Choosing the Right Gear Part 2 of 5: Gloves

[The Dude]

This is Part 2 of 5 of the series "Choosing the Right Gear"

The following is an excerpt from a book that I am currently working on entitled "Beginner's Motorcycle and Riding Theory". The book is designated for prospective riders that have no prior experience with motorcycles. It will take the rider through all of he ins and outs of owning a motorcycle and being a safe rider. The information from this book draws on lessons learned from my experiences throughout my first year of riding. Some lessons were learned the easy way, some the hard way, some passed on by more experienced riders and a lot from online research.


Many riders view gloves as the second most important piece of protective gear. This is mainly because it is a reflex of most riders to first break their fall with their hands. Also, with the hands being the most laterally protruding part of the rider on most motorcycles, it is the part of the body that is most likely to make contact during a glancing impact.

TYPES OF GLOVES
Full Fingered Regular Gloves

Pros

• Good protection from accidents and weather.
• Can be very thin, cool and comfortable.

Cons

• May not protect wrists in an accident.

Gauntleted Gloves

These are basically full fingered regular gloves extend a few inches past this wrist and cover the edge of the cuff of the rider’s motorcycle jacket. The gauntlet prevents the jacket from sliding up the rider’s arm in the event of an accident thereby protecting the rider’s wrist and lower forearm from damage.
Pros

• Maximum protection from accidents
• Gauntlet prevents rain from entering gloves and jacket

Cons

• Can become very warm during longer rides
• May seem too bulky for some riders.

Fingerless Gloves – (Not recommended)

These are similar to regular gloves but the fingers or the gloves are typically cut off approximately halfway down each finger.
Pros

• Comfortable and Stays cool in warmer weather.

Cons

• Protects only the palm of the hand.

Armoured Gloves

Any style of glove may be armoured. Armoured gloves include a hardened shell over the knuckles and sometimes over the joints of the fingers. Armoured gloves provide good protection against impact from glancing collisions.
Pros

• Good additional protection from impact to the hands and fingers

Cons

• Can be bulky and uncomfortable for some to ride with.
• It may be difficult to find a pair of gloves for which the armoured parts line up perfectly with your hands.

Leather Gloves – (Does not included PU Leather Gloves)

Many motorcycle gloves are made of leather because of its superior abrasion resistance properties to many other materials. Different types of leathers are used to achieve various comfort and safety levels. Leather gloves are most popular among street bike riders due to the need for good abrasion protection in high speed accidents on paved surfaces.
Pros

• Superior abrasion resistance in accidents.
• Some can withstand multiple accidents with little to no loss of function and performance.
• Large variety of types available.

Cons

• Can become very warm and uncomfortable in hotter weather
• Some riders find leather gloves too bulky
• Some leather gloves can be very stiff when new and take some time to be broken in.

Textile Gloves

Many gloves are made or various textiles, including PU leather, that increase flexibility, breathability and comfort. These gloves may or may not be armoured and are more popular among riders in hotter environments. Armoured textile gloves are also popular among motocross riders due to the need for flexibility, comfort and safety against impact. Motocross/ Offroad riders rarely have need for significant abrasion resistance.
Pros

• No “break in” period required.
• Breathable, flexible and comfortable.
• Some are partially woven with spandex to allow a more custom fit.

Cons

• Most are not as durable as leather gloves.
• May not offer the best abrasion protection to the palms of the hands.

Hybrid Gloves

To overcome the limitations of textile and leather gloves, many manufacturers also make hybrid gloves. These are normally textile gloves, which may or may not be armoured, with leather reinforced palms to reduce wear and tear as well as offer superior abrasion protection to the palms of the hands in an accident.
Pros

• No “break in” period required
• Breathable, flexible and comfortable
• Some are partially woven with spandex to allow a more custom fit
• Very good abrasion protection

Cons
Not as durable as full leather gloves. In most cases, the stitching attaching the textile to the leather either comes loose or damages the textile in that area due to the large difference in strength between the textile and the leather.


This article has been provided for illustration purposes only and the writer takes no liability for any damages or harm that may occur as a result of following the instructions in this article.This article may not be reproduced in any way or form without the expressed permission from the author in writing. For more information or permission to use/reproduce this article elsewhere please contact "The Dude" on RealTrini.com