Kawasaki Concours Forum

Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: timsatx on January 08, 2014, 09:12:48 AM

Title: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: timsatx on January 08, 2014, 09:12:48 AM
Other than electrified items, what do you use to keep your fingers warm? Anybody use mittens?
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: Gumby on January 08, 2014, 10:29:55 AM
Other than electrified items, what do you use to keep your fingers warm?
Heated grips and a good set of leather gloves.

Anybody use mittens?
No :censored: way!  ???
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: Son of Pappy on January 08, 2014, 10:39:13 AM
I couldn't use mittens, heck I dislike insulated gloves.  Hippo hands work great, but be aware, wind pressure will cause them to put pressure on the clutch and brake levers.  Another thing is Baker hand wings or similar.  Find some silk glove liners, warm, thin, and easy to wear.  If you don't mind insulated gloves there are some ski gloves that have a pocket on the backside for hand warmers.
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 08, 2014, 11:53:04 AM
Mittens?  I just couldn't take mittens away from kittens..  I'm somewhat heartless, but not that heartless.
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: Gumby on January 08, 2014, 12:11:11 PM
Mittens?  I just couldn't take mittens away from kittens..  I'm somewhat heartless, but not that heartless.
(http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll112/tomdvaughan/emoticons/expressions3394.gif) (http://s286.photobucket.com/user/tomdvaughan/media/emoticons/expressions3394.gif.html)
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 08, 2014, 12:16:14 PM
Yeah, I know....   I can't help myself.
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: ZG on January 08, 2014, 12:17:52 PM
Mittens?  I just couldn't take mittens away from kittens..  I'm somewhat heartless, but not that heartless.


 ;D
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: B.D.F. on January 08, 2014, 01:08:57 PM
Yep, Hippo hands absolutely.

As far as the pressure, there is a way to snake a piece of welding rod or a thin piece of aluminum into them so that they hold their position and stay out and in front of the levers.

A lot of it depends entirely on what temperatures we are talking about; there is a huge difference between riding at 40F and 25 F and what works at 40 F often will just not work at all at 25 F.

Brian

I couldn't use mittens, heck I dislike insulated gloves.  Hippo hands work great, but be aware, wind pressure will cause them to put pressure on the clutch and brake levers.  Another thing is Baker hand wings or similar.  Find some silk glove liners, warm, thin, and easy to wear.  If you don't mind insulated gloves there are some ski gloves that have a pocket on the backside for hand warmers.
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: timsatx on January 08, 2014, 02:13:11 PM
Hippo Hands is out of business, other than what stock they still have on hand. The ZG1000 are all gone.
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: stevewfl on January 08, 2014, 02:30:50 PM
I had to google what mittens are, tough being a Floridian.  Thats why I need heated gear all over when I ride up there.  Anyway, I found this example of mittens, I guess they were what gloves originally evolved from  ;D

No fingers?  What benefits would such have over gloves?

(http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-q/mittens.png)



Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: Gumby on January 08, 2014, 02:54:51 PM
I have a set similar to the link below, but the ones I have are bigger. I used them on other bikes I have had I was able to use them with heated grips and no gloves down to around 35 degrees. I tried to use them once on my C14, but found they hinder my view in the mirrors so I no longer use them.

$20 for these might be worth trying, but remember as Chet mentioned above they do start applying a bit of pressure to the clutch and brake levers.
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/962/9651/ATV-Logic-Hand-Protectors?term=4%20wheeler%20hand%20warmers (http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/962/9651/ATV-Logic-Hand-Protectors?term=4%20wheeler%20hand%20warmers)

I noticed you live in Texas. Is it really that cold, or are you looking for something to ride in other areas of the US?
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: timsatx on January 08, 2014, 03:34:28 PM
For the short riding I do to and from work (8 miles one way) it isn't too big of a deal when it is cold, but still, my fingers do get quite the chill. The previous two days I rode to work and it was 25 and 22 degrees. But even so, if I take ride around the city and it is say 38 degrees then my hands will get cold.

Mittens are usually preferable over gloves (not necessarily on motorcycles) because they have a pocket that all the fingers and hand supply warmth. Gloves means that the fingers themselves try to keep warm which doesn't work out too well depending or course on the gloves. They do however reduce your ability for gross motor skills. The best way is a glove liner and mittens like these http://www.amazon.com/US-Army-Cold-Weather-Mittens/dp/B004DAWQ6Y (http://www.amazon.com/US-Army-Cold-Weather-Mittens/dp/B004DAWQ6Y)

I am just trying to get an idea.
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: Classvino on January 08, 2014, 03:57:40 PM
No fingers?  What benefits would such have over gloves?

The premise is that the cold air cannot circulate around your fingers, even your gloved fingers.  I think the hope is that your fingers will help keep each other warn if they share a common airspace...

That's how it was explained to me, but I wear gloves, so what do I know...

Jamie
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: B.D.F. on January 08, 2014, 04:34:17 PM
I have used that very same line about 'share a common airspace' and 'keeping each other warm' with mixed results.

 :rotflmao:

But I do think that is how mittens are supposed to work.

Brian


<snip>

 I think the hope is that your fingers will help keep each other warn if they share a common airspace...

That's how it was explained to me, but I wear gloves, so what do I know...

Jamie
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: stevewfl on January 09, 2014, 06:53:32 AM
I now understand mittens.  Thanks!  :D
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: twowheeladdict on January 09, 2014, 07:16:25 AM
Just invest in heated grips.  They are always there when you need them without having to carry multiple pairs of gloves with you for changing weather conditions.  When my fingers get cold it is painful.  I've used heated grips going over mountain passes in July while wearing mesh riding gear and the grips kept the ride tolerable.

Beartooth Pass heading into Yellowstone.
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/twowheeladdict/Versys/2012%20Epic%20Adventure/DSCN6900b.jpg)
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: B.D.F. on January 09, 2014, 07:32:21 AM
And sleeping bags, right? Same principle.

 ;D

Brian

I now understand mittens.  Thanks!  :D
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: Conrad on January 09, 2014, 08:29:33 AM
Yeah, I know....   I can't help myself.

Please try a bit harder!
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: phildobaggins on January 09, 2014, 04:12:28 PM
Best items I have ever used and they are cheap. I only use them when its below 40 or my hands sweat are Motocentric waterproof overglove and overboots (fits my size 15's)
Title: Re: Keeping the digits warm
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 09, 2014, 06:07:15 PM
Please try a bit harder!

Not prudent.  Can't do it.