Product Reviews
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The top 7 motorcycle accessories for 2017
27 January 2017 by
mcn shop There are a lot of new products this year that will make our motorcycling lives that little bit easier, regardless of what or where you ride. Here are a few of the accessories we’re looking forward...
Review: Venhill Canvas and Leather tool roll
27 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Price: Venhill Canvas and Leather tool roll £29.75 / Socket and Driver Set £29.73 Time tested: Six months What’s good? I tend to ride different bikes, some of them rather old, and if I’m planning a...
MT Blade SV Raceline fits like a dream
26 January 2017 by
Time tested: 500 miles What’s good? For a budget helmet, the MT has been quite impressive over my first 500 miles using it. It’s impressively comfortable, and I don’t know if it’s just down to luck...
Top 5 Hi-Vis jackets
24 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Make sure you can be seen throughout the darker nights with these High Visibility jackets. Bad things happen at night – vampires rise, Bigfoot lurks, mysterious shadowed-figures appear and crawl out...
The top 12 textile and leather jackets for 2017
23 January 2017 by
MCN Shop From cutting-edge technology to the season’s best bargains, here are 12 of this year's stand-out textile and leather biker jackets. BMW Motorrad Street Air by Alpinestars £1600 This new airbag jacket...
Top 5 Hi-Vis vests
23 January 2017 by
MCN Shop It’s not a fashion statement – keep yourself visible on the road with these high visibility Vests! Whether you are dealing with the wintery morning commute or a wet-Sunday blast on the tarmac, keep...
The top 2 race suits for 2017
22 January 2017 by
MCN Shop The cutting-edge technology used to build these race suits makes them some of 2017's most eye catching gear. Spidi Replica Piloti Wind Pro race suit, £999.99 Heavily perforated race-ready one-piece...
Top 6 gloves for 2017
21 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Alpinestars Rage Drystar, £99.99 Shorty-style glove that's perfect for urban sportsbike riders. Mixing leather and polyfabric with carbon knuckle guards and a palm slider, it also packs a waterproof...
Top 13 helmets for 2017
20 January 2017 by
mcn shop From cutting edge tech and a helmet just a penny shy of £1000, to a bargain helmet for less than £80. These are this year's stand out helmets. AGV Pista GP-R, £999.99 The evolution of AGV’s flagship...
Rok Straps: Never struggle with bungees again
19 January 2017 by
We've all used bungee cords to secure our luggage over they years, and we all know how much of an annoyance they can be at times. Trying with all our might to stretch them that last centimetre before...
Product Review: Weise Legend WP gloves
18 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Time tested: Three months/1500 miles What’s good? Made from a mix of full-grain leather on the palms, fingers and knuckles and Nyspan textile fabric on the back of the hand, the Weise Legend...
Review: Alpinestars Valparaiso Drystar jacket and trousers
16 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Price: Jacket £349.99, trousers £229.99 Time tested: Eight months/3000 miles What’s good? With the chilly weather drawing in again I’ve dug this adventure kit out of the cupboard. They’re not cheap...
Top 5 waterproof biking jeans
11 January 2017 by
MCN Shop For year-round, all-weather motorcyclists, poor weather can be a real pain in the a***! So having waterproof gear is an absolute must - especially during the winter and spring months when rain is in...
What's good and what's not about the Raincoat Pro?
09 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Raincoat Pro £18 Tested by: Michael Neeves Time tested: Two months/2000 miles What’s good? For the past 30 years’ riding my preferred method for getting rain off my visor is to simply turn my...
What's good and what's not about Dainese' Spine back protector?
08 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Price: £79.96 What’s good? Extremely lightweight and comfortable, this back protector has been part of my racing and track testing kit for many years. Made from an articulated plastic outer...
Area 22 Anti-Slip Adjustable Short for Suzuki, £74.95
07 January 2017 by
Time tested: 1700 miles/two months What’s good? These are the first short levers I have used and I was pleasantly surprised with them. To begin with I was questioning their benefit, but they saw me...
Alpinestars Bionic Tech Jacket, £219.99
06 January 2017 by
Time tested: 1750 miles/eight months What’s good? Over the years I’ve found that the key to good body armour is not only the level of protection it provides, but also how comfortable and how well...
‘Waterproof and warm but some zip issues’
05 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Time tested: 7000 miles/four months Price: Oxford Misano Textile Jacket £129.99, Continental 2.0 trousers £129.99 What’s good? This Oxford suit is great value for money. I’ve ridden more...
Top 5 of the most practical & stylish beanies
05 January 2017 by
MCN Shop If you’re looking for warm and stylish headgear to wear around town this winter, when you’re not out on your motorcycle, then look no further. MCN have hand-picked five of the most practical,...
Abus Trigger 330 is hard to nobble
04 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Time tested: Four years What’s good? Abus have a large variety of disc locks ranging from the extremely lightweight through to the alarmed and seriously hard to nobble. This handy little...
Fuzzy Furygan Vent Sympatex gloves keep out the cold
04 January 2017 by
Time tested: 6000 miles/ seven months What’s good? It’s hard not to love a glove which is lined with faux fur. Slip your hand into the Furygan and it’s instantly treated to a warm and fuzzy welcome.
Shoot pro-quality video with the AIM SmartyCam GP HD
02 January 2017 by
Time tested: Two race meetings What’s good? This professional-spec bullet camera records all your on-track action in 1280p HD and (when linked to an AIM logger) instantly creates data overlay graphics...
Review: Venhill 1/4in square drive swivel ratchet handle
02 January 2017 by
MCN Shop Time tested: Two years What’s good? If you enjoy spannering on bikes it’s worth investing in good tools – having the right tool for the job can turn a tiresome task into an absolute joy.
Forma Adventure boots become firm favourite
30 December 2016 by
Time tested: 6 months/15,000 miles What’s good? These are, without doubt, the most comfortable motorcycle boots that I have worn. They’re rugged and have seen me through plenty of miles this year. The...
Review: Givi EA112 Tablet Pocket
30 December 2016 by
MCN Shop Time tested: Five months/2800 miles What's good? I hate satnavs and always prefer a map or a handwritten route when travelling, so I needed to find a solution for a recent trip to France.
AMMO Typhoon Wash & Shield, £9.95
29 December 2016 by
Time tested: Six washes/one month What’s good: We used to drop a dollop of Fairy Liquid in a bucket and think we were giving our bikes a posh wash – but now the shelves are littered with myriad...
Arai RX-7 GP: "It kept me safe when I highsided"
29 December 2016 by
Time tested: 30,000 miles/five years What’s good: I have been wearing Arai helmets for 20 years. This RX-7 GP is now five years old and has been used for road-test work and racing. It has kept me safe...
Review: Sealskinz waterproof walking socks
29 December 2016 by
MCN Shop Time tested: Two months/1500 miles What’s good? You know the preconception that socks make really naff Christmas presents? Forget it if you got a pair of these this year – they’re...
'This electric bike has left my boy buzzing'
28 December 2016 by
MCN Shop Time tested: Ten weeks What’s good? The 2017 Oset 12.5V Racing is an electric trials machine designed for kids from 2-5 years old – and it’s the perfect starter bike. My boy loves it,...
MCN’s top 5 winter essentials
19 December 2016 by
MCN staff have sploshed through enough puddles, ridden through plenty of lorry spray and slogged the length of the country (and beyond) in driving rain, to make sure we thoroughly test the kit we’re...
Top 5 riding socks just for you
16 December 2016 by
MCN Shop Ward off frozen toes and shivering shins with a pair of these woolly wonders for sale now on MCNshop.com. EDZ All Climate Boot Socks, £7.99 Made from a mix of wool and performance yarns for the...
BMW large soft bag, £175
15 December 2016 by
Time tested: Three weeks/1000 miles What’s good: I didn’t think this would be as good as a conventional hard top box, but it’s better. It’s huge – the 50-55 litre capacity is more than BMW’s topbox.
Givi GRT703 40L waterproof cargo bag, £101.80
12 December 2016 by
Time tested 4 months/3000 miles What’s good? I’ve taken to using this bag when I go camping. Its 40-litre capacity is perfect to keep all the gear I need for a weekend away and because of this I...
XCP Chain lube, £6
11 December 2016 by
Time tested 5 months/half a can What’s good? It does what it says on the tin: lays down a thin, non-sticky film that doesn’t easily fling off. I like it. Chain lubes are a largely a matter of personal...
Alpinestars Force Backpack, £139.99
10 December 2016 by
Time tested 6 months/2500 miles What's good? I’ve used the rucksack for both commuting to work and also for the odd weekend away. It’s really comfortable because of the combination of the wide,...
Metzeler Racetec RR K3 £126.03 (front) £184.56 (rear)
09 December 2016 by
Metzeler Racetec RR K3 £126.03 (front) £184.56 (rear) Time tested Three months/2000 miles What’s good I was a little apprehensive about going for an out-and-out sports tyre for my long-term Husqvarna...