
Triumph Thruxton 400 Review: Best First Café Racer? (2026)
I rode the new Thruxton 400 for a week. 398cc, clip-ons, rear-sets—can beginners actually start on a café racer? Honest answer inside.
79 articles to help you ride smarter

I rode the new Thruxton 400 for a week. 398cc, clip-ons, rear-sets—can beginners actually start on a café racer? Honest answer inside.

The TCX Street 3 WP is the best motorcycle riding shoe at $95-$110 on closeout. D3O ankle armor, waterproof, looks like a normal sneaker.

14 bikes ranked by seat height, weight, and fit. Includes the inseam-to-seat chart nobody else has and the gatekeeping myths you need to ignore.

I've worn all 4 helmet types. Full face wins for beginners — here's noise data, safety stats, and top picks.

CC measures engine displacement, not speed. Here's what it actually means, why a 650cc cruiser feels nothing like a 650cc sportbike, and what CC to start on.

The complete spring prep checklist with actual specs — voltage numbers, tire minimums, chain slack, and every tool you need to get riding again.

I tested 9 armored riding jeans from $100-$457. The $140 Cortech AA Dyneema is the clear winner for most riders.

The best motorcycle dash cam is the Insta360 X4 Air — 8K 360 coverage, 165g, and no blind spots. Plus 6 more picks for every budget.

The best motorcycle pants for beginners are kevlar riding jeans — they protect like gear and look like regular clothes. 7 picks from $80 to $600.

A motorcycle is worth it if you budget $4,000-$8,000 for year one and understand the real risks. Honest breakdown from a rider with 1M+ subscribers.

The real motorcycle danger statistics — fatality rates, crash causes, helmet effectiveness, and what actually kills riders. Data from NHTSA and IIHS, explained without the fear-mongering.

Do wheelies damage your motorcycle? The real answer — what wears out, what breaks, what is fine, and how to minimize mechanical damage while learning to stunt.

The best motorcycle routes in California from Pacific Coast Highway to hidden canyon roads. Distances, skill levels, fuel stops, and the best time to ride each one.

The 9 best motorcycles for stunting ranked by budget tier — from $1,800 Groms to $6,500 MT-07s. Every bike evaluated on weight, parts availability, aftermarket support, and real stunt potential.

How to build a Honda Grom for stunting from the ground up. Every part you need organized by priority, three budget tiers, which generation to buy, and what to look for used.

The real cost of building a stunt motorcycle — bike purchase, crash cages, subcage, handbrake, sprockets, and ongoing crash costs. Budget breakdowns from $2,500 to $10,000+.

Learn how to do a motorcycle burnout safely — tire selection, technique for standing and rolling burnouts, common mistakes, and how to protect your bike from heat and debris damage.

Learn how to wheelie a motorcycle step by step — power wheelies, clutch wheelies, body position, rear brake control, and a week-by-week progression plan.

The real legal consequences of wheelies on public roads — reckless driving charges, license points, impound risks, and which states have the harshest penalties. Plus how to stunt legally.

The 15 most dangerous road hazards for motorcyclists — from left-turning cars to tar snakes — with NHTSA data and exactly how to handle each one.

A structured phase-by-phase roadmap for learning motorcycle stunts, from basic bike control through circle wheelies and advanced combos. Realistic timelines, session plans, and the tricks nobody tells you.

The best motorcycle backpacks and riding bags for every type of rider. Aerodynamic hardshells, waterproof packs, tank bags, and touring luggage compared with real-world pros and cons.

The best motorcycle Bluetooth headsets ranked — Cardo, Sena, Fodsports, and budget picks. Music, calls, rider-to-rider intercom, and GPS audio compared at every price point.

We tested the top motorcycle earplugs for wind noise, comfort, and sound quality. Here are the 7 best earplugs for riders in 2026 — from $5 foam to $35 high-fidelity filtered plugs.

The best motorcycle exhaust upgrades ranked by brand, type, and budget. Akrapovic, Yoshimura, Vance & Hines, and more — with sound, power, and value compared.

Women's motorcycle gear that actually fits and actually protects. The best helmets, jackets, gloves, pants, and boots designed for women riders — not pink downsized men's gear.
The best motorcycle GPS trackers for real-time tracking and theft recovery. AirTags, Monimoto, SpyTec, and more — compared by tracking type, battery life, and subscription cost.

You don't need to spend $500 for a safe helmet. These are the 7 best motorcycle helmets under $200 — Snell and ECE certified options that protect as well as helmets costing twice the price.

The best motorcycle locks compared and ranked — disc locks, chain locks, alarm locks, and budget picks. Real recommendations for every security level and budget.

The best motorcycle phone mounts compared — RAM, Quad Lock, SP Connect, and budget picks. Vibration damping, waterproofing, and which mounts destroy your phone's camera.

The best motorcycle rain gear compared -- rain suits, waterproof jackets, pants, boot covers, and glove covers. What actually keeps you dry at highway speed and what leaks after 20 minutes.

Change your motorcycle oil in 30 minutes with basic tools. Step-by-step instructions, what oil to use, how often to change it, and the tools you need.

How to convince your parents or partner to let you ride. Real data, proven strategies, and specific actions that actually change minds.

Learn how to ride a motorcycle from scratch — clutch control, shifting, braking, cornering, and highway riding. The complete beginner's guide with step-by-step instructions.

Sport bikes, cruisers, adventure bikes, touring, naked, dual-sport, cafe racers, and more — every motorcycle type explained with pros, cons, and who each one is best for.

Route planning, ride tracking, weather, maintenance logs, and group ride coordination — the apps that actually make riding better.

The best beginner motorcycle boots compared. Ankle protection, waterproofing, and sole grip explained — from casual riding shoes to full touring boots.

The best motorcycle covers compared for outdoor weather protection and indoor dust storage. Waterproof ratings, UV protection, heat shields, and lock holes explained.

The best motorcycle gloves for summer, winter, and rain compared. Knuckle armor, palm sliders, touchscreen tips, and what to actually buy for each season.

The best beginner motorcycle jackets compared. Textile vs leather, CE armor ratings, ventilation, and waterproofing explained — plus what to actually spend.

The best motorcycle tool kits and the essential tools every rider should carry. Pre-built kits vs custom builds, roadside repairs you can actually do, and what fits under your seat.

Everything you need to know before your first ride. From getting your license to buying your first bike, insurance, gear, and the real cost of riding.

Route planning, packing, fuel stops, and everything you need to know before your first multi-day motorcycle trip. No experience required.

The step-by-step checklist for buying your first used motorcycle without getting scammed. What to inspect, what to ask, and when to walk away.

The step-by-step guide to washing, detailing, and protecting your motorcycle — without scratching the paint, frying electronics, or spending all day doing it.

Every step from permit to endorsement — the MSF course, written test, riding test, and what each state requires. Your motorcycle license in the simplest terms possible.

Every rider drops their bike. It's not if, it's when. The proper technique to lift a 400+ lb motorcycle safely, plus what to inspect before riding it again.

Rain doesn't have to end your ride. Technique adjustments, the right gear, and knowing what surfaces to avoid — everything you need to ride confidently in wet conditions.

City riding is where most motorcycle accidents happen. Lane positioning, intersection strategy, SMIDSY avoidance, and the mental model that keeps you alive in traffic.

Wind is the invisible hazard nobody teaches you about. Crosswinds, gusts from trucks, and highway buffeting — here's how to handle it all without white-knuckling.

Taking a passenger changes everything — braking, turning, balance, and communication. Here's how to do it safely without terrifying the person on the back.

Motorcycle airbag vests inflate in milliseconds and reduce impact force by up to 90%. They're more affordable than you think. Here's everything you need to know.

A motorcycle is stolen every 11 minutes in the US. Learn the layered security approach — disc locks, chains, GPS trackers, alarms, and ground anchors — that actually keeps your bike safe.

Everything you need to start motorcycle camping — gear, packing, route planning, and what nobody tells you about sleeping next to your bike. The cheapest adventure on two wheels.

A dirty chain kills your sprockets, eats your power, and can snap at highway speed. Here's how to clean, lube, and adjust your motorcycle chain in 15 minutes.

Countersteering is how motorcycles actually turn. Once you understand it — really understand it — every corner feels different. Here's the complete beginner guide.

A dashcam is your witness when nobody else is. Insurance disputes, hit-and-runs, and false blame — the best motorcycle dashcams protect you when the footage matters most.

Wind noise at highway speed causes permanent hearing damage — it's happening right now. Here's the science behind noise-induced hearing loss, decibel exposure data, and why even a $5 pair of plugs changes everything.

Wrist pain, back ache, numb hands — your bike doesn't fit you. Bar risers, peg adjustments, seat mods, and windscreen height fixes for every riding position.

The complete hub for every piece of motorcycle gear you need - helmets, jackets, gloves, boots, tech, and more. One page to find it all.

The complete visual guide to motorcycle hand signals, group ride formations, and riding etiquette. Know these before your first group ride.

Liability, comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist — what each coverage does, what you actually need, and how to get the cheapest rate without getting screwed.

Everything you need to know about maintaining your motorcycle - chain care, tires, cleaning, storage, security, and the real cost of ownership. Your complete maintenance hub.

Riding at night is a different skill set. Reduced visibility, impaired drivers, and road hazards you can't see — here's how to handle it all safely.

Every riding skill you need to master - from traffic survival to cornering, rain, wind, night riding, passengers, and more. Your complete skills hub.

Don't let your bike rot over winter. Fuel stabilizer, battery maintenance, tire care, and everything else you need to do before parking it for months.

Your tires are the only thing between you and the pavement. Here's how to read tire sizes, choose the right type, check wear, and know when it's time to replace.

Insurance, gear, tires, maintenance, fuel — the complete annual breakdown of what motorcycle ownership actually costs. The number is higher than you think.

The moments after a crash matter. Scene safety, injury assessment, documentation, insurance steps, and what NOT to do — from a rider's perspective, not a lawyer's.

You don't have to garage your bike from November to March. The right layering system, heated gear, and cold-weather strategy keeps you riding year-round.

Every rider needs a solid stand for maintenance, storage, and chain work. We ranked the 10 best motorcycle stands on Amazon — from budget rear stands to heavy-duty hydraulic lifts.

The honest guide to first bikes — led by the sport bikes and nakeds that dominate BikeTok. Real specs, real prices, and the social media factor nobody else talks about.

The complete Quad Lock motorcycle guide. Every mount, every case, every accessory — which ones are worth it, which to skip, and the camera vibration issue nobody talks about enough.

After 2+ years using both, Cardo wins on sound and waterproofing. Sena's 60S wins on battery. Full breakdown with real ride footage.

I tested every Insta360 for motorcycle use — X4, X5, Ace Pro 2. Here's which one actually handles wind noise, mounting, and 360 reframing best.

The complete guide to starting your motorcycle content creator journey — from gear setup to going viral. Everything BikeTok won't tell you.

Everything you need to wear before your first ride — from helmet to boots. No fluff, just what actually protects you and why it matters.

We tested 7 helmets for new riders on fit, safety, and value. From the Shoei RF-1400 to budget picks under $200 — find the right helmet for you.

Engine braking is one of the most important concepts for new riders. Here's exactly what it is, how it works, and how to use it safely every time you ride.