IAM Advanced Rider Training - Observed Ride #1 

Ive been so looking forward to this video and it didn’t disappoint, absolutely fascinating stuff. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻

Excellent videos. Got my advanced observed ride booked in a couple of weeks so all the points you raise are very useful. Definitely going to try out the relaxed, shoulders down position next time I’m out as I have a tendency to overgrip resulting in getting tired quickly. Keep up the good work and thank you.

Excellent video. Lots of good info. Looking forward to more. Peace!

Thanks so much for these videos. I'm a new rider and looking to get onto some advanced riding courses in the future and these videos are only making me want get on them more.

Thoroughly enjoying this series matey. Love the ambition noted in your description , class 1 police motorcyclist... ditto. That’s my aim... smooooooth 🤙

Brilliant video - I've just found your channel and have started watching your videos from the beginning. So informative, I've learnt a lot from the debrief and this video that I will put into practice!

Very helpful video. I was nervous about attending advanced rider training but is reassuring. After watching this I went out for a ride, conscious of the observations and changed my riding position. The small incidental comments resonated and it was a more relaxed ride, exactly as you described.

Thanks for sharing. I have signed up for this course, which I start in just a few days. Looking forward to it!

Excellent video, as a rider returning to bikes after a 20 odd year break I see a lot of the things you do, that I have had to keep reminding myself to do. ie relax on the bike, release the death grip on the bars, match the gear to the road speed/conditions. Good luck in your quest.

Thank you. Very, very interesting and informative.I would definitely recommend the IAM course.

Thanks for sharing. Excellent. All those memories come back during training.

I admire your self riding honestly .. it's a very good trait to have ..even if you "seasoned rider" ..as self assessment from time to time is very important to keep your skills sharp .another good way is to watch your own riding videos to understand what you doing right or wrong ..that's what i do

Excellent explination from Mark on the correct riding position. Another useful video, thanks.

Very informative and interesting. As an 'associate' IAM member who is about to begin my observed rides, this is invaluable. Thank you for taking the time to record and post this.

Great video. I got my advanced assessment on Friday. Very helpful.

Well presented video, thanks👍

Great video and insight into a first observed IAM ride. I'm hoping to get out and meet my local IAM group (Leicestershire) this Saturday. I notice I also have my elbows up too high. I have also recently tried riding with balls of my feet on the pegs... can't believe how much it changed the feel of the bike! Look forward to future videos.

Excellent video! Arms position helped me today. Usually after an hour my shoulder aches but not now. Only passed my bike test last year not sure about advanced riding just yet

What a help. I get tired after riding a couple hours. I realise now that I look like some dickhead on a track with my stance. Definitely going to relax more in the future.

Cheers for posting. I have just started my IAM training for being a Blood Biker and will be watching this series for sure between outings.

Excellent video!

Ennjoyed that. I am about to start the training :)

Brilliant videos thank you. Just passed my test and now riding a BMW 1150 RT and loving it. 😀I’m hoping to do my advanced riding

Very useful, appreciated.

I rode a scrambler as a teen ( a few goes of my brothers), but shit, this guy is good. I’m learning loads hahaha. Thanks for sharing!!!

Thanks for this....helped a lot 👍

A bike with an unseated rider carries on because of the gyroscopic effect!

Excellent video

My sister passed her advanced test a couple of years back, and I've returned to riding after about 12 years' break, and she inspired me to book in for a taster session today. In about 30 mins, I need to tog up and get out there. What amazes me is how much of the road that advanced riders use and how natural they look. Thanks for posting this! Wish me luck!

Really good video and picked up some good tips 👍

Great training video! Providing the instructor with a microphone would further enhance the audio track and the resulting benefit (from the perspective of my 66 yr. old ears.) Please "keep 'em comin' and "Thank you" again.

20 minutes of training, and Mark didnt notice you guys are driving on the wrong side of the road! J/K very nice video, well made, fantastic content and nicely edited. I might have to re-view it later, as on long rides, I always had a strugle with my right hand never being relaxed (even with a throttle rocker), maybe I also have my elbows too high!

Great advise from Mark

Just signed up to do iam training; really useful video to see what to expect. Sadly, Covid means we can’t stop for tea :(

Flapping you're elbows is good advice, Show's you are relaxed as you speed up going through bends its always a good way to check you are not tensioning up.

Just read the IAM Advanced Motorcyclist Book and looking into doing the test, very useful video.

Considering either the new R1250RT or GSA. Both are gorgeous bikes. Great job here.

I met Mark on a radio training course for Observers, Northampton Advanced group put it on, I found Mark to be a very clever, intense looking but funny guy! Glad you are enjoying your training! If you ever visit south wales gimme a shout, I'll show you some of our best local roads! Phil - Local Observer with South Wales Advanced Motorcyclists ;)

Great video. As an imi observer myself, Mark proved to be the perfect ambassador for the IAM. Good luck with the rest of it, I see a F1RST on its way to you come test day

Really interesting....Thanks!

Great Video 😊

Brilliant! I too have an RT (2014 LE), & done IAM observed sessions with both Mark & Dave! Hoping to complete mine late Spring 2019. The view looks strangely familiar! Interested in what camera you have; looks a very good one..

I am learning so much from these observes rides. My wife and I are learning to ride and we are being informed of so many tips to use to enhance our riding.

Excellent feedback. I am a newbie and took away the comment on relaxed hand position and balls of feet on the pegs. Thanks

another great video it made me think about my riding.elbow's high so yes i'm learning bit's and i'll try it and see how i go?

Having watched a few of your vids as you settle back into biking, I'm itching to comment on your choice of gears once the bike's up to speed. I'm not a trainer so it's not my place to try to give riding advice, but might be worth asking your trainer to view some of your vlogs for an educated opinion. Must be an exciting time for you! I've been riding a long time and still get so much out of it. Fantastic hobby.

You have a good instructor there. ..

excellent and in my area...Wollaston down the road from me ive leant a few things now live in Portugal mostly dry roads. uk motorcycling wet roads not nice...well done you passed...makes me want to take the test..

Thanks for putting this up. Interesting and informative. As a matter of interest, I presume you don't have to ride $35,000 worth of bike... but it must help!

Hoping to start mine at end of April, I’m in same boat gap of 14 years from last bike and now 63 yrs. wife thinks I’m mad... she doesn’t understand

Enjoyed this video and learned a lot. I'm also a returning biker (a 40 year gap) and have an ambition to reach the IAM standard.

Great vid and the training from these organisations is invaluable. IAM and ROSPA both suffer a little by being unrealistic and officious in their application of the Highway Code. Impeding traffic to the extent where you have a queue of cars behind you is more dangerous for the bike rider than the car drivers. When one or more frustrated car driver attempt to overtake you sitting behind that red car you will have made yourself a target and introduced an unnecessary risk for no good purpose other than to ride to an artificial standard. You will be better off making a safe overtake and leaving the possible problem behind you. You will notice that on the motorway, police will drive much slower than the speed limit in order to allow an unambiguous overtake. The other example is at traffic lights where a rider will break the Highway Code by filtering to the front and stopping in the box reserved for cyclists. Stopping in the cyclist reserved space is illegal but safer than filtering and stopping alongside or in the gap between cars. The balance of their training is very good.

You should already be riding (in effect) no hands, there should be no pressure other than the lightest of touches to steer, so keep your hands around the grip (OBVS), but let go / relax, it's not like a push bike, where you use the handlebars for leverage. As for feet, it's good to know that all my MTB experience has translated exactly, I often wondered about being on the balls of my feet (that just felt right) as you have to move to change gear and rear brake, then move back again, not made any easier in the wet when the soles stick. But hey, I'll keep watching this space for further advice, especially re emergency braking :-)

Just had a weekend of similar lessons here in wales bike safe and enhanced driving ( Dragon ride ) one was observed one was with voice assistance from instructor . past test in december really learnt a lot thinking of going for the IAM training or rospa love your honest opinions of your riding

Southam to Banbury Road always get stuck behind a 45mph car. Frustrating indeed!

I notice your instructor has chosen the perfect visibility option for his personal gear. :-) Not to be taken too seriously, please. It is all a matter of taste and options, after all, and nothing substitutes for driving skills, attitude, and experience.

Can't hear the debrief bit!

Have you had your test yet, how long was the process and how many observed rides did you need??? Great vid btw!!!

Best way I've heard it put for how to grip is you should be able to wiggle your fingers as if your playing piano even mid corner I live near the motorcycle museum and looking into passing my iam next year I think I'm a daily rider on a fireblade been riding 20 years so may aswell do it Just will need to learn to chill and watch speed

Just bought myself a 2013 R1200RT and wanted to know where you got the panel protection bars I can see in this video, thanks Pete

Re the overtake question answer would be only if you safely pass in the distance you can see to be clear and without exceeding the speed limit to get past. If you need to get to 70 or 80 to pass then it a no

Nice ride and feed back, sadly mic didn't pick up what the instructor was saying, but interesting video 👍

Ive not been on a bike since 1991, looking to get back on next year, with regards to the left foot, does that mean you move the foot every time to change gear ?

nice video i have problem with grip just started riding bike month ago and after few minutes on the bike my hands are numb its not comfortable for me

like the quote re Moses

When you was about to over take the push bikes, what about the life saver over the right shoulder.All part of advice motorcycle.

Would it be fair to say the reason for the tense hands and high arms is anxiety?

Wait till you do an off-road course, where they tell you todo the opposite with regards to feet and arms position ;-)

Fascinating video, great delivery, loved the way you overlayed the observation then we get to see what you did. Welcome to 2019 btw :) ...did I spot something the instructor didn't? ... you were creeping over the double whites, with your wing mirror - I always thought no part of the vehicle could cross the white line. Perhaps camera angle shows it differently to how it was irl.

I notice you are late with your gear changes and was doing 75 mph whilst still in 4th gear. You rarely get out of 3 rd gear on the B roads, is this correct as the revs are certainly up for this time of year where the road surface is cold and wet a lot of the time.

5:00 overtake red car? Absolutely. Floor it haha. #Gesto ...yes yes I have issues clearly lol

Intersting video. It would have been better for you to have talked back to yourself what the trainer was doing instead of going over things that you have learned. Not matter what I thnk about the IAM as an organiastion, their bike training course was the best money that I have ever spent on a motorbike. I would recommend it to anyone.

It is hard to ride a boat as a motorcycle lol, Ride safe my motorcyclist friend.

Hi mate just passed my DAS training and mod 1 and 2 I am looking into advanced training I only have a 125 currently but hopefully once affordable get a 650

Your trainer is right about your foot position but you'll have to train yourself because it isn't natural. On a sportier bike having the balls of your foot on the pegs also increases your leg bend or if you like you're squatting more and for extended periods it's much less comfortable. Modern foot pegs being what they are over extended periods, you'll wish the soles of your riding boots were rigid enough to stop the pressure soreness and go away. Riding with your elbows down also requires a lot of practice because as a species we much prefer supporting our upper body with our arms which is easier to do with locked arms. The finger tip control is very satisfying but the real revelation will be the feedback you gain from the front end through your hands. No longer will you be wondering how much grip you have because you'll be able to feel everything the front tyre is doing. When cornering you'll be able to actually feel it losing it's grip if your going too fast. I like the exercise for those who haven't felt their bike yet to pick a bend you can ride at a moderate speed with some paint marking mid bend like a turning arrow and then ride the bend making sure to ride over the paint. What they feel as they cross the paint is a momentary reduction of grip. The softer your grip the more you'll feel. I'm going to qualify my second comment by saying the most dangerous thing by far most riders do or don't do is have their suspension tuned specifically for them closely followed by not understanding motorbike tyre technology. Every rider will eventually hear a story about someone out riding with their mates even on similar bikes and crash for no apparent reason. Your suspension has only one job which is keeping the wheels on the road and it's imperative you have it tuned to do that. Even new bikes. Poorly tuned suspension gives the rider about the same level of control as turning the handle bars while your bike is on the centre stand. If you buy cheap tyres that will last a long time then you may not live long enough to wear them out.

do you think advance riding will help person who struggling to lean on corners on motorbike ?

I'm sure it's a good video but unfortunately I can't hear the debriefing ☹️

on the foot peg position, there are some counter views as well, esp from troy corser, but it might be a track only suggestion. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0TQw4-EYxHA.html

Nice video - was enjoying it until Mark said 'chillax'... ;)

I’m an advanced rider and an advanced driver. It worries me that you can chat about a whole host of subjects whilst your travelling along at speed. You even caused me concern that you were doing it whilst on an observed ride with the IAM. If however, you had been giving a commentary ride I would said that would have been better for your concentration, advanced warning and personal safety of you and others. You would find riding to The System more enjoyable and easier. Please, don’t think I’m judging your riding, I would not do that. Please forget about chatting about anything and everything. Save it for the cafe stop during the ride. I really hope you pass your IAM test. Post a video with a commentary ride!! Shiny side up!! JC.

Watching this shows me trainers only teach you to pass your test and not how to ride to a high standard.

Bike cops puts helmet on ground,,,,,,,puts helmet on and has to stop after 3 mins to remove ant out of his ear 😂

You need to be using all your gears, holding 3rd gear makes your engine rev more than it needs to be and it’s costing you a fortune in gas... ??

not overtaking a car doing 45 on a 60mile road with plenty of passing places does not seem advanced.. it seems to be failing to be making normal progress.

Really annoying I can’t read the tips that flash up It needs a black block background. Why would you use such light colours,yellow and white against a light background?! Would love to hear the instructors feedback and tips on a separate video where we can properly hear him and see his examples of foot placements etc. He gave excellent feedback that everyone could benefit from,it is frustrating with all the traffic noise etc and I don’t like your helmet position as it doesn’t give the best view as a learner in my opinion. I would have it central on helmet chin or on bars etc.

Just in no way sure it’s worth the money to learn what we already know

He had me up until position of feet on the pegs. Balls of feet on the pegs is fine for track riding but is poor instruction and flat-out dangerous for street riding. Why? Your feet are not anywhere near the brake or gear shifter and, in an emergency, you waste valuable milliseconds reaching out for those levers. I see guys all the time with their entire legs moving back and forwards as they fish for the levers and then fish back again for the peg. As ridiculous as it is dangerous. Also, tips of toes on the pegs is a really small contact patch which can disappear quickly and easily if you hit a bump or a pothole. The peg should nestle in the heel insteps of your boots. It just requires a small sideways movement to reach the lever from there, but your foot remains firmly planted on the peg and the controls remain closest to you.

TERRIBLE audio!!

Watching these so called advanced riders , a bmw and a hi viz does not men you can ride a bike ,

Thank you so much for sharing this video. Very informative and helpful. I just passed my MOD2 last week, I’m now thinking to do the advanced course.