Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: SteelCityGuy on January 13, 2016, 05:11:06 PM

Title: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: SteelCityGuy on January 13, 2016, 05:11:06 PM
Hello, so my problem is my hands get frozen when riding for 1+ hour in temps below 30.  I use icon winter gloves with cycle gear cold liners and the grip heaters cranked all the way up. I'm assuming it's due to the air hitting my hands.  Two options I'm considering are a calsci x wide windshield or project D aero wings. Currently my bike is 100% stock so which do you think would help me ?
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: gPink on January 13, 2016, 05:27:48 PM
Heated gloves and if you're a hands on guy Mr. Pope gave us this excellent plan for air wings...
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10501.msg128285#msg128285 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10501.msg128285#msg128285)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: B.D.F. on January 13, 2016, 05:44:59 PM
I have not seen a CalSci X-wide 'in the flesh' so cannot be sure but I doubt there will be enough windshield, low enough at the outer edges, to provide decent hand protection. Baker hand wings work very well for me, and there are other brands also.

As already mentioned in this thread, hand guards coupled with heated gloves will absolutely solve your problem; at least it has for me and I ride when it is below 20F out.

Brian

Hello, so my problem is my hands get frozen when riding for 1+ hour in temps below 30.  I use icon winter gloves with cycle gear cold liners and the grip heaters cranked all the way up. I'm assuming it's due to the air hitting my hands.  Two options I'm considering are a calsci x wide windshield or project D aero wings. Currently my bike is 100% stock so which do you think would help me ?
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 13, 2016, 06:55:15 PM
Gerbings heated gear...
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: maxtog on January 13, 2016, 08:34:00 PM
I just turn on the heated grips.   With them I typically am OK with my 3-season (vented + breathable) gloves to about 40F with occasional dips below.  But colder than that (which is a rare ride for me), I switch to the heavier Olympia Wind-Tex and no prob (well, except for it being harder to work controls and such).
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Conniesaki on January 13, 2016, 08:56:47 PM
I was gonna say RUN!! Run away!!!

But remembered that's advice for cold feet.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: The Pope on January 14, 2016, 04:23:06 AM
Heated gloves and if you're a hands on guy Mr. Pope gave us this excellent plan for air wings...
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10501.msg128285#msg128285 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10501.msg128285#msg128285)

Thanks gPink!
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: KevinRLi on January 14, 2016, 10:56:41 AM
Agree 100% step 1 is get the wind off your hands. I commute 30 minutes to and from work in 20f with just a pair of leather non insulated non heated gloves and I'm fine. I wouldn't go cross country like that but 30 minutes I'm fine. I forget what brand wind guards I have but very similar to what the Pope's home ones do.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Caffeinated on January 14, 2016, 11:09:40 AM
I ride all year and my hands were only cold once about 10 years ago...that afternoon I got a pair of Gerbings. I now have two more pairs of heated Gloves from Warm and Safe...http://www.warmnsafe.com/ (http://www.warmnsafe.com/) one of their gen4 jackets, and new this year Gerbing heated insoles.

Warm and safe is a bit cheaper than Gerbing, and not a Chinese company either.

btw...one of my morning commutes last week it was 8F, and I was toasty!
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: maxtog on January 14, 2016, 03:35:03 PM
btw...one of my morning commutes last week it was 8F, and I was toasty!

OMG, just shoot me.  My hands might be warm, but the rest of me would be frozen solid!
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Freddy on January 14, 2016, 04:22:37 PM
http://www.hippohands.com/ (http://www.hippohands.com/)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: maxtog on January 14, 2016, 04:40:05 PM
http://www.hippohands.com/ (http://www.hippohands.com/)

Strange, yet interesting

http://www.hippohands.com/products/c14-no-mirrors (http://www.hippohands.com/products/c14-no-mirrors)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: clogan on January 14, 2016, 05:46:53 PM
Hippo Hands is the single most effective hand-warming feature I have ever used, on any bike. Better than heated grips, better than any gloves alone.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: SteelCityGuy on January 14, 2016, 07:05:26 PM
Thanks for the input. I ordered the hand guards today I'll see how that works then add to it from there.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Flat-spot on January 15, 2016, 02:09:13 AM
https://www.google.com/search?q=handlebar+muffs+for+motorcycles&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwinqYXRuqvKAhWGVD4KHZCNDy8QsAQIWw&biw=1437&bih=711&dpr=2 (https://www.google.com/search?q=handlebar+muffs+for+motorcycles&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwinqYXRuqvKAhWGVD4KHZCNDy8QsAQIWw&biw=1437&bih=711&dpr=2)

No doubt about it. Handlebar muffs let you wear much lighter gloves so you don't lose feel of controls, while keeping fingers toasty.  And many brands are way less than $90.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Conrad on January 15, 2016, 04:58:22 AM
Getting the wind off of your hands worked great for me.

[smg id=414]

[smg id=415]

Those are Motax brand air deflectors but they work the same as other brands.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: mikeb2411 on February 03, 2016, 12:14:32 PM
I bought a pair of "Firstgear Navigator" gloves in Colorado while on a road trip. They were supposed to be 4 season gloves but they're too warm to wear most of the time. I do wear them when it's cold out and they work great! The aren't bulky by any means and they do a great job keeping my hands warm when temps go below 30 degrees. Plus, they are really comfortable gloves! I have never had cold hands when riding in cold weather with these when combined with the heated grips! I have ridden with them in temps as low as 18 degrees and was totally fine! There is one review for these gloves on the Revzilla site and it's a poor review but I can tell you that the gloves are fantastic and I will completely disagree with the review in that they DO KEEP YOU WARM! The reviewer said they don't work below 40 degrees...his must have holes or something because they work great for me! Just so you know the story, I am affected by cold more so than most because of an accident years ago that took my left index finger and messed up my left thumb and both are severely affect by cold so I am a great resource when it comes to gloves and cold weather :thumbs:! I have my gloves customized after I buy them...I have the left index finger cut and sewn. Nothing worse than a glove finger "flopping around" while riding :o! BTW, I wear my summer gloves when it's 40 degrees out  ::)!
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Daytona_Mike on February 04, 2016, 06:55:42 PM
At those temps I can tell you that the air wings will not work. I have them.  Heated grips will not work. I have them
Gerbing or Hippo is the only way to go. I would go with the hippo. Those are the bomb.
 Big heavy insulated gloves make it harder to control the bike.

I have not tried these but they are supposed to be the newest  thing out there.  There are lipo type  rechargeable battery  glove skins but they dont last all day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92eNw-x2YkE&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92eNw-x2YkE&feature=youtu.be)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: stevewfl on February 04, 2016, 08:31:26 PM
Strange, yet interesting

http://www.hippohands.com/products/c14-no-mirrors (http://www.hippohands.com/products/c14-no-mirrors)

freak show compared to heated gear
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Deziner on February 05, 2016, 04:55:32 AM
freak show compared to heated gear

+1.  Those are UGLY!
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: PH14 on February 05, 2016, 06:31:43 AM
freak show compared to heated gear

However, they work really, really well.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 05, 2016, 06:51:25 AM
I prefer a warm woman, but I've always been considered somewhat strange.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Deziner on February 05, 2016, 07:11:02 AM
I prefer a warm woman, but I've always been considered somewhat strange.

As opposed to one that is room temperature? Or to stick your hands in?     I'm confused ???
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Conrad on February 05, 2016, 07:14:42 AM
I prefer a warm woman, but I've always been considered somewhat strange.

Agreed but it's hard to get two of them to sit still long enough...    ;)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 05, 2016, 07:20:26 AM
Minor details..
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: gPink on February 05, 2016, 07:30:02 AM
I prefer a warm woman, but I've always been considered somewhat strange.

What would be the proper google search string for that?
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: mikeb2411 on February 05, 2016, 06:36:09 PM
What would be the proper google search string for that?

strange warm woman ::)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: PH14 on February 05, 2016, 07:03:27 PM
I prefer a warm woman, but I've always been considered somewhat strange.

I wouldn't call that strange.  :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: datsaxman@hotmail.com on February 05, 2016, 10:16:43 PM
Hippo Hands / generic handlebar muffs are so much more effective than any kind of heated gloves or grips...

Hippo Hands + ordinary leather ropers (heated grips off and wings removed for this test) are better - on my hands, on my commute - than Zero monster gauntlets + heated grips + wings.  A LOT BETTER. 

I started the ride with my medium winter gloves, but my hands were SWEATING.  It was 20F, and my hands were sweating.  I only had the leather ropers with me out of habit.  Even those were almost too warm.  I was impressed. 

dat
sax
man
 
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: datsaxman@hotmail.com on February 05, 2016, 10:22:20 PM
These are them.  Yeah, $15, shipped.  Neoprene is heavy fabric, and definitely air / water tight. 
My friends think they look dorky.  I think my friends look COLD.  Whtvr. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bike-It-Neoprene-Bar-Muffs-Motorcycle-ATV-Handlebar-Hand-Warmers-/191783075351?hash=item2ca7297e17:g:yYgAAOSwFqJWmB1s&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bike-It-Neoprene-Bar-Muffs-Motorcycle-ATV-Handlebar-Hand-Warmers-/191783075351?hash=item2ca7297e17:g:yYgAAOSwFqJWmB1s&vxp=mtr)


dat
sax
man
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Flat-spot on February 06, 2016, 01:45:47 AM
Yep, dorky lookin'.  Nuthin' warmer.  I'll take comfort over fashion all day.

(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y400/markak1245/IMG_0939_zpszanunh8d.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/markak1245/media/IMG_0939_zpszanunh8d.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: dolomoto on February 06, 2016, 08:00:58 AM
If you want to keep your hands warm, keep your core warm. Use a heated vest (or jacket).
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: stevewfl on February 06, 2016, 01:51:26 PM
Yep, dorky lookin'.  Nuthin' warmer.  I'll take comfort over fashion all day.

(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y400/markak1245/IMG_0939_zpszanunh8d.jpg) (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/markak1245/media/IMG_0939_zpszanunh8d.jpg.html)

before the days of heated jacket liners and gloves, i'd have considered this solution
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 06, 2016, 02:29:44 PM
+1
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: PH14 on February 07, 2016, 08:09:08 AM
before the days of heated jacket liners and gloves, i'd have considered this solution

I still like them. They are much more convenient for being able to simply jump on the bike and riding, around town and that sort of thing. I also prefer to have something that is less likely to fail, be prepared. As much as I like heated gear, if it were to fail 100 miles from home, without a backup you would be in serious trouble.
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: Kawi Ken on February 07, 2016, 08:20:11 AM
motorcycle mitts | eBay

I bought a pair from Cal Sci and paid too much w/shipping. They are tight around switch gear but might work better on different bikes.They have a thin metal guard inside to keep them from pushing back -
Other Motorcycle Accessories

I also use Baker Wings that work well-
Air Wings Motorcycle Air Deflectors
and these -
http://www.rei.com/product/871653/outdoor-research-highcamp-3-finger-insulated-gloves-mens (http://www.rei.com/product/871653/outdoor-research-highcamp-3-finger-insulated-gloves-mens)
Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: robertv on February 07, 2016, 08:32:47 AM
These are them.  Yeah, $15, shipped.  Neoprene is heavy fabric, and definitely air / water tight. 
My friends think they look dorky.  I think my friends look COLD.  Whtvr. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bike-It-Neoprene-Bar-Muffs-Motorcycle-ATV-Handlebar-Hand-Warmers-/191783075351?hash=item2ca7297e17:g:yYgAAOSwFqJWmB1s&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bike-It-Neoprene-Bar-Muffs-Motorcycle-ATV-Handlebar-Hand-Warmers-/191783075351?hash=item2ca7297e17:g:yYgAAOSwFqJWmB1s&vxp=mtr)

dat
sax
man


Any pics of these on the C14?

For those with these or similar items on it, when you have to remove your hand for something like adjusting your helmet, how easy is it put your hand back in it? I'm curious because while riding, with heated gloves I can move my hands on and off while doing adjustments, using my hand/arms for directions, etc easily. With these muff -type protections and riding, I'm wondering if I have to wiggle my hand thru which for me is a safety factor now and seconds count for braking/clutching.

Title: Re: Advice for cold hands.
Post by: lather on February 08, 2016, 07:56:46 AM
Any pics of these on the C14?

For those with these or similar items on it, when you have to remove your hand for something like adjusting your helmet, how easy is it put your hand back in it? I'm curious because while riding, with heated gloves I can move my hands on and off while doing adjustments, using my hand/arms for directions, etc easily. With these muff -type protections and riding, I'm wondering if I have to wiggle my hand thru which for me is a safety factor now and seconds count for braking/clutching.
I tried the Hippo Hands back when I was commuting to work in the dark. I found it very difficult to get my hand back in when it was dark and gave up on them. Not a problem in daylight.