149 quid to join IAM!?!

ReadySalted · Scooby Slapper Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Karma :

Hi guys

I'm a ROSPA member and passed the test a few months ago with a gold but my local group has about 4 bikers and there is no social side to the group. I've recently been on a few rides with the local IAM lot and they are a great bunch who have rides twice a week so I intend to join and do their test so I can ride with them. I'm sure it will also continue to improve my riding of course.

The trouble is, you can't just 'join' the IAM it seems. You have to buy one of their advanced courses which costs 150 quid. Seems an awful lot for somebody in my sort of position where I will probably have one or two preparation rides and then do the test just so I can ride with them. I think my ROSPA membership is a tenner a year, and cost me about 25 quid to join!

It's a shame they don't offer a simple joining fee, and then pay for the tuition which you need. I suppose I should look at it as though my £150 is subsidising the cost of training and tests for other bikers and therefore helping to make the roads safer. Still seems like alot though!

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Karma :

I though it was possible to do it cheaper; rather than paying for the "course for life" you can just pay for the test, then your IAM and local group membership fees. It is more expensive than RoSPA though.

Val · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Nov 2012 Karma :

ReadySalted · Scooby Slapper Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Karma :

Haha well you are probably right. I certainly have no proof it will make me safer, but I'm sure my riding can still improve so I'll take on board all the tuition and advice I can get.

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

You can probably download an app or something from Pirate Bay.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

Hahadumball · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Oct 2015 Karma :

https://www.gov.uk/enhanced-rider-scheme/overview
https://www.roadar.org.uk/riders/

joining a club wont make your riding better.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

IAM and RoSPA both do Roadcraft (because police riders are infallible). T.C was intimating that RoSPA tend to do it better.

So there's no point in joining IAM to improve your riding. If you want riding buddies, I'd get down to the local MCC. Find the few people who are actually interested in riding bikes rather than lifting pints and arguing about the club constitution.
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grr666 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Jun 2014 Karma :

I was supposed to start DIA advanced training today but there was a bit of an admin fail on my part and I forgot to confirm my
attendance during last week and they gave my spot to someone else. Embarassed

Shame I rocked up there at 08.15
this morning ready to start with a full tank of fuel and some freshly scrubbed in tyres. Shame, it looked like it might
stay dry today. Oh well...

It seems like a similar setup to ROSPA and IAM and still they use the Motorcycle Roadcraft manual as reference
material. I'm not sure there's much else available of the same ilk. Waiting to hear when I can get another place
and enjoying my unexpected day of sloth.

https://www.advancedmotoring.co.uk/advanced-motorcycle-test
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

ReadySalted · Scooby Slapper Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Karma :

Yeh it just seems like alot of money for somebody like me who's really only after taking the test to get the tick in the box so that I can ride regularly with the group. Just turning up and being 'the one from ROSPA' is fine to begin with, but I think I should do their test to show willing, and also for my own peace of mind. 150 is a bit much when all I want is the test. Especially when all they offer online is their 'advanced rider course'.

Just to my add my two penneth to the age old rospa/iam thing; Rospa = older, slower, more professional, probably a higher standard of riding. IAM = faster, friendlier, have a real world approach to riding, fewer ex police riders, not as rigid. (That's just my initial impression so probably inaccurate). Both have their advantages, although I know who I'd rather have a Sunday jaunt with.