Honda targets new generation of riders with Reading University event
Honda UK headed to Reading University with learner bikes, Ride Free test rides and its finance-led New Rider Programme in a fresh attempt to get younger riders onto two wheels.
Honda has once again taken its bikes to university students, this time rocking up at University of Reading in a bid to convince a new generation that two wheels still make sense in 2026.
Following a similar event at Southampton University last year, Honda UK set up shop on the Reading campus on May 19, offering Ride Free taster sessions, learner-friendly bikes and a heavy push for its New Rider Programme. The idea was aimply to get students and staff to have a go on a motorbike for the first time and see if the bug bites.
Honda’s Ride Free instructors were on hand in the university car park, guiding complete novices around on a selection of 125cc machines, while a broader display of bikes sat nearby trying to tempt people in. Among them were the new E-Clutch-equipped Honda CB500 Hornet, the Honda CB125R, Honda Monkey, Honda CRF300L and Honda CMX500 Rebel, alongside Honda’s electric Honda CUV e: scooter.
There was also the slightly less student-budget-friendly sight of a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP on display, because apparently nothing says “accessible first bike” quite like a 214bhp superbike sitting nearby.
Honda says the event was designed to highlight biking as cheap, practical transport, while also promoting its finance-led New Rider Programme, which bundles training, kit and the bike itself into monthly payments.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
