IAM - Opinion from people who haven't done it

Dabz asked for opinions from those that hadn't done it....that's exactly what's been posted... opinions. They are valid for those that have made them and for those that have an opinion on those opinions, well......that's not the purpose of the question. But everyone's entitled to their opinion. It's not a question about right or wrong.

What is the point in asking for honest opinions and then getting upset when those that are expressed are not exactly what you wish to hear?

Who stated that they "know better"?

Not everything is as simple as black or white.

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Originally Posted by AHenson

[quote author=Mikeellis1709 link=1350575085/33#33 date=1350816229]I considered doing it a couple of years ago when I got my Buell, after a gap of 10 years from riding. I was going to join the Cheddar branch, where I was living at the time and got as far as contacting them for an application form but the cost was £140 to join plus the ride out costs, which I couldn't afford or justify at that time.

Since then I have ridden 25k miles on my bike, predominantly travelling to work, so when I ride for pleasure I want it to be just that, rather than having someone critique my riding, even though I would probably benefit from it.

I am also put off by having a test at the end of it and feel that, for something that has no statutory relevance, this is the wrong way to assess a rider's standard. Riding is a cumulative skill, so wouldn't a continuous assessment be more relevant? We all have off days, so assessing a rider over a number of observed rides would give a truer indication of their capability than a 45 minute test. On a ride out we ride for much longer periods than that, so how we ride after 2-3 hours in the saddle is more relevant than how we ride when still fresh!

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With the greatest of respect .... don't you fully read previous posts ..... where has anyone said you have to take the test ?
So you did your DSA bike test and car test on a continuous assessment basis did you ???
The training gets you above test standard and so it becomes just a 45 minute bike ride.[/quote]
Yes I did read the previous posts - did you fully read mine? Taking a test is mentioned several times throughout the string and the group I was intending to join required new members to take it!

You also missed the point of my suggestion that the test be replaced by continuous assessment - there is no statutory requirement to complete IAM or RoSPA training as a requisite of having a licence issued, so why put people through the stress of sitting a test which has no relevance?

The title of the string is 'IAM -Opinion from people who haven't done it'. I offered my opinion - prefixing a tirade with 'With the greatest respect' does not make it any less offensive, Ade, so don't do it again, please. You actually showed absolutely no respect whatsoever!

Anyway....

As a person that hasn't done it I have a couple of reasons for being apprehensive about doing it in the near future.

1, I am still a novice (passed my test May 2011) and am still building up my confidence levels (especially as I had a nasty habit of dropping my bike all the time......not for the last 4-5 months though)
2, I am worried that if I was to do it my confidence would be put back a notch or 2 because I think I might be told Im doing more things wrong than right.
3, I know of alot of riders that have alot more experience than me that have done it and I don't feel 'good enough' to try yet.
4, I am nervous anyway and being watched would make me more nervous than usual.
5, Since passing my test over a year ago I have only been out on rides 3-4 times a month which isn't much considering the amount of time I have had a full licence, so I want to get more miles under my belt before going for an advanced rider thing
6, The 'advanced rider' title means exactly that....and I dont feel Id warrant that title for a few years yet.

But I would like to do it eventually when I have more confidence and more experience. :)

The feedback from the answers will be used by IAM to help them in their endeavours to attract more bikers to do the IAM course, so all are helpful in the end :)

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Originally Posted by Dabz

The feedback from the answers will be used by IAM to help them in their endeavours to attract more bikers to do the IAM course, so all are helpful in the end :)

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Thats why I was being so honest..not criticising.... just saying it as I see it from my own point of view. :)

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Originally Posted by ninja_zx6r

So after reading thru all these post, the general feeling I get is...... Most of you that haven't taken it and been riding for years know better,and 90% of you are afraid of failing!

I'm glad I did it, solely that I'm much more aware now of the dangers, the stuff you don't usually think of, and if it gets me out of trouble just the once it was worth it.

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+1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AHenson

[quote author=ninja_zx6r link=1350575085/39#39 date=1350836305]So after reading thru all these post, the general feeling I get is...... Most of you that haven't taken it and been riding for years know better,and 90% of you are afraid of failing!

I'm glad I did it, solely that I'm much more aware now of the dangers, the stuff you don't usually think of, and if it gets me out of trouble just the once it was worth it.

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+1 [/quote]

I repeat the question, who stated that they know better?

Ken read some of the previous posts, I've had my say on it now, some good points made by folk, both positive & negative [ch128516]

Kev, I'm not trying to pick an argument here, merely pointing out that no one said they know better. I felt that should be challenged. I'll say no more on the matter, I'm 8-) and :)