Bike Kit

Year: ALL

Tried and tested: TCX RT-Race review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The TCX RT-Race is the standard, full-material microfibre-upper sports boot and it’s great for both the road and the track – but how does it stack up against cheaper rivals like the Frank Thomas...

Tried and tested: Alpinestars SMX-6 V2 Drystar review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Alpinestars SMX-6 V2 Drystar boots are sporty style waterproof boot that’s comfy enough to use for touring with the kind of protection you would expect on a track. It can be a dilemma...

Tried and tested: Alpinestars Web GTX review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Alpinestars Web GTX are a great all-round boot that will keep your feet warm, protected and reasonably warm but don’t sparkle in any particular area. That isn’t a criticism by any means – if...

Tried and tested: Forma Adventure review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Choosing boots for a big adventure is a tricky one. Traditional touring boots may well keep your feet warm and dry but may not be up to the rigours of the odd off-road foray. Conversely, full...

Tried and tested: TCX Street 3 boots review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The TCX Street 3 are a motorcycle boot with a casual, street style that offers protection without making it obvious you’re wearing them when you walk around off the bike. While some riders’ blood...

Wet weather performers: Best waterproof sportsbike boots

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

For a sporty ride, you need sporty kit, and a pair of protective and comfortable boots with excellent feel for the bike’s controls is essential. However, inevitably — in the UK at least — even a...

Tried and tested: Oxford Mint bike care range review

14 September 2023

Mint smells nice, has a close association with freshness and goes well with lamb. Most of these are good affinities to have when looking for bike cleaning products, like the Oxford Mint bike care...

Plug and play: How check and change your motorcycle spark plugs

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Unless you own a diesel motorcycle, then the spark plug in your petrol engine is probably one of the most key components if you want to operate your bike. Of course, there are others – tyres, brakes...

Fluid dynamics: How to change your motorcycle engine oil

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The oil in your engine is its lifeblood: it lubricates the moving parts and stops them wearing or destroying themselves. It helps to keep everything cool, particularly on ‘air’-cooled engines and it...

Drip feeders: Best motorcycle chain oilers as chosen by MCN

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Aftermarket, motorcycle chain oilers have proved popular with bikers who want to keep their chain lubed without the hassle of getting down on their knees with a spray can and a paddock stand. These...

Going nowhere: Best motorcycle rear wheel spinners

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Unless your bike has a centrestand, cleaning and subsequently lubricating and protecting the chain or cleaning the wheels can be a real pain. That task is made easier with a motorcycle wheel...

Keep corrosion at bay: Best rust-prevention products for your motorbike

14 September 2023 by Jon Urry

Rust is the enemy of the motorcyclist, especially if you ride all year round, whatever the weather. Once corrosion sets in it is extremely hard to get rid of and can make a once beautiful machine look...

Tried and tested: Mosko Moto Reckless 80L Revolver review

14 September 2023 by Laura Thomson

The Mosko Moto Reckless 80L Revolver is a rackless soft luggage solution that aims to give maximum capacity with minimum modification. Elspeth Beard rode around the world with a set of...

Tried and tested: Momo Firegun 3 boots review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Sometimes, you want some protection but you don’t want the bulk, the stiffness or the warmth of a pair of high-leg boots. You may be out on a summer ride or for a short blast and want something light...

Tried and tested: Spada Striders boots review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Spada Striders are motorbike boots with a baseball or high-top trainer feel to them. They look very street-like, with a suede finish to their nubuck leather outer. Available in black or brown,...

Subtle safety: Best scooter boots as chosen by

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

For scooter riders, bikers who are hopping across town or those wanting more fashionable, comfortable biking footwear to go with a pair of motorcycle jeans, ankle boots are a great option. One of...

Baby steps: Best kids’ motorcycle boots

14 September 2023 by Maria Martin

When it comes to kids’ motorcycle boots, most of what dominates the market are off-road or motocross versions. It’s hardly surprising, as the best way to get them going on two wheels and give them...

Save your energy: How to look after your motorcycle battery

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Motorcycle battery maintenance is a key element to ensuring you can enjoy your riding as much as possible. There is nothing worse than excitedly approaching your bike only to find the starter won’t...

Tried and tested: Gedore 172 Piece Socket Set review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

One of the key ingredients in any home mechanic’s toolkit is a decent socket set. However, getting the right size, particularly for working on motorcycles, is tricky. The Gedore 172 piece socket set...

Nutcrackers: Best spanners for motorcycle maintenance

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

A good socket set is generally top of the wish – or indeed, need – list for any home mechanic’s tool set. However, following it up very closely is a good set of spanners, as sockets without the best...

Do it all: Best multi-tools for motorcycle repairs

14 September 2023 by Chris Williams

Carrying lots of kit isn’t really in line with the motorcycling brief, even with the bigger touring bikes. Yet, multi-tools for motorcycle repairs are handy. Every so often, we need to fettle with...

Gaining altitude: Best motorcycle lifts and benches for your workshop

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There are some jobs that require you to raise your bike off the ground – taking the wheels or suspension off, for example – and this is easiest with motorcycle lifts and benches. In fact, most jobs...

Strong start: Best motorcycle batteries as picked by MCN

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

We’re all guilty of taking our motorcycle batteries for granted until they eventually run out. Whether it’s through lack of use or the battery is aged and discharging you’ll need a new one at some...

Tried and tested: Givi Corium review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

First and foremost, the Givi Corium is a very nice-looking piece of luggage. Formed in a classic brown and in what appears, from a distance, to be leather but is, in fact, vegan-friendly PU leather...

Tried and tested: Kappa WA402S rucksack review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

This Kappa WA402S rucksack is formed from PVC tarpaulin, the material will prevent any and all water from entering, ensuring that your contents stay safe and dry whatever the conditions. There are...

Tried and tested: Alpinestars City Hunter review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

If you want a motorbike rucksack that looks a little less ‘bikey’ but still lets you carry your gear in safety and to keep it dry, then the Alpinestars City Hunter is a good option. It is a truth...

Tank toppers: Best motorcycle tankbags as chosen by MCN

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Motorcycle tankbags are a great way to carry your essentials while keeping them all within easy reach. The’re perfect for things like maps, phones, keys, passports and wallets and particularly handy...

Tried and tested: Oxford F1 18-litre tailpack review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

If you have a small amount of gear to carry with you on your bike but don’t fancy – or like – wearing a rucksack, then a tailpack like the Oxford F1 is a great option. You can get all sizes of...

Tried and tested: Held Iconic Evo tailpack review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Held Iconic Evo is a motorcycle tailpack with. aslim profile and tall design a bit like a top box. When it comes to carrying clobber on the bike, there are numerous ways to do it. A rucksack is...

Tried and tested: Lomo 20L Rollbag review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Sometimes, if you’re heading out on a long trip or a short tour, you need some simple luggage to cart your stuff with you. You might not want to wear a rucksack or fit semi-permanent luggage, like...

Junk in the trunk: Best motorcycle tailpacks

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Carrying luggage on a motorcycle is fairly straightforward and of all the options, many favour a tailpack. This is because almost any motorcycle can be fitted with one and assuming you get one with a...

Fan favourite: How to check your motorcycle cooling system

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Checking your motorcycle cooling system is important. In the past, most bikes were air-cooled. Although that’s a bit of a misnomer; it was a combination of air and oil-cooling, with the oil being...

Keep on stopping: How to change motorcycle brake pads

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It’s inevitable that if you carry out your own maintenance, sooner or later you will be changing motorcycle brake pads. They are, after all, consumable and will need replacing more or less often,...

Tried and tested: Ring RSC706 Battery Charger review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There’s little particularly interesting about a battery charger. That is until you have a weakening battery, or are perhaps not planning on using the bike for a while over winter, and you want to look...

Tried and tested: Draper Expert T-handle hex keys review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Many of us will have a set of Allen keys in our toolkits that have been there forever. I know I have – several – and they are generally a bit rusty and a bit unloved. There is though another set of...

Get a grip! Best pliers for motorcycle mechanics

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Any home – or even professional – mechanic knows that sometimes, you need to get strong with a bike. Occasionally you need to go to your motorcycle toolkit and get the big breaker bar for a stubborn...