakes are the norm.
I'm considering some type of course but am unsure if I should improve my basics to avoid embarrassing myself or go for it now when it may be of more use?
I feel I could definately benefit from further training but dont want to find a group and then do something stupid!
My issue is this...a court or traffic copper wont take the view that as a IAM driver you have any more right than anyone else if caught speeding. Graham, you seem to smugly assume you have the ability to spot / detect speeed traps/ cameras...you should bottle it , it will be a wonder product.
The issue of sticking to a speed limit shows you have restraint , something very important for inexperienced riders to master if they want to avoid riding into situations which can rapidly exceed their abilities.
I believe that advanced cycling is about observation, positioning, safety and cornering
Why is it you mention that on your ride outs , you take big overtakes and mention speeding , then take umbrage when I point out such ??
[...]but its not a carte blanche.
I also observed these complete double standards on group rideouts...usually the rule book got thrown out of the window on the way back....its this showboating and bragging of speeding , then next week telling someone off for going 3 mph over the limit, which made me lose credibility with the IAM.
There's a difference between riding like a twat because you think you're immortal or you don't know any better or want to show off to your mates etc and knowing when it's safe to push the limits.
I was wondering how long it would be... :rolleyes
There's a difference between riding like a twat because you think you're immortal or you don't know any better or want to show off to your mates etc and knowing when it's safe to push the limits.
As I keep pointing out, Advanced Riding *isn't* about simply sticking rigidly to the rules no matter what the situation, it's applying them sensibly and flexibly and thinking about what you're doing.
I was wondering how long it would be... :rolleyes
There's a difference between riding like a twat because you think you're immortal or you don't know any better or want to show off to your mates etc and knowing when it's safe to push the limits.
As I keep pointing out, Advanced Riding *isn't* about simply sticking rigidly to the rules no matter what the situation, it's applying them sensibly and flexibly and thinking about what you're doing.
That post is fairly offensive to anybody who isn't IAM. As Phil says, just because you're not IAM, doesn't mean you're not a safe rider. Equally so, being IAM doesn't mean you don't ride like a twat sometimes.
I've just sent off for my IAM "skills for life" course with the Northumbria group, mostly because I need it for something else I'm planning to do - it will be interesting to see what the guys in that group are like...
There's a difference between riding like a twat because you think you're immortal or you don't know any better or want to show off to your mates etc and knowing when it's safe to push the limits.
So you think non-IAM riders like me and the rest of the unwashed don't know when it's safe to push the limits then.
As I keep pointing out, Advanced Riding *isn't* about simply sticking rigidly to the rules no matter what the situation, it's applying them sensibly and flexibly and thinking about what you're doing.
That post is fairly offensive to anybody who isn't IAM. As Phil says, just because you're not IAM, doesn't mean you're not a safe rider. Equally so, being IAM doesn't mean you don't ride like a twat sometimes.
I've just sent off for my IAM "skills for life" course with the Northumbria group, mostly because I need it for something else I'm planning to do - it will be interesting to see what the guys in that group are like...
I've just sent off for my IAM "skills for life" course with the Northumbria group,
The image of the IAM justs pushes people away.
Go for it. The IAM training is, as has been said, all about observation and making progress consistent with the conditions. Well worthwhile.
As for speeding, on the test the examiner is assessing your observation skills amongst others. If you exceed the speed limits how can they tell if you saw the limits and ignored them on purpose, or if you missed them completely, and your observation is therefore crap?
My IAM group ride to the law when out officially, but go out with them on a non-official ride and they ride like everyone else - but usually with better planning...
Oh look, it's Phil TK with the massive chip on his shoulder about the IAM again.
No, Phil, that's not what I think, but you can't see past your prejudices and once again you've confirmed that there's no point in trying to have a reasonable discussion of the subject with you, so excuse me if I decide not to waste any more time on you.
What good is the "useful training" when a newbie biker can go to a biker's cafe (or a forum) and hear people slagging off the IAM (or RoSPA or anyone else) as a "sanctimonious etc etc" and think "well, I won't bother with that, then"?
What good is the "useful training" when a newbie biker can go to a biker's cafe (or a forum) and hear people slagging off the IAM (or RoSPA or anyone else) as a "sanctimonious etc etc" and think "well, I won't bother with that, then"?
A quick addendum. NOTHING encapsulates the problems of the IAM better than the above quote.
but make up your own mind on the subject, don't go in there with certain expectations just because of something someone else has said.
I've just sent off for my IAM "skills for life" course with the Northumbria group,
I've done the same here in Kent - will let you know I get on...
Or is it just the image of the IAM that some people choose to portray?
Quotebut make up your own mind on the subject, don't go in there with certain expectations just because of something someone else has said.
As if anybody wouldn't make their own mind up
Or is it just the image of the IAM that some people choose to portray?
Unfortunately Grahamm, it's you thats portraying the bad image... :\
But its when the double standards come in , and this smug self assurance rears its head that I get annoyed.
From my own experiences Graham, do try to realise that no amount of training will make one immune to an accident, or can make going fast safe. It never will be.
While speed limits can be frustrating and at times ludicrous, they actually do make sense most of the time.
Assuming you are still in the north Kent area as per your profile, why don't you email the regional coordinator,
geoff.prettyRGC@iam.org.uk and ask him how long one has to wait to be assigned an Observer.
Steve66 i feel for you not as bad but contacted my regional guy a week ago he said the observer would contact me with in the week and nothing so far.
I think the IAM itself are quite professional its the local volunteers who are crap.
I've been communting in and out of London for 14 years, not filtering through traffic is NOT an option!
I think the IAM itself are quite professional its the local volunteers who are crap.
Yes, be nice to hear what the Iam's view on it is.
There are three key points to bear in mind:
* The speed of the traffic through which you'll filter.
* The speed differential between your machine and the traffic around you.
* The amount of space available to you.
Filtering in traffic flowing at speeds above 15-20mph should be avoided as vehicles at this speed can change direction with little or no warning. Also the speed differential shouldn't be more than 10-15mph above that of the slower moving traffic to allow you sufficient time to react to hazards . [I was taught this as the "20 delta 15" rule]
That seems to blend filtering and overtaking into the same thing.
So are we saying that overtaking into oncoming traffic is ok if slow enough. All city rush hour overtakes involve oncoming traffic.
Also doesn't not making progress and riding within your limits and comfort zone contradict each other.
You're assuming I need more practice and experience.
There's a section on my commute that involves overtaking into oncoming traffic.
I don't many many bikes do. No amount of training in the world is going to make me
put myself in that position. So will I never pass an 'advanced' test due to lack of progress.
You're assuming I need more practice and experience.
There's a section on my commute that involves overtaking into oncoming traffic. I don't many many bikes do. No amount of training in the world is going to make me put myself in that position. So will I never pass an 'advanced' test due to lack of progress.
Thats interesting ....sounds like a challenge for someone....get you thru your test.! I know I took my test 13 yrs ago, but it never felt an unattainable standard, but did need some thought / study , plus a lot of readjusting my mindset to pass.I dont believe its something most couldnt do with the right tuition.I got a lot from it but got to a stage where I had quite a few obseved runs and my 'score' at the end of each run was no longer improving. Others were already being put in for their tests with a similar number of runs. I asked my observer about that on the final run I did and the best advice he could offer was 'Yes, I can see you have a problem with your riding'. So I didn't bother going back.
I got a lot from it but got to a stage where I had quite a few obseved runs and my 'score' at the end of each run was no longer improving. Others were already being put in for their tests with a similar number of runs. I asked my observer about that on the final run I did and the best advice he could offer was 'Yes, I can see you have a problem with your riding'. So I didn't bother going back.
If you attempted to overtake into moving oncoming traffic When being assessed by a class 1 police examiner you would fail immediately.
Having been on bikes for the past 34 years I don't need a piece of paper to confirm that I am a competent rider.
Having been on bikes for the past 34 years I don't need a piece of paper to confirm that I am a competent rider.
True, but you might get a discount from your Insurer :)
That's very true but, at my age, an extra 10% or so is not much difference. But either way, my motivation wasn't financial - it was the fact that I believed in the training and would have liked ultimately to have continued as part of the goup and perhaps passed the knowledghe onto others. Little chance of that if I couldn't even get as far as the test :( Oh well........Having been on bikes for the past 34 years I don't need a piece of paper to confirm that I am a competent rider.
True, but you might get a discount from your Insurer :)
As I said in a post above "it's only a no-no if you make someone else feel the need to take avoiding action."
:eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :lol
Hey its a wee bit bitchy this topic eh,
It was only the 'IDCAM' introduction
took 2 seconds, is your google broken?
It's the Introductory Day Course in Advanced Motorcycling, apologies for the confusion.
Apologies also for the tautology... Introductory introduction anybody?
feck..some one is looking seriously sad ( graham)...stand back and take a look at ur " addiction" to " advanaced training " ! :eek:rollin
the thought that someone knows something more than yourself about it all... :z
+1 couldnt agree with you more
Grahamm, the Kent groups page didn't work for me either, but since google also shows a snippet from the page in the search results, you didn't need to actually go to the page to find out what the acronym stands for.
You can thank me now, for telling you what IDCAM stands for, as I told you before steeeve66.
:agree
Grahamm, the Kent groups page didn't work for me either, but since google also shows a snippet from the page in the search results, you didn't need to actually go to the page to find out what the acronym stands for.
You can thank me now, for telling you what IDCAM stands for, as I told you before steeeve66.
+1 couldnt agree with you more
And still we don't get an answer from redman about whether he's had any Advanced Training.
So let's try "If you attempted to overtake into moving oncoming traffic When being assessed by a class 1 police examiner you would fail immediately. " [Citation Needed]
Do you have anything to back that up, redman, other than your opinion of what you *think* might happen?
Graham I am not going to waste my time responding to your question, i know what i am talking about i dont think i know what i am talking about, please continue with your posts as they are highly amusing
:rollin
Graham I am not going to waste my time responding to your question, i know what i am talking about i dont think i know what i am talking about, please continue with your posts as they are highly amusing
Wasn't the scenario we were talking about, filtering?
Wasn't the scenario we were talking about, filtering? Moving goalposts...
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That seems to blend filtering and overtaking into the same thing.
I'd say they were different subsets of the same skill, it's just a matter of speed and positioning. Another piece of advice is to treat filtering as an on-going series of overtakes.QuoteSo are we saying that overtaking into oncoming traffic is ok if slow enough. All city rush hour overtakes involve oncoming traffic.
As mentioned, it's only a no-no if you make someone else feel the need to take avoiding action. Coming back from my holiday yesterday there was a long line of traffic approaching a pedestrian crossing so I took several opportunities (not to mention great delight ;) ) in moving into the opposite lane and pass several cars in one go, then making a pre-planned drop back into a gap between the rear of one car and the front of another when there was traffic coming the other way .
Nope, because as you get more practice and experience you find your limits increase and your comfort zone gets bigger :)
thats what i mean rich im not going to waste my breath
I think the IAM's has a lot to offer, but honestly grahamm your not doing them any favours on the pr front here.
First day out with IAM and... pretty good i thought. Predictably 'fussy' about speed but with lots to offer in other areas.
cant believe this thread is still going on ...and on...and on.....zzzzzzzzzz
Or was it just to get the last word in...?
Or was it just to get the last word in...?
Ahem, well the IAM certainly isn't the last word in advanced training so it's entirely justified.
'Training is good though, but PR is a disaster which if you hadn't already noticed puts people off doing advanced trainiong in the first place.
Not sure how 'safer' I am as a rider - the only real change to my riding has been the level of observation
I was criticized for going slow as it was a national speed limit road (60 MPH)
To IAM or not IAM ?
7 pages?
I've just lost the will to live.
Whatever happened to that countersteering thread?
For most these things are, to some extent, subjective, with only a few rules being genuinely 'black' and or 'white' (speed, double white lines - what others are there?). My undoing was going a little over a painted roundabout where the turn was quite tight
188
Mini-roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so.
Remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal. Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10(1) & 16(1)
TBH riding over a white mini roundabout to me is a grey area, like dotted hatchings seperating traffic lanes, as opposed to solid white lines...Do just a bit more than is necessary will invoke examiner displeasure.
Oddly , on larger roundabouts it was expected to use all lanes if empty to cut off the corners to maintain progress
Rob as you live in my area let me know how you get on.
Andy
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