Motion simulators explained
New to motion? Start here.
Everything you need to choose your first motion platform for sim racing or flight sim: what motion actually does, how many axes you need, what fits your room and rig, and which platform suits you best.
What motion adds
Feel what your eyes can only see
A screen shows you the car or aircraft moving. A motion platform moves you with it, so you feel weight transfer, grip and texture through your body instead of guessing from the picture.
Braking
The nose dips as you brake hard, so you feel the weight shift forward and judge your braking point by feel.
PitchCornering
The rig leans as load builds through a corner, the cue that tells you how hard you are pushing.
RollGrip and slides
The rear steps out as the tyres let go, so you catch a slide earlier than the screen alone can show you.
Traction loss / yawBumps and turbulence
Kerbs, crests and rough air become something you feel vertically, on track and in the cockpit.
Heave2DOF to 6DOF explained
How many axes do you need?
Each degree of freedom (DOF) is a direction the platform can move you. Pick a level to see what you would feel, what it suits and where prices start.
Single axis add-ons
Belt tensioners and single axis movers add one strong cue, like the harness pulling you into the seat under braking. A low cost way to add feel, or a top-up for a full platform.
Best forAdding feel to an existing rig
Pitch and roll
Your whole rig tilts with the sim. The nose dips under braking, you lean through corners and bank in the air. The best way to start with motion.
Best forYour first motion rig, racing or flight
Adds traction loss or heave
A third axis on top of pitch and roll. Depending on the platform, either the rear steps out as you lose grip, or you feel kerbs, bumps and turbulence vertically.
Best forSerious sim racers and flyers
Adds heave
Vertical movement for kerb strikes, track texture and turbulence, plus traction loss or yaw on many platforms. The axis most people underestimate until they feel it.
Best forThe top end of most home rigs
Adds surge and yaw
Pitch, roll and heave, plus surge for the punch of acceleration and yaw for slides and oversteer. Close to full motion without going to six axes.
Best forRacers who want slides and real acceleration
Full six axis motion
Every direction at once, including surge under acceleration and sway through long corners. The most complete motion you can get.
Best forNo compromise, home or commercial
Directions of motion
IncludedDepends on platform- PitchNose up and down. Braking and climbing.
- RollTilting side to side. Cornering and banking.
- HeaveUp and down. Kerbs, bumps and turbulence.
- YawRotating. Slides and traction loss.
- SurgeForward and back. Acceleration punch.
- SwaySliding sideways. Load through corners.
Platform finder
Find your platform in under a minute
Tell us your budget, whether you race, fly or both, and how much motion experience you have. We match you to the platforms that fit, with live prices and stock.
Your maximum spend on the motion platform.
Each degree of freedom is a direction the platform can move you. Higher numbers mean more movement and more realistic feedback. Not sure? Leave it on Any.
Before you buy
Eight things to check first
The platform is only half the decision. These are the questions we go through with every customer before they order.
Do you need motion?
An honest answer on what motion adds and when to spend the money elsewhere first.
Read the guide 02Budget
What motion really costs in the UK, from bolt-on systems to full platforms.
Read the guide 03Space
Room sizes, clearances and floor tips for each type of platform.
Read the guide 04Your current rig
You may not need a new cockpit. How to add motion to the one you have.
Read the guide 05Seat mover or platform
Moving just the seat versus moving the whole rig, compared honestly.
Read the guide 06Software and games
SimHub or SimRacing Studio, and how motion talks to your sims.
Read the guide 07Noise and neighbours
Can you run a motion rig in a flat or a shared house?
Read the guide 08VR and motion
What motion fixes in VR, what it does not, and motion compensation.
Read the guideBeginner reading
Start with these guides
Plain-English guides written for UK buyers, from what a motion platform is to choosing between 2DOF and 6DOF.
The basicsWhat is a Sim Racing Motion Platform and Is It Worth It?
Read
ChoosingHow to Choose a Sim Racing Motion Platform: 2DOF vs 3DOF vs 6DOF
Read
Buying guideMotion Platform Sim Racing UK — The Complete Buying Guide
Read
Flight simBest Motion Platform for Flight Simulator UK: MSFS, X-Plane and DCS in 2026
Read
Upgrade pathThe Best Sim Racing Upgrade Path: When to Add Motion to Your Rig
Read
CockpitsHow to Choose a Sim Racing Cockpit for a Motion Platform
ReadCommon questions
Motion simulator FAQ
What does DOF mean on a motion platform?
DOF stands for degrees of freedom: the number of directions a platform can move you. Pitch tips you forward and back, roll tilts you side to side, heave moves you up and down, yaw rotates you, surge pushes you forward and back, and sway slides you sideways. More axes means more of what the car or aircraft is doing reaches your body.
How many axes do I need to start?
For most people a 2DOF platform (pitch and roll) is the right first step, because braking and cornering are the cues you notice most. A third axis adds either traction loss or heave, and 4DOF to 6DOF platforms add more detail for serious racers and flyers. Use the platform finder above for a recommendation based on your budget and use.
Can I add motion to the rig I already have?
Often, yes. Many platforms and bolt-on systems sit under an existing aluminium profile cockpit, and seat movers add motion to the seat only. Compatibility depends on your cockpit and the platform, so read how to add motion to your rig or ask us with your cockpit model.
Which games work with a motion platform?
Most popular racing and flight sims are supported through motion software such as SimRacing Studio or SimHub. Support varies by platform and software, so check the product page or our SimHub vs SimRacing Studio guide, and ask us if your main sim is not listed.
How much space do I need?
It depends on the platform and how far it moves. Seat movers and bolt-on systems need little more room than your rig, while larger platforms need clearance on every side. Our space guide covers room sizes and floors.
Does motion help with VR sickness?
It can help some people, because your body feels the movement your eyes see, but it is not a guaranteed fix. Read our honest answer on motion and VR sickness before you buy for that reason alone.
Do you deliver and support across the UK?
Yes. We are a UK company, prices include UK VAT with no import charges for you to pay, and delivery to UK mainland addresses is free. Delivery times are shown on each product page. If you have a question before or after you buy, our motion specialists reply by email.
Still not sure? Ask a motion specialist.
Tell us about your rig, your room, the sims you play and your budget. We will reply by email with an honest recommendation, even if that means motion is not right for you yet.