Tools

Year: ALL

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...

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...

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: 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...

Tried and tested: Ferodo HH sintered brake pads review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Royal Enfield’s Himalayan mini adventure bike has been a great success, thanks to its charm and keen price, of less than £5,000 brand new. However, it is not without its limitations and one has been...

Righty tighty: Best motorcycle torque wrenches

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Pretty much every nut and bolt on your motorcycle will have a pre-determined figure for the torque it should be done up to, so all the best motorbike toolkits should include one of the best motorcycle...

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...

Dry cleaners: Best motorcycle waterless washes

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Sometimes, thoroughly cleaning your motorbike with a wash, dry, polish and wax, is not just essential to maintain its finish but can be eminently satisfying. The process of turning a filthy bike,...

Mobile mechanic: Best portable and onboard toolkits

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There are times when you need some tools with you on a ride. It might be a day out or a long tour but somewhere along the line you might need a portable and onboard motorcycle toolkit to do a little...

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...

Tried and tested: Worx Hydroshot brushless review

14 September 2023 by Adam Binnie

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...

Pull up a pew: Best workshop seats

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

If you have an elevating table, working on your motorcycle is so much easier than at ground level. However, they can still mean you need to get on your knees for certain jobs – working on brakes or...

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...

Love your links: Best chain cleaners as chosen by MCN

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Unless you own a belt or shaft-driven motorcycle, then chain cleaners and lubrication is part of your life, the same way that cleaning your bike is essential to keeping it not only looking good but...

Let there be light: Best motorcycle headlight bulb upgrades

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

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...

The missing link: Best motorcycle chain tools

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There are various motorcycle chain tools available to help you work on your own bike chain, ranging from DIY handheld devices to heavier-duty versions aimed more at professionals. We’ve put together a...

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...

Top gear: Best chain and sprocket upgrades

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

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. There are...

Shiny, happy people: Best motorcycle chrome cleaners

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

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...

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...

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: Muc-Off Pressure Washer review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

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...

Tried and tested: Metrovac Blaster Sidekick review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

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...

Wash 'n' go: Best motorcycle cleaning products

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

For most people, motorcycle cleaning products aren’t the most interesting, but unfortunately, it’s also essential to make sure it stays bright and fresh for as long as possible. Regular cleaning...

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

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

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...

Socket to me: Best socket sets for motorcycle maintenance

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Most motorcyclists will tackle some form of work on their bike at some point and if you do, one of the first items you need in your tool kit is a socket sets. Depending on whether you enjoy working...

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...

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...