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I can’t believe it’s this hard to find the gloves I’m looking for… thought might enjoy a general glove convo.
My take on gloves, gotta have them for protection. Some things I’ve learned:
Different brands run differently size wise.
Harley gloves I need and XL and they are snug, but should be.
Bilt brand XL run smaller than Harley XL
It’s nice to find gloves that still allow me to operate my phone.
Harley gloves do a good job of this, Bilt do not
Mesh summer weight really work well in Florida heat.
Gauntlet gloves that are insulated work really well when it’s below 40’s
Value, I’ve tried lots of cheap gloves and I believe cheap gloves are better than no gloves, but you do get what you pay for.
A good value is like new used gloves on Ebay. I’ve scored brand new tagged, highend Harley gloves for as little as $15.00, new they are close to $100.00
Let’s talk safety
Long stiff over the wrist gloves protect better… but I’m not a power ranger and want a balance of being cool and having a protective glove.
Short gloves that stop just at the wrist don’t protect near as well… but I prefer them.
Silly knuckle shields do very little in a crash… why do they concentrate on this being a safety feature.. IDK.
What’s really important is the palm slider… BUT A HARD PLASTIC ONE.
Why, helps keep you from breaking your wrist cause they do the names sake… they slide while your weight is on them.
Thick leather, what most are that I own, probably make it more dangerous
Why, the ground surface grabs onto the leather and turns your hands in during a crash, breaking your wrist.
Velcro, keep it clean and don’t let conditioner get in it… it’s annoying when they don’t hold while wearing.
Cool Factor
I like cafe style gloves, no rainbow colored Thanos looking crap for me.. it ain’t a cartoon and I’m not a 14 year old racing dirt bikes.
I accessorize like a chick… I like my gloves to match my helmet, not my jacket.
SO FAVOR, ANYONE KNOW OF CAFE RACEWR STYLE GLOVES THAT HAVE HARD PALM SLIDERS? IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND.
Last edited by Rains2much; Apr 16, 2026 at 10:36 AM.
Sizes do vary greatly. I have a decent size hand but not a paw like my father had but HD XL's sometimes is not large enough. And Biltwell gloves and shirts are made for some skinny lanky people. I bought 2 sets of XL, OJ experience. Returned them for 2XL, still did not fit and I gave them away. XL sweat shirt wouldn't go over my shoulders, 2XL went down to me knees, gave that away as well.
Moral of the story, you need to be in person and try them on. I can't speak for pucks, by Tractor Supply has a good selection, seriously.
I'm with you on the knuckle protection. Haven't really figured out what it's for. Bugs? Fist fights?
I like the Cortech Bully. Mine are about 5 years old and it looks like they'll go 5 more no problem. I wear an XL normally but had to go 2XL with these. They have the plastic palm sliders. When it's hot I'm in my mx gloves, but any cooler than hot, I wear these.
Areostich Elk Skin Ropers.. Fifteen years old and like new. Tuff as nails yet soft and comfortable..I condition them and they are my go to favorite. You can beat them.
Visiting the local Harley shop lately I picked up a pair of these that are comfy and work pretty well. I switch between these and Fox Creek Elkskin gloves.
Probably have close to 12 pairs of different gloves and types from heated, to racing, to spring/fall/summer.
Anything that will protect your knuckles from bugs/stones and a slide on the pavement are good in my opinion. Nothing worse than gravel ground into your palm in a get-off. Seen it a few times when others were not wearing gloves.
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Let’s talk Gloves
