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 motorcycle gadgets you can buy to make your ride better.
Let’s start with sat-nav. There’s a reason why the major sat-nav companies are now making models specially for...
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-...
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. Knowing how to keep warm on a motorcycle gets rid of cold weather as a distraction.
There are four key ways to stay toasty on two wheels:
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...
There’s no better time to get out and ride than during the summer; the sunshine, blue skies and dry roads are inviting to any motorcycle or scooter rider. Wearing traditional motorcycle leathers would be pretty uncomfortable in the hot weather and tempting as shorts and trainers may look, they offer little protection.
Finding the right motorcycle gear for summer is important and...
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, making motorcycle security vital.
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...
Tyres are the only part of the motorcycle which are in contact with the road. Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on a relatively small area of road contact and it is therefore importance that your tyres are maintained in good condition at all times and that when the time comes to change them suitable replacements are fitted.
The original tyres for a...
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...
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 motorcycle luggage solutions out there.
If you’re on a scooter, or a motorbike designed for touring, you may have built-in luggage space. Scooters tend to have...
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...
