Motorcycle training in Cambridge
Why train at Cambridge?
We provide motorcycle training for the Cambridge area. This includes Compulsory Basic Training CBT, Direct Access courses, Standard licence, Advanced and all aspects of learning to ride a motorcycle or moped.
Camrider Cambridge has a full-time CBT site with a purpose-built training pad and classrooms, offices, workshop and canteen area. We have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds to bring you the very best training facility in the region. Only Camrider offers purpose-built dedicated facilities to ensure you pass your full motorcycle test and enjoy the learning process in the Cambridge area.
As a centre of excellence, the Camrider Cambridge CBT site has been visited by DVSA officials, television crews and many road safety organisations as an example of best practice for professional motorcycle training. We have featured on Fifth Gear, Anglia Television News, BBC News, Radio 4, Ride magazine, Motorcycle News Magazine and many more reporting our industry-leading training techniques and facilities.
Above is Jonny Smith from Channel 5’s Fifth Gear – Passing his test (first time) at Camrider Cambridge
Opening times
Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
Book your Course today:
Located just outside of Cambridge with lots of free secure parking, bus routes outside and Whittlesford train station just under a mile away, we are ideally located to serve Cambridge and the surrounding towns and villages.
What marks our Cambridge site as unique is that it is a full-time purpose-designed and built facility that has classrooms, workshop, office, large off-road training pad with good rest facilities including bathrooms and kitchen.
We like to look after our customers and there are no bussing people to remote patches of concrete/ tarmac, no issues with being caught short if you need the bathroom, and of course, you can safely park, change and store your personal items in locked facilities and have an air-conditioned rest area to have a free tea or coffee. This we believe puts you at ease and helps riders, particularly our female customers, to feel safe and properly cared for.
Key elements
- Loan motorcycles: 50cc, 125cc and 600cc
- Loan helmets, jackets, gloves and waterproofs
- DVSA tests are booked in advance – we have 100’s of available tests reserved.
- Specifically designed safety equipment and bikes with lowered or raised seat heights and suspension available to help riders of all heights and sizes.
- We specialise in helping the nervous, new or very inexperienced get up to speed, not just with caring instruction but with equipment and systems to aid the process. We believe anyone can ride with the right attitude and patience to learn.
- Large private training area for CBT and Mod 1 practice
- Classrooms, bathroom, rest areas and training pad all on one site
Our Instructors and Staff
MARK CHAPPELL – CBT INSTRUCTOR
Mark has been riding for over 35 years – he’s been a courier, toured around Europe and has a collection of at least 6 bikes in his garage – he keeps saying he’s not going to buy anymore! He has been an instructor for Camrider since the end of 2020. He rides a Suzuki DL650 for instructing and is known for his encouraging manner and enthusiasm. His superpower is keeping his bikes clean – even in the middle of winter his bike stays immaculate! When he’s not instructing he spends time walking his two dogs, cycling and doing odd jobs for himself and his family.
BEN LAWRENCE – CBT INSTRUCTOR
Ben is one of our CBT instructors and has been working for Camrider Cambridge since July 2020. He currently rides a very red Triumph Sprint 1050. A gentle giant, Ben is known for his patience and his soothing voice over the radio. When he’s not riding, Ben spends his time searching for parts on eBay for his ‘fixer-uppers’ and trying to get them running again.
MATT COOPER – SENIOR DAS INSTRUCTOR
Matt started his instructing career in Bury St Edmunds, and transferred over to Cambridge when the branch closed. An experienced and friendly instructor, he has been riding for 22 years and instructing for the since 2011. He rides a Ninja 650 for instructing, and has a Hyabusa in the garage for fun. When he’s not riding or fixing his motorbikes he plays bass in a band and enjoys going out for good food when he can.
VICKY ISTED – OFFICE MANAGER
Vicky has been running the office for the last few years, having started working in the business with Luke in 2016. She will be the voice on the phone when you ring to discuss training – if you’re lucky you may see her on one of her rare days in the office as she mostly works from home, along with juggling the school run and the housework. In the spare time she has you will likely find her curled up on the sofa with a good book, or making a crochet blanket, and if she’s not there she’s in the kitchen baking delicious goodies to keep the instructors happy!
LUKE ISTED – MANAGING DIRECTOR
Luke owns the Cambridge franchise of Camrider, along with his wife Vicky. He is passionate about biking and road safety and his breadth of knowledge is immense. If you want advice on licencing law, bikes, mechanics or kit then Luke is the man to ask! He’s always had a passion for teaching, and is lucky enough to have been able to combine it with his passion for all things motorcycling. He has been instructing for Camrider for over 20 years now, is fully qualified and still keeps his hand in with instructing when he is needed. When he is not working you will probably find him in his garage tinkering with either his Multistrada V4 or his Panigale 1199s; if he’s not there he will be chilling out watching a film with his family or tidying up his tools! He also enjoys going off-roading occasionally on his Yamaha XT600.
ARRON FITT – DAS INSTRUCTOR
Arron has been riding since 2014 and has been an instructor with Camrider since the beginning of 2019. He is patient but firm, and will give you lots of great riding tips while you go through your training. He currently rides a green Triumph Tiger 800, which has been well loved and well used, travelling to various places in Europe. In his spare time he enjoys going for long walks in Thetford Forest, visiting zoos or going off-roading on his Yamaha XT600.
We believe that learner motorcyclists deserve the best possible environment to train in and that high-quality machinery and equipment are not just an advantage, but are essential.
In particular, we are the only local company to use the New Kawasaki z650 motorcycles that are compliant with the European Third directive and also have specially manufactured rider protection bars.
Some of our Bikes
Yamaha YBR 125cc
First class learner 125cc bike from Yamaha. We believe the YBR is one of the very best bikes possible to take your CBT or standard training on.These motorcycles have fuel injection so there are no “choke” issues or warming up problems.
As the YBRs come from Yamaha you can rely on high end build quailty and relaiability that is not found in the “Cheaper” Chinese imports
Kawasaki Z650
Striking Sugomi styling, easy control and accessible power invoke the
Kawasaki Z spirit. LED lights and a TFT display deliver the
newest tech. The Z650 has full rider protection bars and a switchable power system.
Honda CB125f
The CB125F is a full-sized feel, for a full-sized experience. There’s wind protection from the angular nose fairing and fly screen. Perfect for learners with a low seat height and the legendary Honda reliability and performance.
Honda Vision 50cc
Excellent Honda quality with a perfect seat height and the premium feel of this major brand. The Vision is powered by an air-cooled 49cc four-stroke engine coupled to an automatic transmission.
Piaggio Zip
With its lightweight lines and versatile style, the Zip is a nippy little scooter with bold features such as elongated optical elements with integrated turn indicators and the headlamp proudly positioned in the strikingly designed handlebar.
Motorcycle Training Classes & Courses
Camrider is an Approved Training Body licenced by the DVSA
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
CBT is a course of instruction and assessment for new riders wanting to ride a moped or geared motorcycle. It must be taken by any rider wanting to use a 50cc moped, or 125cc motorcycle before they get on the road using “L” plates.
CBT
Entry requirements:
a) UK provisional licence photocard
b) Minimum age: 16
What is included
- CBT certificate (DL196)
- Loan 50cc Moped or 125cc Motorcycle
- Petrol and insurance
- Loan helmet, gloves, jackets and waterproofs
- Expert instruction from DVSA qualified instructors
Full motorcycle test
Pass your full motorcycle test and ride a large cc motorcycle. Training is provided by our expert, DVSA qualified instructors and we provide a fully managed service including CBT, online theory practice, full DVSA training & the final practical tests.
Full Test
Entry requirements:
a) UK provisional licence photocard
b) Minimum ages:
24 years for “A” licence = Any cc any power
19 years for “A2” licence = Any cc max 47bhp power
c) A motorcycle theory test pass. You can start the course without this but will need a pass at least 10 days before your final tests
What is included
- CBT & certificate (DL196)
- DVSA Test Fees – we pre-book hundreds in advance
- Loan 125cc / 600cc bikes
- Petrol and insurance
- Helmet, gloves, jackets and waterproofs
- Our online and App theory and hazard perception training tools
Call
01223 789858
Call us for free advice, diary dates and general info on motorcycle training in Cambridge
I recently completed my CBT and then went on to pass both Mod 1 and Mod 2 through the DAS course with Camrider, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience…
From start to finish, the training was excellent. My instructors Aaron and Matt were brilliant, patient, and clear….
Behind the scenes, Luke and Vicky were also amazing. They kept everything organised, friendly, and running smoothly, which made the whole process stress free…
Thanks to the whole team I passed first time, and now feel safe and confident at riding…
I’d highly recommend Camrider to anyone!!
3 months ago • Toren Purser
Matt and Aaron as instructors were wonderful, I did some scary stuff initially but both were so calm. They worked with me and used a number of approaches to get their points across, to the point that I passed first time, even though I was nervous. Vicky was lovely and helped at each point and I got loads of good advice from the big man himself on how to maintain my bike.
Thanks again to all, much appreciated.
4 weeks ago • Colin
The Camrider team was absolutely great.
From hardly no experience on riding I completed my full bike license.
Matt and Arron are very helpful and patient and we’re great to learn from.
Vikki and Luke were great finding time and booking my lessons and tests around my work.
Overall I would recommend anyone who wants to learn to ride to Camrider.
2 months ago • Simon James
Best experience I’ve ever done, from start to finish the camrider team have been helpful, informative and just absolutely lovely they teach you at the highest standards. I would recommend them to anyone trying to get any motorcycle lessons. Big thank you to all of them for such an amazing journey.
2 weeks ago • younesse _zz
Matt and Arron were extremely patient with me and helped to gradually build my confidence in a supportive manner, I managed to pass my DAS Mod 1 and Mod 2 first time.
I am short, so this lead to me being very unsure and nervous at the start. The school has low seat options for their bikes, which was helpful.
Also Vicky is very a welcoming and happy person who keeps everyone on track and handles all of the DVLA stuff (even when they cancel short notice)
2 months ago • Jennie Weatherill