If you ride your motorcycle frequently, you understand the rules about gear. Everyone will always tell you “ATGATT” or, all the gear, all the time. You know this on a fundamental level. You can see why a helmet is essential. However, other gear? Sometimes that not as clear cut. If you’re going to skimp on the gear, don’t let it be your gloves. Not to sound like your mother, but here are just a few reasons why you should wear your gloves during every ride.
Reason # 1: You Can’t Predict A Fall
It doesn’t make a difference how long you’ve been riding, and it doesn’t matter how careful you are, you can still fall. Even if you’re always prepared, you can never predict when you may take a spill on your bike. Somebody can cut you off in traffic, a big gust of wind from a truck might throw you off, anything can occur at any time. Regardless of if you’re riding for a few hours or just off to grab something from the store, you’ve always got to be ready to take a fall, and gear up accordingly.
Reason # 2: Hands are Important to Riding…Obviously
Have you ever had a paper cut? You understand just how much that hurts and how much trouble you can have doing basic tasks when you’re hands hurt. Nobody can argue how important your hands are for riding. If you take a spill and get a hand injury, your riding days can be over. Gloves offer you an easy way to ensure you can ride for the rest of your life.
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Reason # 3: Your Hands Protect Your Body
You’ve tripped and fallen in the past. You know the very first thing you do on impulse is to throw your arms out and catch yourself. This means that your hands are likely going to take the brunt of any fall. A mishap on your bike is no different. If you tip your bike or crash while moving, the first thing you will do is stick your hands out to catch yourself. It is an instinctual way to protect your head and other areas of your body that are more precious. If you want to keep your body protected, your first defense is your hands. Use the gloves and let them make the effort!
Reason # 4: Prevent Hand Numbness
If you’ve ever ridden your motorcycle for any length of time, you probably have had situations where your hands went numb. This isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous. Like we said before, your hands are an essential part of riding, so having them go numb is a no-no. Gloves with padded palms can not only secure your hands in a fall, but they can also help put a layer between you and the vibrations of your bike. This padded layer helps prevent hand numbness and leads to all-around better riding experience.
Reason # 5: Get a Good Grip
Your grip is another critical part of riding that a good pair of gloves can help with. If you’re riding during the summer, your hands can get sweaty, and your grip can slip at any time. Nobody likes an accidental whiskey throttle. When you’re speeding down the interstate, it is not a great time for that to occur. The majority of gloves have silicon padding that gives you a solid grip no matter how much your hands sweat. During the winter season months, gloves provide you with insulation that keeps your hands warm and toasty.
Don’t Skip The Gloves!
Many riders overlook gloves because there are no laws about using gloves when you ride. Helmets are required in many places, but gloves are optional.
If you want to keep riding, keep those gloves on all the time.
