South Lancashire Advanced Motorcyclists

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More about the IAM Skill for Life Course with SLAM

If you've found this web page you must be thinking about further training and wondering how SLAM can help you well read on!

 The first thing to say is that becoming a member of SLAM (and the IAM) is so much more than just "getting some extra training".  Of course the first bit is the "Skill for Life" program. At SLAM you pay your £139 (this is paid to the IAM, not SLAM and most is kept by IAM HQ). For this you get allocated to a course (we run 3 each year) where you will go out for between 8 and 10 "observed rides" on a 1 to 1 basis with a SLAM Observer.  He/she will assist you in attaining the level required to pass your IAM test and become a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (or in our case Motorcyclists). 

One of your rides (nearer the test time) will be a check ride with a different SLAM Observer to ensure that you are approaching the level for the test.  Included in each course is an initial induction session, a classroom session (where we explain more about the theory and techniques of better riding), a practical slow manoeuvring session (with some extra fun thrown in!) and a meet the examiners night which gives you the opportunity to meet your IAM examiner prior to the test! 

Then there is the test itself with one of the IAM examiner, all our examiners are either serving or retired Police Class 1 Motorcyclists who can ride to a standard we all aspire to! You also get a comprehensive advanced riding manual so that you can read how to improve your riding!

One thing that we recognise at SLAM is that passing the test indicates that you are capable of riding to a good standard on a particular day - in our view you should never stop trying to learn and improve your riding skills. To that end every encouragement is given to train further and move up through the observer qualifications – which can be great fun and immensely rewarding... ask any of our Qualified Observers!  

But wait... there’s more!  We are a very active club and arrange a minimum of two ride-outs a month all year round plus weekends away, holidays in the UK and abroad, as well as other social events ranging from curry nights to wheelie schools!  These are always superbly arranged to make sure that everyone has a good, and safe, time.  Group riding with the IAM is so much fun it's addictive – and it continues to develop your riding skills!  You only have to look at how many members turn up time and time again!

Perhaps you just want to socialise with like-minded biking folk - well we meet on the first Thursday of every month at the Hartwood Hotel in Chorley at 8.00pm.  As \well as the occasional speaker, it’s a great night of talking bikes , arranging rides , discussing life the universe and everything!  We also have a social evening at the River Wyre Pub, Poulton-le-Fylde every third Thursday in the month.You're welcome to any and all of these events!  

Finally and in my opinion most importantly our club is successful because we ride bikes to enjoy ourselves, be it a club ride-out, an observed ride... even the test itself - if YOU don't enjoy it we’ve failed you! 

 FAQ

I I know you will have lots of questions still, so here are a few answered

 

Q:        I’ve heard it is expensive to do the advanced test – how much will it actually cost me 

A:         You could have passed the Advanced Test and be an Advanced Motorist and a Member of the IAM for £139 - in total!  The only additional payment you may have to pay is a small contribution on each observed ride towards the observers fuel and tyre cost at a maximum of £10.00 per ride.  Compare that to the cost of losing your Insurance No Claims Bonus or even your Insurance Voluntary Excess (the amount you pay for any claim you make - usually at least £150, irrespective of the size of the Claim) and you can see what a bargain passing the Advanced Test is.

  

Q:        When I pass my test will I be able to get a discount on my bike insurance?

A          Depending on your insurer, you may be entitled to a discount from your insurance premium as an IAM member.  This depends upon your insurer, but the IAM have also arranged their own insurance through Adelaide Insurance Brokers - IAM Surety Insurance can offer you significant savings over other insurers (depending on your own situation and record).

 

Q:        What else do I get for my money?

A:         As well as a structured fixed length course and a test, your £139 includes a great riding manual called "How to be a Better Rider - Advanced Riding, the essential guide"   A practical and detailed manual, this will give you all the information you need to know what is expected of you in becoming a better rider and passing the advanced test.  This book is required reading if you want to be successful in your quest to become an Advanced Motorcycle Rider.  It's full of excellent advice and practical examples about the advanced System of Motorcycle Control - it's also got lots of hints and tips about what the examiner will be looking out for on your test.

Q:        Will I have to pay subs?

A:         The first year's subscription to the IAM is included in the 'Skill for Life' package.  However, annual subscriptions thereafter are currently charged at £28.00 for direct debits or £30.00 for cheque payments and SLAM yearly subscriptions are charged at £10.00 (only payable after you've successfully been through the "Skill for Life" course with us).   SLAM use this money to replace vital equipment such as bike-to-bike radio and to cover observer training costs, administration, printing, insurances, etc.

So why not contact us now!  For more details please ring our Group Contact, Dave Little on 0845 270 9409 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  For more details of upcoming SLAM courses please go to the events page on this site.

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 
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