Bike Kit

Tried and tested: DXR Skoga review

Tried and tested: DXR Skoga review

These DXR Skoga touring boots caught my eye with their low-key looks – the synthetic upper doesn’t shine like leather and under a pair of jeans their slimline profile could almost pass off as a pair...

Tried and tested: Shoei Neotec II review

Tried and tested: Shoei Neotec II review

Flip-front helmets, like the Shoei Neotec II, can be really versatile, allowing you to pop the chin-bar up and get some air, have a drink, eat a snack or have a chat with other riders or in petrol...

Tried and tested: Held Spot gloves review

Tried and tested: Held Spot gloves review

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: Held Air N Dry gloves review

Tried and tested: Held Air N Dry gloves review

The Held Air N Dry gloves attempt to satisfy two very distinct riding conditions; hot and dry or wet and cold. We all know that finding biking kit that covers every eventuality is tough – while...

Tried and tested: Dane Fyre heated gloves review

Tried and tested: Dane Fyre heated gloves review

The march of time affects everything and sadly, it has meant that the Dane Fyre heated gloves are now discontinued, though if you hunt hard enough, you can still find them around albeit in limited...

Tried and tested: Weise Apex motorcycle gloves review

Tried and tested: Weise Apex motorcycle gloves review

Lots of people favour full length gloves for every ride – the additional protection they can offer over the wrist makes them feel more reassured. I, however, tend to prefer shorter gloves particularly...

Tried and tested: Road Mesh gloves review

Tried and tested: Road Mesh gloves review

In truth, £30 doesn’t get you much nowadays; a family ‘feast’ at the golden arches, a couple of months of Netflix or a fill-up on most bikes (and not even a whole fill-up on some). However, it will...

Best women's motorcycle gloves

Best women's motorcycle gloves

Women’s motorcycle gloves have come a long way in recent years from the standard pink accents we’re used to seeing. Brands have created savvier designs to cater more for women riders, without just...

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

Tried and tested: Worx Hydroshot brushless review

Tried and tested: Worx Hydroshot brushless review

While it’s not a great idea to blast your wheel bearings or electronics with a pressure washer, you can safely clean your motorbike with Worx Hydroshot Brushless if you are careful. Thing is, going...

Tried and tested: ACF-50 corrosion preventer review

Tried and tested: ACF-50 corrosion preventer review

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: Muc-Off Pressure Washer review

Tried and tested: Muc-Off Pressure Washer review

Generally speaking, if you want to clean a motorbike, then you will probably find a pressure washer useful. However – and it’s a big however – sometimes, you need to be careful, particularly around...

Care for your bike and the planet: Best eco-friendly motorcycle cleaners

Care for your bike and the planet: Best eco-friendly motorcycle cleaners

We all want to keep our bikes clean. Not only is it the best way to pride and joy looking its best but it’s an important part of its maintenance schedule and a vital way to ensure it’s performing to...

Shiny, happy people: Best motorcycle chrome cleaners

Shiny, happy people: Best motorcycle chrome cleaners

Chrome cleaner will let you take care of the ultra-reflective plated surfaces on your motorbike, especially common on customs, cruisers and some retro models. Cleaning a motorbike properly involves...

Shift the toughest crud: Best motorcycle degreasers

Shift the toughest crud: Best motorcycle degreasers

No matter how scrupulously clean you keep your bike, there will come a time when you need to clean something that is particularly filthy or has a build-up of old oil or grease, meaning you need a good...

Oxford's Aqua Rollbags are a versatile, rugged and dependable luggage option for any trip | MCN review

Oxford's Aqua Rollbags are a versatile, rugged and dependable luggage option for any trip | MCN review

The Oxford Aqua Rollbag is a soft motorcycle luggage option available in four capacities, 20, 30, 50 and 70 litres. All are made from PVC tarpaulin outer with a rigid-edges roll-top closure that has...

Let there be light: Best motorcycle headlight bulb upgrades

Let there be light: Best motorcycle headlight bulb upgrades

Like many components on your motorcycle, the headlight bulbs are designed to do an acceptable job while mass production techniques make sure they are as cheap as possible. However, also like many of...

Tried and tested: CTEK CT5 Battery Charger review

Tried and tested: CTEK CT5 Battery Charger review

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

MCN's guide to the best motorcycle maintenance sprays

MCN's guide to the best motorcycle maintenance sprays

Any self-respecting motorcyclist will have a cupboard full of lotions and potions to look after their bike. Anything from cleaning it to preventing it from corroding; keeping rain off your visor to...

Tried and tested: LS2 Swift racing glove review

Tried and tested: LS2 Swift racing glove review

These LS2 Swift gloves are a sporty leather option from the firm best known for making helmets. They offer great feel and protection without breaking the bank. Gloves are an essential part of your...

Tried and tested: Metrovac Blaster Sidekick review

Tried and tested: Metrovac Blaster Sidekick review

When I first tested this Metrovac Blaster Sidekick motorcycle dryer, it was selling at £150. For that kind of money, I came to the conclusion that I would stick with a chamois leather or a microfibre...

Maximum versatility: Best three season motorcycle gloves

Maximum versatility: Best three season motorcycle gloves

A pair of three-season motorcycle gloves is a staple in most motorcyclists’ wardrobes. They offer excellent versatility and can be had for a reasonable price, as well as offering very good protection...

Hotfooting it: Best summer motorcycle boots

Hotfooting it: Best summer motorcycle boots

A good pair of summer motorcycle boots will make sure your feet don’t roast in hot weather without sacrificing protection. We all love riding motorcycles in summer; long days, bright sunshine and...

Full chat: Best motorcycle intercoms as chosen by MCN

Full chat: Best motorcycle intercoms as chosen by MCN

Motorcycle intercoms tend to divide opinion: while some motorcyclists prefer the silence and solitude of riding – in fact, that’s the draw for many – some swing the other way and like to be connected...

Charge ahead with the best battery chargers to get you and your ride back on the road

Charge ahead with the best battery chargers to get you and your ride back on the road

There’s a strong case for dedicated motorcycle battery chargers. Most batteries will become discharged if the bike is left alone for a period of time (sometimes as little as a couple of weeks), and...

Think on your feet: Best motorcycle boots as chosen by MCN

Think on your feet: Best motorcycle boots as chosen by MCN

There’s a dizzying choice of motorcycle boots on the market these days, covering every type of two-wheel activity, from urban scooter commuting to on/off-road dual-sport adventure. As with other...

Winter warmers: Best heated motorcycle gloves

Winter warmers: Best heated motorcycle gloves

A good pair of motorbike gloves is essential when the temperature drops. However, when it’s really cold, sometimes we need to actually add heat via something like a pair of heated motorcycle gloves to...

We ride hundreds of thousands of miles per year and these are the best chain lubes we've found for all conditions

We ride hundreds of thousands of miles per year and these are the best chain lubes we've found for all conditions

Chain lube is an essential maintenance spray for any motorcycle that uses a drive chain (which is the vast majority). Modern X-ring or O-ring chains have built-in lubricant on the inside of the...

Stand up straight: Best motorcycle paddock stands as chosen by MCN

Stand up straight: Best motorcycle paddock stands as chosen by MCN

There are lots of reasons why a motorcycle paddock stand is a fundamental accessory, even if you’ve only got a basic tool set-up. First and foremost, bikes like being stored upright. There are...

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

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

A good pair of winter motorcycle gloves is essential through the colder months. Riding a motorbike with cold hands can be uncomfortable, painful or even dangerous once numbness sets in and affects...

Lightning in a box: Best motorcycle jump packs

Lightning in a box: Best motorcycle jump packs

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...

Best motorcycle touring boots as chosen by MCN

Best motorcycle touring boots as chosen by MCN

For riders who want to go any distance – whether it’s a long day-trip, a hefty commute or for a longer, multi-day tour – a pair of sturdy motorcycle touring boots is essential. They should offer...

Smoking rollups: Best motorcycle rollbags as chosen by MCN

Smoking rollups: Best motorcycle rollbags as chosen by MCN

One of the most versatile ways of carrying gear on your bike is with a rollbag. These are easy to fill, easy to fix to the luggage rack or pillion seat, will keep your gear safe and dry and are also...

Two steps on the water: Best waterproof motorcycle boots

Two steps on the water: Best waterproof motorcycle boots

A decent pair of waterproof motorcycle boots should be essential kit in every biker’s armoury. There’s nothing worse than riding with wet feet, regardless of how far you’ve got to go, as not only can...

Listen up! The best motorcycle earphones as chosen by MCN

Listen up! The best motorcycle earphones as chosen by MCN

For many riders, the solitude and peace of riding a motorcycle is what they love; no phones, emails or questions, just them and their bike and the road. However, others, myself included, like to...