You ask we answer. Here's the latest in our "Ask a Mechanic" series. Q: I recently bought a Kawasaki Ninja 300. I have a tendency to lose my car keys so before I run into trouble I was wondering how to start a motorcycle without a key? A: Your...
Continue readingFor the decisionally paralyzed, it can be daunting to decide on a motorcycle helmet. In addition to all the brands, models and styles the most important factor also has options and varying degrees of understanding. Safety. The United States...
Continue readingPoor guy. You have probably uttered those words on occasion or two when riding or driving past a broken down motorist, stranded on the side of the road, probably clinging to their cell phone and with little hope of getting underway anytime soon....
Continue readingStopping on a dime. It matters when it comes to riding motorcycles and dirt bikes. You probably also heard the phrase "you have to go slower to go faster" or some such conglomeration of those words. But with bad brakes - or more poignantly - a...
Continue readingYou ask we answer. Here's the latest in our "Ask a Mechanic" series. Q: What are clip-on handlebars? A: OK, for starters, not sure if you're talking dirt bikes or motorcycles so let me say clip-on handlebars do not have a dirt bike application....
Continue readingBuying used items comes with many advantages including, in some cases, significant cost savings. A used motorcycle, for example, offers a great way to introduce a beginning rider to the road on two-wheels or check off the dream bike box for the...
Continue readingAlmost no one has the availability to check the oil level in their motorcycle anymore what with the time suck of streaming TV, social media and generally sitting around the house doing nothing after a long day's work. And the weekends? Forget...
Continue readingPoor eyesight doesn't exclude someone from riding motorcycles but finding the right helmet that fits with a pair of glasses requires a bit of trial and error. Unless you wear contacts - and recent studies show just 11 percent of those who wear...
Continue readingMost modern motorcycles use plastic or composite gas tanks but those who ride older bikes (2000 and earlier) or have a vintage model from the 70s or 80s restoration project in the works, use metal tanks. And metal rusts. That would be a great...
Continue readingMost people, especially homeowners, know about dry rot and how it affects wood and the damage it can cause. Tires can also suffer from a type of dry rot that motorcycle riders must keep an eye on especially when leaving their bike in storage or...
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