New rider

As well as inflating them correctly, the Law says that the grooves of the tread pattern must have a depth of a least 1mm throughout a continuous band measuring at least three-quarters of the breadth...

Here's a list of useful contacts in the suspension world. Whether it's set-up advice, work or shock and fork components, these guys are among the country's greatest. Harris Performance, Hertford.

Suspension-wise, given springs and dampers of equal quality, there is no difference between upside-down and conventional forks. But the fork leg is not a suspension unit, it is also a structural...

Owning your first big bike is a fantastic feeling, but if you are nervous of lifting the rear of your bike onto the paddock stand on your own, then use the entrance of your garage to keep the bike...

It's great when you've passed your test and you can take friends and family out on the back, but it's not so good if they can't relax on the back and tense up, not leaning in at the right time so...

Pump down, or packing, occurs when you hit a series of bumps after dialling in too much rebound damping. Because you've over-slowed the rate at which the suspension can return once it's compressed,...

Sprung weight is the mass of those parts supported by the suspension. Unsprung is the rest; wheels, tyres, brakes, chain etc. Changing the unsprung weight has no direct effect on springing (as it's...

If you need to repair a puncture at the roadside, there are several methods you can use. There are preventative sealants out there that are designed to seal off a puncture as soon as it...

Believe it or not, the safest way to ride through traffic is to go slightly faster than it. That way you won’t get stuck in a blind spot and the relative difference in speed between you and the cars...

Are you new to biking and looking for affordable and comfortable work transport? You’ll be needing our guide to the top 5 used commuter bikes. Thinking of trading in? Sell your bike with MCN for...

There’s three key things to consider when buying waterproofs – they’re completely waterproof (obvious, but there are things to look for), they’ve quick and easy to get on and they’re...

I have just bought a 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R Mille. I have no idea who has fiddled with the suspension in the past or how it’s set up now. It will be a while before I get on a track to have it tweaked...

Age takes its toll on the rubber seals through degradation and springs sag as the coils deform under the continued load. You can spot seal problems such as perishing or oil leaks, but to check springs...

A British standard exists for motorcycle tyre repairs (BSAU159f), which determines the strength of the repair and where it can and can’t be made in the tyre. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres Being a...

If you are in the market for a new bike, but your budget is tight so you are heading towards one of the crop of Chinese-made bikes that have entered the market over the last few years, you need to...

Ride height adjustment is usually only found on top-of-the-range sports bikes, nakeds and the occasional sports-tourer, It raises or lowers the height of the rear shock, lifting or lowering the entire...

In a word 'gently'. When the tyre comes out of the mould there are release agents that need to be removed before the rubber performs at its optimum. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres To do that you...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

Welcome to the launch centre for 125cc motorcycles, encompassing everything from cheap 125cc scooters to the newest and fastest 125cc sportsbike. Here you'll be able to find everything you wanted to...

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...

So you've just passed your CBT and you're in the market for a decent 125cc scooter... but which one? There's so much choice out there it can be overwhelming for new riders. That's why we've short...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...