Motorcycle Explorer February 2015 Issue 4 | Page 262

Winter Gloves
Hands
... just about the most
important thing you have on a motorbike (yes, you
can ride with no hands, look Ma! But we don’t advise
it) your hands are your connection to many of the
controls on your bike, your connection to the array of
levers, buttons and gadgets and perhaps the odd
hand gesture when needed!
Now I’ve ridden in some harsh conditions before and
the place is of no importance when the cold bites. No
matter if it’s the Ukraine or Northumberland when
you’re riding in sub zero temperatures there are two
things that are going to get you grumpy – cold hands
and cold feet! They tend to be the most exposed
parts of the body to the elements while out for a
jaunt.
Even in ‘warmer’ weather the wind factor will chop
that down to size even when doing just 60mph you
will be bitten by up to a 7 degree drop on your
fingers and any exposed parts, unless you’re really
into self flagellation it does pay to get some proper
gear on.
There is also the rather key fact that normally the first
thing to hit the deck in an off is your hands. I know
this from personal and painful experience when at a
slow impact of 30mph my thumb was smashed and
promptly shoved into my own hand. When they got
my gloves off I was told that had I been bare handed I
would have lost my hand – gloves have seemed far
less expensive ever since and far more important! Of
course it’s your choice as to what you have on
(helmet law aside) and I’m a fan of choice – an
informed choice that is.
There is a massive selection out in the market today
for just about everything that is bike, so what should
we be looking for to narrow the field down? Let’s
have a look at the features that we like.