I can't understate how much a fresh set of tires changes your bike. You go into the shop thinking "man I just wish I had a nicer bike" then Bam! It's like a whole new bike again.
I just said the same thing.... Even more so on sport-touring and especially on supersports. I was getting all kinds of weird feedback from the road and overall just felt sloppy. Oh, sure: I did know my front tire was pretty worn down but it was a new-to-me bike. You try to delay those $300 hits as much as possible. Needless to say, after I put the tires on it felt completely different. More importantly my steering geometry seems fixed now and it gives me a lot more confidence.
Same here. Just put a fresh set of Road 5's on my blackbird and it feels like a new bike, even though I've had it for close to 10 years. It feels great!
Should probably put new tires on the KLR since I have no idea what's going on with the front tire's wear. Probably should put new steering head bearings too
ARI HENNING - I commented on the carb video a while ago about rebuilding on my Katana, great news is it fired right up !! Bad news was that a grommet that seals the fuel lines into the carbs leaked but was quickly diagnosed and replaced .. I did paint, decals, tires (PR4's), replaced every chassis bearing, swapped the shock with a R6 setup and rebuilt the forks with RaceTech springs .. I took an old bike (93) and gave it a very modern update ..
I can only stress how true your advice is !!!! If you do follow and execute all four advices regularly your bike never feels old 👍👍👍 Spot on video! Thanks MC-Garage Safe rides !!!
Great tips! These are all normal maintenance and routine for many riders. However, it's great to see it as a reminder, and all in a short, concise video. I might add that one should always check the air pressure before each ride. I know it's a pain, but worth the effort. Thanks again for the great videos.
This is by far the best motorcycle channel on RUclips. The videos have great production values, and they are informative as well as entertaining. MC garage should be required viewing for all motorcyclists. And the timing is perfect; just working on my SV for spring. It shares the garage with two Ducatis, yet it gets ridden the majority of the time; great bikes.
Motorcyclist magazine as usual putting out good content! On an unrelated note I really love both yours and Zack's reviews. Your review on the 2012 CBR got me to buy the bike. I always liked the CBR but wanted a proper rider review. Doesn't have to be the fastest to be the right bike! Keep up the unbiased reviews!
one of the best...if not the best motorcycle channels on RUclips. You should make a video about what to check when buying a used bike, sorry if there is a video already , I can't find it.. keep up the good work ❤
Another sweet MCgarage video. Looking forward to that OnTwoWheels Australia ep. Those BT023 are rubbish in the wet tho I had them on my SV650 and it would slide all over the place and every time i took off from the lights.
Just did new sprockets and chain and the bike feels like a whole new bike. Did a 520 conversion with -1 on the front on my r6 and it's sooooo much smother rolling on, and the extra torque makes riding in town way nicer
I bought My r6 had 40,000 miles on it. The air filter was an aftermarket k and n high flow but it was absolutely filthy. The spark plugs were wrong and I replaced those. I also changed out the grimey chain and sprockets and threw some new rubber on it. I’ll just say the difference was night and day. I was starting to worry about a high mileage bike but these simple changes made it happy again.
Another thing that works well Ari,for the paint? Is there's some places on my ALL "BLACK" bike,that have short but deep scratches on the paint,and on the powdercoating of the frame (which is also black),and I have simply used a black permanent marker to run over anything bare-metal that was showing!!! Works great and blends in with the black paint almost flawlessly!!! I guess mine is the "CHEAP-MAN'S Fix"!!! LOL.
DO NOT USE ACETONE on any part of the bike that has paint. It will strip the shine from the clear coat making it matte and dull. Use alcohol to clean a surface and before applying the touchpen.
Sport Touring tires on a bike like an SV650 last forever.. I have 18,000 miles on a pair of Pilot Road 2s on my SV and there's still a little more left. Thanks for the tips and videos!
Hi ari, I look through all the videos and had learned a ton of great stuff. However, it would help even more if you publish a video on engine break in for new bikes and or rebuilt engines. Lots of theories out there but i would prefer to hear from ya!!! Thx!!! Love from Singapore and we do hope you can drop by!!!
I agree BT023 is a great tire. I could drag knee at 5°C in winter ;-) Very fast warm-up like 1km and you can drag knee no problem. I would even say it is a dangerous tire as to the amount of confidence it can give you. Lasts a ton as well (10k km of legal thread, even more going "slick").
All good advice. I would also add new brake pads, brake fluid, coolant change and tightening the chain. Maybe a new front sprocket as they wear 3 times as fast.
Completed all of these steps over the winter! Except, instead of fixing paint damage, I put a nice big crack in my front cowl. Ordered an 'ebay special' as a replacement. Hope it fits okay!
Can you do a video on what my basic toolkit should look like and what (if any) specialized tools are completely necessary? I’m new to the maintenance of bikes (and not particularly handy) and looking to do some tune up style maintenance over the winter and love these videos as resources!
Another way to revitalise is to replace all rubber damping washers, grommets, undo all the fairing and put them back and check for vibrations and damp with doubl3 side tape where ever the source of rattle is. Very informative videos, although it leaves you wanting for more.
also fuel lines, coolant hoses, vacuum lines should be replaced after certain years to avoid leaking problems which are annoying. Also checking out all electrical connectors for corrosion can save headache later caused by improper grounding, short circuits or insulation cracking up.
Just wanted to say thanks for the Colorrite tip. I actually needed some factory-matched paint, and didn't know it was a thing. :P Over the moon right now. :)
New mirrors, levers and a different handle bar are easy upgrades and can make your bike feel new again, especially since you're looking and using them constantly.
Soooooo. How about a couple cans of Bell-Ray super clean chain lube... Love that stuff, literally not a spec flings on my wheels 5 minutes after I put it on... Good stuff.
So glad that this video was made. But I'm not sure if I can find a video explaining why motorcycle engine loses power when it gets hot. I've got a Honda Wave 125cc (Honda Innova in Europe) which has run quite noisily when it gets hot after a mechanic replaced the piston and a valve. I've checked some websites about this problem but it seems there are many possibilities that the problem arise. Does anyone have any experience about this? Thanks
Ari and Zack, when are you guys bringing out some more on two wheels videos. I am waiting in anticipation. There are so much new bikes like the new CBR, the new GXSR and what about the new BMW GS 310 R. Can't wait to see some more great videos from you
One thing I suggest too - After about 30,000 miles, if you can swing it, change your seat. You'd be surprised how much a new seat will feel different. (This is mainly focused on Cruiser riders)
i have a new but left over 2022 triumph scrambler XC with a whopping 25 miles on it. the ride is ALWAYS bumpy. new paved roads are bumpy. old paved roads are bumpy. the ride is always bumpy. my bike is a 2022, which i bought this week in june of 2023. considering it’s a left over i’m thinking it has been sitting in the showroom for a long time and one or both tires have a flat spot. as that flat spot hits the ground on every revolution, it will feel bumpy. i could be wrong but that’s the only thing i can come up with. unless the suspension needs tuning. even if the suspension needs tuning the ride should be smooth of pavement, especially a newly paved road. this is why i think it’s flat spots on the tires. your thoughts ?
Enjoy you videos guys! Good info :D :D....Perhaps can you guys post about 2 stroke bikes as well?...like how they work compared to a 4 stroke and the maintenance it needs...that would be great! :D
Can you guys do an On Two Wheels about the current line of 250 Dual Sports? Husky FE 250, Honda crf250l, Yamaha wr250r...etc. There is not a whole lot of content out there. especially on the Husky FE250 and KTM EXC-F 250. Thinking about buying the Husky, but im just not sure with so little content out there on the bike.
Ari, I think a good subject for an upcoming video would cover plastic gas tanks and the negative effects (gas tank shape distortion ) from ethanol infused gasoline. Frankly, the only thing keeping me from buying a new superbike is the prospect of those contenders having recurring problems with the fuel cells.......like my old 1098 tank. What can a consumer do to negate this potential problem, in a new bike aquisition ? Thanks
Many new Suzuki's (and probably some other brands as well) come with a grip that is vulcanized to the throttle body. It cannot be removed as shown. If you want to replace both of your grips on one of these bikes, you'll also need a new throttle tube (Motion Pro makes some nice, inexpensive options)
The only thing that sucks about these videos is the fact they end.
True
TO the top bro
totally true if i see one i klick on it no excuses
thats why I am watching it at 0.5 speed
Bring out the Snake oil man
I can't understate how much a fresh set of tires changes your bike. You go into the shop thinking "man I just wish I had a nicer bike" then Bam! It's like a whole new bike again.
I just said the same thing.... Even more so on sport-touring and especially on supersports. I was getting all kinds of weird feedback from the road and overall just felt sloppy. Oh, sure: I did know my front tire was pretty worn down but it was a new-to-me bike. You try to delay those $300 hits as much as possible. Needless to say, after I put the tires on it felt completely different. More importantly my steering geometry seems fixed now and it gives me a lot more confidence.
A flat center tyre will give a twitchy ride over uneven surface and linesbon the road. Thats my experience
Same here. Just put a fresh set of Road 5's on my blackbird and it feels like a new bike, even though I've had it for close to 10 years. It feels great!
Should probably put new tires on the KLR since I have no idea what's going on with the front tire's wear. Probably should put new steering head bearings too
If money were no object, I'd get new tires with every oil change.
Tip 1: Maintenance
Tip 2: Grips
Tip 3: Clean, Touch up Paint
Tip 4: New Tires
ARI HENNING - I commented on the carb video a while ago about rebuilding on my Katana, great news is it fired right up !! Bad news was that a grommet that seals the fuel lines into the carbs leaked but was quickly diagnosed and replaced .. I did paint, decals, tires (PR4's), replaced every chassis bearing, swapped the shock with a R6 setup and rebuilt the forks with RaceTech springs ..
I took an old bike (93) and gave it a very modern update ..
Ari Henning hi
I wanna c the bike mate, can u send some pics
A good service, new rubber & a good wax and polish really goes a long way in making your bike feel good & make you feel good about your bike.
I can only stress how true your advice is !!!!
If you do follow and execute all four advices regularly your bike never feels old 👍👍👍
Spot on video!
Thanks MC-Garage
Safe rides !!!
Great tips! These are all normal maintenance and routine for many riders. However, it's great to see it as a reminder, and all in a short, concise video. I might add that one should always check the air pressure before each ride. I know it's a pain, but worth the effort. Thanks again for the great videos.
This channel is actually a very high quality channel. Rare thing on youtube.
This is by far the best motorcycle channel on RUclips. The videos have great production values, and they are informative as well as entertaining. MC garage should be required viewing for all motorcyclists. And the timing is perfect; just working on my SV for spring. It shares the garage with two Ducatis, yet it gets ridden the majority of the time; great bikes.
This is also a great list to go through when first getting a used bike.
One of the few Bike Journo channels that consistently puts our good content !
Maintaining a motorcycle is key to the total enjoyment, did not know about the paint pens from color rite. Thanks
Motorcyclist magazine as usual putting out good content! On an unrelated note I really love both yours and Zack's reviews. Your review on the 2012 CBR got me to buy the bike. I always liked the CBR but wanted a proper rider review. Doesn't have to be the fastest to be the right bike! Keep up the unbiased reviews!
Rebuilt my 02 CBR1100XX Super Blackbird last year and it was like a new bike!
Great time of year to give your ride some love!
MC garage you guys are doing a great job.. Changing my bike tyres has benefitted me immensely. Looking forward for more content.
Easily the best informative motorcycle channel on YT
If you don't quite need or can't afford new tires, checking and adjusting your tire air pressure can make a noticeable difference too. Great video!
one of the best...if not the best motorcycle channels on RUclips. You should make a video about what to check when buying a used bike, sorry if there is a video already , I can't find it.. keep up the good work ❤
Love your videos mate
Thanks for the tips
Ride safe everybody!
love your videos Ari. I have learnt and applied to do basic maintenance, but it feels daunting to do all the overhauls as i feel i might mess it up!!
Another sweet MCgarage video. Looking forward to that OnTwoWheels Australia ep.
Those BT023 are rubbish in the wet tho I had them on my SV650 and it would slide all over the place and every time i took off from the lights.
I fucking love your videos. They are so informative and fun to watch. Keep up the good work!
Ari Henning, I see you are subscribed to Yammie Noob
Just did new sprockets and chain and the bike feels like a whole new bike. Did a 520 conversion with -1 on the front on my r6 and it's sooooo much smother rolling on, and the extra torque makes riding in town way nicer
Finally a new MC garage video! keep 'em coming!
I bought My r6 had 40,000 miles on it. The air filter was an aftermarket k and n high flow but it was absolutely filthy. The spark plugs were wrong and I replaced those. I also changed out the grimey chain and sprockets and threw some new rubber on it. I’ll just say the difference was night and day. I was starting to worry about a high mileage bike but these simple changes made it happy again.
Good advice. Applies to many more things than motorcycles.
Some of the best moto vids on the web... Thanks!
Thumb up on your video, helpful as always. Not easy to refresh the bike, your info helps a lot. Thanks
Another thing that works well Ari,for the paint? Is there's some places on my ALL "BLACK" bike,that have short but deep scratches on the paint,and on the powdercoating of the frame (which is also black),and I have simply used a black permanent marker to run over anything bare-metal that was showing!!! Works great and blends in with the black paint almost flawlessly!!! I guess mine is the "CHEAP-MAN'S Fix"!!! LOL.
Did you just read my mind or what? Thanks for making this video Ari. You just made my day.
Suspension maintenance and adjustment!
Good point. Stop putting things on my to do list!
+1 to Number 4.... Especially if you are riding a supersport. Even small changes in pressure are significant.
DO NOT USE ACETONE on any part of the bike that has paint. It will strip the shine from the clear coat making it matte and dull. Use alcohol to clean a surface and before applying the touchpen.
Jack Emec the wheels are powder coated...
Alcohol is for drinking not for cleaning.
You can use acetone on paint. just don't scrub the shit out of the paint a quick wipe like he did in the video won't harm the paint
slipgatecentral You are specifically are drinking ethanol (but no one calls it that)
wax and grease remover (also known in auto collision shops as pre-cleaner) is great for cleaning painted surfaces...
Or: Everything I do, when I buy a used bike. XD
Guys, keep making videos like these! Loving every minute of them.
Loving the SV650 representation!
We don't have winter here. To the shop, bike goes.
We need more videos ! Thumbs up ! Always dude.
as always great information and interesting video!
Depending on the bike a fairing kit can be a great way to make an old bike new again.
Sport Touring tires on a bike like an SV650 last forever.. I have 18,000 miles on a pair of Pilot Road 2s on my SV and there's still a little more left. Thanks for the tips and videos!
Hi ari,
I look through all the videos and had learned a ton of great stuff. However, it would help even more if you publish a video on engine break in for new bikes and or rebuilt engines. Lots of theories out there but i would prefer to hear from ya!!!
Thx!!!
Love from Singapore and we do hope you can drop by!!!
These videos are great. Top knowledge and presentation.
Great video, it's a good thing more people are into repairing instead buying a brand new machine!
I agree BT023 is a great tire. I could drag knee at 5°C in winter ;-) Very fast warm-up like 1km and you can drag knee no problem. I would even say it is a dangerous tire as to the amount of confidence it can give you. Lasts a ton as well (10k km of legal thread, even more going "slick").
All good advice. I would also add new brake pads, brake fluid, coolant change and tightening the chain. Maybe a new front sprocket as they wear 3 times as fast.
Everything you said in this video i have done to my bike in the last 6 months my self, including the valve adjustment and steering head bearings,
Your naked SV650 in this video looks EXACTLY like my K5! Candy Grand Blue is an awesome colour.
Thanks on the Paint Pen tip. Never knew such a thing existed.
oh new over worn tyres its like having a new bike, great vid
Great videos dude! I don't do a ton of wrenching on my bike, but the bit that I work on it feels more approachable after watching your vids
Great videos! As a newbie, I"m watching as many of these videos as I can and learning a lot.
Love these MC Garage videos. As a matter of fact, this weekend was spent doing a tune up on my 2007 R6S - so thanks for the kick (thumbsup)
My favorite is the 3/4 inch lift your dual sport bike gets when you install a new knobbie lol
Completed all of these steps over the winter! Except, instead of fixing paint damage, I put a nice big crack in my front cowl. Ordered an 'ebay special' as a replacement. Hope it fits okay!
Hola
That life hack on how to install new set of hand grips 😮 why did only knew that now, i always struggle with those
great lessons explained.
thank you so much the points you shown to revitalise the bike.
Great video. I have learned so much from these tech videos. Thanks as always for sharing your knowledge with us.
the "magic" black pen to desguise paint chips has been my friend for quite some time, ehe
Can you do a video on what my basic toolkit should look like and what (if any) specialized tools are completely necessary? I’m new to the maintenance of bikes (and not particularly handy) and looking to do some tune up style maintenance over the winter and love these videos as resources!
Another way to revitalise is to replace all rubber damping washers, grommets, undo all the fairing and put them back and check for vibrations and damp with doubl3 side tape where ever the source of rattle is.
Very informative videos, although it leaves you wanting for more.
also fuel lines, coolant hoses, vacuum lines should be replaced after certain years to avoid leaking problems which are annoying.
Also checking out all electrical connectors for corrosion can save headache later caused by improper grounding, short circuits or insulation cracking up.
PERFECT WORKED FOR MY 1995 BULLET 500
I look forward to these videos
Hi Ari. Please could you make an episode discussing 2 pot and 4 pot calipers, as well as mono and two piece calipers? Thanks!
Sweet video! Did most of those on my 2005 r6 and she feels and looks like new. 👌👏
Ari Henning Definitely! 👍 👍👍
Just wanted to say thanks for the Colorrite tip. I actually needed some factory-matched paint, and didn't know it was a thing. :P Over the moon right now. :)
Pro tip for the grips: use a little pscht of hairspray to slide them on then turn them to really spread it. wait till they are dry-> profit.
I love this channel. Keep the good work guys!
Learning so much ...great channel!
Best mc channel on youtube!
dude, these videos are the best. thanks!
New mirrors, levers and a different handle bar are easy upgrades and can make your bike feel new again, especially since you're looking and using them constantly.
Soooooo. How about a couple cans of Bell-Ray super clean chain lube... Love that stuff, literally not a spec flings on my wheels 5 minutes after I put it on... Good stuff.
Spot on as always! Thanks a lot Ari!!
Amazing video guys, thank you so much.
So glad that this video was made. But I'm not sure if I can find a video explaining why motorcycle engine loses power when it gets hot. I've got a Honda Wave 125cc (Honda Innova in Europe) which has run quite noisily when it gets hot after a mechanic replaced the piston and a valve. I've checked some websites about this problem but it seems there are many possibilities that the problem arise. Does anyone have any experience about this? Thanks
Ari and Zack, when are you guys bringing out some more on two wheels videos. I am waiting in anticipation. There are so much new bikes like the new CBR, the new GXSR and what about the new BMW GS 310 R. Can't wait to see some more great videos from you
One thing I suggest too - After about 30,000 miles, if you can swing it, change your seat. You'd be surprised how much a new seat will feel different.
(This is mainly focused on Cruiser riders)
You're the maaaan!! Your videos are really useful, thanks, buddy
thumbs up for the blue SV650! :D
These videos are informative, nice ,, keep it up and thank you
Gotta love them BO023's from Bridgestone :D. I got 23k out of a front and 11k out of a rear.
as always.. nice video guys...
I am waiting for 2017 R6 review..
Bikes are life
Excellent video bruh🤘
I, really love your videos
i have a new but left over 2022 triumph scrambler XC with a whopping 25 miles on it.
the ride is ALWAYS bumpy.
new paved roads are bumpy.
old paved roads are bumpy.
the ride is always bumpy.
my bike is a 2022, which i bought this week in june of 2023.
considering it’s a left over i’m thinking it has been sitting in the showroom for a long time and one or both tires have a flat spot.
as that flat spot hits the ground on every revolution, it will feel bumpy.
i could be wrong but that’s the only thing i can come up with.
unless the suspension needs tuning.
even if the suspension needs tuning the ride should be smooth of pavement, especially a newly paved road. this is why i think it’s flat spots on the tires.
your thoughts ?
hey ari, can you make video about air filters? advantage and disadvantages of washable air filter?
I just love your content.
Enjoy you videos guys! Good info :D :D....Perhaps can you guys post about 2 stroke bikes as well?...like how they work compared to a 4 stroke and the maintenance it needs...that would be great! :D
I'm surprised to not see fork oil mentioned in this video. new fork oil can make an amazing difference to old bikes
That can/should be part of yearly maintenance.
I even cleaned my calipers and pistons during winter
Best people to take advice from
We actually had a winter this year (california). Great vid as always!
Bro I'm from india and i have a question regarding motorcycles. Does ceramic coating really helps?
Can you guys do an On Two Wheels about the current line of 250 Dual Sports? Husky FE 250, Honda crf250l, Yamaha wr250r...etc. There is not a whole lot of content out there. especially on the Husky FE250 and KTM EXC-F 250. Thinking about buying the Husky, but im just not sure with so little content out there on the bike.
Any videos on changing spark plugs? I need to do the plugs on my 2013 CB500F. I can't seem to find a decent video explaining how to do it.
I like the gray the paint idea! thanks for the video!!
How about tests ride ome new more cycles , new KTM 1090 & Desert Sled!? 😉
Ari,
I think a good subject for an upcoming video would cover plastic gas tanks and the negative effects (gas tank shape distortion ) from ethanol infused gasoline. Frankly, the only thing keeping me from buying a new superbike is the prospect of those contenders having recurring problems with the fuel cells.......like my old 1098 tank. What can a consumer do to negate this potential problem, in a new bike aquisition ? Thanks
Many new Suzuki's (and probably some other brands as well) come with a grip that is vulcanized to the throttle body. It cannot be removed as shown. If you want to replace both of your grips on one of these bikes, you'll also need a new throttle tube (Motion Pro makes some nice, inexpensive options)