Motorcycle Forums

Death, where is thy sting?

No. Thin the herd, with the most fit surviving.

Yes...

I didn't do advanced training after I passed my test... several reasons;- at the time it wasn't as prevalent, I didn't really have the money, & by the time I took my test I'd already been riding a 125 for 2 years & done around 40,000 miles... I'd already made most of the mistakes I could have learned to avoid from advanced training & thankfully only had one accident for my naivety. I didn't jump straight on a sportsbike instead going for big thumpers... I followed lots of bikes & spotted what I thought they were doing right or wrong & identified that in my riding where applicable. I learned accidents are potentially everywhere, avoiding them is the trick, while still having fun & making progress (my purpose for riding is to get to work, alive, to earn money).

If I was in that situation now I'd do my test straight away then advanced training almost immediately... & then, with only a maybe a thousand miles under my belt, set about learning how to ride a bike, but with a lot more knowledge of the possible pitfalls than I had when I did it originally.

Would I do it now?... Maybe I will, but I'd want to assess the rider assessing me 'cos we'd not necessarily agree... every rider has boundaries, limits that they won't stretch, theirs maybe very different to mine, but not necessarily wrong.

I note that the "Better Riding Guide" articles specifically don't have a comments section... at the request of the IAM?... there's certainly a lot to discuss but that in itself indicates the attitude of the group... "this is how it is... there is no discussion... end of".

Entirely depends on the local group

BikeSafe is a no brainer, do it if it's offered.  Then check out your local IAM and RoSPA, go on an assessed ride and decide if they ride what they preach.  If they're just giving it large about "The System" while caning it over blind hill crests ('cause they are Advanced and therefore have x-ray eyes) then you're probably better off just buying a copy of Police Roadcraft and then picking out the bits that make sense.

Advanced trainning

"Hedgehog5 I note that the "Better Riding Guide" articles specifically don't have a comments section... at the request of the IAM?... there's certainly a lot to discuss but that in itself indicates the attitude of the group... "this is how it is... there is no discussion... end of". Had you joined a IAM group you would have found there is a lot of discussion most observers encourage associates to question and challenge the guidance given. It means they are thinking about it not paying lip service. Direct access gives you the basics.( considerably more than when I started riding in the 70s) but like driving a car they teach you how to pass the test not how to use the vehicle in the real world. If you are interested contact your local group most will arrange a free assessment ride take that then make up your mind.

Definitely

Since I passed my DAS 4 years ago I had done a day of 'advanced' training each year, which was very useful. This year I joined the IAM, and for less than the price of a day of training, I've had several days worth of the most fantastic tuition. As well as road training, they also organise track days and track based training. I've no doubt that as @Rogerborg suggests some groups are better than others, I'm lucky that my local group are large, active, inclusive and very good. If you have a RoSPA or IAM group nearby, go for a trial ride and see what you think, and whether they will 'suit' you - if so that's probably the best value way of getting advanced training. Bikesafe also gets great reports and is great value, albeit only 1 day. Any advanced training you do, whether as part of a group, Bikesafe, or privately, whether road based or track based, will be of benefit. Ignore comments like @Piroflip, who is clearly an idiot - even RoSPA/IAM senior observers and police Class 1 motorcyclists have regular training/observation sessions to maintain and improve their skills. If they can benefit from training, so can all of us!