Never had post test training?

[OverSteery]

Another thread here got me wondering.....

In my early days of bike ownership, I scared myself and started to lie awake at night worrying about ending up leaving a widow and fatherless offspring. I tried giving up bikes for a few years, but the pull was too strong.

When I went back to it, I did some further training with professional organisations (Survival skills and Rapid). I enjoyed it, and I am now a keen IAM member and have done further on and off-road professional tuition. I have no doubt I ride safer and better from the help I got.

How many people here, who consider themselves at least mildly enthusiastic Bikers, have never had any bike training after passing their "licence passing" test? Why not?

[Cylon2007]

Unless you consider lots of track days to be advanced training then No, I passed my test in 1977 at the first attempt and the bike was my only transport for 5 years. Never considered extra training as it wasn't really available and traffic was much lighter back then. Over the years I suppose I've just got used to the extra traffic etc. I now ride a motor bike drive a car and (occasionally) ride a push bike and the only time I feel really vulnerable is on the push bike.

[dibblecorse]

Hi

Have been through the full CSS Levels 1-4 as well as had professional on track coaching, imn still slow, but i'm a lot safer / smoother.

I try and do a Bikesafe day a year or at worst every other, I think you can always learn something new or be reminded of fundamentals.

[thatdude]

I've done a bikesafe day, but I found the instructor gave conflicting information and I was generally put off by the whole feel of the course. I rode home after lunch,just took off without explaining why. I couldnt be arsed with the patronising.

I've worked out plenty of stuff for myself, and I've adapated safe riding practices from people who are IAM etc trained and have pointed out useful things to me.

On the whole, I don't feel like I need further "training" in terms of having things pointed out to me. Maybe I'm too naive,or maybe I'm just quite aware of what is happening around me. I would probably benefit from regularly fking about on a bike in a car park / off road - things like emergency braking and whatever.

Just because you have received some sort of well-organised training, dont assume that makes you some fancy pants incredible rider.

[LimaDelta]

I don't ride much these days, but did do a Yamaha off-road day and the Ron Haslam school a couple of times.

Often those most in need of further training are the last to actually do so. They lack the self-awareness needed recognise their own deficiencies.

[dern]

I hadn't until a year ago and then decided to join the IAM. Glad I did as I'm a much better road rider now than before. Did two observed rides this weekend and being put forward for my cross check before my assessment. To be honest I'll be glad when it's done. It's very good but being assessed for 3 or so hours while you ride is tiring.

[Long Drax]

I never had any motorcycle training prior to passing my bike test in 1978 and, I have never had any since.

I did however have training from a police officer in the run-up to, and gaining, my Cycling Proficiency Certificate in 1966.

What more does one need?

[carinaman]

LimaDelta said:

I don't ride much these days, but did do a Yamaha off-road day and the Ron Haslam school a couple of times.

Often those most in need of further training are the last to actually do so. They lack the self-awareness needed recognise their own deficiencies.

Was the Ron Haslam school applicable to road riding?

[Hungrymc]

I think you should add “education” to the question. You can do a lot to improve your riding by reading / studying and then practicing.

[LimaDelta]

carinaman said:

LimaDelta said:

I don't ride much these days, but did do a Yamaha off-road day and the Ron Haslam school a couple of times.

Often those most in need of further training are the last to actually do so. They lack the self-awareness needed recognise their own deficiencies.

Was the Ron Haslam school applicable to road riding?

Not at all really, but then I no longer ride on the road (in the UK anyway).

[black-k1]

I think it's disappointing that there are so many people who have not had advanced training. Forget helmets, forget back protectors, forget leathers, it's the biggest safety "add on" you can have.

The other worry are those who believe that track days relate to training. While they are good for learning just what your bike can do, they do nothing for road positioning and lines. In fact, worse than that, they promote exactly the wrong lines for road riding. Track riding as an addition to advanced training has a place, but it is definitely not an alternative.

Hungrymc said:

I think you should add “education” to the question. You can do a lot to improve your riding by reading / studying and then practicing.

Agreed, but there is no substitute for having someone else, who has a reasonable idea what they're talking about, reviewing your riding and making suggestions.

[anonymous-user]

I tried IAM but my beard wasn’t goatee enough.

[Baldchap]

There's a whole subset of bikers who have been riding terribly for years and think it makes them an expert.

Those people don't typically come for RoSPA/IAM training because they think they know it all.

[anonymous-user]

I tried IAM and never went back after their assumption was that I knew nothing. At all.
“Condescending” doesn’t even come close.

I went for some independent training from a police instructor in the end, sharing the cost with a mate so it was 2-to-1.
Much better. Built on what we did know instead of simply trying to indoctrinate.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 20th August 09:24

[yellowstreak]

I passed my bike test first time at 28 and did so on 3 days of training (inc the CBT). I've never ridden bikes a lot.

So I've done training with Rapid and have been very glad of it. I have a friend who has 30 years on bikes and refreshes every year with them.

Edited by yellowstreak on Wednesday 21st August 11:07

[JamesD74]

I passed my bike test in January this year. Since then I have been on a bike safe course and passed my IAM test yesterday after a couple of months of weekly sessions with my observer.

Have to say I really enjoyed the IAM experience and took a lot from it and have no doubt I am a safer rider for it. Don't really understand those who don't see the value in post test training. Doesn't have to be the IAM - there are a lot of options available.

Biker down course in October and some track days in the diary next on the list.

[3nduro]

JamesD74 said:

I passed my bike test in January this year. Since then I have been on a bike safe course and passed my IAM test yesterday after a couple of months of weekly sessions with my observer.

Have to say I really enjoyed the IAM experience and took a lot from it and have no doubt I am a safer rider for it. Don't really understand those who don't see the value in post test training. Doesn't have to be the IAM - there are a lot of options available.

Biker down course in October and some track days in the diary next on the list.

good for you mate .. all training off or on road is excellent.

For those who didnt like IAM ... its a shame .. but get off road and try the TRF instead :-)

[dern]

Crossflow Kid said:

I tried IAM and never went back after their assumption was that I knew nothing. At all.
“Condescending” doesn’t even come close.

The thing with the IAM is that anyone who'd interested needs to understand the end goal before doing it. If you read their system, agree with it and want to get to the point where you can pass their assessment then you should go for it. If not then the whole thing will be a battle because that's the end goal they'll be trying to get you to. If you push back all the time against the system then it'll be a crap and frustrating experience because they will constantly try and pull you in line with that system. They won't compromise with you because that's not how their system works.

I don't want to ride like they teach me all they time. However, I do want all the safety and awareness stuff that their system contains though so I just go with it, don't argue with the stuff I don't agree with and crack on. The benefits for me have made the whole process totally worth it.

If you get an observer you don't get on with you just have to ask for a different one. If you don't agree with their system it'll never work.

[Hungrymc]

black-k1 said:

Agreed, but there is no substitute for having someone else, who has a reasonable idea what they're talking about, reviewing your riding and making suggestions.

Hmmmm, I wouldn’t go as far as “there is no substitute”. People learn in different ways. It may be quicker / more effective for many to have a trainer or a coach, but it’s simply wrong to assume this type of training has a monopoly on riders improving their riding (which is what I think the OP was inferring).

Training I’ve undertaken has been a very mixed bag. The next training I undertake will be off-road and that has very little transfer to the road.

[toxgobbler]

Did the IAM and gave me a lot of confidence back in the day and the wife said it made me much smoother when riding 2up, some track days helped as well as you can push the limits in a slightly safer way (less road furniture to hit when you push and miss).