Spring Motorbiking: All The Accessories You Need
By
1 week ago
Dust down your leathers because spring’s here! Now’s the time to saddle up and explore on two wheels
Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby chooses the best motorbike accessories for all budgets.
Spring Motorbike Accessories
JT-P – This is usually the season when you’re not found loading the dishwasher after supper but more likely than not in the garage…
JT – Well, you have to look after your bike! Motorcycles save money on petrol, road tax and, because they are smaller than cars, they ease congestion on the road.
They’re obviously good fun too, judging by your love of two wheels. So, what’s the latest kit for 2025?
Okay, here’s my pick of what every self-respecting biker might want to invest in for the new riding season, hopefully something for everyone.
Suited & Booted
Motorcycle boots don’t have to be heavyweight and ugly. The Vanucci VAB-7 Sympatex (£251) is a beautiful, Italian-styled cowhide motorcycle boot, both waterproof and windproof. Footwear for bikes is a matter of personal taste – these soften up with use and give the rider plenty of pedal ‘feel’. Some ingenious VAB-7 features you will never have to consider with a normal shoe include textile-reinforced toenail protection and reflective heels!
Hot Hands
A personal favourite – especially for those prone to cold fingers. Daytona’s latest heated grip warmers (£114) now feature a control switch built-in to the left-hand grip. No more fiddly button units on the handlebars – freeing up space for other devices, like a sat nav. Choose from five LED-lit heat settings and you will never have an excuse not to ride in the winter months again
Light Fantastic
I’ve never been a fan of accessory spotlights on cars or bikes – these universal fit LEDs have changed all that! Complete with multi-adjustable crash bar clamps, the EVO High Beam kit (£297) has transformed my riding experience at night. They are also brilliant at ensuring car drivers can see me during the daytime. Wrapped in rugged, reinforced casing, they won’t be wrecked if you drop your machine too. Makers SW-Motech offer a vast range of lights to suit any bike.
Hit Helmet
My helmet is ancient, so I’ve invested in the latest AGV model for long days in the saddle. The AGV Tourmodular (£449) is built to the latest ECE 22.05 safety standards and features a flip-up front – great for keeping your ‘lid’ on during brief stops. The GV offers brilliant ventilation front down too, with a superb chin strap fastener. There’s a second, interior sun visor but my top feature is the ‘just open’ settings on the outer visor, which allows just enough air in.
Gripping Stuff
A mobile phone is your sat nav, emergency contact multi-tool on a bike. Keeping it securely in place on the handlebars has resulted in all types of solutions – none more successful than Quadlock (from £55.98). Fitted with a matching Quadlock case, your mobile can lock on to a variety of Quadlock systems across most activities, from biking to cycling, car and boat. Choose from all manner of add-ons for the motorbike system, such as a wireless charger, vibration damper and waterproof phone case. You’ll wonder how you ever got by without one.
Top Tyres
My off-road riding ability is legendary – I usually end up in the dirt. The latest Continental Trail Attack 3 (£105) is billed as an adventure tyre for the road and may help even me stay upright. On my Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Trail Attacks also offer a faster warm-up time for better grip, a higher speed rating than the standard tyre and better long-term wear too. I’ve found them a great asset on more uneven country roads, helping to inspire my confidence in the saddle.
Sound Move
These are brilliant! The pockets in all my motorcycle clothes are always loaded with squidgy ear-plugs – not any more. The Bluetooth SoundEar (£239) requires a quick visit to an audiologist for a professional fitting but the result is a bespoke earpiece that deadens harmful noise at any speed. They also feature Bluetooth 5.0 technology for crystal clear sound when connected to a sat nav or phone – or both at the same time. Use for noisy lawn mowing, or at motorsport events too!
Lock It Or Lose It!
Finally, motorbikes and even electric bicycles cost thousands of pounds these days – keep them safe with this heavy-duty steel chain featuring a 120db motion-sensor alarm. The Kovix KCL 1500mm chain (£125) will scare the bejesus out of any would-be chief, thanks to a 120Db blast. Supplied with a long-life battery, three keys and a genuinely hand carry bag.
Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.
