Is a year too early?

[mr.z]

To start looking at doing advanced rideing?

Ive nearly had full licence a year, i'd been rideing a year before haveing it, i do try to keep up all the things i learnt on my direct access and have not at any point got myself into bother... not saying i'm prefect or even particuarly good, in fact my main problem is probably being over cautious, being undercautious rarely pays off...

But i do have allot of room for improvement, I'm not particuarly worried about going faster, i'm not even remotely interested in the insureance reduction, i just wan't to have somebody ride out with me and see if there are any major faults or areas i should concentrate on...

Has anyone here (i know some people have but can't remember who) done any IAM or ROSPA training? for real world rideing whats the best to be looking for? as far as i'm aware the rospa training is all about "progressive" rideing, i'm not entirely sure that would suite me, and the IAM is very formulaic by the book rideing, no offence these are just the impression i have got from what ive read/been told...

Or should i forget it, carry on rideing for a while and if i'm still alive think about it later?

Unless there is anyone who has done either who fancys a ride out/a laugh (at me) one weekend just too see how my rideing is?
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[ProXimaCore]

After I done my DAS I asked about advanced training and the instructor said give it at least 3 months after the test before I do any advanced stuff. So I'm guessing a year makes you more than ready.
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

[NickD]

It's never too early or too late to learn more.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Gazdaman]

My dad was an IAM instructor at one point. I guess I'm lucky in that respect, I get free training whenever I want it. Since we don't have radios the hand signals are quite a challenge to work out.

Gaz

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

I spoke to IAM guy at Ally Pally bike show. He said sign up as soon as I had passed my test.

So no, I would agree with him and say that 1 year would not be too early.

They will build you up, and will allow for your in-experiance.

[Mr C]

no, not at all - go for it

afaik both Rospa and IAM are the same in most respects (I am just applying for my Rospa test now) in that they teach the police system of riding with in the speed limits

what this does in the real world is give you great discipline in observation, positioning, overtaking etc within the confines of the law so that if you then choose to exceed the speed limit at any time then you have a greater awareness of what is going on through instinct and training and so can form a bigger bubble of safety around you

that's what it's about at the end of the day

if you can't ride safely within the speed limits what hope do you have massively outside them?

forget all the whiners who bleat about old men in wax jackets and dayglo vests pootling around on pan euros - this may be the format of the training but what it does is equip you for so much better riding when you are on your own and maybe not observing the letter of the limits

it's certainly nothing to be scared of
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187.3bhp = 201mph

[Orion]

Did the Bikesafe course 5 months after my DAS.

Improved my observation, positioning and overtaking no end.

Not to mention saved my life (after only 8 months of riding)...Country lane & tractor, thanks to my improved observation and reasoning I'm typing this note and not 6ft under - having been impaled on ploughs!!!

Highly recommend further training, whether Bikesafe, IAM or whatever.

[Robin]

Go for it, the earlier you do it the fewer bad habits you'll pick up in the meantime.

[Mister James]

I'm considering it after christmas - I note that all of the insurers ask whether you are a member of such a scheme - what kind of difference does it make to premiums? I certainly agree with the concept of it making you a safer rider, just interested in how much of a cheaper rider it will make me

[mr.z]

Something like 15%? bizzarely norwich union will offer 50% to pass+ car drivers

Right it is decided, i'm not entirely fussed about doing the exams but will see how it goes, i dont suppose anyone know any derbyshire based groups?

The other question is which group? iam/rospa? is there anyone here who has done both??

Like i said before i dont thnk there is anything wrong with my rideing but there no reason not to try and improve i guess

Is it still the case where its free? being an impoverished student i wont have allot of money to fling arround, in fact the petrol is about all i will be able to muster i'd imagine
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Mr C]

The Rospa advanced riding test is regarded as the most comprehensive and challenging available to the public ... A Rospa Gold is the highest civilian riding standard available...

(from Rospa - but heard elsewhere)


T.C. will tell you more if he is around.

The way it works is this..

You pay to join your local Rospa organisation (say £15)
You make appointments with one of their instructors and usually pay for his petrol (say a fiver each time you go out - maybe 10 times to test)
You pay for the test £50

so a total of say £115 to test or there abouts

Rospa test is valid for two years I htink so you have to keep taking it to stay current which is a major advantage for me over IAM

afaik retests are free of charge

discounts can be 15-20% on insurance so it doesn't take long to recoup your initial investment

as well as hopefully making you safer
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187.3bhp = 201mph

[mr.z]