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.
Clothing advice: Custom leather jackets
16 April 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I'd like to get a leather jacket made with some...
Clothing advice: summer gloves with visor wipes
16 April 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. All the bugs have started coming out again, so my...
Clothing advice: Textile suits to go over your clothes
09 April 2009 by
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 commute to work involves a bit of motorway riding. I'd...
Clothing advice: Cleaning your visor
09 April 2009 by
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 commute all year round so my visor gets extremely mucky.
Bike accessory advice: Aftermarket indicators
09 April 2009 by
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 have cracked a front indicator on my Yamaha R6 and I want to know whether I can fit a set of aftermarket flush-mounted indicators instead. Is it legal to use side repeaters and does the light need to be projected forward? Jeff Miller, Bournemouth A.
Bike accessory advice: Interchangeable parts
09 April 2009 by
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 just about to trade in my Zx-6RJ1 for a 2003...
Technical advice: Loosening corroded bolts
09 April 2009 by
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. want to replace the standard exhaust system on my 12,000 mile Kawasaki ZX-7R with an aftermarket system, but all the fixing nuts and bolts are corroded solid. I managed to get the larger collector box nuts off with WD40 and a long extension on the socket,...
Bike accessory advice: Fitting different bulbs
03 April 2009 by
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. Can I change the 35/35w headlight bulbs in my Yamaha...
Bike accessory advice: Improving the brakes
03 April 2009 by
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 want to uprate the brakes on my 2002 Suzuki GSF600...
Bike accessories advice: Getting a new log book
27 March 2009 by
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 the second owner of my 1999 Yamaha R1 and I've...
Bike accessories: Changing the sprockets for accelleration
27 March 2009 by
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 have been told going one tooth down on the front...
Technical advice: Sorting a misfiring engine
27 March 2009 by
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 got a 1985 BMW K100RT which has been misfiring for...
Clothing advice : Loud helmet
25 March 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. My helmet is really noisy, a friend suggested that...
Clothing advice : A jacket for riding on route 66
25 March 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I'm going to ride route 66 this summer. Can you...
Bike accessories advice: Mirror extensions
21 March 2009 by
Q. I need some mirror extensions for my CBR600F, does anyone know who makes them? Phil Walden, Gosport A. A VFR Owners Club member from Hatfield, Pete Morgan, manufactures and supply mirror extensions...
First time bikes for tall riders
21 March 2009 by
Q. I am due to take the Direct Access Scheme and test in a couple of weeks. Once I pass, I am looking to buy an all-rounder middleweight. However, being a tall bloke - 6'4", I...
New rider advice: Finding the balance between comfort and feel
21 March 2009 by
Q. I'm a newish biker with a pleasant 50 mile commute. My BMW R1100RT is supremely comfortable with the screen in the touring position. With the screen down the riding feel improves noticeably. But I...
Clothing advice: Use a head torch to work on the bike
21 March 2009
No matter how well-lit you think your garage is, one of those head torches is invaluable for grovelling under the swingarm Chris Berry, Wellingborough
Tyre advice: Changing wheels for the right tyre
21 March 2009 by
Q. I am missing out on so many good tyre deals because my 1998 RRW Fireblade has got a 16 inch front wheel that I want to switch to a 17 incher. Will a VFR800/Hornet wheel drop straight in? Andy Kent, e-mail A. It is possible to change the front wheel of a Fireblade from 16 to 17 inches. If the bike is a 1992-1996 model it will take the same wheel and discs that are fitted to CBR600s and...
Technical advice: Fuel problems with my carb
16 March 2009 by
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 1992 Honda PC800 starts well from cold, ticks over beautifully and usually pulls away smoothly on small throttle openings. However as soon as I open the throttle wider it coughs and backfires through the carbs until I close it down again. As it gets warmer,...
Technical advice: Fixing a dodgy battery
16 March 2009 by
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-6R has had a new battery and...
Clothing advice: Cheap riding gear for commuters
13 March 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbot is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here. Q. I've just passed my direct access test and I'm...
Tyre advice: Make sure you use the correct size tyre
10 March 2009 by
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 recently bought a 2002 Honda SP2 which has got...
Technical advice: Fixing gear selectors
09 March 2009 by
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 own a Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja on a 2001...
Technical advice: Changing to a race-pattern gearbox
09 March 2009 by
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 ride a Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5 and would like to change it...
Everything you need for a bike rally
06 March 2009 by
Torches, sleeping bags, stoves, tents. The MCN Shop has everything you’ll ever need for a summer of bike rallies (except maybe a guaranteed hangover cure). With torches for the price of a pint and...
Clothing advice: Make sure your kit fits after Christmas
05 March 2009 by
Here’s a tip for anyone thinking of getting back on their bike this weekend after a winter lay-off… try your kit on before you get to the garage with your bike keys in your hand. Ask an expert...
Clothing advice: Iridium visors for pillions
05 March 2009 by
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. Can you help settle an argument between my girlfriend...
Bike accessories advice: Aftermarket bulbs
04 March 2009 by
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 don’t want to get nicked for using a coloured headlight...
Tyre advice: Scrubbing new tyres in
03 March 2009 by
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 heard new bike tyres need to be “scrubbed in”. What...
Technical advice: Kawasaki ZZR400 carb icing
02 March 2009 by
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. As soon as the weather gets a bit cold my Kawasaki ZZR400...
Bike accessory advice : Honda RVF400 exhausts
02 March 2009 by
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 am looking to buy a second hand Honda RVF400 from...
Tire advice : Honda CB1000 Big One tires
02 March 2009 by
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 ride a Honda CB1000 Big One, its rear tyre is a...
Clothing advice : youth size helmets for motorcross
02 March 2009 by
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 looking for a youth-sized helmet for my son, but...
Bike accessory advice : BMW R1100GS replacement handlebars
02 March 2009 by
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 1996 BMW R1100GS handlebars are looking rather rusty and...
Technical advice : BMW R1150S oil consumption
02 March 2009 by
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 new BMW R1150S seems to be using quite a lot of...