IAM Advanced Rider Training - Observed Ride #6
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- I've come back to motorcycling after a 37 year break and aim to ride to the same standard as Police Class 1 motorcyclist.
Here's a glimpse of my 6th observed ride with the UK Institute of Advanced Motorists on their IAM RoadSmart 'Advanced Rider' Scheme. Out with Carl today in the rain and I get some much-needed advice on observation and cornering.
Note: these videos are neither sponsored nor approved by IAM, and WON'T REPLACE a structured motorcycling course. I'd like to encourage those of you who haven't done so to sign up to the equivalent where you are. If my experience is anything to go on, you won't be disappointed.
Ride Safe.
I like how you show the footage alongside the observers comments. Brave and useful. Thanks again, I’m enjoying these videos 😀
On the whole looked like a good ride. I have a lot of time for Karl as his comments helped me pass with a F1rst. Follow his guidance and you won't go wrong 😉 if You feel yourself tensing up, flap your elbows like a chicken, forces your shoulders and arms to relax... something else i learnt from Karl.
Hi David. Good call, I do suffer from a tight grip, tense shoulders and elbows. As you say, a top bloke who knows his stuff an dhow to communicate it.
Another thoroughly enjoyable video, Neil.
Seriously, you are doing waaaay better than you were... for sure, those bends are pretty tight, but you’ve been given some sound advice on here already.
Competence and confidence go hand in hand... as a trainer I’m sure you’re fully aware of the four steps... working your way up to unconscious competence...
Enjoy the ride, loosen up on the grips and don’t be afraid of maintaining that positive throttle going around those turns.
I loved the applause you put in there on the high gears... made me smile.
I really like that sheepdog analogy... very useful, and worked great with that van eh?
You mentioned vanishing points... that for me was my biggest learning point the other year, and boy did it help my riding... suddenly felt a lot smoother for me.
Thank you for your series so far... you’ve no idea how much it’s helped me as well... and the good news is that spring over here has finally sprung... and I actually started ‘Beauty’ for the first time in over 5 months... and she started first time... Perfick, as ‘pops’ would say.
Ride safe, stay well and here’s to progression through the levels.
Have a great one,
Steve.
train_hard_live_easy on instagram
Thanks for the encouragement Steve. Might sound a bit grand but I think the channel is developing into a community where we all give a bit and get something out of it. The films just spark off debate, which was part of the plan really. Glad your bike fired into life. Take it easy on those first few bends!
Yes, I discovered SeaFlyFisher's Motorcycle Masterclass series a while ago - highly rated! It's great the way you both work together and like others have said, I appreciate your honesty and transparency.
Really informative video and certainly managed to pick up a few tips from you and the instructor/ observer. I am relatively new to advanced riding but as a BMW RT rider watching the clip was able to really feel the experience of the tutorial.
Hi Nick, glad it's useful. I'm still very green at this stage. It's just starting to gel around ride #9, but even when I passed I reckon it took a year of practicing it to sink in.
I find when being questioned trying to find the right answer leads to waffle an desperation so less is more hard to get it all right.
What an excellent debrief from Carl, I thought he was spot on. As he said you've got the foundations on which to build now and it's about adding that sparkle to your ride which should come as you practice more and start to move towards the unconscious competent stage. A couple of things I spotted which might help. The first was your overtake on the cyclist in the built up area 11:30 in. You positioned on the opposite side of the road to give him room, but you overtook him before that left hand junction and there was a silver car waiting to come out of that junction which was turning right. Had they done so they'd have hit you head on. Personally I'd have shown more restraint there and waited until after the junction. I get that running away with me feeling too sometimes-Usually because I'm either in too high a gear or because I haven't scrubbed enough speed off soon enough so the bike is on a trailing throttle and isn't balanced. One thing I don't get is why your local IAM team want to use the 1yard per MPH method to establish your following position? Looking through my logbook I can't find any reference to this at all. It uses the 2 second rule on page 9 of the logbook which I think is both easier to use and more accurate as it remains a constant. If it's wet double that out to 4 seconds and to take up the overtake position in the dry you reduce it to 1 second as per page 36. I'd be interested to know why they recommend this approach Hope this helps and keep at it, you're self analysing more now which is a good sign, Ade
Hi Adrian, agree about the cyclist in hindsight. Re the 1 yard / 1 mph rule, no it's not IAM, but what the emergency services work to. Feels more logical to me than 2 secs so that's what I'll work to from now on. As ever your feedback is very much appreciated !
You're welcome, hope it helps in some small way. Looks like I owe your local IAM group an apology then! Cheers Ade
great video. I ride the same bike, a 2018 RT, so watching your videos simulate riding my bike. I wish we had an IAM in the U.S. As far as I know, we have nothing like that. Once we pass the msf course and get our license, we're on our own and can ride any bike in Massachusetts. Other states may be different but I don't think they're too dissimilar. Anyway, I really appreciate all of your videos and since I'm riding at exactly the same level as you are, (a Honda 305 Superhawk in 1966-67 and then no bike until 2017) I look forward to going along for the ride each week. The only suggestion I have Neil is when an observer makes a comment or suggestion, listen, soak in the information and don't go into a long dissertation of why you're doing what you're doing. You're obviously a smart guy so no need to explain yourself. By doing that, I think it interrupts the observer's train of thought and delays the real message he's trying to get across. It consumes more of his energy to give you his message. I wish I was close by in U.K. I'd love to go riding with you. (great roads and beautiful countryside. As you may recall, I spent my first 7 years near Liverpool before moving to U.S. Cheers, Larry
Larry Venezia Good advice Larry. Generally speaking, I am ;-)
It's a shame there's nothing similar Stateside, but I'm glad you find the films useful. I presume you've already found Dales material on the SeaFlyFisher channel?
You’re definitely getting there m8. The one thing you may already be aware of is that with your IAM training you are getting a double whammy because you should be driving your car exactly the same as riding your bike. Apart from the obvious differences in 2 wheels or 4 everything is exactly the same especially positioning and observation etc. One other thing that might help as well is whatever gear you would be in when driving your car is probably the gear you should be in on the bike! Regards Gary S
Ps love the history ride out’s.
Hi Gary, that's interesting about the gears and car/bike approach. You'll enjoy the next couple of films and our mystery guest, although I imagine you'll immediately suss the methodology ;-) Very much with you on the history by the way and hoping the iron horse will take me through many such places.
Great ride.. am also in the middle of observed rides... am learning lots from you and your observers... I find total familiarity with the bike helps a lot.. ride safe n I look forward to your next ride.
Hi Neil and welcome. They're a great bunch, giving their time up for nothing and sharing their knowledge. You'll find the SeaFlyFisher MasterClass vids very helpful too.
A nice series of videos and you can certainly see the improvements you have made over the course of them. Well done. Interesting to see your group allocate you to different Observers for each run. My group allocates you to a dedicated Observer and then you have a x-check for test with a National Observer. If I could make a couple of observations/points. It was good to see you trying in this video to get the speed off before the corner, apply countersteering and and then drive through the corner. I realise that you don't show all the feedback in the videos, but getting this in place as early as possible would certainly have helped with your lack of confidence for right handers (regardless of tyre) and big roundabouts. Regarding the 'dodgy' corners at the end of this video, using acceleration sense is a great skill, but if shutting the throttle (in whatever gear you are in) does not slow you enough, then blend in some brakes. It's what they are for. The other basic/fundamental thing I've noticed in your videos is the clunky upward gear changes. Watching our hand you are using the clutch very much like in a car. Clutch pulled to bar, gear lever raised, clutch lever released. Instead it should be more of 'twitch', almost in parallel, with the lever pulled in only part way (enough to remove drive) almost simultaneously with raising the gear lever. Finally, if your group does a slow riding session in a playground or car park, get yourself booked up. This will help with those tight T junctions in the villages where good use of the back brake will make no end of difference. Keep up the good work, and I'll keep watching. I've a few videos that you may find interesting/helpful on my channel. (IAM National Observer and Local Observer Assessor/Trainer) I recognise a few names in the comments to your videos.
Hi Mike and welcome. I really appreciate the advice. We have a small number of 'expert' contributors here and lots of enthusiasm to learn, so your interest is greatly valued. The aim is to create a friendly forum where we can share expertise, particularly for those who like myself are coming back after a long lay-off. Seems it may now have grown beyond this but it's all learning. Thanks for the tip on the gear changes. You'll like the next few films from Wiltshire - something very special. I'll check out your videos too.
Thanks for the welcome. I've added a comment to your countersteering video (ruclips.net/video/55zpcPXe67s/видео.html) that you may find useful also.
Ha ha still fixated with 4th gear in NSL zones, although you have it sussed now at slower speeds. Gear selection on NSL zones will come with more practice.
When you feel that you are running out of road (entering a junction, that one bend) - the best advice I cna give you is spin your head to where you want to go, maintain the throttle (ie. keep it balanced) and trust the bike to deal with the hazard - remember the bike is FAR BETTER than any of us riders and you won't go far wrong.
Keep up the good work - enjoying your video series and you are SO much better than you were :)
Very generous Andrew. I think the penny is starting to drop about maintaining throttle. I tend to panic a bit, slow down, which as you say only makes it worse. I guess the key is reading the bend correctly in the first place.
You're absolutely right - Observation is key to everything an Advanced (thinking) rider does. The sooner you see soemthing, the sooner you can formulate a plan to negotiate that hazard.
Try and remember OUR:-
Observe
Understand
React
The sooner you observe the hazard, the more time you have to understand what type of hazard you are approaching and the more time you have to negotiate the hazard.
Sounds simple really - and it is in all honesty - but does require lots of practice, practice & then some more practice - which is exactly what you are doing!!
Keep it up
Cheers Andrew. There does seem to be an infinite supply of IAM acronyms. Just when you think you've sussed it, along comes another one! Maybe do a video on this ...
When you came off the slip road to the island with the trees and dark fencing,that is put there to make you to slow down to look as you enter the island
.so speed or inpesataion on the traffic that you Could see
Another great vid sir. Don’t beat yourself re the corners it’s looking good from here.. thanks again ride safe and enjoy. Regards Ian.
Ian Mills Thanks Ian, I am my own harshest critic. Hopefully crack it soon!
I remember you saying in one of your earlier vids that at some point you want to head north of the border. One of my regular runs on my RT is from home in Callander up to Inveraray, the road from Tyndrum to Inveraray has a great section which is just bend after bend, I love trying to get a smooth flow on this road it’s. areal sense of achievement. Let me know if you ever come up and I will send you the details. Have a good weekend 👍😁
Excellent and as ever, an honest video.
On 'that' bend, as well as appropriate counter-steer inputs, it would make sense to stick to slightly pulling throttle and correspondingly lean the bike further as you run out of road despite all your normal instincts saying don't do this!
I still remember my DAC instructor recalling a track day at Mallory Park and a bend taken at well over 100 mph where he kept telling himself 'lean further.' That didn't seem natural or safe but it was key to avoid moving over to the grassy area...
Good point Kevin - instinct v logic on that bend. I'm hoping that one day it just clicks and I can get on with the rest of my life and not wake up in a cold sweat thinking about it. More miles needed ...
That was the "missed exit" one we talked about - its over positioning to the nth degree to the point where it starts getting a bit interesting and throws you out of sync for the next bend - no great shakes though - you dealt with and by easing your speed down you break that chain of events and get back on track to sort out the course
seaflyfisher Hi Dale. Yes im beginning to understand this now as a sequence of events. Itching to get out again and put it into practice!
Lol - hello my friend - I'm hoping to get some editing done this evening - I can tell you now though that it looks very good :o)
Good man! Was starting to worry the long haired general had you on domestic duties ;-) My first of three will go up Sunday.
A good ride despite you beating yourself up for your “mistakes”. I would love to see your riding position when you’re turning right on tight corners. Remember to breath and check for the Vulcan death grip on the bars regularly. In the end you will be relaxed all the time. You are doing really well. Look forward to the next Vlog.
Really appreciate your encouragement Edward. Breathe .. I can do that (if I remember). The grip of death is something I constantly have to remind myself of. It starts with the grip, locks my elbows then paralyses my shoulders which as you say constrains the RT's inbuilt desire to turn in. Feels a bit like the guy on movie Airplane movie with the drink problem ruclips.net/video/pl4plPGRG8o/видео.html
Back2TheBike love that film.
Great to see you improving your skills in each video B2TB.
Cheers MV. How is yours coming along?
Back2TheBike going well thanks. Finally got out on the second observed ride last weekend after 3 cancelled sessions due to poor weather and the bank holiday weekend. Hopefully this good weather stocks around for a while
Thanks for a great series of videos Neil. I endorse your recommendation that as many motorcyclists as possible sign up for IAM (or RoSPA) advanced training. For me, IAM training, eventually leading to a advanced test pass, gave my wife and I confidence in my riding after a 29 year lay off! I benefitted from expert instruction from super observant observers (I'm sure they have X-ray vision or telepathic skills) & had some enjoyable rides out on my bike at the same time. Looking forward to hearing of your own test pass before too long!
Thanks for these kind words Dave. I think you've nailed it there, and your story is the same as mine. Some form of advanced input must be the way for those coming back. I've realised there's so much I don't know that I don't know through their advice. This not only increases safety, but makes it more enjoyable too as we seek the grace, style and pace that it brings. Please keep your comments coming. Have you seen the SeaFlyFisher Masterclass series? Now a good mate, and supremely qualified.
The last few bends at the end, it didn’t look like too much speed. You tensed up, didn’t counter steer and backed off the throttle. Could sense your apprehension going into that bend.
Is it possible that you could have the same observer for each ride? I only had a different observer on a couple of rides and I could tell that my riding was different. I was a member of Bournemouth and Wessex Advanced Motorcyclists (BWAM) and pretty much had one to one all the way through the course with one observer.
You’re doing really well. Let’s hope you can get some dry roads soon, it does help
Could be right there Darren. But in a strange kind of way maybe that prepares you for the test with another new person? I think I'm coming to the conclusion I've got to 'trust the bike'. I've developed a little saying: slow (get the speed right); look (thru the bend); push (counter steer); roll on (maintain throttle). Still hate those tight corners though! aaaagh!
I had an R1100RT and it would gonround corners faster than it had any right to. You just have to trust it. I can only imagine what the current model is like with 18 years of improved technology.
With regards to preparing for a new person observing you on the test. You have to forget that there is anyone there. The examiner is invisible
Suits me, I'll just ignore him and try to enjoy the ride!
Relly enjoying the videos on your journey back to biking. Know how you feel on that tight right-hander, just got to keep practising :-)
Hi Stags ans welcome. I'm not sure whether to file it under comedy or motoring :-) Practice makes permanent!
Your riding it getting a lot better. Yes stop beating yourself up. We all have little slip ups for time to time. I done it myself coming into corner the hitting the brakes sitting the bike up. At the last minute head turn then just getting round. Brown pants moment oops. You have been out in some horrible weather. Hats off to you. I hope to be out soon on my bike suzuki bandit 1250s. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks James, I guess we're all our own worst critics aren't we. Re your comment about the weather, it feels strange now riding in warmth with insects hitting the helmet and bike. My first bug splat on the lens of the camera yesterday.
An observation around leaving the duel carriageway with the police car behind you. You had started to reduce speed before turning off, many drivers will not, and will not anticipate the vehicle in front to do so. I wait until I am on the ramp before making the speed change if possible.
That's what I would do.. Don't slow down on the motorway but on the slip road far safer chance o f being rear ended
Yep good vid as ever. Makes me wonder if you have the same 'affliction' as I had when doing IAM: My riding went to rats when I knew someone was watching. That said, there was a lot of good in this ride. I know you thought you made a mistake when pulling out to pass parked cars on the bend and something was coming the other way. I thought you handled it well because you'd left room to manouever before committing. On the bends, well it happens. As someone has already said below, look where you want to go, tip it in a bit more and trust in the engineering. A bit of counter steering maybe.The positioning thing clicked for me when I just thought 'where do I need to be to get the best view' rather than 'position 1 2 or 3'.Finally, I thought your observer Carl was great. Not too preachy or superior, just gentle common sense.It's coming!
Cheers Kevin, a little encouragement goes a long way. Funnily enough the observers don't bother me really, but I know I tend to work harder when they are there. The first 85% of the ride I felt very pleased with, but I think as my concentration faded and those tight, wet bends hit me one after another I got overloaded. When I think back to November 30 mins was all I could do, but the mental stamina is building slowly. Enjoy the warm weather Kevin!
Make them shorter.. I'm supposed to be laying a patio for the Mrs...lol. want to get it done so I can get out on my bike and enjoy this glorious weather .. hope it's good where you are friend 😎
Robert Bates Hi Robert, nice day for it as they say. Sounds like some serious negotiation is required with She Who Must Be Obeyed ;-)
I ride an ex met bike BMW such great machines. Love the high gear applause ha ha ha
Got to echo some others with your struggle on some corners. On those really tight slow speed turns, such as at junctions, consciously get your head turned to look where you want to go, not just your eyes. Your bike will follow. And on the right hander where you nearly ran wide...similar. Your speed didn't look to be excessive. Don't ever fixate on that outside kerb, even if you think you overcooked it a bit and are panicking you'll run wide. Your bike tends to follow your gaze.... Right into the hedgerow! (Big accident causation factor apparently).Twist your head, look where you want to go and try to relax. Easy to say, I know, but we all get those moments from time to time. 👍 Works for these guys.
goo.gl/images/K3gRqL.
Ian M I love that picture Ian so thanks for sharing it. Looks like Ill have to get that knee down too!
I never go into neutral at a light and always leave an escape. If you need to quickly pull out of danger there's no time to put the bike in gear. IMO...
... and if your hand slips off the clutch after waiting 2 mins for the light to change you're in peril.
I can snick down to 1st and away in a second.
Less clutch wear, less strain on my hand, no clutch wear.
@@Back2TheBike disagree but that’s ok 👌 don’t worry about wearing out you clutch, just ride, clutch will be just fine.
Can’t keep eye on the road in uk so many potholes
Great vids. Couldn’t watch all of vid 5 felt uneasy and nervous which is why I think you missed the STOP sign and why did they not follow you when you missed the indicators. Take the dark glasses of when giving feed back, w hen you pass your test please go to next level and become a observer you have a lot to offer. I have just qualified as an observer and will be taking my first associate next month ahh cheers matey all the best
colin nicol Hi Colin, congrats on taking the observer route. That film seems a long time ago now but probably just 6 months.
You don't appear to be rev matching as you change down.
Hi Andrew. Indeed ;-) That was fairly early on in my come-back, things are thankfully smoother now, to the great relief of all subscribers ;-)
Just wondering if the IAM would recommend using the front brake and right foot down on an incline or decline gradient? Interesting concept the right foot down and totally in contrast to how I was taught.
Not sure TBH, so I've consulted the oracle ...
Hi LWTW - I can't speak for the IAM as I've never done it but I've been elected duty oracle for the day by Neil - this subject comes up a lot and I look at things on a safety first basis - personally I use right foot down and front brake on whenever it's going to be more than a momentary stop and regardless of any gradient - it's like putting the handbrake on in a car and allows you to put the bike into neutral - if it's a momentary stop you'll be in first gear when you land and pulling away again straight away so your choice of landing leg is up to you and would be decided on road surface, the amount of crossfall or possibly direction if you're at a junction in which case right leg would already be tilting the bike that way and vice versa - going back to your incline question - I've only ever encountered a problem with this once - years ago visiting Coombe Martin Zoo which had a gravel access road like a forestry track - I was carrying a pillion and was forced to stop on a steep uphill slope in a queue of cars - as I put the front brake on - the bike started to gently slide backwards with the front wheel locked - slipping the clutch back out stopped it straight away and it was no problem but certainly interesting and lesson learned - with a modern road surface this shouldn't be a problem unless your stopping a Goldwing halfway up Ben Nevis in the wet - under normal riding conditions it's all about safety and control and the alternative would be to either hold it on the clutch on an upslope or the back brake on either, both of which could create problems - the uphill clutch control idea is likely to cook the clutch and long term will cause damage - also if for any reason you come off the bike, it's in gear and doing its own thing possibly on top of you - on either slope if you're intending to use the rear brake you would need to leave the bike in gear, which on a prolonged stop carries the same potential danger - if you put it in neutral and use the back brake you'll be hopping about changing feet from brake on to foot down and the front brake needed to stop it rolling while you get your left foot up to select first - it's all about the clutch which is under massive stress when you pull that lever - it's designed to be out for most of its life and only in momentarily for selecting and changing gears - with all the stresses on those springs or the cable if it has one - it's more likely to fail when it's in and if it does when we're sat on it - you won't have much say in what happens next so selecting neutral is a safety feature - you need to combine that with control of the bike so some braking will also be necessary - the front brake on and neutral allows you to do most things in most situations and is a good compromise of safety, control and ease of use - hope that helps - stay safe out there - Dale
What happened about the front tyre you’ve not mentioned it.
Changed to Metzeler Roadtec, cured the problem.
Northampton
Congratulations, you've won a coconut ;-)
dale sent me!
:-)
C G Welcome.
Could you advise your observer not to put his helmet on the mirrors. It damages the eps liner. Won’t do it’s job properly in the event he hits his noggin 😜
I'll see what I can do ;-)