New products on the market

The latest kit to hit the biking market

App-enabled luggage

“Hey topbox, pop open”… said no-one. Yet. Givi recently debuted a smartphone app that controls its luggage though, opening and closing compartments remotely. While a long way from the market, it’s an interesting system that uses the phone as a key in a similar way to keyless ignition. www.givi.co.uk

Clutching at plates

Riders wishing to change from a cable clutch to hydraulic operation (better feel, lighter lever, for example) can do so now with products from the Frando range, through Venhill. A variety of master and slave cylinders, with differing throws, can be matched with custom-made hoses. Slavecylinder prices start at £105.12. www.venhill.co.uk

Get Sportsmart

A new sports tyre aimed at the ‘road rider with occasional track use’, the Sportsmart Mk3 claims to warm up faster and give more outright grip than the Sportsmart 2 Max. In particular, wet grip claims to be improved by 20%. Sounds ideal for sportsbike and supernaked owners. It arrives in January, initially in one front and five rear sizes. www.dunlop.eu

Clima every mountain

A rather curious-looking set of all-year touring boots from TCX, these claim to introduce a new technology called Gore-tex Surround. In short, they purport to be even more breathable without compromising their waterproofing, resulting in a boot that keeps your feet happy in all weather conditions, all through the year. They’re £249.99, come in any colour you like so long as it’s black, and any size you like so long as it’s EU 3648 (UK 4-13). www.nevis.uk.com

Old’s cool

A couple of nice retro products hit the RIDE inbox this month. The first is the Oroshi helmet from Lazer (www.lazerhelmets.com). The classic, huge-aperture design harks back to the café racers of the day and it comes in three colours, at £135. Sitting nicely underneath would be this new Bullrider retro leather jacket from Garibaldi. Costing £335, it’s made in 1mm cowskin leather, comes in black or brown and features Ce-approved armour at the shoulder and elbows, with a thermal liner. www.dot4distribution.com

Foggy Lights

Racing legend Carl Fogarty MBE has lent his name to the latest helmet from LS2, the Challenger. An LS2 Brand Ambassador, Foggy recently promoted the track-inspired helmet which is available in usual colours or a limited run in his livery from his last WSB title win. Prices start at £249.99 and £299 for the Foggy reps. www.ls2helmets.com