Gloves Gone, but Not Forgotten...and a Replacement Pair

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I noticed a couple of weeks ago that my favorite riding gloves were starting to go to pieces.  The perforated sections were tearing between the perforations.  Not good. 

So soon?  They still seem like they are my "new" gloves. 

The tears mean that they are probably not as protective as they ought to be in case of a fall. 

I bought that pair of Shift Carbine Motorcycle Gloves in 2008, based on a review by WebBikeWorld, that said they were a good value for gloves that were almost of race quality.  I paid about $88 for them, mail order. 

Fingers are not supposed to stick through.

They are comfortable and have given me good service over the years.  The loop half of the Velcro had become worn out a couple of years ago to the point where they would not stay closed, so I had some new Velcro sewn on by a local seamstress for about $20. 

It seems that Velcro does not last as long as it should.  Maybe it is counterfeit Velcro in the case of these gloves. 

I searched and searched for glove recommendations when I started looking for replacements of my old-faithful pair.  I ran across a sale at CycleGear online for the 2011 version of Alpinestars GP Plus Gloves.  Their original price was $189, but, because they are a few years old in style, they were advertised for $139.95 + local tax, and free shipping.  (I just looked, and they are now out of stock.  Sorry.  The newest version is likely just as good or better, but higher priced.) 

I carefully examined their sizing chart to make sure I sent for the right size.  You measure straight across your palm beneath the knuckles where your fingers meet your palm.  I settled on a size medium, and pressed the payment button.  (I thoroughly enjoy the research process up to that point, by the way, but not beyond.) 

After a few days waiting, the gloves arrived and I tried them on. 

They fit snugly across the hand and around the fingers, but since they are leather, they will break in and stretch a bit with use.  It does take a few extra seconds to get them on, being so tight.  They are quite comfortable, however.  The gauntlets cover my riding suit sleeves adequately, and there is a narrow strap with Velcro to secure the glove around your wrist to prevent its coming off.  Even though it has been hot, the gloves are comfortable and not oppressive. 

3rd and 4th fingers attached to one another

Alpinestars says there is dual density knuckle protection and finger sliders that offer superior impact and abrasion resistance.  The 3rd and 4th fingers are attached to one another to prevent the little finger from rolling (and breaking) if you are sliding on the outside of your hand.  They also say there is KEVLAR® in the lining.  The palms have little bumps that are supposed to allow for the palm to slide on the pavement instead of sticking.  Sticking instead of sliding can cause tumbling, and tumbling increases the probability of fractures.  There are stretch panels and perforations in the wrist area.  As might be expected, the fingers are pre-curved so you don't have to fight the gloves to grip the bars. 

So far, I like 'em. 

We'll see how long they last, and whether they remain comfortable over their life. 

Anybody have these gloves?  What do you think of them?
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Dressing for Cold Weather Riding -- Take Three

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Quite a while back, I posted a couple of articles about cold weather riding.  If you missed them, you can find them under Dressing for Cold Weather Riding, and Dressing for Cold Weather Riding - Take Two. 

I still use those techniques for keeping warm when it is crispy cold outside, varying the number and weight of the layers as the temperatures warm.   In summer, I am down to an armored leather suit, back protector, gloves, helmet, and boots.  I never wear anything less when riding, 'cause my skin and bones are too valuable for me to risk.  I feel very uncomfortable if I mount the beast wearing anything less, and I cringe when I see others riding with little or no protection. 

In fact, I once had occasion to move my bike while at work one day so some maintenance work could be done where it had been parked.  I decided to move it to the other side of the plant -- less than a tenth of a mile -- so I wore only my helmet, but no other protective gear.  I could not believe how vulnerable and shaky I felt knowing that if I hit a pebble and dumped it, I would probably be hurt.  I certainly do not ride recklessly, but I feel much more confident if I am wearing the right gear. 

Does anyone else feel that way? 

Anyway, back to the cold weather topic.  

Found on AdV Rider Forum

I was recently browsing on e-Bay, and entered in "Hippo Hands", since that is one of the things I already have to keep my tender little hands warm when it is cold.  They, along with my heated grips, make for a comfortable combination all the way down into the low thirties. 

A few items came up including a pair of Ducks Unlimited hand warmers.  The price was only $1.00 with a $5.00 shipping charge.  Cheap enough to suit me, so I bid a few dollars.  Low and behold, I won the auction.  When they arrived, they looked much smaller than my Hippo Hands, so I was concerned that they would fit over the bars and controls.  They are constructed of Nylon with a smooth liner separated from the exterior shell by foam insulation. 

Remember that I installed a couple of metal angle brackets covered with foam pipe insulation to hold the hand warmers away from the levers while underway.

 

Nevertheless, with some fiddling, I fitted them over everything, and they seemed fine. 

Here is a picture of them on the bike:

And, here is a picture of the Hippo Hands: 

And the view from the saddle:

The Hippo Hands:

The Hippo hands are certainly more substantial, and are larger, covering more of your arm.  The Ducks Unlimited version looks more at home on a sporty bike though, I think. 

Once I had the Ducks installed, I backed the bike into the garage for a later test ride.  When that day arrived, I dressed as I have described (taking several minutes of time to get everything on and properly adjusted), went out to the bike...and it would not start.

Now what?  It was fine before. 

It occurred to be that the last thing I had done was install the hand warmers.  Maybe I had dislodged the wiring to the engine cutoff switch.  Well, I removed the right had muff and looked at everything wiring related, but I could find nothing.  Steamed, I shed my gear, and was ready to tear into the wiring and fuses, when I finally came to my senses. 

The engine cutoff switch was set to the off position!

I infrequently use the switch, so it did not occur to me that I might have actuated it when I was working on the muff installation.  So, I reinstall everything, get dressed yet again, and finally get rolling. 


[So, how do they work, Bucky?]


At temperatures of around 38 degrees, the Ducks Unlimited muffs keep most of the wind off my gloved hands, but there is somewhat more draft because of the looser fit around my sleeves, and because of a looser fit around the handlebars. 

When the heat from the grips was fully available, my hands were reasonably comfortable, certainly much better than being unprotected.

As the air temperature warmed to the upper fifties over the course of the day, my hands stayed comfortable and my dexterity remained very good. Even in the fifties, they were not too hot.

The openings of the Ducks stay open when your hands are not inside so you can easily get your hand back into them either when stopped or when moving. 

Certainly a good purchase, and useful.  The old Hippo Hands function a bit better, but the look of the Ducks Unlimited suits the sporty motorcycle better. 
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Dressing for Cold Weather Riding -- Take Two

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Back in November, I wrote about how I keep warm when riding in cold weather. That posting started out like this, with a great photo of a rider in a snowy landscape. It worth seeing again, so here it is, along with the starting sentence.

This...

Found on AdV Rider Forum

doesn't occur [very often] in South Carolina.

All of the gear I described back then does a fine job of keeping my skinny frame warm down to about thirty-five degrees without the aid of electrically heated clothing. I have a pair of heated grips that work well in keeping the palms of my hands warm, but the backs of my hands and my fingers still get very cold at that low temperature even with my non-perforated leather gloves and the Antifreeze liners.

A few months back, I scored a set of vintage Hippo Hands on ebay. These are fleece-lined leatherette covers for the grips, controls, and hands. The company never made a pair especially for my Ninja 650R, so I took a chance that I could make this set work. Mine is probably fifteen or twenty years old.

Here is a picture of the handlebars and controls without the Hippo Hands. You can see the heated grip controller in the center.


I tried installing the Hippo Hands and had some difficulty with the right one providing enough room inside for the front brake master cylinder reservoir. After a bit of maneuvering, this was overcome, and I could snap and Velcro the opening closed over it. A Velcro strap helps close off the gaps around the bars, cables and wiring. The left Hippo Hand went on easily, since there is not much hardware attached to that side of the handlebars.

My little redheaded friend will point out some of the features of the Hippo Hands.

Here is the stiffener along the outer edge that helps them keep their shape. It is probably a flexible plastic rod sewn into the hem.


The slotted opening that allows the Hippo Hand to slip over the controls is secured both with snaps and Velcro to keep the wind out.


The inner part of the slotted opening closes up most of the space around the handlebar, cables, and wiring. It has Velcro on the edges and a Velcro strap that wraps around the bar.


Once I had them in place, I did a quick test ride and found that the wind caused the left Hippo to press down rather firmly on the back of my hand. I had some difficulty bringing my fingers up over the clutch lever. Further, I was afraid that the wind would press on the lever and cause the clutch to slip. The right Hippo seemed fine, because of the stiffening along its edge and the tight fit over the brake master cylinder.

I cogitated on this problem for a few days.

I considered buying a set of plastic hand guards, but they don't make a set especially for the Kawasaki Ninja 650R and the generic ones don't fit very well without moving the brake and clutch levers toward the center to make room for the bar clamps. Anyway, they do cost money.

I also considered bending up some stiff wire to better support them against the wind, but that idea was headed down the path of a significant design-and-build project.

As is usual with me, I think about how to solve a problem for some time, and while doing so, look around for ideas. A walk through a hardware store or a search in industrial and motorcycle catalogs sometimes gives me a kernel of a fix. In this case, I rummaged through my considerable stock of brackets I have salvaged and bought new.

I came up with a pair of 6" long, 1" wide, and 3/16" thick angle brackets that were brand new. I sized them up by eye, then began engineering a solution. By slightly enlarging one of the screw holes, the bracket could be mounted between the bar end and the bar-end weight. I used several flat washers to provide clearance for free movement of the throttle tube, and used a longer socket-head cap screw to reinstall the weight. Washers were also used between the left weight and the angle bracket so that weight would fit properly.

I positioned the angle brackets so they were slightly higher than the levers and tightened up the bar-end screws. I slipped a section of foam pipe insulation over the brackets to prevent chafing of the Hippo Hand interior.

Here is one of the angle brackets.


Not very pretty, but functional, and it will be covered up later.

Here are some pictures of the Hippo Hands as they look when installed.






OK fine, we've heard enough about how you installed them. Now, how do they work, Bucky?

Well, I tried them out this last Saturday on a ride to eastern Georgia. The temperature when I started out was 35 degrees. I wore my lighter gloves, a pair of Shift Carbines, and turned my grip heaters to their medium setting. I could feel a distinct difference, even while the grip heaters were just beginning to supply warmth. My hands weren't becoming chilled nearly as rapidly as they would have with the grips set on high and with my non-perforated leather gloves and Antifreeze liners on.

When the heat from the grips was fully available, my hands were not just comfortable, they were toasty warm.

As the air temperature warmed to the upper fifties over the course of the day, my hands stayed comfortable and my dexterity remained very good. Even at fifty-five degrees, they were not too hot.

The angle brackets held the Hippo Hands away from the brake and clutch levers, and provided space for my hands to reach over the levers for actuation.

One thing you must be comfortable with is not being able to see your hands on the controls. Surprisingly, I found that I was occasionally trying to look at my hands when I manipulated a control. Of course, I could see nothing but the outside of the Hippo Hands. Nevertheless, I succeeded in operating all of the controls over the ride, and had no real trouble.

The openings of the Hippo Hands are large enough so that there is no difficulty sliding your gloved and jacketed hands and arms into and out of them. The openings stay open nicely when your hands are not inside.

In fact, the thought has crossed my mind that an enterprising bird or chipmunk might take up residence in them if I were to leave the bike parked outside for very long. It would certainly be a surprise to stick my hand in there, only to find that I am invading an animal's home. I'll have to watch for that.

And here is a picture from a frosty/foggy morning.


Yes, that is ice, formed while riding through a cold fog.

By the way, there is a company still making Hippo Hands, but it is said to be a successor to the original. The new company doesn't make a set for my Ninja either.

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Here are some cheaper alternatives to buying new, but check the fit before you do so. You will probably need hand guards or the like to prevent interference with the clutch and brake levers.

Tucker Rocky Biker's Choice Quadboss Hand Warmers shown here on Redlegsrides' BMW RT.

Oxford Handlebar Delux Muffs.

Tusk Hand Mitts

Rick, on his Keep the Rubber Side Down blog, has a short entry here.

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One other thing I did differently on Saturday's ride was to wear a pair of polyester pile bib pants (military surplus, OVERALL, BIB, COLD WEATHER) instead of the Extended Cold Weather System [ECWS] fleeced polypropylene military surplus knit pants under my leathers. The pile is more like wool fleece and provides more insulation, but without the itching and care required of wool. The overall I have was made by The North Face -- apparently they have or had a division that makes military apparel.


They have zippers on the outside of the legs, and a crotch zipper that goes all the way around. I was concerned about the zippers causing trouble, but they do not seem to.


My set of Fieldsheer two-piece leathers is large enough to accommodate all this underneath, and I look like a muscular bloke instead of a 97 pound weakling when I am wearing all of this stuff, too.

For all of you who are too young to know the significance of the 97 pound weakling statement:


Well, I don't look exactly like that with the gear on, mind you. ...and my underdrawers are definitely not like his.



Anyway, the pile pants are nice and warm for temperatures below forty degrees, and the Hippo Hands are a definite improvement for cold weather riding.

Try 'em, you'll like 'em.
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See also: Dressing for Cold Weather Riding -- Take Three.
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Dressing for Cold Weather Riding

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This...

Found on AdV Rider Forum

...and this



don't occur [very often] in South Carolina.

Although it doesn't get as cold here as it does in other parts of the country, riding in the cool season requires some consideration and preparation. So far, the lower limit of riding comfort for me --skinny and cold by nature -- is about thirty-five degrees, but forty is much more bearable.

To be warm enough at forty degrees, I have come up with this list of gear, in order from inside to outside:

• Shorts, Bicycling -- a smooth first layer with synthetic chamois for chafe reduction and padding. These are good no matter what the season.
  

• Tights, Compression, Polyester/spandex -- Starter (Wal-Mart) Men's Compression Pants
  

• Pant, ECWS (fleeced polypropylene military surplus)
• Pant, windbreaker, Nylon
• Shirt, compression, polyester/spandex, long sleeve -- Athletic Works (Wal-Mart) Men's Cold Gear Long-Sleeve

• Shirt, ECWS (fleeced polypropylene military surplus)
• Jacket, windbreaker, Nylon, size large to give freedom of movement
• Shirt, armored, Velocity Gear Juggernaut

• Jacket, windbreaker, Nylon (over the armored shirt), size extra large
  
• Leather suit, Fieldsheer, 2-piece
  

• Balaclava, Nylon -- Fits beneath helmet.
  

• Neck warmer, Frank Thomas Antifreeze -- Tuck it into the suit collars and bring the top up to your lower lip. Warm, but the seams are not robust.

• Breath guard, Foggy Respro -- This is the only device I have found that prevents fogging of both the helmet face shield and my eyeglasses. It is made of Nylon bonded to neoprene and attaches to the inside of the helmet with Velcro.
  

• Helmet, Scorpion EXO-700.
  

• Glove liners, Frank Thomas Antifreeze

• Glove, Icon TiMax, long (look like they are from a rock star supply store, don't they?)
  

• Socks, wool, heavy

• Boots, Joe Rocket Sonic

• Grip heaters, Trackside Delux, variable heat
  

This combination is fairly warm, even at speed, down to around 35 degrees. If I stop and walk, I get a bit sweaty and then become chilled when I start riding again, so when I stop, I usually open my jacket to reduce sweating. Only my hands get cold on long rides.

A tip: Don't alternate overlapping layers at the waist. Instead, put all of the shirt tails under all of the pants tops. Reason: Speed, especially when nature calls urgently. (No, I don't think it makes the bike go any faster.)

This amount of clothing is too much if the temperature is above 60 degrees. As the day warms up, I can remove a few layers, provided I have a place to put them. I almost always have my tank bag with me, so this is not much of a problem if the item I remove is compact. The Nylon windbreakers are examples.

One thing that I have occasionally done to keep warm in the cool morning hours is to add some layers that I can discard along the way as the temperature rises. I have used a plastic dry cleaner bag, and I have tried newspapers as well.

A couple of layers inside the front of my suit helps keep in the warmth a surprising amount. Once I get too hot, I stop, remove the extra layers, and go on my way without having to carry the stuff back home.

I am not the first one to use newspapers for this purpose. See this 1916 ride report of the sixteen year old Charles K. Findlay who rode an Indian motorcycle

from Montgomery Alabama to Abington Virginia via Atlanta, GA, Spartanburg, SC, Charlotte, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Roanoke,VA and back via Knoxville, TN, Chattanooga, TN. The trip to Virginia was 859 miles and took 43 hours, 35 minutes. The return trip was 625 miles in 26 hours, 25 minutes.

Excerpt:

"I was ready to go as soon as I was dressed. I put on my riding suit [which] was already dirty and greasy, so you can imagine what I will look like at the end of the 859 miles. I cranked off at 5:20am. I was leaving Montgomery behind me. 5:45 I almost froze! I didn't know a June morning could be so cold especially in Ala. I found some of yesterdays newspapers by the road. Looked clean so I stuffed them under my coat and then rode on more comfortable."

Adventuresome lad, I'd say. Meanwhile, back to the present.

My leather suit for winter is a size 44. It fits over all these layers fairly well, but it takes a long time to get dressed and undressed --- to dress, usually about ten minutes if I have all the stuff laid out beforehand. My usual suit size is about a 40, but there is absolutely no room for any insulation in a suit of that size, despite my skinny build.

You might ask why I don't get some heated gear; say a vest or jacket liner. Well, you already know that I am frugal, so that is one reason. Another is that the alternator on my Ninja doesn't have a huge electrical surplus. A third is that should the electrical garments fail, you don't have any way to keep warm.

One thing that would help keep my hands warm is a pair of Hippo Hands. These are fleece-lined covers for the grips, controls, and hands.

They have never made a pair especially for my Ninja 650R, so I bought some on E-Bay to try. They may a bit awkward to fit to the bars, but I'll report when I try them out.

See also:
Dressing for Cold Weather Riding -- Take Two
Dressing for Cold Weather Riding -- Take Three
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First rides ...and a mishap

Once I had the motorcycle home, I began looking it over. The fine, shiny plastic cowlings gleamed in the light, and it seemed prudent to buy a set of frame sliders in case I tipped it over. I did not want to cut the cowlings as some sliders require, so I settled on a set of Kawasaki OEM sliders. I bought them from Blue Ridge Performance [BRP], their having the best price. Gary, the owner is a bit of a character, but he has good prices on 650R parts and accessories. Once the sliders arrived, I installed them over the next couple of evenings.

I also thought it prudent to get some body armor to wear when riding. The SquidBusters Forum had advertisements for the VelocityGear Juggernaut armored shirt. It consists of a back protector, chest protector, shoulder, elbow, and forearm CE-approved armor. The back protector can be zipped off to be used separately. It was priced attractively, and there was a discount if you were a forum member. I placed the order.

...and I bought a new silver helmet, a Scorpion EXO-700.

Oh. I should tell you that for some reason, while I was waiting for the MSF Basic class weekend to roll around, I decided to grow a beard and mustache. Actually a goatee and mustache. I had not had facial hair for around thirty years, so this was out of the ordinary. Maybe I was announcing the new me -- macho, motorcycle rider, hairy faced, young (second childhood?). Who knows. Actually, that is about the time I started using the nickname Bucky, too.

The first time out riding on my own, I was very shaky. I wobbled around turns, had to remind myself to look where I wanted to go, and generally had a time of it thinking about all the things that must happen to control and maneuver a motorcycle. There was not yet any sign of muscle memory helping me coordinate everything that had to happen. At any rate, the first few rides were taxing, and unnerving, with only a little of the enjoyment and exhilaration I longed to feel. I found that running along a straight road at 45 miles an hour was scary to me.

Slowly I gained some confidence, and began to have moments of enjoyment when riding. I ventured out on the roads near our house over several days, occasionally going further away.

I learned about target fixation next. It was a hard and expensive lesson. I was on a slightly curvy road, thought I could not make a turn, looked hard at the edge of the road, and went off within an inch of where I was looking. The ditch was shallow, but my nearly-new bike was in several pieces. Some of the shiny cowlings were scarred up, and the windshield, the seat, and a few other miscellaneous things were all separate from the carcass.

I called my wife from my cell phone with the news. She became...er...somewhat excited. So there I was, having flown off a nearly new motorcycle that is laying in pieces along a considerable stretch of road, asking my wife to be calm. I talked her down. A little while later, she drove to the site and stayed there with the bike while I went to borrow the neighbor's trailer to bring the whole mess home. She diligently piled all the loose pieces up so it would be less work once I arrived with the trailer. Two of our neighbors, Wes and Randy, were very helpful and sympathetic. Thank you, kind sirs. Once home and with the carcass unloaded into the garage, Randy gently asked me if I thought I would fix it and ride again, or whether that was the end. He philosophically and quietly stated that he had seen it done both ways. ...and he left it at that. At that point, I closed the garage door and went to bed.
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I have dwelled on the injuries to the bike, but not the injuries to me. I must tell you that I was almost unscathed. Here is why. I vowed from the start to wear all of my protective gear whenever riding, no matter how short a distance. You remember the photo of me on the Honda Nighthawk at the MSF Basic class wearing a leather suit, boots, gloves, and helmet? That was the start of wearing all the gear, all the time [ATGATT].

When I took my tumble, I was wearing all this gear:

1. Fieldsheer two-piece leather suit
2. VeocityGear Juggernaut armored shirt
3. Joe Rocket Sonic boots
4. ICON TiMax long gloves
5. Scorpion EXO-700 helmet

I suffered aches and pains for a few weeks afterward. Over-the-counter painkillers made it tolerable. Without the gear, I could have been much more seriously injured. My strong advice: NEVER, EVER ride in anything but full gear. Anyway, I think it looks cool. I can ride up with a bunch of others, and not until I remove my helmet do the bystanders realize that I am middle-aged. That makes me feel pretty good.

I already hear your excuses:

1. It is too hot.
2. I don't like to be all bundled up.
3. I like to feel the wind in my hair.
4. It is too expensive.
5. Nobody else wears it.

Answers:

1. Wait until you feel the burning when they take skin grafts from your back/chest/head/thigh.
2. Wait until they start to pick the gravel out of your hide.
3. You might not have a skull, let alone hair, if you fall on your head...or you might be a vegetable.
4. How much does one emergency room visit cost? And the lost wages away from the job?
5. Everybody who is serious and practical wears the gear.

Look at these, if you can bear to do so, to see the effects of a tumble from a motorcycle:

• Brittany Morrow
• Seven Things That Will Happen in a Motorcycle Crash

So, I learned that target fixation works perfectly. The experts are correct: Your bike will go where you look!

It took me quite a while to get over the psychological trauma of my tumble. I had lost quite a bit of confidence in myself. I could not bear to tell my coworkers what had happened. Once I got over the initial despair, I started to determine how to make the bike rideable again. It turned out that it was good therapy to find parts and figure out how to put them together into a real motorcycle. A local shop, Baker's Cycle Werx, helped with some work I could not manage on my own.

Well, enough about my accident. Suffice it to say that two months and many dollars later the bike was back in one piece and almost as good as new.

I started riding to work as much as I could. There was almost nobody there who could believe that I had actually bought a motorcycle, let alone a sporty one. Even now, when I ride in, some of my work associates comment to me about my "Power Ranger" appearance as I come into the plant.

I met a grandmother at the post office last Saturday in fact, who said her four-year-old grandson riding with her in the car had spotted me riding up, and told her that I looked like a Transformer. I went over to talk with him for a few minutes about how he might be able to get a motorcycle one day but, as I knocked on my helmet, that he had to be careful with it so he didn't get hurt. Maybe the seed is planted.

I started riding further and further away from home, and I have visited some of the many sites within about 100 miles. I'll report on them in upcoming postings.

Meanwhile, here is what I usually look like when I ride, though usually without the saddle and tail bags.

Note that I am wearing ATGATT and that you can see the frame sliders.

...all color coordinated, to boot!

Pretty snazzy, don't you think?