revtothelimit - motorbike forum

My wife suffers from poor circulation in her hands which makes them particularly cold when on pillion with me.

She’s using a pair of wooden gloves under her bike gloves just now but although they do the job obviously they are bulky and make it difficult to put the outer gloves on.

Any recommendations for a pair of inner gloves for her?

IIRC the traditional solution is silk inner gloves, as used by mountaineers and aircrew (before planes were heated). Where you would get such a thing i don't know.

I have used vinyl gloves from a petrol station as inners when my gloves were too wet to get back on, and they kept my hands lovely and warm.

I know it's not quite the same but when cycling or riding motorbikes in winter I found the best way to keep my hands and feet warm was to add layers elsewhere. If I was a bit on the warm side my body would pump more blood to extremities and keep them warm.

Silk beats wood every time, a million pilots can't all be wrong

MrLongbeard wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 11:33 pm Silk beats wood every time, a million pilots can't all be wrong

I once built a bike from wood

No matter how hard I tried, it wooden start

inewham wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 11:01 pm Thin Merino wool gloves or modern synthetic liners work for me but most importantly keep her torso warm. Hands don't get cold if your core is warm, if your core is cold your body will divert blood flow from extremities like fingers and toes...

What he says. Have you considered heated clothing? A heated vest will keep the torso toasty which will have the effect of keeping the extremities warm. You also have the option of adding heated gloves if you wish.

wheelnut wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 7:22 am

inewham wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 11:01 pm Thin Merino wool gloves or modern synthetic liners work for me but most importantly keep her torso warm. Hands don't get cold if your core is warm, if your core is cold your body will divert blood flow from extremities like fingers and toes...

What he says. Have you considered heated clothing? A heated vest will keep the torso toasty which will have the effect of keeping the extremities warm. You also have the option of adding heated gloves if you wish.

^ That

First time I used my heated waistcoat was on a 120+ mile journey in 2C temperature, and damp with it. Ok, I was behind an RT fairing, but I switched the heated grips off, didn't need them - and I'm a wuss for not liking being cold. Got home with cold toes only.

Body core warm = 'spare' heat for the extremities.

It's only when you wear heated kit that you begin to realise how much heat can be lost during a journey - and how futile 'an extra layer of clothing' is.*

* Does not apply if you're one of those lucky people who don't feel the cold.

Cousin Jack wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 11:07 pm IIRC the traditional solution is silk inner gloves, as used by mountaineers and aircrew (before planes were heated). Where you would get such a thing i don't know.

I used my ski silks - gloves, base layer pants/long sleeved T. Not cheap but worth the extra over synthetic - got years of use. Also, mitts are probably better for a pillion.

As said, heated vest but also heated seat.

Count Steer wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 10:38 am but also heated seat.

Only ever ridden with one once - but they are effective.

I wonder, in the same way as seat recovering and gel inserts, whether anyone does heated inserts.

Horse wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 11:38 am

Count Steer wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 10:38 am but also heated seat.

Only ever ridden with one once - but they are effective.

I wonder, in the same way as seat recovering and gel inserts, whether anyone does heated inserts.

Several retrofits available ~£25-40 on eBay etc. They run at about 30W/2.5A (I think).

Some bike/scooter makers may also sell them but they're going to be more £s if they do.