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Please note this blog site is now retired. Go to www.modernbsariders.co.uk for future articles.

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Riding Solo - be prepared.

Riding solo through the UK offers incredible freedom, from the winding A-roads of the Cotswolds to the rugged North Coast 500. However, without a pillion or a group, you are your own navigator, mechanic, and first aider.

Here is a guide to staying safe and making the most of a solo trip in the UK.

1. Safety & Communication

When you're alone, your biggest risk is an accident in a remote area with no one to call for help.

• Share Your "Flight Plan": Tell someone your route and expected arrival time. Apps like WhatsApp allow you to share "Live Location" for up to 8 hours, which can be a lifesaver if you go off the road.

• The "Life Saver" Check: In the UK, the "shoulder check" is vital, especially when merging onto motorways or changing lanes on roundabouts. Never rely solely on mirrors.

• ICE Information: Keep "In Case of Emergency" (ICE) details easily accessible. A small waterproof card in your jacket pocket or a sticker on your helmet with your blood type and emergency contact is highly recommended.

• Emergency Contact: Dial 999 for emergencies. If you are in a location with poor signal, you can often still send an emergency SMS (register by texting 'register' to 999 beforehand).

2. Essential Gear for the UK Climate

The UK weather is famously unpredictable. You can experience four seasons in a single afternoon.

• Layering: Use a base layer, a mid-layer (fleece), and a waterproof outer shell. Even in summer, the wind chill at 60 mph can be biting.

• Waterproofs: Don't just rely on "water-resistant" gear. Carry a dedicated one-piece over-suit or high-quality Gore-Tex.

• Tip: Put your gloves under your jacket sleeves to stop rain from running down your arms and into your gloves.

• Earplugs: Essential for solo riding. Wind noise at high speeds causes fatigue much faster than the actual physical act of riding.

3. Bike Maintenance & Security

Mechanical issues are your responsibility alone when touring solo.

• Daily BOLT Check: Before you set off each morning, check:

• Brakes (fluid levels and pad thickness).

• Oil (level and leaks).

• Lights (indicators, brake light, and headlamp).

• Tyres (pressure and tread—legal limit in the UK is 1mm for bikes over 50cc).

• Tool Kit: Carry a basic kit: cable ties, gaffer tape, a multi-tool, and a puncture repair kit (with CO2 canisters).

• UK Security: Bike theft is a concern in major cities like London, Birmingham, or Manchester. Always use a disc lock and, if staying overnight, a heavy-duty chain attached to an immovable object.

4. Navigation & Route Planning

• Offline Maps: Much of the Scottish Highlands, Wales, and Dartmoor has zero mobile signal. Download Google Maps for offline use or carry a physical road atlas as a backup.

• Fuel Management: In rural areas (especially the Highlands or mid-Wales), petrol stations can be 40+ miles apart and may close early. Refill whenever you hit half a tank.

• Fatigue Management: Without a partner to chat with, it's easy to "zone out." Stop every 90 minutes to stretch, hydrate, and eat.

 MotoKind: Riding Together with Purpose

MotoKind is a UK-based ethical motorcycle platform built to connect riders and motorcycle-related businesses in a way that prioritises trust, transparency, privacy, and community over data exploitation or intrusive marketing.

What Is MotoKind?

MotoKind is a community-driven motorcycle network designed for riders who value integrity and meaningful connections. It brings together riders, independent motorcycle businesses, and experiences in one trusted place.

The MotoKind Mission

At its core, MotoKind exists to put riders first. Unlike traditional platforms that monetise user behaviour, MotoKind is built around ethical principles:

• Respect for rider privacy
• Transparency in how data is handled
• Community-first growth
• Supporting inclusive and welcoming motorcycling

What MotoKind Offers Riders

Riders can explore a trusted UK-wide motorcycle business directory, discover new places to ride, find rider-friendly cafés, workshops, trainers, and dealers, and access guides and stories created by people who genuinely live and breathe motorcycling.

There is no behavioural tracking, no selling of personal data, and no advertising algorithms pushing content. Riders remain fully in control of what they share.

What MotoKind Offers Businesses

For motorcycle businesses, MotoKind provides ethical visibility. Businesses can list themselves in the directory, connect directly with riders who share their values, and choose from different listing tiers depending on how they wish to support the platform.

Listings can highlight values such as Beginner-Friendly and Women-Friendly, helping riders feel confident, safe, and welcome.

Giving Back: The Rider’s Fund

A key part of MotoKind’s ethos is giving back to the riding community. A portion of paid business listings supports the Rider’s Fund, helping new or returning riders access training, safety equipment, and essential support.

See MotoKind – Use MotoKind

MotoKind is designed to be explored freely.

Riders can visit the MotoKind website, search the directory, read guides, and discover ethical motorcycle businesses without being tracked or profiled.

Businesses can submit a listing, choose their level of visibility, and support a platform that reflects the true values of motorcycling.

MotoKind isn’t just something to read about — it’s something to use, support, and ride with.

Why MotoKind Matters

MotoKind proves that modern digital platforms don’t need to exploit users to succeed. By focusing on trust, privacy, and community, it offers a healthier way for riders and businesses to connect — one that reflects the true spirit of motorcycling.

https://motokind.co.uk/

Women Motorcyclists in the UK: Who’s Riding, What They Ride, and Why It’s Growing?

Motorcycling in the UK has long been viewed as a male-dominated activity, but the reality is slowly changing. While women remain a minority of riders, their numbers are increasing, their presence is becoming more visible, and their influence on the motorcycle market is growing.

This article looks at the latest UK statistics on female motorcyclists — who they are, what they ride, and why more women are choosing two wheels.

How Many Women Ride Motorcycles in the UK?

Women currently account for around 8–13% of UK motorcyclists, depending on how the figures are measured (licence holders, insurance data or vehicle ownership).

To put that into context:

• The UK has approximately 1.4–1.5 million licensed motorcycles
• An estimated 70,000–100,000 motorcycles are owned or regularly ridden by women
• Female riders represent around 8% of UK motorcycle insurance policies
• Several thousand women complete a CBT or full motorcycle licence each year

While women remain under-represented overall, the data consistently shows gradual year-on-year growth, particularly among new riders.

Are More Women Riding Now?

Yes — slowly, but consistently.

Women make up a larger share of new riders than they did a decade ago, even as overall UK motorcycle ownership has remained relatively stable. Growth is strongest in:

• CBT and entry-level licence candidates
• Urban commuters
• Lifestyle and leisure riders rather than performance-focused segments

Importantly, women are entering motorcycling faster than they are leaving it, making them one of the few growth demographics in UK riding.

What Age Are Female Motorcyclists?

Female riders span all adult age groups, but industry data shows clear trends.

Most common age ranges:

• 25–34 years – the largest group of new female riders
• 35–54 years – a strong and growing segment, including returning and late-start riders

Unlike historic trends, many women now start riding later in life, often once careers, finances or family commitments allow greater flexibility.

Motorcycling is no longer seen solely as a young person’s activity — particularly among women.

What Motorcycles Do Women Ride?

Women’s bike choices are shaped by confidence, ergonomics and purpose — not gender stereotypes.

Common categories include:

125cc and learner-legal motorcycles

• Most common entry point
• Popular for commuting, training and urban use
• Lightweight, economical and confidence-building

Mid-capacity road bikes (300–700cc)

• Standards, modern classics and parallel twins
• Favoured for balance, seat height and everyday usability

Cruisers, classics and touring bikes

• Particularly popular with older or returning riders
• Comfort, stability and styling often outweigh outright performance

Overall, women ride the same variety of motorcycles as men — choosing what suits their needs rather than expectations.

Why Do Women Choose to Ride?

Surveys and rider interviews show women’s motivations closely mirror those of male riders, with several recurring themes.

Freedom and independence

Motorcycling offers autonomy, escape from traffic and a strong sense of personal control.

Enjoyment and wellbeing

Many riders describe biking as a stress-reliever, confidence booster and positive influence on mental wellbeing.

Empowerment

Learning to ride, passing tests and mastering a motorcycle is frequently cited as personally empowering, particularly in a traditionally male-dominated space.

Community

Women-focused riding groups and clubs have grown rapidly, creating stronger social networks and support systems.

Practicality

Lower running costs, easier parking and faster urban commuting make motorcycles an attractive alternative to cars.

Challenges Still Facing Female Riders

Despite progress, barriers remain:

• Limited availability of properly fitting riding gear
• Persistent stereotypes within parts of the industry
• Training and club environments that can feel unwelcoming
• Fewer female role models in mainstream motorcycle media

That said, manufacturers, retailers and training schools are increasingly responding with better gear ranges, more inclusive marketing and women-friendly initiatives.

What This Means for the Motorcycle Industry

Women may still represent a minority of UK motorcyclists, but they are:

• One of the few growing rider demographics
• Influencing motorcycle ergonomics and gear design
• Expanding the lifestyle and leisure side of motorcycling
• Helping modernise riding culture and perceptions

The future of UK motorcycling depends on attracting new riders — and women are clearly part of that future.

So what are the key Takeaways?

• Women make up around 1 in 10 UK motorcyclists
• Female rider numbers are slowly but steadily increasing
• Riders span all adult age groups
• Bike choices are driven by practicality, comfort and enjoyment
• Freedom, empowerment and community are major motivations

Motorcycling in the UK is evolving — and women are no longer on the margins of that change

#LumpyCarbs collated from several sources E&OE

Can you de-cat a Euro 5+ motorcycle?

 Euro 5 vs Euro 5+ on Petrol Motorcycles – What’s the Difference? And What’s Coming Next?

If you ride a modern bike, you’ve probably seen Euro 5 or Euro 5+ in the spec sheet… but what does that actually mean?

Here’s the quick breakdown 👇

Euro 5 (introduced 2020)

Euro 5 set strict limits on emissions for new motorcycles, especially:

• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Hydrocarbons (HC)
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
• Particle numbers on some direct-injection engines
• Stricter noise and durability requirements

Most modern bikes already have:

✔ catalytic converters

✔ lambda sensors

✔ precise fuel injection and ECU mapping

 Euro 5+ (also called Euro 5b)

Euro 5+ isn’t a whole new standard—it’s a tighter second phase of Euro 5.

For petrol motorcycles, this mainly means:

✅ more accurate real-world testing

✅ tougher on-board diagnostics (more sensors, stricter fault detection)

✅ more stringent durability of emission controls

❗ stricter testing of particulate numbers on direct-injection engines

What riders actually notice:

• ECUs are fussier
• Catalytic converters are more integrated into the exhaust design
• Exhaust mods trigger engine lights more easily
• Bikes must stay cleaner for longer during their life 

What About Euro 6? And When Will It Hit UK Motorcycles?

Euro 6 already applies to cars, but motorcycles have not yet moved to Euro 6.

The EU is preparing a “Euro 6 for motorcycles” (known as Euro 6 for L-category vehicles). The UK usually follows EU standards for bikes with some delay.

Expected UK timeframe:

• No official published date yet, but most industry analysts expect around 2027–2030
• It will likely mean:
  
• Stricter NOx limits
• Wider use of particulate filters on petrol bikes
• More complex ECUs and lambda sensors
• More real-world (RDE-style) emissions testing 

When Euro 6 arrives, exhaust and ECU modifications will get even trickier.

Thinking of Removing the Catalytic Converter? Here’s What You MUST Know

Removing the cat (“de-catting”) is common on older bikes, but modern Euro 5/5+ bikes depend on it for tuning and legal compliance.

If you remove the cat on a Euro 5/5+ bike and still want it to run properly:

You will generally need

• ECU remap or fuel controller
• Lambda sensor adjustments or eliminators (if used)
• Correct fueling to avoid running lean
• Sometimes a modified mid-pipe to ensure proper exhaust back-pressure

What happens if you don’t:

• Engine warning lights
• Limp mode (on some bikes)
• Overheating exhaust valves
• Poor low-end running
• MOT failure if visible tampering is obvious (see below)

UK Law: What Riders MUST Know About Modifying Euro 5/5+ Motorcycles

On Road Use

In the UK it is illegal to use a motorcycle on public roads if you have:

❌ tampered with or removed emissions equipment (including catalytic converters)

❌ modified the ECU so the emissions exceed the approved type-approval standard

This applies even if the bike still passes an MOT. MOT is not the same as type-approval compliance.

MOT Rules

• Motorcycles currently do not have an emissions test at MOT
• BUT testers must fail a bike if a catalytic converter that was originally fitted has clearly been removed on a bike that required it for approval

Insurance

Removing a cat is a material modification.

If you don’t declare it:

→ insurance can be invalidated

→ claims may be rejected

Police / Roadside checks

Roadside enforcement officers can:

• Inspect for missing emission equipment
• Check for ECU tampering
• Issue fines or prohibit the bike from being ridden

Final Thoughts

• Euro 5+ is basically Euro 5 with stricter testing and tougher ECU diagnostics.
• Euro 6 for motorcycles is coming later this decade and will push emissions even lower.
• If you modify your exhaust and remove the cat, be prepared for ECU work, sensor issues, and legal risks.
• Always declare mods to your insurer and make sure you know the legal implications.