Safe Speed Forums

I got chatting to a very nice couple of bikers from Australia at the weekend; husband and wife. They've been here for five months, based in England but travelling around Europe as well.

He has a Honda Pan European, for which there is a club apparently, and he's due to rendezvous at a big meet soon before going back to Aus in a week or so. It took six weeks to get his bike over here but it must be nice to say you've taken it around the world

I couldn't resist asking him about the speed camera issue. He said that while they don't have it as bad as we do over here they do have a similar mind set towards speed as the killer, unfortunately. His exact words were "oh, they blame everything on speed".

Oh well

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

My observer's just rung me to say he can make tonight if I can. Yay!!

Talking to a (police) friend of mine who's done the course and some of the police course, and he agrees that the IAM course really does open your eyes. After only 3 observed rides, I can see improvements in my riding. Yesterady, for example, riding down the M6 from Manchester to West Brom, I hardly touched my brakes at all! My overtakes are getting more frequent and in places I wouldn't have normally considered.

Shame the IAM has this image of old men with long beards. I would heartily recommend the IAM course to anyone!

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

A patient's father I saw, who is an ex officer, teaches advanced riding and he suggested I do it. Nice guy - had a great chat, even about speeding.

It was about three years ago now and he told me it would only cost £80, which is not bad I think. It's one of those things I always intended to do but didn't get around to it.

So tell us, do you find they go over the speed limit en route or do they put on a good show? I have an image of someone shouting in your earpiece "slow down Botty, your 10% +2mph over the limit".





Know what you mean about the image

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Sound’s like you’re a really good student.

When I first went to the IAM, my overtakes were ok, but nothing I got excited about – now I can’t get enough of them. A well planned and well executed overtake is one of the absolute joys of biking.

I agree about the IAM image, but like many things, it’s difficult to attract those who need it the most.

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It's tricky doing nothing - you never know when you're finished

Noooo. Not just biking.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Well, you can certainly do more on a bike..

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It's tricky doing nothing - you never know when you're finished

Me too. I used to mainly rely on purely power and opportunity and used to get a bit fed up with being stuck behind a slow driver, but now it's an enjoyable part of biking. The positioning & planning and then the executing... Beautiful!

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

Nah. I think I've just got a damn good tutor, and one that I respect.

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

I often dread it in a car because there's not enough umph to do it swiftly.

It really is nice to have ya back Paul. It was like losing my teddy bear for a while

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Tone - do it. You won't regret it. You'll enjoy your biking/riding more and be safer whilst you're doing it. All my observer says to me about speed limits is if you break one whilst you're on your test, you'll fail. Can't argue with that...

This IAM stuff has cost me £75. That includes a year's membership to the IAM, my IAM test fee and my membership of my local Advanced Motorcyclists club which meets once a month, and features a lecture in the first half from a police class 1 rider on RoadCraft and the second half features a guest speaker on a variety of subjects...

PLUS!!!!! I get 3 hours tuition from my observer once a week!

All this for £75?!?!?

Talk about value for money...

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

It's £85 - but the IAM are planning a decent hike next Feb. So do it now!




As Chief Observer, I can confidently say that all my Observers always ride at an appropriate speed for the conditions..

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It's tricky doing nothing - you never know when you're finished

How did you get that deal?

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It's tricky doing nothing - you never know when you're finished

The IAM were doing a promo 2 or 3 months ago at a local bike meet. I believe it's £75 if you're under 21 or 25 normally? And £85 as a standard...

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

In cars, I just don't like the bit where I'm side on, on the wrong side of the road. No - not on DCs, before some smartypants says it Unless they're a real sloth I hang back and hope one of us has to turn off soon. However, on my motorbike...

Oh, and if I'm in a line of traffic all going over the speed limit, safely, I go with the flow. I suppose the likes of Safetyman opens a big gap, just to be safer than the rest of us. (yeah right)

You've convinced me both. I'm going to do it, hopefully this year before the winter comes. (winter did I say, I meant darker wetter days)

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

No need to rush it - you can still start now and carry on doing it through the winter! Bit of rain will just make you ride a bit smoother

I promise you this, once you've started it, you'll regret not having done it sooner...

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

It always takes two...and I can tell that you're enthusiastic and practice your skills.

You wouldn't believe how bad some Associates can be.

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It's tricky doing nothing - you never know when you're finished

I remember doing my 'freebie' ride with the observer at the promo. He told me the route he wanted me to take and he'd follow. I said "will you be able to keep up with me?" He did. He followed me for a bit, pulled me over, and pointed out some of the things I was doing wrong and then told me to follow him, so I could see how he did things. LOL! He lost me within 100 yards! I couldn't keep up!

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

My observer did tell me about one associate he had, the associate refused to come out for a ride if it was wet or raining! So my observer told him that he couldn't recommend him for the IAM test (as it might be wet) so they parted company! lol...

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus

100 yards! Did you have the engine switched on? Sorry, couldn't resist

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Bitch!

It was a twist-turny country road and I suspect he knew it as well! But he adequately proved the point...

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Pecunia Prius Equitas et Salus