Bike Kit

Year: ALL

Can't stand wet hands? The Gore-Tex in these Richa Altantic gloves is so stealthy I didn't even notice it

Yesterday 10:34 by Adam Binnie

Getting caught in a downpour can happen at any time of the year, and while it might be possible to stash a jacket drop liner somewhere on the bike for emergencies, I really don’t have space for a...

Tried and tested: Oxford Nexus 1.0 gloves review

25 September 2023 by Adam Binnie

Any motorcycle kit offering more than two attributes from the “affordable/protective/comfortable” pyramid demands a closer inspection, which is exactly why we’ve got these Oxford Nexus 1.0 gloves on...

Tried and tested: HJC R-PHA 70 helmet review

19 September 2023 by Alison Silcox

I’ve been a fan of HJC motorcycle helmets for a number of years and have tried various flip-front and full-faced versions. This particular model, the HJC R-PHA 70 helmet has been around for a few...

Cap it all off: Best tank-ring motorcycle tankbags

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

When it comes to carrying luggage on your bike – as opposed to carrying it on your person in a rucksack – tankbags, which attach on top of your machine’s fuel tank, are one of the most efficient,...

Courier style: Best motorcycle top boxes

14 September 2023 by Maria Martin

Motorcycle top boxes are bought mainly for functional reasons. No-one buys a top box because they want to improve the look of their bike so functionality has to come first. While it may not be as...

Travel in style: Best motorcycle luggage as chosen by MCN

14 September 2023 by Ben Clarke

One of the drawbacks of riding a motorbike is that you can’t carry as much with you as you can in other types of vehicles – but this can be improved with some luggage. Whether you’re commuting to...

Self-sufficient touring: Best motorcycle camping tents

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

We said it recently when we looked at the basics of motorcycle camping but it really does bear saying again; your tent is perhaps the most important element of any off grid trip. It is your only...

Tried and tested: Oxford Aqua Rollbags review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Oxford Aqua Rollbag is available in four acapacities, 20, 30, 50 and 70 litres. All are made from PVC tarpaulin outer with a rigid-edges roll-top closure that has quick-release buckles at each end...

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...

Tried and tested: Autobrite Direct Extreme Range motorcycle cleaning products review

14 September 2023 by Ryan Gilmore

Since 2005 Autobrite Direct has been offering an excellent range of cleaning products perfect for keeping cars looking better than new. It’s now launched a selection of motorcycle cleaning products...

Tried and tested: ACF-50 corrosion preventer review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It’s a sad fact of life that, unless you only ride on dry days and in the warmer months, you will need some form of corrosion prevention on your bike. It might just be a light dusting if you prefer...

Tried and tested: Abba Superbike Stand Review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

This novel take on a motorcycle paddock stand from Abba is a great addition to your home workshop for general maintenance and cleaning. It’s a fact of life that if your bike has – or can have an...

Lifesavers: Best motorcycle first aid kits

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It’s an unavoidable fact of motorcycling life that, despite whatever precautions we may take and whatever protective riding gear we wear, as motorcyclists we’re vulnerable to injury which is why it...

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...

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...

Chain pre-action: How to look after your motorbike's chain

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

While various systems have been trialled over the years and adopted with some success (think BMW’s shaft-drive and other using belt drive), the chain is by far the most common way of transferring the...

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: Healtech Thunderbox review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

One of the issues if you run a collection of electrical accessories – sat-nav, heated kit, phone charger, spotlights – is remembering to turn it all off when you get to your destination and hop off...

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...

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...

Lightning in a box: Best motorcycle jump packs

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Somedays, you need a little help to get going, and that can also be true of your bike. For a number of reasons, your battery may be a little low on energy when you want or need it and you don’t have...

Tried and tested: RST Paragon 2 review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

These RST Paragon 2 motorcycle boots can cover many needs; waterproof, sporty, slim and comfortable and fairly warm. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking they will do you through the depths of...

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: 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,...

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...

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’ motorbike 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...

Tried and tested: T.ur G-Zero winter gloves review

14 September 2023 by Adam Binnie

On the other hand the T.ur G-Zero promises maximum warmth in even the most extreme weather, with a clever double glove structure than keeps unnecessary padding to a minimum too. Passive gloves that do...

Tried and tested: Held Spot gloves review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

When it comes to riding in the summer, I like short-cuff, lightweight and perforated gloves like these Held Spots. They feel great on the hands, give excellent feel for the bike’s controls and...

Tried and tested: Oxford Montreal 4.0 gloves review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Oxford Montreal 4.0 is one of the latest gloves to be added to the British brand’s line-up alongside the fourth generation of its award-winning Montreal textile suit. The company doesn’t specify...

Tried and tested: Richa Street Touring gloves review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

I’ve been wearing these Richa Street Touring gloves on longer trips for several years and again, this season since early spring. There’s a very good reason for that; they are a great three-season...

Tried and tested: T.ur G-Two Adventure gloves review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

We know that the ultimate summer clothing consists of lots of mesh panels in the non-critical areas to allow as much air as possible to enter while critical areas feature solid material for...

Tried and tested: CTEK CT5 Battery Charger review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It used to be really easy to look after motorbike or car batteries. You just connected a charger that you paid a few quid for from a high-street shop and Bob is your proverbial mum’s brother. However,...

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...