2011

Year: 2011

Month: ALL

One-armed rider seeks braking solution

22 March 2011

Q. I have a paralysed right arm and ride a 1999 Honda Hornet 600 with all the controls fitted to the left side handlebar. At the moment I use an ISR clutch master cylinder that I have connected the...

Best tyres for a KTM SMT

16 February 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve got a KTM SMT 990. Can you suggest a set of sticky tyres for it? The stickier the better, and I’m not bothered about tyre life as I only go out for 50-60 mile blasts. Your help would be much...

Will charger hurt my Rocket III’s battery?

16 February 2011 by MCN

Q. My Triumph Rocket III is fitted with an alarm and clock and I was wondering whether should I put an Optimate on after every ride, even though it’s generally only left for 12 hours? Is it worth it...

My Kawasaki ZZ-R600 won’t tick over

16 February 2011 by MCN

Q. My 2000 Kawasaki ZZ-R600’s idle is all over the place and it’s cutting out at speed, too. I’ve tried to adjust the tickover using the screw, but it’s seized solid, so I’ve had to do it with the...

The best off-road tyres

07 February 2011 by MCN

Q. I own a Kawasaki KMX200 and I’m looking for a set of road-legal off-road tyres with the emphasis on their dirt performance. I’ve spent ages surfing the web but can’t find any that fit the bill. The...

Yamaha R1 is skipping second gear

07 February 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve just bought a 2002 Yamaha R1 and the gear selection isn’t brilliant, with second gear skipping at 8000rpm. The fork seals are starting to leak too… Gordon Harrison, email A. Oh dear, it...

Best all-round tyre for a Triumph Daytona 675

31 January 2011 by MCN

Q. It’s nearly time for some new rubber on my 2008 Triumph Daytona 675. I am going on a week’s tour round France and Italy with some mates next year, along with some track days and am after a tyre...

Will new bar ends affect handling?

31 January 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a Kawasaki ZX-7R and I’ve just fitted new bar ends. They weigh a lot less than original ones and I’m wondering whether this will affect the handing of my bike? They look better, but are they...

When should I change my tyres?

25 January 2011 by Marc Abbott

I’ve been told that the legal minimum tread limit is 1mm. Should I let the tread go this low or should I change the tyre sooner? I don’t race my bike, it’s only used on A and B-roads with very little...

Why can't I change gear?

18 January 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a 1979 Kawasaki KZ400 that I use for travelling between college and home; it’s in very good condition and has only done 4500 miles. The problem is that shifting into second gear is very...

Bandit’s speedo goes blank

11 January 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a Suzuki Bandit 1250SA which is just coming up for three years old. It has developed an intermittent problem in that the speedo can go blank, though it is still backlit, and the rev counter...

BN125 won't start from cold

11 January 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a Kawasaki BN125 that just does not want to start from cold at all. When it does fire up, the moment you take the choke off it stalls, and you have to be so, so gentle on the throttle until...

Where can I get Hayabusa luggage?

05 January 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve looked far and wide but can’t find any sort of hard luggage for my Suzuki 1300 Hayabusa. I live in Germany, and no one can help, not even Suzuki Germany. Stephen Poulton, email A. This all...