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

How much to spend on a rear shock

24 June 2009 by Marc Abbott

If you’re thinking of replacing your rear shock and are unsure of how much to spend, consider this… Choose a specialist supplier/manufacturer who can give decent back-up and advice. You are going to...

Firmer brakes overnight

19 June 2009 by Chris Dabbs

For an easier way to get better brakes, use a cable-tie or similar to hold the front brake on quite tightly and leave overnight. When returning to the bike next day tap the brake hoses thoroughly to...

Suspension advice: Stopping my bike 'flopping' into corners

18 June 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. My 2004 Kawasaki ZR-7 has a tendency to flop into corners although I fitted a new rear shock recently. Compare and buy suspension products I’ve checked the head bearings for play and set the tyre...

How to extract a weathered header pipe bolt

18 June 2009 by Marc Abbott

If your socket just spins on the bolt, don’t panic! Go for a run on the bike to get it really hot, then when you get back leave it ticking over for 5-10 minutes. Compare and buy motorcycle...

Why does a single-shock set-up work better than twin shocks?

18 June 2009 by Marc Abbott

The greatest difference comes from how the dampers are driven. With twin shocks the dampers travel almost the same distance as the wheel. Compare and buy suspension parts The tends to over-heat the...

Tyre advice: I need a tyre for high mileage commuting

17 June 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. I just took the plunge and bought a Sprint 955 which I’m loving but I need a new rear tyre. The bike is currently fitted with Bridgestone BT014s. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres However, I am a...

Kit: Choosing the right kit

17 June 2009 by Laura Kennerley

Choosing the right kit for any motorcyclist, new or experienced, should always follow the same guidelines. Just because you’re a new rider, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have the optimum level of...

Motorcycle Safety: Stay sharp after you’ve passed

16 June 2009 by Rupert Paul

So you’ve got through it. Decades of blissful riding stretch out in front of you. Well, I’ve been riding for decades, and spent almost as long studying what makes people good, happy riders (or lousy,...

Top five helmet tips from Arai race truck

12 June 2009 by Rob Hull

Arai is celebrating its 25th anniversary appearance at the TT this week, commending their TT relationship with a special celebration helmet and giving MCN readers the fruits of their...

FAQ: Petrol station etiquette

11 June 2009 by Chris Dabbs

It¹s a sad fact that bikers are lumped in with armed robbers at petrol stations and can¹t get served until they’ve taken their crash helmet off. But what to do if it’s a flip-front lid and you still...

FAQ: How do I clean my motorcycle gloves?

11 June 2009 by Chris Dabbs

If your bike gloves smell sweaty when warm and make your hands stink you can do something about it. If they are leather with a man-made lining turn them inside and hand wash them with some detergent...

Tyre Advice: are some tyres better than others at resisting punctures?

11 June 2009 by Chris Dabbs

Some high mileage commuters find themselves picking up punctures every 2-3000 miles and they start searching for more puncture-proof rubber. But that puncture rate is more a comment on the type of...

Suspension advice: When your used bike is like a rocking horse

11 June 2009 by Chris Dabbs

If you¹ve bought a used bike that¹s over five years old and it rocks back and forth even when you¹re feathering the brakes chances are the fork springs are more than a little tired. Fortunately...

Tyre advice for Triumph Daytona 675

11 June 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. I’m getting through the rear Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa on my Triumph 675 on my daily commute and I want to switch to a tyre that will give me better mileage and decent levels of grip. I don¹t...

Suspension advice: Nitride coating on forks

11 June 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. What is nitride coating and what does it do for your forks? A. The structural elements of a fork leg are two precision-made tubes, one sliding inside the other. When the forces of riding are...

New Rider guide: Your biking future starts now

10 June 2009 by James Keen

Flick through the digital magazine below for everything you need to know to prepare for life on two wheels. Get 3 issues of RiDE magazine for £5 The New Rider magazine, which came free in this...

Mystery Rossi helmet

08 June 2009 by matt hatley

I purchased a racing bike back in 2001 and this helmet came with it. I have since sold the bike but the helmet has been hanging in my office ever since. I would like to know were it came from or what...

What's the difference between race and road suspension?

03 June 2009 by MCN

What’s the difference between suspension on my road bike and a race bike? In two words, quality and focus. Pukka race suspension is far more adjustable than road suspension but within a narrower...

Tyre advice: I can only lean so far

02 June 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 Kawasaki ZX-636 is fitted with its standard Dunlop tyres...

Technical advice: Stalling on downshifts

01 June 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 got a Ducati Monster 1100S a couple of weeks ago and I am...

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...