Tag Archives: Gloves

Best Motorcycle Gloves in 2020

If you are an avid motorcycle rider you know how important having the best motorcycle gloves are. If you are a new motorcycle rider you may not fully appreciate motorcycle gloves until you have your first long ride. Gloves are an essential piece of motorcycle gear.

There are many benefits of wearing motorcycle gloves, apart from protecting your hands in an accident. Motorcycle gloves help to absorb the vibrations of the motorcycle. This helps reduce the tingling and numbness that many motorcycle riders experience. If you are holding the handlebars of the motorcycle for too long, you will definitely experience this numbness. 

Motorcycle gloves also provide extra padding, which helps ensure that you feel comfortable and secure while riding.

There are many different types and brands of motorcycle gloves on the market today. Before buying the first pair of gloves that you see, it’s important to know what to look for in the best motorcycle gloves of 2020. 

If you are looking to get a new pair of motorcycle gloves, here are the best motorcycle gloves on the market. These gloves can truly make your motorcycle ride more fun and help you look great.

Best Motorcycle Gloves

1. Dainese 4 Stroke EVO Gloves

Dainese 4 stroke evo best motorcycle gloves

These motorcycle gloves are some of the best motorcycle gloves on the market. They are specifically designed for sport motorcycle riders who want gloves like the professionals. 

These gloves feature a short cuff for easy on and off. They are ergonomically designed with stainless steel inserts. They have finger reinforcements and distortion control. These features help ensure that you have the most comfortable and controlled ride ever.

This company uses micro-injections and leather palms for added protection. This beautifully designed glove not only helps to reduce the vibrations, but it is equipped with many safety features to help protect your hands from all possible scenarios. 

The thermoplastic resin composes the knuckles and back of these gloves to help ensure that they are fully supported. It also uses the same thermoplastic resin on the outside of the little finger and on the joints of the fingers to ensure added strength.

These gloves are made of cowhide leather for superior strength and durability with a goatskin palm for added comfort and protection. They feature a tightening strap to help fit all sizes of hands. They also feature pre-curved fingers for a more ergonomic design. 

These are some of the best gloves on the market because they are specifically designed for safety and protection to help all riders ride like the professionals.

2. REAX Superfly Mesh Gloves

REAX gloves

These gloves come in a variety of different sizes and colors to help you get the motorcycle gloves that you really want. These are ideal motorcycle gloves because they come with a variety of unique features to help set them apart from all others.

These mesh gloves are designed for safety and protection but are made of a breathable material to help keep your hands cool while you ride. 

They are a great pair of summer motorcycle gloves and are great touring gloves since they provide increased breathability for long rides. 

These gloves come with a pre-curved fit to help you better grip the handlebars for a better ergonomic design. If you want to check your phone without removing your gloves you can do so with the REAX Superfly Mesh Gloves as they are touchscreen capable. This helps you answer calls and texts more quickly without having to remove your gloves.

The palms of these gloves are made from goat leather, which is very comfortable and durable. The backside of the gloves are made from mesh for added airflow to help reduce sweat. 

The knuckles feature a leather-wrapped protective material to protect your hands if you were to fall. They also feature TPR finger inserts and a palm pad insert for extra padding and support.

To help maximize your safety these gloves also feature reflective highlights to help others see you on the road. The company believes in their product and offers a two-year warranty on all materials and workmanship for these specific gloves. This helps ensure that your investment is protected.

3. Full Leather Motorcycle Gloves by Blok-IT

Blok-it gloves

If you want a leather motorcycle glove, these from Blok-IT are some of the most affordable gloves on the market. They are designed to come up past your wrists for added hand and wrist support and protection while riding. 

This gauntlet glove comes in a variety of sizes and includes an adjustable strap to give you the exact fit that you need for the long rides.

These gloves are made from a 3M thinsulate thermal material to help give you added protection, comfort and warmth. They may feel like heated motorcycle gloves, but are simply made of a thermal material for added warmth. This material can help ensure that your hands stay warm when the cool air hits them on the open road. 

These biker gloves are great for all weather conditions. They are waterproof and windproof, so they can be used all year long. While they are great for most weather conditions they are best used as winter gloves during the cold weather.

They are a very durable pair of gloves because they are made from premium leather and feature double stitching on all the seams. The great workmanship that went into these gloves helps ensure that all riders will be happy. These gloves look great on both men and women so they can make the perfect gift for any avid rider that you know.

These gloves feature an ergonomic design to help make your ride more smooth. They allow for optimal dexterity and flexibility when riding. This design helps ensure that you get the best grip on your bike, while still being able to move your hands around.

4. Alpinestars Men’s SMX-1 Air v2 Motorcycle Riding Glove

Alpinestars gloves

These stylish racing gloves are some of the best summer gloves on the market. They come in six different sizes so you can be sure to get the pair you need. They are a short cuff style so they allow for added flexibility around the wrist for more control while you ride.

These gloves are made of premium leather with small mesh sections. The leather helps ensure that your hands are padded and protected, while the mesh helps ensure that your hands stay cool. 

If you want the best of both worlds, this motorcycle glove has it all. It features a hard polymer system around the knuckles for added protection from accidents and falls. These gloves also feature side padding for added protection.

To help ensure that you have full range of motion these gloves offer stretch zones on the fingers and backhand. These zones allow you to stretch your hands in all directions without having to take off your gloves. This provides added comfort when riding. 

Since your hands are typically grasping the handlebars for the entire drive it is nice to be able to stretch your hands without having to remove and replace your gloves. These gloves also feature a closure to help keep the gloves secured while riding.

5. Milwaukee Leather MG7510 Men’s Short Wrist Leather Gloves

Milwaukee gloves

If you are looking for some leather gloves with a simple and classic design, you can find them in the Milwaukee Leather gloves. These gloves are a short wrist glove that offers style, protection and comfort.

This summer glove is made of the highest quality cowhide leather you can find to ensure added durability and strength. You do not need to worry about these gloves falling apart over time because they are designed to last a lifetime. This genuine leather is also designed to help protect and secure your hands during all scenarios.

These leather gloves feature a gel palm, which distinguishes them from the competition. This padded palm helps reduce the vibrations while you ride and also gives you added comfort. It can make a day-long ride feel like you have only been riding for an hour. They feature an adjustable wrist closure to help keep the gloves secure while riding.

These all black leather gloves take the design and flash out of gloves. They get you back to the basics. Rather than sporting off colors and lines, these gloves are all black and feature only subtle hints of texture and design. They are ideal for men who want to focus on the ride and less on the accessories.

6. ILM Alloy Steel Leather Hard Knuckle Motorcycle Gloves

ILM gloves

These gloves are made to leave an impression on everyone who sees them. They are alloy steel leather hard knuckle imprints. These steel protectors are integrated into the gloves to help ensure that you are protected from all unforeseen situations. The placement of these alloy pads helps keep your hands and knuckles from getting bruised or scraped.

These gloves feature extra padding on the thumbs and palms to ensure a more comfortable ride with fewer vibrations. The padding, in addition to the premium leather material, helps make these some of the most comfortable gloves on the market. They feature an elastic strap around the glove to provide security and a comfortable fit.

If you are looking for comfort, these gloves also have an anti-slip feature that helps prevent your hands from slipping during the ride. This can make you feel more comfortable and confident in your ability to control the bike. The palm is made of an anti-skid material that helps absorb the shock during any ride.

Another wonderful feature of these gloves is that they provide touchscreen capabilities. If you are looking to use your phone when you stop or while you take a break, you don’t need to remove your gloves. Instead, you can simply use your phone like you normally would because these gloves can handle the phone. These are also another affordable option for those wanting motorcycle gloves on a budget.

7. Harley Davidson Men’s Winged Skull Gloves

HD gloves

One of the most iconic brands of motorcycles is Harley Davidson. When you say this phrase everyone knows what you are talking about. Harley Davidson makes giant bikes, but they also make great bike accessories, like these leather gloves.

These leather gloves are made of goatskin leather to ensure a better ride. They allow for optimal cooling airflow and comfort during your ride. The increased airflow capabilities help to ensure that your hands stay sweat free. This helps you get a better grip on the bike and feel more confident while you ride.

These gloves also feature an ergonomic design. They feature a thirty-degree tilt of the fingers and knuckles. This curve helps you get a better grip on the bike, while also increasing the durability of the gloves. 

These gloves feature a padded palm for added comfort. The gloves are made of a neoprene cuff with an adjustable closure to help keep you safe while you get the perfect fit. They also have a convenient velcro wrist.

Harley Davidson offers all customers a ninety-day limited warranty on the gloves to ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase. 

These gloves are designed to look like hardcore biker gloves. They feature the iconic Harley Davidson skull imprint on the back of the gloves so that everyone knows the brand you’re wearing. These gloves are all black to help you blend into your bike.

How to Choose Motorcycle Gloves

If you are an experienced motorcycle rider, you will need to invest in a pair of motorcycle gloves for added comfort and protection. Motorcycle gloves can provide abrasion resistance, knuckle protection and act as one of the best forms of protective riding gear. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing your next pair of motorcycle gloves. Some of these factors are a personal preference so you must fully look into each brand and style of the bike glove before choosing one. 

Here are some of the main factors that you need to consider before purchasing your next pair of riding gloves.

1. Riding Style 

One of the main factors to consider when looking for the perfect pair of gloves is what is the riding style of glove you want to have. For instance, if you want a cruiser glove you will likely be looking into a traditional style of glove, while if you are looking into a sport glove you will likely want a pair of gloves that have lots of color and even metal imprints.

2. Weather

Another thing that you need to consider when purchasing your next pair of gloves is what type of weather you typically ride in. Many motorcycle riders will only ride their bikes in nice weather to help prevent the risk of falls and accidents. Other riders may not have an option when they ride. 

If you ride during wet and rainy conditions you will definitely want to consider getting a waterproof glove. If you ride during other, dry conditions you will likely want to get leather gloves for the added protection that they offer. For cold weather, choose some padded winter motorcycle gloves.

3. Size

To ensure that you are comfortable and confident when you ride, it is essential that your gloves fit properly. If you are going to buy a pair of gloves, they need to fit you properly in all areas. 

Many gloves have an adjustable strap that allows for added security. You need to ensure that the gloves fit your fingers, hand and wrist. A snug fit will help ensure that you get a better grip on your bike.

4. Length of Glove

Another main factor to consider is the length of the glove you want. If you want to have a short glove that only goes to your wrist you should find a pair of gloves that offer this design style. 

If you want to have added protection around your wrists in case of a fall or want to keep your hands and wrists warmer during a ride you may want to invest in long gloves. Both types of gloves are great, however, it is a personal preference of which type you choose.

5. Touchscreen Capability

If you like to use your phone while you ride, or while you take a short break, you may want to invest in a pair of gloves that have touchscreen capability. Once your gloves are on you will likely not want to take them off. It is difficult to get the perfect adjusted fit and then have to take the gloves off because you have an important call coming in. 

If you use your phone while you ride you may want a pair of gloves that have touchscreen capabilities. This allows you to answer your phone while you ride.

6. Price

One last factor that every rider needs to consider before buying a pair of gloves is the price point that they want to stay within. All gloves are made and designed differently, however, there are great gloves at all price ranges. You need to find a glove that fits within your price range so that you feel comfortable spending the money to keep yourself safe and comfortable while riding. 

You should decide which factors are the most important to you in a glove and find a glove within your price range that has all of the features that you care most about. This can help you find a glove you love for less than you expected.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Warranty issues on motorcycle clothing

If you’ve ever had motorcycle gear fail through wear and tear or a crash, it could be covered by the Australian Trades Practices Act and/or the manufacturer’s warranty.

But first, click here to see the difference between a product failure and rider error.

Consumer protection

If it’s a genuine product failure, then it is deemed “not fit for purpose” and the Act will offer consumer protection.

The problem is that “fit for purpose” can be difficult to quantify and prove.

However, if the garment makes a specific claim that is not met, then that is a pretty clear case of product failure.

Otherwise, if it fails to meet basic acceptable standards such as the zipper failing, you should be due a repair, refund or replacement.

LDM ExoFlex jacketYKK zips

Most protective motorcycle clothing brands vie for consumer dollars by also offering manufacturer warranties that go above and beyond the basic statutory requirements.

They can vary from one year to as many as seven years.

A one-year warranty may be sufficient to reveal any issues if you are a regular rider.

However, weekend warriors or monthly riders may require a longer warranty period to identify any problems.

Warranty conditions

Riders should also note that a warranty is only as good as the fine print exclusions and conditions.

For example, some warranties may exclude track use and even crashes which is strange since surely the main reason to buy protective motorcycle clothing is to protect you in a crash.

Interestingly, one company also offers a crash guarantee on some of their gear, promising a replacement if the damage cannot be repaired for half the cost of a new item.

However, they do not cover gear that has been cut off by a first responder.

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris Hurren awardChris Hurren and his Honda GB400

Dr Chris Hurren who researches protective materials for a living and worked with Dr Liz de Rome and others to produce the protocol used by MotoCAP for testing says a suitable warranty should cover materials, closures and seams.

“It should cover defects from manufacture and use of faulty components during assembly,” he says.

“A warranty will also allow a manufacturer to see what is giving problems with their garments and allow them to find an alternative as they will see trends in components or seam failures.

“Most warranties will not cover general wear and tear or ageing from extended use but these are sensible as they are out of the control of the manufacturer.”

CE approved

Link International product manager Ron Grant points out that a major benefit of buying European CE-approved riding gear is that once approved, manufacturers are not allowed to change material, stitch lines, manufacturing plant, etc.

If they do, the garment has to be re-submitted for testing at an average cost of about $10,000 per garment.

“This guarantees product consistency,” Ron says.

“Non-CE brands usually place an order for jackets, don’t actually go to the factories for quality control checks, cannot guarantee the material used is the same quality as last production, nor even guarantee who is making the gear as there is potential the factory the product was ordered from may sub-contract production to someone else,” he warns.

Ron says one of the biggest issues facing the industry is not just trying to teach riders what garment is better than the other, but also the necessity to actually wear safety gear.

“Recently I saw a guy on a new sports bike with brand new boots, leather jacket, gloves, top-of-the-range helmet and board shorts,” he says.

“Every day I see guys geared up on their way to work wearing runners or lace up work shoes. Or no jacket. Or shorts. Or normal jeans. The other day I saw a guy fanging over Mt G with a pretty young lady on the back with a string top and skimpy shorts.”

He says the onus is on experienced salesperson to expertly advise customers so they buy the right gear for their use.

“Of course, that is all negated when buying online,” he says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle riding gear failures

Your motorcycle jackets, pants, gloves and boots that are supposed to protect you in a crash, can sometimes experience failures of the most basic test of simple wear and tear.

However, it is important to differentiate a product failure from a rider error.

Product failures

We recently bought a pair of motorcycle gloves (pictured above) that split the stitching at the cuff after a few weeks of normal riding.

The gloves had a one-year warranty and the shop contacted the distributor who replaced them.

Motorcycle riding gear failures glovesSame failure

Only a few weeks later the second pair failed in exactly the same way.

Obviously there appears to be an inherent design fault in the gloves.

This is not the only example of motorcycle protective gear failing the basic wear and tear test.

Dr Chris Hurren who researches protective materials for a living and worked with Dr Liz de Rome and others to produce the protocol used by MotoCAP for testing has also experienced basic wear failures.

While trying on a pair of protective denim pants in a store, the top button above the zip pulled apart and fell off.

“This was obviously a problem that the manufacturer knew about as the garment came with a spare metal button however in reality should the product have been in the market place in the first place,” he says.

“This failure before even leaving the store should be a quick indicator of the build product of a garment.”

It’s not Dr Hurren’s only personal encounter with a wear failure.

After spending $700 on a leather jacket, he found the zip failed after two years.

“I have since observed new jackets hanging in store from the same manufacturer with a zip that was corroded and already causing trouble during use,” he says.

“The addition of a low-cost zip to a high-cost jacket significantly reduces its working life.

“Closures like zips, buttons and clips often have higher loading due to body size and may be strained to failure during impact grip with the road in a crash.”

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris HurrenDr Chris Hurren

Rider error

However, some complaints about protective clothing failures can be due to rider error, not product failure.

Waterproof claims are a classic example, says Link International product manager Ron Grant.

“You can have the best jacket in the world, but if you don’t get all the closures correctly positioned, ensure your shirt collar or cuffs aren’t exposed (which creates a wicking point for water entry) you will still get wet,” he says.

“The majority of wet claims I believe are mainly due to incorrect usage or fitment.

“If you wear gloves over your cuff, water penetrates through the jacket stitching in the chest and arms, runs down between the outer shell and the outside of the waterproof liner (so the rider is still dry) and drains straight into the gloves. This is not a glove issue but a rider fitment issue.

“Likewise with waterproof boots. I see riders buy ‘shorty’ waterproof boots and then complain they get wet feet.

Draggin Hydro waterproof jacket and pantsDraggin Hydro waterproof jacket and pants

“If you have a look at their rain pants when their feet are on the pegs, the rain pants may ride up just enough to allow water into the boots.”

Riders also have a duty to maintain and treat their gear appropriately.

For example, zippers can get dry from dust and bugs etc. An occasional rub over with a candle or an appropriate wax on the zipper teeth will help the zipper slide smoothly and last longer.

Likewise, screwing up a zip in waterproof liner and securing it under a couple of Occy straps can damage the waterproof coating allowing water to enter the jacket. 

Warranty

If your riding gear has experienced a genuine product failure, you may be due a replacement or repair under warranty.

Click here to find out more about warranties.

Have you ever had motorcycle gear fail a basic wear test? Leave your comments below.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

New motorcycle clothing standard (Pt 1)

Part 1 – The new European Standard EN17092.

Over the past seven years, Europe has developed a new clothing protection standard (EN17092).

We have asked Dr Chris Hurren to explain the new European standard and what it means for Aussie riders.

Dr Hurren is a research scientist at Deakin University in Geelong where he and his laboratory works on protective motorcycle clothing. He worked with Dr de Rome and others to produce the protocol that is used by MotoCAP for their testing regime.

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris Hurren awardChris Hurren and his Honda GB400

This is the first in a four-part series explaining the new standard and what you will see in store.

New standard

Increasing numbers of motorcycle garments are appearing in our stores labelled as being certified to a new standard – EN17092 or sometimes to Directive 89/686/EEC.

Australian and New Zealand riders are likely to see a lot more gear with this labelling on it. What is going on? How can riders interpret the five-level classification system of this new standard?

Many riders would be aware of the European standards for motorcycle protective clothing, including EN13595 for motorcycle jackets and pants.

Although in force for almost 20 years, until recently few manufacturers were submitting their garments for CE certification because the standards were not enforced in Europe.

That situation changed in April 2019 when the European Commission made it mandatory for all motorcycle clothing sold in Europe to be independently tested for CE certification.

In response to industry pressure, a new standard for motorcycle jackets and pants was developed (EN17092 1:2020) which allows for a wider range of protective performance than those of the original standard EN13595.

The two standards will operate in parallel until 2023, but many manufacturers are already choosing to work to the new standard.

There is much debate amongst manufacturers that the original European Standard EN13595 was set too high.

It was developed back in the days when leather was king and street clothing had not even been thought of. Most companies did not produce clothing that complied with it because it was not easy to achieve.

Now we appear to have the opposite with a standard that is set quite low with most products already in the market passing it.

A low standard will see everything certified but is this an advantage or disadvantage to riders?

Click here for the next article which explains the different levels of the standard.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

New motorcycle clothing standard (Pt 2)

Part 2 – The new levels of the standard.

Over the past seven years, Europe has developed a new clothing protection standard (EN17092).

We have asked Dr Chris Hurren to explain the new European standard and what it means for Aussie riders.

Dr Hurren is a research scientist at Deakin University in Geelong where he and his laboratory works on protective motorcycle clothing. He worked with Dr de Rome and others to produce the protocol that is used by MotoCAP for their testing regime.

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris Hurren awardChris Hurren and his Honda GB400

Clothing standard: Levels

This is the second in a four-part series explaining the new levels. Click here for part 1.

The new standard EN17092 specifies the testing protocols for the required protection levels for five classes of garment.

  • AAA – Heavy duty protective garments
  • AA – Medium duty protective garments
  • A – Light duty protective garments
  • B – Light-duty abrasion protection garments (no armour)
  • C – Impact protector ensemble garments

Class AAA garments are designed to be most protective with the highest requirements for impact abrasion, tear and seam strength. Class AA have a lesser requirement for abrasion, tear and seam strength. Class A has the lowest requirements for protection with abrasion measurement only being required for the zone 1 and 2 areas. The Class B garments have the same requirements as Class A but do not have to be fitted with armour. Class C garments are armour-only garments such as off-road protection vests or knee braces. Class AA and AAA must be fitted with armour in the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Class A garments also must have armour in the shoulders, elbows and knees however the fitting of hip armour is optional. If the armour is not in the garments hanging in the store ask the salesperson for them as they are meant to be there.

EN17092 covers the same range of factors as those in EN13595, including impact abrasion resistance, seam tensile strength, fabric tear strength, impact energy absorption of armour, restraint system effectiveness and the positioning of protective components. It also outlines that the garment should be tested for materials innocuous to ensure that there are no harmful chemicals present and no running dyes. Tear strength, ergonomics, restraint and armour testing are the same as were in the previous standard EN13595 whereas impact abrasion resistance, seam strength and risk zones are now measured and defined in a new way. Each of the new methods are detailed in the three other parts of this series.

As you read the last two parts you may ask yourself is this standard set high enough? The biggest concern with a low standard is that manufacturers will build to it. An example of this would be why put a para-aramid layer into protective denim pants when the right denim by itself will achieve the “Class A or AA” rating. It costs less to manufacture and while it is not the highest rating it is still achieving certification. It is evident from the changing quality of garments in Australian and New Zealand stores, that a number of manufacturers are already doing this and it is not just limited to denim. Unfortunately change in this space is slow with riders replacing their gear infrequently so it will take a number of years before any reduction in protection would show as increased injury numbers.

Motocap Motorcycle clothing rating system launched target canstar choose textile pants covert secretiveMotocap ratings

The best step forward for riders is to be careful in what you buy. Use common sense, advice from other riders and tools such as MotoCAP to help you make the right choice. Remember if the product feels too thin or seems too good to be true then it is probably not protective. Be especially wary of “Class A” rated garments. As riders, we can show manufacturers that products with reduced safety levels are not acceptable by not buying them. This movement has already been seen in the UK where riders are avoiding the thin single-layer denim jeans because they just don’t feel safe in them.

The next article looks at the differences in impact abrasion resistance measurement.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

New motorcycle clothing standard (Pt 3)

Part 3 – Impact abrasion resistance.

Over the past seven years, Europe has developed a new clothing protection standard (EN17092).

We have asked Dr Chris Hurren to explain the new European standard and what it means for Aussie riders.

Dr Hurren is a research scientist at Deakin University in Geelong where he and his laboratory works on protective motorcycle clothing. He worked with Dr de Rome and others to produce the protocol that is used by MotoCAP for their testing regime.

Dr Chris Hurren explains use of one of the uni’s testing machines ratingsDr Hurren with a clothing testing machine

This is the third in a four-part series explaining the new method of impact abrasion resistance measurement. Click here for Part 1 and Part 2.

Clothing standard: Abrasion resistance

The biggest difference in EN17092 is that it utilises the Advanced Abrasion Resistance Tester (AART) more commonly known as the Darmstadt method for evaluating the impact abrasion resistance of garment materials at specified riding speeds.

This test machine was developed 30 years ago at Technische Universitat Darmstadt. A short video was created by the university to show the test:

The test is a rotary system with three arms spinning around a drive shaft above a 900mm diameter concrete test surface. Material samples are attached to test heads at the end of each arm which are spun up to the test speed at 10mm above the test surface.

On reaching test speed, the drive shaft disconnects allowing the spinning arms and fabric samples to drop spinning freely in contact with the abrasive surface until they stop.

The test is given a pass at the given test speed if there are no holes formed in any of the three samples. A hole is deemed a hole if it is greater than 5mm in diameter. Test starting speeds are 120, 75, 70, 45 and 25km/h.

Darmstadt clothing standardOriginal Darmstadt test machine (Image: SKL – automotive engineering)

As this test starts at a high speed and slows to a stop over the duration of the test it may appear to riders to be more realistic than the Cambridge impact abrasion method (CAM), which is carried out at a constant speed. Unfortunately there is very little information available on the test machine or method especially in relation to validating the performance of the test against crash damage to clothing in real world crashes. The test surface used is concrete and is not designed to be periodically replaced, which suggests the surface may lose it abrasiveness over time. The surface is also prepared to resemble asphalt which is predominately used in urban environments. The question must be raised as to how representative is it of the chip seal roads that make up the majority of Australia’s rural and other higher speed road network.

While the use of specific test speeds in the AART is intuitively appealing, there are valid questions as to whether it does test for all riding environments. Research needs to show that the AART test covers all riding and is not just aimed at low speed urban riders. There are many questions yet unanswered. Is the test surface abrasive enough? Will the test surface clog during testing? Does it polish and become less aggressive over time? How do the test results relate to actual road injury? These really need to be answered about the test method to give riders confidence in its results.

At Deakin we have made simple comparisons between the CAM and AART tests with a piece of 12oz denim similar to that found in a pair of Levis 501 jeans. Samples were sent and tested on two AART machines in Europe. On both AART machines the denim passed the 75km/h test speed. On the CAM it achieved 0.6 seconds equating to approximately 5 metres of slide distance. This would mean that if the other parameters such as seam strength and tear were adequate a pair of the same jeans with armour in the knees and hips could meet “Class AA“ certification. While this might be enough protection for a scooter rider in a 20km/h crash how would it fair in a crash on any of our iconic riding roads?

The last part of this series will look at seam strength testing and changes to the risk zone template.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

New motorcycle clothing standard (Pt 4)

Part 4 – Seam strength and risk zones.

Over the past seven years, Europe has developed a new clothing protection standard (EN17092).

We have asked Dr Chris Hurren to explain the new European standard and what it means for Aussie riders.

Dr Hurren is a research scientist at Deakin University in Geelong where he and his laboratory works on protective motorcycle clothing. He worked with Dr de Rome and others to produce the protocol that is used by MotoCAP for their testing regime.

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris HurrenDr Chris Hurren

This is the final in a four-part series explaining the new method for seam strength and new template for risk zones. Click here for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Clothing standard: Seam strength

Seam strength of jackets and pants under EN17902 is tested using the same method as used for gloves in the European Standards for motorcycle gloves – EN13594. The test involves pulling a seam apart using a tensile testing machine and measuring the force it takes for the break to occur. The failure mechanism of this test is slightly different to that of the hydraulic burst method used in EN13595 for jackets and pants, so manufacturers have had to change some seam styles to achieve a pass. Significant comparison testing done with other published garment research has shown that there is a reasonable relationship between the two tests and that the newly set pass criteria appears to be fit for purpose. The introduction of EN 17092 should see improved seams appearing in garments getting Class AAA ratings as these seam strengths are relatively high. As the majority of motorcycle clothing on the market has previously not been certified for seam strength achieving this standard should see an improvement in seams.

The other big change introduced into EN17092 is the modification of the injury risk zones from the well know four zone system developed by Dr Woods into a new three zone system.

Zone 1 is defined as an area of high risk of damage such as to impact, abrasion and tearing (figure 1 a). This is still the location of impact protectors and higher performing protective materials. Zone 2 is defined as an area of moderate risk of damage to abrasion and tearing (figure 1b). Zone 3 is classed as an area of low risk to damage such as tearing.

It is unclear why the standard has downgraded the higher risk to abrasion areas of the buttocks, sides of the leg and parts of the arm. This appears to be contrary to scientific consensus validated by research both in Australia and abroad that show these areas to be of a high risk. An example of this is the Class AAA garment requirements for abrasion. The very small zone 1 area must meet the 120km/h AART test speed whereas the bulk of the body that is identified as zone 2 must achieve 75km/h. This is similar with the Class AA garment where the Zone 1 area must meet 70km/h and the Zone 2 area 45km/h. Considering that a piece of denim can achieve 75km/h this means that the minimum abrasion protection levels of the bulk of the Class AAA garment is relatively low and the Class AA even lower.

 

Images showing the new three Zone system (EN17092:2020)

There is also a different risk zone template for the AAA garment compared to the other garments. This increases the Zone 1 area for abrasion and tearing risk to cover some of the buttocks and crotch area. While this is an improvement in providing protection for some of the higher risk areas of the lower body it does not cover all the previously well-defined risks. It is also unclear why this injury risk is only present in the AAA garments and not in any of the other garment classes.

Hopefully this article has helped you to better understand the new standard. Enjoy your ride.

Click here for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Multiple material layers are safer for riders

Riding gear with multiple layers usually rates higher for abrasion safety than comparative gear, according to the MotoCAP safety and thermal comfort ratings system for motorcycle jackets, pants and gloves.

For example, leather alone provides about four seconds of protection before failure, but backing the leather with foam, 3D mesh or a leather patch can improve resistance up to 10 seconds.

The Doc explains multiple layer protection

MotoCAP senior researcher Dr Chris Hurren awardChris Hurren and his Honda GB400

Dr Chris Hurren who works at MotoCAP’s National Association of Testing Authorities-accredited laboratory at Deakin University, explains:

The reason it works is because when a garment hits a moving surface it is partially damaged by the initial contact with the road. If there is more than one layer and the outer layer is able to withstand bursting open on initial impact. It then protects any further layers from being damaged and the result is that the combination lasts longer.

MotoCAP, which was launched in September last year, has now rated 201 items of clothing, including 50 pairs of pants, 90 jackets and 61 pairs of gloves.

Last year MotoCAP won a Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) road safety award.

Dr Hurren provides a more scientific explanation for how layers of material offer better rider protection.

Motocap Motorcycle clothing rating system launched targetMotoCAP testing equipment at the Deakin Uni Geelong campus

Physics wise, the failure of protective materials is from ripping out of fibres by the macrostructure of the road. This is the same for leather and textiles as leathers are also made up of fibres.

Abrasion damage is affected most by force and area. A small force on a large area will have low abrasion, the same force on a smaller area will have increased abrasion. So considering a glove our body puts a fixed amount of force down the arm on to the ground. If we have the palm of our hand in contact with the ground then the area involved in abrasion is much larger than if we have only the side of the hand and little finger even though the force remains the same.

This is why a little finger in a glove should have a double layer of leather to better protect it than the palm where the force is spread over a larger area. 

Alpinestars GP Plus 2R glovesAlpinestars GP Plus R2 motorcycle gloves are only the second pair of gloves to be awarded a full five stars for safety by MotoCAP.

When we first hit the road the downward force is very high as we are falling from some height to hit the surface either in a low or high side crash. Of course a high-side crash will have more downward momentum than a low side. This results in large initial tearing of fibres from the surface of the outer material that leads to premature failure.

Once our downward momentum is stabilised and turned into forward momentum only the weight of our body is applying force to cause abrasion. When we have two layers the first one is damaged in the initial hit with the road and then the second layer when exposed is pristine and can withstand a longer abrasion time. It may also have sample of the previous layer present at the early stages of the second layer abrasion further helping abrasion resistance. 

Now all of this does not work if the outer material is weak or really stretchy. In both of these cases the outer layer bursts open on impact and the second layer is loaded up and stressed as well. This is why we see a number of the protective layer lined hoodies and ladies leggings performing poorly in MotoCAP. The outer layer bursts open on impact loading the protective layer up to forces it was not designed to be exposed to.

GoGo Gear Kevlar armoured leggings from BikieChicLeggings

An example of this would be a para-aramid liner gets 3 seconds abrasion time under a piece of denim but only 0.8 seconds under a hoodie fleecy fabric. Stretch causes problems because it lengthens the time and force of the initial road impact causing larger forces to be put through the outer fabric. 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Alpinestars gloves score top safety rating

Alpinestars GP Plus R2 motorcycle gloves (pictured) have become only the second pair of gloves to be awarded a full five stars for safety by MotoCAP.

The internationally awarded safety and thermal comfort ratings system for motorcycle clothing has added 15 more gloves to its list of tested gear.

The Australian safety intitiative, launched in September 2018, is the first of its type in the world.

It has now rated 201 items of clothing, including 50 pairs of pants, 90 jackets and 61 pairs of gloves.

Of those gloves, only the Alpinestars costing $225 and Ducati Corse C3 ($442) – both racing-style gloves – have scored a full five stars.

Ducati Corse C3 glovesDucati Corse C3 gloves

Only three others scored four stars, five got three stars, 20 received two stars, 23 got one star and the rest were awarded just half a star.

No comfort ratings

While MotoCAP also supplies thermal comfort and waterproofing on jackets and pants, it does not provide a comfort rating for gloves.

That is despite some of the gloves tested having perforations for airflow.

However, they do test for waterproofing.

Comfort is a big factor among baby boomers when selecting gloves, according to a Canstar Blue customer satisfaction survey that also found Millennial riders buy for style.

Transport for NSW says that to measure for comfort a large square of fabric must be obtained.

“There is not enough material in a glove to obtain a sample for the thermal comfort measure,” they say.

All gear rated so far has been obtained through a secretive buying system to guarantee integrity.

Click here to find out how products are selected for rating in secret.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Why can’t all gloves use touchscreens?

With the growing use of touchscreens on motorcycle instruments, GPS units and, of course, phones, why aren’t all motorcycle gloves touchscreen-sensitive?

Ok, you shouldn’t be using your touchscreens while riding, but we know many will, simply because they can!

TouchscreensTomTom Rider 550 GPS

So, how do they work?

Touchscreens function by emitting a tiny electrical charge between the finger and screen which completes a circuit and drops the voltage at that point on the screen.

That activates the function.

So what is the best touchscreen-sensitive solution?

Gloves

Touchscreen gloves Farkle FingersFarkle Fingers “finger puppets”

We’ve tested several touchscreen-sensitive gloves and found they are all very hit and miss.

Thinner summer gloves work best while the thicker the glove, the less chance of being effective.

This is especially evident with fine points on the screen and precise manoeuvres such as “pinching” to zoom in or out.

We’ve also tried touchscreen-sensitive patches and attachments that are also less effective with thicker gloves.

GloveTacts touchscreens padsGloveTacts touchscreen pads

The most effective touchscreen-sensitive gloves we’ve tried are textile thinsulate-lined winter gloves from Mujjo.

Unfortunately, they aren’t motorcycle gloves as they have no abrasion or impact protection, although they do make leather versions which would have reasonable abrasion protection.

 Mujjo leather touchscreen-sensitive glovestouchscreensMujjo leather touchscreen-sensitive gloves

And managing director Remy Nagelmaeker says they have no plans “at the moment” to make them more compatible with riding.

“Since our products are made for minimalistic yet efficient design for regular everyday use, adding extra features necessary for riding could hinder their look and feel for the general audience,” Remy says.

And that seems to be the major problem.

The “extra features” such as abrasion-resistant material and armour seem to be hindering the sensitivity.

Instruments

Indian Roadmaster ClassicIndian Roadmaster Classic instruments have excellent sensitivity

However, some motorcycle instruments and GPS units have screens that are touch-sensitive to gloves, even without the tech in the finger tips that makes them sensitive.

But in testing, we have also found these to have erratic functionality and lack the fine detail to perform many functions.

In fact, because touchscreen-sensitive gloves and screens are so hit and miss, they can be a dangerous distraction as it can take longer to get them to work.

Meanwhile, your eyes are off the road for longer …

Again, we suggest leaving the screen alone until you pull over.

Then, it’s more convenient to have gloves or a screen that works with gloves, rather than having to remove your gloves first.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com