Product Reviews

Time used Five years/20,000 miles What’s good? Everyone has their favourite, slightly scruffy black leather biker jacket – one they adore and just keep coming back to again and again. This is mine:...

Excellent boots with more going on than meets the eye. Velcro flap over the zip can be removed to put the boots into a more summery mode. There’s a stretchy top panel at the rear, and an elasticated...

Tester Dan Sutherland Time tested: 1700 miles What’s good? The Knox Handroid is certainly a glove that looks the part. The twist-action Boa lacing closure at the wrist and exo skeletal structure along...

Area 22 Anti-Slip Adjustable Short Motorcycle Levers for Suzuki (£74.95) Tester Dan Sutherland Time tested: 1700 miles What’s good? These are the first short levers I have ever used on a bike and I...

Tester Emma Franklin Time tested Two race meetings What’s good: This professional-spec bullet camera both records all your on-track action in 1280p HD and also instantly creates data overlay graphics,...

Lower than other touring boots, these heavily built Daytonas are instantly comfortable. The calf width is adjustable, and there’s the choice of a wide fitting at no extra cost. They’re good to walk in...

What’s good about the Petzl Tikkina head torch? This is very much at the budget end of the head-torch spectrum, but I took the plunge on the basis that it was from a solid brand, and had attracted a...

The slightly square back of the Skwal doesn’t affect its stability, even at speed. It is a squeeze to get on, but it’s comfy with a pleasantly non-sweaty liner. The field of view is deep and wide,...

Time used: 2000 miles What’s good? If you feel the cool, then this is just the job. I always hold off with the extra layers until I really need them. I don’t worry on short runs, but if I’m out for...

Time tested: Six months/1500 miles What’s good? This pack has its own bungee straps and Velcro attachments so it’s easy to get things in place. The size suits a day trip or a weekend break for one and...

Time used: Six months/6000 miles What’s good? These have kept me dry on numerous big-mile cross-continental trips, commuting and MCN test riding. They have the reassuring durability and protection of...

Time used: Five months/600 miles What’s good? I used to really like Suomy helmets and for as long as they were being brought into the UK they were my helmet of choice – they fitted my head perfectly.

MCN SHOPRace boots represent the pinnacle of riding protection for your feet, ankles and shins. Solid cups should keep your heels and toes guarded against crushing, as should a solid shank in the sole that...

The N87 is quiet at low speed but gets a little noisier above 100mph. The field of vision is good and the seam of the Pinlock never obstructs the view. The multi-adjustable sun visor, operated by a...

The FG-ST feels like a high-spec lightweight lid, from the smart matt-finish paint to the smooth, non-itchy liner. The field of view is good and deep, so the seam of the Max-Vision Pinlock never gets...

What’s good about the Caberg Drift helmet? Caberg are normally associated with cheaper helmets with thermoplastic shells, but this is part of the Italian firm’s attempt to move upmarket. The Drift has...

Time tested: Six months/4000 miles What's good? Considering the price, these boots have been excellent. They've stood up to lots of wear, have been comfortable and haven’t made my feet excessively...

What’s good about the Spada Pilgrim riding shoes? These look great. When you ride a retro like my Ducati Scrambler it seems daft turning up with full-on boots, but wearing footwear that’s not designed...

Time tested: Four months/850 miles What’s good? At 6ft 5in I have a difficult time finding jackets that fit properly. Usually they’re too short in the body or made for someone who’s more rotund around...

What’s good about the Powerhouse brake caliper refurb service? This great value service treats tired, corroded, scuffed and seized brake calipers to a new lease of life. The pair of Tokico calipers on...

What’s good about the Nexx XG100 Bolt helmet? It’s certainly individual. In both looks and design the XG is like no other helmet I’ve used before. With studs for a sun peak and a clip-on visor the...

What’s good about the Alpinestars Rayburn riding shoes? When I first saw these boots I felt Alpinestars had got the look just right. I ride classic bikes a lot and felt they would be just the job for...

What’s good about the Kriega Hydro 3 hydration pack? Kriega have a well-deserved reputation for producing high-end bike rucksacks and luggage - and this Hydro-3 backpack lives up to their standards.

What’s good about the Schuberth E1 helmet? Schuberth’s new E1 helmet is based on their C3 Pro flipfront but with a different chinbar, a more off-road suitable liner and a removable peak. Subtle...

What’s good about the Bell Qualifier DLX helmet? The visor on this mid-priced Bell helmet is one of the finest innovations in my 15 years of reporting on motorcycling products. It’s by a company...

What’s good about the Alpinestars Corozol Adventure Drystar boots? These range-topping adventure-riding boots sit somewhere between a comfortable all-day touring boot and an enduro boot. I’ve been...

What’s good about the Floreat Energies Lithium Phosphate Racing Battery RBF400 and charger? Utilising Lithium Phosphate technology, this top-end British-built battery delivers significantly better...

What’s good about the TCX Lady X-Boulevard boots? From first wear these have been comfortable, both on and off the bike, taking very little breaking in. I’m riding a Harley-Davidson Street 750 this...

What’s good about the Weise Romulus gloves? Decent, understated protection that won’t leave you too much out of pocket. One aspect that drew me to the Romulus gloves was that they have passed CE...

What’s good about the ARMR Moto Kiso 2 jacket? ARMR Moto are a relatively new name that promises good quality, affordable products and this Kiso 2 Textile jacket certainly delivers that. It’s...

What’s good about the Roland Sand Dezel gloves? These retro gloves are dripping in quality and style. They not only look authentic, but feel amazing; the palms are so soft it almost feels like you’re...

What’s good about the X-Lite X-802RR Ultra Carbon helmet? This is a great looking, beautifully built, lightweight, good value racing-specification crash helmet. It’s built from carbon-fibre and has...

What’s good about the Held waterproof overboots? It’s summer, so you’re wearing summer boots – vented ones, I’d guess, perhaps a tad racy and certainly without a waterproof membrane. Then it rains and...

What’s good about the Dainese Latemar Gore-Tex boots? These waterproof boots saw me through a cold and very wet winter of riding with no issues at all. They were comfortable immediately and even in...

What’s good about the Oxford Aqua 12 rucksack? It’s bright, retina-burningly bright, but that means it stands out well against my black riding gear. The size of the bag is great, it’s only 12 litres...

What’s good about the Alpinestars S-MX Plus boots? I’ve worn Alpinestars Supertech R boots ever since the Italian firm released them, and despite trying several other brands and boots down the years,...