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+--- Thread: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? (/showthread.php?tid=59283)
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - spider - 02-07-12
i luv riding wif my advanced riding club. we ride out once a month. if it rains it rains.i neva stop learing. we done track day recently. the only problems i have seen has been people who join in with us for a ride. as they dont know the system. thats wen problems happen. yesterday a guy joined in 22 of us. we went along in a 40 mph limit zone he overtook a car at a junction whist puttin the bike up to approx 60mph and caused another rider to move out his way. when i asked him why he overtook at that point. his reply was to catch up with the bikes in front. then added you was all behind me... but. b4 i learned advanced riding i mite have done that sort of thing as well.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - pitternator - 03-07-12
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.
I also have observed so many IAM riders excusing their behaviour by proclaiming " I was riding with the police ! " ...get real..its just speeding. Like any other biker.
I dont post up threads about how fast I rode last week, or how many cars I did big overtakes on. Thats my business.....and if I did, I am sure folk would get a bit bored with it all.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Phil TK - 03-07-12
(03-07-12, 07:27 AM)pitternator link Wrote: 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.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has seen IAM riders riding like twats. Only last night I was following a bloke on a GS doing a bit of 'advanced' filtering. Sure, I was also riding a little bit like a hooligan but then if I was an IAM bod I would remove the green IAM sticker that he had back of his helmet.
IAM people should take note. We OBSERVE you guys too you know!
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Grahamm - 03-07-12
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.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Phil TK - 03-07-12
(03-07-12, 01:24 PM)Grahamm link Wrote: 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.
:z
I'm beginning to think the IAM hire a PR expert and make a point of doing the exact opposite that he reccomends.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - richfzs - 03-07-12
(03-07-12, 01:24 PM)Grahamm link Wrote: 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...
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - steeeve66 - 03-07-12
(03-07-12, 06:14 PM)richfzs link Wrote: [quote author=Grahamm link=topic=3634.msg30178#msg30178 date=1341318276]
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...
[/quote]
I've done the same here in Kent - will let you know I get on...
s
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - pitternator - 03-07-12
thanks guys, your points reinforce why I get offended by folk posting / bragging about just what they did or didnt do...then start pontificating and trying to lecture the rest of us about " advanced riding "...I think it just puts people off doing the IAM. Yet ironically when I did it ...I reckon it was a useful bit of training. The image of the IAM justs pushes people away. Sanctimonious ....you fill in the expletives.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - JZS 600 - 03-07-12
I've done the IAM training but not the test (more fool me,, but that's another story)
I'm thinking of joining the local ROSPA group after the summer, I've got an appointment with the olympics that will suck up a bit of time, so it will be interesting to see what way the land lies there.
In the end, it's what you take away from it and what you put in to practice on a daily basis. I like riding my bike and and if I can keep on doing that safely for years to come (30+ years in the saddle so far) I'll be a happy man. And it's good fun being in a group of mostly like minded people who share the same interest.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - MikeRBiker - 03-07-12
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...
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Grahamm - 04-07-12
(03-07-12, 01:57 PM)Phil TK link Wrote: [quote author=Grahamm link=topic=3634.msg30178#msg30178 date=1341318276]
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.
[/quote]
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.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Grahamm - 04-07-12
(03-07-12, 06:14 PM)richfzs link Wrote: [quote author=Grahamm link=topic=3634.msg30178#msg30178 date=1341318276]
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.[/quote]
As I mentioned in the post above, Phil has a big chip on his shoulder about the IAM (look for the previous time the subject came up for details).
If I could be bothered I might be offended by his attitude and the way he constantly, deliberately misunderstands what I've said, but it's just not worth it.
Quote: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...
Good for you, yes, there may be idiots in that group, just as there are some idiots in every group, 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.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Grahamm - 04-07-12
(03-07-12, 06:27 PM)steeeve66 link Wrote: 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...[/quote]
Best of luck! It's good to see some people keeping an open mind
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Grahamm - 04-07-12
(03-07-12, 06:36 PM)pitternator link Wrote: The image of the IAM justs pushes people away.
Or is it just the image of the IAM that some people choose to portray?
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"?
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Grahamm - 04-07-12
(03-07-12, 10:12 PM)MikeRBiker link Wrote: Go for it. The IAM training is, as has been said, all about observation and making progress consistent with the conditions. Well worthwhile.
:thumbup
Quote: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?
I'd think that if you kept doing it in 30 or 40 limits he'd have no qualms about failing you, but if you only do it when it's safe, sensible and necessary to complete an overtake in a prompt and timely manner he'd be fine with that.
Quote: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...
Shh! Someone might be offended...
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Phil TK - 04-07-12
(04-07-12, 02:20 AM)Grahamm link Wrote: 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.
Good, it's not really the way I wanted to win the arguement, but if that 's what you want. Fine.
Plenty of others who can carry on with a similar point of view to mine.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - Phil TK - 04-07-12
(04-07-12, 02:29 AM)Grahamm link Wrote: 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.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - ghostbiker - 04-07-12
All i can say really is that "I" am a better rider than i was before i did the extra training with IAM. Not saying i am better than anyone else, only that i am better than i was.
all this personal bitching is kind of pointless, i think everyone will agree that any structured extra training is better than no training at all.
im all for training no matter if that is rospa, iam or even going back to a training school for extra lessons or even instructor bassed track time. all of it helps with your skill levels.
With the IAM system i took what i felt was of use and what i was willing to use on a daily ride, some things i didnt take on board (right or wrongly) because i knew i wouldnt stick to it. (for example the sticking to the left gutter on right hand bends, i knew i wouldnt take it to the extreams asked of me on a daily ride by my self)
At some point i want to also do rospa as well, just because i know i still have a lot to learn about riding. even though i have been on bikes pretty much since i was 14 and 90% of that time i have owned a bike.
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - sadlonelygit - 04-07-12
i've given this matter a little bit of thought and i boils down to:
trying to teach someone common sense and experience.
the problem with this is, if like me you've managed to survive the 250 learner laws, and a further 30 years and walk without a limp, then it's quite probable that you have acquired both of the above, and that having an IAM mentor (who had points on his license)try to impart his particular view on you really is a case of sucking eggs.
we had an intial sit down to discuss my riding history and he obviously paid no attention as i'm pretty sure i mentioned my motorsport past (moped mayhem/clubman/enduro) as he said i didn't ride fast enough on the first part of my observed ride. you can guess what happened on the second part.
the iam is a club, with it's rituals and rites of passage, it has it's own patch and it's members feel 'righteous'.
and FYI i am a blue badger........because it's my job
Re: IAM "Skill for Life" course...recommended? - spider - 04-07-12
what a thread.. some truth. sum bitchin. serrious and funny bits. hope we all meet up one day. however i am the best rider in the world. never make a mistake. always have the perfect line and ride. oh and i neva lie :eek