If you want to be a safer rider by passing your Advanced Motorcycliists Test then WSAM can help. Run by volunteers who are all experienced riders, we can prepare you for the Test while also enjoying the social aspects of the club.
Advanced riding helps you to become better at predicting hazards, ride more safely and smoothly and also enjoy yourself more. At WSAM we can prepare you for the Advanced Motorcyclists Test while also enjoying some of the social side with our frequently arranged meetings, events and ride out days.
What is WSAM?
West Sussex Advanced Motorcyclists. We are a registered charitable organisation affiliated to IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists). Our aim is to promote safer motorcycling through Advanced Training. We are unpaid volunteers who give up our time because we believe in what we are doing. We currently have 38 observers, 7 senior observers and 1 chief observer, all are highly experienced riders who come from as far and wide as Waterlooville, Crawley and Brighton and Hove.
There is also a strong social side to the organisation. We hold regular meetings which include guest speakers, we have ride outs and we organise activities such as track days and wheelie school days. We have also had two trips to Normandy this year.
Regular meetings are held in the morning on the second Sunday of the month, in Ashurst, a small village on the B2135 half way between Steyning and Partridge Green. The village hall is set back from the road, on the Partridge Green side of the Fountain Public House. Why not pop in for a cuppa!
Becoming an Advanced Rider
The first step is to take the IAM's (Institute of Advanced Motorists) Skill for Life programme run by WSAM. Your course involves normally about six one-to-one sessions with a trainer at mutually arranged meetings.
When nearing the test you go out with a senior observer who will assess whether you are ready, the last step is then to set an Advanced Test date through IAM.
What do you get from your Skill for life package?
The joining fee is £139.
This covers:-
Course fee for the training you will receive
Advanced Test fee
First year's IAM associate membership
First year's membership of our group - WSAM.
WSAM also request a contribution of £40 to help the fuel costs of our volunteer observers while you are preparing for your Advanced Test.
While WSAM is affiliated to IAM, we are a separate organisation and have our own annual membership subscription charge. The first year of WSAM membership is included in the Skill For Life package, but subsequent years are charged at £25 for Associates or £10 for full members (£15 for full member couples sharing the same address).
Your IAM membership must be renewed annually (currently £28) to qualify you for membership of WSAM.
Additional benefits
IAM members are entitled to many benefits including discounts on AA breakdown cover, car windscreen repairs, tyre replacement and car hire. Your insurance may also be also cheaper. You will find more details on the IAM website.
Our group, WSAM, has many social functions such as rideouts and events where you can enjoy yourself with other skilled riders. We offer full members a free check ride upon annual membership renewal to help them maintain a high riding standard.
Enrolling into the Skill for Life programme
To enrol for the Skill for Life programme and prepare for the Advanced Motorcycling Test you must have held a full UK motorcycle license for at least 3 months. There is no age limit, the Skill for Life programme and Test are taken on your own motorcycle which must be capable of sustaining the national speed limits.
Once we have processed your enrolment form you will get confirmation from us that your application has been accepted in the form of an introductory pack.
If you have already bought the Skill for Life course from the IAM directly and have returned the enrolment form with confirmation of payment, please go to the Contact Us on our website, leave your contact details and a message to say you have already paid and wish to join WSAM.
Training
IAM will send you a pack including your IAM membership card and a book called 'How to be an Advanced Motorcyclist' which we recommend you read through before starting your observed rides. You will be contacted by an Observer who will guide you through the course, over 6 one-to-one sessions. This should be sufficient preparation for the IAM Advanced Motorcycling Test.
If you have any questions please use the email link above.
We look forward to hearing from you.