Tools | Page 2

Plug and play: How check and change your motorcycle spark plugs

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Unless you own a diesel motorcycle, then the spark plug in your petrol engine is probably one of the most key components if you want to operate your bike. Of course, there are others – tyres, brakes...

Let there be light: Best motorcycle headlight bulb upgrades

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Like many components on your motorcycle, the headlight bulbs are designed to do an acceptable job while mass production techniques make sure they are as cheap as possible. However, also like many of...

Do it all: Best multi-tools for motorcycle repairs

14 September 2023 by Chris Williams

Carrying lots of kit isn’t really in line with the motorcycling brief, even with the bigger touring bikes. Yet, multi-tools for motorcycle repairs are handy. Every so often, we need to fettle with...

Save your energy: How to look after your motorcycle battery

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Motorcycle battery maintenance is a key element to ensuring you can enjoy your riding as much as possible. There is nothing worse than excitedly approaching your bike only to find the starter won’t...

Motorcycle Jump Packs Buying Guide | Bring your bike back from the grave in a flash here on MCN

14 September 2023 by Phil Clarke

There’s no worse feeling than getting ready to go to ride only to hop on, press the ignition, and be met with nothing but cold dead silence. We’re all secretly hoping it won’t happen every time we...

Socket to me: Best socket sets for motorcycle maintenance

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Most motorcyclists will tackle some form of work on their bike at some point and if you do, one of the first items you need in your tool kit is a socket sets. Depending on whether you enjoy working...

Nutcrackers: Best spanners for motorcycle maintenance

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

A good socket set is generally top of the wish – or indeed, need – list for any home mechanic’s tool set. However, following it up very closely is a good set of spanners, as sockets without the best...

Fan favourite: How to check your motorcycle cooling system

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Checking your motorcycle cooling system is important. In the past, most bikes were air-cooled. Although that’s a bit of a misnomer; it was a combination of air and oil-cooling, with the oil being...

Mobile mechanic: Best portable and onboard toolkits

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There are times when you need some tools with you on a ride. It might be a day out or a long tour but somewhere along the line you might need a portable and onboard motorcycle toolkit to do a little...

The missing link: Best motorcycle chain tools

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There are various motorcycle chain tools available to help you work on your own bike chain, ranging from DIY handheld devices to heavier-duty versions aimed more at professionals. We’ve put together a...

Advanced mechanics: Best motorcycle workshop luxuries

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

If you enjoy working on your motorcycle, either for essential maintenance or for more in-depth spannering such as restoration work, then you will probably already have a decent range of essential...

Flat-head or Phillips: Best screwdriver sets for motorcycle maintenance

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

In building a toolkit to use at home to look after your motorcycle, once you have sourced a socket set and spanners, then a screwdriver set is probably the next most essential component that you will...

Pull up a pew: Best workshop seats

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

If you have an elevating table, working on your motorcycle is so much easier than at ground level. However, they can still mean you need to get on your knees for certain jobs – working on brakes or...

Keep on stopping: How to change motorcycle brake pads

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It’s inevitable that if you carry out your own maintenance, sooner or later you will be changing motorcycle brake pads. They are, after all, consumable and will need replacing more or less often,...

Best motorcycle battery chargers in 2024 | Get back on the road or keep your battery topped up

14 September 2023 by Phil Clarke

There’s a strong case for dedicated motorcycle battery chargers. Most batteries will become discharged if the bike is left alone for a period of time (sometimes as little as a couple of weeks), and...

Tried and tested: CTEK CT5 Battery Charger review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

It used to be really easy to look after motorbike or car batteries. You just connected a battery charger that you paid a few quid for from a high-street shop and Bob is your proverbial mum’s brother.

Get a grip! Best pliers for motorcycle mechanics

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Any home – or even professional – mechanic knows that sometimes, you need to get strong with a bike. Occasionally you need to go to your motorcycle toolkit and get the big breaker bar for a stubborn...

Strong start: Best motorcycle batteries as picked by MCN

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

We’re all guilty of taking our motorcycle batteries for granted until they eventually run out. Whether it’s through lack of use or the battery is aged and discharging you’ll need a new one at some...

The best motorcycle cleaning products tried and tested by MCN | The stuff that really works

14 September 2023 by Ben Clarke

Some bikers relish getting out the bucket and sponge and setting about cleaning their motorcycle with all manner of lotions and potions – but I am definitely not one of them. The easier you can make...

Motorcycle lifts and benches buying guide | How they make bike maintenance a joy and our favourites

14 September 2023 by Phil Clarke

Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment you get from working on your own motorbike. Whether you’re simply cleaning the chain or getting your hands dirty with something more serious, almost every...

Autobrite Direct Extreme Range review | A comprehensive cleaning kit for the dedicated detailer

14 September 2023 by Ryan Gilmore

Since 2005 Autobrite Direct has been offering an excellent range of cleaning products perfect for keeping cars looking better than new. It’s now launched a selection of motorcycle cleaning products...

Tried and tested: Healtech Thunderbox review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

One of the issues if you run a collection of electrical accessories – sat-nav, heated kit, phone charger, spotlights – is remembering to turn it all off when you get to your destination and hop off...

Tried and tested: Oxford Mint bike care range review

14 September 2023 by MCN

Mint smells nice, has a close association with freshness and goes well with lamb. Most of these are good affinities to have when looking for bike cleaning products, like the Oxford Mint bike care...

Tried and tested: Ring RSC706 Battery Charger review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

There’s little particularly interesting about a battery charger. That is until you have a weakening battery, or are perhaps not planning on using the bike for a while over winter, and you want to look...

Tried and tested: Metrovac Blaster Sidekick review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

When I first tested this Metrovac Blaster Sidekick motorcycle dryer, it was selling at £150. For that kind of money, I came to the conclusion that I would stick with a chamois leather or a microfibre...

Tried and tested: Draper Expert T-handle hex keys review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Many of us will have a set of Allen keys in our toolkits that have been there forever. I know I have – several – and they are generally a bit rusty and a bit unloved. There is though another set of...

Tried and tested: Ferodo HH sintered brake pads review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Royal Enfield’s Himalayan mini adventure bike has been a great success, thanks to its charm and keen price, of less than £5,000 brand new. However, it is not without its limitations and one has been...

Do it yourself! A buying guide to garage essentials for a basic motorcycle toolkit

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Whether you strip down and rebuild your bikes from spindle to spindle, service your bike at home to save money, or simply look after your chain, you will require a certain amount of tools. Some...

Torquing heads... A guide to the best motorcycle torque wrenches, an essential tool for any fettler

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

Pretty much every nut and bolt on your motorcycle will have a pre-determined torque figure according to the manufacturer, so every motorbike toolkit should include a torque wrench. Whether you just...

Tried and tested: Gedore 172 Piece Socket Set review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

One of the key ingredients in any home mechanic’s toolkit is a decent socket set. However, getting the right size, particularly for working on motorcycles, is tricky. The Gedore 172 piece socket set...

Tried and tested: Abba Superbike Stand Review

14 September 2023 by Jim Blackstock

This novel take on a motorcycle paddock stand from Abba is a great addition to your home workshop for general maintenance and cleaning. It’s a fact of life that if your bike has – or can have an...