Gloves for the cold

The last two morning have been really freezing, with temperatures well below zero (actually for the last 2 weeks). Last winter never even got this freezing, and I used my heated grips more times this year than the whole of last year in just 2 weeks. The last two morning after arriving at work before 06:00 I needed to thaw out my fingers on the engine block just to get the blood moving a little faster again.

I seriously need some decent warm gloves, especially for when I ride my TTR250 (no heated grips). I often also ride the TTR250 to work, also when temperatures are below zero.

What should I be looking at for winter riding?

Happy-go-lucky wrote:

What should I be looking at for winter riding?

Same here :-(

I bought a pair of ski gloves for R200 and they work like a charm. I only use them in the morning and use my normal all round gloves in the afternoon
Spending a lot on winter gloves was not a option for me because you will only be using them for a few weeks - except this winter!

Also read that some guys ride with surgical/medical gloves over their normal riding gloves and say it works . . .

Dunno what materials those ski gloves are made of, but I found some gloves with Thinsolate material last winter - above 12C they're too warm and it is only under 5C that I need to add the first setting of the heated grips and only close to zero degrees I need to put them on full blast.

Cost about R300 at CIT if I remember correctly.

Of course the size of the hand guards also makes a difference.


The best trick for the face and neck is a buff (the warm fluffy one) and helmet skirt combination. And then inside booties for the boots. I'm not happy if face, hands or feet are cold!

Or just did what I did. Move to stay close to your work. No glovies, bootsies and special stuff needed

Just a note on using surgical gloves. Your biggest enemy in extreme cold is actually sweating inside your clothing. Especially a non breathing material like surgical gloves can cause sweating which will leave your hands extremely cold

Mud Pooh-bah wrote:
Just a note on using surgical gloves. Your biggest enemy in extreme cold is actually sweating inside your clothing. Especially a non breathing material like surgical gloves can cause sweating which will leave your hands extremely cold

+1

Very true, try and get gloves with a "lining" of some sort, like fleece.

I do about 110km to work and back and yes it is freezing in the mornings.

Got myself the long winter gloves from BMW. It is a bit expensive but it works fine for me. Only use the 1st setting on the heated grips. Lefthand fingers is still cold for using the clutch, but must say the gloves are realy not to bad. Paid about R700 for them.

I say it’s the sweat combined with wind/air that is the problem. If the sweat doesn’t evaporate your hands won’t cool off. I wear dishwashing gloves under my regular gloves (I’ve cut them of by the wrists). I can promise you it makes a helluva difference! Anyway your hands don’t get THAT warm. Not warm enough to work up a sweat. The term “less cold” would be more accurate.

Dishwashing gloves is not the best solution, but in all probability, the cheapest! A R14 solution to get you through the chilly time, which i.m.o. lasts about 2 months. Also probably not the best option for long trips.
My 2c!

I would reckon that the dishwashing gloves would increase the sweat on your hands that would in turn cool off - ???????????

Heated grips and a decent thick pair of winter gloves should do the trick. I commute daily and that works for me

LeRoy Olivier wrote:I would reckon that the dishwashing gloves would increase the sweat on your hands that would in turn cool off - ???????????

Heated grips and a decent thick pair of winter gloves should do the trick. I commute daily and that works for me

In these temperatures your hands don’t get THAT warm. Even with dishwashing gloves… Like I said only "less cold" And even if your hands sweat that much, the sweat can’t evaporate because the dishwashing gloves are not breathable. It is the evaporation of sweat that has a cooling-down effect, not sweat by itself.

I am in urgent need for new gloves after my right hand glove got destroyed on Saturday while quad biking at Rhino. Hand also damaged too, but luckily the glove took most of the damage.

So what brands are recommended?

Like the advert says "Real men do not ride qua(n)ds".

In terms of gloves get a glove that offer protection for your knuckles like the BMW GS glove, RS Taichi etc.

But these gloves are only to be used in winter with heated grips when touring.

Always thought quads were for the beginner riders - dont need training wheels - so you cant fall over. Was under the impression quad riders eventually progressed to being Harleydriveable riders - so they dont need to fit the training wheels to the HD's.

Luckily I am not insane enough to progress to Harleys.

I use the quad for terrain checking, and the like.

Ever heard of Google Earth?? The best thing is that you can do it in private without being caught out by your mates

Happy-go-lucky wrote:
I use the quad for terrain checking, and the like.

What do you have to check terrain for there at Rhino Park? Your Microlight is mos in the air ??? Or are you checking for nice "soft-spots" when that little "gras-snyer with wings" decides to do a nose dive??

ps: You will be able to check a helluva lot more terrain on two wheels that you can ever check on four

I know to many people who have been quadding for years and who have hurt themselves during the recent years. So - rather stay on the 2 wheels - musch safer.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:...rather stay on the 2 wheels - musch safer...

I think it's advice like this that gets quad riders hurt