I'm having a hard time figuring out what i need in terms of protection for street riding gloves.
It appears that are are endless choices.. from gloves that look like golf gloves to ones that look like something out of a starwars movie or something with all of this metal and composite material.
I'm looking for a spring, summer glove with decent protection.
Any suggestions? Do i need all of this composite nuckle protectors and such?
Thanks.
You'll want to go with a name brand, ie Joe Rocket, Alpinestars, Tour Master etc. and don't skimp. That doesn't mean you should have to spend $100, but avoid $15 thin leather, non-gauntlet style gloves.
These are pretty highly recommended and are VERY cheap right now: http://www.newenough.com/tour_master_robomax_carbon_gloves_page.htm
In all the crashes that I have been in, have been in simple, unlined, unarmored, summer leather m/c gloves; TourMasters to be specific, with nylon webbing between the fingers. And, these did not have gauntlets (wrist covering, but they did have a velcro wrist strap. And, I've been fine, but I've been lucky. I do not suggest getting ones with the nylon webbing between the fingers anymore, and one of our members here has pictures of the gloves and hand after the crash. The fingers on the gloves rotated around his fingers. This is why fitment is so important on ALL our gear. I have the TourMaster Carbon II's. Another thing, avoid synthetics, including synthetic leather; I used to have a pair of Fieldsheer gloves for when I raced, with the riveted palms, the fingers wore thru from the normal wear of using clutch and brake levers.
Just got these for christmas and they fit/feel awesome.
http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/product~pf_id~4096410~dept_id~1299639.asp
Chances are that you'll need several pairs of gloves for different riding conditions - Cold, wet, cool, hot.
Other than the GS, I own BMW's - I like the high quality of the gloves and other apparel they offer. They are expensive but my last pair of gloves lasted 12 years and would still be good except for the thumbs wearing out. My Rally II jacket :bowdown: ran $550.00(!) but I have yet to be cold in it and with the zip out Gortex liner and the venting I have yet to be **HOT** in it. It's also very good in the rain for keeping me dry.
I have a set of First Gear riding pants and wear them in the cold and on long rides regardless of how hot it is. As crazy as this sounds, I wore them in 100+ degree heat and so long as you're moving they keep you comfortable - they insulate you from the heat AND the cold.
I have bought a lot of crap over the years and you will learn as you go on what works, what doesn't and fits you and your style of riding. Gear has come a long way and the new stuff is really very good.
Buy the best you can afford - gear is an area that you don't want to cheese out on. :thumb:
There's a nice web site called New Enough (www.newenough.com) and they have nice gear at very reasonable prices.
Good luck!
I like the gloves with hard armor. I have a pair of fieldsheer gloves that are darn comfy and fit me good. I have even worn them dirt riding.
I don't agree that you have to buy a pair of name brand gloves to get quality. Quite the contrary in my opinion. My cousin had a pair of Joe rocket something or others and although they looked really cool, the leather quality just isn't there. The leather in the palm ripped completely out in his pair just from everyday use. He didn't abuse them or crash in them.
I on the other hand bought a pair of cheap $20 no name gloves at last years show with fake carbon knuckles that were actually plastic, and a mesh top. I found the leather to be actually superior to the j-rock stuff, and I know my stuff when it comes to leather ( I work in a leather shop). I crashed my bike, (not my gs but my old cb400f) in these gloves and I was fine. This is all that happened:
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/gimmeaname1234/oldglove1.jpg)
These are the gloves;
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/gimmeaname1234/oldglove.jpg)
At this years show I found another pair of gloves that I really like. Again at some knock off stand for only $20
Here they are;
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/gimmeaname1234/newgloves.jpg)
They seem to be a knock off of the icon timax gloves accept with carbon instead of aluminum knuckles. They look to be made by the same company accept this time with real carbon fiber, (or some very, very, very convincing fake carbon) these ones are all leather with no mesh and are the same quality of the ones from last year. All of the seams in them are double stitched and reinforced.
I think if you know your stuff, you can get damn good no name gloves for under $30, and in my opinion, even better than some of the name brands.
I wear Frank Thomas gloves in the winther (gauntlet).....and have worn Joe Rocket mesh gloves for the past couple of summers....the JR gloves don't last much more then a season.....the Frank Thomas ones are 4 years old and are still perfect.....
....I'm thinking about trying the Icon Super Duty gloves next summer....they're about $50.....
Wear good ALL LEATHER gloves. I had some gloves by Olympia with mesh between the fingers, and I still have a big chunk of scar tissue in my finger and no feeling in part of the tip of it.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20659.0
It's graphic, but it's important.