Bike Kit

Riding trousers review: Spidi Traveler 2 H2Out tried and tested

Riding trousers review: Spidi Traveler 2 H2Out tried and tested

Spidi Traveler 2 H2Out: tested for 2177 miles / 6 months These trousers got me through winter – no doubt about it. They’ve taken me through rain, sleet and even 11 snowstorms (yes, I counted) and I...

Best summer motorcycle trousers | We've tested these trousers to help keep you cool

Best summer motorcycle trousers | We've tested these trousers to help keep you cool

While multi-season textile jackets, with various detachable linings and waterproof membranes, are now commonplace, finding a pair of the best summer motorcycle trousers with plenty of ventilation...

Premium bond: The best laminated motorcycle trousers

Premium bond: The best laminated motorcycle trousers

As with textile motorcycle jackets, the features and materials of laminated motorcycle trousers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with the latest laminated versions being the most recent...

Down and dirty: Best adventure bike trousers

Down and dirty: Best adventure bike trousers

When we looked at adventure motorcycle jackets, we established that they have a wide range of requirements; keep you protected from falls and weather while also allowing your body to dissipate sweat...

Alpinestars Motegi V3 review | Practical and comfortable leathers both on and off track

Alpinestars Motegi V3 review | Practical and comfortable leathers both on and off track

The Alpinestars Motegi V3 are a brilliant all-round solution. I’ve found over the years that if I want clothing to fit me from top to toe, then I need to mix and match or go bespoke. A long-forgotten...

Apex predators: Best motorcycle knee sliders as chosen by MCN

Apex predators: Best motorcycle knee sliders as chosen by MCN

If you’re serious about fast riding, particularly on track, then you’ll already know you need a set of leathers; one-piece for full-on racing, though you can use two-piece for trackdays and they are a...

Airbag review: Furygan Universal Vest tried and tested

Airbag review: Furygan Universal Vest tried and tested

The Furygan airbag vest system uses technology developed by French firm In&motion which also provides the technology to other manufacturers, such as RST, Klim, Held and previous Furygan zip-in...

Jacket review: Richa Daytona 2 tried and tested

Jacket review: Richa Daytona 2 tried and tested

Leather motorcycle jackets that look good on all types of bike are, oddly, relatively hard to find. Sporty is easy, and so is out-and-out retro, but finding a timeless and well-spec’d jacket that I’d...

Jacket review: Goldtop Bobber tried and tested

Jacket review: Goldtop Bobber tried and tested

From the minute you pick up the Goldtop Bobber motorcycle jacket you can feel its quality – there’s a reassuring heft to it, the leather is soft and sumptuous, all the zips, buckles and fasteners feel...

Jacket review: Spada Peacedog tried and tested

Jacket review: Spada Peacedog tried and tested

After a helmet, a leather motorcycle jacket is perhaps the most well-known – and desirable – item of motorcycle clothing that people want – and recognise. And while there are lots of retro-styled...

Best RST airbag clothing

Best RST airbag clothing

RST airbag clothing offers an affordable way for many riders to get the latest safety tech. There are many, me included, who passionately feel that personal airbag clothing is the next game-changer...

Jacket review: Duchinni Strike tried and tested

Jacket review: Duchinni Strike tried and tested

The recent explosion in retro-styled motorcycles has led to a subsequent explosion in retro-styled clothing to match. This leather from Duchinni, the Strike, isn’t necessarily retro-styled but is...

Jacket review: Knox Urbane Pro tried and tested

Jacket review: Knox Urbane Pro tried and tested

The Knox Urbane Pro Mk2 is a versatile armoured under jacket that can form the foundation of whatever clothing system you want. All in one motorcycle jackets are great, however by their very...

Jacket review: Richa Charlestone tried and tested

Jacket review: Richa Charlestone tried and tested

Most people know quality when they come across it and the Richa Charlestone jacket really ticks the box. There are numerous ways to judge the quality of clothing and this jacket scores in each and...

Stand out from the crowd: Best hi viz motorbike kit

Stand out from the crowd: Best hi viz motorbike kit

There’s no doubt that if you want to be seen on your motorcycle or scooter, then wearing and using hi viz motorbike kit is the way to go. It does what it says on the tin; high visibility. It means...

Jacket review: Merlin Edale tried and tested

Jacket review: Merlin Edale tried and tested

The Merlin Edale is a waxed cotton motorcycle jacket that combines protection, a classic look and some waterproofing performance. When I think of waxed cotton jackets, I either conjure images of...

Woven winners: Best sporty textile motorcycle jackets

Woven winners: Best sporty textile motorcycle jackets

While leather can offer the highest levels of protection rating, a sporty textile jacket can come close and add functionality such as breathability alongside waterproofing and a range of other options...

Jacket review: Merlin Drifter tried and tested

Jacket review: Merlin Drifter tried and tested

The Merlin Drifter is part of the firm’s Explorer range, so it has a definite touch of adventure to it though it looks and feels equally at home on a retro or worn with a pair of riding jeans. One...

Retro practicality: Best waxed cotton motorcycle jackets

Retro practicality: Best waxed cotton motorcycle jackets

There was a time that there were only a couple of ways to keep water out of your riding jacket. One was to make it from leather (cows are, after all, waterproof) and the second was to make it from...

Textile suit review: Duchinni Hurricane jacket and Pacific pants tried and tested

Textile suit review: Duchinni Hurricane jacket and Pacific pants tried and tested

It’s a fallacy that you have to pay top money for top protection when it comes to motorcycle clothing. Sure, there are benefits to spending more, like extra features but that doesn’t mean that you...

Spidi Alpentrophy Textile Suit review | A laminated suit for all occasions

Spidi Alpentrophy Textile Suit review | A laminated suit for all occasions

The Spidi Alpentrophy is my second suit from the brand and is even more impressive than the predecessor, which I also had. It’s a very highly-specified combination that has seen me through several...

Safety in style: Best casual textile motorcycle jackets

Safety in style: Best casual textile motorcycle jackets

Casual textile motorcycle jackets offer all the comfort and style of a fashion garment but also carry some level of proper protection to the rider. Sometimes, you want the full-length protection...

Jacket review: Spada Ascent tried and tested

Jacket review: Spada Ascent tried and tested

The Spada Ascent is a touring/adventure style textile jacket that’s good to go whether you’re commuting through winter or taking on a round-the-world trip. There are some genuine bargains around...

Jacket review: Furygan Narval tried and tested

Jacket review: Furygan Narval tried and tested

The Furygan Narval is designed specifically to take its cues from the company’s sports leather jackets but with that flexibility that being formed in textile material offers. It’s a relatively short,...

Brace for the cold: Best winter motorbike jackets

Brace for the cold: Best winter motorbike jackets

Winter motorbike jackets are a crucial purchase if you ride year round because, if there’s one thing you can be sure about motorcycling in winter – at some point it will be cold. But while that...

Heated motorcycle jackets buying guide | How to unlock the warmest rides you've ever had this winter

Heated motorcycle jackets buying guide | How to unlock the warmest rides you've ever had this winter

It seems like there’s no getting away from the cold in the winter months, with the wind-chill effect blasting you down making each ride a cold and miserable experience. It’s no wonder you might want...

Laminated textile jacket buying guide | Brave the worst conditions and keep dry whatever the weather

Laminated textile jacket buying guide | Brave the worst conditions and keep dry whatever the weather

Motorcycle textiles are a technical marvel, featuring advanced abrasion resistant fibres and intelligent design to make all-weather riding a joy. In order to achieve this, many textiles employ...

Textile suit review: Oxford Mondial tried and tested

Textile suit review: Oxford Mondial tried and tested

When it launched, the Oxford Mondial jacket was £250 and the trousers were £200, making a laminated textile suit for well below £500 – a huge achievement. However, many other manufacturers have caught...

Jacket review: Oxford Dakar Dry2Dry Air 1.0 Textile tried and tested

Jacket review: Oxford Dakar Dry2Dry Air 1.0 Textile tried and tested

The Oxford Dakar jacket is a sports-adventure garment that promises to cope with anything a British summer can throw at it – from scorching hot sun one minute to barbecue-dowsing rain the next, and...

Jacket review: Alpinestars T-Fuse tried and tested

Jacket review: Alpinestars T-Fuse tried and tested

The Alpinestars T-Fuse is a short, sporty motorcycle jacket that was first released a couple of years ago. It has now been discontinued, but you can still find it online if you go looking, bear in...

Punching above their weight: Best lightweight motorcycle textiles

Punching above their weight: Best lightweight motorcycle textiles

Lightweight motorbike kit can be a versatile option for new riders and seasoned veterans alike. With plenty to choose from, you could opt for the do-it-all textile jacket or trousers, or perhaps...

In it for the long haul: Best touring motorbike jackets

In it for the long haul: Best touring motorbike jackets

The best motorcycle touring jacket is perhaps one of the most versatile bits of motorcycling gear. A decent one will keep you warm and dry when the weather gets unpleasant but allow you to stay cool,...

A buying guide to women's motorcycle jackets written by our female experts at MCN

A buying guide to women's motorcycle jackets written by our female experts at MCN

Choosing women’s motorcycle kit can be fairly tricky, what with sizing being so unpredictable and various style choices on offer. Picking out which motorcycle jacket is best for you can be quite a...

Youth of today: Best children's motorcycle jackets

Youth of today: Best children's motorcycle jackets

Just like your grown-up clothing, children’s motorcycle jackets should feature abrasion-resistant outer materials and protective armour in the key locations, including shoulders and elbows. You may...

Best motorcycle shirts and hoodies | MCN have tested these casual armoured options

Best motorcycle shirts and hoodies | MCN have tested these casual armoured options

Motorbike shirts and hoodies are a great way to stay comfortable and look casual on the road without sacrificing your safety, if you don’t want to wear a proper leather motorcycle jacket. There are...

Riding hoodie review: RST X Kevlar Tech tried and tested

Riding hoodie review: RST X Kevlar Tech tried and tested

The RST X Kevlar hoodie is a casual style hooded sweatshirt with a trick up its sleeve – it’s CE rated so you can have some peace of mind when you’re heading out in warmer weather without...