April

Each engine has its own characteristics

20 April 2017 by Chris Dabbs

When you first start out, chances are that you will go through several changes of bike, from a small capacity two-stroke scooter, to a 1000cc inline four, 900cc V-twin or 675cc triple. Each engine has...

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...

Road positioning is more important on a bike

19 April 2010 by MCN

If you flit between using a car and a bike don’t forget that you have much more choice over where you are positioned on a bike than in a car. You need to think about where you should be on the road,...

Get your mates to watch you ride

19 April 2010 by MCN

If you’ve got biking mates, get them to watch you ride. They’ll spot some oddities to your technique that you’re not aware of. And they’ll have a great time telling you all about it… Get a friend into biking and win £10000 for you, and £5000 for them with the MCN 1000

New rider: filling up when sitting on your bike

16 April 2010 by MCN

Q. Is it against the law to sit on your bike when refuelling? According to a Tesco’s cashier that’s the case. They wouldn’t start the pump until I got off the bike. Sam Fletcher, email A. It’s not...

Best first bike for a 50-mile commute

16 April 2010 by MCN

Q. I’ve finally got the nerve to do my bike test, and I’m now wishing I could have been one of the happy elite to have taken my test when I was 18, and had a man shouting at me with a clipboard some...

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...