Reviews

Helmet Itch? The 'Good Ole Scratch' Has Been Bottled!

Developers of a new sports health product that is aimed at those who frequently wear headgear had originally set out to create a generic product for scalp itch and irritability. What they eventually created is a product that they claim mimics a good old scratch - though without causing damage to the scalp like scratching can.The company found however that the problem of itchiness amongst those who frequent wear headgear is rather common. This led to a more focused survey. In a study of 1036 m...

GoBandit GPS HD Action Camera

This looks like an interesting gadget, a HD quality action cam, with the added benefit of GPS data tagged to the video. The potential to obtain great footage of those off-road or mounatin passes is a must for all kinds of bike riders. You can check it out at@http://www.assist.co.uk/brands/gobandit

Boots - Alt-Berg Clubman Roadster

Boots are a really personal choice. The type of fit that you want, the styling, how much movement you need, level of protection, waterproofing, price etc. @All of these things play a part in choosing the right boot for you. I'd been using an old pair of Gaerne's for about a year and though they do the job and are stunningly comfortable they aren't waterproof and the level of protection was questionable. @After the wettest summer in many years I finally got fed up with wet socks at work and...

Teknic Stinger Textile Jacket & Trousers

I was fed up of commuting to work and having to change out of leathers (and often waterproofs) and into a suit.@ Keeping the work clothes looking decent was tough and I felt like I lost any time that I saved getting changed - both into the leathers and then back out again at the other end. So I went looking at various options that would fit over my shirt and tie.@ My criteria was that it needed to be quick and easy to get on and off. It had to be@waterproof and warm. Ideally it should have...

Rip Curl Magnetic Key Stash

I don't know about you but my key ring has five 'bike relevant' keys on it. The obvious one, two lock keys, my top box key and a front door key.@ All of which are pretty much mandatory but very bulky and incredibly noisy if they're all in the ignition at the same time. The noise alone@was distracting but quite apart from that@the keys were also@damaging the finish around the headstock of the bike. I had a look for a range of different key holder options and@the Rip Curl Magnetic Key Stash@...

No Angel, Jay Dobyns

A book review by Mike ForresterEditor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk Any of us who ride bikes will be aware that outlaw motorcycle groups exist.@ If you are in a club, you will know why you are MCC not MC.@ But very few people really know what goes on and how they operate. Jay Dobyns does.@ He is an undercover ATF agent whose team infiltrated the Hells Angels in Arizona. This book is a year in his life.@ How he works, what he has to do every day to get next to the people he is investigati...

A Third Wheel, Simon Potter

A Third WheelThe Eccentric Alternative A Guide to Sidecars and TrikesSimon Potter If you fancy a sidecar or trike, but your knowledge is based on random memories and hearsay, this book is for you.@ The author has owned a range of different machines, so his advice comes from long practical experience.@ He knows his stuff. He also writes well, explaining everything you need to know in a simple and clear manner.@ And he is honest about it: sidecar outfits are slower than solo bikes, trikes ar...

Into Africa, Sam Manicom

A book review by Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk Its a Travel Book, a journey from Egypt to South Africa by the Eastern route.@ Sam rides a BMW GS.@ He takes a tent, seeks out cheap lodgings, even takes some work along the way.@ Staying places whenever he feels like it, its a year-long trip, during which he learns to ride his bike, and love Africa. We learn of different cultures, how one country is different from the next, a result of history or political jerry-mander...

Under Asian Skies, Sam Manicom

A book review by Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk This is the second of a Trilogy by Sam Manicom. 'Into Africa' covered his trip down Africa.@ 'Under Asian Skies' takes up where that left off.@ He had got to South Africa and didn't want to go back home yet, so he just shipped his bike and himself to Australia.@ It made sense in Sam-world. And he rode around Oz, went to New Zealand, then rode back to Germany via various bits of Asia.@ Still on the BMW GS.@ Living c...

Distant Suns, Sam Manicom

A book review by Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk This is the third of Sam Manicom's Trilogy. 'Into Africa' covered his trip down Africa.@ 'Under Asian Skies' covered Australia, New Zealand, and back to Germany via various bits of Asia.@ In 'Distant Suns', he and his partner Birgit ride two BMWs through Southern Africa and up South America. Sam is still on his BMW GS, Birgit on an older R60.@ They take their time, stopping for a few weeks where they feel like it, m...

Lois on the Loose, Lois Pryce

A book review by Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk @ @ Bored with her job as an open-plan-office worker-drone, Lois Pryce decided it would be fun to ride a bike from Alaska to the tip of South America. So she did. I'm not sure if I expected a Feminis...

Red Tape and White Knuckles, Lois Pryce

A book review by Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk@ In her previous book, Lois Pryce rode from Alaska to the tip of South America.@ This book is about a similar trip through Africa. She has obviously got a taste for this adventure motorcycling lark, and having ridden the length of the Americas, then 'Down Africa' would be the obvious next big trip.@ So, naturally, she went. There is some debate about which is the best route through Africa.@ I guess it depends on wh...

Lost Motorcycles of the 1920s, Jack Bacon

A book review by motorcycle.co.uk @Its a book listing motorcycle manufacturers@from the 1920s.@ Its that simple.@ And that impressive.@ Researched and written down as someone's great passion, and@completed after his@death as a mark of respect. The author has gathered information on over 50 British manufacturers from that era, even if it was just one guy in a shed who only ever made 3 bikes.@ Of course, some of those back-street bicycle makers became BSA and Matchless and so on.@ But lots di...

Military Harley-Davidson

Military Harley-Davidson Pat Ware @ @ A book review by Milweb.net Site for Military Vehicles and Militaria @ @ @ @ @ @ Harley Davidson is unquestionably a legend and is one of the most iconic marques worldwide. Countless books have been written on Harleys and the people that ride them, most of which ...

Over the Handlebars, Don Gately

A book review by Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk@ A collection of short stories, mostly from the author's column in the US magazine Cycle Guide in the 60s and 70s. This will appeal to the more mature, thoughtful rider...

Petzl Torch

Petzl Skylight LED Torch Cool ? @ @ @ @...sub-zero, this baby. Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk Camping. Torches. You know the problem. The _battery_ problem. Like, it runs out of batteries and you need to find new ones - in a strange land, and they cost money, and it pisses you off the...

Caberg Justissimo Review

Caberg Justissimo Helmet - Depends On the Shape of your Head Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk So I've been using 2 helmets for a while. A Shoei full-face, and an old open-face. Fine for day trips from home, choose the one for the job - are we blasting down the motorway or playing off-road. But I really ...

The Last Hurrah

A book review by Mike Forrester Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk If you are not yet looking forward to your bus pass - you may not understand why 2 old duffers would want to ride a Panther and a Norton from Beijing to Holland. ...

10 quid siren off eBay

Not for highway use. No. Not legal. No sir. Anonymous Editor and Scribbler motorcycle.co.uk @ Taxi drivers in Istanbul have an additional horn, goes @wheep, wheep@ in a high-pitched way. Then I heard a Dispatch Rider in London with one that made a noise like a chicken, clearly audible at 100 yards - way cool! ...