Rennie Ritchie has just got a new BMW with Electronic Suspension Adjustment. He helpfully gives the settings he uses for different riding situations.

I’m not sure what to take from the fact he uses “Comfort” for IAM tests!

Went on my longest trip on the motorbike on Saturday morning with Joe, one of the associates from EDAM. Joe is technically an associate, but he’s a lot more experienced rider than I am, and really knows how to make the most of his bikes – at the moment he has two to choose from in his garage, either a K1200S or a K1200GT. Passing his IAM test is a matter of time, he just tends to be a bit busy!

Met up with Joe and John at South Queensferry, John was up visiting and was on Joe’s K1200GT, with Joe on his week old K1200S. The route was up the M90, cut off at the Kelty Junction then up the A823 through Glen eagles, up to Crieff. Then along Loch Earn to Lochearnhead, north on the A85 then East along the North of Loch Tay.

An excellent route, lots of different types of road, and absolutely stunning scenery – which could be a bit of a distraction. The other two guys got away from me a few times, Joe really knows the road, and the two K’s have the latest in BMW motorcycle suspension and engine technology – but he was charitable enough to say I wasn’t too far behind! They were good and stopped at junctions so I wouldn’t get lost – hats off to them.

It was good to go for a blast, and I only tripped my “survival reactions” once, and being about 150 miles I was able to see the difference that relaxing in corners makes, practice straightlining and just get some more miles in.

For my own notes, here’s a copy of the notepad text I prepared earlier:

• Start from McDonalds Newbridge.
• Follow exit route from carpark at front of McDonalds round back to T Junction, turn right onto B7030.
• At T junction turn left and follow road to lights at Junction with A89.
• Turn left onto A89 and follow road to lights at Junction with B800.
• Turn right onto B800 and follow road to lights at crossroads in Kirkliston.
• Turn right into Main Street.
• Turn left off Main Street onto unnamed road towards Almondhill.
• Follow unnamed road towards A90 and take slip onto A90 headed North West.
• Follow A90 until slip road for A904 before Forth Road Bridge.
• Leave A90, turning left from roundabout onto A904 past McDonalds.
• Follow A904 to Newton, turning left at end of village into B8020.
• Follow B8020 to Winchburgh and turn right onto B9080.
• Follow B9080 through Winchburgh, onwards to Linlithgow.
• Turn right at small roundabout in Linlithgow onto A803.
• Follow A803 through Linlithgow and onwards over Motorway, and turn right into A904.
• Follow A904 until Newton and turn right into B8020.
• Follow B8020 to Winchburgh and turn left onto B9080.
• Follow B9080 into Kirkliston, and turn right at traffic lights crossroad into B800.
• Follow B800 to lights at junction with A89, turn right onto A89.
• Follow A89 to layby behind Broxburn for debrief.

Just back from my test with Dougie, the IAM examiner. And I got a “recommended for membership” which means I passed!

Points to work on were linking bends i.e. “apexing” and one or two opportunities for overtakes where I was a bit late or missed the opportunity.

A great milestone, and he said to keep going and improving by considering IAM Observing, Senior Observing or by thinking about working to a Rospa Gold grading.

Route to follow. I’m off to Vittoria’s this evening to celebrate.

Out for a wee run with Bob the Observer tonight, which was an interesting change. Being out in the evening meant slightly busier roads, and also more pedestrians around. This made it a bit more interesting than a Sunday morning.

I’ve got to remember rear observations before slowing, something to remember on a motorcycle because they slow so quickly on engine braking, and a wee reminder to keep scanning. All in all a good run, and quite enjoyable.

The examiner phoned me today to arrange the IAM Motorcycle test. First thing they ask is if you are ready for the test, which I am (hopefully). Then confirmed the day (Sunday 2nd June 2007) and the time (I’ll tell you after).

He told me the location to meet, and what colour and kind of bike he is riding. He’ll be along on his own bike, which is a distinctive colour and therefore easy to spot.

He sounded friendly enough on the phone, the test will last around an hour. I gave Bob a phone about the test, so I’m out for a run with him on Wednesday night for some more polish.

As you may have understood from recent posts, I’ve put my application in to the IAM for my Advanced Motorcycle test so recent runs have been for polish and a little bit of practice. I was out again this Sunday with Bob, but we had another associate out with us who had her mock test last week and the three of us headed out. From the steadings we headed into town, up through Fairmilehead and up towards Dreghorn barracks. Then through town, then looped around to Westerhailes shops. Then looped back around to the Lanark road, headed along there and cut across to the A71 by the park and ride. Then out to oakbank for a chat. Then back in to town with me in front.

Points to remember for me are rear observations before slowing to a new speed limit. Also I have to remember to make an obvious head check with warning signs at the second stage when I know what the sign is for – you can usually spot warning sign triangles long before you actually know what it is. I’ve got to keep an eye out for other signage too – SLOW on the road, other information etc.

I got the letter through from the IAM on Saturday saying that my info had been passed to the Examiner, and when i phoned them on Friday I found out who the examiner was.

A nice run today, but I would say that because the Observer I was out with said I did some things right. My regular observer Bob was out doing a mock test, so I was out with Jim this week. Jim keeps his bikes (4 of them) really shiny, so much that we reckon he brings them in a van to keep them clean before appearing at the car park we meet up in.

We started today with a bit of a demonstration from Bob. Bob is a Senior Observer, and therefore conducts his share of mock tests. He had picked up on a couple of points. One was mirror checks, instead of checking the mirrors left then right, some had been doing the opposite. Left then right lends itself to a number of situations, mostly based on start/stop drill and that we drive on the left. The other was to do with feet! This is an example where it can seem a bit over the top to bother about what your feet and hands do, but it can look really messy and clumsy if you get it tangled up. Basically Bob had seen a few “Hendon Shuffles” which are an Over the Top method of handling stops. The procedure is to stop on the rear brake, in first gear, and put the left foot down. If it is a longer stop (can’t remember the number of seconds) then front brake on, right foot down, left foot up and into neutral and release clutch and the bike is held like that until ready to move away. This saves the clutch mechanism, and means the bike drive is disengaged if you get shunted from behind.

After that it was a run with Jim to Penecuik and Peebles, with drills for overtakes and observations. Jim went in front, gave the wave, then I was to make safe overtakes. And then in front Jim was pointing out early observations. A really nice chap and good teaching methods, and I’m still happy that I’ve got stuff to take away to work on with tips for practice.

Just waiting for the IAM to get back to me with my test date!