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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Hey all, need a little help. As the weather is now turning colder, it's 38F right now,and I want to continue to ride Selena as long as I can (yep, that's her name!), I was wondering if I can get some advice. I have owned several pairs of gloves over the last few years, and none of them are that great. The latest pair I bought are a little too small for my ape hands, but they also didn't have any grip to them when I tried them the other night. My old leather pair are comfortable, and have good grip, but aren't that warm, or waterproof. So, that's what I am looking for. The cheaper the better, so I wanted to get some opinions to help narrow the search. Can't afford electric ones, so not an option. But looking for a pair of warm, waterproof gloves that have a good grip to them. Any suggestions?
Also, in the same vein, I am looking for a pair of outter pants, that are waterproof and keep a little warmth in as well. Again, the cheaper the better.
I really appreciate any advice you all might have. Thanks in advance. Oh, and for those of you who are going to say I'm a big wussy, you are correct. I used to live in the Caribbean and I hate the cold, but love riding, so trying to do so until there is snow or ice on the ground.
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | Look on www.newenough.com for a fair selection and personal evaluation by the owner of the company for ideas. I have a pair of Joe Rocket Ballistics and a pair of Teknic that I like, but I find I don't bother with them too much as I usually just slip on a pair of Sliders jeans and a breathable pair of rain pants if it rains. I would let a pair of the waterproof ballistics go for cheap (like new) but from the description of your "ape" hands, I imagine they are too small anyhow. You should get some good ideas with lots of pics and feature descriptions at the site I suggested above. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Keep an eye out at Sportmensguide.com They have specials coming up all the time. I bought my cold weather Victory gloves there for $29.95. All the dealers I checked were sold out of my size at $79.95. The victory cold weather gloves are pre-curved so they don't bunch up.
Also they had the Victory leather over pants on sale last year. I bought a pair of leather over pants for $99 bucks years ago. I love them. Satin lining and zippers up each leg. easy on, easy off. Do a web search I am sure you will find something. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 170
Houston, TX | You also might try directlineparts.com. They offer free shipping on all orders over $199. They also have a great selection of accessories. Plus there prices are realy good. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | I really appreciate the links to some websites. However, I was hoping to see what others are using, and whether they are happy or not with them. Looking for some first-hand experience. Just want to know what's good, and more importantly, what's bad. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| You really have TWO option. The first is rather expensive but my recommendation, buy the Gerbing heated gear. Yes it is expensive at around $500 for the coat and pants but well worth it. Toss another $100 at it and you have the gloves. You could go with just the gloves, just the pants, just the jacket, or any combination depending upon how much you can afford (budget situation).
Choice TWO would be to pick up the Tourmaster heated gear. Can be found for around $250-$300 for the leggins, jacket liner and gloves. About $100 per item. Again its a good investment BUT requires some planning to wear the Tourmaster.
The advantage to the Gerbing is you toss it on OVER your clothes, where as the Tourmaster goes under. So if the day starts cold and gets warm the Gerbing allows easy removal.
Now if you want to go cheap.... The Tourmaster Polar Tex gloves will suffice with the heated grips, and Wrangler makes a fleece lined Jean that work well. The Gloves around $39 and the pants around $45.....
Hope this helps............... T |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | I ride mostly in Southern California, so I am not sure I can be of much help. But for what its worth, I use both Tourmaster's winter glove, and Harley's winter glove. Neither are heated, and both are fairly comfortable and relatively warm (especially with the heated grips) down to the mid 40's. Haven't used them in colder weather though. As far as pants, I just layer in cold weather (usually jeans with chaps in cold weather, or its really cold, long underwear as well). I did buy a winter riding suit for really cold days, but have yet to try it (its still in the 80's and 90's here).
Again, probably not much help, but I have to agree that really want warmth, especially where you are located, heated clothes are probably the best route. If cost is a concern, just layer and use the heated grips and seats. So far they have worked well for me. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| I use "Coldwave" Ice & Snow Gloves When it gets below 40 degrees. Pre curved and no wind gets through. They also work well on a snowmobile . |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Never thought of snowmobile gloves....great idea! I checked out the Coldwave Ice & Snow and according to their website, they are only available in Canada. Any suggestions? |
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Tourer
Posts: 460
Centennial, CO | divesharc - 2008-10-19 9:20 PM
Hey all, need a little help. As the weather is now turning colder, it's 38F right now,and I want to continue to ride Selena as long as I can (yep, that's her name!), I was wondering if I can get some advice. I have owned several pairs of gloves over the last few years, and none of them are that great. The latest pair I bought are a little too small for my ape hands, but they also didn't have any grip to them when I tried them the other night. My old leather pair are comfortable, and have good grip, but aren't that warm, or waterproof. So, that's what I am looking for. The cheaper the better, so I wanted to get some opinions to help narrow the search. Can't afford electric ones, so not an option. But looking for a pair of warm, waterproof gloves that have a good grip to them. Any suggestions?
Also, in the same vein, I am looking for a pair of outter pants, that are waterproof and keep a little warmth in as well. Again, the cheaper the better.
I really appreciate any advice you all might have. Thanks in advance. Oh, and for those of you who are going to say I'm a big wussy, you are correct. I used to live in the Caribbean and I hate the cold, but love riding, so trying to do so until there is snow or ice on the ground.
I know...I KNOW! You're thinking...OMG, 154 bucks? http://www.backcountry.com/store/BLD1071/Black-Diamond-Guide-Glove....
Trust me, you get what you pay for and in this case a bit more. I have these and carry them on my bike ALL the time. I live in Colorado where you never know if you will get caught in 30 degree weather when in the mountains. I was riding back from Vegas in EARLY September and hit the top of Vail pass at 10:30 at night. The temperature showed well under 38 degrees. Trust me, I KNOW it was cold out and traveling 70 mph in that kind of weather without a cage around you is NUTTY! BUT, with the gloves and the heated grips, I was toasty. So toasty in fact that I didn't feel like I HAD to stop.
Don't worry about the money. The items will pay for themselves the first time you get where you want too without having or wanting to stop. All of your friends will be pissed that they didn't think of it.
And trust me, I totally understand about trying to save money!
Good luck and hopefully...stay warm! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| I bought the Coldwaves at a Honda Dealer in Buxton Maine. I believe I payed 58 bucks I was still on the shadow then and they were worth every dime. With the vision and heated grips my feet will give out before its too cold for my hands. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Elroyj, not trying to be a pain or anything, but I'm wondering why you'd pay that much for a glove when you could buy heated for 1/3 of that? Are they that good? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Thanks for the suggestions, that is exactly what I was looking for. The Coldwaves gloves are more in my price range, but I went to their website, and I saw Sno Star leather glove. I like the feel of leather gloves, since they have good friction on the grips. ANyone used these before. I really appreciate the help. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 260
| I use a very cheap pair of lined worked jeans I purchased at Sportmensguide.com . I think I paid 15 bucks for them. When really cold I will put my chaps over them. I purchased a heated vest this year, but have not tried it yet. Years ago I purchased some silk gloves and socks that I wear under my Victory riding gloves and at least one pair of socks if not two. These work pretty well. I always use layers when riding when the temps are 40 or below. I am going with the "Keep the trunk warm" and the limbs stay warm with the heated vest. I will see shortly because it's getting cold now. Worst case I will buy a pair of heated gloves to plug into my heated vest. Heck maybe I will start to glow so people can see me better in the dark!!!  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Well, I stopped by a local motorcycle dealer, not my Victory dealer since they are an hour away and I got a pair of the Teknic Thunder gloves. They fit well, claim to be waterproof and breathable, and best of all, the liners are locked into the glove, so no pulling out when my hands are damp. I took them for a test ride tonight, it got down to 49F, and my hands stayed warm. The dealer has 30 day return, so I figured I try these. The price wasn't too bad either, $65. I looked at the Coldwaves, but couldn't find any dealers anywhere near VA. I really didn't want to order them and then not have them fit, or didn't like them. But, if these don't work out, then I will be trying the other ones. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
Now, if anyone knows a good pair of cheap, motorcycle pants, fire away. I have a pair of leather pants, not chaps, that I put on over my jeans when it gets cold. However, I was thinking that a pair of textile pants, maybe with a liner, might keep the wind out more and keep the legs warm. Again, any suggestions from those that you like? I'd like to keep it under $100 if possible, but I know that most seem to be $150+ from looking at the ones the dealers have in stock. Thanks again for all the suggestions. |
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Tourer
Posts: 460
Centennial, CO | Teach - 2008-10-20 8:24 PM
Elroyj, not trying to be a pain or anything, but I'm wondering why you'd pay that much for a glove when you could buy heated for 1/3 of that? Are they that good?
Nope...not a pain at all. Good question actually!
I used to ski a lot and carrying a battery is...well...not very feasible. I kept the gloves after I quit skiing. I found they work just as well as heated gloves when used with the grips. The nice thing, as I said, they are versatile in the fact that I can wear them any time without being hooked to the bike such as a 5 below day in Colorado (which it does hit around here during the winter months) when I won't be near a battery. Heh heh!
In reality, there are tons of gloves out there that will do the job of keeping you relatively warm during the blustery days. I DO however subscribe to the "pay for what you get" school of hard knocks. I probably spent hundreds more on many pairs of gloves trying to find something that worked without the high price. I found that had I spent the money in the first place, I would have saved more in the run.  |
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Tourer
Posts: 320
Savannah, GA -Year round riding!! Yay! | I like the Tour Master Venture pants. Waterproof outer shell, zip out liner. $124.99 MSRP. I have sold many pairs of these in my store. Good into cold weather. Not the most expensive pants made, but a good value.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | So far so good. I think I can survive the winter with just the line chaps and the heated seats. If it goes deep, then I'll use my $50.00 Walls insulated coveralls from Wal-Mart. I did the 19 degree ride last year with longjohns top and bottoms, Jeans, longsleeve shirt, sweat shirt, coveralls, and leather jacket and heat taps in the boots, and a thick winter glove. Cheap, but worked great for me, keeps me limited on wardrobe and I can take off and combo my layers to work. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 297
VA | Thanks GA and VA. I was looking at the Tourmasters, but was considering the Caliber. Don't know if there is that much difference, but seemed a little more for cold weather. Side zipper is nice since getting on/off with boots is a P.I.N.T.A. One of the dealers is having a fall sale this weekend, so going to see what they have and see what kind of deal I can work. I don't have a ton of money, but I also prefer to buy something once rather than realizing later that I should have gotten something better. Like I said, I hate the cold, so I want to stay warm. We rode the other day and it was down to 40F, and the only thing that got cold was the outside of my legs. Made the pants that much more important. Thanks for the advice, and other suggestions, let me know. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Wichita, Kansas | Whatever you use for gloves, get them a little loose for flexibility, then in really cold weather, put a pair of thin thermal glove liners underneath. Available at most large sporting goods stores for $6 or so. After 28 years in the military, I've done a few research weekends in the winter, and they are amazing. Never found a really good pair of gloves that would last 3 days at 20 degrees until I put the liners in. They make almost any glove acceptable. |
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Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | Slightly off thread topic, but related: I rarely wear gloves since buying my VV. I laced leather onto the handle bar grips so the sticky rubber wouldn't be against my hands. This gives the grips a nice feel and increased the diameter to (for me) a little more comfortable size. These have worked well for me summer and winter. Living in central California, I rarely ride in weather less than 40f degrees when gloves are nice. Years ago, riding my pan head, I had a pair of leather gloves with large, stiff gauntlets on them that any jacket sleeves would fit into. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | wow, it's been almost two years to the day since I made my post on this thread - BSG - you dig into the forum, which I like.
An update on me; I don't use the walls anymore, I've got lined chaps that I've gone through one winter so far with, and wear long-johns when it dips low. Also, I've got this leather neck cuff that fits under the jacket and wear a cotton bandana over the face and so far I've not found the "too cold to ride" point yet. I've got some gauntlets gloves and I have as well as put the leather covers on the grips. This will be the first year for the grip covers so I'm interested to see how that plays in verses the rubber on the heated grips. |
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Glove and Pants - Advice/Suggestion
