‘Don’t break the bank’ cries motorcycle expert with 6 top accessories under £40 including gizmo perfect for cold weather
A MOTORCYCLE expert has shared six top bike accessories that you can pick up for under £40 - including a perfect cold weather gizmo.
Eric Barros, who reaches millions of viewers under the name Yammie Noob, said that bikers shouldn't have to "pick up a second job" in order to afford the extra gear they need.
Earplugs
While it may seem small, earplugs are a must-have for any high-mileage biker.
Not only can it save you a headache, but prolonged exposure to engine noise can leave your hearing worse for wear, so they're really a worthwhile investment.
Today, these are a far cry from the orange foam plugs that you used to wear at festivals as a teen, with some now even being able to filter out dull road noise while keeping you aware of the sound of traffic around you.
However, for most people, old reliable is more than good enough, with the foam disposables easily doing the job.
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They can be found online for a few pennies per set, or you can pick up a 400-piece bag for £26.
Disk Lock
Another relatively old-fashioned item is the good ol' disk lock.
It's effectively a hunk of metal with a retractable bar that slides through the holes in your wheel disk.
While it may sound a bit primitive, they are notoriously hard for thieves to get around without heavy-duty tools and many are alarmed too.
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For just about £15 you can pick one up and render your bike basically immobile until you want to ride - just don't lose the key.
Tank Bag
One area bikers lose out to car drivers, not that we like to admit it, is the amount of storage space in our vehicles.
Brits with the benefit of a chunky SUV or minivan can bundle everything into the boot and set off for a weekend's road tripping without much fuss.
But those on two wheels have to be more economical - meaning a little extra space goes a long way.
To this end, why not grab a £25 tank bag off Amazon, which straps around your bike's petrol tank and effectively provides you with something similar to a large glovebox?
Pop in your phone, wallet, some bottles of water and a map and away you go.
Besides, if you need the storage you have probably already shelled out on a tourer model in the region £20,000 so this is a great added extra on the cheap.
Hydration Pack
A hydration pack is perfect for riding in hotter temperatures and can even save your life.
These can usually slot into a pouch on the back of your jacket or even just a backpack and feature a long straw you can feed up into your helmet.
Five tell-tale signs of a bad used motorcycle
- The ad includes misspellings or inappropriate language
- The bike struggles to start
- Warning lights fail to illuminate with ignition
- The test ride throws up faults
- Check with a flashlight and some tools for things like rust or leaking fluid
Staying well hydrated is vital on long trips and can help stave off drowsiness so a hydration pack which lets you drink your fill without taking a load of rest stops is the best of both worlds.
Plus they only cost about £30.
Battery tender
From hot weather to cold, a battery tender is essential for those who don't fancy riding in sub-zero temperatures.
Whether you put your bike away for the winter or just leave it for a few days while it's icy, the cold has a severe draining effect on your battery.
A tender or trickle charger prevents the charge from dropping below a certain level, that being the level needed to run the bike, but prevents potential damage from overcharging.
Halfords sells one for £35, or you can find them for closer to £20 on Amazon.
Tool Roll
Let's face it, most bikers are gearheads at heart and, thanks to bikes retaining a simpler design than cars for much longer, we love a tinker.
Keeping a tool roll with you at all times is a great way to manage on-the-go maintenance and even get yourself out of a breakdown without having to call roadside recovery.
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Good tools to keep on hand include a socket set, some pliers, an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver with swappable heads.
It comes after Brits were challenged to identify some misunderstood road signs - can you beat The Sun's quiz?