[QUOTE=B B,Jan 19 2007, 05:01 PM]


The then IAM magazine was a cheaply printed affair & the contributors insufferably smug, as are many AIM drivers who proudly display not only a grille badge but one for the back window to tell all the world what a superior driver they think they are.

Believe me if you ever find yourself behind an old person with an IAM sticker in the back window, be afraid.

 

I did bike training years ago with the BMF and they taught us "the system" and I had the police roadcraft book and they took it all very seriously. This was before the days of turning up with no experience and getting your bike licence 20 minutes later.

I went along to some kind of introductory IAM meeting for bikers, but it seemed full of old duffers who wanted to suck all the fun out of it. You might improve your life expectancy, but nobody chooses to ride bikes for safety reasons.

I've always wondered about doing it for the car, but I figure they'll try to get me to feed the wheel through my hands, and I'll refuse and argue with them about how moronically stupid that is and fail miserably. And don't they talk about slowing down in a high gear on the brakes, and then changing down when you're ready to accelerate? So for most of the time you're slowing down you're in the wrong gear. I never understood that.

 

I expected there would be stuff I didn't agree with, but went along to learn.

The things I don't like I can now leave behind and develope the other stuff

Can't wait to get by IAM grill badge fitted

 

The bike IAM I have read and heard about doesn't seem to have taken the fun out of riding from what I can gather - they all seem keen to "make progress", and whilen they generally do seem to be from the older age bracket I doubt they hang about

Older riders tend to be on more touring orientated bikes anyway, so I suppose they are never going to be hooning around as much as sportsbike riders - doesn't mean they're not enjoying themselves.

The road IAM folk seem to be a different breed, at least judging from the websites, and comparing them to the IAM bike group sites - interesting that the bike and car local IAM goups seem to be entirely independent of each other

 

I did my car test years ago and thought it was quite useful,but thought their obsession with "the system" was a bit OTT. I went to a meeting and once someone mentioned the system you expected the rest to get on their knees and face the IAM equivalent of Mecca.

Took my bike test 2 years ago. Again useful but some of the local group were a bit anal about the whole thing. I mean I agree with respecting the 30s, 40s and even the 50s on occasion but show me an NSL on the bike and it's make progress! The ex Policeman who examined me agreed and said we could get going in the NSLs if if was safe to do so.

 

well done Dave

no way I'd do it

I get in enough arguments as it is

and it's a good point made above

I do associate an IAM sticker with bloody minded obstructiveness

 

I haven't taken any of the exams, but have done RoSPA-inspired courses and am a member of HPC; they have their own driving ethos which is based around Roadcraft, and have several levels of membership. I've let my membership lapse a little bit but just starting to get active again (got a drive on Sunday which I'm looking forward to )

 

I suppose they have to train you to keep to the NSL's, otherwise it would make a mockery of the whole concept of an advanced road test - I don't believe that any IAM biker would adhere to NSL's rigidly outside of training though.

I have to say though, I can't ever recall being obstructed or held up by an "old duffer wearing an IAM sticker". Must be a south of the border thing

 

Please Please Please post a pic of that on the S
Well done passing, I keep thinking about this!