From summer gloves and stretchy riding jeans to Mesh comms, clever phone mounts, a new touring helmet and one seriously substantial bike lock – here’s the motorcycle gear that’s caught our attention this month.
There seems to be a constant stream of new motorcycle gear arriving at BRM along with plenty of releases on new and exciting products for motorcyclists.
Each month we’re going to round up some of the stuff that’s caught our attention. Some will be products we’ve been using ourselves, some will have just arrived for testing, and others will simply be interesting new releases that we reckon are worth knowing about.
HOW WE PICK
BRM TESTED — BRM has actually used the product and comments are based on first-hand experience.
NEW & NOTED — a product that has caught BRM’s attention but has not yet been personally tested.
QUAD LOCK HANDLEBAR MOUNT PRO ADJUSTABLE
BRM TESTED
We’re already committed Quad Lock users at BRM, with Quad Lock cases permanently fitted to our phones, so when the new Handlebar Mount PRO Adjustable arrived it was always going to get put straight to work.
Paul fitted it to the CFMOTO 1000MT-X during our recent test and immediately found the big advantage over the conventional mount: you can get your phone sitting pretty much exactly where you want it.
The CNC-machined aluminium mount allows 360-degree rotation and up to 80 degrees of tilt, with both adjustments locked using a single screw. It’ll also fit handlebars from 22mm through to 35mm in diameter.
On the MT-X there’s plenty of room on the bars for a mount so it wasn’t a major bonus. But for bikes with trickier mounting options, the extra adjustment means you should be able to achieve a position of your phone at exactly the right angle. And once it’s set, it feels reassuringly solid.
It’s one of those upgrades that doesn’t sound particularly revolutionary until you actually use it. If you’ve ever fitted a phone mount only to discover the screen is just slightly too upright, too flat or sitting in the wrong place, you’ll immediately understand the appeal.
BRM SAYS
We already liked Quad Lock. Being able to position the phone exactly where we want it makes the system even better.
Find out more: Quad Lock
IXON UNDERGROUND RACING UNDERSUIT – $109.95 each
BRM TESTED
An undersuit isn’t the most glamorous piece of motorcycle kit you’ll ever buy.
But spend a day riding hard in one-piece leathers and you’ll quickly understand why racers and regular track-day riders use them.
We recently received the IXON Underground Racing Undershirt and Underleggings and sticking them on underneath your leathers shows it’s one of those relatively simple products that makes a surprisingly big difference.
The close-fitting base layers put something between you and the inside of your leathers, helping manage heat and moisture when you’re working hard on the bike. But there’s another advantage anyone who’s spent a hot day in leathers will appreciate: getting the bloody things off again.
Rather than sweaty skin sticking to the liner of your suit, the IXON layer lets the leathers slide over much more easily when you’re trying to escape from them between sessions. And then there’s the added bonus that if you do take a slide, the undersuit helps avoid abrasion when the leather moves quickly across your skin when it comes into contact with the ground.
It’s comfortable, unobtrusive and once the leathers are zipped up you largely forget you’re wearing it. Which is probably exactly what you want from an undersuit.
BRM SAYS
Not exciting, not glamorous, but after a hot track session you’ll be very glad you’re wearing one.
Find out more: Forbes & Davies
IXON UnderShirt | IXON UnderLeggings
RICHA SCOPE WOMEN’S GLOVES – $99
KERRY’S PICK / BRM TESTED
Getting Kerry to change riding gloves isn’t particularly easy. She’d been wearing the same pair for years and wasn’t particularly interested in giving them up. Mainly because they fitted like, well, a glove.
But the new Richa Scope Women’s Gloves have finally managed it. They’re a lightweight, short-cuff summer glove and were comfortable pretty much from the moment Kerry put them on. The four-way stretch construction helps them conform nicely to the hand, while the ventilated mesh makes them ideal as we head towards warmer summer riding.
Despite being light, there’s still proper protection, including flexible knuckle protection plus reinforcement around the fingers and palm. The short cuff is another big plus. Rather than having a load of material getting caught up around the sleeve of your jacket, they sit neatly at the wrist and stay out of the way.
And then there’s the price. At $99, they’re seriously good value.
KERRY SAYS
I didn’t think I’d find anything I liked as much as my old gloves, but these were comfortable immediately. They’re light, cool and don’t get caught up in my jacket.
Price: $99
Where to buy: Bits4Bikes
OXFORD AA SUPERSTRETCH WOMEN’S JEANS – $249.99
KERRY’S PICK / BRM TESTED
Protective motorcycle jeans are great in theory, but if they’re heavy, stiff or fit like a pair of fashion trousers, you’re probably not going to want to wear them. Which is why Kerry has been particularly impressed with Oxford’s AA SuperStretch Women’s Jeans.
The first thing she noticed was simply how well they fit. They’re seriously stretchy and feel much more like normal jeans than traditional heavy motorcycle denim. That makes them comfortable on the bike, but also considerably nicer when you’re wandering around once you’ve arrived somewhere.
There’s another seemingly small detail Kerry particularly appreciates: they don’t have a really low waist.
That means when you’re leaning forward on the bike, the back of the jeans still provides proper coverage rather than leaving your lower back exposed to the world. Importantly, all that comfort hasn’t come at the expense of protection. They’re CE AA rated and come with CE Level 2 knee and hip protectors that can be fitted into the jeans.
That’s a pretty convincing combination for $249.99.
KERRY SAYS
They’re really stretchy and comfortable, but the big thing for me is the fit. They don’t sit really low at the back, so you’re still covered when you’re leaning forward on the bike.
Price: $249.99
Where to buy: Bits4Bikes
MIDLAND R1 MESH – $379.99
BRM TESTED
We’ve spent plenty of time using motorcycle intercoms over the years, and the Midland R1 Mesh has become one of the systems we’ve been putting through its paces recently. The big attraction is right there in the name: Mesh communication.
Rather than relying on the traditional Bluetooth chain between riders, Mesh makes group communication much easier to manage, particularly when riders move around within the group or temporarily drop out of range.
Midland has also partnered with Italian audio specialist RCF for the R1’s 40mm speakers, while Crystal Voice Processing is designed to improve speech clarity when you’re actually moving rather than sitting in the garage wondering why everything sounds so good.
In use, we’ve found the R1 straightforward, with good audio and the big advantage of Mesh when you’re riding with other compatible units.
It’ll also let you keep navigation or music running in the background while using the intercom.
BRM SAYS
Mesh is increasingly the feature we’d want when buying a new intercom, and the R1 gives Midland a strong option without heading into the really eye-watering end of intercom pricing.
Price: $379.99
Where to buy: Bits4Bikes
SCORPION EXO-1500 AIR – FROM $799
NEW & NOTED
Scorpion has given its premium touring helmet a substantial overhaul with the new EXO-1500 Air, with the emphasis firmly on making long days on the bike quieter and more comfortable.
The redesigned aerodynamic shell is claimed to improve stability and reduce drag, while Scorpion has also reworked the interior structure with the aim of improving noise insulation. That’s something we’d particularly like to put to the test on a long day in the saddle.
But perhaps the most interesting feature is Scorpion’s AirFit system. Rather than swapping cheek pads to fine-tune the fit, the system lets the rider inflate sections of the cheek pads until the helmet sits just how they want it.
There’s also an adjustable internal SpeedView sun visor, Pinlock MaxVision included, an emergency-release system and Scorpion’s removable KwikWick liner. The EXO-1500 Air carries ECE 22.06 approval.
We haven’t ridden in this one yet, so we’re not going to tell you how quiet or comfortable it is. But on paper, there’s plenty here we’d like to try.
WHY IT CAUGHT OUR EYE
Touring helmets live or die by comfort, noise and fit. The ability to fine-tune the fit with AirFit combined with Scorpion’s focus on reducing wind noise makes this one we’d like to spend some proper kilometres in.
Price: From $799 | Distributor: Forbes & Davies
Find out more: Forbes & Davies
KRYPTONITE NEW YORK FAHGETTABOUDIT U-LOCK – $269
NEW & NOTED
Firstly, we might give Kryptonite the prize for the best product name this month. But there’s a serious reason the New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock caught our attention.
Motorcycle theft is one of those subjects none of us particularly likes thinking about, but if you’re going to lock up your pride and joy, you might as well make life as difficult as possible for whoever is trying to take it. And this thing looks like it means business.
Kryptonite gives it its maximum 10/10 security rating, with an 18mm hardened max-performance steel shackle, hardened double-deadbolt design intended to resist twist and cut attacks, and a hardened steel sleeve protecting the crossbar.
The disc-style cylinder is designed to resist picking and drilling, while a protective vinyl coating means you can secure the bike without worrying quite so much about marking the paintwork. It’s no lightweight at just over 2kg, and its compact dimensions mean you’ll want to make sure it suits where you intend to use it. But that’s rather the point.
This isn’t something designed to disappear unnoticed into your pocket. It’s a serious lump of security.
WHY IT CAUGHT OUR EYE
Nothing is going to make a motorcycle impossible to steal, but making yours considerably harder to take has to be a good place to start.
Price: $269 | Distributor: Forbes & Davies | Security rating: 10/10
Find out more: Forbes & Davies
KRIEGA R25 GUY MARTIN EDITION
A brilliant backpack gets the Guy Martin treatment
NEW & NOTED
We’ve been fans of Kriega backpacks for years here at BRM, with the excellent R25 proving itself as one of our favourite bits of motorcycle luggage. So when we heard Kriega had teamed up with road racing legend Guy Martin to produce a special edition, we were always going to be interested.
The R25 Guy Martin Edition takes everything we already love about the 25-litre backpack and adds a few distinctive touches inspired by the famously down-to-earth racer, mechanic and TV personality.
There’s Guy’s trademark skull and spanners logo in reflective print on the back, his racing number 8 stitched into the padded back panel, and the return of the beautifully made alloy harness adjusters found on his original R25.
Underneath, it’s still the same seriously capable motorcycle backpack, featuring Kriega’s excellent Quadloc harness, which distributes weight across your torso rather than hanging everything off your shoulders. There’s a waterproof 20-litre main compartment, an additional five-litre pocket, tough Cordura construction and a 10-year guarantee.
Guy has been using Kriega gear for 20 years, so this isn’t just another celebrity badge slapped onto a product.
We already reckon the R25 is one of the best motorcycle backpacks around. The Guy Martin connection just makes this version even cooler.
Price: TBC | Distributor: Motogear
Find out more: Motogear — Kriega backpacks
WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND?
That’s it for our first BRM Gear roundup.
Next month we’ll have another collection of products we’ve been riding in, bolting to bikes, testing and generally playing with – along with a few interesting new releases that have caught our attention.
But we’d also like to hear from you.
Bought a piece of motorcycle kit recently that’s turned out to be brilliant? Found a clever accessory you now wouldn’t be without? Or perhaps you’ve discovered something that sounded great but didn’t live up to expectations?
Let us know. We might include it in next month’s BRM Gear.
