Every. Day. Ride #42 with Murphy

Tell us a little about yourself?

Hi I’m Murphy, a 27 year old motorbiker from Scotland! Been in love with bikes since I was a kid and first saw a brand new Ducati 1098, something about that spoke to me and locked in a fixed desire for 2 wheels and an engine

How and when did you get into riding?

I’ve been riding for about 3 years but actually did start my motorbike training back when I was 19, life took me a different path for a while but it was always in the back of my mind to get on 2 wheels (just took longer than I planned!)

What are the best and worst things about riding?

The best is the freedom, open roads and a roaring engine below you. You’ll see places of your country you never thought to go to just for the sake of getting a chippy.

The worst is people’s lack of care to bikers, we account for 5% of the traffic but are often seen as queue dodgers and a loud nuisance, we’re just here to have fun!

Tell us about your most memorable ride to date?

My most memorable ride was doing the NC500 on my cbr650F back in 2024, we were told we’d have fantastic weather and great views but instead we’re dealt torrential rain, gale force winds and terror. I’d do it again in a heartbeat! And In fact I will be in April 2026!

What’s the best piece of riding advice you’ve ever been given?

One I stole/made myself is it’s always better to be able to say “I could’ve gone faster” than “oh no too fast”, I always think getting home at the end of the day and knowing next time you could push it a bit more feels better than going home in a white fan with blue lights on top.

How do you keep your bikes secure at home and on the go?

ALWAYS have a Litelok with me either the X1 or X1 plus (both if I have my tail pack on) nothing gives me the same peace of mind. I pair this with trackers and parking in deliberate spaces but it all starts with the heavy lock.

Share your best tips to help others keep their bikes safe?

Out of sight out of mind. Get it under a cover, put physical obstacles between the bike and the exit, get it on stands with locks, make stealing it a 45 minute job not 45 seconds

When someone asks what kit you recommend, you say?

Get a good helmet. It’s the main piece of protective gear and they last 5 years from good brands, you can change jackets and jeans and gloves all year round but the helmet is a constant, so buy once and buy good.

What’s on your riding bucket list?

Swiss alps! Did some of them in a car late 2025 and knew immediately I needed to be back on 2 wheels, if the ferry from Rosyth > Dunkirk comes to fruition then it’ll be a plan not a maybe!