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.
Can I re-use an old tyre?
16 May 2012 by
Q. Is it acceptable to re-fit a motorcycle tyre? I replaced the rear tyre on my 2007 CBR600RR last year as I was going on a long trip and didn't want the hassle of changing it when I was away. Now...
What’s causing front-end shimmy?
30 April 2012 by
Q. I am getting a slight front end shimmy at higher speed on my Honda CBR600F. The bike is fitted with Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsas and I’ve done 1000 miles on them during which time they have been...
Best textile trousers on a budget
30 April 2012 by
Q. After 28 years off bikes I have decided to go back to riding. A lot has changed in this time and I need some advice. I am thinking of buying a pair of textile trousers with a limited budget of £75,...
How do I remove Suzuki GSX600F exhaust headers?
30 April 2012 by
Q. I need to get the exhaust headers off my Suzuki GSX600F while the engine is out of the frame to repair an oil leak. All the exhaust bolts are off the studs, but the pipes themselves are wedged in...
Are five-year-old race tyres past their best?
24 April 2012 by
Q. I recently bought a pair of new Metzeler Racetecs off eBay for my track bike. Now it's my own fault because I should have asked how old they were, but when they arrived I realised they were made in...
Why is my air filter covered in fuel?
24 April 2012 by
Q. The fuel on my Kawasaki ER-5 is flowing straight through into the air filter box and it sounds like it is only firing on one cylinder, too. Quilley, MCN forums A. The ER-5 has a vacuum tap which...
Will a Power Commander sort low-rev jerkiness?
24 April 2012 by
Q. I’ve a 2002 Suzuki GSX-R750 with an Akrapovic end can. It runs very well, certainly not short on power! However slow speed running below 4000rpm is a bit jerky and erratic at times! Would fitting a...
Can I repair brake disc mounting holes with helicoils?
24 April 2012 by
Q. I've stripped the threads on two of the front disc mounting holes on my Hayabusa. Would it be OK to repair them with helicoils? David Stowe, MCN forums A. You can do a helicoil repair as a...
Best sports-touring tyre for a Triumph Speed Triple
02 April 2012 by
Q. Can you tell me what the best sports-touring tyre for a 2011 Triumph Speed Triple is? The last tyres were Metzeler Racetec Interacts that I got 3500 miles out of. I’d like some rubber that will get...
Triumph Speed Triple stuck in gear
02 April 2012 by
Q. My 18,000-mile 2005 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 has started sticking in first gear when stationary. No amount of force on the lever will shift it, the only way to get neutral is to turn off the...
Can I convert Kawasaki ER-6 to thumb throttle?
02 April 2012 by
Q. My octogenarian father still rides his Kawasaki ER6-F regularly, but worsening arthritis in his right wrist means he is having problems maintaining proper throttle control. I have been trying to...
Can police stop you for emissions?
02 April 2012 by
Q. We know the police can do you for a noisy exhaust, but have they ever done anyone for excessive emissions on aftermarket exhausts? S Boucher, email A. Not as far as we’re aware. The police don’t...
Why is there stepped wear on my front tyre?
21 March 2012 by
Q. I was getting my GSX-R out from hibernation and I’ve noticed some stepped wear on the front tyre, it probably occurred with that end of the year track day and 300-mile ride I did last October. A.
What to wear for desert riding
21 March 2012 by
Q. Work is taking me to Qatar and I’ll be swapping my Honda CB100R for a CRF450 to ride the dunes. As gear isn’t readily available out there, and I’m clueless when it comes to MX gear. Can you give me...
How to check Kawasaki ZZR600’s valve clearances
21 March 2012 by
Q. I have a mint Kawasaki ZZR600 E1 which I am happily racking the miles up on. I do my own servicing and the valve clearances are coming up to be checked and reset. My Haynes manual has flagged up...
Shoei XR-1100 problem
15 March 2012 by
I wanted to pass on a concern I have with Shoei's XR-1100 crash helmet. The lid is awesome, very comfy, visor removal is easy and it is reasonably quiet. It suffers in one way only and has really...
Best tyres for a Kawasaki ZZR600
14 March 2012 by
Q. I own a 2001 ZZR600 and would like an opinion as to the best tyres for this bike. I am not a knee-down, throttle-open rider, basically I’m a commuter and weekend social rider. I have recently read...
How to get back at a scammer
14 March 2012 by
Q. I have been stupid and trusted a stranger from the UK who I thought wanted to buy my 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R from me here in Slovakia. I won’t go into details, but I lost a lot of money and I don’t...
How to improve Honda CBR600RR’s mirrors
14 March 2012 by
Q. Is it just me, or are the mirrors on CBR600RRs circa 2007 really crap? I get a lovely view of my arms and that’s it. Any ideas? A. Another reader, Barry Sylvester, had a similar problem but sorted...
Is my Yamaha R6’s digital dash beyond hope?
14 March 2012 by
Q. I have had my 2002 Yamaha R6 tucked away in my man-cave over winter on a trickle charger. I started it about a month ago and all was well. But when I went to get the bike ready for new season the...
Best classic-looking motorcycle tyres
01 March 2012 by
Q. I have two bikes wanting new tyres – a 1979 Honda CB650Z and a 1998 Honda CB500S. I am not concerned about tyre wear, wet weather performance, or achieving the classic look, all I need is the best...
How to sort Yamaha XJ900’s braking feel
01 March 2012 by
Q. The brakes on my Yamaha XJ900 Diversion only give me decent feel when the lever’s span adjustment is right out. My last bike was an XJR1300 and the brakes were great, so I’m thinking of grafting on...
How to change 1992 Fireblade’s wheel for a 17-inch
20 February 2012 by
Q. I am looking at upgrading the front wheel on my 1992 Honda Fireblade to a 17 incher. Which wheel is best as there were three wheel upgrades to the CBR900 and what size tyre would I need?...
Moto Guzzi brake service made easy
20 February 2012
Q. I’ve almost completed the restoration of a 1999 Moto-Guzzi Daytona RS. Just how much "play" side to side and up and down on the floating discs should there be? There's a tiny tack weld on the back...
What’s causing Suzuki V-Strom’s iffy gearchange?
20 February 2012 by
Q. I've had a Suzuki DL1000K2 for the last six years, it has only covered some 22,000 miles and has never let me down but it does have a sticky gear change. Sometimes it snicks up or down sweetly,...
Which tyres for tubed 18-inch rims?
15 February 2012 by
Q. I’ve just got a 1992 Moto-Guzzi 50 Targa with aging Pirelli Stradas fitted and I want a set of tyres that give me good directional stability when I head out on weekend runs. Mike Henaghan,...
Triumph Speed Triple’s clocks have packed up
15 February 2012 by
Q. A friend of mine has a Triumph 1050 Speed Triple and the digital readouts seem to have packed up with no mph and the clock stuck at 1.00. The price for replacement instruments from Triumph is £700.
Power Commander explained
15 February 2012 by
Q. I’m thinking of getting a Power Commander III. What is the "accelerator pump feature"? A. This feature is built into all PCIII USB and PCVs, it allows you to configure settings which inject...
Can I buy custom-made boots?
15 February 2012 by
Q. I lost my right leg below the knee a while back and I’ve got a problem finding boots that will fit me. The reason is that my prosthetic leg is pretty ‘slimline’ to reduce weight and make it easier...
Best all-round tyres for a Yamaha R6
02 February 2012 by
Q. I have a 2009 Yamaha R6 which I’ve been riding for the past two years on Dunlop Sportsmarts. But my mates really rate their Pirelli Supercorsas – when we’re parked up on a ride their tyres are...
What’s a PCP deal?
02 February 2012 by
Q. More and more bike companies are offering Personal Contract Plans (PCP) and it looks like a tempting way of buying a new bike every few years. What's the catch? Graham Bayes, by email A. PCP deals...
Can I spray my own bike?
02 February 2012 by
Q. I recently crashed my bike at low speed after a momentary loss of concentration. I've changed the few broken parts but the fairing needs either replacing or repairing. I've always fancied learning...
Do I really need a motorcycle alarm?
02 February 2012 by
Q. My insurance policy is demanding an alarm is fitted to my Suzuki GSX-R750 but I’m no fan of them as, in my experience, they always seem to go wrong, drain the battery and no one takes any notice of...
How long will my helmet last?
02 February 2012 by
Q. My crash helmet is a few years old but remains very comfortable. It was in absolutely tip-top condition until it rolled off the petrol tank a little while ago onto the petrol station forecourt’s...
Boot review: Sidi Vertigo Gore-Tex
26 January 2012 by
Sidi Vertigo Gore-Tex boots, from £207 at www.mcnshop.com Miles covered/time: 15,000/four years What’s good: These boots have seen four winters and many more miles in mostly terrible weather (and...
Can I replace BMW R1200R tyre pressure sensors?
26 January 2012 by
Q. I have recently bought a 2008 BMW R1200R which has the tyre pressure sensors fitted. I am not keen on the sensors and have a couple of queries regarding them. Can I have normal rubber type tyre...