Irwin brothers take to the roads after passing their motorcycle tests with flying colours

Glenn is also a four-time winner in the Superbike class at the North West 200 and is using to racing on public roads at up to 200mph, but only now is the 28-year-old able to legally ride a motorcycle amongst normal road users.

The talented brothers, who are set to compete in this year’s British Superbike Championship for the Honda Racing team, passed their tests with flying colours.

Glenn completed his CBT training with Moto Training Northern Ireland on a Honda CB650R while Andrew did his test on a CBR650R through Honda’s School of Motorcycling and spent time gaining road experience aboard the entry-level CB125R.

After embarking on a fast-track course, the duo underwent an extensive few days of training before both passing the module one and module two assessments, thanks to the Honda School of Motorcycling Scheme and its partners.

Glenn, who can now take off his L-plates in time for the anticipated better weather in Spring, said: “It’s something I had always wanted to do, but something I never got round to doing.

“Our instructor was excellent and helped us so much and showed us some of the bad traits we’ve picked up from racing. Thanks to his training the test was almost a little easier than the lessons in some respects as he was hard on us in training, to make sure everything was just right and it worked as myself and Andrew passed and also the two other lads in the group with us – we had a great week.”

Andrew was equally enthusiastic about becoming road-legal and said his older brother’s debut at the Isle of Man TT – now put on hold until 2021 after the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis – was an extra incentive to obtain his motorcycle licence.

“Passing the road bike test is something I’ve always wanted to do, and the older I got the more I wanted to do it,” he said.

“With Glenn doing the TT I thought it would be nice to be able to get out and watch from different places around the course, as well as getting from A-B without relying on lifts. Thanks to Honda UK for putting us through the tests.”

Glenn has used the experience as an extension to his TT training, helping him to learn the course. Having his bike licence will also allow him to travel easily to the paddock during the race festival next year.

Both Honda riders tested their BSB Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR-R machines in Spain earlier this month but will have to wait a little longer to return to action.

The official British Superbike test at Silverstone, pencilled in for April 2, has been cancelled, while the first round of the 2020 championship at the same venue over the Easter weekend has been postponed.

The next round is due to be at Oulton Park at the beginning of May but with UK sport effectively in lockdown, it seems likely it will be some time before racing is able to resume.

Last week, Glenn told the News Letter that while it was disappointing to see the North West 200 and TT wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and well-being of the public was of paramount importance.

“People’s health is the priority right now and I’ll still be able to make my debut at the Isle of Man TT in 2021,” he said.

“We will all have people who will be affected by this and that is the big picture right now. It’s a difficult situation for everyone but the work I’ve put in to prepare for my debut at the TT hasn’t been for nothing and it will pay off next year.

“Over these past few days I’ve really noticed the impact that this is having on people’s lives and their livelihoods,” Irwin added.

“When we were coming back from testing in Spain, Alicante was a virtual ghost town and I saw a huge difference there over seven days. My thoughts are with those who have the illness and also those who are being hit by this financially.”