The Devitt MCN Festival

On the 4th & 5th of September 2021 the East of England Arena hosted the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling. For many of us, this was a long awaited return to the event culture after seemingly endless periods in lockdown. With stunt shows, races, riding gear, test rides and a plethora of bikes on show, the MCN Festival offered all the things we love about motorcycling. I spent a day there scoping it out, and here’s what I made of it.

Stunt Men, Bargain Buys & Races

When I bought my ticket to the Devitt MCN Festival, for the exceptionally reasonable price of £15, I had one thing on my mind – test rides! Figuring this was probably a popular motive amongst other festival goers, I decided to set off early. Leaving my house at 7.30a.m., I aimed to be at the festival gates for the minute they opened at 9a.m. My journey from London to Peterborough was well-timed, and I found myself parking my motorcycle in the first row of bikes with other keen riders. Early birds we were, but the first to enter we were not. Those who had booked camping tickets (£35) – which included two nights on site, plus early access to the festival – had pipped us to the post. Inside the festival grounds, small groups of riders already queued up around the various manufacturers’ tents, eager to book their test rides.

In the days leading up to the MCN Festival, I had checked which motorcycles would be available for test rides in each manufacturer’s fleet. Wanting to ride a newly released sports bike, I headed straight for the Kawasaki tent, in hopes of riding a Ninja 650 Performance. I was in luck, and I managed to book a slot for a test ride on one later that afternoon. On to the next tent! But what to choose?

I recalled that BMW had one of the largest selections of motorcycles at the festival – from the new R18 line up, to the sporty S1000RR – so I fancied my chances of booking a slot on a test ride. Following a suggestion from the team, I opted to try something more powerful than my current bike, and ended up putting my name down for a go on the F900R. Two for two, now time for lunch.

Satisfied with my success, I wandered around the food vans, eventually settling down on a nearby picnic table with a Cornish pasty and a coffee.

Bargain buys to be had!

Cornish pasty and coffee for one

Further into the grounds I ventured, passing stalls with used gear, parts and accessories for sale. At the back, surrounded by a noisy crowd, the Two Brothers Stunt Team were performing some tyre-burning tricks. I leant against the bordering barricade and stopped to watch for a while. The talented duo pulled wheelies, stoppies, and moved around their bikes like masters in front of their clapping fans. I was glued to the pair until the show climaxed with a race, involving tight turning skids, close calls and a cloud of smoke.

Two Brothers Stunt Team

I then circled around the perimeter of the festival until I came to the Live Action Arena, where dirt bike racers were flying around the track. I pulled up a pew, and admired the way they drifted so effortlessly across the muddy surface. In the distance, high-flying performers executed tricks in mid-air, obtaining hang time that defied the laws of gravity. With one eye on the time, I realised it was time for my first test ride.

Test Rides At The MCN Festival

My first test ride would be on the F900R, which I soon learned was a sleek naked with plenty of mid-range power. The BMW just never wanted to stop accelerating. This brought many toothy smiles to my face in the brief time I had riding the machine, and the step up in engine size was a memorable experience. In line with the other riders and guides, I swooped through corners, noticing the lightness of the motorrad. My only criticism would be the overly stiff suspension, which made the bumpy country roads slightly more jarring than I was used to. Nevertheless, I had an awesome time and couldn’t wait for my second test ride the moment the first had finished.

BMW F900R

Slick and slender body shape of the naked bike

Having never ridden a sports bike before, I was in for a treat. The Ninja 650 Performance was fun, fast and easy to handle. I darted around the route, gaining a feel for the green machine. I especially liked the smooth braking and riding position, which was far more comfortable than I had expected. I was surprised how controllable the motorcycle felt considering it was my sports bike debut, and had I had more time, I would have loved to have experimented with the flashy new TFT display.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 Performance

Fancy instruments on the sports bike

After my two test rides, the day pushed on and it looked as though I wouldn’t be getting a third. I enquired with Yamaha about riding an MT-09 SP, and I was delighted to hear that there might be a chance at the end of the day! As other manufacturers were running behind schedule, some people were double booked and slots were becoming available. This was great news for me, so I decided to meander around the rest of the festival for an hour or so until the Yamaha representatives had told me to return to their tent.

Motorcycles At The MCN Festival

With time to burn I strolled around all the manufacturers’ tents, ogling at the shiny machines on display. I sat on the Pan America at the Harley-Davidson stand, and was run through some of the cutting edge electronics, such as the self-adapting seat height. Taken aback by the sheer beauty of the Ducati Diavel, I sat and posed for a picture taken by a kind passer-by. So many bikes caught my eye, most notably the Triumph Rocket 3, which felt like an aircraft beneath me when I hopped onto it. After making the rounds to all the tents including Honda, KTM and Zero – the only all electric manufacturer at the festival – I made my way back to Yamaha’s area.

Yours truly sat on the Ducati Diavel

Snazzy looking forks on the Yamaha MT-09 SP

It really must have been my lucky day, because after a brief wait, it was confirmed that they had an MT-09 SP available to test ride on the last round of the day. Feeling the childlike excitement of jumping on a new motorcycle, I followed the other riders out onto the test route. The Yamaha was an outstanding motorbike – clean and smooth through the gears, with great brakes and soft suspension. It was light and comfortable to ride, and without feeling aggressive, had bursts of power whenever called upon. Big smiles, too little time!

What I Gained From The MCN Festival

In just one short day, I felt that I had truly experienced the purpose of the Devitt MCN Festival of Motorcycling. I had ridden bikes I may never have the privilege of owning, I saw live racers and stunt men doing things I could only dream of doing, and I was surrounded by thousands of like-minded people who were just as buzzing as I was. I imagine the social aspect and after hours entertainment made it even more special for those who were camping and attending on the Sunday.

The highlights for me were the dazzling bikes on display, the bargains to be had left, right and centre, and of course, the glorious test rides. Will I be back next year? You can bet your bottom dollar I will be!

Published 29.10.21