Need suggestions on quality and comfortable gloves..

Scratch · 02-24-2005, 4:37 PM

Hey all,

Just looking for personal experiences with quality, racing, gauntlet style gloves. Had a pair of old ass Olympia's that are now in a cornfield somewhere. They did the job, all be it not very well.

Looking for something extremely comfortable. I've found that the carbon knuckled ones are just too tight (carbon across all knuckles). I usually wear a size XL glove, sometimes XXL. Tried some Teknic's but they were just too damn tight, as in painfully tight after an hour's worth of riding. Not too many companies make XXXL and from what I hear the Astars run real tight also. I'd prefer a split-knuckle protector (not one piece all the way across), and something to fit these hands, offer good protection, easy reach for the levers etc. etc. etc.

thanks for any input

HondaGalToo · 02-24-2005, 4:45 PM

My personal favorites are Held gloves. I have the Galaxy, which does have the carbon knuckles, but they are comfy. Intersport West is the US distributor. Actually, I believe Sportbike Tracktime has become a sponsor of this site, and they have good prices on some of the models. Looks like their new kevlar racing model doesn't have hard knuckles, and the Profi racing glove doesn't either.

Baketech · 02-24-2005, 5:02 PM

<--- Helds & Alpinestars....

BDA116 · 02-24-2005, 5:59 PM

Icon.

HondaGalToo · 02-24-2005, 6:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Icon.

Scratch · 02-24-2005, 7:22 PM

Held eh? I think the Astars would be too small, if they're anything like teknic. Think I just need to find a retailer with a good exchange policy. Trial and error baby, that's what it's all about.

dB · 02-24-2005, 7:27 PM

Another vote for Held.

Scratch · 02-24-2005, 7:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dB

Another vote for Held.

Any particular model? Links? Pics? Places to buy?

heheh, sorry for all the questions

HondaGalToo · 02-24-2005, 8:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scratch

Any particular model? Links? Pics? Places to buy?

heheh, sorry for all the questions

I posted a link to Intersports West above, and mentioned checking with Sportbike Track Time
Also above: Galaxy and Akira (both have carbon knuckles). Ones without are the Profi and a new Kevlar race. These are all track-oriented, so they don't have any Gortex or anything. Held has other touring models as well.

soon2b954 · 02-24-2005, 8:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Icon.

You get a pair with every purchase of an R1!!

GhostRider · 02-24-2005, 8:17 PM

Alpinstars SP-2

Scratch · 02-24-2005, 8:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

I posted a link to Intersports West above, and mentioned checking with Sportbike Track Time
Also above: Galaxy and Akira (both have carbon knuckles). Ones without are the Profi and a new Kevlar race. These are all track-oriented, so they don't have any Gortex or anything. Held has other touring models as well.

Oops sorry forgot to click on it (buzzed). Checking 'em out now...

Decisons decisions... Why can't the local shop have every make, model, and size available to try on??

doh!

HondaGalToo · 02-24-2005, 9:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scratch

Oops sorry forgot to click on it (buzzed). Checking 'em out now...

Decisons decisions... Why can't the local shop have every make, model, and size available to try on??

doh!

Scratch · 02-24-2005, 9:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

Roll out the barrel!!

gonna feel this one in the morning, man I spell surprisingly well

Scout · 02-25-2005, 1:33 AM

For comfort and crash worthiness (*ahem*), I'm a die hard Joe Rocket fan (decent on the pocket book too.

).

I don't know how they hold up on the old alligator skin (track), though they make track specific models.

Jungleboy · 02-25-2005, 7:17 AM

As the rest of my gear is alpinestar Im already biased towards them until Itried on a pair of Teknic gloves (sorry cant remember the exact model) but they were by far the most comfortable gloves I have tried on! and looked good to boot!

ND4SPD · 02-25-2005, 7:54 AM

Kushitani! I have a pair of A* GP Plus right now and they're great! However, after trying on a pair of Kushitani's, I'm certain that it will be my next glove. Send a PM to Trackoholic as he's a dealer for them.

Scratch · 02-25-2005, 9:04 AM

Wow thanks, great responses and suggestions all around. I've seen the Kushitani's on websites but don't know anyone that has a pair personally. Would love to try 'em on.

This is kind of subjective, like many things in regards to bikes, personal preference seems to play a big role as everyone is different. And so are their hands.

I'm going to take a drive over to one of the larger dealerships in the Chicagoland area and basically try on everything they've got, for starters. I liked the Teknics but the XXL was a little tight and even after wearing them about for a bit and riding in them they still hurt my hands pretty bad, couldn't wait to get them off after a ride or during a pit stop. I hear the Astars run about the same sizing, a little on the smaller side. I know leather stretches but I do need 'em a bit bigger.

Chain · 02-25-2005, 9:42 AM

These have got to be some of the greatest gloves you can get in this price range. I love mine!

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/33-TM-2

motojedi · 02-25-2005, 9:57 AM

The HELD gloves have been popular with many of my fellow BMW riders. Unfortunately, we've seen a number of them blow apart at the seems with relatively low-speed crashes.

I've had a pair of Olympias come apart and have seen Technic products of all sorts come apart when I didn't think they should have.

I'm on my second pair of A*s GP plus. The first pair went 50,000 miles of touring and track days including a lot of rain and a 70 mph crash.

Kuss929 · 02-25-2005, 10:19 AM

Currently have Technic Lightning gloves.
Look great and feel great initially.
However after a few hours riding there is a pressure point in the palm that starts to hurt a little.

No callouses there either.

Scratch · 02-26-2005, 2:56 AM

Oh man the XXL Teknic lightning pro gloves had so much knuckle pressure it was just unreal. I wore them for days around the house, went for a few rides, still hurt like crazy. My hands aren't that big! I find that alot of the gloves that offer better protection are running really, really small. Hence my dilemma.

Chain · 02-26-2005, 8:17 AM

Scratch, I've got big hands. I too find that many of the armored gloves kill your knuckles when you wrap your fingers around the bars. That's another reason I like the RoboMax Carbons by Tour Master. They fit very well and are quick to break in.

The company's Comp Carbon II is an excellent choice as well.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/33-TM-4

Everyone I know who tries Tour Master gloves are happy with the quality and amazed they don't cost twice as much.

Scratch · 02-26-2005, 8:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Scratch, I've got big hands. I too find that many of the armored gloves kill your knuckles when you wrap your fingers around the bars. That's another reason I like the RoboMax Carbons by Tour Master. They fit very well and are quick to break in.

The company's Comp Carbon II is an excellent choice as well.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/33-TM-4

Everyone I know who tries Tour Master gloves are happy with the quality and amazed they don't cost twice as much.

Chain-

I like both gloves you provided links to. I think I'd probably prefer or feel safer buying the robomax gloves due simply to the split-knuckle protector design (probably less pressure that way).

What would you recommend, should I get these in XXL? Do they run bigger/smaller then say A* or Teknic? Thanks for the help, both gloves look great and look as if they offer great protection. Now if they are as comfortable as you say they are this could be my next glove (price is right too).

Chain · 02-26-2005, 8:40 AM

The RoboMax is what I'm wearing now (well, not right this second as that would make typing a bit of a chore) and they are very comfortable.

As for sizing, I'm nervous making a suggestion to you. I have a pretty good sized mitt and take the Men's XL. You said your hands aren't huge, so perhaps a Large?

I know buying riding gear online can be a PITA because of potential sizing difficulties and occasional returns, but the money one saves is worth it. Another good reason to research a company's return policy before you buy.

If you call around, there are vendors who are sometimes willing to send you two sizes if you agree to send back the one that doesn't fit. New Enough did this for me on boots once.

Scratch · 02-26-2005, 8:45 AM

Got it. I appreciate all your help. I'm hesitant to order anything smaller than XL, considering my experiences with some XXL gloves and the way they didn't fit(too small). Generally other gloves that I had were XL's and had no fitment issues, maybe slightly tight but nothing horrible. I know kneedraggers has a very good exchange policy, and also you mentioned that sometimes a vendor will send you two and you can send one item back etc. Might try that route as well. I think I'm going to give these a shot.