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OMG Rob, the fingers on your right hand curl upwards! Was that from the accident?

Soulja, go to a motorcycle store that has a large range of gloves. Can't recall where you live, but most folk need two pairs of gloves. One for warm weather, and one for cold.
Tight gloves will indeed make your hands ache. Even gloves with short fingers will hurt after a while.

Try lots of them for size and feel. Spend the bucks and get quality, spend a few minutes and make sure the fit is right, otherwise the best quality amounts to zip.

Waterproof winter gloves are the go. I have Alpine Star goretex. Excellent.
I have Dainese summer gloves. Enough protection without the loss of feel. Yer can't ride like a dickhead without feel.

ME 109 wrote:OMG Rob, the fingers on your right hand curl upwards! Was that from the accident?

I live in Los Angeles -time to pass out now as a matter of fact.

I was thinking of getting the shorter gloves to start then getting longer and insulated gloves once I decide if I like the fit of the shorter ones.
Glad to hear that it's not just me. I could not figure what was wrong. Although I usually don't hold a grip for an hour when working with lights etc. (when I'm wearing my work gloves) so that could be part of it too.

I have tried a few and think I won't get the RSD Diesel gloves once I tried them on and found them to be quite thin for the money. Will keep looking for gloves I can try on.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I appreciate everyone's thoughts and experiences.

Souljer wrote:Hi,

Now a gear question.
This may sound stupid and I'm just starting out here trying to figure out if it's me or what.

Is it possible for ones hands to get tired or sore from gloves?
I've noticed that both hands but mostly my right is often tired and sore during and after riding only about an hour or less. Most of my work is hands-on type stuff so I don't think I'm particularly wimpy in the grip department, but I can only think of the variable of gloves and I've never heard of that.
Looking closer I noticed that there is quite a bit of fabric/ leather between my fingers and maybe that's causing extra tension and effort?
I don't know. Is that possible?

With that in mind I've been looking into other gloves. The ones I have are work gloves; some thinsulate and leather and fabric, but not specified for motorbike riding. No extra padding etc.
Right now I'm looking at Lee Parks or Aerostich Competition Ropers as these seem closest to what I have now but motorcycle oriented. I'm not really interested in gloves that have a bunch of bits and pieces, plastic, etc. on them. I don't want to spend $300.00 on race gloves.
Anyone have any experience with Parks or Aerostich Competition Ropers? Are they both great and about the same?

Thanks.

In my experience, there are two main factors that will lead to gloves making your hands tired. The first, and most important one, is if the fingers are too short. If the fingers seem to fit just about perfectly when your hand is open, then when you grip the bars your fingers will push against the ends of the gloves. This definitely fatigues your hands over time, even though it feels like a perfect fit at first.

Second, too much thickness in the palm and the palm side of the fingers. Good motorcycle gloves have zero, or very thin, insulation in this area. Bulky insulation between your hand/fingers and the grip will also fatigue your hand. My Held gloves have lots of insulation on the backs and sides, but thin Kangaroo on the palm, and I can ride with them many times the distance I can ride in gloves that have lots of insulation on the palm side.

Good motorcycle gloves also have pre-curved fingers so they dont bunch-up when you hold the grips.
Not curved upwards tho... (sorry, Rob)

Finding comfortable gloves, that you are prepared to pay for might take some time. When you find a pair, buy two pairs. When you wear your original set out, they will have been dropped them from the line, or redesigned them. Give yourself a chance to find a new design. Buy proper bike gloves - they do not have to be fancy, but should have multiple layers of leather/etc at strategic places, on the palms, etc.

I would recommend being very selective on the kit you buy, don't rush out an buy a cheap job lot in one go. You will be throwing it away. If you are out on the bike and not wearing you kit then it is money wasted. I prefer not to look like a 'Christmas tree' with gaudy colours, etc. I like to be able to get off a bike and walk around at my destination with frightening the local populace, or quickly overheating. My clothes have to dual purpose. I have to be able to walk 10 miles in my boots. Its a big ask. I like Armed Forces Leather boots, that go above the ankle (high-legs), armoured jeans, and a jacket that can pass muster in any shopping centre. I like my bike, but to not want to look like a 'typical' biker. Its all about compromises, protection over style.

If you are new to biking, then you might find it is just that you are using muscles for long periods that you are not used to using. Or you could be 'holding on too hard'. It will take some time to adjust.

When you start cruising long distances your forearms might ache from holding on, or keeping a stiff throttle open. make sure all you bike controls are adjusted for you - where you can.

I have smaller hands and cannot abide a thick grip. First thing I do to a bike is change the grips for a slim set and adjust the handlebars, clutch bight point and angle of the controls. There is no adjustment on the levers, but I find the standard ones okay especially when in conjunction with a slim grip. make the bike fit you.

Good Luck

Rev.Light

Hi,

Thanks all for the help.

Ran a two-stop gear run today.
Second was stopping on my way home at a place that carries Lee Parks gloves. Got to try them on and found them nice but again, I was sort of in between sizes. Across was okay if the fingers were too short; the fingers were fine if the palms were too big. However Mr. Parks himself called me a few days ago (I had called and left a message last week). He told me he understood my problem and thought that there was a solution. He asked me to make a tracing of my hands with some measurements and send them to him. I'll do that. In the mean time I got to try on gloves he makes and see the way things worked on his designs. They were very nice and right away more comfortable than what I have been using. We'll see how this develops.

Before I did that I went for a 2 hour drive to San Diego (I live in Los Angeles so that was me staying as close to 80 mph as possible).
I only have the crap gear in the 1st photo back on post #1. An old leather motorcycle jacket (though quite thick and heavy -it's actually pretty good), a funny semi-3/4 helmet and whatever pants du jour. My leather boots are good I think: Thick and heavy and tall and steel toed. However if I want something different or cooler than a thick black leather jacket, I got nothing and if I want any kind of protection beyond regular jeans or cotton fabrics, I got nothing.
So I've been reading around for some stuff that's a bit better and more motorcycle-functional. I found many posts mentioning AEROstich and their Roadcrafter models.
I decided I did want to learn from the lessons others have learned and I did not want to be another one of those guys who writes something like, "I wish I had bought a better jacket instead of a tank-bag at last weekend's sale". Etcetera, etc. infinity...

Still not sure if it's great or not but I found a 2 piece set on Craigslist that seemed like it would fit. I had misread the ad and the seller had misunderstood my emails. We came to an agreement when I realized he was not close by but FAR. His local city name is very similar to one only 20 minutes from me and 5 minutes from where I've been working this week. So at first it seemed like a great deal. Now it was going to be a 4 hour round trip! Just for some used gear!!

I read more posts and it seems that AEROstich/Roadcrafter is well respected by most. Also found out they are going to open a little pop-up store within range that I could visit and see things in person. The store that has the Parks gloves is in the same direction, so I decided to risk the money and time and go for the long road.

I now have an old (probably more than 10 years old) 2 piece suit that's got some armor and is made for riding. I think it mostly fits but might be a bit loose here or there. Not ridden in it yet; maybe tomorrow. I tried the Lee Parks gloves on the way home and I can visit the AEROstich temporary pop-up store next week.

Wearing this with my helmet I feel like Red Leader from Star Wars IV (aka. Han Shot First!)
I do like the idea that I can now wear whatever under it and just step out after arriving.
It's old, faded, a little scuffed and dirty, but it was way cheaper than new, bright, and perfectly clean.
Any opinions?
This seem like a good deal/ plan? Would you still get a new one? Do these wear out?

Hi Rev Light,

You wrote that while I was writing.

I like the idea of getting a back-up pair of gloves. That makes sense.
I've also been thinking of a pair of jeans-with-armor as another option. Just don't know which brand or what the differences are between them. Bright red armored clothing might be great on the road, but I can see how that could be a bit distracting and unnecessary at inappropriate times.

I'm afraid I did run out and buy a cheap suit.
Hopefully it still has some miles left in it.

Thanks for your post.

The Aerostich people will be able to tell you all about your suit - condition, life expectancy, possible repairs or refurb.
They all leak in the crotch eventually, on a long ride, so don't be disappointed there.

Where do you live that they are having a "pop-up" store? Chicago? A bike show?

Hi,

No I don't live in a bike show (although that might be fun for a while), I live in Los Angeles which is not too far from where they are having this 4-5 day event next week. I already drove 4 hours to get the Roadcrafter so another hour seems worth it.

Considering the used price I got compared to new, I feel I have room to take care of it and have some parts replaced or repaired. Information about the event is on their website.

Do NOT buy clothing that you cannot try on first!!
(Repeat this about a zillion times.)
One company's Ladies 10 will scarcely fit another's 8. Same for all the other's sizes, especially britches.
(BRITCHES, you other goof-offs, not Bit**es.)
Same with gloves...if the fingers are too short, you will be unhappy. Too long and you will also be unhappy.
BUT, better a tiny bit too long than too short.
I fit nicely in a men's 40-short onepiece Aerostitch, but the ladies in "my-size" (?) is useless; I have short legs, for starters.
Oh, did I mention...try it on first.