Just read the entire thread and some honest realistic comments made. I myself can't say what a good rider actually is but I know one thing, riding bikes from 16 years of age to now 60 my last crash was at the age of 21 and I'm still a fast road rider that can't abide group riding. I've often been tempted to try the IAM for pure intrigue and I'm sure to have some bad habits according to them. Old habits die hard as they say and the very reason we ride bikes is because of the adrenaline rush that comes from acceleration and corner speed. I reckon most of us older riders have become safe riders through sheer experience and the miles left behind us, we 'survived' the 80's and 90's dicing death on a Sunday afternoon on the latest sports bike of choice....
Could I handle a nit pickers comments on my riding..?? Hmmm, probably yes to a degree. Would I now benefit from passing an IAM course, probably not if I'm honest. Riding bikes on UK roads is not pleasurable at all in general and what happens when you get a clear road ahead..?? Yes sir indeed, you ride in that 'spirited' mode and speed limits go straight out the window along with your good habits so I'll carry on as I am for UK riding.

I do however think it's not a bad thing to have as a younger rider and perhaps encouraged to go for several years into your biking/riding life.
As for most folk here on HU who have rode various parts of the world and survived a few decades doing so well I think you're part of an unspoken club of advanced riders with skillsets not required for fast A roads or M roads...!!
A valid post Ted and a good read..

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