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Motorbike Advice

Your one-stop shop for all motorbike advice, including how-tos, getting a motorcycle licence, servicing, maintenance and more.

Find out which bikes you should be choosing in our expertly curated Best section, or find the perfect kit and accessories at MCN Product Picks.

For those looking to learn how to ride a motorbike, head to our Learning to Ride hub, where we cover all you need to know about getting into this wonderful lifestyle.

If you've already got going, check out our Riding Tips section for the best guides and top techniques.

Looking for somewhere to go? Don't miss our Places to Visit area for some ideas for your next rideout.

And when you get home, learn how to look after your bike in our Bike Maintenance hub.

Year: ALL

As a road tester, used V-Stroms don't tug at my heart strings, but they always manage to impress

06 September 2024 by Jon Urry

As a road tester, used V-Stroms don't tug at my heart strings, but they always manage to impress

Suzuki’s V-Strom adventure bike range has often been a case of function over form, and the very early versions quickly gained a reputation for challenging styling but excellent practicality. As...

As a road tester I love the legendary RD350LC, but for £12k how about these ace used retros instead?

05 September 2024 by Jon Urry

As a road tester I love the legendary RD350LC, but for £12k how about these ace used retros instead?

Nostalgia sells. But there is a problem with nostalgia – in fact there are several. For starters older classic machines are now becoming very expensive. You are looking at over £12k for a mint Yamaha...

Give me 150-ish bhp and fewer electronics any day of the week | Expert guide to analogue sportsbikes

28 August 2024 by Jon Urry

Give me 150-ish bhp and fewer electronics any day of the week | Expert guide to analogue sportsbikes

The 1990s and early 2000s were a golden era for sportsbikes. They were exciting, great-looking and had performance figures that were much more accessible for road riders than some of the power#2;laden...

Comfort and joy! Sports touring in style and effortless comfort needn't break the bank...

26 August 2024 by Jon Urry

Comfort and joy! Sports touring in style and effortless comfort needn't break the bank...

Sports-tourers are the jacks-of-all-trades of the two-wheeled world. More than happy to load-up and take you and a pillion around Europe, they are equally pleased to just be rolled out at a weekend...

We can't all be MotoGP superstars - but you can buy one of these used V4 sportsbikes!

20 August 2024 by Jon Urry

We can't all be MotoGP superstars - but you can buy one of these used V4 sportsbikes!

If you look at the current crop of MotoGP bikes and dive under the weird aero fins, there is a common theme. Honda, Aprilia, KTM and Ducati all run a V4. And in WSBK it is a similar story with...

How to fix a flat tyre fast | Don’t get left stranded, here’s how to tackle a puncture with MCN

19 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

How to fix a flat tyre fast | Don’t get left stranded, here’s how to tackle a puncture with MCN

Discovering you have a flat tyre is one of the worst feelings in biking. If you’re lucky, you’ll discover that you have a puncture in your garage or driveway rather than out and about where your...

Trackday fun for less! Scratch that short circuit itch with a used speed-seeker from £800

14 August 2024 by Jon Urry

Trackday fun for less! Scratch that short circuit itch with a used speed-seeker from £800

Of course you could pitch up at your very first trackday with a spanking new Panigale, tyre warmers and all… but you are putting a load of pressure on yourself to perform and what if it all ends up in...

Stay connected! Wire in a motorcycle USB port and phone cradle for navigation and more

12 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

Stay connected! Wire in a motorcycle USB port and phone cradle for navigation and more

Plenty of bikers enjoy time on two wheels precisely because it’s time that we can’t be reached, distracted or hassled by our phones. The time spent ‘off-grid’ in the saddle can be a sacred break from...

How to unseize your stoppers | Learn to overhaul your brake calipers with MCN's expert mechanic

06 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

How to unseize your stoppers | Learn to overhaul your brake calipers with MCN's expert mechanic

Just like every moving part on your motorbike, your brake calipers need servicing to keep them in proper working order. Swapping the fluid and replacing the brake pads is important but giving them a...

Let's go retro - from £2500! Head old-school with one of Yamaha's big-value used naked beauties

06 August 2024 by Jon Urry

Let's go retro - from £2500! Head old-school with one of Yamaha's big-value used naked beauties

When it comes to spirited retro motorcycles, Yamaha have nailed the brief. OK there have been a few bumps along the way (did someone say SCR950?) but in general they seem to be able to hit the...

Locked down | MCN's top tips and tricks for keeping your motorcycle safe in the city

05 August 2024 by Nye Davis

Locked down | MCN's top tips and tricks for keeping your motorcycle safe in the city

Keeping your motorcycle safe and secure in urban areas can be a major source of anxiety for motorcyclists. For good reason too, bike theft has become increasingly prevalent. This means it’s more...

Save yourself money by following MCN's guide to looking after your motorbike chain

01 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

Save yourself money by following MCN's guide to looking after your motorbike chain

A motorbike chain is a vitally important bit of kit. It’s essentially the part that connects your motor to your back wheel in most cases, so careful maintenance is key to keeping your bike...

How to replace your own motorbike fork seals | Save money with this guide from MCN's expert mechanic

01 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

How to replace your own motorbike fork seals | Save money with this guide from MCN's expert mechanic

A weeping fork seal is never a welcome sight on your bike, particularly in the run-up to your next MoT test, but it doesn’t have to mean an expensive trip to the mechanic. With the right tools and...

Here's your guide to preparing your bike for winter storage so it's good to go in spring

01 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

Here's your guide to preparing your bike for winter storage so it's good to go in spring

Plenty of bikers in the UK prefer not to ride through the winter months – whether that’s because they don’t want to expose their pride and joy to road salt, they ride focused sportsbikes that wouldn’t...

Save your energy: How to look after your motorcycle battery

01 August 2024 by Jim Blackstock

Save your energy: How to look after your motorcycle battery

Motorcycle battery maintenance is a key element to ensuring you can enjoy your riding as much as possible. There is nothing worse than excitedly approaching your bike only to find the starter won’t...

Power play: How to hard-wire heated motorcycle gloves into your bike

01 August 2024 by Jim Blackstock

Power play: How to hard-wire heated motorcycle gloves into your bike

Heated kit is a brilliant addition to your winter riding kit. It allows you to wear less insulating clothing and instead, generate heat to maintain your body temperature while remaining comfortable...

How to fit a Scottoiler or other automatic motorbike chain oiler at home

01 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

How to fit a Scottoiler or other automatic motorbike chain oiler at home

An automatic oiler can take a lot of the work out of looking after your chain and sprockets and can actually extend its life. It’s especially useful in the winter months when salt, dirt and water from...

How to deep clean your motorcycle's wheels and get them looking like new with MCN's expert mechanic

01 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

How to deep clean your motorcycle's wheels and get them looking like new with MCN's expert mechanic

You motorbike’s wheels can be one of the trickiest areas to clean, but they’re also prone to getting absolutely filthy. Related Best products for cleaning your motorbike Best deals on...

MCN's expert guide on removing bug splats, tar or any other stubborn stains from your motorcycle

01 August 2024 by Bruce Dunn

MCN's expert guide on removing bug splats, tar or any other stubborn stains from your motorcycle

Summer in the UK brings with it lots of positives for bikers. Bright mornings, long evenings, warm sunshine and sticky tarmac are all positives but the downside is that your fairing, headlamp and...

Fan favourite: How to check your motorcycle cooling system

01 August 2024 by Jim Blackstock

Fan favourite: How to check your motorcycle cooling system

Checking your motorcycle cooling system is important. In the past, most bikes were air-cooled. Although that’s a bit of a misnomer; it was a combination of air and oil-cooling, with the oil being...

Save money and learn how to do basic oil and filter servicing on your motorcycle with MCN's expert

31 July 2024 by Bruce Dunn

Save money and learn how to do basic oil and filter servicing on your motorcycle with MCN's expert

The oil in your motorbike’s engine plays an incredibly important role. It acts as a cushion between moving parts, such as between camshaft and head, reducing friction and wear. Jump to: The right...

Keep on stopping: How to change motorcycle brake pads

31 July 2024 by Jim Blackstock

Keep on stopping: How to change motorcycle brake pads

It’s inevitable that if you carry out your own maintenance, sooner or later you will be changing motorcycle brake pads. They are, after all, consumable and will need replacing more or less often,...

Plug and play: How check and change your motorcycle spark plugs

31 July 2024 by Jim Blackstock

Plug and play: How check and change your motorcycle spark plugs

Unless you own a diesel motorcycle, then the spark plug in your petrol engine is probably one of the most key components if you want to operate your bike. Of course, there are others – tyres, brakes...

Sub-£5k superbikes: they might break the speed limit, but these sizzlers won't break the bank

30 July 2024 by Jon Urry

Sub-£5k superbikes: they might break the speed limit, but these sizzlers won't break the bank

Sales of new sportsbikes may have dwindled but the used market is as hot as ever – and that’s no surprise given the range of quality machinery on offer. Look in any dealership and super sport 600...

Taking on the French TET with a purpose-built KTM 690 Enduro R | The ultimate adventure bike?

25 July 2024 by Michael Guy

Taking on the French TET with a purpose-built KTM 690 Enduro R | The ultimate adventure bike?

Welcome to the fourth episode of MCN Sports Editor, Michael Guy’s video series on buying and adapting the perfect adventure bike. Watch the previous episodes: Michael chooses, buys and modifies...

Fancy an old-school four? These are the used buys our expert reckons should be on your shopping list

22 July 2024 by Jon Urry

Fancy an old-school four? These are the used buys our expert reckons should be on your shopping list

There’s no more definitive genre of motorcycle than the naked, big-bore, twin shock, retro-style Japanese fours which proved hugely popular between the mid-1990s and mid-Noughties. Bikes like...

Let it all hang out! Prepare for high-octane thrills on five of the best big-cc naked bargains

17 July 2024 by Jon Urry

Let it all hang out! Prepare for high-octane thrills on five of the best big-cc naked bargains

The popularity of naked bikes has been on the rise ever since our sports bike infatuation started to wane. And is it any wonder? On a naked the exposed and upright riding position not only puts...

True sporting icons: the GSX-R range defined Suzuki for generations. So which to buy?

15 July 2024 by Jon Urry

True sporting icons: the GSX-R range defined Suzuki for generations. So which to buy?

It’s a rather sorry state of affairs that now, in 2024, Suzuki only have two GSX-R models in the range – and one is a GSX-R125! There’s the new GSX-8R too, of course, which had won fans thanks to its...

How to ride a motorcycle while staying on the right side of the law

10 July 2024 by Charlotte King

How to ride a motorcycle while staying on the right side of the law

Riding a motorcycle can be great fun but if you aren’t clued up and careful, you can get caught out. It’s worth reading up on the things to be aware of to keep yourself out of trouble. This is doubly...

Cost of riding guide | Discover the cost of a motorbike to keep your ride financially free

09 July 2024 by Phil Clarke

Cost of riding guide | Discover the cost of a motorbike to keep your ride financially free

Once you’ve learned to ride a motorcycle, you’re finally ready to take the most exciting step — buying one for yourself. But, it can be difficult to know just how much you should expect to spend on...

Motorcycle buying guide | Learn how to find the right bike for you and get in the saddle

09 July 2024 by Phil Clarke

Motorcycle buying guide | Learn how to find the right bike for you and get in the saddle

It’s never been a better time to start learning to ride, and the adventures you share with your first motorbike will stay with you for life. It’s an exciting place to be when you’re choosing your...

How to save fuel while still having fun on your motorcycle

09 July 2024 by Robin Kirkley

How to save fuel while still having fun on your motorcycle

Whether you’re learning to ride or an experienced hand, biking is a passion that offers a unique sense of freedom and adventure. But with rising fuel prices and increasing environmental concerns,...

Essential motorcycle maintenance checklist to keep your machine running smoothly

08 July 2024 by Robin Kirkley

Essential motorcycle maintenance checklist to keep your machine running smoothly

Part of learning to ride, is learning how to look after your bike: keeping it in good shape is important for its lifespan, performance, and your safety. Regular checks can stop unexpected breakdowns...

The A2 motorbike licence is a crucial step towards bigger bikes for young riders. Here's how to pass

05 July 2024 by Gareth Evans

The A2 motorbike licence is a crucial step towards bigger bikes for young riders. Here's how to pass

The A2 motorbike licence is the single quickest and most cost-effective way for 19-year-olds to learn to ride a motorbike and progress to a full UK licence. In order to gain an A2 licence, you’ll...

The MCN test | best supersport motorbikes of 2024

27 June 2024 by Michael Neeves

The MCN test | best supersport motorbikes of 2024

We’ve never really thought of Triumph’s Street Triple as a supersport bike before. From its 2006 inception it was always the tamer, more real world take on the Daytona 675 race rep, but not anymore.

How to ride a motorcycle with a pillion passenger

26 June 2024 by Gareth Evans

How to ride a motorcycle with a pillion passenger

Riding with a pillion can be the best way to get friends and family understanding just what you love about biking – and possibly tempt them to learn to ride themselves. But there’s a real art to...