There are some motorcycle parts that are prone to require constant upkeep and a few minor adjustments here and there. If your ride feels uncomfortable, it could be a question of your riding style in combination with other things. However, it could just be your chains and sprockets. Your brand of brake pads could be the problem.

Typically, a motorcycle’s brake pads come as one of two different types, either GG or GG. This is directly related to the friction co-efficiency of all your brake components. HH differs from GG in that it has more stopping power under a given force. However, that does not make GG less valuable than the HH. The types of brake pads you get is really a matter of riding style along with your balance and posture.

Some riders however, feel that HH pads wear down the brake rotors more quickly and that they tend to be a little “grabby.” This is definitely because bikes are a lighter weight machine. An important mistake not to make is to fit GG pads on the front of your bike while installing HH brake pads on the back of your bike. On the other hand, a lot of motorcycle drivers find that having HH brake pads on the front of your bike and GG pads on the back, make for a very comfortable ride. Keep in mind that newer sports bikes should exclusively use HH brake pads. Always refer to the company manual.

Unfortunately, when it comes to chains and sprockets there is a lot of false information floating around. Sometimes even manufacturers supply you with misleading information, so be careful. The famous question that all bike riders ask, does an X-ring last longer than an O-ring? Or which one is better? In all reality, it all depends on your riding style. How much you use your vehicle and your weight also plays a role. If you lubricate your chains correctly and for every specific weather condition, you should be in good shape with either.

If you’re thinking of buying a trike, then the following is a useful starting point. This article covers the basics of trike ownership and is aimed at those looking to purchase a machine in the UK.

The first thing that you may not know about trikes is that they can be powered by either a car engine or a motorcycle engine. Which engine is providing the power will influence the weight of the vehicle and its performance.

When you come to buy a machine, you’ll need to consider what you are legally qualified to ride. If in doubt, check with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The weight of the machine will also make a difference to the testing standards that are applied. Once again, you need to check the legal status of your vehicle to make sure that you have a valid MOT certificate at all times. One question that confuses a lot of people is the issue of helmets. In the UK, at the time of writing, it is not a legal obligation to wear a helmet when wearing a motorized trike.

You will find that some police officers are unsure of this, mainly because seeing a trike on the road is still relatively rare. Many trike owners do decide to wear a helmet, finding that it offers protection from dirt, the weather and any other debris. The choice is yours, although it is certainly the case that there are some excellent trike designs available.

The question of seat belts is far less obvious. The decision on whether or not you have to wear seat belts is down to the weight and age of your vehicle.

At the time of writing, this means that you do have to wear a seatbelt if your trike has an unladen weight of more than 410kg and was first used on or after 1 January 1965. Similarly, you would also need a seatbelt if your vehicle has an unladen weight of more than 255kg and was first used on or after 1 September 1970.