Hot off the press: BikeSocial Tests The B601
11 November 2026 · Press Office · 2 min read
If there's one tester whose verdict carries real weight in UK biking, it's John Milbank. As Consumer Editor at Bennetts BikeSocial, John has worked in media since the mid-'90s, most of it in motorcycling.
He rides every day and is openly obsessed with product testing; his view is that whether kit costs £1 or £1,000, riders deserve the most thorough, honest review possible.
So when John spent last winter testing our B601 UltraFlex Heated Bodywarmer, we knew it wasn't getting an easy ride. John isn't new to KEIS, he's worn our V501 heated vest for a few years, so he knew exactly what he was measuring the B601 against.
Three Bikes, Proper Miles
Rather than a quick spin round the block, John lived with the B601 through the cold months, wearing it on three very different bikes: a BMW R1250GS, a Honda VFR800 and a Triumph Scrambler 400XC. That mix matters because a big adventure tourer, a sports-tourer and a lightweight scrambler all sit you differently and expose you to the wind in different ways, so it's a fair test of how the kit copes with real riding.
His rides ranged from a chilly November outing to a near two-hour stint at 5°C. He then took it indoors and measured the garment's temperature in every mode; the kind of extra step that sets his reviews apart.
"Make no mistake, heated kit really is a winter essential."
How It Performed
Warmth - On that two-hour ride at 5°C, the medium setting kept John comfortable, and on his November ride low was all he needed. That leaves high in reserve for the properly bitter days.
The B601 uses Micro Carbon heating panels, spread across the chest, the back and the collar, and John counted the heated collar among its biggest plus points; anyone who's felt a cold draught start to creep down their neck at speed will understand why.
Fit and comfort - Wearing a large, at 5'10" tall, John found it true to size, and the stretchy construction made it very easy to wear under his riding kit. His one tip is to try the B601 with the jacket you plan to wear over it, to make sure it closes comfortably over the additional thickness of the collar section.
Power - Wired into the bike, the B601 is gentle on your electrics. John measured a maximum draw of 2.9A on high, which means it should suit most motorcycles, and a selection of fuses comes in the box.
If you'd rather go cable-free, there's the optional 5,000mAh battery, which charges by USB-C. John recorded 3hr 48min on low, 2hr 13min on medium and 1hr 31min on high. For longer days in the saddle, the included bike lead is the way to go, giving you heat for as long as you're riding.
“…heated kit is one of those rare cases where calling it a ‘game-changer’ is more than just a trope…”
The Verdict
"The B601 costs just a few pounds more than the V501 once a controller is included, yet adds that heated collar; which is why John rated it clearly the better value of the two. If you want warmth around your neck, or you're running it from the bike, he reckons it's the one to go for. As he put it: "If you're buying purely on price, the B601 is the best bet."
You can read John's full review on BikeSocial, or take a closer look at the B601 and see how it fits into your winter riding.