BikeSocial Web Editor. Content man, reviewer, commissioner, road tester, video presenter, interviewer and race fan. First ride was a 1979 Honda ST70. Not too shabby on track, loves a sports bike, worries about helmet hair, occasionally plays golf and squash but enjoys being a father to a 6-year-old the most.
Sit still, be quiet and pay attention. And you at the back, stop playing with your phone.
Welcome to the best school in the world; Bennetts BikeSocial Motorcycling Home School –and let’s start with some good news; there is no such thing as detention, and you will enjoy the homework!
Since schools have been closed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all become familiar with the term ‘home schooling’ and we’re not letting motorcycling be forgotten. So, with one lesson per day over the coming weeks, we’ve teamed up with Honda and their Engine Room website to bring the basics of motorcycling to life with a short, entertaining and easy to understand explanation of a motorbike, it’s components and how both outside influences and rider adjustments can affect the balance, control, grip and stability of the bike.
Journalist and former racer, Adam ‘Chad’ Child, is our teacher and explains the nuances of aerodynamics, traction control, rake and trail as well as what a CBT is, the effect of a pillion on weight distribution and how tyres work among other subject matters. The intention is Chad’s own 6-year old son can understand these basic motorcycle lessons and therefore we encourage a new generation to get involved with the most incredible form of transport.
If only school was as interesting as this when we were younger.
Lesson 15: Your First Road Trip
What should you pack for your first motorcycle road trip or big adventure, and how? Thankfully, we have the answers in the latest episode of BikeSocial's HomeSchooling.
Lesson 14: How to corner on a motorcycle (basic)
There are so many variables in any corner, from their angle, to the condition of the road and many other potential dangers but, get the basics right and you can apply them in all situations. So, for lesson 14 of our HomeSchooling series, we take you through some cornering dos and don'ts on a motorcycle - always expect the unexpected.
Lesson 13: Motorcycle terminology explained
What does sag mean, or IMU? There are plenty of words and acronyms used in motorcycling that not everybody understands so here is our HomeSchool lesson for today - an easy-to-grasp guide to the motorcycle language.
Lesson 12: Understanding motorcycle tyres
What do the grooves on a motorcycle tyre do? Why do they have three compounds? Do they need to rotate in a certain direction? What pressure do I need? All of these questions and more are answered in the latest lesson in our Home Schooling series, in conjunction with Honda Engine Room.
Lesson 11: Motorbike Licences Explained
From CBT to A1 to A2 to A - do you know which licence you need to get into motorcycling? We do and that's why the latest lesson in our Home Schooling series has all the answers.
Lesson Ten: How weight affects a motorcycle
This is a series of short, entertaining and easy to understand explanations of a motorbike, its components and how both outside influences and rider adjustments can affect the balance, control, grip and stability of the bike.
Lesson Nine: Improving a motorcycle engine's performance
This is a series of short, entertaining and easy to understand explanations of a motorbike, its components and how both outside influences and rider adjustments can affect the balance, control, grip and stability of the bike.
Lesson Eight: How does a motorcycle engine work?
How does a motorcycle engine work; suck, squeeze, bang, blow. The difference between a two-stroke and a four-stroke, a single cylinder engine, a twin, a triple and a four cylinder engine...
Lesson Seven: How does a motorcycle's rear suspension work?
How to set up a motorcycle's rear suspension and understand what it does
Lesson Six: How does the front suspension on a motorcycle work?
How to set up a motorcycle's front suspension and understand what it does
Lesson Five: How a motorcycle reacts to extra weight
Explaining the effects of a pillion, luggage and suspension on a motorbike
Lesson Four: Rider Aids
Traction control and ABS explained
Lesson Three: Geometry
What do rake and trail mean and how do suspension changes affect the motorcycle
Lesson Two: Aerodynamic Wings
What wings do, and why are they used on motorbikes?
