Can’t get used to winter gloves

[Justatwist]

The title says it all really. This is my first winter commuting on the bike and I’m still using my summer gloves as I just can’t get used to my winter gloves.
I bought a pair of richa radar gloves and having worn them 5 or so times I actually hate the thought of getting on the bike.
I feel like they are restricting me in some way and don’t feel safe with them on.
I keep telling myself it’s because they’re bulkier than I’m used to, or that they’ll get better the more I use them but I’m still choosing the winter gloves and freezing my hands off.

Is this Normal and how it is with all winter gloves or is it just this glove that isn’t for me?

[Rubin215]

I spent years putting up with freezing cold hands because I hated the bulkiness of winter gloves.

Now I have arthritis in my hands I wish I had looked after them better...

[7w7]

I use zoidberg gloves so have even less dexterity.

You do get used to them, but they're always annoying. Probably one of the worst things about riding in cold weather.

Putting on summer gloves in the spring is great feeling

[pessimal]

you need to wear them alot more to get used to them, it'll come.

[BobSaunders]

Wear them when making cups of tea and using the toilet. You will get used to them pretty quickly.

[Byronico]

I was the same.. just wear them and they will eventually feel natural!

You will be worse off with frozen hands and not being able to use the controls of your bike properly.

[waynedear]

Summer gloves and heated grips ?
Works for me.

[jackofall84]

waynedear said:

Summer gloves and heated grips ?
Works for me.

I was literally about to suggest this...or heated gloves, they are a lot thinner than winter gloves.

[Bikesalot]

Get bar muffs instead.

Look naff but are the best solution.

Invest in the muff.

[thatdude]

I've ridden through many winters. I hate winter gloves.

My solution?

Handlebar muffs (to keep the wind off, and keep the rain off). If you are concerned about muffs pushing back on levers at speed, then fit barkbusters handgaurd frames. Handgaurds, by the way, are not enough to keep the wind off your hands on a cold day (the air swirls round the bars and keeps your hands cold. Its better than nothing, but nowhere near as good as handlebar muffs).

I use tucano urbano muffs - they are hands down the best.

In conjunction with handlebar muffs, heated grips. Muffs might help with the windchill, but if it's 5 deg.C it's 5 deg.C. I wired in Symtec grip heaters - they are a bare-bones fitment, and once you've put on the heaters against the bare handlebars, then you can refit nice grips on top (I fit renthals). Wire them in via a relay, always.

You can wear summer gloves all year round with this set-up.



Dont forget that you need ot keep your core body temperature as well. I recently bought a Kais heated vest - I dont know why i didnt do it years ago. I find that the moment I feel the windchill at my chest, I feel cold everywhere. And when I feel cold, I lose concentration.


If you worry about looking stupid with handlebars muffs, consider this: You're riding a filthy motorbike on gritted roads in winter. You already look silly compared to the people taking the comfy route in their warm cars.

[AceOfHearts]

I am used to winter gloves and find them fine, but for warmth handlebar muffs and heated grips can't be beaten. I like the R&G grips and have used them on a few bikes in the past

[pozi]

Get some heated gloves, they are not bulky like winter gloves yet 10 times warmer.

[7w7]

pozi said:

Get some heated gloves, they are not bulky like winter gloves yet 10 times warmer.

Are the wires a pain in the ass or no?

[Justatwist]

thanks for all the replies. Looks like muffs are the way to go for me. I have no concerns about looking daft, as long as I’m warm then who cares!
I’ve got a V-Strom so already have hand guards and they don’t make any difference to the wind chill, they should help keep the muffs from pressing on the levers though.

[pozi]

7w7 said:

pozi said:

Get some heated gloves, they are not bulky like winter gloves yet 10 times warmer.

Are the wires a pain in the ass or no?

Not really, they are just a simple Y connector which goes under your jacket and plugs into either the bike or a separate battery. Definitely beats being cold.

[poo at Paul's]

Bikesalot said:

Get bar muffs instead.

Look naff but are the best solution.

Invest in the muff.

They do look crap, but this is a best answer IMO!!

[Stuart70]

7w7 said:

pozi said:

Get some heated gloves, they are not bulky like winter gloves yet 10 times warmer.

Are the wires a pain in the ass or no?

Only if you wire them really wrongly

[Justatwist]

Can anyone recommend some hand muffs. They would need to fit over the hand guards on a V-Strom 650.
Also can you get some that can be attached and detached easily or do the better ones require fastening on in some way?

[7w7]

Stuart70 said:

Only if you wire them really wrongly

Anything can happen when you are putting on gear in the early morning

[tjlazer]

Gerbring heated gloves will transform your winter rides, forget the other types, they are very comfortable and basically a massive lifesaver when it comes to the cold commutes. I'd go for batteries just to reduce faffage with wires but they are worth. every. penny.