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.
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...
Best tyres for a Ducati 916
20 February 2012 by
Q. I would like some advice on what tyres to buy for my 1998 Ducati 916. I have had the bike for five years and fitted a set of Michelin Pilot Sports when I got the bike. I have been happy with the...
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,...
Why is my Ducati 916 running roughly?
20 February 2012 by
Q. I’ve a Ducati 916 that has been running rough for a little while. The electrics are all fine, with no dodgy relays and the bike was recently serviced with a clean bill of health. Mick Illingworth,...
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...
Can magnesium wheels be powdercoated?
26 January 2012 by
Q. Is it possible to powdercoat the wheels on my 2005 Aprilia Tuono Factory? A mate told me they can't be done because they are magnesium. Airm8, MCN forums A. Magnesium wheels weigh 30% less than...
I need a bespoke header pipe
26 January 2012 by
Q. I have an immaculate Kawasaki KLR650 with a Marvin stainless steel silencer that looks and sounds great. Marvin does not make a header pipe, so are there any exhaust firms who could manufacture a...
Best tyres for a CCM FT35
20 January 2012 by
Q. I have a CCM FT35-S, the 400cc Suzuki-engined supermoto with a 120/70 x 17 front tyre and a 150/70 x 17 rear. What choices do I have in replacement rubber? Nick Scarr, email A. First off, the...
How long will my leathers last?
20 January 2012 by
Q. We all know that manufacturers put a life expectancy on helmets of roughly five years but is there a life expectancy on leathers? I know we should replace any kit if it has been involved in a high...
Death of home servicing?
20 January 2012 by
Q. I own a 2008 Yamaha Fazer 600S2 which I plan on keeping for a few years. I like to do my own maintenance, but the bike has electronic fuel injection, ECU and a factory immobilizer, which is all...
Nicked for a bike in bits
20 January 2012 by
Q. I have just received a fixed penalty notice for my Yamaha XJR1300, the bike is still taxed, but it’s been in bits since July so I let the insurance lapse. I thought that if the bike was taxed you...
Why is my GSX-R750 running wide?
11 January 2012 by
I’ve got a 2004 Suzuki GSX-R750 which I love the look and power of. The problem is that when I open the throttle up in the second part of a corner while the bike is still cranked over, it starts to...
Why is my Kawasaki VN800 Classic not starting?
11 January 2012 by
I've had a Kawasaki VN800 Classic for over 15 months now, and it had been running beautifully every day until a few months ago when it would just not start on the button, clicking loudly instead. I...
Best way to paint Hornet’s wheels
11 January 2012 by
My wheels are looking a bit tatty on my Hornet and I’m considering spraying them myself. However the wheels take a lot of crap from the road and I am worried it won’t be durable. Cairnsie13, MCN...
Do I need special tool to remove Fireblade swingarm?
11 January 2012 by
I am going to take the swingarm off my Honda Fireblade RRX so that I can get it polished but I have read in the Haynes manual that I require a special tool to refit the swingarm pivot bolt/nut. Is...
Why is my Virago's battery running dry?
03 January 2012 by
Q. The battery on my Yamaha Virago ran dry so I replaced it at the same time as putting some heated grips on. I don’t use these much, but after two weeks the new battery has lost 60% of its...
Which bobbins for my Kawasaki Z1000SX?
03 January 2012 by
Q. I’ve got a Kawasaki Z1000SX and I’m looking at getting a paddock stand for it. Rather than one that lifts it at the rear wheel spindle, I want to use the two threaded holes in the swingarm and two...
Best tyres for a Derbi Terra Adventure
19 December 2011 by
Q. What rear tyre would you recommend for a 2011 Derbi Terra Adventure 125. The rear is a 130/90 x 17 and the front is a 90/90 x 21. Newbiker1, MCN forums A. Continental Escapes are a really good...
Best rear hugger for a KTM SMT
19 December 2011 by
Q. Some time ago Trevor Franklin did a long-term test on a KTM 990SMT. I’m using my bike for the winter months getting to work and I remember Trevor saying that he fitted a new rear hugger. He said it...
Best flip-front helmet with sun visor
19 December 2011 by
Q. I'm looking for a new full-face helmet but fancy one with an internal sun visor. I know a few of the flip front types have them but I don't want the extra weight. Motorcycle helmets for sale. Money...