Choosing kit

Year: ALL

If in doubt, change your tyres

02 June 2010 by MCN

Q. I have returned to motorcycling after a 48-year break and my bike is a 1990 Yamaha XV535 which is very pleasant to ride - even with the gearlever on the left! But on some road surfaces the...

Suspension set-up for a 2002 CBR600F

25 May 2010 by MCN

Q. What suspension settings are best for solo riding on a CBR600F, 2002 model? I weigh 88kg in full riding kit and ride on the road with the odd track day. I also carry a pillion and luggage a couple...

Can I get new wheels under warranty?

25 May 2010 by MCN

Q. At the weekend, while cleaning my 2010 Kawasaki GTR1400, I noticed the rear wheel was bent on the right-hand side of the rim, where you’d expect to place a tyre lever. Save £££s on motorcycle...

How to extract a GT550’s rear shocks

18 May 2010 by MCN

Q. I’ve bought myself a project bike – a 1988 Kawasaki GT550. It was completely dead but everyone’s help on the MCN forums has got it through the MoT, so firstly thanks to all. I now have a bit of a...

How do I know my brake pads will suit my discs?

11 May 2010 by Chris Dabbs

I would like to fit Ferodo Sintergrip road ST HH brake pads to my 2000 Yamaha R6. But Ferodo say the discs must be stainless steel or cast iron for their pads to be suitable. I have emailed Yamaha UK,...

Troubleshooting: Why won't my 2002 Thunderbird go?

11 May 2010 by Chris Dabbs

GCollins: I have a 2002 Triumph Thunderbird with 17,000 miles on it and in good condition. Lately the engine has started to fade and then cut out, this happens after about 30 miles often after a stop...

How to clean a Speedfight head and barrel

07 May 2010 by MCN

Q. I’ve just stripped down the head and barrel on my Peugeot Speedfight and the piston is coked up with black crap. What’s the best way to clean it without damaging it? Fred1021, MCN forums A. Most...

Diagnose a cush drive fault

07 May 2010 by MCN

Q. I have a 2005 Yamaha Dragstar 125 with 3000 miles on the clock and I have excessive free play in the drive system when throttling off. The engine goes from driving the bike to the bike driving the...

How to extract a seized front wheel spindle

05 May 2010 by MCN

Assuming the spindle is seized to the bearings or the spacer between the bearings, remove the tyre, tube and rim tape then soak the wheel overnight in diesel or paraffin. If you have a stout leakproof...

Why don't my VFR’s idiot lights work?

27 April 2010 by MCN

Q. The idiot lights on my Honda VFR800 have started playing up. Sometimes neutral works, and then my digital clock goes on the blink for a couple of days before coming back again. Nick Langhorn, email...

Is ride height making my bike steer slower?

27 April 2010 by MCN

Q. I do a lot of track days but I seem to have hit a brick wall when it comes to getting round fast corners quickly. Every time I up the pace on my R6 the bike misses the apex and runs wide appearing...

Best tyres for a BMW K1300GT

27 April 2010 by MCN

Q. I’m looking to replace the tyres on my BMW K1300GT. The ones currently fitted have a special “UU” rating for this bike. Save cash on motorcycle tyres BMW recommend Metzeler Z6, what do you...

Tyres that inspire confidence...

20 April 2010 by MCN

Q. I intend replacing my tyres in the next few weeks and would appreciate some advice. Save £££s on motorcycle tyres The tyres fitted are Continentals, which came with the bike when I bought it; but...

Indicator bulbs: handy tips

20 April 2010 by MCN

Q. I wonder what the minimum wattage is for bike indicators, if there is one? Save cash on motorcycle lighting I have bought some new winkers for my Kawasaki 400 grey import and they’re 10 watts,...

How to diagnose clutch cable problem

20 April 2010 by MCN

Q. The choke lever on my 2001 Yamaha 900 Diversion will only pull about a quarter of the way open. Not being too technically minded, and before I go stripping down unnecessarily, is it most likely to...

Product advice: How to check your alarm's not draining your battery

13 April 2010 by Marc Abbott

How do I test for battery drain when my bike’s not in use? I think my battery’s causing this. Deanipops, MCN forums You need an ammeter or multimeter set on amps. Take the negative lead off the...

Product advice: What's causing debris in RS125 gearbox?

13 April 2010 by Marc Abbott

I’ve drained the oil out of my Aprilia RS125’s broken gearbox this afternoon and once I removed the drain plug I noticed small cylinder-shaped bits of metal stuck to the inside of the plug. Any ideas...

Product advice: How to get better Busa bulbs

13 April 2010 by Marc Abbott

I have a 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa and I wanted better lighting, so I changed the bulbs for 100 watt. The main beam is now less than useless no matter how I adjust it. It is just a diffused light with no...

Boot review: Alpinestars Tech 2

08 April 2010 by Ian Jubb

Alpinestars Tech 2 boots, £159.99 Miles covered/time: 5000/two years What’s good? They might not be exactly the right thing to where on a road bike buy hey, I think they look pretty cool. Save £££s...

Suspension set-up guide for Honda CBR600F

07 April 2010 by MCN

What suspension settings are best for solo riding on a CBR600F, 2002 model? I weigh 88kg in full riding kit and ride on the road with the odd track day. I also carry a pillion and luggage a couple of...

Suzuki GSX-R750 fuel pump fault

07 April 2010 by MCN

Q. At the moment my Suzuki GSX-R750 K3 will rev through to redline without issue in first, but only to 8000rpm in any other gear if I give it a handful. If I feather the throttle as I accelerate I can...

VFR reg/rec fault? It could be your chain

07 April 2010 by MCN

Q. In a recent issue of MCN in the top ten most reliable motorcycle section relating to the Honda VFR800FI, you mention a rectifier problem. I have a 1999 VFR800FI and I have noticed for some time now...

Tyre advice: Are intermediate tyres worth it?

07 April 2010 by MCN

Q. I use my Fireblade mainly on the track and was thinking of getting sets of intermediate and wet tyres to go with my ‘dry’ track rubber. Save cash on motorcycle tyres Would you advise getting the...

How to clean titanium exhaust pipes

29 March 2010 by MCN

Every wondered what the experts say is the best method of cleaning your titanium pipes? Save £££s on motorcycle cleaners Quill exhausts reckon: “Give them a good wipe down with thinners, then spray...

Want to be a suspension expert?

29 March 2010 by MCN

Always found yourself put off by the seemingly black art of suspension adjustment? Or do you sometimes make colossal errors of judgement and screw up your settings because you forgot to take a note of...

The best tyres for a 12-year-old Fireblade

29 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I own a 1998 Honda CBR900RRW FireBlade which needs new tyres. Which would be best for road riding and one or two trackdays in the novice group, as my first ever track day is at Croft in May? Kurt...

Are my R1's stock tyres good for track days?

23 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I’ve recently bought a 2009 Yamaha R1 which came fitted with Dunlop Sportmax D210 tyres. Could you tell me if they are any good? Save cash on motorcycle tyres I mainly ride on the road, but do...

What difference do bar-risers make?

23 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I wonder if you might know the answer or could advise me on this? I have a new ZZR1400 and I asked the dealer to fit Genmar bar risers which raise the bar position by 25mm and back by 16mm. Instead...

Has my alarm killed my R1?

23 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I put my regularly used 2004 Yamaha R1 away for a night and now it has decided not to fire up. 48 hours after I stopped it the alarm went off for no apparent reason, and after I’d turned the...

Will a new air filter cure carb icing?

16 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I have had no problems with my 2005 Suzuki GSF650 Bandit until the weather turned before Christmas. Since then on cold days the bike starts fine, but then after about five minutes of riding the...

Why won't my headlights turn on?

16 March 2010 by MCN

Fastasfox: I have a 2003 ZX-6R and I can’t get the headlights on. The lights should turn on when the engine is fired up and I have looked at the bulbs, connections, new battery (on a battery...

Pirelli Angel ST: "planted and smooth"

16 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I’m thinking of fitting Pirelli Angel ST touring tyres to my Suzuki 1250 Bandit. How good are they? davegsxr1000, MCN tyre forum Save £££s on motorcycle tyres A. A Speed Triple rider on the forum...

Best boots for all-day use?

16 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I was just wondering if you could advise me on motorcycle boots as I am looking to find a pair I can use on and off the bike as I go about my daily business. Save cash on motorcycle boots So far...

Yamaha XJR1300 oil cooler conundrum

09 March 2010 by MCN

Q. Can you tell me if the oil cooler pipes and hoses from a 99-01 Yamaha XJR1300 will fit a 2002 model? Save £££s on motorcycle products Mine are leaking from the hose and I’ve managed to locate...

Best tyres for a 2000 Triumph Sprint ST 955i

09 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I ride a 2000 Triumph Sprint ST 955i and can’t afford to change it, so I have lowered the gearing to give it a bit more stomp. It’s a great bike but I would like it to steer a bit quicker with some...

Where can I get cheap RSV brakes discs?

09 March 2010 by MCN

Q. I need some new front discs for my 2003 Aprilia RSV1000 and I’ve been quoted about £400 for a pair (fitted), which seems steep to me. Save cash on motorcycle products Have I got any other...