New rider
Welcome the the MCN New Rider section, where we'll help you navigate your way from complete biking novice to confident beginner. If you're unsure how to begin your journey onto two wheels, the diagram below is for you.
Blood Biker winter riding guide: top tips from the experts
03 December 2019 by
It is sadly time to accept that "proper" winter is finally here and with it comes a barrage of fresh challenges for the dedicated, year-round motorcyclist. With the nights drawing in at an alarming...
How should a motorbike helmet fit?
01 March 2019 by
Modern motorbike helmet fitment is the result of years of development, crash testing, computer modelling and safety testing, which can all be undone if your helmet doesn’t fit properly. Although...
How to get your motorbike licence
31 January 2019 by
The first step: CBT Getting a full bike licence Module 1 and 2: what to expect More things to consider Riding a motorbike is one of the most exciting and liberating experiences going, but getting a...
How to ride a motorcycle
29 December 2018 by
Learning to ride a motorcycle is one of the most exciting things you can ever do. Offering freedom like no other mode of transport and delivering a sense of speed and exhilaration like nothing else,...
How to ride a motorbike in the snow
21 December 2018 by
The Beast from the East brought the country to a standstill in early 2018 and while we’ve not had much snow so far this winter, it pays to be prepared. Here at MCN we love any excuse to get on two...
Learn how to broaden your bike skills from the masters
16 November 2018 by
If you truly want to be the master of your motorcycle, the learning doesn't stop when you get your pass certificate, nor indeed is it restricted to tarmac. There are many motorcycle schools to choose...
Everything you need to know about a CBT test
10 October 2018 by
If you’ve decided you want to get your motorbike licence, the first thing you'll need to do is complete a CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course. It may be a step down from your dreams of exploring...
How to overtake safely on a trackday
08 October 2018 by
As you get faster and more confident on trackdays you will inevitably start to catch slower or less experienced riders. Overtaking smoothly and safely is crucial, whatever the skill level of the two...
10 ways to protect your bike from theft
04 September 2018 by
According to a report in The Telegraph, Home Office figures towards the end of last year predicted that some 30,000 motorcycles would be reported stolen. And with only 40% expected to be recovered –...
How to make a clean hill start
01 August 2018 by
Making a hill start on a motorcycle can be a daunting proposition for new riders. With no handbrake to fall back on, it is world's apart from the simplicity of four wheels and, for some, can spoil an...
How to make motorbike U turns easy
06 July 2018 by
Perfecting the dreaded feet-up U turn can be one of the most stressful parts of learning to ride a motorbike. Most of us neglect the skill the minute we pass our test, but it can be a useful manoeuvre...
How to brake in the wet
26 April 2018 by
While a lot of modern bikes come with ABS, not every new rider can afford a brand new machine and that means you need to learn to get the best out of your brakes – especially in the wet. So here is...
New rider: The five key skills that new riders need to master
19 April 2018 by
Ok, you have passed either your CBT or full bike test and you are therefore legally allowed to ride on the UK’s roads. Now it is time to forget those legal requirements that allowed you to gain that...
New rider: How to pick up your bike
05 April 2018 by
When you are learning to ride there are two kinds of bikes – one that has been dropped and one that is going to be dropped. A small tip-off is all par for the course when it comes to gaining...
New rider: Face your fears…
29 March 2018 by
From U-turns to slippery ferry ramps, as we start the new riding year it’s time to conquer the demons that lurk in the back of our brains… We all have them: motorcycling scenarios that fill us with...
New rider: How to sit on your bike
22 March 2018 by
In this short video, BMW Rider Training's Chief Instructor, Ian Biederman, demonstrates the right, and wrong, way to get on your bike. And yes, there is actually an easier way! Top tips Open the...
Video: Improve your riding with BMW Off Road Skills
21 March 2018 by
"It’ll be fun," they said. "You’ll become a better road rider because of it." But after day one of my two-day BMW Off Road Skills course in the Welsh hills, all I wanted was to go home. I was...
Video: Young riders shown the real cost of not wearing protective gear
14 March 2018 by
We take a look back at this moving Highways England's campaign targetting young riders to stress the importance of wearing protective clothing when riding. The campaign features the above video,...
New rider: Book a free motorcycle taster session
28 February 2018 by
If you've never been on a motorcycle before and don't know where to start then perhaps try Get On - the organisation that helps budding riders try motorcycling for the first time. If you’ve ever...
Essential advice for new riders
15 February 2018 by
Riding and owning a bike is nothing like owning a car. Whether it be driving or maintenance, there's a lot more to consider. Below are our essential tips for anyone new to the world of biking. Tyres...
Crafty tips to perfect overtakes
27 January 2018 by
The sweetest moment to overtake a single car is when you first come up behind it. Carrying your momentum, you pass with a minimum of fuss in a decisive and understated sweep. One way to tell if...
5 tips to keep new riders safer on the road
22 December 2017 by
When you first get a motorcycle, the exhilarating feeling you have as you take on the world via two wheels really is hard to beat. As a new rider you can even have too much fun, that you forget...
Trials riding tips to help every rider
17 November 2017 by
Everyone knows trials riding is a great way to enhance your road riding. It also makes you look super cool. On my first day, I wheelie'd my trials bike, true story. I passed my A licence in April and...
Video: Protect your bike this winter
12 October 2017 by
Once you've got all the thick, horrible winter road grime off your pride and joy you'll need to make sure you protect it, to keep corrosion over the winter months down to a minimum. Make sure your...
Master the art of riding at night
28 September 2017 by
Riding at night can be very satisfying with the roads less crowded and distractions swallowed up in the dark, but you have got to take some extra precautions to make it safe as well as...
Emmerdale's Kelvin Fletcher officially gets on two wheels!
20 September 2017 by
After a 5-day intensive course, Kelvin Fletcher, known for his tractor-driving role in Emmerdale, has passed all examinations to receive his full motorcycle licence this week. Already the owner of a...
Poll: Are the learner laws strangling biking?
19 September 2017 by
What do you think, are learner laws strangling biking? Are the learner laws strangling biking? Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes For Sale website or use...
Why zero interest in small bikes is good…
19 September 2017 by
Dealerships are currently offering good promotions across the board on low-powered motorcycles and scooters, making now a brilliant time for new riders to get involved in biking. The small motorcycle...
Top 8 beginner motorcycle mistakes
04 September 2017 by
If you're looking to take your first steps into the world of biking it can be quite daunting - there's a lot of information to take in and mistakes will happen, but they're not the be all and end...
How to become a wet weather track master
20 August 2017 by
Don’t let rain wreck your trackday, here are some tips to help make you a wet circuit master. Be an old smoothie Rain doesn’t need to spoil your trackday but the key to safe riding in the wet is being...
7 things to consider when commuting
28 July 2017 by
Commuting by bike can be brilliant, not only because it will generally take less time to get to and from work, but also because it will often cost less and is better for the environment. Plus it's...
Sinnis Terrain 125 promises adventure on a budget
05 July 2017 by
Think of adventure bikes and your mind will most likely go straight to bikes like the BMW R1200GS or KTM 1290 Adventure. Both excellent bikes, but they're expensive and not accessible to...
Charley Boorman supports 'Be a Better Biker' campaign
29 June 2017 by
As part of a new motorcycle safety initiative Highways England are raising awareness for safer roads. Running until mid-July, 'Be a Better Biker' is about giving advice to help riders deal...
Thinking of getting your bike licence?
22 June 2017 by
Kawasaki are offering aspiring riders the chance to win a riding taster session at one of the Kawasaki Rider Training Services (KRTS) centres. The experience will give the chance to experience exactly...
How to deal with horses on the road
11 June 2017 by
The roads aren't just occupied by motorcycles, cars and other motorised vehicles, they're also used by horses and their riders, and passing a horse isn't as simple as overtaking a car. Horses are big,...
Each engine has its own characteristics
20 April 2017 by
When you first start out, chances are that you will go through several changes of bike, from a small capacity two-stroke scooter, to a 1000cc inline four, 900cc V-twin or 675cc triple. Each engine has...