I.A.M

[geodude]

…….. always try and stay in my lane regardless, if you happen to have an off or some type of collision whilst 'making progress' in the on coming lane of traffic you will be always judged to be at fault by a court of law.

You are so right about that. In fact there was a piece on one of the traffic cop type programmes where a guy on an Africa twin hit a horse whilst positioning for view down a narrow country road. He was going too fast for the conditions and didn’t have time to react. He got done for riding without due care and attention.

…….. I ride quite frequently with IAM members and instructors but to me it spoils a good blast, straight lineing bends when possible defeats the object totally IMO. Fast is not fun, lean angles are fun. As a rule (not always though granted)they ride big comfortable bikes that arent the most nimble so to engage in knee down frivolity would be dangerous and very tiring.

I have noticed the lack of flair when out on some advanced rides. I do like to push the envelope a bit more that what would be considered acceptable. So I kind of know where you are coming from. To me, fast bends are fun

A friend just passed out as an IAM member so I was very suprised when she had so little bike control that a slightly wet field at Cadwell had her down on the ground twice! I am only playing devils advocate and IAM memebrs that are also friends have given me some good tips in the past, it just does not work as a whole for me thats all.

Passing the IAM didn’t teach me motorcycle control for those kind of conditions. Off-roading did that when I was younger. What it did teach me is that there is a proven sound system of motorcycle control and if you follow it, you give yourself more time to react. That has been the biggest benefit to me as a rider. I position for best view ahead to give me more information about the up coming hazards. Sometimes, straight-lining gives you a better view especially on the twisties. I will always sacrifice position for safety though. As for straight-lining bends in general, it depends what mood I’m in and the conditions.

[AMCQ46]

I understand the comments from Beamish, but I am confident that some IAM people [like the bike cops I go to france with] are bikers and up for a bit of well managed fun.

What ever people teach me I always try and work out why it will / will not work for me, and I take the new stuff that works, and add it to all the stuff i have learned over the years riding diferent types of motorcycle sports, and the other stuff I ignore.
I just like to understand the mechanics of whatever I am doing, and try and optimise to suit me, take bits of road racing, and lots of off roading, and add some good hazard awareness........keep the odds in my favour when I am out at play
So the interest in IAM is to top up on the Hazard awareness.

If I dont enjoy riding with a group.....sometime because I think that they are adverse to having fun, but sometimes because I think they are too mad.........I make a polite excuse and dont go back out with them. Lifes too short to waste good days riding

What is interesting compared to Beamish, I always use all the road, comes from growing up in the middle of nowhere, with miles of narrow roads, and lots of hedges .......you have to see the car / tractor / horse as early as possible, [and perhaps from 5 yrs road racing]!
But then when riding with Geodude, I watched him using the other lane to get the best view to see if he could overtake, and I found that really dificult to make my self do that. just riding at the same speed as the car in front, but right across in the right hand lane felt wrong, but I could understand how it would help...so I am trying to add that into my tool kit.

[Beamish]

Great comments from both. I am not saying it is not a great road riding tool and if I was still using my bike for the work commute or doing a really long haul then I tend to slip into a more IAM method of riding. I now ride for pleasure only and if I feel good (not tired or cold) then the slightly riskier none racing line full lean approach is my choice of weapon.

[benny hedges]

What is interesting compared to Beamish, I always use all the road, comes from growing up in the middle of nowhere, with miles of narrow roads, and lots of hedges .......you have to see the car / tractor / horse as early as possible, [and perhaps from 5 yrs road racing]!
But then when riding with Geodude, I watched him using the other lane to get the best view to see if he could overtake, and I found that really dificult to make my self do that. just riding at the same speed as the car in front, but right across in the right hand lane felt wrong, but I could understand how it would help...so I am trying to add that into my tool kit.

some other road users find that alarming though and think you are being reckless, as they don't understand that on a bike you have much better vision.
a workmate called me a crazy b8stard after seeing me pass a line of cars at speed in what was for me a totally normal low risk manouvre.
if i cant see round or through a vehicle in front. i will pass it at the earliest opportunity, but my own experiences have tought me not to use the other lane unless i have to, and unless i have clear view of the road ahead.

it might be a lot different where you live, but round here the roads are always busy .
riding with you in wales, you used the oncoming lane a lot more than i usually do but i didnt see you take any daft risks for the sake of a few yards.