New rider

Spending a Sunday with your motorbike can sometimes mean getting some much-needed cleaning and maintenance done rather than heading out for a blast. Finding the time to give your bike some love can be...

Make sure your bike can cope with colder condition with these 10 steps. 1. The right rubber Cold conditions affect how tyres work and dedicated sports rubber isn’t suited to winter. Temperatures...

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,...

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...

Looking at buying a new naked 125 ahead of 2019? Well, MCN has got you covered with this handy pick of the bunch. With the introduction of the Kawasaki Z125 earlier this year, the sporty naked 125...

Keeping warm on a motorbike Motorbike winter gloves and boots Jackets, trousers and suits for cold weather Heated motorbike gear Handlebar muffs Riding in the cold weather Winter motorbike...

Looking at buying a new naked 125 ahead of 2019? Well, MCN has got you covered with this handy pick of the bunch. With the introduction of the Kawasaki Z125 earlier this year, the sporty naked 125...

After the best summer on record since 1976 and a delightfully mild start to winter, it is sadly time to accept that "proper" winter is finally here and with it comes a barrage of fresh challenges for...

An automatic oiler can take a lot of the work out of looking after your chain and can actually extend its life. It’s especially useful in the winter months when salt, dirt and water from the road do...

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...

Buying a second motorbike to use as a winter hack is a sensible and practical way to keep riding through the colder months without adding hard miles to your pride and joy. There are a number of...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service have devised a Ride Skills event at Brands Hatch, Kent, allowing motorcyclists to learn vital first aid training as well as experience two track sessions around the...

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...

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...

Cornering is one of the most exciting parts of riding a motorbike, especially on the track. It’s also a tricky part to get right and is where most accidents happen. This can be because riders try to...

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 –...

There are plenty of courses available to bikers to help them with improving riding skills, awareness and basic maintenance – you can join an IAM training course or sign-up for a Bikesafe workshop, for...

Buying a motorbike is one of the most exciting experiences there is, but with so much money changing hands it can also be stressful. Buying a lemon can be costly, inconvenient or even dangerous...

For those who dream of a life on two wheels, the place to start for many will be a 125. Arguably, the most desirable of these is the sportsbike class, which gives younger riders their first taste of...

A bit of planning and the right attitude will help you get maximum enjoyment out of a day riding on circuit. Having the right kit and a bike that won’t let you down will not only mean you have more...

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...

Motorcycle tyres all look black and round, but you wouldn’t believe how much difference there is between tyre genres. For many the sheer choice of rubber out there is bewildering. It’s not helped by...

Even a beautifully maintained chain that spends its life in a shimmering coating of oil and is frequently adjusted to exact manufacturer tolerances will wear out, and it will take the sprockets with...

There are just over 2000 miles of motorway in the UK. But there are more than 6000 miles of green lanes and trails that are legal to ride motorbikes on! Riding off road can not only be a blast, but...

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...

It’s a Sunday morning and you were due to go for a ride, but the weather’s come over all British and rained and you’ve got a hangover. So, what are you going to do to spend some quality time with your...

Getting your knee down is often seen as the holy grail for many motorcyclists, and you'll never forget the first time your knee slider scrapes against the tarmac. That said, it's not something every...

Riding a motorbike is one of the most exciting and liberating experiences going, but getting a licence to do so can seem offputtingly complicated. Never fear, MCN is here. Just follow our simple...

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...

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...

This excellent video by ART Motorcycle Training shows new riders exactly what happens during the Module 1 off-road motorcycle test, helping reduce the fear of the unknown! The Module 1 test normally...

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...

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...

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...

"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...

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,...