10 of the Best Motorbike Accessories Available Right Now
Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience. It's freedom like nothing else, with just the open road, the motorcycle, and you.
Often, though, bikers crave something more when riding. Whether it's extra storage space, a small gizmo that prevents your motorcycle from tipping over when parked on grass, or something to help prevent chilly hands from riding in winter.
The good news is that motorcycles allow for a great deal of personalisation, with literally thousands of extras and gadgets available to enhance your riding experience, with the best part being that many are incredibly cheap and easy to install!
Here are our 10 best motorcycle accessories available right now, in no particular order:
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Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount
Riding a motorcycle can be interesting if you have no way of navigating to your destination. It's simply a case of using your road knowledge and instincts to guess where you need to go, following road signs as well as you can, and hoping you don't get lost.
Fortunately, Quad Lock has created a solution to this problem in the form of their Quad Lock Motorcycle Handlebar Mount, which clips onto your motorcycle's handlebar and allows you to use your phone's navigation features as a sat nav.
The accessory is incredibly easy to install and comes with all the parts and screws, as well as some easy-to-follow instructions for installation. It's strong and durable, and once installed, it will not move around and will stay rigid on the handlebar.
It also comes with a non-intrusive phone case that has a hole in the back that connects to the mount. Simply press the phone onto the mount and turn it 90 degrees to lock it in place. If you want to remove it again, just do the reverse.
If purchasing one of these mounts, it may be worthwhile to purchase a vibration dampener to go with it. The vibrations from the road and the motorcycle can destroy the image stabilisation within the camera of a phone; but this additional part will help stop this from happening.
Ultimate Ear - Squidgy Plug Ear Plugs
A study by ISVR Consulting at the University of Southampton1 reported that the wind noise from riding at 40 mph exceeds the noise of the motorcycle itself, and riding without ear protection can expose the ear to more than 90 decibels of noise.
The UK's Health and Safety Executive limits daily noise exposure levels in the workplace to a maximum of 87 decibels2, so for working motorcyclists such as couriers, police motorcyclists etc. it makes sense to protect their hearing. And if it makes sense for working bikers to protect their hearing, why not the rest of the biking community? Afterall, many people use their bikes to commute every day, sometimes long distances, so their exposure to increased noise levels and the potential for hearing damage as a result should not be ignored.
The best way to protect yourself and your hearing then, is by using earplugs and the Squidgy Plug, by Ultimate Ear, is a great way of reducing noise levels whilst out riding. Promising a mighty 30dB of noise reduction, these plugs are designed to help protect your hearing.
If the Ultimate Ear Squidy Plug Ear Plugs are too pricey for you, there are a multitude of alternatives on the market that might be more accessible.
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GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini
Dash cameras have been on the rise for many years now, and whilst they are more likely to be found in cars than on motorbikes, increasingly bikers are taking to using dash cams as well. According to the Association of British Insurers3, a dash cam may help resolve a dispute stemming from an accident more quickly, may help deter insurance fraud and provide extra peace of mind in the case of "cash for crash" claims.
The GoPro Hero 11 Black Mini is ideal for a motorcyclist who wants to protect themselves or simply review footage from their rides .The Hero 11 Black Mini is the smaller, lighter, and more compact version of their flagship Hero 11 Black. It is bursting with features but is more comfortable to wear thanks to its 133-gramme weight, meaning it will be unnoticeable when mounted onto a chest mount or helmet.
It has dual mounts on the rear and base for extra security, is waterproof, and can shoot 5.3K resolution footage at 60 frames per second, plus has the ability to capture stills from footage at 24.7 megapixels, perfect for those social media posts!
Oxford Heated Advanced Hot Grips -- Adventure
Oxford's range of heated grips are a staple for many motorcyclists, especially those that are forced to endure the cold of the winter months while commuting to and from work.
With nine different heat settings, these grips give riders more control of their finger temperature than ever, including a heat setting memory that remembers the previous setting and defaults to it at start-up.
Any rider who has used heated grips can attest to how useful they are during the winter months and why they are a must-have to avoid freezing cold hands. Cold and frozen fingers pose a risk to a rider's safety if they cannot effectively grab the clutch and front brake levers due to the cold in the event of a hazard.
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Givi EA106B Easy-T Magnetic Tank Bag
Most riders think about rucksacks or a top box whenever the topic of carrying luggage around on their motorcycle comes up, but many riders overlook the trusty tank bag.
A tank bag is a fantastic and compact way to store items that may be needed while on a ride, such as a drink, snacks, a phone, and other smaller items that require storage.
This 6-litre Givi bag features everything a rider could possibly need, including a waterproof compartment on top where you can store your phone and a see-through front that lets you use it as a sat-nav. Thanks to magnets that stick to metallic motorcycle tanks, it is a universal product and can fit onto any tank.
Oxford USB 2.1AMP Charging Kit
Many newer motorcycles have USB ports under the seats or on the dashboard that can be used to power external devices when mounted on the dashboard or to charge devices like cell phones, tablets, or battery packs.
However, a lot of older motorcycles lack this feature. Thankfully, Oxford has created a remedy in the form of their USB Charging Kit.
This robust gadget simply connects to the terminals of your motorcycle battery and acts as a USB charger, allowing you to charge your phone and other items while out and about. It has a splash-resistant cap that helps prevent water damage and short circuit protection, protecting your motorcycle and your devices at the same time.
Ogio No Drag Mach 5 24 Litre Rucksack Stealth Black
Back to the subject of carrying luggage, there may be instances in which a tank bag is simply not practical for all the stuff you need to transport. A tank bag may lack adequate size if you are carrying your lunch box, books, a laptop, or any other bulkier items. Although a rider can get by with a regular backpack, if they have the cash to spend on a top-of-the-range one, this could be the one.
The OGIO Mach 5 Backpack is one of the best riding bags on the market, with a sleek, practical, and aerodynamic design that improves airflow and reduces drag on your motorcycle, helping saving fuel. It is incredibly weather-resistant and comes bursting with features and items to make your life as a rider that bit easier.
Unlike typical backpacks, the bag opens backwards, with the zips facing your back and safeguarding the contents within. It contains a laptop bag that easily fits most 15-inch laptops, a tablet pocket, electronics pockets for phones and other items, a helmet strap, a retractable hip belt to avoid tank scratches, and much more. With 24 litres of capacity, this bag has more than enough space. It is a little on the expensive side but, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for!
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Oxford Magnimate OX749 for Motorcycle Side Stand -- Black
If you have to park your motorcycle on grass, especially if it's been raining and the ground is soft; very often you'll return to your motorcycle leaned over a few inches more than you left it, or completely laying on its side because the dirt and grass have been unable to support the weight of your bike through its side stand.
Oxford recognised this problem and created the Oxford Magnimate OX749 for Motorcycle Side Stand as a remedy. The use of this puck (as they're known in motorcycling circles!), simply increases the surface area of your side stand and prevents it from sinking into the ground, enabling riders to park their bikes in locations where the ground may be softer, such as at biking events in parks or fields.
In addition to the broad base to enhance the surface area, it has a built-in magnet to stick to the stand, and tough underneath grips that dig into the ground to secure the stand in place. For less than £10, these three features, which work together to protect your motorcycle, are well worth the cost.
Alpinestars Tech Neck Warmer
Neck warmers are an essential piece of gear for motorcyclists to have during the winter months. Not only do they keep the wind and cold off of the rider's neck and face, but they can also reduce the amount of wind noise that is heard inside the helmet.
If you're a rider, you've probably got a stash of these stowed away in a closet somewhere; they're handed out like confetti at every trade show or motorcycle event. Sadly, the freebies are typically of poor construction and very thin, and while they are capable of completing the task at hand in a minimalist way, they are not nearly as good in doing so as some of the other available options.
The good news is that if you want a superior neck warmer that does a great job of protecting you from the cold, Alpinestars has a solution.
Several different kinds of technology are included in the Alpinestars Tech Neck Warmer to ensure that you stay toasty while you're on your bike. Comfort and mobility are enhanced by a variety of features, such as an elasticized insert, double layers, a fleece-lined core construction, and moisture-wicking elements within a stretchy fabric.
Cardo Packtalk Black JBL Bluetooth Intercom
For many social riders, an intercom system is an important part of riding and one of the best motorcycle accessories you can buy. Without one, you are restricted to the voice inside your own helmet and unable to communicate with other riders while on the move.
Riders who want to speak with one another while they are out on a ride might find the Cardo Packtalk Black JBL Bluetooth Intercom to be an excellent solution.
Also, if you wanted to communicate with the pillion on your motorcycle, this normally involves a lot of shouting and/or hand gestures. Using an intercom system such as the Cardo, you will be able to communicate with them using a Bluetooth connection. Also, you will be able to listen to music or the radio together, although that raises the potential for arguments over music choices!
This intercom system can support up to 15 riders on one multi-intercom call and can be used to share music and radio across all users. It includes a built-in FM radio, is fully waterproof, has easy-to-use controls for those wearing gloves and utilises a universal Bluetooth 4.1 connection.
It is incredibly simple to use, set up, and connect with other devices, so you'll be on the road chatting with your friends and enjoying the ride in no time.
Sources
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