Riding with gloves?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 206
Likes: 12
From: California
I have some street and steal leather gloves for all year around. Westwood is the name of them i think. They are good for the summer and everything else except the winter. I ride in 40 to 30 degree weather tgis tike around and it is cooold. My hands start to freeze up but its just a 30 minute ride from work to home when i get out at night. Investing in some weather apppropriate options would prob be smart. When i dont have gloves on now it dont feel right. Im use to gloves on at all times if its just not a move from a parking spot to a better parling spot
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 214
From: Delawere
Last edited by HrdNox; Dec 31, 2017 at 04:36 PM. Reason: Fixed link
Here in Australia it gets really hot, but I always wear gloves, lace-up boots and a helmet (usually 3/4, with eye protection).
On the other hand, I almost never wear a motorbike jacket and/or high-tech kevlar etc motorbike pants (unless I'm riding high-speed out in the country etc). Sturdy workwear cotton is plenty for me.
I was a nurse for fifteen years and I saw the big difference gloves, boots and helmets made to the rider. There's no 'spare' meat on your hands, feet or head, they are complex and delicate mechanically and they are relatively exposed areas of a human body.
So, even a relatively slow-speed off very often causes horrible, permanent and disabling injuries to hands, feet and head.
In contrast, shoulders, knees and backsides are relatively sturdy and generally only end up with gravel rash, which isn't fun but (to my mind) not a huge issue, and not worth the weight and restriction of leather jackets etc.
Everyone has to make their own calls in that regard, of course.
More generally, as others have said, the key to gloves is fit, good design, and quality materials. I used to wear leather (deer skin is great), but nowadays mostly wear mechanix-type synthetic gloves, and replace them every six-12 months (I'm an every day rider). As to feel, once you get used to them, they make no discernible difference, and can (as one of my riding mates found out on a long summer ride
) prevent horrible blistering sun-burn!
.
.
On the other hand, I almost never wear a motorbike jacket and/or high-tech kevlar etc motorbike pants (unless I'm riding high-speed out in the country etc). Sturdy workwear cotton is plenty for me.
I was a nurse for fifteen years and I saw the big difference gloves, boots and helmets made to the rider. There's no 'spare' meat on your hands, feet or head, they are complex and delicate mechanically and they are relatively exposed areas of a human body.
So, even a relatively slow-speed off very often causes horrible, permanent and disabling injuries to hands, feet and head.
In contrast, shoulders, knees and backsides are relatively sturdy and generally only end up with gravel rash, which isn't fun but (to my mind) not a huge issue, and not worth the weight and restriction of leather jackets etc.
Everyone has to make their own calls in that regard, of course.
More generally, as others have said, the key to gloves is fit, good design, and quality materials. I used to wear leather (deer skin is great), but nowadays mostly wear mechanix-type synthetic gloves, and replace them every six-12 months (I'm an every day rider). As to feel, once you get used to them, they make no discernible difference, and can (as one of my riding mates found out on a long summer ride
) prevent horrible blistering sun-burn! .
.
Last edited by Davdoodles; Dec 31, 2017 at 04:54 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 214
From: Delawere
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,013
Likes: 7,137
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Alright it was chilly here today and I went for a ride. The first leg I rode without gloves. My hands had a good frozen feel. So on the ride back I wore my gloves.
Now I've never put much thought into it, but I did not like the way the bars felt. It's almost like no feeling of the bike. The feel of the road isn't the same.
Am I the only one who n has this sensation? Or anyone else notice this?
Now I've never put much thought into it, but I did not like the way the bars felt. It's almost like no feeling of the bike. The feel of the road isn't the same.
Am I the only one who n has this sensation? Or anyone else notice this?
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
There's a very good reason that essentially 100% of baseball players wear batting gloves, and golfers wear golf gloves.
It connects your hand to whatever your holding. It absorbs perspiration. It gives you the best grip you can get.
I wear gloves when it's 112.
Once in a while when I ride the bike around the block to warm the engine up after I wash it I'll go without putting gloves on.
Hate the feel, hate the lack of control, hate the lack of connection between my palms and the grips that I only get with gloves.
Always wear 'em. Always.
Oh, btw, don't forget that if you "fall" your brain makes you put your hands in front of you, palms down. Don't forget that.
It connects your hand to whatever your holding. It absorbs perspiration. It gives you the best grip you can get.
I wear gloves when it's 112.
Once in a while when I ride the bike around the block to warm the engine up after I wash it I'll go without putting gloves on.
Hate the feel, hate the lack of control, hate the lack of connection between my palms and the grips that I only get with gloves.
Always wear 'em. Always.
Oh, btw, don't forget that if you "fall" your brain makes you put your hands in front of you, palms down. Don't forget that.