ALL THE L ATEST, COOLEST & TRICK EST PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS

Shark Skwal I3 Helmet

The half-wits in cars we share the roads with need all the help they can get these days, so this smart new Shark lid with a built-in brake light system makes much sense. It’s got clever electronics inside that can work out when you’re braking, without any wires or radio connections to your bike, and then flash a red LED light on the back of the helmet. It’s a smart light, too – it flashes faster when you brake hard, giving even more warning to the nice lady on her phone in the Porsche Cayenne behind. There are front-facing white position lights as well, while it charges via USB-C, and the battery lasts for about 12 hours. Light show aside, the Skwal i3 has a polycarbonate outer shell, ECE 22.06 approval, tool-free visor removal and internal sun visor, and is prepared for an intercom install.

RRP: from £239 www.nevis.uk.com

DUNLOP SPORTMAX Q-LITE TYRES

The main strength of small sportsbikes is their light weight and potential high corner speed, meaning it makes zero sense to skimp on rubber for ‘em. So it’s great to see these new Dunlop Sportmax Q-Lite tyres, designed for the likes of the Yamaha YZF-R3, KTM Duke 390 and Kawasaki Ninja 250. Available in a wide range of small bike sizes, they are claimed to offer hypersports performance, while still giving great mileage and improved handling. And despite the sporty tread pattern, the firm reckons they have great wet performance, too.

RRP: from £150/pair www.dunlop.eu

Oxford Hot Grips Pro

Okay, summer’s on the way, but heated grips are useful all year round – it can still get chilly in the morning and nothing beats warm pinkies, even if you’re wearing summer gloves. These are Oxford’s latest design, the Hot Grips Pro, and they’ve got the latest generation of tech. There’s no separate control button; rather, you have a control on the grip itself, with an LED

RRP: £199 indicator of heat level on the left grip. They store the previous setting in memory, and also have an auto cut-off function so will never flatten your battery. Available in three grip pattern designs for adventure, touring or sports bikes. www.oxfordproducts.com

Alpinestars Gp Force Airflow Jacket

New riding season, new leather jacket? This classy coat from A-stars looks like just the job for those hot sunny days that are just around the corner (probably). The GP Force Airflow is fully vented, with plenty of perforations in the buffalo leather chest and back panels, plus comfy stretch panels around the arms and sides. It’s prepared for the firm’s Tech-Air 5 airbag system, and also comes with Nucleon body armour in elbows and shoulders, plus back protector pocket. It’s got a waterproof pocket for your phone, a removable wind-proof liner for cooler rides, and will attach to suitable trousers. Available in three subtle colourways in sizes 2XS-3XL. www.alpinestars.com

Rst Tracktech Evo 4 Ce Gloves

Now these look properly sweet... a full-fat track glove, with a sweet khaki camouflage design and loads of high-tech protection. The glove itself is made from cowhide and kangaroo leather, with a protective Kevlar lining throughout, and double-layer kangaroo on the palm slider area. The knuckles feature full CE level two carbon fibre protection, and there are memory foam panels too. It’s fully vented to

Weise Drift Jacket

This Weise Drift is a subtle, unbranded textile riding jacket with removable hood that looks spot-on for town riding and commuting. It’s got a laminated waterproof breathable membrane on the outer shell to keep you dry and CE armour in elbows and shoulders, plus a back protector as standard – nice.

A removable thermal liner adds warmth when the weather turns and it’s packed with useful pockets. It’s the style that’s the clincher, though – it’s a smart-looking jacket for both on and off the bike.

Oxford Spartan Air Boots

No-nonsense short summer riding boots from Oxford Products, the Spartan Air is, as the name suggests, a vented breathable design. There’s full CE protection to ankle, toe and heel, with a reinforced sole shank and a tough microfibre/Cordura upper. A tough rubber sole gives good grip on and off the bike, and for the price, they make perfect sense for summer commuting and light touring.

RRP: £89.99 www.oxfordproducts.com

Vanucci Vut Riding Jeans

Vanucci is the in-house brand of German bike kit supplier Louis Moto, and these riding jeans have extensive protection, sized for men and women. They’re made from ‘Armalith’ stretch-fit material with a tough abrasionresistant polyamide/cotton/elastane mix, and have adjustable CE armour in the knees. There’s also pockets for optional hip armour, and all the seams have ISO 4916-type safety construction. Elasticated waistbands are custommade for the modern Brit biker, of course, and will improve comfort on longer rides, especially after the lunch stop…

RRP: £159 www.louis-moto.co.uk

Gb Racing Gen 3 Hayabusa Engine Protectors

keep your digits cool, and the little finger is attached to the ring finger to keep your pinkies safer in a spill. Very decent price, considering the spec.

RRP: £99.99 www.rst-moto.com

FIM-approved engine protectors for the latest generation Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, these GB Racing parts will help keep your motor in one piece during a spill. Made from tough injection moulded glass-reinforced nylon and with a simple bolt-on fitment, they’re essential stuff, we reckon.

RRP: £216 (alternator), £264 (clutch) www.gbracing.eu