IAM membership

[Street Fighter]

I under took some rider training last year with IAM and subsequently passed my advanced test. My membership has just come up for renewal a cost of £17.50 and I can't decide whether or not it's worth subscribing?

Just wondered if anyone else out there is a member and what benefits they feel they receive as a consequence???
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03 Triumph Speed Four

[bazza]

[Squiffy_The_Wombat]

[mistergixer]

My local IAM had an argument over how many times the indicators should flash before you completed a manouvere.
I think they reached an agreement at 12.
Interesting bunch.

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Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[Ratbag]

membership still gets serious reduction in insurance premiums........
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Cheers
Ratbag

[Duckyboos]

They're not all a bunch of borin' old chuffers. The Bloke's dad is an observer for the IAM. Him and The Wife are in their 60s but still whizz round europe on motorbikes as powerful as my car. They sent us a text message from the last TT to tell us they'd got the front wheel off the ground (on an FJR1300) on the brow of a hill...

And I can't even tell my parents I've got a bike. Now that's chuffin' boring.

[smartwhitelig...]

[Mark312]

Without wanting to generalise, all the advanced drivers I've been a passenger with, have been self righteous, condescending, and constantly complaining about other drivers around them.

.....except one, a female work colleague, who got so fed up with the women driver comments she did it to give a big to us all!

Still, I think I'd like to put in for it at some time, since I clearly have all the above qualities already, (apart from being female)
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Currently Moto Guzzi 750 Strada, Moto Guzzi V35 Florida, previously Honda CB125T, RD250LC, RD80MX

[natv4]

I've done the course and am still a member. You can meet some self rightous individuals, but they are the few (Group: London Advanced Motorcyclists).

Mostly its about sensible ways to improve your safety - Which on the flip side means you could go faster for the same level of safety you enjoy now.

You choose which you want to do.

The reason I stay is because I get to go out for a ride with people of a similar level of ability and dedication. I was finding that I didn't know enough people whom wanted to go out most weekends and enjoy long rides at reasonable speeds (in corners not just on the straights). I also like more technical roads (B roads/mud tracks etc).

Its not about being better than anyone else, its just about enjoying yourself and improving your technique.

If you give it a real chance, it will definately improve your skill. It also helps with bike control, though in the end that is a result of how much time you spend riding.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[natv4]

Just to add, its not for everyone. A couple of friends have not enjoyed it for whatever reason. You also need to attend, hey Alli?
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[gemma1675]

I did the IAM test in the car a number of years ago and I haven't maintained my membership. The insurance savings didn't materialise for me as it was only with selected insurers and they seemed to be the ones who didn't want to insure someone young and without a great deal of no claims (as I was at the time). So it wasn't for me and I shan't be bothering on the bike.
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Suzuki SV650S K5

Nobody puts baby in a corner

[natv4]

You would be foolish to join just for the insurance savings. On a bike its more of a case that it may lend you the skills to avoid accidents.

This is far more valuable - even if its not your fault, par say, injuries and costs are rarely ever fully compensated (I know this sadly).

Thats not to say you cannot crash, just that you have the skills and training to spot situations earlier and (hopefully) avoid them.

Insurance is cheapest if you spend a long time ringing around. IAM will not cure the ridiculous price of premiums.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[gemma1675]

[NSR Mick]

IAM member plus the Nurburgring =

https://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/micklivesey/misc/DCP_2758.jpg

Oh how I chuckled, and he wasnt the only one.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[natv4]

[natv4]

[FreshAL]

[NSR Mick]

[Villers]

If it floats your boat then fair enough. I personally have always seen it as having some normal people but also having the same sort of extremists as the TA, and they can't wait to tell you about it when you meet them.

If you can pass your test and then do it straight away with little experience does it still make you a supreme rider?

I remember when I'd just started bikng and a guy was giving a lecture at the bikesafe event when he managed to throw in 'IM an advanced rider and I can turn my HEYABUSA in the road without putting a foot down'. Nearly stood up and gave the miserable old bastard a round of applause!

feeling a bit cynical tonight sorry! If you you have passed the assesment and you dont get an insurance discount then who cares about membership? When you pass your gold swimming badge you dont have to pay them every year to be as good a swimmer, so theres no point!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[natv4]

[natv4]

[G]

[natv4]

[NSR Mick]

I'm not saying doing an advanced course is a bad idea, just that it doesnt make you a better rider. It gives you training that can make you a better rider.

My brother did his advanced and thought it was a waste of time as it didnt improve his riding / road skills etc.

It may be beneficial for an inexperienced rider.

Incedentaly the ring trip I went on was organised by an IAM club. There where I think 9 of us and I was the only person not to have done any advanced training and to be honest I didnt see 1st hand anyone that had better road skills than I had (infact a few members rode so religiously to the IAM method sometimes it was downright stupid / dangerous).
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[blu]

Remember the IAM is a body of people who set there own standards (all be it based on the police Roadcraft system), and test themselves and potential candidates (observed runs). Just because THEY set a standard doesn't make it right. If you pass THEIR test, all it means is that THEY think you are now an Advanced rider/driver. Regardless of how much cheaper you can get insurance, as long as you are happy within yourself at your level of riding/driving that is what counts. A Sticker/Badge and quaterly magazine a good rider does not make.