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.
When should I change my tyres?
25 January 2011 by
I’ve been told that the legal minimum tread limit is 1mm. Should I let the tread go this low or should I change the tyre sooner? I don’t race my bike, it’s only used on A and B-roads with very little...
Why can't I change gear?
18 January 2011 by
Q. I have a 1979 Kawasaki KZ400 that I use for travelling between college and home; it’s in very good condition and has only done 4500 miles. The problem is that shifting into second gear is very...
Bandit’s speedo goes blank
11 January 2011 by
Q. I have a Suzuki Bandit 1250SA which is just coming up for three years old. It has developed an intermittent problem in that the speedo can go blank, though it is still backlit, and the rev counter...
BN125 won't start from cold
11 January 2011 by
Q. I have a Kawasaki BN125 that just does not want to start from cold at all. When it does fire up, the moment you take the choke off it stalls, and you have to be so, so gentle on the throttle until...
Where can I get Hayabusa luggage?
05 January 2011 by
Q. I’ve looked far and wide but can’t find any sort of hard luggage for my Suzuki 1300 Hayabusa. I live in Germany, and no one can help, not even Suzuki Germany. Stephen Poulton, email A. This all...
Is there a cheap way to repair a tyre?
29 December 2010 by
I caught a financial cold recently when I picked up a puncture in a nearly-new Z-rated tyre and I had to get it replaced. Is there any guaranteed way I can avoid a costly bill if I get another...
Is it safe to disconnect my battery?
28 December 2010 by
My friend told me that I cannot disconnect the old battery completely on my Suzuki GSX1400 as this means I will “lose the memory in the ECU”. Is this correct? Walter Calne, email The moment you...
Can I get a custom-made screen?
27 December 2010 by
I have a 2007 Yamaha FJR1300A, which is a great bike, but I have an issue with the screen. When it’s down I just get buffeted to pieces, and if I put the screen up the wind just pushes my head forward...
Why do I keep getting punctures?
21 December 2010 by
Q. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, but I keep picking up punctures in my rear tyres. I’ve had four in the last 2000 miles and it’s getting expensive to pay for repair or replacement. Save £££s on...
Can I ditch my lambda sensor?
21 December 2010 by
Q. I want to change the exhaust on my 2009 Yamaha XJ6. I’m happy to get a full system less the cat as I’m told it will reduce weight and increase horsepower. Some systems that I’ve looked at state...
Best all-round tyres for Triumph Street Triple R
14 December 2010 by
Q. I have a Triumph Street Triple R, I’m 43 and passed my Direct Access two and a half years ago. Save cash on motorcycle tyres I ride back lanes for fun and do the odd trip to the coast and back,...
Know your bike's oil consumption
10 December 2010 by
Just because a bike uses oil doesn’t necessarily mean that it has a problem. For a long time now, bike makers have designed engines with under piston oil feeds. These are there to cool down the piston...
How can I fix R6's ignition transponder?
07 December 2010 by
Q. I recently bought a 2003 Yamaha R6. It was working all right for a week, but one evening it didn’t start. On pressing the starter switch I could hear the starter sound but the bike failed to...
Does my Triumph T955i have a loose sprag clutch?
07 December 2010 by
Q. I’ve been reading some articles stored in my garage on the Triumph T595 from 1998 and I’m worried. It says the bolts on the starter sprag clutch can come undone, and you first hear a rattle, before...
New rider: Avon offer free replacement on damaged or punctured tyres
03 December 2010 by
Avon tyres have got a scheme called the Road Hazard Warranty. If one of their radial tyres becomes damaged or punctured they will replace it free of charge, as long as there’s no more than 1mm of...
New rider: Avoiding punctures
03 December 2010 by
There are a few things you can do to combat the risk of punctures. First of all, try to avoid the areas of the road that debris collects in. That tends to be between opposing lanes, around traffic...
What's causing my ST1300 to wiggle?
01 December 2010 by
I have a Honda ST1300, that’s in generally fine fettle, with good tyres and swingarm, and with steering head and wheel bearings in good condition, too. However, when pulling away, the bike feels like...
Effect of a squared-off front tyre
26 November 2010 by
Q. I have a Kawasaki ZX-6R G1. When I go round corners my steering wobbles and when I’m going really slow in traffic, I’m fighting to balance, but then it’s fine in a straight line at speed. I checked...
How to seal an old petrol tank
26 November 2010 by
Q. One of my chums yesterday told me he was getting a new tank for his old Bonneville. When I asked why, he said because he put Petseal in the tank and now that petrol has a higher percentage of...
How can I solve riding pain?
26 November 2010 by
Q. I’m a female pensioner who has taken up biking again in the last couple of years after a long absence. I live in Spain and it’s great for biking, but I have one problem. I’m pretty heavy and after...
Why are my tyres tearing after 10 laps?
15 November 2010 by
Q. I was recently at the Motorland circuit in Spain. This track is very fast and has a strong left-hand bias and is tough on tyres. The Dunlop Sportmax slick fitted to my 2004 Yamaha R1 wore really...
How much oil should my Fireblade use?
15 November 2010 by
Q. I currently own a 954 Fireblade and am looking to upgrade to a 2008, 2009 or 2010 model, but I keep hearing from owners that they use quite an amount of oil. My 954 never uses oil from one service...
Can I upgrade Kawasaki ER-5's brakes?
09 November 2010 by
Q. I want to replace my 1998 Kawasaki ER-5’s front brake caliper with a better brake, maybe a twin or a four-piston set-up. Is there a brake that would fit straight on or would I have to make an...
Product review: Kryptonite New York disc lock
05 November 2010 by
Kryptonite New York disc lock, £56.99 Time used: Six months What’s good? This little disc lock travels with me whenever I make a journey that’s not garage-to-garage. It’s light enough to carry in a...
Glove review: Oxford Bone Dry Sports
05 November 2010 by
Oxford Bone Dry Sports Gloves, £47.49 Miles covered/time: 500/three weeks What’s good? They’re smooth and silky inside and immediately comfortable on the ends of your arms. The armour seems solid and...
Why does my tyre keep deflating?
04 November 2010 by
Q. My front tyre has only done 1300 miles, but it keeps deflating. When I took it to a local tyre dealer they said it was porous – is this normal? PTMX1234, MCN forums A. The majority of problems with...
Can I get my 749’s wheel repaired?
04 November 2010 by
Q. I have just had a low speed coming off. The bike, a Ducati 749, dropped onto one side and slid into a kerb putting a small dent into my front Marchesini wheel rim. What is your opinion on getting a...
Why can't I sync my Bandit's carbs?
04 November 2010 by
Q. I decided to sync the carbs on a 1999 Bandit 600 I just bought. I got her warmed up and tried to set the idle speed at 1750rpm for the sync (as per the Haynes manual). I turned the adjuster screw...
Do my Fireblade's fork seals need replacing?
27 October 2010 by
Q. I was advised at my MoT that one fork seal on my ’04 Fireblade was worn (there was slight misting of oil on the fork). The garage said they could replace just the one, but when I rang the main...
Why is my RF600R shooting flames?!
26 October 2010 by
Q. I got on my Suzuki RF600R today to go home from work, and the first thing it did when I tried to start it was backfire and shoot flames. I thought what the hell, maybe these things happen. When I...
youngest to have a full bike licence?
22 October 2010 by
I thought i would drop you this email, to let you know if interested that I was 17 on the 2nd october, where i pre booked my theory and passed then got a cancelation for mod 1 then passed, and took...
Best tyres for a Kawasaki ZX-9R
21 October 2010 by
I need some new tyres for my 2003 Kawasaki ZX-9R. It’s currently fitted with Bridgestone BT-014s, I’m mainly an easy road rider, but I like to get it over in the bends occasionally, so could do with...
Can I fit an injected motor to a carbed bike?
21 October 2010 by
I have a 1994 Suzuki Slingshot streetfighter which I love the look of, but getting the carbs balanced is costly. So I would like to fit a more modern fuel-injected engine, or can I get away with a new...
New Rider passes DAS then Rides straight to Pitstop Diner MCN Top bike spot
19 October 2010 by
I am so proud, Suzanne McLean my partner passed her Direct Access Today, then rode straight to bike night at MCN Top bike spot the Pitstop diner, A dauting task infront of all those bikers, but she...
Nerves and the bike test
16 October 2010 by
I have ridden bikes on and off since 1964. I took the old style test in 1967 and failed on 2 minor’ish points. I did not take it again regrettably. As I did not want to carry a pillion passenger and my 250 was quick enough at the time. Each decade since, I have gone back to bikes but unfortunately 125. I have always had an ambition to gain my full licence. So in May this year I did the CBT, and...
Repairing damaged wheels
15 October 2010 by
If you’ve kerbed a car wheel you’ll know what sort of mess it does to the rims, but you can keep driving most of the time. Damage an alloy wheel on a bike and it will ruin the bike’s handling and...