New rider

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...

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...

With the 750cc and 600cc sportsbike classes shrinking and manufacturers locked in a 200bhp+ superbike arms race, it could appear that your only option for modern trackday fun lies in an arm-wrenching...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

As the days get longer and the temperatures slowly creep upward, the trackday season is very nearly upon us once again. And with increasingly stringent rules surrounding riding on roads, more and more...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Suzuki have introduced a 3% hire purchase offer on their range of small capacity motorcycles, making it easier and more affordable for new riders to get into biking.  With a £1000 deposit, the...

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...

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...

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...

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...