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New rider

Welcome the the MCN New Rider section, where we'll help you navigate your way from complete biking novice to confident beginner. If you're unsure how to begin your journey onto two wheels, the diagram below is for you.

New Rider

Product advice: How to check your alarm's not draining your battery

13 April 2010 by Marc Abbott

Product advice: How to check your alarm's not draining your battery

How do I test for battery drain when my bike’s not in use? I think my battery’s causing this. Deanipops, MCN forums  You need an ammeter or multimeter set on amps. Take the negative lead off the...

Product advice: What's causing debris in RS125 gearbox?

13 April 2010 by Marc Abbott

Product advice: What's causing debris in RS125 gearbox?

I’ve drained the oil out of my Aprilia RS125’s broken gearbox this afternoon and once I removed the drain plug I noticed small cylinder-shaped bits of metal stuck to the inside of the plug. Any ideas...

Product advice: How to get better Busa bulbs

13 April 2010 by Marc Abbott

Product advice: How to get better Busa bulbs

I have a 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa and I wanted better lighting, so I changed the bulbs for 100 watt. The main beam is now less than useless no matter how I adjust it. It is just a diffused light with no...

Boot review: Alpinestars Tech 2

08 April 2010 by Ian Jubb

Boot review: Alpinestars Tech 2

Alpinestars Tech 2 boots, £159.99 Miles covered/time: 5000/two years What’s good? They might not be exactly the right thing to where on a road bike buy hey, I think they look pretty cool. Save £££s...

Suspension set-up guide for Honda CBR600F

07 April 2010 by MCN

Suspension set-up guide for Honda CBR600F

What suspension settings are best for solo riding on a CBR600F, 2002 model? I weigh 88kg in full riding kit and ride on the road with the odd track day. I also carry a pillion and luggage a couple of...

Suzuki GSX-R750 fuel pump fault

07 April 2010 by MCN

Suzuki GSX-R750 fuel pump fault

Q. At the moment my Suzuki GSX-R750 K3 will rev through to redline without issue in first, but only to 8000rpm in any other gear if I give it a handful. If I feather the throttle as I accelerate I can...

VFR reg/rec fault? It could be your chain

07 April 2010 by MCN

VFR reg/rec fault? It could be your chain

Q. In a recent issue of MCN in the top ten most reliable motorcycle section relating to the Honda VFR800FI, you mention a rectifier problem. I have a 1999 VFR800FI and I have noticed for some time now...

Tyre advice: Are intermediate tyres worth it?

07 April 2010 by MCN

Tyre advice: Are intermediate tyres worth it?

Q. I use my Fireblade mainly on the track and was thinking of getting sets of intermediate and wet tyres to go with my ‘dry’ track rubber. Save cash on motorcycle tyres Would you advise getting the...

How to clean titanium exhaust pipes

29 March 2010 by MCN

How to clean titanium exhaust pipes

Every wondered what the experts say is the best method of cleaning your titanium pipes? Save £££s on motorcycle cleaners Quill exhausts reckon: “Give them a good wipe down with thinners, then spray...

Want to be a suspension expert?

29 March 2010 by MCN

Want to be a suspension expert?

Always found yourself put off by the seemingly black art of suspension adjustment? Or do you sometimes make colossal errors of judgement and screw up your settings because you forgot to take a note of...

The best tyres for a 12-year-old Fireblade

29 March 2010 by MCN

The best tyres for a 12-year-old Fireblade

Q. I own a 1998 Honda CBR900RRW FireBlade which needs new tyres. Which would be best for road riding and one or two trackdays in the novice group, as my first ever track day is at Croft in May? Kurt...

New Rider: What to do if your bike stops but has fuel

26 March 2010 by Chris Dabbs

New Rider: What to do if your bike stops but has fuel

You are out on your first touring holiday having diligently loaded up your bike with all the stuff you think you’ll need, packing a tankbag to the gunnels with maps, spare gloves, waterproofs, travel...

Are my R1's stock tyres good for track days?

23 March 2010 by MCN

Are my R1's stock tyres good for track days?

Q. I’ve recently bought a 2009 Yamaha R1 which came fitted with Dunlop Sportmax D210 tyres. Could you tell me if they are any good? Save cash on motorcycle tyres I mainly ride on the road, but do...

What difference do bar-risers make?

23 March 2010 by MCN

What difference do bar-risers make?

Q. I wonder if you might know the answer or could advise me on this? I have a new ZZR1400 and I asked the dealer to fit Genmar bar risers which raise the bar position by 25mm and back by 16mm. Instead...

Has my alarm killed my R1?

23 March 2010 by MCN

Has my alarm killed my R1?

Q. I put my regularly used 2004 Yamaha R1 away for a night and now it has decided not to fire up. 48 hours after I stopped it the alarm went off for no apparent reason, and after I’d turned the...

Will a new air filter cure carb icing?

16 March 2010 by MCN

Will a new air filter cure carb icing?

Q. I have had no problems with my 2005 Suzuki GSF650 Bandit until the weather turned before Christmas. Since then on cold days the bike starts fine, but then after about five minutes of riding the...

Why won't my headlights turn on?

16 March 2010 by MCN

Why won't my headlights turn on?

Fastasfox: I have a 2003 ZX-6R and I can’t get the headlights on. The lights should turn on when the engine is fired up and I have looked at the bulbs, connections, new battery (on a battery...

Pirelli Angel ST: "planted and smooth"

16 March 2010 by MCN

Pirelli Angel ST: "planted and smooth"

Q. I’m thinking of fitting Pirelli Angel ST touring tyres to my Suzuki 1250 Bandit. How good are they? davegsxr1000, MCN tyre forum Save £££s on motorcycle tyres A. A Speed Triple rider on the forum...

Best boots for all-day use?

16 March 2010 by MCN

Best boots for all-day use?

Q. I was just wondering if you could advise me on motorcycle boots as I am looking to find a pair I can use on and off the bike as I go about my daily business. Save cash on motorcycle boots So far...

Yamaha XJR1300 oil cooler conundrum

09 March 2010 by MCN

Yamaha XJR1300 oil cooler conundrum

Q. Can you tell me if the oil cooler pipes and hoses from a 99-01 Yamaha XJR1300 will fit a 2002 model? Save £££s on motorcycle products Mine are leaking from the hose and I’ve managed to locate...

Best tyres for a 2000 Triumph Sprint ST 955i

09 March 2010 by MCN

Best tyres for a 2000 Triumph Sprint ST 955i

Q. I ride a 2000 Triumph Sprint ST 955i and can’t afford to change it, so I have lowered the gearing to give it a bit more stomp. It’s a great bike but I would like it to steer a bit quicker with some...

Where can I get cheap RSV brakes discs?

09 March 2010 by MCN

Where can I get cheap RSV brakes discs?

Q. I need some new front discs for my 2003 Aprilia RSV1000 and I’ve been quoted about £400 for a pair (fitted), which seems steep to me. Save cash on motorcycle products Have I got any other...

How do I combat fork lacquer 'worming'?

02 March 2010 by MCN

How do I combat fork lacquer 'worming'?

Kellyt: My Triumph Speedmaster suffers with lacquer ‘worming’ problems on the lower forks, top yoke and risers. They have been changed five times under warranty but the worming keeps coming back, the...

Are my exhausts making my bike run badly?

02 March 2010 by MCN

Are my exhausts making my bike run badly?

Q. I’ve recently traded in my old bike for a Ducati 748R. Unfortunately it seems to have a flat spot as soon as you crack the throttle open, and appears to be running very rich. Save cash on...

Fab motorcycle goggles

24 February 2010 by Jim Forkin

I needed a pair of glasses that could be multi-function; sun-glasses, regular prescription and most importantly comfortable. I purhcased a pair of Davida WRS74 Goggles and I have to say for just under £120 they are fantastic, comfortable and great with an open face helmet.

What effect does removing an exhaust baffle have?

23 February 2010 by MCN

What effect does removing an exhaust baffle have?

Q. I have just purchased a new GSX-R1000 with dealer-fitted Arrow cans with removable baffles. Save cash on motorcycle exhausts Can you please tell me whether it would harm the bike if I removed...

How to set up your bike, the Ron Haslam way

23 February 2010 by MCN

How to set up your bike, the Ron Haslam way

Road race ace Ron Haslam’s years of experience of tracks and public-road circuits have taught him something that’s a mystery to most of us – how to set up a bike. Suspension changes are the only...

Best tyres for a Triumph Speed Triple

23 February 2010 by MCN

Best tyres for a Triumph Speed Triple

Q. I’ve just bought a new Triumph Speed Triple for very spirited riding on the roads (well, it’s what it was built for!) and for fast group track days. Save £££s on motorcycle tyres As I bought...

Brake disc rivets explained

23 February 2010 by Marc Abbott

Brake disc rivets explained

Q. I recently read your advice column in MCN on floating discs from an Andrew Carroll (MCN, November 25) and was wondering, should the rivets on my discs rotate freely on my Aprilia RS250 because at...

New rider: questions to ask a seller

19 February 2010 by MCN

New rider: questions to ask a seller

When you’re buying a new bike it’s easy to get carried away with the occasion and just rush to swing your leg over and get riding  But before you hand over the cash for those lovely keys, there are...

New rider: what to look for in a test ride

19 February 2010 by MCN

New rider: what to look for in a test ride

If you’re looking at a bike to buy and you’ve given it a good once over, ask for a ride. You may have to leave the asking price in cash, or your family, or both. At the very least you should get a...

New rider: How to get your bike lowered

18 February 2010 by MCN

New rider: How to get your bike lowered

Don’t let a tall seat height put you off buying the bike of your dreams – there are a number of solutions out there for shorties or those who simply want more slow speed confidence. One such option is...

Product advice: Are 190- and 200-section tyres interchangeable?

15 February 2010 by Marc Abbott

Product advice: Are 190- and 200-section tyres interchangeable?

The Suzuki B-King comes with a 200-section rear tyre profile but it can apparently take a 190-section tyre. Can someone explain this to me? If a 190 is used will the profile be less sharp? Forklift,...

Product advice: Is my tyre contaminated?

15 February 2010 by Marc Abbott

Product advice: Is my tyre contaminated?

The rear tyre on my freshly-cleaned ZX-10 let go before I got to the end of my road, sending me and the bike sliding along on our sides. I can only think that the tyre must have had WD-40 or bike...

Product advice: Help! My bike's steering too quickly

15 February 2010 by Marc Abbott

Product advice: Help! My bike's steering too quickly

My 2004 Kawasaki ZR-7 has a tendency to flop into corners although I fitted a new rear shock recently. I’ve checked the head bearings for play and set the tyre pressures, with 42psi in the rear it...

How much oil should my new bike use?

10 February 2010 by MCN

How much oil should my new bike use?

It is not unusual for bikes to use a litre of oil per 1000 miles. Oil consumption is determined by a variety of factors, and the one the rider has the most control over is the running in. If it is run...