Hand protection for winter riding?

[singhg5]

Thanks Singhg5!  I've thought that I might like to try something like those.  I'd have to figure out how to work them around my bar-end mirrors, though.  What a surprise - having to figure out how to make something work on the Enfield!

I read Hippo Hands' warning on their site - I wonder why this "blowback" is a problem with their product only?  Or, are others just not talking? 

Singhg5, have you had any trouble with wind pushing your mitts back into the levers hard enough to engage them?

No problem of mitts pushing on levers ever, even when I ride at 60 mph in the cold. I tie them loosely with some room for flexibility. The first time I used them, I felt a little constrained but very soon figured out how tight/loose to tie them and what is the best location to tie them so that I have free movement of fingers and accessiblity to controls.

In my experience, the electric gloves warmed the palm and upto middle of the fingers but the finger tips did not heat up well - there is uneven heat distribution in heated glove - that made them uncomfortable.   

The second problem with heated gloves is that if you leave them on FULL heat, they become too hot.  On the contrary, when heat control is set at any level below FULL heat, they become hot for a while and then cool off for a while - because electricity is turned ON and OFF for a fixed duration. This cycle of hot and cold keeps repeating. I did not like that either. I still have them but do not use them.

The biggest problem is the wind.  If you block the wind, a big part of the fingers going numb is solved. 

[LarsBloodbeard]

Those are probably the same ones I have.  I don't think theyre worth the price.  But they work well enough for me.  Nice leather and the squeegee is helpful. Never used the rain fly.  Even in the rain I haven't felt the need for it.

However, If your fingers are jamming against the tips that will make your fingers cold no matter.  There are nerve clusters at the tip of your fingers that if compressed will make them cold. Youre always supposed to have a bit of room at the end of your glove tips.

[Royalista]

I use handguards from Acerbis: single mounting, universal.
As single mounted no protection but they do what they're supposed to do: deflect the wind, which is the critical factor in stiffening the fingers.
The effect is significant. Since they're on the motor I can ride much colder temps and still have feeling in the digits.

For extreme conditions I carry in my pocket a carbonbox. It holds a charcoalstick that, when lighted, will heat the box for 6 hours.

I have no experience with mittens that attach to the handlebars. As windguard they're most likely most effective but I would feel uncomfortable having my hands stuck inside them in an emergency situation.

[iowarider]

As you might guess, I live in Iowa. Its cold this time of year, well normally, today's high was 50. Anyway, Check out hunting and camping suppliers. I had, lost them, a pair of Remington Camouflage clove that had some insulation but more importantly a goretex liner. The goertex is a windproof, waterproof membrane that is also water proof. Now, they were not very protective bing fabric and a leather palm. What I loved was the way the gortex protected from the wind. Normal size and comfort of a glove, but I could ride 50 or 60 mph and my hands did not get cold. I did have a windshield but it did not protect my hands from wind. Cost was around $30.00 us. Oh temps were 50 or lower.

[mattsz]

The gloves I bought were supposedly wind and waterproof.  Plus, they had an added supposedly wind and waterproof outer cover that could be used, which didn't seem to make any difference at all.  I think LarsBloodbeard hit the nail on the head; the fingers are too short, so when I hold the grips, my fingers are jammed up tight against the ends of the gloves, where they get cold, fast.  Either there's not much insulation there, or the pressure of my fingers compresses it so much that it doesn't do anything.  So I really need to figure something else out.

Also, I just got a call from Motosport.com - they're going to give me a full refund after all.  I guess I really can't buy gloves without trying them on, but I'd buy from Motosport.com again...

[Jack Leis]

Good deal !

[LarsBloodbeard]

The gloves I bought were supposedly wind and waterproof.  Plus, they had an added supposedly wind and waterproof outer cover that could be used, which didn't seem to make any difference at all.  I think LarsBloodbeard hit the nail on the head; the fingers are too short, so when I hold the grips, my fingers are jammed up tight against the ends of the gloves, where they get cold, fast.  Either there's not much insulation there, or the pressure of my fingers compresses it so much that it doesn't do anything.  So I really need to figure something else out.

Also, I just got a call from Motosport.com - they're going to give me a full refund after all.  I guess I really can't buy gloves without trying them on, but I'd buy from Motosport.com again...

Nice!  I had the same fingertip issues with those gloves.  They were fine when I tried them on, but grabbing the grips made my fingers jam against the tips.  Luckily the local motorsport warehouse I bought them at has a good return policy, and I got a larger size.

If I was riding in sub-freezing temps I'd definitely grab a pair of mitts instead, and keep a stock of chemical hand warmers around.  I've got a Jon-E handwarmer (similar to zippo handwarmers) that I would sometimes stick inside my jacket to keep my core warm too.

[Royalista]

from LarsBloodbeard:

If I was riding in sub-freezing temps I'd definitely grab a pair of mitts instead, and keep a stock of chemical hand warmers around.  I've got a Jon-E handwarmer (similar to zippo handwarmers) that I would sometimes stick inside my jacket to keep my core warm too.

Are these the hand warmers that are on sale at Hitchcocks? (check out under personal accessories/general). They are something new to me and I can't find any information on them. Has anyone?
They seem rather spectacular: they'll warm up to 50°C when you need it, just by a squeeze. And secondly when they're out they can be recharged by putting them in heated water. Reusable several times.
Looks too good to be true, but if it is, would suit me really well. So any one knows what the magic might be?

[Ducati Scotty]

I had one of those many years ago.  It was rectangular instead of oval and it worked amazingly well!  Just a bag of liquid with the tab inside.

Click/bend the tab and the solution crystalizes and throws out tons of heat.  Just put them in boiling/hot water after they cool, the solution inside goes clear again and they're ready to use.  It's just a reversible  exothermic reaction. 

Still doesnt warm up your fingers if they're in your gloves but great if you stop to take a break and warm up.

Scott

[LarsBloodbeard]

from LarsBloodbeard:
Are these the hand warmers that are on sale at Hitchcocks? (check out under personal accessories/general). They are something new to me and I can't find any information on them. Has anyone?
They seem rather spectacular: they'll warm up to 50°C when you need it, just by a squeeze. And secondly when they're out they can be recharged by putting them in heated water. Reusable several times.
Looks too good to be true, but if it is, would suit me really well. So any one knows what the magic might be?

Those actually work fantastically well.  I've had quite a few of them over the years.  I was talking about the shake-n-bake style ones though (iron oxide).  Problem with the exothermic ones is I tend to get distracted when boiling them and wind up destroying them (not easy to do, but I manage).

How they work: I do remember some college chemistry, but don't quote me on this... Basically, when an element changes states energy is stored or released (notice when you compress CO2 into liquid the tank gets cold?).  Those hand warmers are made of liquid supersaturated with a type of sodium.  Store the heat energy used to dissolve the sodium by boiling it, then click the clicker to start a crystallization chain reaction (change of state from liquid to solid) and the heat is released.

[gremlin]

........................ click the clicker to start a crystallization chain reaction (change of state from liquid to solid) and the heat is released.

Unfortunately, there are *MANY* things that will set them off; including vibration and thermal shock.  and when they crystalize they get hard like a popsicle - not really suitable for gloves.

I tried to keep one of those things liquid in my car (Minnesota drivers keep a party box in the car for use while waiting for the snow plow / tow truck) cold nights would set them off,  sometimes just a bumpy road would do.  So, now I pack those single use ones with the Iron powder in them.

[capecodinsomniac]

My hands generally get cold pretty quick, but I've had good luck with these:  http://shop.olympiagloves.com/4294-AVENTADOR-4294.htm

Only nitpicks thus far...wish wipe was on thumb instead of index finger.  Despite gore-tex, a 3 hr pouring rain will leave your fingers wet (but I haven't found anything that doesn't).

[singhg5]

No personal experience but HELD gloves are advertised to be the best gloves (think they are from Germany and pricey)

http://stores.heldnorthamerica.com/-strse-Gloves-cln-Cold-Weather/Categories.bok

[Royalista]

How about this diy project by a hardcore winterrider:

More tips can be found at: http://www.motorang.com/motorrad/winterfahrer_tips.htm

Larsbloodbeard
Jeese, college science has a use in daily life?
I felt so stupid. Of course, it's just a simple twist of state, like the old bard sings. I loved science class at college. Indeed, when a substance drops down a level of state it's got to shed energy, ie heat. Anyway, thanks for putting me back in college, short time or not.
I've been hunting and ordered some to try. If they do as advertised they would be as economic as a charcoalbox.

[Ducati Scotty]

That's awesome!  And may be the ugliest accessory I've ever seen.

Scott