Getting a licence & training

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...

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...

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...

I'm on a Honda GR 125, the sun is streaming off the River Thames and I have a massive smile on my face as I look down at my Speedo and realise I've just passed the 50mph mark for the very first...

An emergency stop can so easily become a panic response and end in tears with one or both wheels locking up and you either hitting the floor or the obstacle you were trying to avoid in the first...

One of the trickier manoeuvres to master when you’re starting out on bikes is the U-turn. Not only are you crossing two flows of traffic, but also you’ve got kerbs or grassy banks limiting your space...

Planet Earth is a village these days and some Brits like David Barnett are taking their tests overseas. “I have just become a biker and I am living in Brisbane at the moment, although I’m from London.

If you have an automatic bike licence and your two-year 33bhp probation is over, there are a couple of options to get a full manual bike licence, depending on your age. If you are under 21 years you...

There are three obstacles between you and your full bike licence: the CBT (compulsory basic training), theory test and practical test. More help and advice on getting your licence The theory test is...

Here's the final key to supreme cornering, the final part of our five-section guide ­ accelerating out of the bend. STAGE FIVE Accelerate: You've leant the bike into the corner with a smooth,...

Now you've read the road ahead to get a good idea of what's in store, it's time to get yourself in the correct position to tackle it. STAGE TWO Position: This is making sure that you have moved...

Cornering with confidence is one of the great joys of riding a bike. Setting yourself up for the bend, picking your moment to lean the bike into the turn, then powering out smoothly and progressively...

Riding a bike is a life-long learning experience and getting good training through your biking life is crucial. Bikesafe BikeSafe is an initiative run by police forces around the United Kingdom who...

Don’t be scared – it’s not in California and it’s not just for superbike riders. MCN’s Laura Kennerley went on a ladies-only training day to learn the finer points of cornering, and realised everyone...

What is it?  BikeWise Rider Training in County Durham What does it cost? £35 for County Durham and Darlington residents for 2:1 training, for non-Durham residents it costs £150 for 1:1 tuition...

In years gone by, choosing where you'd complete your CBT and bike training/test was a simple matter of opening the yellow pages and opting for any of several firms offering training in your area. But...

Module two of the riding test is the final hurdle between being a learner and a possessing a full bike licence. Unlike module one of the test, module two is completed on the road. It involves a road...

If you’ve passed your CBT and theory test you are ready to start training and sign up for your bike test.  This is now completed in two parts. Module one takes place on an off-road site and...

It’s been about eight years since I took my practical for real and nearly as long since I last performed a proper feet-up u-turn, so I’m interested to see how I tackle the slow speed manoeuvres that...

One of the most difficult parts of riding a bike is changing gears. On a race track a bad gear change can lose you valuable seconds, on the road a botched gear change looks messy and you'll feel a bit...

Well today (Friday) was test day. I arrived at the BSM centre at 9am and today I was to be looked after by Chris, one of the other full-time instructors, as Mark was doing a CBT in Birmingham. Also...