Advanced Riding

[virginiajim]

Yeah, no peer pressure..  I've seen large HD groups where if one goes off the road, several follow they're so close....like Lemmings.

I've always thought of myself as a lone Wolf when riding.  Don't have to worry about anyone but me or the wifey (if she is sitting with me).  Can stop when I want.  Lollygag when I want.  Go fast when I want..  I think that the largest group I feel comfortable in is about 5.

The group dynamic can mess you up as well depending on if you are familiar with the particular group that you are in.  I remember one time, a cruiser rider joined us and we were all sport tourers.  I believe that I was on the C14 but could have been the C10.  I remembered thinking 'bringing a knife to a gunfight..'  Sure as heck he was trying to keep up with us and he ran a truck and himself off the road later in the ride.

Another guy joined us on another ride and I specifically told him not to follow certain riders.   He didn't listen and ran off the road and wrecked.  Know your limitations.

[pross]

Yeah, no peer pressure..  I've seen large HD groups where if one goes off the road, several follow they're so close....like Lemmings.

I've always thought of myself as a lone Wolf when riding.  Don't have to worry about anyone but me or the wifey (if she is sitting with me).  Can stop when I want.  Lollygag when I want.  Go fast when I want..  I think that the largest group I feel comfortable in is about 5.

The group dynamic can mess you up as well depending on if you are familiar with the particular group that you are in.  I remember one time, a cruiser rider joined us and we were all sport tourers.  I believe that I was on the C14 but could have been the C10.  I remembered thinking 'bringing a knife to a gunfight..'  Sure as heck he was trying to keep up with us and he ran a truck and himself off the road later in the ride.

Another guy joined us on another ride and I specifically told him not to follow certain riders.   He didn't listen and ran off the road and wrecked.  Know your limitations.

As you say Jim know your limitations.
I ride out now and again with friends around 6 and a mixture of bikes I  prefer around 4 and solo.
The biggest group was on our GTR meeting but those are now and then .
I prefer to ride for me as you state don't get me wrong the company is nice but the ride is better 

[SirToU]

Ahh, the old argument...

I've been on both sides of the fence, qualified at RoSPA Gold and Iam First 4 years later.

Both are based on the same book, but both have slightly different teaching styles but both will improve you.

If it's available, why not go and do a bike safe course, London (TFL) used to subsidise bike safe.  If you can do it within you own area, you could talk to the bike safe instructor and get an unbiased opinion in you area.

I would definitely do bike safe first, as I did, it gives you something to think about.... Then read a book called Motorcycle Roadcraft....  You'll need to read it anyway... For both IAM and ROSPA.  However, just reading the book is likely to make you a safer but reactive rider, where as having someone show you will make you proactive! 
The book you can buy now, less than £15, read it over the winter and do a course when then evenings are lighter and more enjoyable to practice....  If you have any questions - fire away!

Neil

[patrick]

Preference for iam or rosp tends to come from individual experience of local groups.  Both teach the same system of riding and I have passed both and gone on to observe andvturor in both.  Iam  test didnt feel challenging to me. I did rospa next and even though I didnt get think about test grade during training , I just wanted to be safer I got gold 1st time I preferred rospa and that was due to a combination of finding I was streteched more by the training and I got on better with the people.

I suggest trying both groups and then decide. 

[Lonewolf]

Yes the Roadcraft book is a necessity. I'll take it a step further and suggest that an advanced riding course should either be,


A- compulsory after completing perhaps twelve months of riding.


Or


B- the standard of riding required to pass your 'normal' test.


Now I'll stand back and await the flack. 

[O.C.]

no flack from this corner of the ring Steve.

When I took my HGV licence some years ago it very definitely improved my driving skills quite considerably  and along with that my awareness also, plus it certainly provided the opportunity to refresh my understanding of the Highway Code.....so another bike related course would clearly be beneficial to me

I'll put it on my list of things to do for next season   

[ant177]

I've already got a copy of Roadcraft on its way so that I can start to read through that.
Thanks for the comments on Bike Safe Neil, I was already familiar with that scheme but unfortunately the scheme isn't running here in Gloucestershire until June next year.
I suspect I will have already started an advanced course by that point and the Bike Safe site specifically states that it isn't open to participants who have had advanced training. Although whether you have to pass for that to apply I'm not sure. I also don't know how they would know ;)

It would be good if the car licence had a compulsory motorbike component (and yes, I realise how impractical that would be but still). I felt that I became a better car driver after passing my bike test because of the focus on observational skills etc. The car test just seems to be a box tick of "are you aware that there are some shiny reflective surfaces on the sides of your vehicle"?

Rider training took that mirror and beat me around the head with it, I now do a life-saver check before changing position when walking on the pavement! ;)

[snowy]

Bring back the good old RAC / ACU courses from the '80's, set us all up with the ground rules for self preservation and consideration! 
we all get lazy and slip into bad habits, I really feel we should all be assessed by a trained observer every 5 years, whatever type of license is held, to review health, eyesight and ability to drive! 
A tick on the licensce to say that you are still able to have the privilage to drive and hold a license, then referral for training if not.
Thanks to all out there who provide continual (call it advanced if you want) training, respect, never to old to learn or receive new and alternate ideas!
I'm still learning daily how to handle the challenges of married life...........think the roads are safer!   

[Boomer]

I went to a local IAM and didn't like the attitude of many of the instructors. Holier than thou best describes it,... or maybe Full of themselves. I'm always ready to learn and improve but not into being told that I must comply with "THE" method.

[1ka]

There was a humorous review of Bikesafe done over on the Visor Vision blog. Worth a read to get an idea of what it offers.

[STX1300man]

I went to a local IAM and didn't like the attitude of many of the instructors. Holier than thou best describes it,... or maybe Full of themselves. I'm always ready to learn and improve but not into being told that I must comply with "THE" method.

Unfortunately there are some who are not very good at getting the point over. Getting someone to understand why they are being asked to consider doing some aspect of riding, and then trying it and hopefully adopting it, is the skill.

As for 'THE Way', what would you expect? It's a style of riding. Would you sign up for any academic course and then not do what is required to pass the test? The examiner is not going to suddenly say 'oh, you must be right, I'll let you off that bit'.  You may not agree with everything being said, but the ultimate aim is to get you thinking about what you are doing all the time and to ride at the required level for the test. The Observer is trying to get you to that level and use it on a daily basis. If you only end up incorporating some of it into your ride, that is your choice, but hopefully you will have still gained from the experience..

[virginiajim]

Boomer.. 'You will comply!'  You sure they weren't Daleks?  No, wait.  If they were, you would have been exterminated.  Thank goodness they weren't.

[SPCK111]

Come out with me. I'm a class one adv :)

[SirToU]

Jim - Daleks?,  your sign off appears to suggest you've been assimilated!

[MarkyMark]

http://www.glos-roadar.org.uk/