Every week, I must get asked a dozen times as to what is the best advanced test to take.
Well having recently resigned as an advanced examiner, I don't have to promote one over another, in other words I can be unbiased, so if you are thinking of training and then going for a test later on, you may be interested in the following I did for the magazine in the ask the expert section. I have edited it a little as I am sure you won't be interested in the pre-amble of the question itself!
There are three main recognised advanced riding organisations in the UK, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), The British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Both the BMF and the IAM are good starting points, as they will introduce you to the principles of advanced riding and in many instances offer a social element as well. Because both organisations offer in essence a pass or fail grade on their test, once this hurdle has been negotiated many riders often feel the need to prove themselves at what is considered by many to be a higher level.
RoSPA is the senior of the three organisations pre dating the IAM by 1 year. Whilst their aims and principles are no different to the other two in terms of what they teach, it is their test which is significantly different in so much as RoSPA advanced riders are graded Bronze, Silver and Gold. Bronze being the lowest pass level, Gold being the highest.
Both RoSPA and the IAM use Police class 1 riders as their examiners, whilst the BMF use their own in-house trained assessors. Additionally RoSPA have a register of approved instructors who have attended and successfully passed the National Diploma in advanced motorcycle instruction. On this course they have had to prove not only their riding ability but also their knowledge, and an ability to control a session and diagnose and rectify faults in a friendly but professional manner.
Unlike the IAM and BMF, RoSPA also have a requirement to take a re-test at a maximum of three yearly intervals, thereby ensuring that in order to maintain membership, standards are re-assessed and graded.
All the organisations recognise ?Roadcraft, The Police Riding Manual? as their bible, and instructors will teach you the contents both in the theory elements and in practical terms out on the road. You will be taught how to position the bike, corner, observe, position, use forward observation and planning, overtake, in fact everything you need to know to not only enhance your enjoyment, but more importantly enhance your safety.
As someone once said, advanced training is possibly the best non bolt on accessory money can buy!
Well having recently resigned as an advanced examiner, I don't have to promote one over another, in other words I can be unbiased, so if you are thinking of training and then going for a test later on, you may be interested in the following I did for the magazine in the ask the expert section. I have edited it a little as I am sure you won't be interested in the pre-amble of the question itself!
There are three main recognised advanced riding organisations in the UK, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), The British Motorcycle Federation (BMF) or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Both the BMF and the IAM are good starting points, as they will introduce you to the principles of advanced riding and in many instances offer a social element as well. Because both organisations offer in essence a pass or fail grade on their test, once this hurdle has been negotiated many riders often feel the need to prove themselves at what is considered by many to be a higher level.
RoSPA is the senior of the three organisations pre dating the IAM by 1 year. Whilst their aims and principles are no different to the other two in terms of what they teach, it is their test which is significantly different in so much as RoSPA advanced riders are graded Bronze, Silver and Gold. Bronze being the lowest pass level, Gold being the highest.
Both RoSPA and the IAM use Police class 1 riders as their examiners, whilst the BMF use their own in-house trained assessors. Additionally RoSPA have a register of approved instructors who have attended and successfully passed the National Diploma in advanced motorcycle instruction. On this course they have had to prove not only their riding ability but also their knowledge, and an ability to control a session and diagnose and rectify faults in a friendly but professional manner.
Unlike the IAM and BMF, RoSPA also have a requirement to take a re-test at a maximum of three yearly intervals, thereby ensuring that in order to maintain membership, standards are re-assessed and graded.
All the organisations recognise ?Roadcraft, The Police Riding Manual? as their bible, and instructors will teach you the contents both in the theory elements and in practical terms out on the road. You will be taught how to position the bike, corner, observe, position, use forward observation and planning, overtake, in fact everything you need to know to not only enhance your enjoyment, but more importantly enhance your safety.
As someone once said, advanced training is possibly the best non bolt on accessory money can buy!