It's a nice time to ride our motorcycles; you've given your tires the once over, your engine's been treated to fresh oil, and even your brakes have been renewed. But when was the last time you thought about your motorcycle's cooling system? If you're the owner of an air-cooled motorcycle then you can be excused, but as most modern motorcycles are liquid-cooled then it's time you spared a thought for this vital part of your motorcycle.

We say motorcycles are liquid-cooled, what is basically done with a coolant, a mixture of anti-corrosion inhibitors, antifreeze and lubrication agents. Pouring water in the top of your radiator should only be done as a temporary measure or in a roadside emergency.

The HJC RPHA10 is the top end race spec helmet worn by riders like Jorge Lorenzo. However, its USP is that it offers top level kit for a lot less than its rivals. My helmet is a USA spec HJC RPHA10 that conforms to DOT standards and is pleasantly light but pick up a Euro spec one and you will be shocked at how little it weighs.

The shell of the HJC RPHA10 is constructed with a combination of fiberglass, carbon fiber and Aramids. It is quite compact, a little narrow at the base and generally oval in shape. A double D-ring retention system keeps it firmly fastened. HJC has three different shell sizes as you go through the sizing chart. The graphics here is the Buzzsaw that also comes in Black/White and Black/Red. It looks extremely aggressive and seems of high quality but look closely enough and you will notice some tiny dust spots.

Any knowlededgeable motorcycle enthusiast will tell you WP is a Dutch suspension manufacturer. That was true once, but in the nearly for decades since the firm was established, it has become more. Much more, as I discovered during a factory tour.

WP was founded in 1977 by Wim Peters, whose initials purportedly gave the company its name. That's only part of the story, however, because for many years WP went by White Power. This made sense for two reasons: First, the company's spring vendor manufactured hospital beds, so the only paint color it had was white. And second, throughout the '80s and '90s the US importer was White Brothers. At some point, however, someone realized that “White Power” had certain rasist implications, so the name was changed to WP.

In 1999, KTM acuired WP, but it wasn't until a decade later that manufacturing was moved to a huge new factory in Munderfing, Austria, a few kilometers from KTM headquarters in Mattighofen. (The original WP facility in the Netherlands is now used solely for race support.) The following year KTM became a subsidiary of WP, and two years after that the firm took over production of KTM's frames and exhaust systems.

BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars announce that they are starting an exclusive cooperation in innovative motorcycle safety clothing systems. The first product to be launched under this cooperation will be a BMW Motorrad jacket jointly developed by BMW Motorrad and Alpinestars, combined with an airbag waistcoat developed using Alpinestars technology. The new BMW Motorrad jacket, being branded by both makers, will be available in both male and female versions and the public presentation of this newly developed airbag jacket will be held later this year.

The airbag waistcoat is based on Alpinestars’ Tech-Air™ airbag system, the world’s first self-contained street airbag system that independently functions without the need for sensors to be installed on the bike and the subsequent need to link a specific motorcycle to the airbag system used by the rider.

Skawal is the new motorcycle helmet from Shark's Pulse range – a series of helmets that they say matches 'aggressive looks with versatility, comfort and safety'. But they would, wouldn't they. Yet, the Shark Skwal is the first full-face helmet to combine three integrated LED lights into the shell to help with rider visibility, especially at night.

The Shark Skwal helmet is made from injected thermo plastic and weighing 1470 grams, the Skwasl has a removable and washable lining, a Pinlock included in the box and uses a micro lock buckle system for fastening. It features a quick release visor system, integrated sun visor, Shark's easy fit system for glass wearers and is Sharktooth ready – meaning fitting the Bluetooth communication system is a piece of the proverbial.

Sick of heading out for a short ride, only to return home bug splattered and facing a lengthy motorcycle cleaning job or risking damage to your motorcycle's paint?

Motul have the answer with E7 Insect Remover. This spray on cleaner doesn't drip and dissolves organic grime in next-to-no time. Give it a few minutes to work and you can wipe off the mess with a soft microfiber lint-free cloth, plus it also works on bird droppings!

Some people asked us what's so new with the engine of the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1. First the redesign started at the crossplane-crank engine that's been significantly lightened but also tweaked to provide the top-end performance that the previous-generation YZF-R1 lacked. The added performance begins at a 24-percent-larger airbox and air duct that runs through the steering pipe to pressurize the airbox similar to how air is fed through the Yamaha MotoGP bike.

The YCC-I variable intake system has been updated so that funnel length at high rpm is 20 percent shorter than before, plus Yamaha has straightened the injector spray angle so that fuel sprays to the back of the intake valve rather than toward the port walls for improved combustion. Intake and exhaust valves are larger, by 2mm and 1.5mm, respectively, placed at a narrower angle, and work through machined combustion chambers that are intended to increase compression ratio consistency from one cylinder to the next.

Bore and stroke jump from 78.0 x 52.2mm to 79.0 x 50.9mm, while compression ratio climbs from 12.7:1 to 13.0:1.

With 10% of global trade estimated to be in counterfeit goods, Intellectual Property crime – which includes counterfeit goods – is seriously big business.

Often found for sale online and at markets, criminals selling counterfeit goods are often aware of the consequences of their actions and for this reason purposefully try to stay under the radar and not raise suspicions of law enforcement or members of the public.

The internet is a major facilitator of IP crime – social media offers a great platform for showcasing the 'fake' goods on sale. Previously, the agencies focused on online auctions and websites, but recently there has been a significant shift to social media.

As well as the obvious fake goods such as alcohol, cigarettes and casual clothing proving popular for the counterfeiters, riding gear and motorcycle parts have been targeted by some trying to make quick cash. Whether it's a brand-new motorcycle helmet that you're buying online, or a riding jacket that you've found for a bargain price at a local market – beware, as it might not be what it claims.

Not so long ago I was riding on the Bangkok outerring road during my morning commute, an car began to change lanes into the space I was occupying. I immediately hit the horn button but was only met with a weak beep that wouldn't startle a mouse. As you'd expect, the driver of the car had the windows closed and never heard the motorcycle's weak noise emitting from the horn, forcing me to take evasive action.

I thought perhaps there was something amiss with the motorcycle's horn, so I hit the horn button a few more times afterward while riding at around 100km/h with no cars nearby. The sound level was exactly the same (I could barely hear it over the wind noise, so I can imagine it would be barely perceptible to a car with its windows closed and maybe the radio on). So I beeped it a few more times while stopped in the parking lot of our office to check; sure enough, the horn seemed to be working properly – it's just that 'properly' is a relative term when you're dealing with already-distracted drivers of cars equipped with acoustic interiors that were designed to block out external noise, coupled with powerful stereo systems that would be overkill for a average sized pub/cafe.

The Alpinestars S-MX Plus Gore-Tex boots are sold as all-year 365 days boots and to be honest, that's not a bad statement. The Alpinestars S-MX Plus Gore-Tex motorcycle boots combine the protection and feel of a race boot with the comfort and weather protection of a Gore-Tex lined touring boot.

Based on the standard Alpinestars S-MX Plug, the boots goot all the ankle, shin and heel protection of a proper race boot and even an internal tongue which laces tight for a snug fit. They're not quite as reassuring as a set of super high-tech boots, but they're easier and quicker to get on – and for everyday use, that counts.

On the average hot Thai day they've proven to be pleasingly breathable and on the cold days, when the mercury drops near zero degree at the north of Thailand in the mountains, the Alpinestars S-MX Plug Gore-Tex are still pretty pleasant to wear. I've been impressed with the water-beating qualities of this motorcycle boots. Despite a long zipper on the outside with plenty of potential for leaks, they've been watertight and have only suffered a very tiny amount of water ingress into one of the boots after standing in a bucket of water.