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 - Motorcycle Technology
Best motorcycle phone mount
Quad-Lock vs SP Connect vs Peak Design & more
By John Milbank24/11/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
DJI Osmo Action 6 review
£329 | Square image sensor allows reformatting | Support for two microphones
By John Milbank20/11/2025 - Triumph
Triumph Scrambler 400XC (2025) – Review
£6,545 | 39.5bhp | 186kg | A great value, easy-to-ride exciting motorcycle
By John Milbank17/11/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
DJI Neo 2 review
From £209| 152g | 4K 30/50/60/100fps | 10 mins flight time
By John Milbank13/11/2025 - Latest News
Police issue important warning to motorcyclists
A new scam technique is being used by thieves
By John Milbank12/11/2025 - Latest News
Noise cancelling Schuberth C5 ANC helmet announced
The ultimate touring helmet?
By John Milbank04/11/2025 - Biking tips
Best motorcycle earplugs: How to protect your hearing
The science behind earplugs, and are custom better than foam?
By John Milbank31/10/2025 - Latest News
Cardo announces 'Beyond' noise-cancelling motorcycle helmet
Could this mean the end of earplugs?
By John Milbank29/10/2025 - Security: Trackers
Best motorcycle tracker | GPS, RF and Thatcham explained for 2025
Self-fit to Thatcham-approved: all you need to know about trackers
By John Milbank28/10/2025 - Security: Trackers
Trackting One review
£129 + £59/two years |Un-monitored | Self-powered DIY-fit tracker
By John Milbank28/10/2025 - Maintenance and Servicing
Rokit Up review
£39.99 | Portable tyre inflator | 5,200mAh battery
By John Milbank24/10/2025 - Security: Alarms & marking systems
Datatag tool marking system review
£59.99 | Datadots & security labels for 24 tools
By John Milbank24/10/2025 - Gloves
Best motorcycle gloves in 2025: Summer and winter reviews
Best motorcycle gloves for any budget
By John Milbank23/10/2025 - Gloves
Five WFX1 WP review
£130 | Level 1 KP | Primaloft Silver & Gold | Drytech waterproof membrane
By John Milbank23/10/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Artago Urban UR6 review
£54.99 | 425g | Alarmed compact disc lock
By John Milbank22/10/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
Carpe Iter V4C review
£710 | Ruggedised, ultimate touring & adventure sat-nav
By John Milbank17/10/2025 - Security: Portable locks
Hiplok MD1000 review
£179.99 | Angle-grinder-resistant | Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond
By John Milbank16/10/2025 - Reviews
Bennetts High Performance Award | Safest motorcycle clothing database
Find the best protection in your riding kit
By John Milbank15/10/2025 - Motorcycle Technology
Chigee AIO-6 review | LTE & Max Apple Carplay / Android Auto
From £449.95 | Apple Carplay / Android Auto | Optional dash-cam | BMW integration
By John Milbank15/10/2025 - Body Armour & Base Layers
Best motorcycle airbag 2025 | Unbiased testing
Alpinestars, Dainese, Helite, In&Motion, MotoAirBag & more TESTED
By John Milbank02/10/2025
