Kriega US-20 tailpack, £75 Tester: Richard Newland Time/miles: Five years/20,000 miles What’s good? I have a real soft spot for Kriega’s unapologetic, but quietly understated, excellence. I’ve used its R35 and R30 rucksacks over the last six years, and have had this US-20 pack for more than five. The roll-top closure makes a perfect waterproof seal, and the waterproof inner ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 13 May 2013
Tucano Urbano Nano Shoe Covers, £33.99 Tester: Steve Farrell Time/miles: 2000 miles/18 months What’s good? These really do make old boots waterproof again. They fold up into a zip bag not much bigger than a fat wallet, which is why they have ‘Nano’ in the name. They’re no less waterproof for it. I’ve never known them to let in a ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 13 May 2013
Granger’s G-Max Universal Footwear Proofer, £5.99 Tester: Steve Farrell Time/miles: One month/1000 miles What’s good? The trouble with waterproof attire is that, sooner or later, it stops being waterproof. No one wants to chuck a costly pair of boots. In theory, this spray saves you that pain. Spray it onto damp, clean leather, and ‘maximum waterproofing’ will be restored. Also ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 13 May 2013
That Near-Death Thing, by Rick Broadbent, £16.99 Tester: Phil West What’s good? The most compelling book about the TT I’ve yet come across. Written by Times sports writer Rick Broadbent, it paints a vivid picture of the highs and lows of the 2011 TT through the first-hand accounts of Guy Martin, John McGuinness, Conor Cummins and Michael Dunlop. Broadbent’s success ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Parts & accessories
- 13 May 2013
Aerostich Roadcrafter suit: £600 approx (plus import duty and shipping of about £300) Tester: Andy Downes Time/miles: 50,000-plus/eight years What’s good? If you ride every day the Aerostich Roadcrafter suit is the answer to the hassle of getting in and out of riding kit – you step in fully-clothed, close two zips and then it’s on. All I need to ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 13 May 2013
Draggin Biker jeans £169.99 Time tested: 30,000 miles/2.5 years What’s good? Few things seem to divide opinion more than riding in Kevlar jeans. Personally, I love riding in them. I know from independent research that these particular jeans last over four seconds in SATRA abrasion tests and that the material used in their construction is identical to that used in ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 07 May 2013
Alpinestars Gore-Tex CR-4 £149.99 Time tested: 20,000 miles/ 6+ years What’s good? As you can tell by the state of my Alpinestars boots they’ve had a hard life, but survived some real abuse. I occasionally wear them on the bike in summer, especially if I’m riding something under 250cc like a Honda CBR125 or scooter for example, but they’ve also ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Boots
- 07 May 2013
Vitesse Hunt Boot £150 Time tested: 4000 miles/7 Months What’s good? I needed a boot that would offer as much protection as possible whilst looking and feeling good when I’m off the bike walking through London and then sitting at a desk; I’m habitually lazy so didn’t fancy having to carry a second pair of shoes into work. The inner ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Boots
- 07 May 2013
Alpinestars Tech Road GTX gloves £149.99 Time tested: 1500 miles/6 weeks What’s good: These have barely been off my hands over the past six weeks as my daily commuting winter gloves. They have seen temperatures as low as -8°C, lashing rain, snow, sleet, and more rain. So far they have been impregnable which comes as a massive relief, having had ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Gloves
- 07 May 2013
Held Race-Evo one-piece leathers £1199.99 Time tested: 5500 miles/7 months What’s good? Down we go: Onto the shoulder, forearm and heel of hand, followed by a 70mph slide and an involuntary roll onto back and arse, stand up too soon, fall over head first and face plant into the grass. Test complete. I’m fairly sceptical about all the protective extras ...
- Motorcycle Products
- Leathers, jackets & suits
- 07 May 2013
