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.
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...
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...
Why are my ZZR1200's brakes sqealing?
19 December 2011 by
Q. I have recently purchased a Kawasaki ZZR1200. I'm very pleased with it, but I have one annoying problem – the front brake squeals under light operation. I have removed the calipers, and the pistons...
Best all-weather tyres for a Honda CBR600F
15 December 2011 by
Q. I bought an N-plate Honda CBR600F six months ago with Michelin Pilot 1s fitted that arejust about done after 5000 miles and three track days. I will be using the bike mainly for summer riding and a...
Is rattling exhaust sapping power?
15 December 2011 by
Q. My son's Piaggio NRG scooter has lost power. It used to do 50, now it does 26mph at 7000rpm. It does not sound the same as his mate’s NRG and when I took the exhaust off something is rattling...
Why won't my Honda CBX750 run properly?
15 December 2011 by
Q. I've just got an ’86-reg Honda CBX750, it had blowing header pipes which I’ve fixed. My problem is that when I try to ride it after letting it warm up the middle two cylinders splutter then cut...
Cure for Kawasaki Zephyr's fuel problems
15 December 2011 by
Q. I have a Kawasaki Zephyr 750 which has not been run very much since summer 2010. When I triedstarting it about a month ago, it was very reluctant to fire up, but would just about run OK. I decided...
Best tyres for a Kawasaki GTR1400
07 December 2011 by
Q. I have been on a GSX-R1000 for the past two years, but now as my wife wants to travel further afield we are changing to a Kawasaki GTR1400. Which tyres can I fit to get the most grip and feel? I’m...
Why is my Bandit 1250's exhaust popping?
07 December 2011 by
Q. I bought my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250SA new and I like everything except the massive end can. I replaced this with a twin outlet road legal can from Banditmania which looks and sounds great. The...
How do I replace Suzuki SV650's radiator?
07 December 2011 by
Q. While waiting for my shoulder to heal after a smash I took the radiator off my SV and got it repaired. What do I need to know about putting it back on? Is it as simple as stick it back on and fill...
Is petrol damaging my 20-year-old bike?
07 December 2011 by
Q. I've just seen an advertisement for a product that will protect motorcycle engines made before 1996 from damage that will, according to them, result from use of petrol containing ethanol. I have a...
Product review: Proguard Custom Fleximonitors earphones
30 November 2011 by
Proguard Custom Fleximonitors earphones, £239.95 Miles covered/time used: 2000/two months What’s good: They block out as much noise as a good foam earplug (and actually more than the firm’s own custom...
Where's my GSX-R600's engine braking gone?
30 November 2011 by
Q. I’ve noticed the engine braking on my 10,000-mile GSX-R600 K5 has severely decreased when I roll off the throttle and I can quite happily ride round at 10mph with no throttle at all and the clutch...