The Entire guide to...riding your motorcycle around the Isle of Man TT course

It’s the world’s greatest race track, and you can travel on it every single day. Yes, the Isle of Man TT Mountain course is made up of public roads you can ride on your own motorbike. Here’s what you need to know…

The Isle of Man TT Mountain course (with the exception of one tiny section) is made up of 37.73 miles of public roads. It sees bikes racing through towns and villages, flashing past houses, shops and schools at almost 200mph and racing along the desolate A18 Mountain Road, probably the ultimate A road on the British Isles.

And, with the exception of times when the roads are closed for racing, you too can ride your motorcycle (or drive a car, van or milk float) around the same ribbons of asphalt where heroes are made.

Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not but there are a few things you need to know. Here’s our Entire Guide to riding around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course.

You need a road legal motorbike

You’re riding on public roads, so your bike needs to be road legal to ride around the mountain course. This includes making sure you have insurance for your motorcycle, which covers you in the Isle of Man.

The Isle of Man is a British crown dependency, not part of the United Kingdom, and has its own laws, so it’s important to check everything’s in order before you get on the ferry, because…

The Isle of Man is heavily policed

This is especially true during the TT fortnight, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. As we’ve mentioned before, the island makes its own laws and you will be expected to stick to them.

There are no speed limits on certain sections of road, but that doesn’t mean it’s lawless. Reckless riding is frowned upon and the police will crack down on anyone riding stupidly. As we mentioned before, it’s important to make sure everything’s in order before arriving because stuff like knackered tyres and small number plates are likely to get you a pull (as could a noisy exhaust).

The police are usually a friendly lot but they’re ultimately there to keep everyone safe. Take the mickey and they’ll have no problem nicking you. The courts usually have extra sittings during the TT – which shows they’ll have no problem hauling you up in front of the beak – and although the laws are different there’s a reciprocal deal with the United Kingdom.

Get caught over the drink drive limit, or riding without insurance (remember to double check the small print, especially if riding someone else’s bike) and there’s a chance you’ll get banned. And if you get banned on the island you’ll be banned in the UK, and will have to deal with all the issues that creates further down the line.

They are busy public roads

The Isle of Man has a magnetic attraction to motorcyclists, even outside of TT fortnight, but it’s ultimately a bustling island where people are going about their daily business. Davey Todd might be able to head down Bray Hill at over 160mph, but chances are you’ll be crawling along at 16mph at rush hour.

Urban parts of the TT course are frankly a bit rubbish to ride and are not even close to feeling like a race track when the roads are open. Just dawdle along and keep reminding yourself that people race along these roads.

The race furniture is there

Indeed, when riding through the TT course in Douglas and Ramsey, the only thing to make you realise this is no ordinary town are the sponsor banners, corner signs and protective barriers which line the roads in and around TT time. It creates a heady juxtaposition which truly is unique.

There are speed limits

Although a lot is made of the island’s lack of speed limits, it’s important to remember these only apply at certain places. Built up areas have limits and these will be policed. It’s only when you see the white circular sign with a black diagonal line through it, the national speed limit sign in the UK, that you can ride without speed limits.

This usually includes the A18 Snaefell Mountain road, the iconic 13 mile stretch which defines the TT races, although it’s important to know that this section is usually only one-way (in the direction of the races) and often has temporary speed limits at certain points during the festival.

Smile for the cameras

Keen to cash in on bikers looking to capture their TT memories, a number of photographers often pitch up on the Mountain and take pics of passing riders. You can usually purchase these as a memento of your time on the island. Slow down for speed cameras though!

Get up early for the clearest ride

The course is busy during the day, so those who really want to experience the course at its best often get up at first light to get a lap in before the traffic builds up. Be careful though. There are a lot of incidents around the TT course from road users testing themselves on the legendary course. Ride within your own limits, respect other road users and enjoy the experience. It’s a public road, after all.

You can’t ride Governor’s Dip

While you can ride most of the course there’s one little bit at the end of the lap, the first gear hairpin called Governor’s Dip, which isn’t a public road. You’re not missing much, but don’t try to go down the road as it will all be coned off.

Enjoy the landmarks

Enjoy the road and make a tour of it. You don’t have to do all 37.73 miles in one hit (that’ll probably take well over an hour if it is busy anyway) so don’t be afraid to stop off and see the iconic locations. Visit some of famous pubs, like Ginger Hall or the Creg-ny-Baa, enjoy the impromptu bike meets in Ramsey or get something to eat at the Victory Café. It’s all part of the experience.

Join a parade

With racing now held on the middle Sunday of the festival, some will miss the passing of Mad Sunday – the anarchic free for all which was infamous for riders (and drivers) whizzing around the Mountain roads. For some it was the ultimate adrenaline rush, but these days one of the best ways to enjoy the TT course during TT week is to join a parade.

The Legacy Lap is a chance to participate in a mass ride out around the course in a more sedate manner. It attracts an eclectic bunch of bikes and riders, with the latest superbikes joined by Groms, trials bikes, old two-strokes, sidecars and everything in between. Check out the social media to get the times and dates of the next one.

Visit away from the races

The Isle of Man is a wonderful island with plenty to offer throughout the year. Visiting later in the year, after the races are over, gives a great opportunity to enjoy riding the legendary roads away from the craziness of the festival. The same guidelines apply, but with less bikes on the road we think it’s a more relaxing experience than you’d find when the racing is on.

Photos: Suzuki Press/Isle of Man TT Races