August

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...

What category licence is a Suzuki Intruder 125?

27 August 2009 by offen

I have a 10 year old Suzuki Intruder 125. I want to take my module 1 bike test but I have been ask to produce a certificate of comformity, as this bike is not on the examiners list. Otherwise the examiner will have to assume category A1 licence, and I want a standard licence What is this and how do I obtain this information.?

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...

Make sure you get up to speed on the new test

24 August 2009 by Bike4Life

I did my module 1 at Erith, and got no minors, but I failed by 1 mile an hour! I could not believe it! Even a speed camera would not detect me travelling 1mph over the speed limit! They really need to consider scrapping this module 1 as it is a waste of time and is clearly a new scheme to make money. Did they not think of doing the speed maneoveure in a 40mph zone? Clearly a way to make money off...

Module 1 completed!

23 August 2009 by retrorider

Well done to everyone who has recently passed their module 1 test. I passed on the 9th August on my second attempt. My firt test ended in disaster after falling off the bike during the swerve section. That however, made me even more determined to pass and I practiced as often as I could in car parks and on quiet streets. I downloaded the course dimensions from the DSA website and marked the swerve...

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...

Passing module 1

18 August 2009 by Les Hopper

I passed my mod 1 test yesterday, no real problems other than initial nervs, all I can say is train with a good riding school with area to practice mod 1. Practice over and over till your confidence and skills are good, keep your nerves under controll on the day and listen to the examiners instructions. The swerve test is not a problem as long as you are prepared and riding skills are adequate,...

FAQ: Bike security tips - lock it or lose it

14 August 2009 by Marc Potter

UK bike security firm Tracker has urged motorcyclists to keep bikes locked this summer and offered top tips for new riders to make sure your bike doesn’t get stolen. Compare and buy motorcycle...

FAQ: Strange squeaking noises from a new motorcycle

14 August 2009 by Chris Dabbs

If your new bike is making an odd sound like a sort of squeaking noise, or rubbing sound, that comes and goes, check the relative positions of the footpeg and rear brake pedal. It’s all too easy to...

FAQ: How to check wheel alignment

14 August 2009 by Chris Dabbs

Checking the wheel alignment on your bike is an essential skill, especially if you have removed the wheels to fit new tyres or chain and sprockets. The first thing you need is a straight edge and an...

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...

Tyres FAQ: Why do tyres have wire in them?

12 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

The high-tensile steel wire is also known as the bead and runs circumferationally around the inner part of the tyre. Its job is to anchor the tyre on the rim so that the tyre can’t creep on the wheel...

Kit: How to buy winter motorcycle boots

05 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

Think about what sort of riding you’ll be doing, and when you¹ll be doing it. If you’ll be commuting throughout the year, there will be days when you rue the purchase of those vented summer race...

Kit: How to buy summer motorcycle boots

05 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

Whether it’s a race-spec boot or a simple touring boot for summer rides or commuting, the theory behind making sure it fits is the same. The golden rule is to make sure you visit a dealer to try on as...

Tyres FAQ: Why do tyres have air in them?

05 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

A tyre has to deform slightly at the point of contact with the road for instance in, order to achieve any change of direction or speed and it has to do this in a progressive and predictable way in all...

Tyres FAQ: Why are tyres black?

05 August 2009 by Marc Abbott

There isn’t any natural rubber in a tyre’s construction. But there are about 200 raw materials from man-made rubbers, reinforcing fillers, rayon, nylon, all sorts of additives and aramid...