What the IAM Don't Tell You

As previously mentioned, I am a member of the IAM. And I really do rate it in a lot of ways. A lot of younger riders are totally put off by the whole "IAM is all old men on Beemers" image, which is a shame, it's not all of them! Honest! My advice to anyone, would honestly be, try it for yourself and see what you think. So, for anyone interested in the IAM I have written some useful advice from my own experiences of them. And for once, it is sensible consumer advice! Not silly advice about politics and who has or hasn't had botox...

PROs

- This is the obvious one here...it lowers your insurance. And unlike some things *cough cough, Bikesafe, cough cough* it actually does. Surety are the IAM insurers. For a 20-something on a 600-1000cc sportsbike, this is a godsend!
- It's quite fun. If you find a good club, chances are they will take you on some fabulous out of the way roads you never even knew existed!
- It helps keep you alive. Honestly speaking, a lot of the stuff I was taught I already knew. Although a lot of it was other things I simply hadn't thought of yet as a new rider. But there is a huge difference between "already knowing" and "consistently putting into practice". Silly little things like keeping out of the way of side road junctions which you know you need to do, but if you're too busy thinking about whats for dinner, you often forget to do. The opportunity to put that into practice once a month on a sunny sunday for an hour really helps to keep it in the front of your mind.
- They're not all miserable old men. Let's be fair now, a good number of them are... but I promise you it's not all of them! I have met a lot of really nice people through my IAM club. It's also quite nice to know that the person who seems nice in the caff when they suggest a quick blast up to Box Hill, isn't going to turn out to be a total tit when you get out on the road!
- It really helps your confidence, especially if you're on a new bike, it's a great way to get used to it.
- The cornering advice is fab! It's the usual stuff, over to the right on a left hander and vice versa. However it's really useful to get the opportunity to have someone in your ear saying "left a bit, right a bit, you can lean it a touch more etc". Especially someone who isn't a miserable DAS instructor constantly reminding you what the speed limit is and to look in your mirrors sixteen times before you pull away from traffic lights...

CONs

- Some clubs are badly run, human error and all that. Persevere, I tried 3 clubs before finding a decent one at number 4.
- You can encounter a few snobby gits who look down on younger riders, particularly younger riders with cheap first bikes. Ignore. They're probably just having a mid life crisis, or are menopausal. Unfortunately organisations like the IAM tend to also attract their fair share of idiots, don't judge the whole thing based on the pratts.
- Speed Limits. Everyone hates speed limits, fact. Especially silly ones which cater to the stupidest driver. Like 30 limits on massive dual carriageways because one old lady once happened to drive into a tree. In my personal experience with the IAM, it's been either a case of stick to the 30s-50s and do what you like in the nationals. Or it's simply keep up with the traffic flow and drive at whatever speed you like as long as you're not driving like a tit. It seems to be pretty much down to the person you go out with. Although more often than not, I have heard the national sign, or the "magic sign" referred to as the "GLF" sign... I shall leave you to google that one for what it stands for!!

So to summarise, do it! It's so worth it, and once you've paid, that's it, there are no ongoing costs other than your petrol, or your individual IAM bike club membership if you chose it. I honestly believe it's kept me alive all this time. Yes, you probably will encounter a few pratts, but try a couple of different clubs before signing up. The "tester days" to try a new club are all free. Definitely do not be put off by the age gaps, if you join a big enough, good enough group, there will be an enormous range of people there.

I really hope I don't get sued....


Find out the official stuff here. And don't buy it online, my club charged me 70 quid, not £139.