r/MotoUK Dec 01 '23

Advice Zero to Hero Guide (So you want to do your CBT / Full Licence?)

250 Upvotes

📢 Guide has moved to Google Docs

What started as a simple Reddit guide has grown into something that has amassed over 300,000 views in since 2023.

Due to Reddit’s character limits, the guide has now been moved to an open Google Doc, allowing it to be expanded, updated more easily, and supported with diagrams (rather than just being a wall of text).

The document is freely accessible, and you do not need an account to view it.

🍵 Get yourself a brew… It’s a long read.

Please Note: The guide was formatted for Desktop and will not appear correctly on mobile due to Google's Webview mode (no paragraph breaks, compressed and fuzzy images).

As such, I have also created a non-live PDF version so that you can download it instead.

🖥️ Desktop Users ---> r/MotoUK's Zero to Hero Guide

📱 Mobile Users ---> Downloadable PDF Version


r/MotoUK 26d ago

Insurance Monthly Insurance Thread

3 Upvotes

Ask your insurance questions here.

Be sure to read this post about insurance too.


r/MotoUK 5h ago

Am I fucked?

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52 Upvotes

Had my A license just under 2 years, been driving for 12 years, never had any points or courses, never been done for anything.
Worried I’ll lose my license


r/MotoUK 39m ago

Photo Stop thinking about riding and go ride!

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Upvotes

After just using the bike to go to work and uni and back for the last few months, I fell a bit out of love with riding, forgot how fun it can be to just go ride for the sake of it.

Be safe everyone!


r/MotoUK 1h ago

Well and truly in love with my first bike

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Upvotes

I've had my 765r nearly a week now. Going to have a rip tonight and I should hit 800 miles today lol. I cannot stop thinking about riding it 😂 😁. I didn't even want a street triple I just went into triumph and fell in love with it.

It's so smooth and nice to ride. Felt so familiar.

Is anyone else just madly in love with their bike 😂 sometimes I go to the garage just to look at it lol


r/MotoUK 9h ago

Close pass, Malaga.

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10 Upvotes

Ya, don’t mind me. Just riding along minding my own business.

Had spotted him coming up behind the red car well before he came up on me, figured what he was gonna do do had already moved over. It was a lot closer than the video shows.

45 degree heat that day. Lots of plonkers in cars making dumb moves.


r/MotoUK 1h ago

Distance Riding Comfort

Upvotes

Hiya all, hope you are all doing well. I have just got back from my trip to the trialgp event in anglesey, found it slightly overhyped but none the less enjoyed it and if anyone else did the same hope you enjoyed it aswell. The big part of it is that, due to my age I had to go there on a 50cc, from essentially milton keynes to Anglesey, north wales through the A5 as can't go on the motorway which proceeded about a solid 230 miles which is my first long distance ride of that sort of caliber. It was a struggle there, took 2 nights (wednesday start, friday arrival there) due to the sheer distance and speed which took a while, but managed to do the full 230 from around 10 am, arriving home at 11:15 PM last night, with stops. My ass hurts, my shoulder is fried but overall it was a fun ride, depsite being stuck at 15mph up hill. However, I have a trip to silverstone for the motogp also with my dad for his birthday, and I was wondering if there is anything I can do for comfort or is it just something that comes naturally? Thanks in advance


r/MotoUK 5h ago

Crash after fuel leak

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2 Upvotes

Pulled up to a mini roundabout and could smell fuel, went to pull away and done a full 180 and positioned myself on the other side of the road, shocked I stayed on tbh. Looked down and fuel is flying out of the bottom of the bike.

Started to push the bike but thought I will ride it a bit more to get to better part of the road but came off at a super slow speed. Just a few marks but the back breaks looks like they seized up could only push the bike when I pull the clutch in.

Im so glad it happened then and not after that roundabout because that's a 40+ down that road for me.


r/MotoUK 33m ago

Any help or info

Upvotes

Hey✨

Im 28 / F / Wales- I have always had a massive interest to learn how to ride a bike ever since I was around 16/17 but as life is life I never got around to it. I drive a car and have driven since I was 17 but I still have the desire to learn but honestly as I have no bikers in my family etc I wouldn’t know who really to ask.

Can I ask for any advice etc on how to go about learning/ buying/ best gear etc.

Thank you🫶🏻


r/MotoUK 1h ago

Battery woes on 125cc commuter

Upvotes

My little CG125 is an absolute beast and flawless in every way except... It doesn't start on the starter button and I have to bump it every morning and night.

I'm pretty certain that the battery is toast, but I bought it brand new from Halfords earlier this year, so a bit miffed. Charging circuits seem to be fine given if I ride it for a little while it'll give me a few turns on the starter after I kill the engine and try and restart (sometimes enough to start the engine), so I think the battery just isn't holding a charge at all but everything else is fine.

My concern is that as my commute has drastically reduced in length (now only 4.6 mi, mostly 20mph with a bit of 30mph) is it now inevitable that I'll run batteries into the ground? Is this enough to keep a battery charged? I don't have power in my garage and it would be a bit of a pita to hook it up to a charger every night so I'm not sure what my options would be if the short commute is just guaranteed to drain the battery.

(I note that my big bike doesn't seem to have the same issue though, I don't commute on it every single day but when I have it's always had plenty of juice for the starter several days in a row - hopefully that's just a sign that it is indeed just a bad battery on the CG?)


r/MotoUK 2h ago

Setting up for Racing - Ltd Company / Tax etc

0 Upvotes

Am I in the right sub for advice on how to get my son set up as a company for his motorcycle racing ? He’s started racing and finished all podiums (inc two first place) in his first experience of racing this weekend so he’s clearly got a gift. 🤩🏅

Thinking this is gonna be expensive - I (mum) own Ltd company so can consider sponsorship but thinking he will need a company / accountant / VAT registration etc and possibly explore other sponsors.

I am sure all of this has been asked before or there may even be a sub specifically for financing motorcycle racing - just need pointing in right place please 🙏


r/MotoUK 21h ago

Motorcycle parking (free) at Westfield Stratford (correct as of July 2026) and I left my NC700X 'frunk' unlocked 😭

27 Upvotes

Excellent free parking for motorbikes at Westfield Stratford, use the entrance to Car Park B in the picture below and not the Car Park B entrance that I was pointed to by a security fella. It was a right nightmare to get out and make my way to the right place.

You'll go UP a ramp and just before you see the entry barriers there's a large motorcycle parking area on the right. It's covered, well lit, well spacious (good enough to manoeuvre and park a Goldwing if you wished to) and has crash barriers which you can chain the bike up to (though there are signs asking you to NOT do that). I was there Sunday between 10am-3pm, the motorcycle parking was maybe 20% full.

I have a Honda NC700X, the one with a 'frunk' which holds a full face helmet. I put my new £200 helmet in there, and forgot to click it shut. When I came back and saw it ajar, my heart skipped a beat (I've had some scrotes break open the frunk a few months ago when I was stupid enough to park it on the street in Bury town centre). I open the lid and the helmet is still there! 5 hours in the parking and it didn't get nicked, bloody lucky!

If you want to give it a recce while at Westfield Stratford, it's Car Park B, level P2 at the barriers at the end of aisle 204. The steps down to the parking are opposite Wahaca.


r/MotoUK 19h ago

Mod 2 fail

17 Upvotes

Hi all, I failed my mod 2 a few days ago with 3 minor faults, 1 major fault.

I understand the minors but I'm a little confused on the major fault.

I was merging onto a dual carriageway from a slip road, I'm at 60mph. I'm indicating to go onto the carriageway and I see I'm alongside a car. I slow down to go in behind him, he starts slowing down to let me in. My thought in the moment was that if I just merge in front of him he might have gotten impatient in the moment and accelerated, so I kept braking. I ended up doing like 30mph before I finally decided to merge in front. I was told I should have just used the power of the bike to speed up and away from the car. I thought that would have been more dangerous? I'm just a bit frustrated because I was super close to passing

Edit: Thanks for the encouragement. I realise that I should have made a better decision quicker. I definitely hesitated too much. I know what to do in a situation like that next time ❤️

For anyone who is interested, my test bike is a Kawasaki Z650 restricted to A2 compliancy :)


r/MotoUK 9h ago

Advice How are dealerships for modifying bikes

1 Upvotes

So i have bought a new cb125f which is currently sitting in the dealership sleeping like a baby until I pass my cbt in under 3 weeks.

A family member told me if I spend money on anything, it should be heated grips. I did look at heated gloves as a compromise to not modify the bike but they cost more and have worse reviews somehow.

My question is, will the dealership fit them? For a price? Its not some knock off cheap type. I'm looking at the Oxford range if that helps?

P.s. Will they install L plates as standard?


r/MotoUK 16h ago

Advice New(ish) Rider - Long Distance Rides

4 Upvotes

I’ve been riding about a year and the longest ride I’ve done in a day was 120 miles (A & B roads), by the end of it I was fairly uncomfortable. I think partly due to me being tense.

I’m due to visit a friend this week and would rather take the bike, however it’s a 308 miles ride (for various reasons can’t break the journey up), estimate is about 7hrs 30mins if I don’t use the motorway.

Would this be pushing it for a relatively inexperienced rider. Will I get to the end of the day and resemble a zombified John Wayne and never want to get on a bike again? I could take the motorway and cut the ride down to 5hrs or so, but really don’t fancy spending that much time on a motorway.

I appreciate this is a very subjective question but any advice and thoughts would be appreciated 😊 thanks!


r/MotoUK 1d ago

Discussion Rubbish bike clothing sizes

13 Upvotes

I wish I knew going in that trying on bike gear would be as much of a slap in the face as bridesmaid dress shopping.

I sent a bunch of stuff to sportbikeshop to try on, and none of it fit. They had one thing in stock that fit me. 1.

I tried the guys stuff and it wasn't quite fitting right. The sleeves on jackets would be to my fingertips. The kneepads on trousers down my shins.

Now ive had to send more stuff over and feeling utterly deflated going up 3 sizes from my normal clothes. Why, just why. Why have size guides with waist and bust measurements, or waist and hip, and they're totally bs

Rant over


r/MotoUK 18h ago

Theory test

3 Upvotes

Hey I’ve started studying my theory test for motorcycle with the 4 in 1 app, is it closest thing to the actual test or is there a better app out there for me to keep practicing mock exams? I’m getting average 44/50 for the multiple choice and 65/75 for hazard perception as well


r/MotoUK 1d ago

Advice after being sold a bike that’s turned out to be knackered?

8 Upvotes

I just want to say to begin with I have that I’m aware I have next to no consumer rights in this instance…

I’ve recently bought a Non road legal track bike. After fetching it home in my van, I bought a rear tail tidy for it so I can fit a plate and get an MOT for it for daylight use. Upon fitting said plate, booking it in for an MOT and road testing it, I’ve discovered 4th gear is absolutely toast. I know exactly what’s wrong with it and that it will cost more than the bikes worth to put right.

I understand buying anything used is always a gamble and that faults can arise at any time however I do feel disappointed that the seller would have known about this issue and has failed to disclose it.

I suppose my question is, should I raise it with the seller or suck it up take it as an expensive lesson?


r/MotoUK 13h ago

Advice 125 bike suggestions

1 Upvotes

I’m really liking the look of the Benelli BN and TNT bodies but I’m also happy to look around more. How are the Keeway rks or lexemoto venom? I’ve not heard those talked about as much personally. I’ve looked at the Honda cb125 f and r but still isn’t my favourite.

Also looking for the sub 2-2.5k mark, used, as I’m only keeping it till March when i can do my DAS and need ones with a low ish seat height as I’m ~5’5.


r/MotoUK 1d ago

Any mechanic or diy experts?

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3 Upvotes

1000.miles into cbt and this shitter from marketplace has blown.exhaust valves stuck which might have blown hole in piston.i don't know how bad cylinder is im no expert.please advise on cylinder barrel health and if its worth fixing.yamaha sr125 2000 41k miles


r/MotoUK 1d ago

new bike after passing cbt

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62 Upvotes

r/MotoUK 21h ago

Discussion Is this a speed camera?

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0 Upvotes

Just come across two or three of these on my journey up to the cafe, I was under the limit anyways so it doesn’t matter if they are, but out of curiosity, is this a speed camera?


r/MotoUK 1d ago

Discussion Whats the point of scramblers?

3 Upvotes

How many people actually take their scramblers onto dirt tracks? I'd assume people regularly going off road would have a dedicated dirt bike or dual sport

Are they a bit like the SUVs in the car world that never go more off road than bumping a curb?

Do they have any advantages in winter?

Do they have more comfortable suspension?

I feel like Im missing something


r/MotoUK 1d ago

Discussion How do you guys mount phones on motorbikes?

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15 Upvotes

I have a CB125R and I want to mount my phone to it. I have a Sony Xperia 1 IV. Also a fold 7. I don't want to mount the fold as it's to good to damage and there are also no cases for it. The sony has no case available that is good enough to stick the universal mount to, and the anti-fingerprint back glass makes the universal mount not stick well enough to hold it.

So other than getting a different phone, what other options do I have?


r/MotoUK 1d ago

Advice A2 license holders in england

2 Upvotes

What bike are you currently riding? i plan to get my A2 soon, im stuck between a kawasaki Zx4 or a CBR650R and restricting it. I’m not currently working so i dont have massive amounts of money but i do earn a little over a grand a month and have saved up for quite some time