Bike Kit

Year: ALL

Jacket review: Goldtop Bobber tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Ben Clarke

From the minute you pick up the Goldtop Bobber motorcycle jacket you can feel its quality – there’s a reassuring heft to it, the leather is soft and sumptuous, all the zips, buckles and fasteners feel...

Jacket review: Duchinni Strike tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The recent explosion in retro-styled motorcycles has led to a subsequent explosion in retro-styled clothing to match. This leather from Duchinni, the Strike, isn’t necessarily retro-styled but is...

Jacket review: Richa Charlestone tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Most people know quality when they come across it and the Richa Charlestone jacket really ticks the box. There are numerous ways to judge the quality of clothing and this jacket scores in each and...

Jacket review: Spada Peacedog tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

After a helmet, a leather motorcycle jacket is perhaps the most well-known – and desirable – item of motorcycle clothing that people want – and recognise. And while there are lots of retro-styled...

Helmet review: Shark Spartan Carbon tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Shark Spartan Carbon is a comfortable, light and protective helmet and is my go-to sports helmet. For some, a helmet is a distress purchase; it’s the only part of motorcycle kit that is a legal...

Helmet review: Caberg Tourmax tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Caberg Tourmax is a mixture of many things; it is a peaked, dual-homologated flip-front touring helmet that would arguably look as at home on a dusty desert trail as it would on the daily...

Helmet review: Arai RX-7V Evo tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Emma Franklin

This updated version of the flagship Arai RX-7V Evo motorcycle helmet, is now certified to the more stringent ECE 22.06 safety standard. It’s Arai’s second lid to be tested to the new tougher...

Helmet review: Agrius Rage SV tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There is a well-known adage that you get what you pay for. Generally, this is true and suggests that the more you pay for something, the better quality it will be and conversely, if something is...

Helmet review: HJC RPHA 11 tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Dan Sutherland

The HJC RPHA 11 is the range topping sports motorcycle helmet from the brand that comes in a dizzying array of designs, from race inspired graphics to Marvel movie tie-ins. Certified to ECE 22.05,...

Goggle search: Best motocross and dirtbike googles

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

A pair of motocross goggles is essential to maintain vision and protect the rider’s eyes when wearing certain types of helmet. Goggles are preferred to visors here as they allow that airflow to keep...

Leathers review: Alpinestars Motegi V3 tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Alpinestars Motegi V3 are a brilliant all-round solution. I’ve found over the years that if I want clothing to fit me from top to toe, then I need to mix and match or go bespoke. A long-forgotten...

Riding trousers review: Spidi Traveler 2 H2Out tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Justin Hayzelden

Spidi Traveler 2 H2Out: tested for 2177 miles / 6 months These trousers got me through winter – no doubt about it. They’ve taken me through rain, sleet and even 11 snowstorms (yes, I counted) and I...

Liven up your lid: How to refresh your motorcycle helmet

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Helmet cleaning is one of those jobs that many of us put off for as long as possible. Aside from wiping the bugs of your visor in summer, the task tends to drop down the to-do list for months (or...

Repellent review: Ipone Visor Rainoff tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Ipone Visor Rainoff may not be the sexiest or most exciting product you buy this year, but a rain repellent could be something that’s worth giving a go, especially as summer draws to a close. We...

Clear view ahead: Top motorcycle anti-misting visor inserts

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Back in the day, if you wanted to keep your helmet visor free of fog, mist or condensation on the inside, you would wipe washing-up liquid over it, dry it off and hope for the best. Thankfully today,...

In it for the long haul: Best touring motorbike jackets

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The best motorcycle touring jacket is perhaps one of the most versatile bits of motorcycling gear. A decent one will keep you warm and dry when the weather gets unpleasant but allow you to stay cool,...

Punching above their weight: Best lightweight motorcycle textiles

31 August 2023 by Maria Martin

Lightweight motorbike kit can be a versatile option for new riders and seasoned veterans alike. With plenty to choose from, you could opt for the do-it-all textile jacket or trousers, or perhaps...

Riding jeans review: Weise Gator tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There are plenty of riding jeans available on the market; single or multiple layers, classic or contemporary style, different colours or jeggings for female riders. However, if you’re after a pair of...

Riding jeans review: Spada Rigger tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

One of the most hotly-contested areas of motorcycle clothing at the moment is riding jeans; just about every kit manufacturer has at least one pair in its wardrobe, such as these Spada motorcycle...

Riding jeans review: Oxford Original Approved tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The latest raft of material technology now means that single-layer jeans can do the same job but without the need for heavyweight denim outer layer and a separate protective layer acting as a liner.

Riding jeans review: Merlin Warren tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It’s not difficult to find a pair of riding jeans that look, feel and fit like a pair of regular jeans. The Merlin Warren cargo jeans are a variation on a theme, with a completely different design...

Riding hoodie review: RST X Kevlar Tech tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Justin Hayzelden

The RST X Kevlar hoodie is a casual style hooded sweatshirt with a trick up its sleeve – it’s CE rated so you can have some peace of mind when you’re heading out in warmer weather without...

Jacket review: Richa Atlantic tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Adam Binnie

If you’re a year-round rider who is short on wardrobe space, or simply like the idea of buying once and buying right, a laminated suit like the Richa Atlantic is a solid all-rounder. With no...

Leathers review: Dainese Mugello R crash tested

31 August 2023 by Bruce Dunn

Tested by Bruce Dunn for four years, 10,000 miles The Mugello R D-air is Dainese’s very highest specification leather race suit and it’s as close as you can get to wearing what MotoGP and WSB stars...

Tried and tested: Shark Skwal i3 review

31 August 2023 by Justin Hayzelden

The SHARK Skwal i3 is the latest in the French motorcycle helmet manufacturer’s line of LED equipped lids, noted for standing out from the crowd, quite literally, with their on board running lights.

Peaky blinders: Best peaked motorcycle helmets chosen by MCN

31 August 2023 by Justin Hayzelden

From adventure biking and trail riding to motocross, enduro and trials, there’s a peaked motorcycle helmet out there to suit every off-road occasion. The peak serves two main functions – to shield...

Italian flair: MCN picks the best AGV helmets on the market

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

When it comes to motorcycle protection, AGV helmets are considered to be up there with the best of them. Their lids protect the heads of many of the world’s leading racers, with both Valentino Rossi...

Rainstoppers: Best waterproof motorcycle jeans and trousers

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

When we talk about waterproof motorcycle jeans, we don’t necessarily mean they are made from denim. Riding jeans are trousers that are more jeans-like in their cut and fit rather than larger and more...

Double glaze your helmet: How to fit a Pinlock visor insert

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The adoption of the Pinlock anti-fog visor insert has been huge – virtually all helmet manufacturers now offer this system to prevent the inside of the visor from misting and for some, an insert is...

Spidi Alpentrophy Textile Suit review | A laminated suit for all occasions

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

The Spidi Alpentrophy is my second suit from the brand and is even more impressive than the predecessor, which I also had. It’s a very highly-specified combination that has seen me through several...

Textile suit review: Oxford Mondial tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Jim Blackstock

When it launched, the Oxford Mondial jacket was £250 and the trousers were £200, making a laminated textile suit for well below £500 – a huge achievement. However, many other manufacturers have caught...

Helmet review: Klim Krios Pro tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Michael Guy

The top of line Klim Krios Pro adventure helmet takes a revolutionary approach to protection, employing several cutting edge features to set it apart from the competition. Top of the list is the use...

Riding jeans review: Bull-it Covert Evo tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Michael Neeves

There’s a comprehensive range of Bull it motorcycle jeans, right at the top of which are the Covert Evo Covec. These straight cut jeans claim to offer high levels of protection and are intended for...

Riding jeans review: Bull-It Tactical Icon tried and tested

31 August 2023 by Richard Newland

Bull it Tactical Icon jeans are the lightest in the range, yet claim to offer the same high-end performance as their more substantial siblings. MCN editor Richard Newland has been trying out a pair of...

Arai's outgoing Tour-X 4 helmet is still a go-to adventure touring option - here's why

31 August 2023 by Michael Neeves

The highly acclaimed, top-spec Arai Tour-X motorbike helmet has been around for decades and I’ve been testing the fourth-generation Tour-X4 for the past three years. It’s designed for adventure and...

MCN’s favourite textile motorcycle jackets for safety, comfort, and all-weather riding

31 August 2023 by Robin Kirkley

There are two broad categories of motorcycle jackets – textiles and leathers. Each has its own distinct features, and it often comes down to personal preference and the type of riding you do. We’ll...