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

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 carry out basic motorcycle maintenance or you enjoy stripping your bike down and rebuilding it, a torque wrench is a must.

Torque is a force applied at a radial distance and is a measure of how tightly you do up a bolt or fixing, and while screws may not need an accurate measure of torque application, most nuts and bolts do. The only way to make sure you have it correct is by using a torque wrench.

These measure the applied torque and most will ‘crack’ when they reach the pre-determined level. Simply find out the correct torque figure for a particular fixing, set your torque wrench accordingly, then tighten the fixing until the wrench ‘cracks’ – a clutch releases when you reach the required torque.

However, some are more technical than that and offer a digital read-out of the torque being applied, for even closer accuracy.

Getting the torque right is important for several reasons; it provides the correct clamping force for the component that the nut or bolt is securing, such as an engine casing, for example.

Too tight and the casing could get damaged, too loose and it may not provide a proper seal. Other fixtures will prevent movement, such as tightening rear-wheel spindles; too loose and it may allow dangerous movement while getting it right is essential to stop this as well as allow future work to be carried out easily and prevent damage.

Related: The best spanners for motorbike maintenance

When it comes to motorcycles, you almost certainly need a 1/2in drive torque wrench, especially if you plan to ever remove the wheels or adjust your chain.

Motorcycle rear-wheel spindles can require torquing up to 150Nm (110lb·ft), which is the equivalent of a force of 110lbs or 50kg being applied by a 1ft (300mm) long lever. To put it into context, that’s really tight – the wheel nut for a Volvo XC90, for example, is 105lb·ft.

Here’s a selection of the best motorcycle torque wrenches we’ve tested that can help you get every job right.

Frequently asked questions

Does it matter which measurement I use?

No, as long as you set your torque wrench to the same settings that you have shown in your user manual for the motorcycle.

Can I just use a regular wrench and tighten it as far as I can?

Ideally no, you want to be reading the manual of your motorcycle and ensuring that every nut and bolt on your bike is done to the specific tightness listed in the manual. This way you won’t end up with unnecessary wear and tear to your bike. Or worse, parts rattling themselves off.

How MCN tests tools

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t usually test our tools to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions, using them to carry out maintenance and upgrades to our motorcycles. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.

Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.

If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

What our star ratings mean

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

- Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.