Hi all, just looking at a thread below and saw Driesie’s comments about the IAM.
I’m in two minds about this, as, being a riding God why would I need any pointers?
Well, tongue out of cheek I wouldn’t mind giving it a go but whilst I accept we can all learn and be safer,I’ve always been an advocate of ‘ride how you ride’ .
Meaning that when you change your riding style you then run into problems? For instance I went out on a real slow Sunday ride a couple of weeks and lost my concentration completely, looking over hedges and stuff, more of a tourist than a rider - didn’t have to think about entry speed and lines 'cos I could have ran round the bends faster!
I also like the way I ride, to me it’s about excitement, not just transport and I’m concerned that if I went ’ advanced’ I may lose some of that?
So, does anybody have any experience of observed rides? Please share. Thanks
But if learning advanced riding skills made you faster and even more confident in those corners because of better skills in observation, planning, hazard awareness, positioning, not to mention control of the machine itself…
LAM give you a free “assessment ride” (I think most groups will do this). Just go along to one, you have nothing to loose and you’ll get a fair idea of what it is, what kind of people and machines you’ll be riding with (all sorts). I wasn’t sure to join either as I haven’t been riding long and some people say it’s often a bunch of long bearded men on BMWs or Harleys, and while I have nothing against them obviously, I wasn’t sure how I’d fit in. I was pleasently surprised though. People I meet ranged from people nearing retirement having ridden for 30+ years, kids who just passed their test and had their first sports bike, people on old bikes, big bikes, small bikes, smokey bikes, bikes that look like cars (Goldwing) …
I’m sure the observed rides isn’t something that suits everybody, You have to want to learn and enjoy it. I love it though, if nothing else, you get to ride with new people on new roads.
I along with several Lber’s did the machine control day with ELAM on Monday. Got to say it has made me think more about my riding than anything else. I am trying to put what I learnt into practise and make myself a better rider.
I will certainly join up with them next year when things are a little more stable in the economic front.
As well as making you a better rider, the social aspect of your local IAM group is a big plus.
Group rides are often held and group nights can be lots of fun. The KAMG have had a Suzuki dealer, an Aprilia dealer (supported by Aprilia UK) and tonight Warrs (HD and Buell) and I think also 21st Moto (Honda), turn up for the last three group nights, with a bunch of bikes to test ride. Quite nice riding a few different bikes back to back over the course of the evening.
For anyone interested and in the area the KAMG meet at Brands Hatch on the last Thursday of every month. You can turn up on the night and join through the IAM Motorcycle - Skills for Life package. I’ll be there from about 6pm, heading off to Warrs straight from work to help get the bikes over to Brands; and staying for the BBQ. So say hello if you come along.
Oh; and the group rides are usually held the Sunday morning (9am) after the group night, and meet at the Oakdene.
Harley’s available to ride were the Heritage softtail, Dyna Lowrider, Sportster 883 and the new XR1200. Unfortunately none of the Buells were available to bring along, the 1125R we were hoping for had a dodgy battery.
Honda wise there were the new CB1000R, CBF1000, CBR600RR, Fireblade, VFR and a Pan European.
BBQ didn’t happen, instead we had a choice of curry or sausage, burger n chips n stuff.
