Hi All, Considering tanking some additional training this year, and completing the IAM "Skills for Life" course. Competent rider, many, many trackdays and raced for 2, and a bit, seasons before an accident put paid to that.... Been back riding on the road now for about 18 months and although confident, after a 6 years solely riding on track, road conditions, i.e. gravel, oil, generally poor conditions, and other drivers are always on my mind when out. Got a trip to Italy planned for July/August and want to be at my best, so considering some extra tuition. Questions to all are..... Is it any good? has anyone completed this course? is it good/bad? are there alternatives people would recommend? All thoughts and experiences welcomed...... Steve
I did IAM about 6 years ago and enjoyed it, it makes you think and look ahead which helps take the 'suddenly' out of riding. It really helped my riding the twisties and confidence in general, which after 35 years of riding was diminishing as I got older. Go for it, it might be all you get is an affirmation of good riding but no one is too old to learn or refresh their skills. Even the champions practice their skills.
Meant to say I have also done several of the one day courses the police run, they're excellent value...free in our area, and the feedback is fantastic. They often take a turn at the front leading which is quite an eye opener. One day I will do ROSPA as well, that gets good reviews.
It's a good course but entirely depends on your observer. The phrase too many cowboys and not enough Indians springs to mind. Some of the observers are sh*te as well. I've ridden with a lot of them, some tend to think everyone else is crap unless you've done the course and you'll likely find yourself disagreeing with some of what is said and taught. On the whole I'd say it's worth it, but do your homework on what observers are about. Some of the club's do club runs which is a nice idea, although from my experience they are of the dullest rides of my life.
It's a good thing to have under your belt. Police off-duty accredited passes only'....plus social rides & monthly meets involving some or singular sales pitches from adhoc companies can be interesting.
Did the green badge, it was a good experience. My observer was bobby law and knew his stuff, I learnt a lot. As you can tell, iam isn't suited for everyone. Do a bikesafe and have a chat with some people local to you.
Bikesafe=good. Also IAM but, as warned above, observer quality varies-what one picks up, other one is ok with. Good value for what you get.
A friend of mine was/is a certified IAM rider and to be honest I have never been satisfied with his competence. Riding behind him made me nervous since he was apt to jam on the brakes without any apparent reason. His head perpetually twitched left, right and behind. However I've never been on any such tuition, if I had then perhaps I'd know what he was bothered about. He also had a crash when a car entered a roundabout in front of him (and stopped). He looped the bike when he made an emergency stop but no contact was made between either vehicle! I know some people talk about opening the throttle and enjoying the ride and this annoys me just as much as you, but I can't help thinking they are right here. Ex Police riders doing 65mph with the front wheel in the gravel never impressed me either, all in all, a course that may or may not aid your riding.
One of my biggest issues with the IAM is that they follow the book to the T! Which is fine until you find yourself in a situation where following the book will well and truly land you in the sh*t! One of the things they picked up with me is that I go like the clappers when I overtake. Yes that's because I want to spend as little time as possible on the wrong side of the road.
I met a couple of IAM riders on a BikeSafe course and thought they weren't a patch on the police riders. BikeSafe is a very brief introduction to the police system based upon Roadcraft. On it's own it is of little value but if you use it as a stepping stone it is great. Buy Roadcraft, read it from cover to cover and put the lessons from within it into practice. An IAM badge from a bunch of Walter Mitty's doesn't make you safe.
Thanks all for the replies, some excellent thoughts/suggestions to consider. I'll look into doing a BikeSafe course initially i think, and take some advise on following up with the IAM course if i feel i'm getting something out of it. Again, thanks, i'll keep you posted with my thoughts. Steve
I've done Bikesafe twice. About 10 years ago and last year. I found it useful but less so last year, like others have said it depends on the observer you get on the day but also there was more classroom and less riding. It was still useful as I got a clean report which helps convince the Mrs I have some idea what I'm doing! If you do Bikesafe then you will get told it's worth doing IAM/RoSPA, I haven't had the time. @johnv advice to buy and read Roadcraft before you go is good as at least you'll know what you're trying to achieve and why.
I did a Rapid day as well. Excellent tuition but runs to money if you want to do more than a day. Road craft is a big subject but if want to be fast and smooth having one of these guys behind you all day analysing your riding through an earpiece is a good place to start. Road position and line of sight were about all we could do in one day but it was very useful and it cured my habit of letting my head drop. And however fast you think you are, or your bike, just try shaking them off. I enjoyed the day. And I wouldn't say it was polite or by the book riding.. Its a shame they stopped doing their European track days.
I have doneIAM and enjoyed it but only because my observer was a great bloke. I did an introduction ride where I was assessed before joining the IAM which was a joke, we did about 10 miles with the observer behind me, he then pulled along side at a junction and told me to pull over. So after a bit of a debrief told me the 'thought' my riding was safe and competent but couldn't be sure because he had trouble keeping up. Don't be tempted into their group rides, if you ever get the urge just just go and staple your eyelids to a door because believe me it will work out less painful in the long run.
