Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
How to keep your bike in top condition to handle the conditions and your exacting demands. DIY, maintenance, repairs and more are included.
After a long ride on some dusty roads over the weekend it’s time to give the bike a thorough washing in all the nooks and crannies, so I always reach for my favourite implement. It’s not a sponge or chamois, but a soft, long-bristle brush like from a normal household dustpan and broom set. You …
Do you have a name for your motorbike or refer to it as a male or female? You are not alone! I’ve never named a bike, probably because I’ve never held on to them for anything more than a couple of years. Had I named any of my bikes, I might not have been so …
Motorbike owners believe their bikes are simply treasures, but when it comes time to upgrade and sell, your bike’s resale value may be viewed a little differently by others. The resale value for your bike is affected by a number of factors, some of which you can control and others you can’t. Age of your bike …
Motorcycle manufacturers are extending service intervals in a bid to woo customers looking for cheaper maintenance, but should you change your oil more frequently? Some service intervals are now as high as 15,000km. But does your motorcycle engine oil really last that long? Meticulous owners still change their oils more regularly than required in the owner’s …
Your motorcycle horn is there for a reason, but are you using it enough, too much, is it loud enough or too loud? How often do you use your motorcycle horn? Do you even remember the last time you used it? Standard motorcycle horns are usually puny and tinny sounding, nothing like what you would …
Loud motorcycle exhausts are not causing as much noise pollution as tyre noise from large volumes of traffic. That’s according to a World Health Organisation report that found traffic-related noise pollution accounts for over one million “healthy years” lost annually to ill health, disability or early death in Europe. The report says one of the biggest …
One of the many reasons people choose a motorcycle for their daily commute is its inherent fuel economy. A modern 250cc motorcycle will get you around 2.8L/100km (85mpg), and there’s not a car on the planet that can match that kind of economy. So, why not try to maximise the fuel economy of your bike to …
They say there is no replacement for displacement, but a recent ride on a couple of bigger Harley-Davidson models made me think otherwise. Like most motorcycle manufacturers, Harley updates their bikes by making bigger and more powerful engines. The latest update is the Milwaukee Eight 107-cube (1753cc) up from the 103 (1687cc) engine. I’ve ridden …
Short riders have always been disadvantaged by the fact that bikes are designed for tall riders, although that has changed in recent years. Brands such as Harley-Davidson, BMW, Ducati, Triumph and others are now making models that have lower seat heights or are offering optional low seats for short riders. Even so, there are many …
Just because your bike won’t start doesn’t mean the battery is flat and trying to jump- or push-start the bike can actually damage it and cause you injury. RACQ tech boss and Suzuki Bandit tragic Steve Spalding warns against jumping straight into jump starting your bike. Checks before jump starting “If a battery is flat …