29-12-11, 10:16 AM
Grahamm/ABM
The whole ethos of the IAM ( and Roadcraft ) is that riding becomes a system based approach. It makes you analyse and plan all the time. I think its a great concept, and does work. What it does not do is teach machine control skills.This is IMO the " missing link" with simple IAM training. It creates in you the notion you are skilled, but in fact you may not be...especially if you start to push the envelope.IAM and Rospa all preach riding within the speed limit. The system does work at higher speed, but you dont get trained for it...hence even though one may pass the IAM, it is not a passport to being a fast rider.It means you have shown the ability to ride safely at speeds up to the limit.Its like passing your basic test without ever having driven on motorways!
Its why I push people to try trackdays, so you can push your own envelope in a higher degree of safety than on the road, learning about your bike and your own control skills. It dont change the system approach on the road though ...TBH once you start riding at high speed, its essential.
My other great concern, as already stated, is whether a new IAM passee can judge limits at high speed, and adopt restraint at the correct point ...since they have no experience of riding real roads at such speed. Developing this ability is down to ones own empirical approach and learning method. Yet the level of self confidance is that high ...it can blind you to your own needs.
There always is someone faster out there...its no shame to back off and go at your own pace.After all, you dont know whether that faster rider is skilled or is indeed outside their envelope and is moments from binning it.
On a completely lighter note.... was watching Top Gear in India last night ..and in the UK we may enjoy at least some degree of smugness over our road safety record....since in a single year over in curryland 196000 people are killed on the road !! FFS ! :eek ...makes awesome viewing seeing their roads...absolute bedlam! :lol
The whole ethos of the IAM ( and Roadcraft ) is that riding becomes a system based approach. It makes you analyse and plan all the time. I think its a great concept, and does work. What it does not do is teach machine control skills.This is IMO the " missing link" with simple IAM training. It creates in you the notion you are skilled, but in fact you may not be...especially if you start to push the envelope.IAM and Rospa all preach riding within the speed limit. The system does work at higher speed, but you dont get trained for it...hence even though one may pass the IAM, it is not a passport to being a fast rider.It means you have shown the ability to ride safely at speeds up to the limit.Its like passing your basic test without ever having driven on motorways!
Its why I push people to try trackdays, so you can push your own envelope in a higher degree of safety than on the road, learning about your bike and your own control skills. It dont change the system approach on the road though ...TBH once you start riding at high speed, its essential.
My other great concern, as already stated, is whether a new IAM passee can judge limits at high speed, and adopt restraint at the correct point ...since they have no experience of riding real roads at such speed. Developing this ability is down to ones own empirical approach and learning method. Yet the level of self confidance is that high ...it can blind you to your own needs.
There always is someone faster out there...its no shame to back off and go at your own pace.After all, you dont know whether that faster rider is skilled or is indeed outside their envelope and is moments from binning it.
On a completely lighter note.... was watching Top Gear in India last night ..and in the UK we may enjoy at least some degree of smugness over our road safety record....since in a single year over in curryland 196000 people are killed on the road !! FFS ! :eek ...makes awesome viewing seeing their roads...absolute bedlam! :lol