Righty tighty: Best motorcycle torque wrenches

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 torque wrenches.

Torque is a force applied at a radial distance and is a measure of how tightly you do up a bolt or fixing, and while screws may not need an accurate measure of torque application, most nuts and bolts do. The only way to make sure you have it correct is by using a torque wrench.

These measure the applied torque and most will ‘crack’ when they reach the pre-determined level. For example, you find out the correct setting for a particular fixing, set your torque wrench to that figure then tighten the fixing until the wrench ‘cracks’ – a clutch releases when you reach the required torque.

However, some are more technical than that and offer a digital read-out of the torque being applied, for even closer accuracy.

Getting the torque right is important for several reasons; it provides the correct clamping force for the component that the nut or bolt is securing, such as an engine casing, for example.

Too tight and the casing could get damaged, too loose and it may not provide a proper seal. Other fixtures will prevent movement, such as tightening rear-wheel spindles; too loose and it may allow dangerous movement while getting it right is essential to stop this as well as allow future work to be carried out easily and prevent damage.

Related: The best spanners for motorbike maintenance

When it comes to motorcycles, if you tackle most jobs yourself, one of the best motorcycle torque wrenches will help. You would almost certainly need a 1/2in drive torque wrench, especially if you plan to ever remove the wheels or adjust your chain.

Motorcycle rear-wheel spindles can require torquing up to 150Nm (110lb·ft), which is the equivalent of a force of 110lbs or 50kg being applied by a 1ft (300mm) long lever. To put it into context, that’s really tight – the wheel nut for a Volvo XC90, for example, is 105lb·ft.

Here’s a selection of the best motorcycle torque wrenches that can help you get every job right.

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