Be part of a new community.

Bikers are a friendly bunch who usually nod to each other on the road and chat when stopped for a brew. Fellow bike enthusiasts include Prince William, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney as well as many others from all walks of life, age and background. Who knows who could be behind that visor…

Bike shows.

Mammoth motorcycle exhibitions take place in Birmingham, London and Scotland every year and are not-to-be-missed opportunities to get hands on with pretty much every new bike for sale in the UK. Plus there are displays on all things bike-related, and stalls selling new bike gear at knockdown prices.

Bike films.

Motorbikes play memorable supporting roles in The Great Escape, Terminator 2, Lawrence of Arabia, Mission Impossible 2 and Tomorrow Never Dies, to name but a few. The bike is one of the stars in The Motorcycle Diaries (about Che Guevara’s ride across South America in 1952), Easy Rider and The World’s Fastest Indian which stars Anthony Hopkins as a New Zealander who at the age of 68 sets a speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats on an ‘Indian’ motorcycle in the 1960s.

Motorbike track days.

The UK is dotted with motor racing circuits where you can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of motorcycle racing – hold onto your ear-drums! The two biggest international competitions are MotoGP and World Superbikes. These are shown on the main UK television channels and are thrilling viewing, with plenty of overtakes and of course some “offs” as well. Most circuits offer track days where you can ride the circuit yourself. The 70 mph speed limit does not apply, there is no oncoming traffic and the turns have broad and smooth run-offs if you find yourself drifting wide on a bend - it’s a chance to see what your bike can really do.

Track day

Motorcycling holidays.

All parts of the UK are within reach by motorcycle if you have a couple of days or more to spare. Scotland is a firm favourite for the scenery, sites and roads, and ferry tolls to the islands are a lot cheaper for motorbikes than for cars. Across the channel France, Spain and Germany are popular choices while fly-and-ride holidays, where you pick up a pre-arranged hire motorcycle at your destination, can be taken in the States, Morocco, New Zealand and many other countries, with specialist operators catering for just this type of vacation.

Off-roading.

You can learn how to ride on trails, cope with mud and ford rivers on a trail bike at the BMW Off-Road Skills Centre in South Wales or at one of three sites run by honda. Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman learnt their skills here before their round-the-world trip in Long Way Round and before Charley’s participation in Race to Dakar.

off road touring in Morocco.

See the world.

As you read this there are probably hundreds of people crossing the Sahara, exploring South America and biking their way to Kathmandu who have taken 6-12 months out to do an intercontinental mega-tour on a motorbike. Inspired by the 1980s cult book Jupiter’s Travels they have put their ordinary lives on hold to see the world from behind the handlebars of a motorcycle. Start planning your trip with The Adventure Motorcycling Handbook by Chris Scott.