Choosing kit

Year: ALL

Product review: Aerostich Ultralight trousers

09 October 2009 by Ped Baker

Aerostich Ultralight trousers Miles covered/time: 1000 / two months What’s good: So simple, so brilliant. Waterproof trousers that fold into their own pocket and pack small enough to stash into a...

When to replace your rear tyre

08 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

Could you please advise whether the rear tyre on my track R1 is still useable. It has had a couple of very hard days at the track, the last being around the Brands GP circuit. Save money on...

Fitting tricky grips: an update

08 October 2009 by MCN

Hello, just read your Q&A about getting grips on to handlebar ends (September 16). Save money on handlebar grips Lighter fluid (naptha) works a treat just squirt it liberally all round the inside...

Product advice: Which sat nav to go for?

08 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

I’m new to the motorcycle world hence the email! My boyfriend is looking at getting a sat nav for his bike at some point but I was thinking of getting him one for Christmas. Save money on sat...

Exhausts from £34 on the MCN Shop!

08 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

If you needed any more evidence that the MCN shop is the place to head for quality kit, check this link out. Owners of Suzuki’s TL1000S can pick up a Remus slip-on exhaust for £34! Obviously you’ll be...

How to find a helmet that fits

02 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

Every wandered into a shop and had no clue how to tell if the helmet you were given by the salesman was a good fit? Compare and buy motorcycle helmets MCN’s easy-to-understand video guide will ensure you don’t buy something that’s totally unsuitable.

How to stop a tankbag damaging your bike

02 October 2009 by MCN

TronBiker: I have been using a magnetic tank bag. Have noticed however that it has left a white mark on my tank that I can’t remove. I have heard using a rubber cover underneath can work. Prepare...

Tyre advice: Cause of stepped wear in tyres

02 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. I have a problem in that my tyres – particularly the rear – wear in ‘steps’. A clear step down develops across each groove. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres This has happened on my last two bikes...

Products advice: Upgrading my headlight

02 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. I have a Yamaha XJR1300 and the stock headlight is rubbish. It’s not bright enough to be visible during the day and makes night riding a bit tricky so I want to put a brighter bulb in there. What’s...

Trouser review: Ixon Evil jeans

01 October 2009 by Andy Downes

Ixon Evil jeans, £139.99 (£125.99 on MCN shop) Miles covered/time: 2500/six months What’s good? I wear these on my commute to work and for short trips on the basis that they offer more protection than...

Helmet review: Arai Freeway

01 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

Arai Freeway open face helmet £179.99 (£169.99 on MCN Shop) Miles covered/time: 10,000/5 years. What’s good? I’ve worn this on a Harley-Davidson across Australia, on holiday in southern Europe and on...

Trouser review: Dainese SF Pelle

01 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

Dainese SF Pelle leather pants £289.99 Miles covered/time: 20,000/18 months What’s good? These zip to my Dainese jacket, so get close to providing the kind of protection you’d expect from full...

Jacket review: Dainese Gran Premo Pelle

30 September 2009 by Michael Neeves

Dainese Gran Premo Pelle Jacket £399.99 Miles covered/time: 6000/4 months What’s good? Dainese are brilliant at making motorcycle leather jackets. They’re stylish, fit beautifully and I can...

Best all-weather tyres for Kawasaki ZX-10R

23 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. I have a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R currently fitted with Bridgestone BT016s. They are fantastic tyres, however can you suggest some tyres suitable for winter road riding? Compare and buy motorcycle...

What difference does an exhaust make to weight?

23 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

Ever wondered just how much the weight saving is when you ditch your bike’s restrictive standard exhaust system for a flash new one? Compare and buy motorcycle exhausts Watch this video featuring...

Converting a sports bike to tourer

23 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

Tired of the racing crouch on your sports bike? MCN’s problem solving community has the answer on our forums… Compare and buy motorcycle products JBCompetes: I have a 2001 Fireblade that I threw...

Dunlop Qualifier RRs pass the toughest test

16 September 2009 by Michael Neeves

I’ve just returned from a 3200-mile trip to Spain and back on my Ducati Streetfighter, and the Dunlop Qualifier RRs I’d fitted worked like a dream. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres They offered the...

How to fit tricky new grips

16 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

Presuming you’ve already tried plenty of soap, WD40 or brute force, try this… If you can bear to ride your bike to a tyre depot or garage forecourt on bare metal bars, then you can insert the nozzle...

Tyre advice: Which tyres for track days and fast road riding?

16 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. I’m due a set of tyres on my Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres It’s running Bridgestone BT016s at the moment. I am looking for a tyre that grips well in the dry, and is...

Suspension advice: My bike seems to 'flop' into corners

16 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

Q. My Honda CB1100R has a tendency to flop into corners although I fitted a new rear shock recently. Compare and buy motorcycle supension parts I’ve checked the head bearings for play and set the...

Suspension advice: Sorting the shcok to irradicate sliding

02 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

My Suzuki GSX-R750 has just been fitted with a new aftermarket rear shock, but since then it has been spinning its rear tyre under power when riding in the wet. Compare and buy motorcycle...

Why do tyres have wire in them?

02 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

The high-tensile steel wire in motorcycle tyres is also known as the ‘bead’ and runs circumferationally around the inner part of the tyre. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres It’s job is to anchor the...

Tyre advice: Slippy roads in Southern Spain

02 September 2009 by Marc Abbott

I have recently moved to southern Spain and I ride a Ducati Monster S4RS. Compare and buy motorcycle tyres I have ridden my bike a few times since living here but I am having serious trouble with...

suspension set up

31 August 2009 by phil langston

Help please? own a Honda CBR600FS2 2002 and the suspension set up is for someone who is a lot heavier than myself. I am 9stone 12lbs and 5ft 5inches tall, can you recommend some settings so I can...

Kit: How to buy a cheap helmet

28 August 2009 by Chris Dabbs

If you are starting out on two wheels your budget has to cover a lot of first-time purchases. One of the most important is your crash helmet which could costs hundreds. But there are great savings to...

Exhaust advice: Discoloured downpipes

27 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

I’ve bought a used 2006 Yamaha XJR1300 with 3000 miles on clock which runs very well. However the front downpipes are discoloured and have gone slightly purple. What do you think is the cause? Should...

Suspension advice: Front end knocking

27 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

My Yamaha Fazer 1000 has developed an occasional knocking (movement) at the front end. It tends to happen in corners and it feels very similar to loose head bearings. It’s been around for the last...

Suspension advice: How age affects suspension

26 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

Age takes its toll on the rubber seals through degradation and springs sag as the coils deform under the continued load. You can spot seal problems such as perishing or oil leaks, but to check the...

Tyre Advice: What affects tyre life on a GSX-R1000?

26 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

There are four factors that affect the life of a tyre. First, pressures; on your bike it should be 36psi front, 42psi rear. Next, the suspension needs to be compliant enough to help the tyre cope. If...

Kit: How to buy a bike lock

20 August 2009 by Rob Hull

Buying a motorcycle lock is all about one thing – tailoring it to your specific needs. The motorcycle lock world is diverse with a variety of options meaning you could actually buy three or four...

Kit: How to choose leather trousers

19 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

As important as your leather jacket, leather trousers serve the same purpose (that of protection), albeit with slightly less style if you’re riding to the pub. Compare and buy leather trousers The...

Kit: How to choose a leather jacket

19 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

It doesn’t matter what we say here – most motorcyclists, if they’re being honest, will choose something that looks good. And why not? Compare and buy leather jackets in the MCN Shop However, beyond...

How does suspension affect understeer?

19 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

Also known as running wide, understeer is the bike’s inability to track a line through a bend. It usually occurs when a bike is set up too soft and the suspension wallows and struggles as physical...

FAQ: How to cure a vibrating wheel

19 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

If you have some harsh vibrations or the steering feels loose or wobbly then your front wheel could be out of balance. Those vibes will stress wheel bearings, make the tyre run hotter and could...

Suspension FAQ: How can your suspension and tyres cause a slide?

12 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

The rear end of a bike can slide for a number of reasons. Over-firm suspension dials out compliance and suppleness, making a bike’s tyre do more work than the suspension itself. This can cause the...

Best tyre for a Suzuki Bandit 1250

12 August 2009 by MCN

Reader Mike Lecras came to us looking for the perfect combination touring and sporty rubber for his 2009 Suzuki GSF1250 GT. He was running the standard Dunlop D218N 180/55 V17 at the rear. MCN’s...