New rider

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...

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...

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...

 1. Plan to stop Always prepare to make a decisive stop at junctions, so that you stop cleanly in the right place without panicking. 2. Be secure Stop in first gear with your left foot down,...

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,...

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...

For those who dream of a life on two wheels, the place where most will start will be on a 125cc motorcycle, and the most desirable of those to many will be the sportsbike. Nowadays there are a number...

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...

Most of us rarely attempt U-turns and therefore they hold a certain amount of dread if we are suddenly required to do one. But when the day comes and the pressure’s on, a perfect U will make you a god...

We have an array of rider experience here at MCN HQ - but one thing that we all share is a love of motorcycling! If you're new to the idea of getting your motorcycle licence the first thing you'll...

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...

Bikes for saleSometimes choosing your first motorcycle can be a nightmare, especially if you don’t know where to start with it all. Some will want the sportiest machine they can afford, others will just want...

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...

When you’re 16, the world of motorcycling can seem so far away, but it needn’t be the case. Though not in the spotlight as much as their bigger alternatives, there is a thriving 50cc motorcycle market...

When looking to get your first motorcycle, you can often find yourself overwhelmed with choice and it can sometimes be a daunting prospect looking at machines and not knowing what exactly you’re...

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...

Among all the 200bhp+ headline grabbing sportsbikes and Starship Enterprise-spec adventure bikes for 2017, it's easy to overlook the 2017 bikes that were brought in for this year.  There have...

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...

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...

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...