Modern Vespa

Hi,

There has been much discussion of winter gloves on the general forum, but I was wondering if anyone who rides a PX and needs to shift has any recommendations for something that is warm and allows the necessary movements comfortably.

I have some Icon Pursuit gloves that I really like for the fall and Corazzo gloves for the summer. But neither is warm enough now that temps are in the 20s. I bought ScooterMits from PeakScooter which are terrific and make the 30's comfortable enough. Now that we're in the 20's, I need a bit more glove. I've tried on a few gloves which were warm but not flexible enough to shift comfortably.

Thanks for any recommendations.

-matt

you're ballsier than i am. i'd loathe having to swap a busted cable in freezing cold weather.

I generally stop riding when it gets below freezing. I'll ride for one or two days when there's been a frost during the evening, and then that's it for the season. Normally that means stopping sometime in November in my neck of the woods. It's just too risky, otherwise: Not only is there the risk of black ice on the morning ride, but tires have seriously less grip below about 45F because of their compound (that's one reason why winter tires are better than all seasons even if there's no snow or slush on the ground).

For what it's worth, I use sheepskin gloves that seem to do the trick to about a few degrees under freezing. They're not windproof, but their design traps insulating air.

screw that, my land rover has heated leather seats.

Seems like the right answer is not to ride when the temps dip into the 20's. The risks are just too great. Thanks for setting me straight.

-matt

i ride year round, im in TX though, theres been night that its in the high 20s though.

i got a pair of the Armadillo cold weather gloves, water proof, wind proof ect.
these are the best gloves ive ever used in years of riding in cold weather. my hands dont get phased and they got a little squeegee on the finger for wiping rain off yr visor. i only ride traditional shopping carts and these work great.

These worked really well for me and my PX last winter:
http://www.fieldsheer.com/site2009/ff/productspage/PolarGlove.htm

They were a little stiff at first, but once they wore in they were fantastic. Kept my hands warm too, even delivering Jimmy John's sammiches on my PX for 7 hours in freezing temps.

nah, ride that lxv and get heated gloves.

If you haven't already, you might want to look into a wind screen that covers your hands. They might not look awesome, but they will keep the wind off you.

Independent glove reviews by riders;
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Products/productsresults/Gloves/2009/October/oct2309-top-10-waterproof-gloves/

I just got a pair of Ducati monster gloves for my BDay. They are sturdy enough but leather only,not warm for New England winters.

I also have a full windscreen for the P. It's warmer with out a doubt . I only use it in the late fall early spring.
For me I put the P away for the winter and the lump in the Rally is almost out. The winter thaw/ refreeze along with the road sand makes it too dicey to ride.

Thanks to everyone for the many helpful suggestions. I did order a pair of the Fieldheer Polar Gloves, which were available for $45 from motorcyclecloseouts. But I am not sure how much riding I'll do in sub-freezing temperatures. Following the major storm (22" or so) here in DC over the weekend, the opportunities for ride safely seem limited for at least the next week or so. -matt

I'm hoping to get back on the road tomorrow, but rather with the Aprilia as opposed to a manual trans scooter. I rock first gear heated gloves in the winter, tied into the battery. You have to be careful not to run them at full heat all of the time, however, or you can toast the battery, especially in stop and go traffic.

I should add, they are very dexterous, its just that I don't trust the P200 charging system as much as I do the Aprilia's to support the gloves, nor do I like to take vintage bikes out on road salt days.

Lol, my Aprilia is my primary winter scooter too, as I'd rather not get that road salt on my PX(RIP). Only diff is my Aprilia is an SR50. I'd take the PX out whenever it wasn't nasty tho.

My SR50 at VespaStL.

+1

and snowmobile mittens. takes a bit of getting used to, but they work great.

jacqui