Topic: Advance courses, any experience

[whufl]

After twos years of mainly commuting i want to improve my riding skills and decided i need some proper instruction to get ready for the summer rides  

Has anybody used Excel Advanced Motorcycle Training, the Chelsmford branch in particular, as I'm thinking of doing their RAT or IAM course. I'm not too worried about passing the test i just think i need some instruction to get a better technique at higher speeds.

If somebody has used them and if so what did they think of Excel or the courses?

I'd appreciate your opinions

[DangerMouse]

I did a one day advanced course 7 years ago.  They might have changed thier name now but i think they were called rider/driver advanced something or other! met up with a Police rider who wasnt a police man for a day.

Showed me road positioning, vanishing points, using gears and brakes more effectively, overtaking and many more things.  It was a lot to take in for one day but it made me into the rider i am today.  I would go so far to say the day has saved my life and i think it should be compulsary once youve taken your normal road test.  So much learning to do once youve actually passed your test!!!!

Enjoyed it immensley and would recommend anyone to do one.  I had a score sheet for the start of the day and a score at the end.  In one day i would say i improved literally by %100 judging by the score.  Also showed me which things i need to practice.  Might even do another one day.  I personnally didnt want to go the whole hog although ive read many books on advanced riding techniques.

Best of luck!  '>

[Mr Rizla]

A whole pile of us all signed up for Rospa at the weekend, so watch this space for feedback for you

[Drei]

I astarted doing IAM with EAMG, so the Essex group, went last night to a meeting and got bored out of my ass by some dude from bridgestone that came to present the new BT016

The training seems quite good but I only had a first session. They do run group trainings most Sundays so not only do you get 1 on 1 with your observer you also get the extra group training. I never knew about the "triangle of death" behind a car... quite interesting.

If and when I will pass the IAM, the next step might be ROSPA... but you have to realise ROSPA is not permanent, so you get gold, silver... etc pass but every 2 or 3 years you gotta redo the test. This depends on your pass grade, if gold then you have 3 years and you don't pay for you re-test. I would say ROSPA is for very dedicated riders.

[Drei]

There is one thing that came to my mind... as I was there and looking around the room, quite a full room... 50 people??? I was the youngest one... I also saw quite a few female riders.

Now do all the rider between 21 - 35 know everything there is about riding? I see plenty of them around on Superbikes but... I haven't seen any at the meets. I guess getting scrapped off the road is much better.

[BikerBeth]

Quote (Drei @ April 02 2008,12:24)

There is one thing that came to my mind... as I was there and looking around the room, quite a full room... 50 people??? I was the youngest one... I also saw quite a few female riders. Now do all the rider between 21 - 35 know everything there is about riding? I see plenty of them around on Superbikes but... I haven't seen any at the meets. I guess getting scrapped off the road is much better.

I went to the Herts IAM yesterday - I would say the same comment regarding age.  Luckily we had an examiner from the IAM talking about a local route and what he would be looking out for which was all good for me

[whufl]

Thanks for the replys they've been very helpful. I'll probably do the four day course where you do it all day for four consecutive days.

I was thinking of doing the ROSPA myself but i haven't got the £600 spare at the moment so thats why i'm going for the RAT or IAM which are about £400.

I must say i was asking opinions for this with other bikers i work with and one of them actually said have i got money to burn to waste money on something like this, i was astonished at his comment as i would say that to pay a professional rider/instructor to teach you how to ride safer and probably faster would in no way be a waste of money.

[Mr Rizla]

Rospa cost us £45 to join and i think its a tenner per rideout, not 100% sure

[STEM-VFR]

I've signed up with East London Advanced Motorcyclist (ELAM) start the course in a couple of weeks time. This group were recomended by Simon and Becks.

[Drei]

Quote (STEM-VFR @ April 02 2008,14:58)

I've signed up with East London Advanced Motorcyclist (ELAM) start the course in a couple of weeks time. This group were recomended by Simon and Becks.

AH MAN... you should have joined me with the Essex Group eamg.org

I can't go at their meets all the time up in Chelmsford because I am in East London myself but they have a lot of social things and they have some of the best riders plus a few IAM testers in the group.

I actually meet up with my observer up in Epping. Maybe you should change and we can do it together, use the same observer, would be cool...


This question for the main poster: Why the hell would you pay £400 or £600?? Are you paying a proper riding school?? Cause it's not that clever, if you join a IAM group you'll be paying about £150 in total (includes test fee, membership and petrol for observer, you'll also become a BMF member) Plus you must study the Roadcraft manual, your observer will tell you what to read and you'll be working on whatever you are not comfortable with, I am not sure how you can achieve all this in 4 days... sounds to me more like a DAS course not a IAM one:)

[BM BOB]

If no snow i shall be having my first session on Sunday 13/4.
I shall be meeting the observer at Bury Hill on the A29.
Yes Ken they do suggest £10 per rideout.
Bob

[whufl]

It's the Excel Advanced Motorcycle Training i will be using which i've attached the link to their website below so i hope they are legit. The course is called Rapid Advanced Training but to be honest as i said before i not to worried about passing exams i just wanted to be instructed/told where and what i'm doing wrong or doing correctly and i prefer being taught by intercom while actually riding.

http://www.excelmotorcycletraining.co.uk/advanced.htm

I have considered doing it with a IAM rep but i'm usually quite busy so i suits me to do try and do it in one go (plus i've got a terrible memory!)but the main thing is just to improve my riding skills.

The upshot is then that i'll probably just have to pay a bit more

[Mr Rizla]

got my ROSPA welcome pack last night '>

[Drei]

Quote (Mr Rizla @ April 08 2008,13:51)

got my ROSPA welcome pack last night '>

lol Grats:)

Remember what I said you will have to stick to ita nd re-do it every 3 years otherwise it expires.

[Biker Biker]

Gosh I need to pull my finger out and start some training :

[Mr Rizla]

Quote (Drei @ April 08 2008,16:22)

Quote (Mr Rizla @ April 08 2008,13:51) got my ROSPA welcome pack last night '>  re-do it every 3 years otherwise it expires.

thats the whole point of Rospa tho, all there members are current and fresh, not passed iam 15 years ago and enjoy the odd sunday run, sorta thing, if u follow