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Could my exhaust fail an MoT for noise?

23 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

Could my exhaust fail an MoT for noise?

Q. I’ve been finding it difficult to find out what the current law is regarding motorcycle noise levels. Can you help? Save £££s on motorcycle exhausts My MoT test centre told me it is now ‘lax’ and...

How to cure a ZZR1100 wheel wobble

23 December 2009 by MCN

How to cure a ZZR1100 wheel wobble

Beaconsman: I¹ve been fixing up my ZZR11 on a tight budget this year and I have an issue with the rear wheel. The bearings are OK, but when assembled, the sprocket and cush drive move quite a lot. A...

Best tyres for a Suzuki Hayabusa

23 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

Best tyres for a Suzuki Hayabusa

Q. I’ve owned a 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa from new and I’ve been using Michelin Pilot Sport HPXs which were great. When I was in France in the summer I got a puncture in the rear so I got a Suzuki dealer...

Can you use flashing cycle lights on a motorcycle?

18 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

Can you use flashing cycle lights on a motorcycle?

Some riders are starting to use flashing bicycle lights in addition to their normal dipped beam when they are riding through heavy traffic. The trouble is that it is illegal under the Road Vehicle...

What's the best tyre for year-round riding?

16 December 2009 by Chris Dabbs

What's the best tyre for year-round riding?

Q. As I commute through winter on my bike, I’m interested in fitting a rear tyre that will cope with all the rain, slush and snow and still give decent grip when the weather is fine. I’ve got the OE...

Will a Power Commander and pipe cure Hornet vibes?

16 December 2009 by Chris Dabbs

Will a Power Commander and pipe cure Hornet vibes?

Q. I like my Honda Hornet 900, but I was wondering if a Power Commander and a pipe might cure the vibes a bit? I don’t mind losing some power as it’s got plenty and I already like the torque that it...

Benefits of changing brakes lines

16 December 2009 by Chris Dabbs

Benefits of changing brakes lines

Q. When I replace the brake lines on my Yamaha FJR1300 is there any benefit (apart from cost) in braking function or performance to change the set-up from a single line splitting with a Y-piece into...

Can't see anything

10 December 2009 by committed

I once had a 2 day green laning adventure in the Welsh mountains in snow. I had absolutely no problem keeping warm because of the amount of work I had to do to stay on the bike, but my goggles kept steaming up. When you ride slower your breath has more effect upon what happens to the inside of your helmet. So I smear a small amount washing up liquid onto the inside of my visor if I’m anticipating...

How to stop your padlocks frosting up

08 December 2009 by MCN

How to stop your padlocks frosting up

Ginnelli: Hi. What is the best way to prevent padlocks from freezing up? Last year I had matching padlocks on my garage door and back gate. When I went to open the gate the key just snapped clean in...

How to tell if your tyres are past it

08 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

How to tell if your tyres are past it

Q. My Honda CBR400RR has had the same tyres on it for at least three years, possibly even longer than that. I have Bridgestone Battlax front and rear and they have more than enough tread to see me...

Vapour blasting, the easy way

08 December 2009 by Simon Relph

Vapour blasting, the easy way

I recently bought a Bultaco Sherpa T, my dream bike. But because it was in quite tatty condition I had the opportunity to add a few personal touches, like paint. I decided the colourscheme would be...

MCN stocking fillers: Bike Havoc DVD

07 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN stocking fillers: Bike Havoc DVD

This DVD features over 160 crashes with action from various on and off-road bikesports including GPs, drag racing, the Le Touquet and Southport beach races, trials and the Paris Dakar rally.

Tyre advice: Can I fit tubeless tyres to my bike?

02 December 2009 by Marc Abbott

Tyre advice: Can I fit tubeless tyres to my bike?

Q. I am about to replace the Metzeler ME22 on the front of my MZ250, with an apparently identical replacement. Save cash on motorcycle tyres I say ‘apparently’, because the current tyre says, in...

Tyre advice: Best tyres for a 2002 Aprilia RSV Mille

25 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Tyre advice: Best tyres for a 2002 Aprilia RSV Mille

Q. My 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R has Pirelli tyres on it. What would you recommend as the better tyres for the Aprilia? Metzeler or Pirelli? Save £££s on motorcycle tyres Chris Jackson, email   A. It...

Tyre advice: What's the difference between aftermarket and OE tyres?

25 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Tyre advice: What's the difference between aftermarket and OE tyres?

Q. Can you tell me what the difference is between a Bridgestone BT014F and a BT014FJ, and a BT014R and a BT014RN? My dealer can’t give me an answer and there is a big difference in price. Save cash...

Aftermarket BMW F800ST exhaust fuelling problem

18 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Aftermarket BMW F800ST exhaust fuelling problem

Q. I have recently bought a 2009 BMW F800ST and changed the can to a Remus exhaust, which has improved the torque and general performance. Save cash on motorcycle exhausts I have had the bike on the...

Ped finds the perfect exhausts for his XLV750R

18 November 2009 by Ped Baker

Ped finds the perfect exhausts for his XLV750R

Alldens exhausts (01673-862286) are based less than 60 miles from where I live. They’re a business specialising in custom motorcycle exhausts. I discovered them through some work they’d done with our...

Top tweaks for Suzuki GSX-R1000

18 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Top tweaks for Suzuki GSX-R1000

MCN’s Michael Guy has been running a 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 this year. Here are his top tips on how to make a great bike even better: Save cash on motorcycle products Video: Suzuki GSX-R1000 longterm...

MCN Biking Britain survey: Top 10 best city gloves

12 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

MCN Biking Britain survey: Top 10 best city gloves

Each week we bring you the latest results of our massive reader survey – this week we’re looking at city gloves.        Compare and buy gloves in the MCN Shop These 10 city gloves were voted the...

Products advice: Will an 09 Bonnie pipe fit an 03 bonnie?

11 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Products advice: Will an 09 Bonnie pipe fit an 03 bonnie?

Can a full exhaust system off a 2009 Triumph T100 Bonnie slot onto my ’03 model? The differences I’m aware of are that the ¹09 has a centrestand and is 865cc, while my Bonnie has a sidestand and is...

Tyre Advice: Why's my front tyre wearing quicker than the rear?

11 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Tyre Advice: Why's my front tyre wearing quicker than the rear?

I have fitted a pair of Bridgestone 021s last spring and the front is down to the wear pips but the rear still has a couple of thousand miles left. I can’t complain about the grip levels as they seem...

Supertrapp exhausts for Ped's XLV750R

11 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Supertrapp exhausts for Ped's XLV750R

Deputy editor Ped Baker has just treated his money-pit XLV to a set of new Supertrapps. Here’s what he says about them… “I’ve always loved the sound of Supertrapp silencers (www.supertrapp.com) ever...

Streetfighter gets Termi treatment

11 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Streetfighter gets Termi treatment

MCN’s Michael Neeves has fitted new Termignoni exhausts to his Ducati Streetfighter. Here’s what he has to say about them… “Finally, my Streetfighter now sounds as good as it looks, thanks to the...

Aftermarket Hornet cans that won't cook your pillion

04 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Aftermarket Hornet cans that won't cook your pillion

Can I fit a race exhaust to my Honda Hornet 600 which won’t get too hot for my pillion. I have heard that carbon cans might not heat up as much ­ is this true? DL Fenner, email Save £££s on...

Best tyres for wet weather grip

04 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Best tyres for wet weather grip

As I commute through winter on my bike, I’m interested in fitting a rear tyre that will cope with all the rain, slush and snow and still give decent grip when the weather is fine. Save £££s on...

Best tyres for an 07 Yamaha R1

04 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Best tyres for an 07 Yamaha R1

I need to replace the tyres on my 2007 Yamaha R1. I don’t go mad riding and it’s mainly for blasts in the country and posing! Save cash on motorcycle tyres So far I’ve narrowed it down to Pirelli...

Switching to HID bulbs for winter

04 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Switching to HID bulbs for winter

Now that winter is here I intend to change my front light on my Suzuki Bandit 650 K8 model to an HID bulb as I have found that the standard bulb is not bright enough for my winter journey to...

Product advice: Searching for GSX750 spares?

01 November 2009 by Marc Abbott

Product advice: Searching for GSX750 spares?

I own a 1993 Suzuki GSX750 (frame no. GR78A 129332). I am trying to order spares through my local motorcycle  shop but they are telling me that the frame number does not exist. Vern Lewis, email...

Can you scrub in a tyre before fitting it?

22 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

Can you scrub in a tyre before fitting it?

Q. I’m off to Almeria in Spain this month and have bought a set of Maxxis Supermaxx sport tyres for the occasion. Save money on motorcycle tyres Do you think it would be a good idea to use the tyres...

Which bike intercom to go for

15 October 2009 by MCN

If you’re struggling to decide on which bike intercom will suit your purposes, struggle no longer as our web community gives its combined advice… Buy intercoms from the MCN online shop here Oaksey says: I’m looking for an intercom system for general rideouts and touring. Does anyone have any suggestions what a good system should have and what make I should be looking at? critch2203: From...

How to dismantle your forks

15 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

How to dismantle your forks

If you’re struggling to follow your Haynes manual or are simply new to home spannering and need a helping hand, this Youtube clip will see you through the process of dismantling your forks. Save £££s...

Tyre advice: Tyres for road and track use

15 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

Tyre advice: Tyres for road and track use

Q. My Ducati 1000S is due a new set of tyres after 6500 miles on the original Phantoms. Can you recommend a good replacement for fast road use with the odd track day. I don’t use the bike in the...

Tyre advice: Tyres for commuting in winter

15 October 2009 by Marc Abbott

Tyre advice: Tyres for commuting in winter

Q. As I commute through winter on my bike, I’m interested in fitting a rear tyre that will cope with all the rain, slush and snow and still give decent grip when the weather is fine. Save cash on...

Glove review: Alpinestars GPX

09 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

Glove review: Alpinestars GPX

Alpinestars GPX Glove £79.95 Miles covered/time: 6000/4 months What’s good? Whenever I wear these ‘shortie’ gloves it means one thing: I’m somewhere nice and hot! Save money on motorcycle...

Luggage review: Oxford Deluxe Tailpack

09 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

Luggage review: Oxford Deluxe Tailpack

Oxford Deluxe Tailpack £89.99 (£80.99 in MCN shop) Miles covered/time: 4200/three months What’s good? This fits easily and securely onto the back of my Streetfighter, but I have to make sure I pull it...

Product review: Michelin road maps

09 October 2009 by Michael Neeves

Product review: Michelin road maps

Michelin road maps £4.49 Miles covered/time: 50,000/seven years What’s good? Sat navs are good for finding a tricky address or location, or if you have to be somewhere fast, but there’s nothing like a...