Membership Training is managed by the Membership Training Coordinator [MTC], who aims to provide a Continuing Rider Development Programme for those who have passed their IAM Advanced Rider Course (i.e Members), manage further IAM RoadSmart training (F1RST, Masters) and support public-facing training.

Membership Training sessions are offered monthly to any DWDAM Member who would like to know if their present standard of riding would meet or exceed the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Riding Test Standard. Much like your pre-test ride check that was conducted prior to passing your IAM RoadSmart Advanced Riding Test, the Observer will once again give you a detailed de-brief of the session followed by a written report, including an action plan of what to practise and /or where to go from here. To book, please email mtc@dwdam.org.uk.

You must be a current ‘paid-up’ DWDAM and IAM RoadSmart Member, and will be asked to sign the IAM RoadSmart Documents Declaration Form. We request that you make a £10 contribution towards the Observer’s fuel cost per Membership Training session. Possession of the latest edition of Police Motorcycle Roadcraft and Highway Code will be helpful.

Training Opportunities

Once you have passed your Advanced Rider Course, there remain plenty of opportunities to develop your riding further, or to just get assured that you continue to ride to an Advanced Standard. The following training opportunities are provided by DWDAM:

  • Masters Taster Ride
  • F1RST Test Pass Preparation
  • Advanced Riding Test re-assessment preparation
  • Fellows 3 yearly re-assessment preparation
  • Specific Motorcycle Roadcraft Skills development
  • Slow Speed Control/Riding
  • Ride-Out  Leader / Organiser
  • Support access to external training such as the South West Inter Group Training weekends

Membership Training will be provided throughout the year, with on-road training primarily in the summer months, and classroom training during the winter months.

Activities include:

Reading the Road – every good rider is brilliant at reading the road – if you can’t do it effectively, you can’t stay safe, make progress balanced against appropriate restraint.

How to Plan: With new information arriving every second of your ride, planning is not easy. The problem is not actually planning, rather it is failing to spot danger in the first place, or recognising it too late.

Planning for  Corners / Bends: Getting your speed right for every corner is essential for relaxed, safe and progressive riding. Assessing your position for SSV, entry speed, using the limit point to set correct entry speed, gears and throttle. Note: At the most basic level, positioning for bends is about extending your view BUT in the real world, there are many more variables.

Planning for overtakes: Gathering information (overtake deliberation) takes on a new level of complexity when overtaking . Difference between a momentum and staged overtake. 

Advanced Rider Concepts:

  • Bike controls
  • Stability & traction
  • Throttle control & acceleration sense
  • Throttle control through corners
  • Steering
  • Braking