Why do people have to ride fast on roads

[Mabels Old Man]

That point has always led to a heated debate. Two camps - one stating under no circumstances can the posted limit be broken, so, if you have to exceed the limit to overtake, then the overtake isn't on, the other one stating it's no problem so long as you can execute the overtake safely.
It didn't help much that the two examiners used by the group - one cop said it's fine, one would fail you for it. So you had to ask his opinion on the day of the test

As for the others, yup, they pretty much nailed it every group ride.

I think you'll find most IAM groups (and the police I've ridden with) will only allow exceeding the speed limit where the national limit applies ie only in 60/70 mph areas.

[Doug]

That point has always led to a heated debate. Two camps - one stating under no circumstances can the posted limit be broken, so, if you have to exceed the limit to overtake, then the overtake isn't on, the other one stating it's no problem so long as you can execute the overtake safely.
It didn't help much that the two examiners used by the group - one cop said it's fine, one would fail you for it. So you had to ask his opinion on the day of the test

As for the others, yup, they pretty much nailed it every group ride.

I was out with my observer shortly after passing my IAM and I had given up following him at national limit ++++ shall we say. We then came across a sports bike accident and what did he say... He was trying to keep up wit his mates . (the biker was OK even if he did ride a fireblade)

In the national IAM mag one bloke wrote in calling for and end to motorcycles in the IAM on account of the making progress that the bikers side is apparently renowned for. To be honest he sounded a right old git but he did have a point. The members I recently went out with didnt take any particular unecessary risks they just seemed to be in a hurry and national speed limit signs might as well say launch control on them. I say yes do the speed limit if your in traffic so you dont hinder the progress of others and slow down if you can and 'adventure' ride on the quieter B roads.

The IAM views it as a means of transport alone. There should be a trail bike category for us adventure riders.

[Jem]

I'm doing my IAM at the moment, and the speed thing comes up for me too. There is definitely an aim to get people riding "progressively" which to me seems as fast as is legal and safe. My speed of riding really varies according to how much coffee I've drunk. Yes, you can all laugh now
For the first part of the ride I generally tend to bimble along as I'm not a morning person and my reactions just aren't that fast so I don't feel like going too fast, but after we've stopped for a coffee I find myself riding a lot harder and faster.
I've had similar conversations to you Alpslapper, what's the point of getting stressed out to pass one car when I don't really feel inclined to at the time?
Having said all that my observer is great, I've learnt a hell of a lot, and he always encourages me to ride at whatever pace I feel safe and never pushes me, he just points out what the person doing the test will be looking out for.

[africajim]

Well, I feel I must point out the law here, as I have always been dealt with swiftly enough!

I was clocked on radar at 67mph passing a lorry, my explanation was during an overtake manouvre of the lorry, a car coming the other way was travelling faster than I anticipated so I sped up to finish the manouvre safely.

Cut no ice with the police, £60 and three points on my licence to prove it. Cameras have no conscience either, the limit is 60 on open A roads, you may be allowed a little to compensate for speedo error but above 10% seems to be fair game.

You pays your money to takes your chances, your choice. End of the day, speed can be a total nightmare, my last court appearance was £350 and 28 days banned. I managed to take most of it as holidays but it could have cost me my job if I'd got the three months I expected for three figures.

I still ride spiritedly occasionally, my choice. But not gratuously. I prefer to ride the twisty roads that you struggle to manage 60! I agree with the majority here, ride at your own pace, many accidents have been caused by trying to keep up with faster riders.

[pale rider]

even though a lot of big traillies dont really do 'donald campbell' velocities, speed and the misuse of it will always be an issue to all bikers i think.

i got into these types of bike to enjoy nadgery roads,and places a bit off the beaten track so the speeds are usually slow and leisurely.

but having said that, sometimes to reach certain area's you cant help but end up on motorways where sometimes you find yourself travelling at 80plus for extended periods because the natural flow seems to be around that speed even though its well over the legally prescribed limit but thats the way everything moves sometimes and you just go with the flow.

or is that just me?

[alpslapper]

Having said all that my observer is great, I've learnt a hell of a lot, and he always encourages me to ride at whatever pace I feel safe and never pushes me, he just points out what the person doing the test will be looking out for.

Totally agree. In fact, I'd go so far as to say the things I've learned going through the IAM has probably saved me from serious injury or worse on several occasions. I'd advocate that EVERYONE should at least go through the course, even if they don't take the test.

[alpslapper]

or is that just me?

No. That's just you. I personally have never done 113mph on the alp. No. Never. And I never saw anyone else do it, and they never saw me either. So, it's just you mate.

Sorry.

Now, slow down and behave yourself.

[StumpyFingers]

Nowadays everyone is in a hurry, it is inconceivable that you only want to enjoy the open air.
The speed limit is a maximum safe speed for that particular stretch of road, it does not mean that is is always safe to travel at that speed.
I got pulled into the office at work because the DSA thought 28 MPH in a 30 MPH zone was too fast for the road conditions, only vehicle on the road.

[Steve T]

Just my tuppence worth on road speed & the advanced bit.

The "pressure", if that’s the correct description, to make progress whilst being observed when doing the IAM thing is to allow the observer and ultimately the examiner to see that the associate has acquired, retained and is able to put into practise the system of motorcycle control.
By just "pootling" along, the associate, whilst probably using the system, is not demonstrating fully to the observer / examiner that they have the confidence too fully use the system.
The overtake manoeuvre is a good example of this. If an opportunity to overtake a vehicle presents itself whilst on an observed ride, and the move can be made safely without going above the posted speed limit, then I’d expect the overtake to be taken. If it wasn’t, then I’d ask why not at the de-brief.
The example given earlier of the vehicle in front doing 57mph is a good one that requires the associate to think and use their judgement. If, whilst being observed by me, an associate carried out an overtake in those circumstances, I’d consider that un-acceptable.

I am aware that some examiners accept a "slight" breach of the NSL (outwith built up areas) if it allows an overtake to be made safely, and some do not. This is confusing to associates and doesn’t help observers when preparing associates for the test.

The skills that any advanced riding gives to a rider are just tools to be used by that individual as and when they see fit. I personally find I enjoy my riding a lot more since completing my advanced riding with IAM and use the system of motorcycle control whenever I ride. Whether it is because I feel more confident in myself that I am better prepared for the "what if" moments that can always occur when out on the road (far too many to mention here) or what I don’t know, but I do enjoy my riding more. I have heard the same testament from many of the associates that I’ve put up for test, several of whom have many more biking years under their belts than I do!

I do "make progress", as several on this forum can bear witness too , so I will not "throw stones" at those that choose to push the limits when out riding. It’s their lives they are risking and no one else’s, if their skills are less than required for the pace that they set themselves!
I personally don’t find any fun in hammering along a straight road at warp factor 10 – you can train a chimp to do that. The skill and ensuing enjoyment of taking bends at an appropriate speed for the conditions is what brings a grin to my fizzog, again as witnessed by several on this forum. Taking in the scenery is also a mode of riding that I often adopt.

As I said, just my tuppence worth.

Shuffling off into the sunset, bye

Steve T

[Yeti]

Ride at a pace you are comfortable with. Ride with people that are quicker by all means but quicker because they can ride not because they have a fast bike.

I watched a guy come off after going past me like a bullet just after Ribblehead trying to keep up with his mate showing off on a Gxer. After I helped him seperate his bike from the fence and mud it turned out he had only passed his test a week previous. That to me shows a lack of respect and consideration from his mate who almost actively encouraged him to try and keep up.

The trouble with playing catch up is people try and catch up between corners when the front man is giving it a fist full in a straight line as well and carry far too much into the next.

Front riders should set a realistic straight line speed so those that don't carry as much corner speed can be confident they will just catch up on the next bit of straight road without doing silly speeds, and can then if they have any interest in going quicker watch and learn with the other rider in view.

Just my 2peneth worth