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

Year: ALL

What's the alternative to a coloured headlight cover?

09 February 2010 by MCN

Q. I Don’t want to get nicked for using a coloured headlight cover, but I’ve seen bikes with what looks like a blue-tinged headlight. Save money on motorcycle products When I spoke to a bloke at the...

Why's my exhaust header pipe glowing?

09 February 2010 by MCN

Q. I have an N-reg Kawasaki GPz500 which is restricted at the moment. I noticed that as it was warming up the other night, the right hand exhaust header pipe was glowing red but the left side...

Best tyres for riding to a track day?

09 February 2010 by MCN

Q. I’ve just bought a 2000 ZX-9R for track days. Save £££s on motorcycle tyres However I have to ride to the track so I need some advice on suitable tyre options? Ollie, MCN Tyre forum A.

How to adjust your chain properly

05 February 2010 by Marc Abbott

The first thing you’ve got to get right is the alignment. Check that by measuring the distance from swingarm to wheel on both sides. You can also put a straight edge against the rear tyre like a...

How to get your kids started early

05 February 2010 by Marc Abbott

There are a handful of projects running around the country that give youngsters a taste of two wheels. There’s an off-road school called the Geoff Mayes’ MX try-out (01379-852452) which is based in...

Can I change my headlight bulb from 35W to 55W?

01 February 2010 by MCN

The vast majority of wiring systems should be able to cope with uprating 35/35w bulbs to 55/60w bulbs without any problem. Save £££s on motorcycle products However if your bike has plastic headlamp...

How to set up a Blade exhaust valve

01 February 2010 by MCN

Q. I’m having problems setting up the exhaust valve on my 2003 Blade. Save money on motorcycle exhausts With the ignition on, the index mark on the control valve is not aligning with the horizontal...

Can you ‘shave’ a tyre to restore its profile?

01 February 2010 by MCN

Q. If you do a lot of straight line work and the profile of your tyre starts to ‘square off’, couldn’t rear bike tyres be ‘shaved’ back to a useful rounded profile to restore feel? Save £££s on...

Winter riding: be seen when the days get longer

29 January 2010 by MCN

Here’s a handy tip to enable you to ride safely when the low, bright sun of late winter/early spring starts to accompany your commute… Check your shadow. If your shadow is directly in front of you...

Winter riding: keep your distance

29 January 2010 by MCN

If you’re riding through your first winter, one thing that often gets forgotten is the need to leave more space between you and the vehicle in front. If your ABS-equipped car is the only experience...

Best tyre for a 1250 Bandit

27 January 2010 by MCN

Q. I’ve got a 2009 Suzuki GSF1250 GT and after 3500 miles I need a new rear tyre to replace the OE Dunlop D218N 180/55 V17. I spend 80% of the time touring, and 20% over the Dales. Save money on...

Can I mix tyres on my VFR750?

27 January 2010 by MCN

Q. I ride a 1997 VFR750, a superb bike. On the front I have a perfect Bridgestone Battlax BT56 with lots of tread left. Save £££s on motorcycle tyres My question is, can I replace the worn out BT57...

How to change a Ducati 998 fuel filter

27 January 2010 by MCN

Q. I want to change the fuel filter on my Ducati 998, which sits inside the fuel tank along with the fuel pump, but I’ve heard that refitting the pump assembly and the attendant rubber seal is a...

Will my 525 chain fit on a 520 sprocket?

27 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Q. I’ve just bought a 15-tooth front sprocket for my GSX-R600. I bought it off eBay and it was advertised to fit a 525 chain, which I have. Save cash on chains and sprockets It came yesterday and...

How to plan your first ride on a sports bike

21 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

You’ve passed your test, bought the kit and blown all your hard-earned on your dream bike. Now it’s time to go for your very first ride. And that needs preparation. If you passed your test by the...

Can I ride in Europe on a restricted licence?

21 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

If you’re currently on a 33bhp restricted licence you are still able to enjoy European adventures. Although you are subject to the traffic laws of any country you are riding through, speed limits and...

Where can I get exhaust packing material?

19 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Q. I have extracted the pipe baffles out of the tail pipe of a Suzuki TS250L and noticed the wadding has completely disappeared. Save cash on motorcycle exhausts Can anyone recommend a suitable...

Why is there a ridge on my dual-compound tyre?

19 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Q. I have a Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 running Dunlop Roadsmarts, getting 5500 miles out of the rear with too much commuting and motorway work. Save cash on motorcycle tyres There’s 2.8mm tread depth left...

Best tyre for a Triumph Daytona 675

19 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Q. I would like some advice on the best tyre for a 2009 Triumph Daytona 675. It currently has Pirelli Supercorsas but they are not very practical if it rains. Can you advise on a suitable tyre for...

Block your exhaust over winter

15 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Multi-cylinder bikes will always have one set of valves open when they are stopped. If you’re storing your bike over the colder months, to stop moisture creeping up the exhaust into the combustion...

Look after your fuel this winter

15 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

If it’s your first winter since you passed your test, and you’ve laid your bike up until the spring, you want to be doubly sure your fuel won’t deteriorate. To do this, brim the tank to stop...

How to de-restrict a Suzuki VX800

12 January 2010 by Chris Dabbs

Q. I have a Suzuki VX800 that pulls cleanly up to 80mph with no problem, but then seems to run into a brick wall. Save money on motorcycle products I think it could be restricted as it was brought...

How to avoid pins and needles

12 January 2010 by MCN

DeepSeaBiker: My friend complains of pins and needles and numb wrists from riding his 2005 GSX-R600 and he is thinking about selling his bike because of this. jaffa90: It could be the wrong angle on...

Best tyres for a Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD

12 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Q. What are the best tyres to use on a Suzuki GSX-R600 SRAD? My Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas need replacing in time for the first sunny day of next year. Save money on motorcycle tyres I got 5000...

Shifting corroded nuts and bolts

12 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Q. I want to replace the standard exhaust system on my 34,000-mile Kawasaki ZX-9R with an aftermarket system, but all the fixing nuts and bolts are corroded solid. Save cash on motorcycle products I...

Sorting suspension that kicks you out of the seat

12 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Q. I have a 2008 Suzuki GSX-R750 which I absolutely love. It goes and handles as well as I could have imagined, with the only downside being that it can kick me out of the seat sometimes when I am...

Suzuki owners: Check your coolant colour, now!

08 January 2010 by Chris Dabbs

If you are buying a Suzuki that is less than three years old and the engine coolant isn’t green, start asking questions. Because someone somewhere has drained the factory-fitted coolant out and...

How to tune your bike

08 January 2010 by Chris Dabbs

If you’ve had your new bike for a while and you want to start ‘tuning’ it, one of the simplest ways is to alter the gearing by changing the front/rear sprockets. If you lower the gearing that will...

If you could only carry one thing...

07 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

If you could only carry one accessory or gadget with you while riding in the current snowy weather, what would it be? Save £££s on motorcycle products A V2 visor sponge for constantly clearing salty...

Tyre advice: Tyres for 18-inch wheels

05 January 2010 by MCN

Q. I have just bought a 1984 Ducati Pantah 500 and its existing tyres are a pair of very old Metzelers. Save cash on motorcycle tyres With 18-inch wheels front and rear I suspect my choice is...

MCN Biking Britain survey: top 10 MCN shop bestsellers of 2009

03 January 2010 by Marc Abbott

Of the 42,000-plus products available to buy at www.mcnshop.com, here are the top 10 bestselling this year. All those readers can’t be wrong… 1. Shoei XR-1000 helmet, RRP from £295 MCN Shop best...

Tyre advice: 16.5inch wheels for road bikes

03 January 2010 by Chris Dabbs

Q. I have been offered a set of 16.5in Dymags for the right money for my GSX-R1000 K5. Getting race tyres is not a problem and I can get treads cut in them. I thought I heard a rumour about tyre...

Kit review: Arai SZ Ram

31 December 2009 by Simon Relph

Arai SZ Ram 111, £324.99 (from £299.99 on MCN shop) Tester: Simon Relph Miles covered/time: 2800/Nine months What’s good? The SZ Ram 111 is the update to my old SZ/F which has unfortunately passed...

Kit Review: Dannisport X2 Racer leathers, £399

31 December 2009 by Samuel Pinney

Dannisport X2 Racer leathers, £399 Tester: Samuel Pinney Miles covered/time: 1000/one month What’s good? I tested them on the Reclaim Wales protest rally, so I wore them constantly between 7am and...

Product advice: Will aftermarket levers be an MoT failure?

31 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

“I read somewhere that brake/clutch levers without ball ends will fail an MoT. The clutch lever on my XTZ660 got broken recently and I fitted an aftermarket lever, but it doesn’t have a ball end and...

Product advice: How to get kitted out from head to toe

31 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

“I’m just about to start riding and I’m fortunate enough to have about £2000 to spend getting kitted out from head to toe. How should I spend that budget on everything from a helmet to boots?” Hamish...