January

How should a motorbike helmet fit?

How should a motorbike helmet fit?

Modern motorbike helmet fitment is the result of years of development, crash testing, computer modelling and safety testing, which can all be undone if your helmet doesn’t fit properly. Although...

Boot review: Sidi Vertigo Gore-Tex

Boot review: Sidi Vertigo Gore-Tex

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?

Can I replace BMW R1200R tyre pressure sensors?

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?

Can magnesium wheels be powdercoated?

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

Best tyres for a CCM FT35

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?

How long will my leathers last?

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?

Death of home servicing?

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

Nicked for a bike in bits

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?

Why is my GSX-R750 running wide?

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?

Why is my Kawasaki VN800 Classic not starting?

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

Best way to paint Hornet’s wheels

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?

Do I need special tool to remove Fireblade swingarm?

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...

Which bobbins for my Kawasaki Z1000SX?

Which bobbins for my Kawasaki Z1000SX?

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...