My Journey into Motorcycling as a Female Rider

2 years ago I started my journey into motorcycling. My husband passed his full licence in March 2024, and, not to be left out, I went for my CBT in October of the same year. I passed my full licence in February 2026 and even now, nearly 2 years later, I still feel very new and nervous when it comes to riding. Here is my journey into motorcycling as a female rider.

The CBT

CBT = Compulsory Basic Training. Usually consisting of an hour discussion regarding the correct gear, rules of the road and getting to know the bike. After this, you will spend a few hours on the training ‘pad’ (a large car park sized tarmac with cones set out for manoeuvres). Once you are comfortable with the bike, you then do an hour or so on the road, demonstrating road awareness. If the instructor deems you safe, you are awarded with your certificate.

With a completed CBT certificate, you can ride a 125cc bike only, and have to have L plates on. You cannot carry a pillion (passenger) and cannot go on motorways.

My Journey into Motorcycling as a Female Rider

I booked with a local training centre, BCMT, who were so patient and made me feel just as valued as everybody else. I geared up, in a helmet that was slightly too big and gloves that were definitely too big, and proceeded to pull too much on the throttle and kangaroo around the pad in my first 5 minutes. Once I figured out that the throttle was so much more sensitive than I expected, I calmed down and started to take control. Not without a few frustrated tears, I might add. I am too hard on myself sometimes when I can’t do something straight away!

Due to my own hesitancy with the bike, having never been on one ever in my life, I was offered the chance to go back on a different day to do the road portion of the CBT. I didn’t mind as it meant more practice, and the training centre didn’t charge anything extra for this.

I went back 2 weeks later, rode on the road, where 30 miles an hour seemed like I was doing 70! My hazard awareness was on point, due to driving a car for the last 10 years anyway, so the session concentrated more on the bike handling. I was presented with my certificate and told to work on picking up my speed when pulling off.

My First Bike

I bought myself a 125cc Lexmoto and felt immediately like I didn’t belong on the road. I bought some gloves and a helmet that fit properly and tried to get some miles in. Working full time and having 3 children does put paid to spending a lot of time on the bike. As winter was approaching, I couldn’t do much, apart from a Sunday morning here and there when it wasn’t raining. But it was COLD!

The new year approached and I put some hours in on the bike. I finally felt ready to go for the MOD1 and MOD2. I knew I wouldn’t feel comfortable staying on a 125cc, so braced myself for the next step. As it was widely noted, a larger bike felt much easier to control with the clutch and the throttle, which made me feel more in control overall. I moved on to a Kawasaki Z650, where I immediately felt so much more confident.

The Next Steps

I passed my Theory, and had maybe 3 or 4 lessons before taking the MOD1 portion of the full licence. Not much time on the pad, but I did practice basic manoueuvres on my Lexmoto on a carpark.

MOD 1 day came, and I failed. At the very last part; the hazard avoidance. I completely missed the avoidance part and went straight into the cones! I felt very stupid, but sort of proud as I had done everything else perfect before then.

4 weeks later, they had an openng and managed to avoid the cones this time! I just had to tell myself that I was ok, that I had practiced and practiced and knew what I was doing. The self tlk paid off and so i was presented with another certificate to add to my stack.

The MOD2 also took me two attempts. The first one, I was absolutely fine with my actual riding, I just took an unfamiliar island in the wrong lane, then cut across without realising. This was obviously a serious fault and therefore could not pass. My second attempt was the same route, where I rode fine, albeit a little slow and unsure with my speeds at times. But, I can work on this.

Upgrade time!

I took myself to Superbike Factory (rest their souls) a week later and purchased a shiny new bike. A Kawasaki ER6-N, (N for Nakey!) It was a toss up between a Z650, that I was familiar with, or the ER6, which looks nicer. Also, the insurance is mega cheap for the ER6. Only £180 per year. Bargain.

And so the adventures begin. I still haven’t put in many riding hours. A café run here and there on a Sunday, with our Bike and Brew Passports.

I did partake in the Bike4Life event, which was the scariest thing I may have done. Trying to slow ride with thousands of bikes out of the car park, but the thrill of being together with friends, riding down a closed motorway was pretty cool.

Next weekend will be the most riding I will do, as my husband and I are off to Silverstone to watch the MotoGP. 71 miles there, back and forth from the B&B and pit stops in between. It doesn’t sound like a lot for a seasoned rider, but as someone who still has a nervous wee every time I go out on the bike, I am hoping it will make me feel a little bit more ingrained in the riding community.

If you are new too, or thinking about starting your journey, here are a few tips:

Don’t feel the need to buy all the gear, straight away. The CBT centre will usually let you ride with jeans, boots and will provide jackets/helmets/gloves if needed. I used my husbands’, but I found that I had to really look around and sometimes bought something that wasn’t right and had to swap until I found the right fit. This took some time!

You don’t need gears. With the CBT, you can do a non geared option first, before moving to a bike with gears. This may be easier if you have never drove a car or if you can’t get to grips with gears straight away. I have heard lots of girls startng on non gears, then buying a geared bike to practice at home with a companion.

Ride your own ride. This is so important. I have learned (after a while) that I belong on the road. That my ride and my speed is my own, for my own safety. So I can return home in one piece to my babies. Nobody will push me, in a car or a bike, to ride any faster than I am comfortable with. I do the speed limit, and no more. My corners and bends are sometimes still slow, but I am learning to feel comfortable.

Practice makes perfect. With every trip out, my confidence builds. Especially in the areas I am familiar with. I still get the shakes and think of all the what if’s, but I am learning what my bike can do and how I can handle it more and more each time.

It’s fun! With the mental worries aside, I can see why people take up motorcycling. It feels free and easy, especially in the summer months, and as someone who can never quite switch off my brain, a wonderful clarity comes over me when I ride.

If you want to ask me any questions, please feel free to comment them on here. Or, I am starting to document my journey into motorcycling as a female rider on my private Instagram page; @zoeelh DM me if you wish!