60 Motorbikes Later and I'm Still Hooked | Dan Trent | Rider Stories

With over 20 years of experience writing about cars, Dan Trent has turned his lifelong passion into a full-time career. A skilled journalist, photographer, and video presenter, Dan’s expertise spans everything from two to four wheels. More recently, Dan's caught the motorcyling bug, capturing his journey as a CBT to full licence rider through reviews, training stories, and adventures on his YouTube channel. Join us as we find out what he’s learned after riding over 60 different bikes.

What do you currently ride?

That’s a slightly tricky one because I don’t actually own a bike, what I ride changes weekly. I’m in a really fortunate position where I review bikes for a living so I get to try out a lot. I got my licence in July 2023 and started reviewing bikes properly in early 2024, and must have ridden over 60 different models since then. So, I’m still very much figuring out what I like.

This week it’s the Morbidelli T1002V. I took it to visit family in Anglesey, through Snowdonia in the rain, panniers full. It’s like a big armchair with an engine – super comfortable and really capable.

But in general, a bike that really stood out to me was the Norton Commando 961 Café Racer. That and the Triumph Scrambler 1200 are both high up my list if I were buying. I’ve realised I’m drawn to modern classics, especially ones with round headlights. I know it sounds niche but it’s a vibe.

Why did you start riding?

I’ve always been a cyclist – two wheels have been a lifelong passion. And I’ve always loved cars and engines. So the idea of putting the two together, an engine and two wheels, was kind of inevitable, really.

But the actual trigger was my job. I’m a car journalist, and we were doing a piece on the Silence electric scooter, which was being sold through SEAT dealerships under their branding. They wanted car journalists to try it out, so they put us through our CBTs.

I rode it into work a few times and thought, “Yeah, this is fun.” Not long after, I wanted to try something with gears – a petrol bike. I reached out to someone at Honda, and they loaned me a CB125R. Then they said, “Why not use this to get your full licence?” And that’s what I did.

I actually did my first bit of green laning last week – some off-road training with Phoenix Motorcycle Training in the Peak District. Because of my mountain biking background, the instructor said I looked really comfortable letting the bike move underneath me. It was great!

Why do you enjoy riding?

There’s something really pure about the experience. You’re so mechanically connected to everything. You can’t check your phone, you can’t skip a song – it forces you to be present. You have to be completely in the moment, your survival literally depends on it.

I did some work with Mental Health Motorbike before I was riding actually, for IAM Roadsmart’s magazine. I was really struck by what they said about the mental health benefits of riding, how it forces the noise in your head to get parked because you have to focus entirely on what you're doing. There’s no room for distractions. A friend of mine—who was actually a big part of me getting into riding—used to go out on his motorbike during lockdown and often said how much it helped clear his head.”

That’s the main thing really, being forced to be completely focused on the moment and not think about anything else.

What’s your go-to outfit?

It changes a lot, mainly because I’m lucky enough to have gear sent my way. But the very first thing I bought – and still my favourite – is my Shoei Glamster helmet. It’s retro in style, quite plain but super comfy.

I usually go for the RST Sabre jacket. It has a classic look but offers the highest level of protection (AAA), which I obviously prioritise as a beginner. I pair it with RST Touring leather trousers. The last thing I wanted was knee sliders making me look like I was trying too hard, especially early on. But these trousers also have AAA protection and zip into the jacket, which is really useful. I’ve also got RST boots, all plain black, and a grey helmet to match.

That’s my most comfortable set. It doesn’t suit every bike or every type of weather. I wouldn’t wear it on an adventure bike, for example. But it’s versatile and offers the best protection I own. It’s not the most weatherproof though, so not ideal for winter commuting — not that that’s stopped me before!

What keeps you coming back to riding?

I love it! That’s the short answer.

It’s still a novelty — something exciting and new. It means I actually look forward to commuting. That feeling when you wake up and think, “Oh! I get to ride a motorbike today,” hasn’t worn off yet.

There are practical elements too. Parking in central Manchester is a tenner a day, but it’s free for motorbikes, so it saves money. It’s also quicker. I can filter through traffic and shave at least 15–20 minutes off each journey.

But mainly, it’s just fun.

What clothing or equipment could you not live without?

That Glamster helmet again, partly because it’s so comfortable, but also because it works perfectly with my filming setup. I’ve got a few to choose from, but I always go back to the Shoei.

I’ve mounted a GoPro on the chin for a forward-facing shot, and there’s another camera clamped to my bars, pointing at me. Something I noticed with other motorbike creators is they often only show the road ahead. I think it’s more personal when people can see your face too. My style is one take, no edits. I want it to feel like a conversation, not just hands on handlebars.

Audio is a bit trickier. I’m friends with Usernamekate, a female motorbike content creator, and her sound quality is always brilliant. I really need to ask how she gets it that good. I use a separate voice recorder with a tie mic taped inside my helmet, and I’ve been experimenting with different settings. Still trying to get it just right.

Also, and this might sound a bit odd, Gorilla Tape is a lifesaver. It’s in my kit bag every time I film. If something breaks, rattles, or just needs a quick fix, it always works.

What’s the best advice you’d give to new riders?

Get out and ride. Honestly, just ride. It sounds simple, but when I first got my 125, I used every excuse to get on the road—commutes, longer rides out—anything to rack up the miles. A 125 teaches you loads about the basics without throwing you into anything too risky, so that’d be my first bit of advice.

But the learning doesn’t stop once you’ve got your licence. I’m mates with a guy called Reg Local, he’s an advanced driving and riding instructor, and he’s got a great YouTube channel. I’ve done some advanced training with him, and he’s been unbelievably generous with his time. We’d head out for a ride, and he’d follow me on his big GS, giving constant feedback and tips as we went. That was back when I was still on the 125, and it was incredibly helpful. We did some proper long days out too, even on that little bike.

More recently, I did a track skills course with IAM RoadSmart. It wasn’t a full-on track day, more of a structured session run by police instructors, focused on things like braking, body position, and cornering. It was brilliant. I learned loads in just a few hours, and it really made me think differently about how I ride.

Riding with the right people helps too. My mate Sim is a good example, he’s quick when he wants to be, but more than happy to go steady. Following someone like that really helps you find your flow and grow your confidence.

You can hear and see more from Dan on his YouTube Channel, @midlifecrisismotorcylist

Or on his Instagram.