Exhausts

Ackropovic

If you want the best for almost any type of European and Japanese bike then look no further than fitting an Ackro pipe to your machine. Build quality, fit and sound are second to none however this type of quality comes at a premium. Various types of styles and finishes are available with to many models and types to list here.

Pro’s – Build , Quality, Sound

Cons – Cost, this type of quality doesn’t come cheap

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Arrow

Seen here fitted to a Triumph Speed Triple these Arrow cans as fitted as an option when the bike was new really do give the bike a really deep note, not quite on a V-twin scale but you can definitely here it coming. Added to this the bike now has a lovely burble when you come off the throttle, how much of this is the exhaust and how much is the triple engine is up for debate and the only real way to find out would be to do a back to back test against the same bike with a standard exhaust. We love the look of these arrows as they are well in keeping with the look of the bike. The cans come with removable DB killers and carbon end caps that really set them off well, quality also appears to be very good

Pro’s – Looks, Sound, Removable DB Killer

Cons – Nothing

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Cobra (Speedpro)

Ultraforce

Review to follow

Pro’s – looks, Sound, style, Cost

Cons – Corrosion resistance

Rating – 8.5/10

For more information click Here

GP2-RR

As with nearly any bike Bulby seems to purchase there are a number of things he likes to do to ‘personalise’ it and these normally are things like crash protection, a dark screen and an end can and when he got his XR it was no different however what was different was it was a brand new model and there was a pandemic that had brought a lock down for all but essential services and that left him with a problem as the market was very sparse for his bike.

After some digging and a reluctance to pay the £650 being asked for an end can by Ackro he settled on the Cobra GP 2RR. Now Cobra do make various cans for this bike of different styles and finishes however Bulby chose this combination as it offer the best power gain with the best increase in sound. Make no mistake this BMW is renown for end cans not making very much difference (thanks Euro emissions) so if you are looking for a snarling , spitting beast like the earlier XR’s the reports say you need to go for a decat system and remap. The quality and sound are great taking into account the limitations of the cat and the style really suits the bike as it follows the line of the original.

Pro’s – Looks, Cost (approx £450)

Cons – Euro emissions are stopping bikes sound awesome

Rating – 8/10

For more information click Here

Fuel

Review to follow

Pro’s – Cost, Look, Sound

Cons – Nothing

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

For a closer look click Here

Micron

For the younger population reading this blog a name that they may not have heard before is Micron. Micron were at the forefront of bike exhausts throughout the 80′, 90’s and early 2000’s and were relatively cheap but offered the bikes of the time some cool looking cans that sounded even better than they looked they really suited the bikes around at the time and the way manufactures were mounting the exhausts without an under seat or under belly in sight.

Having been really left behind in today’s high technology 200bhp superbike environment they are still a firm favourite of Bulby for older bikes and are still producing not only end cans but manifolds and race systems

Pro’s – Cost, Looks, Sound

Cons – Only really suite older bikes

Rating – 7.5/10

For more information click Here

Pro Race GP

British made and relatively cheap compared to the big names in this market comes a range of end cans from Pro Race. Bulby first brought the can seen here as a replacement for the large factory fitted Ackro that came on his S1000rsport and he was really surprised at how great this can was. With it’s upswept style the quality of this can belies it’s cost, the titanium fish looks lovely and is lasting really well, the welds were smooth and really cool looking and to cap if off it had the names etched into the side which was a really nice touch.

Later the boys then fitted it to Juice’s XR as the twin connection pipe is the same as both bikes use the same engine however don’t be fooled into thinking you can do this with any exhaust from the ‘R’ as the supports for the side cases had to be removed and this is a pipe that doesn’t have a bolt fixing along it’s body.

GP race do a few different styles for a number of different bikes so go check them out particularly if you don’t have the £500-600 needed for one of the premium brands, you won’t be dissappointed.

Pro’s – Look , Sound, Cost, it’s British!

Cons – Nothing

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

For a sound clip of it fitted to the S1000XR click Here or for the S1000XR Gen 2 click Here

Yoshimura

Yosi cans rival Ackro’s when it comes to quality. The Japanese company are linked closely with Suzuki and offer exhaust cans for multiple makes and models of bike but they do other bits as well including various bits of crash protection. While they are very well made the quality you’re buying comes with a relatively high price tag. As with other makes there are different styles and finishes to suit different bikes so of which we like where as others we aren’t so keen on.

Pro’s – Quality fit and finish

Cons – Cost

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Tyres

Bridgestone

Battlax BT031

First impression is a good stable tyre which provides good feel in any conditions, currently only a couple of hundred miles on them so still taking steady at the moment but with our next tour coming up next month it’ll be a real test to see how they perform once scrubbed in. So now having completed near 2500 miles which included a 12 day trip around Europe I have a clearer picture of these tyres. One the one very wet day during this trip they preformed well, dispersed water well and felt secure. During hotter days (upto 33 degrees) again they did well although on some of the tighter mountain roads and switchbacks they didn’t inspire as much confidence and feedback as say the Michelin Road 5’s and on a couple of occasions did feel like they lost some traction across the tar lines you get on this road type, saying that early into the trip they allowed the XR to achieve a 49 degree lean. They also appear to grip well under heavy braking as I found out when I had a car try and T-bone me at one point. Downsides are compared the the other Michelin shod XR’s on this trip the Bridgestones appear to have squared off a lot more particularly when these are brand new tyres and the other XR’s had already racked up 3-4k on their Michelin’s.

Pro’s – Free as came standard on the bike, Seem decent in the wet, Good stability under Heavy braking

Cons – Durability as already showing signs of squaring off, fell and grip in hot conditions

Rating – 7.5 /10

For more information click Here

Continental

TKC 70

Fitted to the GSA 1250 this is a tyre that is a jack of all trades however this does mean its the master of none. This is a do anything tyre so it will handle nicely on the road and offers good levels of grip however the tread pattern does make it noisy and if you only do out and out road use on your GS you’d be better going for a more road biased tyre, however where this tyre exceeds is you can then take your bike off road and be confident that you will have good grip levels. Now if you’re expecting to do the road of bones like Charly and Ewan (Long Way Round) this is not the tyre for you but for those gravel, loose surface forest roads you come across this tyre will get you where you need to go. So the choice is yours, have a real biased to a type of riding then look at alternatives but want to have a crack at everything then this is a tyre you should seriously consider.

Pro’s – All round grip, good all round tyre for on and off road use

Cons – Road noise, Compromised as not the best for road and not the best for off road

Rating – 8.5/10

For more information click Here

Metzeler

Sportec M7RR

The M7RR were fitted to the bike when it was purchased and comes with a more road focused tread pattern. Metzler claim it is a sports rider tyre choice and is good in all weathers however the bike was only rode in dry condition’s where the 7RR offered good feel and feedback. The bike has now left our stable so we don’t have further opportunity to test these tyres and as they wouldn’t be our first choice we’ll have to wait to give any further feedback.

Pro’s – Feel and Feedback in the dry

Cons – Not tested in the Wet

Rating – 8/10

For more information click Here

Pirelli

Diablo SuperCorsa

Review to follow

Pro’s – Race tire for the road

Cons – Wet weather grip, Durability

Rating – /10

Fore more information click Here

Michelin

Pilot Road 6’s

So a full review is now available by the crew following there most recent trip to the French and Italian Alps. The 6s were faultless over the 2200 mile 10 day trip which saw a variety of roads types and surfaces from motorways to mountain roads from 36 degree hot and sunny to wet and windy 12 degree temps. Excellent grip in the dry and sure footed feel in the wet were reported by Juicey who had these fitted to his bike. Are they a step up from the 5’s, in honesty it’s difficult to say, are they a really good tyre that have good grip levels in any condition with good wear rating absolutely

Pro’s – Grip levels any conditions or road types, wear level

Cons – Extra cost over the 5’s

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Pilot Road 5’s

Wow, Wow, Wow I absolutely love these tires. I fitted them for our recent tour to Italy and Austria having heard some really good reports on them and having come from the original Bridgestone’s fitted to the bike, which in fairness were decent I wasn’t fussed on spending the extra cash on the new 6’s. Boy I wasn’t disappointed, these tires are exceptional, we had various weather conditions from damp and greasy to torrential downpours to 38 degrees and scorching tarmac. We road A roads, B roads, D roads (France) Autobahns ( Germany) Stelvio(Italy) and the Grosglockner in Austria and it handled them all giving great levels of grip in all types of road and conditions as well as giving great feel and feedback which saw me getting some great lean angles and coming home with a massive smile from how often I scraped my pegs. Added to this even though we did 2500 miles in 10days they still look like new

Pro’s – Grip, Feel, Everything

Cons – Nothing

Rating – 10/10

For more information click Here

Screens

Puig

Puig make fantastic bike screens, with a superb fit and finish which comes at a price and look in this day and age you get what you pay for. Fitted here to a 2020 S1000XR it really does suit the bike well, slightly larger than the standard screen and seen here in dark tint the company which has been producing screens since 1964 also offer even larger screens for this model. The crew have also used Puig on other bikes and as found here they have always had the same fit and feel of quality gained by the companies experience in this market, if you’re in the market for a new screen make your first stop with a call to Puig

Pro’s – Quality, fit and Finish, Dark Tint

Cons – Extra brackets make it a bit fiddley to fit

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Suspension

Springs

Hyperpro

Having purchased his new S1000Xr in standard ride height but with a low seat Bulby soon found he lacked the confidence he had with his previous low chassis version to the point he wasn’t sure whether he’d be able to keep it. Searching to see if there was a solution he found on various forums that Hyperpro sold a progressive rear spring which lowers the bike by about 25mm and brings it in-line with BMW’s low chassis version.

The spring comes in two colour options, the purple seen here or black.

Now fitted to the bike (which due to the BMW’s packaging is a pain in the ***) the difference is amazing. Hyperpro recommend that once the s[ring is fitted the front shocks are dropped by 15mm, the suspension set to min and Road and now Bulby finds he is no longer on his toes when pulling up to to a stop ( still not flat foot but a massive improvement) but the bike also now seems to ride nicer.

Due to the suspension electronics on his TE model, Bulby decided not to tackle this job himself and instead put it into JHS Racing who undertook the works. Be warned while doing a great job it did take 7hours which meant it was quite costly where as the forums seemed to comment that people who had it done it had taken about 4hrs however they were relatively local so was the best option for me and had come recommended.

Pro’s – Cost approx £100, Difference to Ride Quality and Height

Cons – Fitting

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

For more information on JHS Racing click Here

Crash Protection

Puig

When looking at engine/crash protection for your bike to main players spring to mind , R&G and GB. Now although others venture into this area Puig tend to be more identified as providing aftermarket screens. Bulby managed to find this Puig set of engine covers for his new S1000xr M-sport and he’s really made up with them. The plastic covers are stylish, well fitting and easy to fit and are better looking in our opinion than the very plastic, cheap looking R&G alternatives. We got these at a steal at only £100 for the three covers which was a massive discount from the orignal £175. sometimes you just need to be in the right place at the right time!

Pro’s – Stylish, Well Made, Well Fitting, Price

Cons – Full Price

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

R&G

R&G are synonymous with motorcycle crash protection and have been market leaders for crash bungs for a long time. Over the years they have expanded the rang to cover bobbins, radiator guards , tail tidies and more recently engine covers however in our experience some of the items they now do are questionable on quality. While the core business items of bungs and bobbins we’d highly recommend certain things like radiator guards and engine covers we wouldn’t.

Why you may ask. well these items are not cheap yet when fitting a rad guard to a ZZR1400 it came with cable ties as fixings which when the cost was nearly £100 isn’t really acceptable, then there’s the engine covers that are made of a black plastic that looks similar to the material of the bungs. Compared to something similar from GB Racing or Rizoma the quality just isn’t in the same league. Our advice great for bungs or bobbins but for other stuff there is better out there.

Pro’s – Great Bungs and Bobbins

Cons – Other bits like Rad guards aren’t cheap but not great quality

Rating – 7.5/10 (Average across the range of items)

For more information click Here

Evotech-Performance

Rectifier Cover ( Bike Specific BMW S1000XR)

So Evotech have done something which should never have been needed as BMW should have included originally. From 2020 the BMW S1000XR had a major overhaul which did devide opinion a bit as it was a smoother more precise tool that the original bike but did loose some of the animal character that the original bike had. What can’t really be understood by owners that designers of the new machine decided to place the rectifier under the rear tray with no protection. SO along come Evotech and address the issue with this neat solution, easy to fit with a good finish, ventilation is provided vis the grid of wholes and there’s a simple solution to fixing it in place. Honestly there’s nothing not to like other than at £50 its not particularly cheap but its a small price to pay to protect this essential part of your ride.

Pro’s – Easy to fit

Cons – Could be a few quid cheaper

Rating – 9.5/10

Fore more information click Here

Crash Bungs

Evotech – performance entered the crash [protection market as direct opposition to R&G and we have to say their equipment is on par or possibly better than the competition. Solid design and feel , here we see the bar end weights they make for the S1000XR to reduce the issue of vibration through the bars. Available for both Gen 1 and 2 they certainly seem to help and when you pick one up it’ll surprise you how heavy they are. Also in their range are bobbins, guards etc depending on what bike you have and we’ll be able to provide even more feedback as we expand the parts we are using.

Pro’s – Quality

Cons – Not Cheap

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Prolisport

Making more of their stuff for the off-road market Polisport are a well-known Portuguese manufacture who make replacement hand guards, mudguards and various other items that require changing out in the world of green lanes and muddy tracks. The part seen here is a clutch cover protector guard for the Yamaha WR 250f, made from moulded impact resistant plastic, in blue to go with the colour scheme of the bike. The protector fitted really nicely and was fitted to the bike in less than 10minutes. A relatively cheap mod for you bike that gives an added bit of protection as well as looking kool.

Pro’s – Cheap, fits well, looks good

Cons – Nothing

Rating – 10/10

For more information click Here

Rizoma

Rizoma make real quality items with a range of engine protection, end bar weights mirrors, there’s no plastic parts here. Beautifully machined items with a quality fit and finish they don’t come cheap but the extra cash is worth it.

Pro’s – Quality fit and finish

Cons – Expensive

Ratings – 9/10

For more information click Here

Yosimurha

As with their exhausts the Japanese company who have strong links through bike racing with Suzuki make some real quality crash protection items. Seen here on Pat’s is GSXR1000 Yoshi special edition they offer everything from bar ends and engines cases to the mandatory in racing lever protectors.

The majority of the products are metal with some plastic where required they are really well crafted however again as per their exhausts this quality comes with a premium costs that said however do you really want to put cheap rubbish on your near £20k pride and joy.

Pro’s – Quality fit and finish

Cons – Cost

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Luggage

Oxford

Cable Lock

Designed for securing things like helmets and luggage onto your bike this is only a deterrent form Oxford and won’t stop the thief that really wants your stuff. With a retractable 2.5mm cable and combination lock it’s small and light enough to throw in a pocket and allows you to secure your helmet to your bike while you have a wander or get a brew. Obviously this does have limitations and if you don’t expect to much then for a cheap price you get a little bit more security that you can easily take with you.

Pro’s – Price, Small and compact

Cons – Wouldn’t take much to cut through

Rating – 7.5/10

Fore more information click Here

Givi

ST602B 4litre Tank-lock Tank Bag

This is a great piece of kit that uses Givi’s tank-lock interlock ring to secure it to the bike. This 4 litre bag is just big enough to take things you need in a hurry, passport money, chargers etc without being so big it gets in the way. The bag here is fitted with an optional ( at a cost) usb charging unit that allows for multiple usb items to be charge while riding along. The bag has a clear pocket on the top for a mobile phone and comes with an external waterproof cover although its semi rigid construction keeps the water out well without this unless it really starts tipping it down. Other extras are a shoulder strap that makes carrying it once of the bike easier.

Pro’s – great size, easy to lock on and off the bike, doesn’t scratch the tank like magnetic bags can

Cons – As with any tank bags it’s a pain if you are doing a lot of fuel stops especially if you have usb connection.

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

V47/56 litre Top Box

Givi make quality kit for your pride and joy and the V47 Maxia3 and V56 Maxia 4 box’s used by the boys is no exception, fitted using the Monokey system where the box locates onto two lugs fitted to a baseplate (made for your bike) and then locked down the Maxia 4’s come in a number of colour and reflector colour options. The number of the box represents the size in litres (V47 = 47litres) with the Maxia 4 being just a revised/improved design although either will fit the same baseplate making very versatile and interchangeable, Givi also offer other sizes and different styles but all will fit on the Monokey baseplate.

Options are available for adding brake lights and racks to expand the carrying capacity if required. The V56 is big enough to take two full face helmets or enough clothes for a week away as long as you travel light where the V47 will still just take two modular helmets at a push but becomes a little fiddley to arrange,

Pro’s – Quality kit, Options, bike specific plates

Cons – Not cheap

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Top Case Internal Bag

Seen here for the Givi Maxima 4 56litre top box the top case internal bag is an excellent piece of kit. Following on from the manufacturers own internal bags this really does make touring so much easier. In the early days the team would have to lug the factory luggage up stairs after a long days riding, all the time risking knocking the cases as they went ( factory luggage systems can cost up to £1000 in some cases).

This removes any of that, you just turn up, take the inner bag off the bike and off you go, makes touring so much easier and all for a cost of around £50, which is nothing when you look at the advantages.

Pro’s – Everything as it’s simple but brilliant

Cons – Nothing

Rating – 10/10

Fore more information click Here

Kriega

Hydro 2 Backpack

At a price of nearly £130 the 2litre hydro 2 is expensive but you can see where the extra cost goes. Used by Bulby on their recent European tour the Hydro 2 system was brilliant. Light and comfortable even when full you forget you are even wearing it. What is really excellent with this kit is that you can remove the bladder to fill while leaving the drinking tube in place and this is done by a very clever disconnector that stop the bladder leaking with no hose connect. Also great is the way the top folds over and has a clip which once removed allows for easy filling as well as coming with an adaptor to allow for fitting to a full face helmet. For any long trip where temps are going to be hot we can’t recommend enough the use of a hydro pack and none more so than the Kriega Hydro 2, that is as long as you can swallow the price.

Pro’s – Usual Kriega quality, Various colour options

Cons – Price

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

US10/20/30

The us series of bags from Kriega is a fantastic piece of luggage for those that don’t have a bike that has hard or semi rigid panniers. Bulby used these on his S1000r and it allowed him to tour for a week with enough pants he could have a clean pair every day. The bags attach to the bike via four straps that attached to the bikes rear subframe and then a series of hooks and clips then attach to those and the bike, it’s sounds complicated and a real pain but truly once the the straps are attached to the bike it’s really, you just hook them on , pull tight and away you go.

Where the bags excel are that you can clip two together and have them in different formats so have a US 30 ( 30 litre) for a weekend and then clip on an extra US 20 (20litre) for enough space to tour for a week. On top of this these bags are 100% waterproof as the tops roll down and clip rather than using zips. Kriega now have also added a new US 40 (40 litre) which means you can have a massive 70litre combo

Pro’s – Easy to use once the straps are attached to the bike, everything

Cons – Cost

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

SW Motech Pro

SW Motech are big players in the world of bike luggage and that’s because they have quality items that work and this tank bag is no exception. Seen here in a 20litre version which is fairly large it has everything you need for those long trips away, cable entry for charging leads, multiple pockets for storage , a clear pocket on top for maps, tickets etc and it comes with an waterproof cover that you can put on quick if there’s a real downpour.

The bag uses a tank ring similar to other makes which allows for easy connection on and off the bike with the worry that you get with magnetic bags of the tank getting scratched. This particular bag is used by Juicey who does carry an array of paperwork ,cables and sweets for easy access

Pro’s – Everything – great item

Cons – Cost

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Turatech -Tool Box

This is the Turatech toobox for the BMW GS1200 and 1250 and it’s a really nice addition to any big GS offering a really handy storage area for those must take tools or other things you want to squirrel away. What we really like about this is the way it sits inside the luggage rack so it can stay on the bike at all times but can also be used with the side cases. The unit is lockable and comes with 2 keys and there’s even an internal bag you can get to make it even easier to get your stuff out. There are a couple of things not to like, one is the price, in the region of £120/150 for limited storage and the fact it didn’t come with any fitting instructions, and we had to go onto the Turatech site to download them which isn’t a massive issue but just is a bit of a pain. There are cheaper Chinese knock offs out there that you could buy at a third of the price but when you could have paid upwards of £20k for a new bike why would you want to skimp on inferior quality bits to go on it

Pro’s – Fit, finish, look, extra space, lockable

Cons – Pricey, Fitting instructions

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Electrical/Technical

USB

Nippy Normans Double Socket BMW

For anyone who has a BMW motorbike this really is the best value for money mode you can make. For less than £40 this is a double plug and play USB socket to replace the BMW socket that some love, but others hate. Waterproof separately sealed outlets the kit even comes with a spanner to undo and tighten the securing nut.

Pro’s – Everything

Cons – Nothing other than only BMW

Rating – 10/10

For more information click Here

Sat Nav

Tom Tom

Rider 550

Tom Tom have stayed with the tried and tested design of the 400/450 and produced the 550 and for those without a trained eye for detail you wouldn’t know the difference. Small changes in particular the change from silver sides to dark grey is the real visual difference, the many changes come within the unit with changes to the way in which the software works, QR code for scanning with a mobile phone etc. We’re yet to use it for a trip but this is due to change within the month so a further update will follow however there is no reason to think it won’t work as well as the 400 which the crew are all big fans off. One big pro of keeping the same design is that the fittings remain the same so no need to remove the old and fit the new and of course another is if you’ve had a Rider before Tom Tom keep the same controls to navigate the unit.

Pro’s – Familiar design and navigation controls, able to use the old mountings so no need to remove

Cons – Looks the same as older models

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Rider 400

3 of the gang now use the Tom Tom 400 with European maps which simplifies planning the routes as the maps can be shared. Easy to use and understand the 400 comes with multiple options for routes, POI and voices to name a few. It can also be used in either landscape or portrait view and the unit here is fitted with the extra sun screen which is definitely worth it to reduce sun glare. This is really a great unit when paired to a headset to help you circumnavigate Europe.

Pro’s – Easy to use

Cons – Screen glare in very bright weather

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Lighting

Denali

To some people Denali is the market leader for extra lighting for your pride and joy. Available in a wide range of sizes there really is something for everyone looking for that explorer look or extra light output for night riding.

Pro’s – Quality, light output

Cons – Cost

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Cymarc Light Brackets (BMW S1000XR Gen1 2015-2019)

These brackets are superb, well made and really fit well with the sporty lines of the Mk 1 BMW S1000xr. Supplied with replacement longer bolts these are classed as the heavy duty ones and although seen here fitted with a small set of Denali’s the light duty brackets seemed a lot more flimsy so these would be the ones to go for no matter what size of light. We particularly like the placement over where BMW have chosen to mount auxiliary lights as low down they seem very vulnerable to damage. We could wax lyrical about these but as you can see they look good enhance the bike and keep with the sporty feel.

Pro’s – Style, Quality

Cons – You pay for what you get so not cheap

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Denali Light Brackets

Denali offer a various array of brackets for their lights with some being bike specific, the brackets shown here in the pictures are fork tube mounting brackets for 50-60mm for tubes. Quality is as with most items from Denali very good quality and a full report is due to follow once they have been tested on the bike

Pro’s – Quality, specific bike fitment

Cons – Cost , these fork tube mounts are approx £65

Rating – TBC

For more information click Here

Hexezcan/Denali CanSmart

The Hexezcan canbus module is a fantastic piece of kit that allows you to connect and configure various items onto your bike without cutting into any of the loom. Easy to connect and install it allows for various customisation of spot lights so they strobe, flash when indicators and hazards are on and a number of other settings to make you more visible to other road users. It doesn’t just stop and spot lights though with other connections for ancillary equipment, brake lights and horns etc.

There is only one down side which the team have encountered so far and that’s the cost, at around £200 per unit it’s not cheap but against the cost of a set of lights the crew certainly think it’s worth the cost.

Pro’s – Easy connection, Allows for personalisation

Cons – Cost

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

Denali Sound Bomb Horn

The sound bomb is an excellent horn, really loud if that’s what you want. it will get you noticed or annoy the neighbours if you start messing about. We connected this via a Canbus unit which made life easy as run out the new cable , plug in set the Canbus unit to horn for that channel and that’s it. However the real pain in the *** is finding suitable space on modern bikes for the horn plus the separate compressor, this was a bit of a pain particularly to the one we fitted to the GSA 1250 which for such a big bike has surprising little room and where the instructions suggest fitting it is challenging to get to.

Pro’s – Very Loud

Cons – Fitting

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Camera’s and mounts

GoPro Max

Owned by Bulby at first the idea of 360 video seemed great but limited to how much it would be used, after all looking like you are riding your bike in a ball appears cool but there’s only so much footage you can watch like that but then after playing with the ability of the camera and realising there’s more to it than that opens up a whole new world of action footage. Have the Max mounted in a decent position and you can capture every overtake in full, every mountain pass, every complete hairpin. It is truly brilliant and now the crew don’t leave home without it.

Pro’s – Everything

Cons- Although the Go pro app worked on early Samsung phones (S10 etc) the latest phone has a glitch (S22) so won’t allow editing

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here

GoPro 11 Black

As is the Gopro way the 11 came in and did everything a bit better and raised the bar from the 9/10. For most people who want to just record their holiday, cycle race etc the differences won’t be noticeable however get more into making content for on-line and the performance’s come more into play. For us it’s never really worth buying the latest because the one before is good enough (a bit like mobiles) so we tend to wait for the latest one to come out to pick up a bargain of the previous version and this is what we did with the 11.

Pro’s – It’s a GoPro

Cons – Already superseded by the 12

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

GoPro 9 Black

We really like the 9, yes, this model has been superseded by the 10 and now the 11 but in all honesty why spend the extra money. We’re sure the newer cameras have better capability but is it enough difference to warrant the extra cost. The 9 seems to have it all, front screen, great stabilization, 20mp photo’s, 14mp video and bigger rear screen for the everyday person nothing else is needed and now with the newer models having come up you can get all this at a good price.

Pro’s – Everything

Cons – Nothing

Rating – 10/10

For more information click Here

GoPro 7 Black

The 7 black was at one stage Gopro’s top action cam and even by todays standards performs well

Pro’s – Value for money, Picture Quality

Cons – Technology has moved on so better cameras out there

Rating – 8/10

For more information click Here

GoPro Session

The session series from Gopro is a brilliant little camera in a cube package. Yes, there’s no screen to be able to review footage, limited controls etc but where some people won’t want the size of a normal action cam this really is the camera for you. Comes with Gopro voice command and wifi so it connects through the app, it’s also waterproof without the need for extra cases and covers.

Pro’s – Size, Waterproof

Cons – No screen, limited, Battery not removable

Rating – 8/10

For more information click Here

INNOVV (Fixed)

The Innovv dual fixed camera system is really good setup for those wanting to record their trips, the system has GPS tracking so in the event of an accident will track location, speed etc exactly so there is no worrying about exactly where you are etc.

Don’t think however the cameras provide the clarity of the the latest GoPro action cams as although good enough for providing evidence they aren’t in the same league for making those home movies.

Pro’s – Loop Recording of both front and back, GPS location tracking

Cons – Cost, Camera clarity is not as good as GoPro etc

Rating – 8.5/10

For more information click Here

Drones

DJI

Spark

DJI Spark is a low cost option into the world of Drones which offers good quality and video at a reasonable price

Pro’s – Size, Cost, Features

Cons – Limited to distance, Picture Quality up against more expensive drones

Rating – 7/10

Fore more information click Here

Go Pro Mount

This is a quality piece of kit to mount your go pro to your BMW ( not sure if they are available for other makes). Light weight and well crafted we don’t understand why they only come in silver, if nothing else you’d think they’d be offered in black. Only downside is the cost , at over £70 for the new S1000xr fitment they aren’t cheap.

Pro’s – Secure go pro mount, look, quality

Cons – Cost (now over £70), only available in silver

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Intercoms

Sena

SRL Mesh 2

Review to follow

Pro’s – Moved the charging point, Designed for the helmet

Cons –

Rating – /10

For more information click Here SLR 2

SRL 2

The Sena SLR 2 is an integrated intercom system designed specifically for the Shoei GT Air and Neotec flip front helmets and boy what a great intercom it is with the installation of the unit totally in keep with the helmet without any bulky unit on the side of the helmet. This is in part to two main reasons, the controls are slim and really easy to use being only 3 buttons and the battery unit slides into a pocket in the underneath of the back of the helmet, brilliant. Other things we like about this unit is the fit, this is the most comfortable intercom any of us have ever had in a helmet with none of that catching your ears when trying to put your helmet on. It is so easy to use which is just what you want when you are on the move and finally how clear this unit is, speaking and hearing crystal clear between two riders with their Neotec 2 helmets in the open face position easy over 45mph, this really is a brilliant piece of kit.

Pro’s – Everything

Cons – It only fits this and the GT Air helmets

Rating – 10/10

For more information click Here

Interphone Tour

The tour unit by interphone is a nice mid-priced, intercom unit which comes with a built-in radio and was widely used by the group before they all overtime switched over to the Shoei Neotec and integrated Sena SLR2 . As with any intercom, the more buttons there are the easier it is to press the wrong one when you’re going along, and the tour is no different in this area with music and radio buttons as well as phone and on /off all on the side and certainly Bulby has been known to hit the radio button by accident much to his annoyance and the others entertainment. One thing not liked is where the connection comes into the bottom of the unit as this feels very vulnerable to be damaged although the base plate fitting instructions show you not to mount it so that the cable is below the bottom of the helmet, we expect for the very concern about damage. This is a decent unit at a mid-range price and if you remember which button does what will do exactly what you need it to do on those long trips out

Pro’s – Stylish, clear

Cons – Buttons can be fiddley, cable connection on the bottom

Rating – 8/10

For more information click Here

Seats

Sargent

Sargent seats are renown for producing comfortable, quality aftermarket seats for your ride, seen here for the BMW S1000r this seat also fitted the RR version of the same year. The seat is lovely and suited the bike really well. Sargent offer various finishes with different colours of piping etc however this particular version was understated and finished all in black so wouldn’t look that different from the original and it did work on the crew’s tours after this seat was fitted it really did help with numb bum syndrome experienced on day long riding.

Pro’s – Comfort, Quality

Cons – Cost

Rating – 9/10

For more information click Here

Levers

ASV Levers

In Bulby’s opinion ASV levers are the best there is and having had them on a number of his bikes who are we to argue. Where as a lot of the after market levers use a small lever to adjust the span ASV don’t, they use a knurled roller which has a silky smooth operation. These really do feel quality, seen here in the short version which on a lot of bikes can make clutch operation in town feel heavy, they also come in standard length.

Available in various numerous colour options for both the levers and the adjusters there is really only one downside to these beautiful levers and that’s the price, prepare yourself for outlaying over £250 for a pair.

Pro’s – Everything

Cons – Price

Rating – 9.5/10

For more information click Here