How to get your motorcycle licence 15 June 2018 by MCN News 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... Read more ...
New rider: What happens during Module 1 video? 12 April 2018 by Jon Urry 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... Read more ...
Video: The CBT explained 05 January 2018 by MCN News 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... Read more ...
Jennie Gow blog: I've passed my bike test! 28 July 2010 by Jennie Gow 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... Read more ...
Performing an emergency stop 23 July 2010 by MCN 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... Read more ...
The dreaded U-turn 23 July 2010 by MCN 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... Read more ...
Taking your test abroad 02 July 2010 by MCN 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. Read more ...
New rider: Going from auto to full licence 25 June 2010 by Chris Dabbs 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... Read more ...
Getting your motorcycle licence: How to pass the theory test 18 February 2010 by Laura Kennerley 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... Read more ...
How to corner with confidence - part 5 31 December 2009 by Chris Dabbs 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,... Read more ...
New rider: corner with confidence, part two 18 December 2009 by Chris Dabbs 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... Read more ...
New rider: corner with confidence, part one 17 December 2009 by Chris Dabbs 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... Read more ...
Basic Skills: How to improve your riding skills 09 October 2009 by Chris Dabbs 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... Read more ...
Basic Skills: California Superbike School review 23 September 2009 by Marc Abbott 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... Read more ...
Basic Skills: Bikewise rider training review 17 September 2009 by Laura Kennerley 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... Read more ...
CBT: How to choose a training centre 02 September 2009 by Marc Abbott 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... Read more ...
Module 1 Test complaint 27 August 2009 by Julie Wood I am a new rider! I recently passed my mod 1 test for the 5th time, so you can imagine how pleased I felt, only to be told that because my theory was expiring the next day my mod 1 certificate would only be valid til 12pm that night. So I would have to go and take my theory then come back again to re-do my mod 1. I was not made aware of this at any time by my training school... Read more ...
Module 1 tips 18 August 2009 by Jimmycathcart Sorry Albert but I have just passed my module 1 test and found it to be fairly straight forward. Although I was doing direct access test using an ER5N I was clocked at 62kph for the hazzard avoidance and 70kph for the emergency stop bringing the bike to a controlled stop with ease. I understand using a bigger bike with more powerful engine and brakes might make it easier to reach... Read more ...
Module 1 swerve test 13 August 2009 by alisha161102 The module 1 test can be passed. I am a chunky old bloke on a twist and go 125cc scooter and managed to pass this module. I not bragging about it, but i spent ages working it out that i needed to take the corner at about 25 mph to build up the speed to 32mph. On watching others who failed the swerve test, they were just going to slow around the bend and could not build up the speed intime. So... Read more ...
New test fiasco 17 July 2009 by Kev What an absolute disgrace. Never able to book module 1. Weeks and weeks of waiting, no complaints department for the DSA. Though it would be the busiest line in the place. On one occassion they e-mailed a test slot on the very day of the test itself! E-mail recieved at 09:39 test at 10:16 Something has to be done. Maybe blockade the MPTC's nationally or anything to let these wasters know we've had... Read more ...
Practical Test: module two sites 14 July 2009 by Marc Abbott 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... Read more ...
Practical Test: module one test sites 14 July 2009 by Marc Abbott 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... Read more ...
The new motorcycle test is a joke 13 July 2009 by Albert Adams I have finally given up trying to pass this module 1 motorcycle driving test after falling off practicing. I cannot believe that the DSA have accepted a European standard which requires learner riders to exceed the Uk 30mph basic speed limit in order to pass. Apart from my injuries sustained off road practicing I have heard about many other learner riders being injured trying to pass this... Read more ...
Swerve test over-exaggerated 06 July 2009 by Ben O'Rourke Do you remember all the hoo-hah in the media over the swerve test? and how 'so many' people have crashed attemting the manouvre? Well it's rubbish! I sat module one this morning in wet conditions (bright sunlight after very heavy rain) and I passed it no problem. I am by no means the worlds best rider, I've been riding for just over a year and had no training for the module 1 test. It's... Read more ...
Mod 1 test 03 July 2009 by Jack Buechler It took me three attempts to pass this module. So I thought I would give some simple advice, which actually is totally obvious to get through it. This note assumes a big bike - 500CC etc. 1. Don't take the module unless you have practised it in the same environment - use a training school that has the space and facilities. I chose Elite in Wembley, London who use one of the stadiums overflow... Read more ...
The ridiculous M1 test 02 July 2009 by Brian T With regard the new bike test, I have 'attempted' my module 1 test today and failed for clipping the blue cone on the avoidance manoeuver. Through all my training, I have been confident and in control and have not expeienced any problems and am 'gutted' to be asked to leave the test centre for this infraction. While I understand the reasoning behind this particular exercise, i.e. avoiding an... Read more ...
Practical Test: The new motorcycle test explained 12 March 2009 by James Keen 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... Read more ...
Basic Skills: Master your gearbox 03 September 2008 by Liam Marsden 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... Read more ...
SarahC's Suzuki and BSM DAS Diary day six: It's D Day 18 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell 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... Read more ...