Choosing kit

Year: ALL

Do I need tyre warmers for early trackday sessions?

28 October 2011 by MCN

I’ve been getting into track days recently, and this year’s Indian summer has been a godsend. But even with the sun shining the tracks are pretty cold in the mornings. Is it time I invested in some...

Which Honda CBF250 sprocket to replace to raise gearing?

28 October 2011 by MCN

If you want to raise the gearing, which makes more difference (if any), an extra tooth on the gearbox sprocket or one fewer on the rear wheel sprocket? Will either option affect the length of the...

Tyres for a Kawasaki VN1600 Classic

05 October 2011 by MCN

I am trying to source a rear tyre for my Kawasaki VN1600 Classic, a 170/70 x 16 Bridgestone G722. I have trolled through pages of Google search, but have been unable to locate one. I have just put on...

How to recalibrate speedo to match new gearing

05 October 2011 by MCN

Kevin Ash in his Insight column a few weeks ago described raising the gearing to improve fuel economy. I would love to do this on my Tiger 800, which like most bikes is unnecessarily undergeared at...

Video: How to fix a puncture using the Gryyp Turn & Go

26 September 2011

This step-by-step video shows you how to fix a punctured motorcycle tyre using the Gryyp Turn & Go puncture repair kit.

Why are my Hayabusa's brakes clicking?

26 September 2011 by MCN

I changed the front pads on my Hayabusa recently, but now after hitting the brakes I keep hearing an annoying ‘clicking’ sound like something is touching the brake discs. I took it back to the...

Kawasaki ZZR1400 head bearing issue

20 September 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a 2007 Kawasaki ZZR1400 that has, from new, produced a loud crack from the head race area. During the guarantee period I was always told at each service that there was nothing to worry about...

Suspension fix for a 2004 Yamaha Fazer 1000

20 September 2011 by MCN

Q. This is my second Fazer 1000, an ’04 model after several Blades and R1s. Ticking nearly all of the boxes: performance (Akrapovic system) and practicality aswell as all-day comfort, the glaring...

Best all-round tyres for a KTM Superduke

08 September 2011 by Marc Abbott

I have a KTM Superduke and need to replace both tyres. I ride quite hard so need something that inspires confidence, but often get caught out in the wet, so need something that doesn’t slide all over...

Kawasaki ER-5 keeps stalling

08 September 2011 by MCN

I have a 2002 Kawasaki ER-5, the engine starts and runs perfectly, but as soon as you put it in gear and start to release the clutch the bike will stall, no matter how high the revs are. It’s not the...

How to extract a bar end weight screw

30 August 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a bar end weight screw stuck in the end of the bar after the bar end snapped off. There isn’t much sticking out to get a grip of, so I’m going to have a go at drilling it out, but are there...

Why are my bulbs blowing?

30 August 2011 by MCN

Q. I replaced a bulb for the speedo on my, but when I was on my way home from work late this evening I accelerated hard to overtake a car on the slip road and join the motorway, and shortly after my...

Why are my Aprilia Mille's tyres deflating?

09 August 2011 by MCN

Q. I have bought a 2002 Aprilia Mille that is having tyre problems – they’re deflating for no reason. I have put new tyres and valves on and the problem is still there. Motorcycle tyres for sale. The...

Best retro helmet for less than £200

04 August 2011 by MCN

Q. I’m looking for an open-face helmet to wear on a Triumph Bonneville and I’ve about £200 to spend (although I’d rather spend less!). Cheap motorcycle helmets for sale. What are my options? Martin...

Why's my FZ1 rear brake useless?

04 August 2011 by MCN

Q. The rear brake on my Yamaha FZ1 is useless. I told my local Yamaha dealer when they had it for its 12,000-mile service and afterwards they said it was OK. They said the pads looked almost new (they...

What's holding my tyre to the rim?

25 July 2011 by MCN

Q. Why does the rear wheel of a motorcycle not spin within the tyre? A great emphasis is placed on maximising tyre grip against the road surface, so why do the wheels not spin inside the tyre – the...

Exactly what tools do I need to replace my chain?

25 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I am about to replace the drive chain on my Honda Fireblade and I wanted clarification on which tools I’ll need for the job as the retailer wants to sell me a tool to peen over the hollow link...

What’s up with recently rebuilt Hayabusa motor?

25 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve bought a second-hand Busa for good money that’s just had an engine rebuild. The reason I got it really cheap was because it misfires between five and 7000rpm and won’t rev past that. I’m...

Why are my Kawasaki ZR7’s brakes playing up?

25 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have recently had my Kawasaki ZR7 serviced. The front brake was playing up and new pads were installed to restore service. But my brakes are still in a bad way – there is so much travel in the...

Perfect tyre for a BMW K1200RS

20 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve come to the end of the road with the current tyres on my trusty ’01 BMW K1200RS (Front Avon Azaro 120/70ZR17, Rear Avon ‘Storm’ AV56 180/55ZR17) and need a little guidance. My annual mileage...

How do I get exhaust bolts out?

20 July 2011 by MCN

Q. What’s the best method of getting exhaust bolts out? I have two Allen head studs and the heads inside are rounded off. mjhammer92, MCN forums A. If you can get to them OK then you can hammer a Torx...

Can I buy a 190-section Bridgestone BT021?

13 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a VFR1200 2010 model it has Bridgestone BT021 190/55ZR17 rear and BT021 120/70ZR front I wanted to know if I could put Bridgestone BT023 or BT023 GT as my friends are running them on their...

What's caused my F650Gs's brake disc to warp?

13 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a 2008 BMW F650GS, which I bought last June with 1900 miles on the clock. BMW replaced the front disc under warranty, saying it had becomewarped. Although no reason was given to why it may...

Why does my Triumph TT600 cut out?

13 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I have a 2002 Triumph TT600 with 20,000 miles on the clock. I’m having intermittent issues with it cutting out. The bike will start fine to begin with, but cuts out mid-ride. When it does this the...

Video: How to fit an Interphone F3 communications system

06 July 2011 by MCN

Dan Sager, from Interphone UK, demonstrates how to sync and fit the Interphone F3 communications system to a Shoei Multitec helmet. The Interphone F3 can be paired with two other bluetooth devices at...

BMW K75RT tickover issue

04 July 2011 by MCN

Q. I currently own a 1992 BMW K75RT. It has just failed its MoT on one single point. The throttle grip does not return to tickover when released. I have taken the handlebar mechanism apart and it is...

Sticky BMW K75RT throttle grip

04 July 2011 by MCN

Why is my Hornet's front end squeaking?

27 June 2011 by MCN

Q. I have just upgraded from my trusty CBR125 to a 2004 Hornet 600, in very good conditionjust under 11,000 miles and a brilliant bike in itself. I have just had a new tyre and pads put on the front,...

Cure for GS's flashing ABS lights

27 June 2011 by MCN

Q. My BMW R1150GS has ABS – as soon as the bike starts to move I could hear the noise of the ABS engaging and at the same time two simultaneously flashing red lights on thedash would go out. Recently,...

Will changing my rear tyre affect dyno results?

22 June 2011 by MCN

Q. My bike used a 190/55 x 17 rear tyre as original equipment, but now it’s on a 190/50. Will there be a difference in rear wheel torque as a dyno measures it on the rear wheel? Motorcycle tyres for...

Why does my RS125 judder?

22 June 2011 by MCN

Q. I’ve noticed a problem when using the front brake on my 2008 RS125. Sometimes, when braking lightly, the whole front of the bike starts vibrating quite violently – it’s not a massive problem but it...

FJ1200 fuel cut-off woes

14 June 2011 by MCN

Can you help me with a fuel reserve cut-off problem on my 1986 Yamaha FJ1200 please? The fuel tap solenoid appears to be faulty and it cuts off the fuel supply when there’s still lots of fuel in the...

Best tyres for a Triumph Daytona 675

14 June 2011 by MCN

I’ve just acquired a 2006 Daytona 675 fitted with old Dunlop Sportmax D208s which don’t inspire confidence. I used Pirelli Diablo Corsas on a 2000 Blade, which worked well. Would you recommend the...

Where are my ZZ-R600's spark plugs?!

14 June 2011 by MCN

I decided to check the plugs on my Y-reg Kawasaki ZZ-R600 so dutifully got out my Haynes manual, read up on the steps to take. 1. Remove seat, 2. Disconnect battery, 3. Remove tank 4. Access plugs…...

Yamaha R1 gearbox troubles

14 June 2011 by MCN

I’ve just bought a 2004 Yamaha R1. It shifts through all the gears fine if going steady but if I am accelerating hard when I shift into fifth it will hit a false neutral then find sixth. I’m thinking...

How to fit performance brake lines

13 June 2011 by MCN

This step-by-step video shows you how to replace ageing brakes lines with a set of high performance lines for increased braking power. While older bikes are still great fun one of the easiest ways of...