HP Race Power Kit for BMW S1000RR, £2518.93 Time used: Cadwell Park and Brands GP MRO Powerbike rounds. What's good: Designed for track use, the kit includes a new ECU and a full titanium Akrapovic exhaust system, which is said to add 4bhp and 6ftlb torque, and save 6.8kg. The ECU gives full power and less intrusive levels of ABS ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 06 June 2011
HP Race Calibration Kit for BMW S1000RR, £848.10Time used: One round of MRO Powerbikes, Cadwell Park What’s good: This software tool for racers allows you to further customise the S1000RR’s electronics. It works with the standard ECU, but has even more functions when used in conjunction with an HP Race Power Kit (which includes a new ECU and exhaust system), ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 01 June 2011
Muc-Off 5 x brush set, £23.99 Michael Neeves Time used: Two months What's good: A bucket of hot soapy water and these five Muc-Off cleaning brushes are all you need to keep your bike looking tip-top. The brushes have rubberised handles for good grip and edges to protect your bike when you’re brushing away. The bristles are nylon and are ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 16 May 2011
EDZ all-climate base layer men's one-piece, £60 (£50 on MCN shop) Miles covered/time: Countless road testing and racing miles/two months What's good: Undersuits are one of biking’s best inventions and I couldn’t imagine wearing leathers without one. They keep you cool and comfortable, stop leathers sticking to you and make them easy to slide off at the end of the ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 09 May 2011
Black Tack, £3-£10 depending on size of roll Time used: Six months What's good: Black Tack is like an industrial-strength Blu-Tack. It's amazing stuff and I discovered it after seeing our photographers use it to stick video cameras on to our test bikes. Just roll up a lump of the putty-like substance up in your hands, work it until it's ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 09 May 2011
Wayne Rainey. His Own Story, £9.99Time read: One week What’s good: Written by MotoGP journo Michael Scott, Rainey’s autobiography was first published back in 1997, but reproduced last year with additional material to bring it up to date. I was always a big Rainey fan – he was one of the original ‘aliens’ along with Schwantz, Gardner, Doohan and Lawson. ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 15 February 2011
Wolfson DS-101a noise-cancelling headphones. £39.99Time used: Three months What’s good: I’ve always liked the idea of listening to music on long motorway journeys or boring commutes, but I also can’t ride without earplugs (actually, ear plug, I’m deaf in one ear), so I was keen to try these. I hoped they’d do the job of both. They’re ‘in-ear’ headphones, which ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 15 February 2011
Mick Grant: Takin’ The Mick, £19.99Time read: Three days What’s good: Although I’m a fanatical racing fan, my racing consciousness doesn’t really start until about 1987. I had a decent idea of who Mick Grant is and what he’s achieved in his career, but I bought his autobiography more to read about his involvement with James Whitham in the late ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 07 February 2011
Alpinestars Tech Heated Vest. £299.95 Time used: Two months What’s good: I’m new to this heated clothing lark and I now ask myself why I never tried it years ago. It’s brilliant. This heated ‘vest’ (more a body warmer) is comfortable and easy to use, you just plug into a lead fitted to the bike’s battery and off you go.The ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 07 February 2011
Alpinestars 365 Gore-Tex gloves, £159.95Miles covered/time: Well over 20,000-miles touring, road testing and racing/two years. What’s good? Along with my lid and earplugs, these gloves are my favourite bits of biking kit. The best thing about them is they’re warm and waterproof, but feel and look every inch like a racing glove. That makes them perfect for riding sports bikes ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Gloves
- 10 November 2010
