How to Pass an Advanced Bike Test - Observations & Planning

[@stevemccormick8432]

I am a IAM Roadsmart (Motorcycle) Observer in New Zealand. Myself and my fellow IAM members and associates use your videos for excellent examples of Roadcraft for both Cars and Motorcycles. I often refer to your videos after an observed ride to reinforce action points for an associate to work on. Thanks for your contribution to Roadcraft and Road safety in general.

[@EmeraldExplorer1200]

You're spoilt with those roads and views. They're amazing. There is some good information in this video that I'll try and put into practice.

[@granite676]

Testing and marking is VERY subjective and personal. Some examiners are pathetic in their assessing abilities because their own riding isn't perfect and littered with mistakes and hypocricy. Also some examiners take umbridge if questioned 'you can't question me , I'm an ex. . . And an instructor and know exactly how to carry out the perfect ride. An experienced rider of 40 + years without ANY rtc s or incidents is obviously doing something right but oh no not according to 'the examiner' WHO may only have 5-6 yrs experience and maybe even be a car driving instructor. It takes skill, good observation, anticipation and concentration to survive being a motorcycle rider and before anybody says it NO IT'S NOT JUST LUCK !!! 🤔🤔🤔

[@colingreen2320]

I gave you a thumbs up on your first video in this series to ‘help the channel’ and followed your invitation to raise a query in the comments but was never extended the courtesy of a response… Lots of good, relevant tips which I’ll incorporate into my riding and driving without feeling the need to join the IAM/ROSPA/BMW community.

[@kevinpick194]

Watched many of your previous videos, but really good to see a new series to again provide reminders and re-focus the mind. Gaining experience after returning to biking in 2019, but always conscious that complacency is a real threat... so these videos are a superb reminder.

[@lozv9974]

I’m doing my IAM riding and found that really helpful thank you Reg 👍🏻

[@PADDYPERV]

Fantastic content!! Really useful to myself as I'm currently training to be a Local Observer after a F1rst on my IAM Test. Many thanks indeed

[@Christian-ve1wi]

Wow what an amazing landscape thanks for another informative video. I'm yet to complete my Rospa mostly due to the lack of practice I get on the bike, still have elements of bike control that I haven't quite got smoothed out especially with my recent change of bike that's holding my confidence back. The more I ride the more I improve though and I will return to my rospa training soon.

[@mikeroberts]

Some great roads up there Reg. The crystal ball aspect of Information is often the part that Associates forget about or can't do. The importance of the Information Phase can never be over stressed. Without the Info you can't do the rest. I never cease to be amazed at the difference JUST improved observation can make. eg. Nearly always when out with a new Associate the first stop/de-brief concentrates on Information and extending the observation much much further down the road (other than any specifics that need highlighting). With just that change the ride after that small chat improves so much. Just where were they looking before that chat!? 😮

[@tonygolding2274]

Really enjoyed that vid , I’ll have a look at more of your stuff , it’s very helpful, I’m doing my rospa test in a couple of weeks in Dublin 👍

[@daveyboy0774]

I enjoyed that very clear and good commentary I also feel happy that my riding is of a good standard as everything you said about planning and observation is how I ride thanks 👍

[@MrBagsy100]

Very informative with great instruction, thanks Reg 👍

[@chrisward9745]

Good commentary and explanation. Nice smooth riding, flowing, as I like to call it. Should help people understand how to build up to this standard 👌👍

[@robertanderson2552]

Thanks for video, very informative and simple to follow.

[@Hotoadle]

So lucky to have that road on your doorstep. Be great to have a yt comparing strategies on same road for different weather and seasons. What bike are you using? Is that choice to keep the sound low for recording purposes?

[@binness]

Hi there Reg, another good series, did you notice the red car at the lights where the tractor turned left, he mounted the kerb he could easily have lost control, as a former ADI, I think people should have to retake a stiffer test every five years, all the best. Bob

[@binness]

Yes you did notice it, as you mentioned it later, and by the way I meant the other driver needed a retest not you lol.

[@sidwills]

Hi Reg, It's a bit late now, but one thing I think would really benefit people in videos where you're dealing with information/obs is if you were able to somehow highlight (arrow, circle, etc) some of the things you're mentioning. It's not always obvious on-screen (maybe it's because I tend to watch on small devices) and I wonder if some viewers might not appreciate/understand where you're actually looking and the things you're reacting to.

[@mikeroberts]

A bigger screen does help, though the camera often doesn't show what is being looked at until sometime later as he's looking so far ahead. I've added arrows/highlights on some of my videos on Forward Observation, Limit Points, Roundabouts.

[@Mike_5]

Brilliant and not to be critical a lot of motorcyclists ignore what is going on behind them to their peril

[@RegLocal]

You’re right Mike, rear observations on the bike are so important that I’ll cover them in a separate specific video.

[@simonmcgreal1791]

Great insight 👍🏼

[@eoinstephenson3335]

Really really helpful stuff. Makes a huge difference to enjoyable riding. Any wisdom on mounting a camera to your helmet ?

[@asfpd]

Hi Reg. I regularly follow your video's and they are some of the very best. On this one, please can you have a closer look at the O/T on 24 min 20 sec and give me any further comments? Interestingly, you did comment on it. The parked-car represents the possibility of a nasty surprise and it looks like the 'little black car' you wanted to O/T is a 'vision blocker' for you?

[@Hotoadle]

Well observed comment; shows how every overtake esp on a bike is a calculated risk; with adrenaline flooding the brain it's easy to see how bikers can go for higher risk overtakes. My reading is that Reg kept diamond formation during the overtake past the lay-by (I guess he knows it well) so mitigated the risk as he went past. He didn't mention it on the vt, he does mention the risk of dead ground created by excessive off-siding.

[@cbjgdicad1]

At 8.15,why did you overtake just before the house, hedges and driveways on the left?

[@Hotoadle]

On this type of road, you won't get a perfect overtaking opportunity, however the speed of the driver in front suggested that they were unfamiliar with the local area and likely not to change their drive. Getting around when relatively easy to do so is the best plan, and Reg was back in before the features you mentioned by keeping the overtake flowing at low speed. The only thing to consider is passing a little further to the offside when in the car blind spot, and consider using the horn as the bike is fairly quiet.

[@captainpugwashrides3799]

Hi. Is it possible to join you on a ride out sometime. Currently IAM observer, IAM masters mentor too. Regards andy

[@RegLocal]

Hi Andy, yes of course. Drop me an email to [e-mail]