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
- Security: Home locks & anchors
The best motorcycle chains, locks, disc-locks and security | REVIEWED
Full destruction reviews of the best security for your bike
By John Milbank24/12/2025 - Security: Alarms & marking systems
Datatag vs Datatool DNA review | Best motorcycle security marking systems
£89.99 vs £39.99 | Vehicle marking systems tested
By John Milbank23/12/2025 - Security: Home locks & anchors
TufLuck ground anchor review
£599.99 | Highly effective ground anchor | Secures front wheel
By John Milbank23/12/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Pragmasis Noose-End chain review
From £72.95 | Noose-end for versatility | 13mm & 16mm tested
By John Milbank23/12/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Rider RR55 disc lock-review
£49.99 | Mini-shackle disc-lock and padlock
By John Milbank19/12/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Riderr RR99 disc lock review
£59.99 | Disc lock with option to use with a chain
By John Milbank18/12/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Riderr Micro disc lock review
£34.99 | 335g | Compact 6mm scooter / motorcycle disc lock
By John Milbank18/12/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Hiplok MDX disc-lock review
£89.99 | Highly secure disc-lock | Sold Secure Gold
By John Milbank17/12/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Riderr RD15S alarmed disc lock review
£109.99 | Alarmed disc lock | 120dB siren
By John Milbank17/12/2025 - Security: Home locks & anchors
Pragmasis Super Shed Shackle review
£79.95 | 19mm chain capacity | Effective wooden shed security
By John Milbank16/12/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Artago 61 ground anchor review
£104.99 | 19mm chain capacity | Sold Secure Gold
By John Milbank15/12/2025 - Helmets
Nolan X-552 review
£314.99 (street price) | Discontinue ECE22.06 adventure helmet with peak
By John Milbank11/12/2025 - Heated kit
Ultimate Addons heated grips review
£159.99 | 120 / 130cm | Integrated controller
By John Milbank10/12/2025 - 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 Milbank09/12/2025 - Textile Jackets, Trousers & Suits
Oxford Hardy 2.0 waxed jacket review
£249.99 | AA-rated, Level 2 armour | Waxed cotton classic style
By John Milbank09/12/2025 - Latest News
UK motorcycle theft report DECEMBER: Crime trends & arrest stories
Regularly updated Police National Computer data
By John Milbank08/12/2025
