May

Year: 2009

Month: May

Suspension advice: finding the base settings

28 May 2009 by MCN

Before you go tweaking away at the bike’s adjustable suspension, make a note of what the settings were before you started. This might sound simple, but many an afternoon has been ruined by haste in...

Naked or faired for a first bike?

27 May 2009 by MCN

MCN’s problem-solving community has the answers to most biking queries you could imagine. Here, they help a newbie with new bike choice… Ziqnzoq: I passed my test last week and am now thinking about...

Suspension advice: Yamaha 2003 R1

27 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’m experiencing problems with the back end of my standard...

Readers vote Shoei top helmet

27 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Shoei’s XR1000 has been voted best for comfort and best overall helmet over £400 in our MCN Biking Britain survey. To join 12,000 other readers in making your voice heard, click here to enter the...

Keeping rain off your visor

26 May 2009 by andybiker

Regarding keeping rain off your visor, the best way is to use a V-Wipe. No, not the sponge in a bag that helps you keep it clean but a rubber sheath complete with windscreen wiper-like blade that you slip over your gloved finger. I think it’s made by Bob Heath. Brilliant!

FAQ: Should I warm up my bike before a ride?

22 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Could you please clear something up for me? My DAS instructor...

Kit: Finding motorcycle clothing for large riders

22 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve jsut passed my test and I’m eager to get going, but I’m stumbling across a few problems finding kit to fit. I’m of the oversized group and I am finding it very hard to find the gear I need in my size. I know I have a few options, like go on a crash diet,...

Product advice: Keeping rain off your visor

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. My summer gloves can’t shift the rain off my visor – is there anything else I can use? A. Try giving your visor a coat of Raincoat – it claims to waterproof your visor, making it harder for water droplets to stick to it. Also, an alternative method of shifting...

Clothing advice: Getting your own design on your helmet

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I want to get my helmet sprayed up to my own design. Who do...

How to find a helmet that fits

21 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

Different brands of helmet seem to fit different shapes of head, and there’s little to be gained from splashing out on the latest top-end race rep if your head is going to rattle around in it. Follow...

Tyre advice: Touring tyres on a trackday

20 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve recently fitted a pair of Dunlop Roadsmarts to my bike,...

Suspension advice: Sorting out tired rear shocks

20 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. My Honda Hornet 600 has racked up 10,000 miles on the...

Bike accessory advice: Raising the back without a paddock stand

20 May 2009 by MCN

THE Honda CBR125 doesn’t come with centrestand which makes adjusting the chain a pain. A lightweight bike like this is easy to balance with a car axle stand on the swingarm and a block of wood under...

Bike accessory advice: Removing scratches

20 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve scratched the screen of my BMW R1100RT. Watch can I do...

Technical advice: Suzuki Hayabusa clutch slipping

20 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I have a very clean ‘99 Hayabusa with 14,000 miles on the...

Product advice: Paint for fairing panels

15 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I went sliding down the road recently on my Suzuki GSX-R1000...

Parts advice: Mirror extensions

15 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I need some mirror extensions for my CBR600F, does anyone know who makes them. Phil Walden, Gosport A. A VFR Owners Club member from Hatfield, Pete Morgan, manufactures and supply mirror extensions for several Honda models including VFRs, CBR600s and...

Basic Skills: Changing gear smoothly

15 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. All the good riders I know can change gears really fast and...

Suspension advice: Make your bike steer quicker

15 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I love the power and suspension on my Yamaha Fazer 1000.

Clothing advice: Keeping out the draft

14 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve got a two-piece textile suit which is quite warm but...

Tyre advice: The best tyres for a Hayabusa

14 May 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve just got a mint Suzuki Hayabusa which is great for me...

Bike accessory advice: The coolest exhausts

08 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Can I fit a race can to my Honda Hornet 600 which won’t get...

Bike accessory advice: Getting the most from an aftermarket exhaust

08 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. After two enjoyable years riding on my totally standard...

Clothing advice: Carrying a helmet while riding

08 May 2009 by Rob Hull

MCN expert Rob Hull is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q) I want to get a rucksack for wearing while on my bike. It...

Clothing advice: 2-piece suits on a budget

08 May 2009 by Rob Hull

MCN expert Rob Hull is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Compare and buy motorcycle leathers Q) Dear Rob, I want to get my...

Technical advice: Fixing radial play in brake discs

07 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Although my Brembo fully floating cast discs sound like a...

Taking care of tyres after a trackday

07 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

Tyre manufacturers have developed specific tyres for specific purposes, so doing a trackday on tyres designed as as a sports touring tyre will hammer them on the track. However, they won’t have...

Suspension advice: Knocking front end

06 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. My Yamaha Fazer 1000 has developed an occasional knocking...

Technical advice: Oil light problems

05 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Are there any common faults with the oil pumps on 1996 Kawasaki ZX-6Rs? I have just done an oil change but I think mine has packed in because the oil light won’t go out? Mike Else, e-mail A. I hope you haven’t done any miles on it because if the pump has...

Technical advice: Stop your bike backfiring

01 May 2009 by Chris Dabbs

MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Mh Honda VT750C Ace has had a backfiring problem for the 3000 miles I’ve owned it. All Bran sorted a similar personal problem and I was wondering if you had a cure? It runs fine and the plugs look normal. It happens more on a gentle overrun, like slowing down...

Clothing advice: Keeping the sun out

01 May 2009 by MCN

At this time of year with the low sun a great easy tip is to put a strip of parcel tape at the very top of your visor, when riding into the sun it allows some defence to being dazzled. Scott Cockayne, Wolverhampton

Clothing advice: Removing flies from your visor

01 May 2009 by Liam Marsden

It’s getting to that time of year again when flies start to pepper your visor on a ride. To get them off and leave your visor scratch free, follow these simple instructions. Remove the visor from...