GEAR Q & A
Q
I’m after a new set of sporty summer gloves. What would you recommend?
A
The best performers in our last test were Held Titans, though the Arc-on Competizione were half the price and almost as good, so got the Best Buy. The Titans are still available (and still expensive); Arc-on’s current glove is the Apex. These are top-end race gloves with prices to match. Less-expensive options are Racer Multitop 2 or Richa Savage II: both updated versions of race-style summer gloves we’ve used and rated highly in the past.
Q
I’ve just bought a 10-year-old Yamaha FJR1300. Love it but the pannier locks are so stiff I’m worried I’ll bend the key in them. Any tips?
A
What you need is a small pot of graphite powder — you can find them online for less than a fiver. Coat the key and just insert it in the lock a few times before trying to turn it. The graphite works its way into the lock and frees it up. Depending on how bad it is, you may have to add a little graphite two or three times. An even cheaper solution is to shave a pencil onto the key with a razor, or just try drawing on the key with a 4B pencil.
If the previous owner had squirted stuff into the locks, it’s possible that dirt has built up inside and that’s part of the problem. Try spraying a pipe cleaner with a degreaser/cleaner, then gently inserting it into the lock and gently working it around a few times. Then use the graphite powder.