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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

Fancy a Bonnie on a budget? Here are some of my favourite used options out there!

14 November 2024 by Neil Murray

Fancy a Bonnie on a budget? Here are some of my favourite used options out there!

There’s a story that a journalist went to Triumph’s Hinckley plant and somebody at the factory was careless enough to leave one of the pre-production 790 Bonneville prototypes parked outside.

Learners might love 'em, but I reckon there's more to the humble 125... check out my top used picks!

13 November 2024 by Neil Murray

Learners might love 'em, but I reckon there's more to the humble 125... check out my top used picks!

It’s a mistake to dismiss all 125 motorbikes as mere learner fodder: A decent 125 makes a perfect urban commuter as let’s be honest: battling through stalled city traffic on an R1200GS or Panigale is...

There used adventure-sports heroes will do it all, and I've found five bargains for less than £4k!

08 November 2024 by Scott Bullett

There used adventure-sports heroes will do it all, and I've found five bargains for less than £4k!

Adventure-sport bikes are supposed to give you the best of several worlds; the ability to cope with our potholed roads like an adventure bike, handle the daily commute as practical workhorses and even...

Can you have more fun than riding a good middleweight naked bike? I really don't think so...

15 October 2024 by Jon Urry

Can you have more fun than riding a good middleweight naked bike? I really don't think so...

Boasting quality chassis components, these sporty options seriously up the fun-factor in naked biking. Entertaining on a B-road if the mood takes you, these five are also more than happy to line up on...

The late '90s and early 2000s were a fantastic time to buy a sports tourer. Here are my favourites

11 October 2024 by Jon Urry

The late '90s and early 2000s were a fantastic time to buy a sports tourer. Here are my favourites

Want the perfect blend of fun and practicality? You’ll be needing a sports tourer. And in the late 1990s and early 2000s, that’s exactly what the buying public were seeking. During this period...

Allen Millyard's Norton Nemesis V8 engine fires up plus a busy month for the Flying Millyard

10 October 2024 by Allen Millyard

Allen Millyard's Norton Nemesis V8 engine fires up plus a busy month for the Flying Millyard

I’ve been doing a lot of riding this month, over 500 miles on my 5000cc Flying Millyard alone. First I rode it to Shrewsbury for the Bike4Life fest in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance, where I was one of...

Thumping big V-twin nakeds are full of character and make a brilliant used buy. Here's my top five

09 October 2024 by Jon Urry

Thumping big V-twin nakeds are full of character and make a brilliant used buy. Here's my top five

Nakeds are always popular but not everyone wants a full-on super-naked. So how about a cool-looking ride with a bit of soul thanks to a thumping V-twin engine? The good old V-twin is something of a...

Clutch levers are going out of fashion for some but the idea isn't new and these bikes prove it

07 October 2024 by Jon Urry

Clutch levers are going out of fashion for some but the idea isn't new and these bikes prove it

BMW have recently displayed systems that aim to remove that tiresome clutch lever from the bars and minimise the requirement of moving your left foot while Honda have also just released their new...

All superbikes should offer blistering performance but I think the great ones have something more...

03 October 2024 by Jon Urry

All superbikes should offer blistering performance but I think the great ones have something more...

Riding a bike shouldn’t just be about headline power figures, it needs to be about how the machine feels, what it responds like and even how it sounds. And on this front, these five used bikes are...

If you want smiles over many, many miles, I can't recommend these new sports tourers enough!

27 September 2024 by Jon Urry

If you want smiles over many, many miles, I can't recommend these new sports tourers enough!

When you look at their design brief, it is hard to comprehend why everyone isn’t riding sports-tourers but despite a surge in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, adventure bikes have stolen their...

I reckon these bikes really changed the game. Here's my pick of the pioneers of motorcycling

26 September 2024 by Jon Urry

I reckon these bikes really changed the game. Here's my pick of the pioneers of motorcycling

This week we are celebrating pioneers of the two-wheeled world, bikes that pushed boundaries and introduced some future tech first. Angle-responsive ABS arrived on the KTM 1190 Super Adventure in 2017...

Middleweight twins are among the most popular used bikes. Here's why I think that is...

18 September 2024 by Jon Urry

Middleweight twins are among the most popular used bikes. Here's why I think that is...

No group of bikes like to party more than the middleweight class, a segment that is dominated by twins. And not just parallel twins, there are a few V-twins thrown into the mix to spice things up a...

I remember watching these bikes win World Superbike titles, and now you can buy one from just £3800!

16 September 2024 by Jon Urry

I remember watching these bikes win World Superbike titles, and now you can buy one from just £3800!

Rather than exotic prototypes, the ethos behind World Superbikes was the fact that you could ride to the circuit to watch bikes very much like the one you arrived on. During the 1990s the series’...

These aren't just superbikes... they're my list of DREAM superbikes that you can buy used right now

13 September 2024 by Jon Urry

These aren't just superbikes... they're my list of DREAM superbikes that you can buy used right now

What would be parked in your dream garage? It’s a typical pub conversation and for some a dream ride might be an iconic Harley cruiser, a classic two-stroke or even a top-spec adventure bike but as so...

Allen Millyard | 'I’ve always gone for the factory look with my bikes, even if it means extra work'

11 September 2024 by Allen Millyard

Allen Millyard | 'I’ve always gone for the factory look with my bikes, even if it means extra work'

What an amazing privilege it is to write for the most read and longest-running motorcycle publication in the world. I’ve been reading Motor Cycle News for as long as I can remember… As a youngster,...

This list of my favourite used middleweight sportsbikes prove you don't need to be rich to have fun!

10 September 2024 by Jon Urry

This list of my favourite used middleweight sportsbikes prove you don't need to be rich to have fun!

This year has seen the launch of the Suzuki GSX-8R as well as the Triumph Daytona 660, two brand-new easy-going middleweight sportsbikes that join the Yamaha R7, Aprilia RS660, Honda CBR650R and...

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...