MARCH 28-29 EVENT CITY, MANCHESTER UK
Last year I got a few adventure bikers together and under the name Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club, we stood at the 3rd manchester bike show ,
This year I have doubled the size of the stand , and now with 12 x 6 mtrs to fill, we are once again putting a team of bikes and their intrepid riders together.
The show is the ONLY major Manchester show this year, but there will be lots of club events covering all genres and models.
This weekend was the CHILLI DAY at the Adventure Bike Warehouse in Agecroft. The gang and in particular Gary , built a couple of tanks of Chilli under Girly and Manly.
I got chance to try out the Gloves that SIIMA sent me to test
Gloves, how many pairs does any self respecting biker need.
Answer: One more than you already have.
Siima the Cyprus based manufacturer asked me to take a look at their new SUPREME rider gloves and report back on my thoughts. Nice and flattering to be asked. Thanks Guys.
Firstly, I am probably not alone in finding it hard to buy what should be simple riding essentials.
I say essential because here in the UK, even summer riding requires gloves for both safety and the cooler 'heat' of the average English summer. In winter we need warm and dry whilst keeping 'feel' of the controls. In summer months it can rain, it can get into the 80'f range. Yes even that hot !
When I rode from the north east of the USA in the rain, and got to Georgia in the south, the temperature went from 6F to 118F. (47c). But I kept my gloves on. Habit mainly, but its a fact that no matter how slow or fast you fall off, you will almost always go hands first on to the tarmac,
So the SIIMA gloves arrived and I was instantly impressed with the stitching. Not something I normally look at to closely, but being white against the black leather, the instant thought was 'nice work'.
They can be instantly classed as summer gloves (here), and the most important features are all there. Knuckle protection.... Checked and great
Carpel Tunnel area padding..... checked and there.
Palm grip...... check and good
Finger vents. A nice touch and add to the overall sporty design,
Then comes the big question, fit !
They are new so I expect the XL label to be more like a L size. I say this because many motorcycle gear manufacturers use different size charts. Being a UK 3XL in most clothing sizes, I find Italian gear has to be 5XL to fit me. In the USA I am 2XL (which is why I like American gear).
My collection of summer and winter gear includes all of the above.
The SIIMA Supreme gloves are XL and to be honest they are tight across the opening. Once past the CUFF and the double velcro the fit is snug but actually very comfortable. The BIG WINNER for me is the finger ends.... no lumpy stitching and a perfect fit. No baggy bits to cause switch misses, even on the thumb. I know they will 'give' with wear.
On the bike they do what they are supposed to. Its cold and wet today and this is not the weather they are designed for, but I have my winter gloves with me just in case.
The ride today is only 25 minutes each way, so i have time to try switches, flick the indicators and extra lights etc. All easy and precise with plenty of feel until the snow starts to numb my finger tips.
All in all a good grip, feel and look.
What would I change.
The entry gap around the cuff has to be windproof , but it's narrow so once I had ridden in the snow and rain to the Adventure Bike Warehouse, the damp leather made them hard to put on again. (This is only because it was minus degrees, wet and cold today). This could also happen when you are hot and sweaty after a good old blast down the lanes. Heated grips on full was the order of the day on the way home and as the gloves sit on the radiator drying, I can look forward to spring and warmer days.
The outer wrist pad and badge, could be enhanced with a reflective patch. it is white, but when riding most bikes, your hands are on the outer limits of the bike, and a good spot for some extra (CAN YOU SEE ME YET) reflection. We sometime ride in the dark in the UK, normally October to March .
I will persevere with the gloves when I ride again in the warm weather. Its too cold and damp to use the sporty Supreme gloves and if I had to put them into a catagory, I would say Sports Tourer, Summer and Weekend blaster.
Thanks to SIIMA for their samples, and having looked again at the web site my only regret is , it's a shame it wasn't their cool looking jacket I was testing.
later guys and come along to the Manchester Bike Show and see the gloves on our stand,
Pete
.
