Blog

Does changing down for a bend reduce the risk of understeer?

Does changing down for a bend reduce the risk of understeer? Does changing down on approach to a bend reduces the risk of understeer? A moving conventional vehicle experiences Engine Braking Force, which always opposes motion (I.E. it tries to slow the car!) On steering into a bend, the car [...]

Torque generated by Driving and Braking Forces

Effect of Driving and Braking Force Torque.     Torque is ‘the turning effect of a Force’. It is the vector product of an applied Force and the Distance over which the Force is applied. ‘Vector’ simply means that the product of the quantities takes account of their direction, as [...]

The importance of vision

The Importance of Vision The SYSTEM of Motorcycle Control consists of processing Information, superimposed over four Phases I.E. Position; Speed; Gear; and Acceleration. We constantly: • Take; • Use; • and Give information to other road users. When riding a motorcycle most of the Information we receive is visual, therefore [...]

Tips on changing a tyre

Tips on changing a tyre Sometimes the roads we drive on can be unpredictable which can lead to a puncture. This could mean cancelling our plans and waiting in a safe place for the breakdown recovery team. But we could soon be on our way if we were able to [...]

Top 10 tips for driving abroad with children

Top tips for driving abroad with children Taking a child on holiday is an exciting and a new experience for first time parents. But it can be stressful so make sure you plan ahead of time. Our head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, has put some helpful safety [...]

Why does a motorcycle sit up and run straight, if the front brake is applied in a bend?

Why does a motorcycle sit up and run straight under heavy front braking? This article, which is in two parts, explains why: • Part A: This gives a non-technical description of what happens; • Part B: This gives a more technical description of what happens, and why it happens. Those [...]

Leaning over the tank improves cornering, but how?

Explanation of why placing the upper torso on to the tank of a motorcycle in a bend, helps it to negotiate the bend. When a motorcycle takes a bend at speed, both wheels slip sideways away from the centre of the bend. This sideslip is essential as it provides most [...]

Martin Hirst
Martin Hirst National Observer Master Rider is now officially a member of the ‘Iron Butt Association’

Where do you go after IAM RoadSmart National Observer and Masters? A few months ago, I was reading through a magazine and came across an article relating to a long-distance motorcycle ride. The ride was called the Royal British Legion Ride and is run by a group called the Iron [...]

Does Lean Angle affect Grip when a bike is in a bend?

Does the angle at which a motorcycle leans off the vertical in a bend, affect the grip between the tyres and the road surface? This article explains how tyre grip varies as a motorcycle leans off the vertical, when taking a bend. There are two parts to the article: • [...]

How a car transmission works

An excellent graphics video showing the Transmission System in operation! [...]

What is ‘Positive Steering’ and how does it work?

What is ‘Positive Steering’ and how does it work? When riding a motorcycle through a bend at speed, you use ‘Positive Steering’, whether you are aware of doing so or not. In this article I will explain what we mean by the term ‘Positive Steering’, which used to be called [...]

Masters (car) Tips and Mnemonics by Sam Quigley Local Observer (Car and Motorcycle) Masters (Distinction)

Masters Tips (Car) and Mnemonics by Sam Quigley I was very fortunate to have Chris Hudson for my IAM Car Associate training, and through his mentoring I achieved a pass at First standard. I wished to progress my driver training to Masters standard, and Robin Bell was recommended. Robin mentored [...]

What is Superelevation?

What is ‘Superelevation’? Most roads are ‘Crown Cambered’ that is, they are higher in the centre than at the edges to allow water to drain towards the kerbs. However, Motorway bends are ‘Superelevated’, which means they slope gently from one side of the Motorway to the other across both carriageways. [...]

Top Ten Tips for Winter Driving

Top 10 tips for winter driving [...]

Why every bend in the world should be taken under light acceleration!

Why every bend should be taken under light acceleration   Whether driving a car or riding a motorcycle, every bend should be taken under light acceleration. We tell drivers to ‘ease and squeeze’: I.E. when ‘easing’ the steering wheel in to the bend; gently ‘squeeze’ on the gas pedal! We [...]

Centrifugal Force, fact or fiction?

Centrifugal Force: fact or fiction? Why do Physicists refer to Centrifugal Force as a ‘Pseudo Force’ or a ‘Fake Force’? Afterall, if I’m sat on a moving train going through a bend, I can feel myself being pulled out away from the centre of the bend: is that not Centrifugal [...]

Torque and Horsepower

Torque and Horse Power Torque is one of those terms we use frequently, and it sits comfortably with us when talking about the performance of bikes and cars; E.G: ‘The Hayabusa ’s acceleration is phenomenal, because it has tons of Torque .’ ‘ A Range Rover ’s high T orque [...]

CWCAM Pre-Drive checks

CWCAM Pre drive checks [...]

What you need to know about stopping distances!

This video gives a surprising insight into speed and stopping distance! [...]

Camber gives an advantage in a left bend: True or False?

Advantage of Camber in a left bend [...]

Does the weight of a bike affect the angle it leans in a bend?

An interesting question; read on to see what factors affect  Lean angle [...]

How much water does it take to float your car?

The depth of water required to float a car is surprisingly small. How small? Select the following link to find out. Depth of water required to float a car [...]

2018 AGM:

2018 AGM Minutes The Group had its 36th AGM at the Greenhill Hotel on Wednesday 16th May. Many thanks to the 30 plus members who attended and to those who sent their apologies. Our Guest Speaker was Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart Head of Driving and Riding Standards; we are very [...]

New Website

Welcome to the CWCAM Website, which was launched in May 2018. Colourmedia, a local Company based in Barras Lane, Dalston, designed and built the Website for CWCAM. My thanks go to Chris Marshall and his dedicated, professional Team at Colourmedia, for an excellent service! Cumbria Road Safety Partnership financed the [...]