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
- Action / Dash Cameras
DJI Osmo Nano review
From £239.99 | Compact action camera | Remote viewing | Up to 4K 120fps
By John Milbank23/09/2025 - Security: Home locks & anchors
Asgard motorcycle shed review
£1,765 | Secure metal shed | Classed as garage by Bennetts
By John Milbank19/09/2025 - 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 Milbank16/09/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Rev’It Sand 5 H2O Adventure review
£469.99 & £369.99 | AA-rated | Level 2 armour | Vented waterproof textiles
By John Milbank16/09/2025 - Latest News
Administrators complete sale of Ruroc...
...to 'Ruroc Global Holdings Limited'
By John Milbank16/09/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
LS2 Apollo AAA-rated textiles review
£499.99 & £299.99 | AAA-rated | Level 2 armour | Laminated waterproof
By John Milbank11/09/2025 - Latest News
Arrest made after round-the-world bike theft
Police have detained a suspect in Yogesh Alekari's motorcycle theft
By John Milbank10/09/2025 - Latest News
UK motorcycle theft report SEPTEMBER: Crime trends & arrest stories
Regularly updated Police National Computer data
By John Milbank05/09/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
Beeline Moto II review | Brilliantly simple motorcycle nav tested
Beeline Moto II has truly built on the original device to create something that’s incredibly effective, while remaining unobtrusively simple on any bike
By John Milbank01/09/2025 - Motorcycle Accessories
Puig R1250GS Racing screen review
£76.99 | Short screen available in clear, smoke, dark and black
By John Milbank25/08/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
Insta360 GO Ultra mini action camera review
£389 | 4K60 action camera with removable module & remote shooting
By John Milbank21/08/2025 - Maintenance and Servicing
Optimate Solar Duo 20W battery charger review
£164.90 | Solar maintenance charger | Lead-acid & Lithium batteries
By John Milbank19/08/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Rev’It Tectonic textiles review
£499.99 & £389.99 | Mesh & tri-laminate waterproofing | EN17092: AA
By John Milbank15/08/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
Sena 60S intercom review
£359 | Bluetooth & Mesh | Universal comms via phone data
By John Milbank13/08/2025 - 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 - 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 - 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