Shock rebuild by Brook Suspension, £185 Miles covered/time: 1000/three months What's good: It’s saved over £100 compared to getting a replacement shock for my Kawasaki KR1S. If it hadn't needed a new rod as part of the rebuild, a further £75 could have been saved. A new shock would have meant losing the damping adjuster mounted on the sub-frame, which ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Suspension
- 09 November 2011
Rev’It Apache boots, £164.99 Miles covered/time: 3000/six months What's good: The way they look. The Rev'It Apache boots are like a cross between motorcycle boots and trainers, with nice styling touches like suede sections. From the ankle down they’re shaped more like a shoe than your typical touring boot. They’re warm, comfortable and have so far proved completely waterproof. A ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Boots
- 05 October 2011
Abba superbike stand, £91.99 Time owned: Six months What's good: Conventional paddocks stands won’t let you remove a shock because they lift the bike by the swingarm. This one lifts the machine by the swingarm pivot bolts instead so there’s no load on the suspension, just the frame. It’s effectively like have a centrestand that works on any bike and ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 05 October 2011
Tucano Urbano Giacca Trip touring jacket, £164, and Motoairbag, £364Miles covered/time: 2000/two months What's good: It’s a really nice looking coat that doesn’t look out of place anywhere, with a puffa jacket-style removable lining that can be worn separately. Motorcycle jackets for sale. It’s got lots of pockets and hasn’t let through a drop in persistent heavy rain. The detachable ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 22 September 2011
Tucano Urbano jeans, £75 Miles covered/time: 1000/one month What's good: Motorcycle jeans are often bizarrely cut and deeply unfashionable, defeating the point of wearing them by making you look stupid. These are half acceptable looking. What armour there is – at the knee – is discreet. The large hip pockets are very useful on the bike and look like they’re ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 03 August 2011
Bodywork repair by Kas Racepaint, £380 Time owned: One month What's good: My KR1S fairing had a big bit missing where a corner had snapped off the top half, while the bottom half had shattered boltholes making it impossible to join the two pieces together. Kas Racepaint fabricated and painted a new corner, fixed the holes and got the whole ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 29 July 2011
Rev’It Contra GTX Gore-Tex summer gloves, £114.99Miles covered/time: 5000/three months What's good: Submerge your hands in a sink full of water and these Rev'It gloves will not let a drop through; I know as I tested this for 20 seconds. They’re comfortable and protective, with leather palms and soft armour inserts at the knuckles. Because the Gore-Tex lining is bonded to the outer-fabric, ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Gloves
- 13 July 2011
Rev It Defender GTX Gore-Tex jacket, £499.99 (£229.99 on MCN shop)Miles covered/time: Three months/5000 miles What's good: It’s practical, protective, waterproof and supremely well made. As well as body armour in the usual places, there’s extra tough fabric over the elbows where abrasions are most likely. It’s got a decent removable thermal lining, lots of waterproof outside pockets (including a ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 04 July 2011
Ventura sport rack, £152.97 Miles covered/time: 1000/eight months What's good: Ventura’s motorcycle luggage system consists of two brackets which bolt securely on to the sub-frame, to which a grab rail, ‘pack rack’ or smaller ‘sport rack’ can be attached. I’ve gone for the latter, which is neat enough to compliment the bike’s looks. Unlike some so-called sports racks that simply ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 27 June 2011
Tuzo Speed leather jacket, £99.99 at www.mcnshop.com Miles covered/time: 500/one month What’s good: At this price, the Tuzo Speed Jacket is great value for money. It’s a tad rough around the edges under close inspection. Where some jackets have a zip and a popper fastener on the cuffs, this just has zips. But it’s nicely styled in what feels like pretty ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 22 June 2011
