ARE YOU A MOTORCYCLE GLOVE JUNKIE?
Do you have more riding gloves than might make sense to a casual observer?
If you are a season rider, you’ve probably got a few pairs to select from, when you crank over your bike’s motor.
Some gloves are easy to justify: Motorcycle gloves for hot weather. Riding gloves for cool weather. Different gloves for wet-weather riding. Maybe you even have “rain covers” to pull over your gloves when Mother Nature offers a worldly cleansing while you’re on the road. Of course if you are dirt-bike rider, that opens up another opportunity for a collection. And perhaps you don’t like to mix your “riding” gloves with “working” or “mechanic” gloves. (Should you confess to owning heated, electric gloves?) Finally, there’s “those” gloves. More concisely, your “favorite” motorcycle riding gloves. Regardless that they may be the most worn, and maybe even close to being completely worn-out. “Those” are the gloves that offer the indescribable balance of tactile comfort and familiarity, having participated in endless miles of motorcycle enjoyment.
For all the experiences that a good pair of motorcycle gloves may offer, their primary function boils down to two primary areas of service:
#1) Increased comfort, enjoyment and control. Your hands may seem to automatically handle the front brake, throttle and clutch: particularly when your hands are comfortable. And of course, given that relative comfort, they naturally and easily convey the necessary steering to guide you along your motorbike path. But, what if your hands become fatigued? Cramped? Cold? Or even sunburned? As you know and have likely experienced, any of these conditions can negatively affect your riding control – ESPECIALLY in an emergency, when your split-second, precision command is what you most need to avoid a potential disaster.
#2) Protection. What would motorcycle riding be like without the full use of your hands? Protecting your paws in the event of a mishap is arguably the primary service your riding gloves may offer – even if they are never called upon to fulfill that duty. It’s probable that you don’t get on your bike thinking, “Today’s the day I’m going to crash.” Heck, even if you haven’t been initiated into the brotherhood of motorcycle riders who continue to enjoy the sport after biting some asphalt, perhaps you can at least imagine that if/when YOU “might” meet such an occasion, that those mitts of yours would be vulnerable to damage. Ultimately, if you should find yourself in that unfortunate circumstance, the last thing you want is to be going down without wearing motorcycle gloves. (As well as wearing the rest of your gear!)
Speaking from experience, I’ve bitten the asphalt a few times. In fact, two of the crashes were somewhat dramatic. Over the course of a few decades of riding, two motorcycles were totaled as a result. However, in each case, motorcycle gloves kept my hands from sustaining injury.
So, are you a motorcycle glove junkie?
That’s one habit you can live with.
i only own 2 pairs now
the full leather which is about 5 months old
and a mesh type gloves that it replaced
i still keep the mesh type though it’s worn off (as in i had to sew the ends of the fingers of the gloves) as a backup if its raining or the leather glove is to be cleaned
i started wearing gloves with the intention of keeping my hands off dirt when i ride to work so my very first pair was a cheap textile gloves with some design effort for protection. i got it for P250 (about $2.50)
When i got my first motor cycle crash, i was wearing that pair and it literally got torn on the palm. good thing that my palm was undamaged but i decided not to use it again…
Unfortunately, my glove collection, though it may have seven or eight pairs would be bigger if they made larger sizes. I wear a size 18 ring on my ring finger and 3x are usually the largest I can find. Then when I try to ride with them, they cause my hands to cramp. SO, I have one half pair and one set of Gautlets that see ALOT of wear. Where are the bigger gloves…4X & up.
Yeah, I am…guilty! They are the weak link to my riding though. I don’t give a lot of attention to weather when I select them and then berate myself when it get’s cold. Shoulda, coulda, gonna…! Fall protection is my biggest concern when buying a pair. I usually get mechanics type, armored knuckles, leather palm and fingers with velcro at the wrist.