ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME - GLOVES

Second in a series…

Recall the good friend and colleague Registered Nurse whose son, after being exposed by his mother to this blog, decided to purchase a Honda Shadow 750 upon his return from Africa, as his first bike.  Her query of me: “What stuff should he have to be as safe as possible?”

“If something happens to my hands, I’ll find myself livin’ under a bridge in less than month.”  So spoke an affiliate of mine who works with his hands, freelancing as a piano mover and a mid-weight equipment operator. 

“So why’re you wearing THOSE gloves?” I asked pointing to the pair of hardware store Wells Lamonts. Great for wrapping around a shovel I’m thinking but not so hot on a twist grip. 

It’s been said that the cheapest thing on a BMW is the rider, and this guy is no exception.  Dismounting his meticulously cared for 80s era vintage R80RT, he as much as said, Gloves schmuvs.  “I get these for twelve bucks a pair an use ‘em for everything.  Why should I spend five times that?” 

“I don’t know.  Because you don’t want to end up under a bridge somewhere?”

Gloves are an important piece of motorcycle safety equipment.  I’m no expert, but chances are, if one takes an unintended dismount at any kind of speed, hands, or portions of them, will be worn off as they skid along an unforgiving section of pavement.  Quality motorcycle gloves provide extra protection in such an event.  Constructed of combinations of leather and a synthetic fabric sometimes known as Cordura (a trademark registered product of DuPont Corporation.)  High quality gloves may include an envelope of gel that can provide extra cushion for impact points in the event of a fall.   

While leather palms may abrade as one skids across the pavement, better the leather than the flesh. 

Motorcycle gloves are engineered for specific purposes.  As a road rider who occasionally finds some gravel to enjoy, I have four pair.  I choose the glove for the ride I anticipate I’ll be taking.

Around town in spring summer and fall, I wear a short glove with a hook and loop strap (Velcro®) that secures them at my wrist.  Made fully of leather, a gel pack pads the palm and a portion of the back.  The gloves fit nicely at the end of any jacket I may choose to wear, but usually, these are worn with a light leather jacket or with a summer weight mesh jacket. 

They are stylish (the least of my concerns) and fit nicely in my helmet or tank bag for storage – or in a jacket pocket if that’s more convenient when checking out some local bookstore or bistro in town.

On a road trip or if I know I’m doing some gravel, I choose ventilated gloves with a longer gauntlet that is snugged under the end of the jacket sleeve.  This pair has a poly-plastic vent atop the knuckles that allows the flow of air in.  The fingers are leather (kangaroo, I believe) but the body is perforated thus aiding in cooling and breathability.  There is a gel pad in the palm. 

A Velcro attachment secures the wrists.  These gloves are durable and have proven to be my go to choice for versatility.  If I were counseling a beginner, something like this might be my first choice for an “only pair.”  They aren’t cheap, but remember the whole living-under-a-bridge concern…

Winter and rainy day riding can be quite an experience – and a good thing to do to keep one’s skills fresh in the “off season.”  My waterproof winter gloves are thickly padded providing some insulation from cold blasts at speed.  Their long gauntlets stuff inside the sleeves of my three-quarter length three-season jacket, but can slip over the ends of the insulated leather jacket I sometimes wear. 

I find that the middle finger of my throttle hand sometimes gets very cold – even numb – a situation that is both uncomfortable and distracting.  I stop occasionally and dip the finger in hot coffee (a dumb thing to do) while the waitress stares at me incredulously.  Still, well-insulated winter gloves are essential because hand dexterity is exceptionally critical when operating the bike.  I try to always have these with me – particularly on  long trips – in order to accommodate changing weather conditions.

My back up pair of gloves is a pair of lambskin leather jobs from Germany.  Their interior lining is softer than the proverbial baby’s bottom.  They have the gel and they’re really attractive.  They’ve proven to be rugged and durable, providing a little bit more coverage and warmth than the shorties mentioned earlier.   Although this pair is pricy, something of similar design and construction would be another excellent choice for an “only pair.”

Properly fitting gloves need to, well, fit like a glove.  They should not be so tight as to restrict hand movement or bind fingers.  They should not be so loose as to compromise positive contact with controls and switchgear.  They should be thick enough to protect from impact and/or cold, but not so thick as to inhibit one’s ability to feel those switches and levers.  They should be kept clean and allowed to dry thoroughly after wet-weather or hot, sweaty use.  And they should be replaced regularly.  The last thing a rider wants to find out is that their gloves have rotted out 3/100ths of a second after having met the pavement.

Gloves are an essential part of the safe rider’s gear.  On that bad day, they could prove to be the difference between simply an unfortunate spill and finding yourself living under a bridge somewhere.  Don’t skimp.

o0o

[Update (14 Sep 12):  Check the thoughtful words shared by Tina Ingle, Cordura brand account manager, regarding the Church's representation /misrepresentation of Cordura applications in motorcycle gear.  It is located in our comment section below this post.  Thanks for the clarification, Tina.]

© 2012

Church of the Open Road Press