Motorbike Advice: make the most of motorcycling
Your one-stop shop for all motorbike advice, including how-tos, getting a motorcycle licence, servicing, maintenance and more.
Find out which bikes you should be choosing in our expertly curated Best section.
For those looking to learn how to ride a motorbike, head to our Learning to Ride hub, where we cover all you need to know about getting into this wonderful lifestyle.
If you've already got going, check out our Riding Tips section for the best guides and top techniques.
Looking for somewhere to go? Don't miss our Places to Visit area for some ideas for your next rideout.
And when you get home, learn how to look after your bike in our Bike Maintenance hub.
Peter Fonda, 1940-2019
19 August 2019 by
Peter Fonda, the star of the iconic motorcycle film Easy Rider, has died aged 79. Fonda had a long and varied career, however it was his depiction of Wyatt in the cult 1969 road movie that he was...
The UK's best biker cafés of 2019
15 August 2019 by
The best motorbike cafés in the UK are places to meet, eat and socialise with likeminded people who love motorcycles. Related: vote for the UK’s best biker cafe 2020 here! Latest biker café news:...
Cornering a motorbike with confidence
10 August 2019 by
Cornering is one of the most exciting parts of riding a motorbike but it’s also a tricky part to get right and is where most accidents happen. This can be because riders try to corner faster by...
How to pass your motorbike theory test
08 August 2019 by
The theory test is the second element of passing your full motorbike licence, occuring before the two practical modules and after the CBT. Related: Best motorcycle training aids Related: everything...
Slick operation! How to change your motorbike oil and filters
08 August 2019 by
The oil in your motorbike’s engine plays an incredibly important role. It acts as a cushion between moving parts, such as between camshaft and head, reducing friction and wear. Related: Best socket...
Shock therapy: How to set up your motorbike’s suspension
31 July 2019 by
Your motorbike’s suspension can seem a daunting thing to take some spanners to, but do it right and you’ll almost certainly transform your bike’s ride and handling. Related: Guide to top motorbike...
Just passed your test? MCN's best first motorbikes
25 July 2019 by
The process of learning to ride and choosing your first motorbike is complicated. Once you’ve passed your full, unrestricted A licence, either at the age of 21 or older via the progressive route...
Twist-and-go today with MCN's best cheap 50cc scooters and mopeds for 2025
16 July 2019 by
Though not in the spotlight as much as their bigger alternatives, there is a thriving 50cc scooter market that will get you on two wheels and honing your road craft so that, come the right age, you...
The missing link? How to look after your motorbike chain
12 July 2019 by
A motorbike chain is a vitally important bit of kit. It’s essentially the part that connects your motor to your back wheel in most cases, so careful maintenance is key to keeping your bike...
Go motorcycle racing on a budget with the MZ Experience
21 June 2019 by
Run as part of the British Motor Cycle Racing Club (Bemsee), the Chilton Motors MZ Championship is the latest in a long line of MZ racing series spanning 30 years. Shod with Moto3 Dunlop slicks, these...
Pirelli Angel GT II tyre review - ultimate all-rounders
12 June 2019 by
Pirelli only had themselves to beat when it came to developing their new Angel GT II sports touring tyre. Of course, it needed to be better than the Angel GT (Gran Turismo) original, but it also had...
Like dodging downpours? Find out how to ride your motorcycle in rain
12 June 2019 by
Let’s face it: we live in the UK, and learning to ride in the rain is a skill that’s inevitably going to come into its own at some point. The latest rubber offers incredible wet weather grip, but...
How to get your knee down on a motorbike
22 May 2019 by
There’s something undeniably cool about seeing a skilled rider, mid-corner with their knee on the deck (on track, obviously) – and I couldn’t help but feel envious of other MCN staff members as they...
How to ride your motorbike off-road
21 May 2019 by
Riding a motorbike off-road can dramatically improve your road riding, as well as being a whole heap of fun. There are just over 2000 miles of motorway in the UK. But there are more than 6000 miles...
How to start motorcycle club racing
15 May 2019 by
It has been said that there’s nothing like racing to improve your road and trackday skills. Riding in close proximity at high speed, pushing your bike and tyres to the limit is the ultimate in...
What's that noise? Motorbike troubleshooting by sound
14 May 2019 by
Bike engines will make a variety of noises; hardly surprising with several hundred metal parts whizzing round thousands of time a minute. Related: Best basic motorbike tools If you are worried about...
Repairing your motorcycle on the move
13 May 2019 by
Learning to fix your motorcycle at the roadside is a skill all bikers need. It can happen to the best of us – you thumb the starter after stopping for a rest break and nothing; your bike doesn’t want...
A glimpse at "motorcycling mecca" - the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
06 May 2019 by
When it comes to biking bucket lists there are a handful of undisputable destinations that’ll take your breath away. A visit to the TT will fry your mind and the barely-controlled chaos of the...
Dunlop SportSmart Mk3 review
23 April 2019 by
Dunlop says their new SportSmart Mk3 offers more wet and dry grip, but unlike rivals, that improved performance lasts the life of the tyres, right down to its wear blocks. That’s an impressive claim,...
How to wheelie a motorbike
19 April 2019 by
A wheelie is the oldest motorcycle trick in the book, and I’ve wanted to be able to pop a decent one since I first threw my leg over a bike aged 16. After seven years of riding, I was still unable to...
Bike selling advice: How to avoid the online scammers
09 April 2019 by
Scams around bike sales are as old as motorcycling, but as the riding season begins and more people start shifting their bikes, scammers and thieves are rubbing their hands with glee. With a huge...
Continental ContiTrailAttack 3 tyre review
05 April 2019 by
Replacing the successful ContiTrailAttack 2s, the new third generation is claimed to offer quicker warm up times, greater grip in wet and dry, offer longer life and more agile handling than the...
Bridgestone S22 tyre review
05 April 2019 by
Bridgestone’s new S22 sports tyre might be designed for life on the street, but here at their world launch in Jerez they’ve proved they can handle a day at one of the finest MotoGP circuits in the...
Are you scared of the dark? Here's how I make sure I stay safe on my motorbike as the nights draw in
12 March 2019 by
As the nights draw in for the winter, many of us will find ourselves riding in the dark more often and possibly for the first time in several months. Readjusting to night time riding (or navigating...
How to pass your A1 motorbike licence
12 February 2019 by
Welcome to MCN’s guide to the A1 motorcycle licence, where we explain what it is, who it’s for and crucially, how to pass it. Related: Best motorcycle training aids Related: everything you need to...
Best A2 sportsbikes for trackdays
26 February 2010 by
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...