Been thinking of joining the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists) for a few years now but each time I read an article on them, I am left with the impression that it is full of self-righteous, patronising old farts who assume nobody else can possibly ride as well as they do.
So…is it really like that or have I just got the wrong idea about them?
I think there have been a few posts in the past that cover this, have a search and you’ll get all sorts of views.
Personally I think the old “it is full of self-righteous, patronising old farts who assume nobody else can possibly ride as well as they do” isn’t true (or not anymore, I don’t know).
I’m with the LAM group, and yes, there is possibly a higher than average percentage of GS riders, but who cares. The majority of people are just bikers of all sorts trying to improve their riding.
To give you an idea, I was on an associates run with LAM yesterday and in the group there were people who have only been riding a year or so (me) and people who have been riding over 20 years. Bikes we had: Africa Twin (group leader), some kind of Yamaha sports bike (tail ender), Z1000, CBR600, Hornet, Bandit, XT660X, R1, GS (yes, there has to be the token one at least), GSX600F, …
So a very mixed group of bikes and people.
Most groups I know of will let you do an assessment ride or join a social ride without being a member. I always say to people if they’re unsure, just go one one of them and you’ll get an idea of what the people and riding are like.
check out anne-marie she is a member and will gladly give you the facts i’m sure.
:crying:
I am IAM :D. Sorry.
Like you I had very poor early experience from a couple of ‘Advanced Rider’s’ and then stayed clear of them, until I did a Bikesafe feeling fat dumb and happy having commuted for 10 years. Then found out inside an hour that I couldn’t corner for toffee nor could I keep up with Plod and he said he wasn’t trying !
Like anything else a club is only as good as the people who turn up, and there are many ways into ‘The System’ be it IAM or RoSPA , it may be a good idea to attend a couple without putting your money down till you find people you like, and would trust to be behind you if you were riding with them.
Yes they may be more middle-aged men than you might expect, but we are all enthusiastic bikers under the skin (leathers) and all joined because we want to do it better. We have one observer (tutor) well into his 60’s, but he can still ride anyone else off the track and complains because the youngsters he is training don’t want to come out with him. He has a BMW RT and an R1, the club chair has a Pan and a Blade , so try and categorise that, we also have folks who are ‘Ring Riders’ others who ae in the Straight Liner club (200mph on a 'Busa), or are Off-road specialists, so it by no means all R80’s , Pipes. Sam Brown belts and comfortable slippers. Our group has attended 5 track training days in the past 2 years ( Martin Hopp and Rapid Training) as well as local rides and skills (slow speed handling) days, first aid / first response training, and so on
I suppose we can be a little ‘born again’ at times , a bit like someone who has given up smoking and now wants everyone else to realise what fools they are still smoking. But the good sections have a real interest in training and road safety and really try to be as inclusive and openning as possible.
Give it a go, as they say in the Dr Pepper ad , what’s the worst that could happen ?
BTW if you are talking about the Victor Harman letter in the last IAM magazine, (all motorcyclist’s are inherently unsafe and break the law) , I think that was the editor throwing a rock in the pool to look at the splash, this month’s edition should be quite revealing. There has already been an email shot to the motorcycle clubs to say it does not represent IAM policy, and inviting people to sent their comments in
Cheers for the replies guys. I think I’m going to bite the bullet and join the Herts & Beds group.
As you say, there’s nothing to lose.
Thanks Young Dai – I too was a bit concerned at the pipe & slippers image of closely observed speed limits – but it sounds good. On that note, anyone know of an IAM group in South London / near Vauxhall?
LAM is probably the nearest you (http://www.l-a-m.org/). Meets at Bromley or Banstead.
There’s a meet on Saturday morning. If you want an introduction observed ride before joining, give Norton (number on the website) a call.
I’m seriously thinking of joining the Thames Vale IAM group
Well I think that the group I joined, trained with and passed my test with did a fab job. I could go just as fast for most of the time but wasn’t having all the near misses any more!:w00t: I think that I have a better understanding of whats going on than most riders without the training!
Which are the main reasons why I’m thinking of doing it!
i’ve a few mates who have dabbled with IAM and 1 with RoSPA, most seem to have a positive experience with them
for my bday in April my olds (who are normally tight and antibike) offered to pay for my membership and test:cool:
they obviously want to keep me around for a bit longer and reckon it may help
i’ll let you know how it goes after my first visit on sunday to the TVAM lot 
I’m an I.A.M member and i would recommend it to anyone thinking on doing an advance riding course. It helps with every aspect of riding and you may think you’re quite a ood rider and this will make you a better, faster and safer rider.
been a member of LAM for about 6 years now - have had some really good times with them and would recommend joining an advanced bike organisation of any kind (IAM / ROSPA)…
one thing I have learned : dont disrespect BMW riders : they’re not all ‘old farts’…
if you go on a trip with an IAM group, some of the guys that rider beemers can ride rings round anyone on a sports / supersports bikes AND they’ll make it look soooo easy to…
(and i’m not talking sports BMW’s either - i’ve been on a few trips where the dude out pacing a very good rider on an R1 - was on a full on BMW tourer)
I’d echo all the positive comments made here. I’m a member of HBAM and they’re a good bunch. Check their website at www.hbam.org.uk – there’s evening and weekend rideouts plus other events too.
For East London types there’s ELAM… www.elam.org.uk
That’s not to say we spend all our time in East London. There are some fine roads to be had for observed rides and social rides on our doorstep (Herts, Essex).
update: I joined HBAM at the bikesafe show yesterday!
Looking forward to meeting new peeps and improving my riding.