What you need from Motion Pro depends on two questions: which jobs do you do yourself, and what has to come along on the bike? On the trail, a compact chain tool, tyre levers with built-in wrenches and a tyre pressure gauge will do. In the workshop you add replacement cables, fork tools in the right diameter, T-handles and model-specific tools, such as valve shim or castle nut tools for your make.
What exactly does Motion Pro offer?
Motion Pro is an American brand dedicated to tools and control cables for motorcycles, from off-road and enduro to street. In the Motion Pro collection you will find roughly six groups:
- Cables and throttle control: throttle, clutch, choke and brake cables, speedometer cables, throttle tubes and REV3.
- Chain: breaking and riveting tools, a slack gauge and an alignment tool.
- Tyres and wheels: tyre levers, rim protectors, spoke wrenches and a tyre pressure gauge.
- Suspension: fork seal drivers, fork cap wrenches and setup tools.
- Engine, carburettor and fuel injection: synchroniser, compression tester, leak-down testers and injector cleaner.
- Hand tools and model-specific tools: T-handles, tool kit, flywheel pullers, valve shim tools.
Which cable do you need: pull, push or clutch?
A throttle cable comes in three versions. The pull cable opens the throttle, the push cable (also called the return cable) actively closes it. Many bikes have two; if yours has only one, it is usually just a pull cable. There are also versions that combine both functions. Clutch, choke and brake cables are single cables, but they differ per model in length, end fittings and adjusters.
According to the manufacturer, the cables have a braided inner of strong, flexible steel and an outer casing with nylon lining for a light action. Some of the cables have a black vinyl outer casing with spiral wrap. Always choose by part number or by make, model and year, because cables that look alike do not automatically fit.
Lubricate your cables regularly and they will last longer and keep a light action. According to the manufacturer, the Cable Luber V3 works on most cables with an outer diameter of 4 to 8 mm.
REV3 throttle or standard throttle tube?
For a worn or broken throttle tube there are replacement tubes for models including Honda CR, XR/CRF, Kawasaki KX/KDX, Suzuki RM, RMX and DR and Yamaha YZ80/85. If you want to tune the throttle response yourself, the REV3 throttle kit is the next step. You get four interchangeable cams (35, 40, 45 and 50 mm) and a progressive cam. The larger the cam, the less you need to twist to reach full throttle; according to Motion Pro, each cam size makes a difference of about 10 degrees. The off-road kits come with a Titan Throttle Tube and DirtControl II grips.
Chain tools: workshop or trail?
For the workshop, the chain breaker and riveting tool (520 to 630 range) is the complete tool: pressing out, pressing in and riveting, with separate riveting tips for hollow and solid pins. The PBR Chain Breaker does the same for 520, 525 and 530 chains, with and without O-rings.
For the trail there is the Trail Task: a compact aluminium chain tool for 520, 525 and most 530 chains, weighing 230 grams according to the manufacturer. Do bring a 12 and 14 mm wrench, as you need them to use it. For adjustment, the SlackSetter Pro measures chain slack up to 7.5 mm, and the chain alignment tool lets you check whether the rear sprocket is straight.
Changing tyres and checking tyre pressure
The T-6 Combo tyre lever set consists of two levers made of forged 7075-T6 aluminium. The other end is a wrench: 10/12 mm for rim lock nuts and 32 mm hex for axle nuts, with an adapter for 27 and 22 mm.
In the workshop, the BeadPro FS breaks the tyre bead on most street and off-road bikes and ATVs. Rim protectors prevent scratches on the rim, and spoke wrenches in 5/7, 6/6.3 and 6.5/6.8 mm keep your spokes properly tensioned. For the right pressure there is a digital tyre pressure gauge up to 60 psi, with a stated accuracy of +/- 0.6 psi and a choice of PSI, bar, kg/cm2 and kPa.
Fork tools and suspension: mind the diameter
For fork servicing, the diameter of your fork tubes is what counts. Fork seal driver hammers are available from 35-36 to 48 mm and seal drivers in 49 and 50 mm. The seal bullet set (36 to 49 mm, 8 pieces) protects the seal and dust seal on upside-down forks. If a seal leaks because of dirt, try the Sealmate first, which slides between the fork tube and the seal.
Fork cap wrenches are specific to the fork type, including 49 mm 8-point, 46/50 mm, WP 50 mm, Showa BPF, Showa SFF Air Fork, KYB and Harley-Davidson 39, 41 and 49 mm. For setup, you measure sag with the Sag Scale II and adjust the rear shock damping with the ShockSetter (12 or 14 mm).
T-handles, tool kit and model-specific tools
There are T-handles with 1/4" and 3/8" square drive, Spinner Drive T-handles with bearings, the Mini-Pro T-handle set and a rack for up to 11 T-handles. For the tank bag, the metric tool kit is a compact basic set: suitable for 8, 10, 12 and 14 mm bolts, Phillips #2 and #3, slotted screws and 5 and 6 mm Allen keys, in a case.
For carburettor work there are, among others, a tool kit for the Keihin FCR, a jet wrench, an offset screwdriver and a carburettor synchroniser, optionally with a 2-litre auxiliary fuel tank. In the collection you will also find truly model-specific tools, such as valve shim tools for Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki, castle nut sockets per make, flywheel pullers in various threads, a ball joint tool for KTM and tools for the Talaria Sting.
| Job | Workshop | On the trail |
|---|---|---|
| Chain | Chain breaker and riveting tool or PBR Chain Breaker | Trail Task |
| Tyres | BeadPro FS, rim protectors | T-6 Combo tyre levers |
| Pressure | Digital tyre pressure gauge | Digital tyre pressure gauge |
| Suspension | Fork seal driver, fork cap wrench, Sag Scale II | ShockSetter |
| Nuts and bolts | T-handles and rack | Metric tool kit |
How to choose in 3 steps
- Define the job. Is it a replacement (cable, throttle tube), maintenance (chain, fork, carburettor) or adjustment (sag, damping, tyre pressure)?
- Check your bike. Cables, castle nut sockets, valve shim tools and fork tools are specific to make, model or size. Note your chain size, fork diameter, fork type and thread.
- Choose workshop or trail. In the workshop you go for the complete tool; on the trail, size and combined functions are what count.
Frequently asked questions
Which Motion Pro tools should you take on a trail ride?
Take a compact chain tool such as the Trail Task, plus a 12 and 14 mm wrench. Add T-6 Combo tyre levers, which also double as a wrench for rim lock and axle nuts, and a compact tool kit, and you have the most common trailside repairs covered.
What is the difference between a pull cable and a push cable?
The pull cable opens the throttle when you twist the grip. The push cable, also called the return cable, actively closes the throttle when you let go. Many bikes have both; check per model which version you need.
How do I know which Motion Pro cable fits my bike?
Cables differ per model in length, end fittings and adjusters. Choose by the part number of your current cable or by make, model and year. If in doubt, send us those details.
Which fork seal driver do I need for my front fork?
That depends on the diameter of your fork tubes, which is often stated in the owner's manual or on the fork itself. Motion Pro has fork seal driver hammers from 35-36 to 48 mm and seal drivers for 49 and 50 mm.
What does a REV3 throttle do?
With the REV3 you change how far you need to twist the throttle to reach full throttle. You do this by switching between cams from 35 to 50 mm or by choosing the progressive cam, which gives precise control at small throttle openings and opens faster at larger ones.
Can I rivet every chain with one chain tool?
Not always. The PBR Chain Breaker is for 520, 525 and 530; the chain breaker and riveting tool covers 520 to 630. So check your bike's chain size first.
Browse the full range in the Motion Pro collection, shipped from the Netherlands. Not sure which cable or tool fits your bike? Send us a message with make, model and year and we will look it up for you.