Life on two wheels can be low-tech and simple – or as high-tech as you want. From GPS to a device that flashes a red light when your mobile rings (because you’ve got your ear plugs in, haven’t you) there is no end to the gadgets you can buy for your motorcycle.
Let’s start with sat-nav. There’s a reason why the major sat-nav companies are now making models specially for use on motorbikes...
You really don’t have to be a tough, outdoors type to ride a scooter or motorcycle. Modern gear means you can be as warm on a motorbike as you would be on the bus. And it’s not just about comfort. Getting cold can be dangerously distracting, just when you need to have your wits about you.
There are four key ways to stay toasty on two wheels:
Some riders are free spirits. They slip a credit card into their leathers and head off around the world. But for the rest of us, things must be carried, and they won’t all fit in our pockets. So let’s look at some of the solutions.
If you’re on a scooter, or a motorbike designed for touring, you may have built-in luggage space. Scooters tend to have plenty of room under the seat,...
Motorcycles and scooters are easy to move around and small enough to fit into a van. Unfortunately, this makes them easy to steal. New scooters and small motorcycles are especially likely to go missing.
So do what you can to deter the thieves. Park somewhere sensible, where it’s not easy to lift your pride and joy into a van, and where there’s something immoveable you can lock it to...
The law says you must wear a motorcycle helmet whenever you ride, but that doesn’t mean it’s cool to ride in shorts and flip-flops, a bikini or stilettos. The right gear won’t just help you look the part, it could also make the difference between a knock to the ego and a week in hospital. Most motorcycle accidents happen at low speeds, so it makes sense to be able to walk away with slight...
Even if you plan to take your motorcycle back to the dealers for all its servicing, there are a few essential maintenance jobs you should be doing regularly for yourself.
If it’s chain-driven, you need to keep the chain unclogged and lubricated, so invest in some lubricant or “lube”. If that seems like a lot of hassle, think about getting an automatic lubricating system that will do the...
Your hands and feet are operating important controls as you ride, so the boots and gloves you choose are doing a number of vital jobs. As well as protecting you in case of accident, they have to keep you warm and dry without hindering your free movement. To see why the right gloves matter, try texting when your fingers are numb with cold.
Boots:
Even on a...
You may be perfectly happy with your motorcycle the way it is. But if not, there are thousands of ways you can tweak it until it’s absolutely perfect.
For example, you like your traditional, naked motorbike or your elegant urban scooter. But you don’t like the way the wind cuts through your jacket when you ride on faster roads. No problem, invest in a windscreen and be amazed at how much...
Whether you go for leathers or textiles, jacket and trousers or all-in-one suit, your clothing has to do a lot of jobs. You want it to keep you warm and dry, but not too warm in the summer. Even more important, it should protect you if you come off your scooter or motorcycle. And of course you want it to look right.
Leather is the traditional material for motorbike riding. It’s...
Always buy new, and try on several different makes as fit is very important and, like clothes, different manufacturers work to different shapes.
Get a friend to try to twist the helmet on your head (gently!). If it moves more than a few millimetres it’s either too big or the wrong shape for your head. It shouldn’t move enough to hurt your ears! If you’ve got the unflattering hamster-...