Summer Gloves

[BullCBX]

Not wanting to hijack an earlier thread from clock655, I thought I would offer up my experience with summer textile gloves to the collective. The following information and opinions are based on my recent personal experiences and are not intended to persuade anyone’s decisions on what type of equipment they should use. I have always been a believer in ATGATT and will continue to champion that cause. The day of my accident all of my gear protected me as I would have expected with the exception for the gloves (specifically my Cortech HDX gloves). As a year round, daily commuter here in Atlanta, GA, I was trying to find a summer glove that was a little more comfortable than my leather gauntlets. The gloves were comfortable and seemed to be just the thing. Then while out in the north GA mountains this past April, I had a slow speed low side. It was the kind of thing where you expect to get up, collect a few parts and pieces and continue down the road. After realizing I was injured (I was seeing blood in several spots) I found my right hand had been “de-gloved”. I had not even realized the glove missing from my hand. After getting the wound cleaned and wrapped (thanks to some nice HD folks who stopped and helped) I started to look for my MIA glove. After several minutes of looking and not finding it I was stumped on where it could be. Then walking in front of the bike again, I noticed it was caught on the lower stay of the windshield. I tried to place it back as I found it for the photo. As best as I can piece things back together, the end of the stay was able to penetrate the spandex fabric of the glove just below the hard knuckle protector. I suspect the glove was pulled off my hand when the bike flipped over. I do not know if a different glove could have prevented this. Although I sometime wonder if was wearing my leather gloves would I have ended up with the same results. Maybe-Maybe not. When thinking about gloves, looking for good abrasion and impact protection may not be the only consideration. I’ve learned this first hand (small pun intended). All I can say is that from this point forward I will stick with a full leather gauntlet style glove, preferably without a molded knuckle guard, regardless of the heat. Here are a few pictures:

I found the glove on the front of the bike:

After removing and turning the fingers back out:

Here's the damage and final results:

 

[Fred W]

Interesting, in a nasty, gory sort of way. Definitely a knock against textile gloves.

From your pictures, one might speculate on what happened: The first thing had to be that the windshield broke away to expose the windshield bracket. Then you somehow reached your right arm down to the left side of the top of the W bracket and impaled the back side of the glove with the bracket. That bracket isn't very sharp, so your hand must have whacked the bracket pretty hard for the cloth to catch on it.

I guess I'm having a hard time picturing what your right hand was doing in that position. Certainly in a get off there is a lot happening really fast, but I just can't visualize what body to bike position would put that hand there, I would speculate that the injuries to your hand, may have been as a result of the bracket contacting the back of your hand through the fabric of the glove, rather than the glove being ripped off, as was previously suggested.

 

[Old Michael]

Your post is much appreciated Bull.

Textile or leather, a glove is worthless if it comes off easily in an accident.

Recently, forum member Cello II went for a slide after a deer incident, and he suffered damage to his hand after having his glove come off. Maybe he can chime in with some details.

I've come to prefer gloves that take a minute to put on - with a strap at the heel of your hand, and another securing it on your forearm. I think leather, well-sewn, is preferable. They smell good too.

 

[wfooshee]

I'm not sure any other glove would have done any better. The force it takes to rip that fabric is rather substantial. Of course, we can't really tell if it was ripped or cut.

As for how your right hand got over there, who knows, but I can tell you that in my first crash, a VERY slow left-side lowside in gravel, the worst injury (other than a sprained ankle from the bike laying on my foot) was a jammed thumb on my right hand, and a 1/8" dimple bruise on the end of my thumb.

My gloves were Joe Rocket Phoenix III textile gloves, and they did fine, kept wearing them for several months, replaced them with another pair just in time for another crash, and those did well, also. Knuckle protectors did their job, lots of scuff marks on the hard armor, no hand injury.

 

[mscott]

Is it your right hand or left? The fourth pic shows right hand, the fifth looks like left. All glove pics look like right. Like was said, not sure any other glove would have done any better. If your hand did stay in, and the glove did stay where it was at, it would have took you a LONG time to type this. Glad it wasn't worse.

 

[Solo]

Bull,

Take a look at the Kushitani racing glove. I use it summer, spring, and fall, only giving it up when I need a warmer glove for winter. They don't have a molded knuckle. Instead, they have a second padded piece that is meant to protect the knuckles and back of the hand. They are a full gauntlet with a strap at the base of the hand and a gauntlet that can be chinched up with velcro. Plus, the seams are on the outside where they won't rub your fingers.

They are very pricy! But you only need one pair over several years of riding, making them very reasonable protection for our delicate, easily injured hands.

I wore textile for several years, but decided it was worth the bucks to purchase really good gloves--just for the reason you highlight so well.

Tom

 

[squeezer]

wfooshee might be right that no glove might have helped you there. Getting it speared like that is a pretty freak thing.

If anything, it looks like the knuckle protector did you in. The bracket tore through the fabric until it hit that hard object. Then, the force has to either rip out the stitching for the knuckle protector or your hand pulls out of the glove. The stitching is stronger than the wrist strap.

I really appreciate these kinds of posts. They give us a chance to analyze what happened. It looks awfully painful, Bull. I hope you heal quickly.

 

[Fred W]

All pics appear to be of the right hand (glove and hand), except the last one. Must have got that last picture flipped?

 

[luvtoride]

I will never, ever wear textile gloves. Had a pair before I really knew about gear. I remember thinking... boy, these probably wouldn't do so hot in a getoff.

After seeing what a 60 MPH slide did to a nice pair of full gauntlet, leather Held gloves, I decided that, no way, no how would I put those textile gloves back on.

I have a pair of Icon perforated leather gloves. They are ok... I definitely like them better than textile... but still looking for a better pair. They do not have a gauntlet... but think that I'd like one.

So, I am DEFINITELY with you on textile gloves. I cannot see your pictures but I remember reading about your accident when you first had it. I wish you speedy healing. We gonna' see you at EOM?

Heidi

 

[BullCBX]

It is the right hand. The last shot was taken thru a mirror (its hard to look thru the view finder to catch the back side of your hand).

 

[scubatech]

I crashed tested some Alpinestars summer gloves one time.They had the carbon fiber knuckles on them.The gloves held up well and the knuckles were ground down a sixteenth of an inch or so. Those carbon guards saved my knuckles big time. I always buy gloves with them now.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I will never, ever wear textile gloves. I have a pair of ... perforated leather gloves. They do not have a gauntlet... but think that I'd like one.

Never/Always statements can be difficult to uphold? But, it's your statement -- so, good luck with it.

Heavy leather gauntlet gloves have been a motorcyclist's standard since the beginning -- and they still have merit. Yet, inventions and improvements in technology keep giving us synthetic alternatives that (may) also have merit. I'm not so sure that one material is Always (or, will Always be) superior. There may be more involved (in the equation...)?

One thing I'm sure of: good gloves are a good thing....

 

[luvtoride]

Never/Always statements can be difficult to uphold?

Maybe in another world other than mc gloves.

 

[FJRGuy]

Any glove is better than no glove. My problem is finding a pair to fit my long fingers while still fitting properly. I prefer leather but will take what I can find. I have not looked into custom made gloves though and that may be an option if I am recruited for a CEO position of a Fortune 500 company.

Never/Always statements can be difficult to uphold?

Maybe in another world other than mc gloves.

Hmmm... So theoretically, you are on a ride somewhere in the middle of nowhere, stop at a remote roadside diner for a break. Accidently leave your gloves on the bike where they subsequently get stolen or eaten by a goat. Unfortunately, you forgot to pack your spare pair. A fellow rider has a spare pair of textile gloves.

Do you:

A- ride without gloves at all?

B- call for a tow/trailer to the nearest MC shop to buy new gloves?

C- WEAR textile gloves?

Just saying...

But, despite the "never, ever" debate, your point is well made, Heidi!

 

[ALDAWG]

I love Motoport---Gloves

 

[Moon Man]

I love Motoport---Gloves

Those look pretty trick! How are they in the summer?

 

[ALDAWG]

I love Motoport---Gloves

Those look pretty trick! How are they in the summer?

Have you ever worn any Motoport gear? Their stuff is unique, most comfortable gear I have ever worn. Kinda hard to describe. I've gone through big $$$ on gear in the past, leather and textile, you name it, I've worn it. Hands down the Kevlar mesh is the perfect motorcycle apparel, like wearing a long sleeve shirt with armor....

 

[tmonroe]

I've probably got 10 pairs of serviceable gloves at home with my spare gear (everything from light mesh to full winter insulated gloves). I'm starting to think that I would be better off with just one really good of full leather gauntlets year round. Personally, it seems like mesh, or textile or whatever is just what it "seems like you should get" for the hot weather riding... but even when I wear full leather gauntlets, its not like my hands get particularly hot.

I've been shying away from thick gloves in the winter, and moving towards using heated grips instead. Maybe having just two pairs would be better (wear one pair while the other pair drys). It seems to me like as long as my core doesn't get too hot (or cold in the winter), my hands will pretty much take care of themselves.

Safety would be another reason to avoid lighter gloves.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Thanks for the post.

My getoffs have been relatively minor...but I do like my HELD Kangaroo gloves with the metal sliders on the palm. Most expensive gear that I have -per square inch- but I can still play the violin after my get offs...so I appreciate that.