John Milbank
BikeSocial Consumer Editor
I started riding relatively late in life, after a pillion ride on a Yamaha FZR1000 EXUP in 1996, but since then I've owned an ever-growing list of bikes with '90s sports 600s seeming to be particularly prominent – I've currently got a 1999 Kawasaki ZX-6R that I bought without testing, then stripped and rebuilt (it feels like new now), and a 2019 BMW R1250GS. I've just sold the Honda MSX125 that I customised to look like an Africa Twin – the Africa Grom – and only recently traded in my BMW S1000XR for the GS.
I've worked in media since 1995, the majority of which has been in motorcycling and a self-confessed geek, I’ll find things to tinker with in the garage just as an excuse to get the spanners out. I'm also more than a little obsessed with product testing, firmly believing that whether kit costs £1 or £1,000, bikers should be able to read the most thorough and honest reviews possible.
I ride every day, unless I absolutely have to take the car (our dog doesn't sit well on the back of the bike) as I hate being stuck in traffic. I enjoy track time but lack the competitive spirit to want to race – it's just a chance to enjoy getting my knee down.
Recent Posts
- Maintenance and Servicing
ProBike waste oil drain can review
£29.99 | 12 litres | Keeps used oil safe until disposal
By John Milbank01/08/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
DJI Osmo 360 review
£409.99 | 360 action camera | High quality video and audio
By John Milbank31/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Roadskin Armoured Hoodie review
£149 | EN17092 AA | Level 2 armour | Men’s and women’s versions
By John Milbank23/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Best motorcycle riding jeans in 2025: Single layer vs lined
Which motorcycle jeans YOU should buy
By John Milbank22/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Hood SK11 motorcycle jeans review
£189.99 | EN17092 AAA | Level 1 or Level 2 armour | Fully lined
By John Milbank22/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Spada Ronin jeans review
£159.99 | EN17092: AAA | Level 2, Type B armour
By John Milbank22/07/2025 - Reviews
Bennetts High Performance Award | Safest motorcycle clothing database
Find the best protection in your riding kit
By John Milbank16/07/2025 - Body Armour & Base Layers
Best motorcycle airbag 2025 | Unbiased testing
Alpinestars, Dainese, Helite, In&Motion, MotoAirBag & more TESTED
By John Milbank16/07/2025 - Airbags
Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 V2 review
£579.99 | Electronic airbag | EN1621-4 Level 2 chest and back
By John Milbank16/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Oxford Omega 1.0 Air review
£169.99 | Mesh jacket | AA-rated | Level 2 armour
By John Milbank11/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Best motorcycle textiles in 2025: Waterproof, mesh & Gore-Tex bike kit reviews
Best textile riding kit for all seasons
By John Milbank10/07/2025 - Biking tips
Best motorcycle clothing for hot weather
Choosing the best bike gear for summer riding
By John Milbank10/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Spada Café Air review
£149.99 | Mesh jacket | AA-rated | Level 2 armour
By John Milbank10/07/2025 - Helmets
Which is the right helmet for you? Expert advice
Best helmets reviewed for any rider
By John Milbank09/07/2025 - Helmets
Schuberth E2 review
From £569.99 | Flip-front | Removable peak | ECE 22.06
By John Milbank09/07/2025 - Latest News
WARNING: Is YOUR area seeing an increase in motorcycle theft?
Regularly updated Police National Computer data
By John Milbank07/07/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Spada Joe review | Lightweight waterproof city commuting jacket tested
£169.99 | Lightweight city/commuter jacket | AA-rated
By John Milbank23/06/2025 - New Riders & Training
FREE training and security kit for new motorcycle riders
16-35 year-olds offered new FREE course
By John Milbank13/06/2025 - Boots
Best motorcycle boots
Touring, street and adventure boots buying guide
By John Milbank06/06/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
Best motorcycle phone mount
Quad-Lock vs SP Connect vs Peak Design & more
By John Milbank06/06/2025 - Boots
Daytona Road Star / Pro boots review
£469.99 | Level 2222 | Gore-Tex waterproof | Eight-year test
By John Milbank02/06/2025 - Boots
Oxford Canyon boots review
£129.99 | 1222 | Waterproof hiking-style motorcycle boots
By John Milbank30/05/2025 - Boots
Fox Ranger ADV review | Protective alternative to adventure boots
Teaser Description
By John Milbank29/05/2025 - New Riders & Training
New rider guide
Everything you need to know as you get started in biking
By John Milbank28/05/2025 - Advice
Motorcycle warranty - Main dealer vs independent.
The facts about servicing and your motorcycle warranty
By John Milbank27/05/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
DJI Flip review
From £369 | 249g | 4K 24-100fps | 31 mins flight time
By John Milbank25/05/2025 - Security: Portable locks
OnGuard RockSolid 8590 review
£199.99 | Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Diamond | Angle-grinder resistant
By John Milbank15/05/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Spada Hooded Air jacket review
£149.99 | AA rated | Level 2 armour | Level 2 back protector
By John Milbank14/05/2025 - Helmets
Nexx X.LifeCountry review | Flip-front adventure helmet tested
From £439.99 | Flip-front adventure helmet | Drop-down sunshield
By John Milbank08/05/2025 - Biking tips
Do you have to wear proper motorcycle gear? UK law explained
If you're unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, does it matter if you're wearing shorts? Do you need to wear CE-approved clothing? What is 'appropriate riding kit'?
By John Milbank06/05/2025 - Maintenance and Servicing
Oxford Snapjack V3 review | Easier chain lubing
£49.99 | Excellent maintenance product to ease chain lubing
By John Milbank06/05/2025 - Helmets
Bell Bullitt GT review
From £434.99 | Full-face retro-style helmet | ECE 22.06 certified
By John Milbank01/05/2025 - Body Armour & Base Layers
Mo’Cycle Patrick Airbag jeans review
£693 | CRITT-certified airbag / Level A jeans | Mechanical trigger
By John Milbank25/04/2025 - Honda
Honda ADV350 (2025) - Review
Increasingly popular Honda ADV350 adventure scooter gets a revamp for the 2025 model year
By John Milbank24/04/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
Insta360 X5 review with sample download
£519.99 | 360° action camera | Replaceable lenses | Waterproof
By John Milbank22/04/2025 - Gloves
Best motorcycle gloves in 2025: Summer and winter reviews
Best motorcycle gloves for any budget
By John Milbank11/04/2025 - Gloves
Five TFX-1 GTX gloves review
£220 | Gore-Tex waterproof summer gloves | Level 2KP
By John Milbank11/04/2025 - Gloves
Five TFX-2 gloves review
£109.99 | Waterproof | Level 1KP
By John Milbank11/04/2025 - Boots
Richa Apollo boots review
£149.99 | Level 2 2 2 2 | Waterproof
By John Milbank11/04/2025 - Helmets
Bell Lithium MIPS review
From £214.99 | ECE22.06 | Sunshield | Polycarbonate
By John Milbank07/04/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Pando Moto Boss Dyn 01 review
£279 | AAA-rated | Level 1 armour | Part-lined
By John Milbank02/04/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Adventure Spec Supershirt 2.0 review
£249.00 | AA-rated | Level 2 armour | Optional back & chest armour
By John Milbank31/03/2025 - Helmets
Nexx X.LifeTour review
From £359.99 | Flip-front modular touring | ECE 22.06
By John Milbank27/03/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Held Lonborg review
£389.95 & £284.95 | Protection: AA / L2 armour | Laminated waterproof | Ventilated
By John Milbank25/03/2025 - Motorcycle luggage
Tested: Shad SH58x / SH36 top box & panniers motorcycle luggage review
Are these panniers and expanding top box the best motorcycle luggage?
By John Milbank17/03/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Oxford Beast disc lock review
£99.99 | Sold Secure Diamond | Some fitting issues
By John Milbank06/03/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Squire Barricade review
£99.99 | Tough motorcycle disc lock
By John Milbank06/03/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Hiplok Z Lok Combo review
£19.99 | Lightweight combination luggage / helmet lock
By John Milbank05/03/2025 - Latest News
More power for Police to recover stolen bikes
Warrantless entry to be authorised
By John Milbank26/02/2025 - Helmets
AGV Street Modular review
From £239 | Flip-front | Micrometric ratchet | ECE 22.06
By John Milbank24/02/2025 - Maintenance and Servicing
Best rust inhibitor 2025. PLUS Ceramic coatings TESTED
TESTED: Pro & consumer rust proofers & ceramics
By John Milbank20/02/2025 - Gloves
Held Inuit heated gloves review
£229.95 | Heats palms and / or fingers | Battery-powered
By John Milbank06/02/2025