Expert's Corner - Tech Tips

Ask a Mechanic: How to Start a Motorcycle Without a Key

By: AndrewT 05 March, 2025

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...

What To Do If Your Motorcycle Breaks Down

By: AndrewT 14 January, 2025

Poor 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. ...

Motorcycle Brake Rotors: A Guide to Fixed, Oversized, Floating and Wave Rotors

By: AndrewT 24 December, 2024

Stopping 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...

Advice on installing clip-on handlebars to your motorccyle

Ask a Mechanic: Clip-on Handlebars

By: AndrewT 12 December, 2024

You 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....

8 Motorcycle Maintenance Tips

By: AndrewT 13 November, 2024

Almost 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 it...

How to Remove Rust from Motorcycle Gas Tank

By: AndrewT 31 October, 2024

Most 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 ...

How To Prevent Tire Dry Rot

By: AndrewT 18 October, 2024

Most 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 ...

How to Charge a Motorcycle Battery

By: AndrewT 10 October, 2024

Nothing sounds worse than a click... annnnnnd silence. OK, maybe the rrr, rrr, rrr, sound of the engine trying its best but failing to turn over. All because of a dead or dying battery. This happens sometimes after leaving the ignition on but p...

New Motorcycle Tire Tips

By: AndrewT 23 September, 2024

New tires. Almost a work of art. So black and shiny. Slick looking too. Makes you never want to roll them on the pavement. Tires indeed help make up the "look" of your motorcycle and though you might feel tempted to leave them well enough alon...

Do Motorcycle Helmets Expire?

By: AndrewT 23 May, 2024

The most essential part of your riding gear does not last forever. Though the motorcycle helmet doesn't necessary wear out, per se, like clothing, nor does it have a "best by" date. Eventually it needs replacing even if it looks fresh off the sh...

Women's Motorcycle Helmet Buying and Sizing Guide

By: AndrewT 14 March, 2024

Even if long hair flows out the back of the helmet you often can't tell who rides the motorcycle beside you. Use the statistics and make your best guess that a man has saddled up. But recent polls indicate more and more women riders have taken con...

Are You Ready to Ride Your Motorcycle?

By: AndrewT 28 January, 2023

The first sprout of spring usually means the long, cold winter months have finally ended and the time has come to wake your motorcycle from its deep slumber. But don't turn the key, or if you're old school, jump on the kickstart just yet. Like a...

Tips on maintaining a motorcycle battery

Motorcycle Battery Maintenance

By: AndrewT 18 October, 2021

Maintaining the battery on your motorcycle is one of the easier checkmarks from your list of "to-dos" when it comes to keeping your ride ready to roll. Unfortunately that's also why it's so often overlooked. In good company with neglectful mot...

The Ultimate Sportbike and Motorcycle Drive Guide

By: AndrewT 16 August, 2021

Regular and routine maintenance of your Sportbike is a crucial aspect of motorcycle ownership. Just as you would a car, check your owner's manual for change interval information on fluids, filters and drive parts. Of course, how often and ride sty...

Sportbike and Motorcycle Fuel Management Guide

By: AndrewT 21 July, 2021

Motorcycle engines are powerful yet delicate machines; optimizing your air-fuel ratio is the key to obtaining optimum performance and reliability. There are a variety of aftermarket parts and accessories that can be used to unleash the hidden pot...

Sportbike and Motorcycle Exhaust Buying Guide

By: AndrewT 01 July, 2021

Slip-Ons vs. Full System Exhausts Sportbike owners tend to upgrade a number of stock parts and the first change-out is usually with the exhaust system. This guide is designed to highlight the differences between slip-ons vs. full system exhau...

Sportbike and Motorcycle Tire Buying Guide

By: AndrewT 01 July, 2021

There's a reason why Sportbikes are one of the fastest growing markets in the country. Sportbikes combine speed and race performance with the freedom of the wide open road. The Sportbike's versatility is unmatched. It can be a racing mach...

Tips to buying the best motorcycle helmet

Picking the Best Motorcycle Helmet - A Buying Guide to Helmets

By: AndrewT 14 June, 2021

How To Pick the Right Motorcycle Helmet Welcome to one of life's greatest adventures. Whether you ride a motorcycle as a pleasure seeker or commuter, riding on two wheels is a phenomenal experience designed to give you years of enjoyment and s...

How To Read and Check Your Motorcycle, Dirt Bike or ATV VIN Number

How To Read and Check Your Motorcycle or ATV VIN

By: AndrewT 02 June, 2021

The Vehicle Identification Number or VIN of your motorcycle, dirt bike or ATV is not something worth memorizing however knowing where its etched on your ride is worth the 10 seconds it takes. The VIN is 17 characters long and is more or less a c...

How To Stop Helmet Visor Fogging

By: AndrewT 13 September, 2019

One rather annoying issue many motorcyclists face making it nearly impossible to ride happens when the fog rolls in and completely steams up the helmet shield. Shield or visor fogging generally occurs when cold outside air temperatures meet the ...

10 things worth checking on your motorcycle before riding

10 Things You Should Probably Inspect on Your Motorcycle

By: AndrewT 11 September, 2019

Life gets busy, time passes by and so much escapes us we forget to do the simple things. And as long as the engine on your motorcycle fires up, it's all good, right? Sure, at least until things go south. Only two times in the day do we remembe...

Tips to prevent your motorcycle from being stolen

Motorcycle Theft Prevention

By: AndrewT 23 August, 2019

Some people just can't help themselves. What's yours is mine so they have every right to take what doesn't belong to them and take if for themselves whether for their own enjoyment or to strip down and sell off as parts. Big surprise consideri...

Tips on improving motorcycle gas consumption

Motorcycle MPG: How to Improve Gas Mileage

By: AndrewT 19 August, 2019

Laugh all you want but several techniques exist to increase the gas mileage on a motorcycle. Yes, most motorcycles already get nearly 40 miles per gallon and some push that to 60 mpg depending on the engine size. But, a tweak here and an adjustm...

Motorcycle Battery Care Basics

By: AndrewT 15 August, 2019

At first glance, a motorcycle battery should tuck safely away and be left alone for the next few years until its limited warranty life runs out. And, lots of riders do just that, sometimes without so much as a hard start many years later. But, l...

How To Use a Motorcycle Stand

By: AndrewT 26 July, 2019

Owning a motorcycle also means owning a motorcycle stand. Most car owners have a jack to lift their car (in fact new cars often include a jack) even if they have little plans to work on the car themselves. Therefore, think of the motorcycle stan...

The Effect of Heat on Motorcycle Tires

By: AndrewT 24 July, 2019

Semi-trucks often litter hot, desert highways with the remnants of blown out tires. These chunks of tires, also known as road gators, make for dangerous driving conditions for other motorists who may need to swerve around them or end up riding ov...

A Beginner's Guide to Motorcycle Luggage

By: AndrewT 27 June, 2019

A motorcycle doesn't have a trunk therefore when traveling on two-wheels you need to decide between the must-haves and the nice-to-haves. You can't carry everything! This lack of cargo space on a motorcycle obviously prevents you from using yo...

Motorcycle Headlights: One of the Best Initial Upgrades for Your Motorcycle

By: AndrewT 24 June, 2019

It's all about being seen. And a primary way of being seen while riding a motorcycle comes from the lights and more specifically the headlight. The bigger, the brighter, the better. "I didn't see him." "She just came out of nowhere." "I only...

Tips on preventing your motorcycle from overheating

How To Prevent Your Motorcycle From Overheating

By: AndrewT 04 June, 2019

The sight of a car pulled off the side of the road with hood up and a plume of steam billowing out thanks to an overheated engine seems more like a problem of the past especially with today's technology. OK then, when was the last time you saw a...

A pre-ride checklist for riding motorcycles

The MotoSport.com Motorcycle Pre-Ride Checklist

By: AndrewT 06 March, 2019

The motorcycle is a finely-tuned machine that when cared for loves you right back. Unlike a car where you can get in, turn the key and drive off with little regard to what's happening under the hood, prior to heading out on your motorcycle stayi...

Stage 1 Motorcycle Upgrade: Fuel and Air

By: AndrewT 28 March, 2018

You can always buy a motorcycle with a bigger engine but don't expect it to quash your desire for more power. No matter what type of motorcycle we ride, our thoughts turn to more power almost the minute we throw a leg over and roll the throttle....

5 Tips to Show Some Love to Your Motorcycle

By: AndrewT 12 February, 2018

Don't let anyone ever say you can't buy love. Because you most certainly can. Forget the roses or sweet fluffy treats. Grab some rubber, lubricants and other hard parts to really bring some spice back into your relationship. If people buy gift...

Tips on rebuilding a motorcycle master cylinder

How to Rebuild a Motorcycle Master Cylinder

By: Elliot Wakefield 04 October, 2013

This motorcycle master cylinder is from a 2003 Suzuki SV1000, we decided to rebuild it at the same time that we rebuilt the front brake calipers. The reason for this was excessive lever travel - the brake lever had almost Â¾" of movement before...

Motorcycle Rain Gear - Recommendations & Comparison Guide

By: JC Current 30 September, 2013

Riders wish to avoid it, but rain happens. In some places of the world, it falls for months at a time, and in others, it can be completely unpredictable. The reality is a motorcyclist who rides regularly will get wet, and there is no way to avoi...

Sportbike and Motorcycle Protective Gear Guide

By: JC Current 20 September, 2013

It is a well known truth that riding a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous activity. The body of the rider is astride the bike and is exposed to all of the elements of nature and man. Riders need protection - This is the reason that so many m...

Zero Gravity Windscreen Installation Yamaha R1

By: Joshua Gray 27 December, 2012

Shane McCoy from Graves Motorsports installs a Zero Gravity windscreen on his Yamaha R1. These wind screens improve clarity, wind protection and look great! The install is quick and they are very affordable. Shane McCoy here. We're...

Graves Motorsports Yamaha R6 Slip On Installation

By: Joshua Gray 26 December, 2012

Graves Motorsports - Shane McCoy installs a Graves Slip-on carbon fiber exhaust system and exup eliminator setup on a 2012 Yamaha R6. Installation was done at the 2012 Yamaha / Graves Deals Gap Convention. Hi, I'm Shane McCoy with...

Shoei Helmet Care and Tech Tips

By: Joshua Gray 26 December, 2012

The Shoei Neotec leads the modular helmet market by combining advanced technology and versatility with Shoei's industry-leading quality. To help you get the most out of your new investment, watch this Tech Tip video to become better acquai...

Ask a Mechanic: How to Start a Motorcycle Without a Key

What To Do If Your Motorcycle Breaks Down

Motorcycle Brake Rotors: A Guide to Fixed, Oversized, Floating and Wave Rotors

Street Bike Tech Tips

Ask a Mechanic: How to Start a Motorcycle Without a Key

What To Do If Your Motorcycle Breaks Down

Motorcycle Brake Rotors: A Guide to Fixed, Oversized, Floating and Wave Rotors

Ask a Mechanic: Clip-on Handlebars

8 Motorcycle Maintenance Tips

How to Remove Rust from Motorcycle Gas Tank

How To Prevent Tire Dry Rot

How to Charge a Motorcycle Battery

New Motorcycle Tire Tips

Do Motorcycle Helmets Expire?

Women's Motorcycle Helmet Buying and Sizing Guide

Are You Ready to Ride Your Motorcycle?

Motorcycle Battery Maintenance

The Ultimate Sportbike and Motorcycle Drive Guide

Sportbike and Motorcycle Fuel Management Guide

Sportbike and Motorcycle Exhaust Buying Guide

Sportbike and Motorcycle Tire Buying Guide

Picking the Best Motorcycle Helmet - A Buying Guide to Helmets

How To Read and Check Your Motorcycle or ATV VIN

How To Stop Helmet Visor Fogging

10 Things You Should Probably Inspect on Your Motorcycle

Motorcycle Theft Prevention

Motorcycle MPG: How to Improve Gas Mileage

Motorcycle Battery Care Basics

How To Use a Motorcycle Stand

The Effect of Heat on Motorcycle Tires

A Beginner's Guide to Motorcycle Luggage

Motorcycle Headlights: One of the Best Initial Upgrades for Your Motorcycle

How To Prevent Your Motorcycle From Overheating

The MotoSport.com Motorcycle Pre-Ride Checklist

Stage 1 Motorcycle Upgrade: Fuel and Air

5 Tips to Show Some Love to Your Motorcycle

How to Rebuild a Motorcycle Master Cylinder

Motorcycle Rain Gear - Recommendations & Comparison Guide

Sportbike and Motorcycle Protective Gear Guide

Zero Gravity Windscreen Installation Yamaha R1

Graves Motorsports Yamaha R6 Slip On Installation

Shoei Helmet Care and Tech Tips

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