2009
How to find a helmet that fits
21 May 2009 by
Different brands of helmet seem to fit different shapes of head, and there’s little to be gained from splashing out on the latest top-end race rep if your head is going to rattle around in it. Follow...
Tyre advice: Touring tyres on a trackday
20 May 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve recently fitted a pair of Dunlop Roadsmarts to my bike,...
Suspension advice: Sorting out tired rear shocks
20 May 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. My Honda Hornet 600 has racked up 10,000 miles on the...
Bike accessory advice: Raising the back without a paddock stand
20 May 2009 by
THE Honda CBR125 doesn’t come with centrestand which makes adjusting the chain a pain. A lightweight bike like this is easy to balance with a car axle stand on the swingarm and a block of wood under...
Bike accessory advice: Removing scratches
20 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve scratched the screen of my BMW R1100RT. Watch can I do...
Technical advice: Suzuki Hayabusa clutch slipping
20 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I have a very clean ‘99 Hayabusa with 14,000 miles on the...
Product advice: Paint for fairing panels
15 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I went sliding down the road recently on my Suzuki GSX-R1000...
Parts advice: Mirror extensions
15 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I need some mirror extensions for my CBR600F, does anyone know who makes them. Phil Walden, Gosport A. A VFR Owners Club member from Hatfield, Pete Morgan, manufactures and supply mirror extensions for several Honda models including VFRs, CBR600s and...
Basic Skills: Changing gear smoothly
15 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. All the good riders I know can change gears really fast and...
Suspension advice: Make your bike steer quicker
15 May 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I love the power and suspension on my Yamaha Fazer 1000.
Clothing advice: Keeping out the draft
14 May 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve got a two-piece textile suit which is quite warm but...
Tyre advice: The best tyres for a Hayabusa
14 May 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve just got a mint Suzuki Hayabusa which is great for me...
Bike accessory advice: The coolest exhausts
08 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Can I fit a race can to my Honda Hornet 600 which won’t get...
Bike accessory advice: Getting the most from an aftermarket exhaust
08 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. After two enjoyable years riding on my totally standard...
Clothing advice: Carrying a helmet while riding
08 May 2009 by
MCN expert Rob Hull is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q) I want to get a rucksack for wearing while on my bike. It...
Clothing advice: 2-piece suits on a budget
08 May 2009 by
MCN expert Rob Hull is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Compare and buy motorcycle leathers Q) Dear Rob, I want to get my...
Technical advice: Fixing radial play in brake discs
07 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Although my Brembo fully floating cast discs sound like a...
Taking care of tyres after a trackday
07 May 2009 by
Tyre manufacturers have developed specific tyres for specific purposes, so doing a trackday on tyres designed as as a sports touring tyre will hammer them on the track. However, they won’t have...
Suspension advice: Knocking front end
06 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. My Yamaha Fazer 1000 has developed an occasional knocking...
Technical advice: Oil light problems
05 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Are there any common faults with the oil pumps on 1996 Kawasaki ZX-6Rs? I have just done an oil change but I think mine has packed in because the oil light won’t go out? Mike Else, e-mail A. I hope you haven’t done any miles on it because if the pump has...
Technical advice: Stop your bike backfiring
01 May 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Mh Honda VT750C Ace has had a backfiring problem for the 3000 miles I’ve owned it. All Bran sorted a similar personal problem and I was wondering if you had a cure? It runs fine and the plugs look normal. It happens more on a gentle overrun, like slowing down...
Clothing advice: Keeping the sun out
01 May 2009 by
At this time of year with the low sun a great easy tip is to put a strip of parcel tape at the very top of your visor, when riding into the sun it allows some defence to being dazzled. Scott Cockayne, Wolverhampton
Clothing advice: Removing flies from your visor
01 May 2009 by
It’s getting to that time of year again when flies start to pepper your visor on a ride. To get them off and leave your visor scratch free, follow these simple instructions. Remove the visor from...
Bike accessory advice: Quickshifters
24 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Of the many type of quickshifters available common sense would suggest that the type to cut off the fuel injectors (power commander?) rather than ignition would be preferable. Also the full electronic over the relay type? As MCN does not appear to have done any...
Bike accessory advice: Raising the back
24 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve got a 1990 Yamaha FZR1000 as a budget bike to get back...
Tyre advice: Best tyres for CB1000R
20 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Dear Chris, which tyes would you recommend for a CB1000R? I...
Tyre and suspension advice: Post crash damage to tyres
20 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Dear Chris, I was recently involved in a low-speed traffic...
Bike accessory advice: Replacement lights for F800GS
16 April 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. Dear Marc. I have an F800GS but the lights are awful. What...
Bike accessory advice: Aftermarket seat for FZ1
16 April 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’ve got a FZ1, and I love it but after about three hours of...
Clothing advice: Custom leather jackets
16 April 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’d like to get a leather jacket made with some writing on...
Clothing advice: summer gloves with visor wipes
16 April 2009 by
MCN expert Marc Abbott is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. All the bugs have started coming out again, so my visor is...
Clothing advice: Textile suits to go over your clothes
09 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. My commute to work involves a bit of motorway riding. I’d...
Clothing advice: Cleaning your visor
09 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I commute all year round so my visor gets extremely mucky.
Bike accessory advice: Aftermarket indicators
09 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I have cracked a front indicator on my Yamaha R6 and I want to know whether I can fit a set of aftermarket flush-mounted indicators instead. Is it legal to use side repeaters and does the light need to be projected forward? Jeff Miller, Bournemouth A. According...
Bike accessory advice: Interchangeable parts
09 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. I’m just about to trade in my Zx-6RJ1 for a 2003 Kawasaki ZX...
Technical advice: Loosening corroded bolts
09 April 2009 by
MCN expert Chris Dabbs is here to answer any questions you have on anything bike related. If you have any questions, ask an expert here Q. want to replace the standard exhaust system on my 12,000 mile Kawasaki ZX-7R with an aftermarket system, but all the fixing nuts and bolts are corroded solid. I managed to get the larger collector box nuts off with WD40 and a long extension on the socket, but...