Bike Kit

Make some noise! The best alarmed motorcycle security products tried and tested by MCN

Today 10:05 by Anders Carlson

Motorcycle security isn’t any different from dressing for cold weather — layers are good. The more things a thief has to figure out in a short span of time, the less likely they are to finish the job.

Adventure motorcycle jacket buying guide | Why globetrotters all wear them and how to find yours

Today 10:01 by Phil Clarke

Your jacket is one of the most important pieces of adventure gear to consider. On any trip you’ll be basically living in, so it’s got to stand up to anything your trip throws at it. Fixing a flat in...

Lifting the lid on Shark's sporty new Aeron helmet and how it was developed in MotoGP

Yesterday 16:32 by Dan Sutherland

French helmet brand Shark have launched a new Aeron model for 2025, designed to attract the sportier end of the road riding market, and available in a range of colours harking back to the superbike...

New Kit News | Stay close to the edge with the newest releases on motorcycle kit

Yesterday 15:34 by Justin Hayzelden

Innovation is always on the horizon in the motorcycling world, and that means there’s no shortage of new kit being released, but how can you keep track of everything when it’s moving so quickly?...

Bargain Hunter | Hot modular helmet deals that'll flip your lid!

Yesterday 11:19 by Justin Hayzelden

Whether you call them flip-front, modular or dual homologated, there’s no denying the convenience of a helmet with a hinged chin bar. For professional riders, from the Police to Deliveroo, it means...

The HJC RPHA 12 is a good sporty all-rounder, just don't get the cheek pads damp

21 April 2025 by Dan Sutherland

The HJC RPHA 12 should appeal to most motorcycle riders on a wide variety of bikes. Although styled with a sporting bias, it’s designed to be a comfortable, and practical all-rounder that’s as capable...

The Dainese Axial D1 boots "so very nearly make the five-star mark"; where did they lose that star?

21 April 2025 by Carl Stevens

Although race boots are expensive, they are so worth it. In fact, it’s one element of protection that very few brands have got right in terms of safety, comfort and appearance – these Axial D1 boots...

The Nexx X.WST3 is "loaded with features and a great experience when riding"

20 April 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

I’m a long-time fan of Nexx motorcycle helmets, having used them on-and-off since 2016. The X.WST3 is the Portuguese manufacturer’s latest street style helmet and boasts multiple features including...

What did Adam think of the Spada Drifter motorcycle jeans after 2038 miles in the saddle with them?

19 April 2025 by Adam Oldfield

The Spada Drifter jeans are a classic black biker jean, but with neat details incorporating the Spada brand. A slim fit, albeit slightly tighter than average, which works well for those who skip leg...

Forma Phantom boot review - perfect for road and track with aggressive looks and tons of protection

19 April 2025 by Dan Sutherland

I’ve been wearing these Forma Phantom motorcycle boots for around 1500 miles of sporty road riding – using them both with leathers, and under riding jeans. I’ve not yet had chance to ride with them on...

LS2 Thunder GP Aero helmet - "The Thunder is a serious helmet designed to do a particular job"

18 April 2025 by Justin Hayzelden

Sitting just one grid place back from the firm’s range topping FIM homologated helmet, the GP Pro, the ACU Gold approved Thunder GP Aero is essentially LS2’s road and track sports lid for the masses.

Oxford’s top of the range AAA jeans - protective as single layers and perfectly comfy off the bike?

17 April 2025 by Ben Clarke

Oxford have been making riding jeans for years now and I’ve tested previous AA versions in the past, but these AAA ones are the current top of their range. You can get several different colours and...

The Shoei NXR 2 TC-10 is a top quality sports-touring lid that’s both quiet and aerodynamic

17 April 2025 by Gareth Evans

The ECE 22.06-rated Shoei NXR2 is among the most popular helmet reviews on the MCN website recently because there have been some fantastic deals on this sports-touring lid, with some designs up to 45%...

New Kit News | Stay close to the edge with the newest releases on motorcycle kit

17 April 2025 by Justin Hayzelden

Innovation is always on the horizon in the motorcycling world, and that means there’s no shortage of new kit being released, but how can you keep track of everything when it’s moving so quickly?...

Best adventure bike gear | MCN's picks for riding your dual sport or ADV on dirt or asphalt

16 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Adventure bikes are fun for the same reason that choosing the right gear is hard — there’s two distinct types of riding involved. But the right answers depend on the right questions. How much dirt...

Put the brakes on bike theft: Best motorcycle disc locks tested by the experts at MCN

16 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Anybody who rides motorcycles understands the Old West adage, “There’s nothing worse than a horse thief”. The nicer your bike, the more chance someone with looser morals agrees. Motorcycle disc locks...

Nexx Helmets’ adventure-touring range is designed with quality and versatility in mind – here’s how

16 April 2025 by Ben Clarke

Paid partnership with Nexx Helmets Some brands like to focus on a single aspect of helmet design and try to make it their hallmark – but not Nexx. Build quality, tech, comfort, versatility, practicality, safety; they want to excel at...

Motorcycle armor buying guide | The best ways to protect yourself on a motorcycle explained

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Wearing armor may not be comfortable, but it beats other types of protective gear like casts, slings, bandages and the like. Embrace the danger and manage the risks with the best armor choices on the...

The best motorcycle airbag vests | A critical layer of upper body safety in the event of an accident

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Motorcyclists will always assume far greater risks than motorists. But that margin shrinks with every technological advance in terms of gear, materials and road design. And with the advent of...

These mesh motorcycle jackets are the best we’ve tested, so feel the breeze and stay cool with MCN

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Summer motorcycle clothing has come a long way, starting mesh motorcycle jackets. They’re a real game-changer in hot weather hits and can save your life in more ways that one. Summers are brutal in...

Keep it under wraps! Best motorcycle covers for indoor and outdoor use, tested by MCN

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

How can you tell if a motorcycle is valuable? It usually has a cover on it. While it’s preferable to store your motorcycle collection in a palatial garage or personal museum, many of us are forced...

MCN's complete guide to heated motorcycle gloves | A deep dive into the holy grail of winter kit

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

There’s twenty reasons why riding in cold weather is hard. Ten of those reasons are on your hands. Thermal motorcycle gloves are good, but at some point it’s time to enlist gear with technology and...

Bargain Hunter | Got a track day booked yet? Here’s some gear you might find useful

15 April 2025 by Justin Hayzelden

With the race season underway and circuits back open for track days, I thought we could celebrate by digging up some deals on sports gear that would be just as home on the road as racking up laps at...

Best sport-touring tires for your motorcycle as tested by the experts at MCN

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Tires are the only things that connect you to the road. And they tell you what’s happening, how you’re doing and what you’re riding through. The wrong tire increases the chance that something goes...

Best summer motorcycle jackets | keep your cool

15 April 2025 by Charlotte King

Ah, summertime. The living’s easy and nothing beats the riding. It’s tempting to skip heavy gear or go easy on safety habits. But if you’ve ever seen the results of a high speed get-off when wearing...

Protect yourself forthe ride and the weather with this waterproof bike gear chosen by MCN

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

If you live in a place where “slight chance of precipitation” regularly turns into buckets of rain, it might be time to invest in a dedicated textile rain suit. We’ve covered over suits, which fit...

MCN's expert guide to the best motorcycle jackets for all riders and bike types

15 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Besides an actual bike, nothing says “I ride” better than the right motorcycle jacket. From classic leather to modern textiles and polymers, modern riding jackets come in a wide variety of styles to...

MCN's chain and sprocket buying guide | Find out the pros and cons of the different types

15 April 2025 by Ben Clarke

A motorcycle’s chain and sprockets may, at first glance, seem like slightly old-fashioned bicycle technology, but are actually one of the most sophisticated bits of kit on your bike. Related: Save...

Motorcycle lifts and benches buying guide | How they make bike maintenance easy

10 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Whether it’s intellectual curiosity, pride or just saving money, working on your motorcycle can be highly satisfying. Even a simple task like cleaning the chain is a chance to get eyes on future...

The best dual sport tires with an off-road bias for hitting the trails on your ADV bike

10 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Is your next destination on dirt, but using pavement to get there? To make the most of it, you need a set of dedicated dual sport motorcycle tires. Adventure-sport tires offer some off-road...

New Kit News | Stay close to the edge with the newest releases on motorcycle kit

10 April 2025 by Justin Hayzelden

Innovation is always on the horizon in the motorcycling world, and that means there’s no shortage of new kit being released, but how can you keep track of everything when it’s moving so quickly?...

MCN's guide to the best waterproof rain riding pants that we've tested

10 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Let’s start with a baseline assumption. When you ride a motorcycle, you need pants. Here’s where it gets complicated. There are riding jeans, riding pants, water-resistant riding pants and more...

The best leather motorcycle jackets tried and tested by our MCN riders

10 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Leather jackets have come a long way since Irving Schott designed the “lancet-fronted” iconic leather motorcycle jacket named “Perfecto” in 1928. Today, they come in a whole range of styles, from...

These are the best winter motorcycle gloves to keep you riding all year, as reviewed by our team

10 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

A good pair of winter motorcycle gloves is a must-have in the colder months. You can’t safely ride a motorcycle if you can’t feel the controls. Fortunately, good winter gloves keep the elements out...

MCN's guide to the best motorcycle backpacks with our tried and tested favourites

10 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

There’s an entire industry dedicated to motorcycle luggage, tail packs, top boxes, tank bags, saddle bags or panniers. But when you want to just get up and go, sometimes all you need is a trusty...

The best waterproof over suits for staying dry on your motorcycle tried and tested by MCN

10 April 2025 by Anders Carlson

Even in the driest regions of North America, there’s one sure way to make it rain: Don’t bring your rain suit. Somehow the weather gods just know when you’ve decided to roll the dice and go sans rain...