Taking care of your riding gear, especially gloves, is of utmost importance. Know more about keeping your motorcycle gloves in prime condition.
Motorcycle gloves are an essential part of any rider's gear, offering protection, comfort and style. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just exploring your motorcycling journey, taking good care of your motorcycle gloves is crucial to ensure they remain functional and durable to provide a great riding experience. In this guide, we'll explore the best practices for motorcycle glove care, keeping them in top condition and highlighting some top brands and products available at www.reisemoto.com.
The Importance of Proper Motorcycle Glove Care
Motorcycle gloves are not just about aesthetics for a rider. They play a crucial role in safeguarding your hands against the elements, impact and abrasions during a ride. Investing in quality gloves is important and maintaining them properly even more. This ensures they perform their protective function and prolongs their lifespan. Today, www.reisemoto.com offers a variety of international and Indian gloves brands, each with different care and maintenance instructions. When high-quality gloves of the world are available to you, it is essential to know how to care for them to get the most out of your investment.
Before diving into tips about maintaining your gloves, it's important to understand the different types of motorcycle gloves. These can be broadly classified as below depending on the weather. Each type requires specific care to maintain its unique features and longevity. You can also segregate them by material like leather, textile or mixed.
- Summer Gloves: These are lightweight and breathable, ideal for warm weather when you are riding in the heat. In this case, the hands are likely to sweat more and summer gloves can provide the much needed breathability.
- Winter Gloves: Winter gloves have a very specific need. These are insulated and often waterproof, designed for cold conditions. For example, if you are riding to Ladakh or the cool climes of Uttarakhand, you must invest in winter gloves.
Note: If you won’t be using your gloves during winter, clean and condition them before storing. Consider storing them with a moisture-absorbing packet to prevent mildew.
- Racing Gloves: High-performance gloves with added protection for competitive riding are a must as these are subjected to more weathering and abrasion.
- Touring Gloves: Long rides need comfortable gloves, to last you the distance. These are often weather protected and have multi-functionality of breathability, insulation as well as physical protection.
- Off-road Gloves: Off-roading gloves are specific to the need. These are durable and designed to handle the rigours of off-road terrain.
Tips for Motorcycle Glove Care
Some of these tips might seem common-sensical, but it’s a reminder to all the riders that no matter which motorcycling gloves you choose, the care and maintenance is an important part of a wholesome riding experience.
- Regular Cleaning
Keeping your gloves clean is the first step in proper motorcycle glove care. Here's how you can clean different types of gloves:
- Leather Gloves: Use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt and grime. For stubborn spots, use a mild leather cleaner available in gear shops. Avoid soaking leather gloves in water as it can damage the material.
- Textile Gloves: Check the manufacturer's care label as the first step. Most textile gloves can be washed in lukewarm water with mild detergent. Avoid using solvents, bleach or harsh chemicals that are likely to damage the material and compromise the glove’s committed integrity. Also, use a product specifically designed for the glove's material for tough stains,
- For both types, always air-dry your gloves at room temperature and avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, which can cause materials to crack or shrink.
- Conditioning Leather Gloves
Leather gloves need regular conditioning to maintain their softness and prevent cracking. Use a high-quality leather conditioner and apply it sparingly. Over-conditioning can lead to a greasy texture and attract dirt. Brands like Tucano Urbano, Acerbis, Viaterra and others available on www.reisemoto.com offer gloves with premium leather that benefit greatly from regular conditioning.
Wearing Practices
Proper Fit: Make sure your gloves fit properly since ill-fitting gloves stretch or wear out more quickly.3. Storing Your Gloves Properly
Proper storage is key to preserving the shape and quality of your motorcycle gloves. Here are a few tips:
- Avoid Compression: Don’t stuff your gloves into tight spaces. This can deform the protective padding and compromise comfort.
- Keep Dry: Store your gloves in a dry place. Moist environments can lead to mould growth and material degradation. Avoid prolonged wetness! If the gloves get drenched in water or just wet, dry them as soon as possible. Prolonged exposure to moisture can weaken the material and cause mildew.
- Use Glove Inserts: Consider using glove inserts or stuff them with paper to help maintain their shape.
- Regular Inspection
Periodically inspect your gloves for signs of wear and tear. If you notice significant damage, consider replacing your gloves to ensure safety. Look for the below signs when inspecting your gloves:
- Seam Integrity: Check if any seams are coming apart. Loose seams can compromise protection while riding.
- Padding and Armour: Ensure that the protective padding and armour are intact and securely in place. If they are coming out, get the gloves repaired immediately.
- Material Condition: For leather gloves, check for cracks or stiffness. This can happen when gloves are left untouched for a long time. For textile gloves, look for thinning or fraying fabric.
- Waterproofing
Many riding gloves come with a water-resistant or waterproof coating. Over time, this can wear off so you have to check regularly if this is needed. Reapply a waterproofing spray or treatment as needed, especially if you ride frequently in wet conditions. This is particularly important for winter and touring gloves, which are often exposed to rain and snow.
- Avoiding Heat Damage
Avoid exposing your gloves to excessive heat. This includes not placing them near heaters or using hair dryers to speed up the drying process. High heat can cause materials to warp, shrink, or lose their protective qualities.
- Keeping Zippers and Velcro in Good Condition
Ensure that any zippers or Velcro closures are free of dirt and debris from riding in the dust. Regularly clean and lubricate zippers to prevent them from sticking. Velcro should be kept free from lint and threads to maintain its grip. This will have to be looked at closely and removed by hand.
- Following Manufacturer Guidelines
Always follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. Different materials and construction methods require specific care techniques. For instance, Acerbis gloves may have different care needs compared to Ixon gloves due to variations in design and materials used.
Special Care for High-Tech Gloves
Electronic Components: If your gloves have electronic components (like heated gloves), follow the manufacturer’s care instructions carefully. Avoid submerging them in water unless specified as safe.
Reisemoto offers a wide range of premium motorcycle gloves that cater to various riding styles and conditions. While you invest in the best riding gloves, caring for your motorcycle gloves is equally crucial for ensuring their longevity and effectiveness. By following these tips for motorcycle glove care, you can keep your gloves in top condition, ready for any ride.
Explore more about these gloves and find the best riding gloves for your needs at www.reisemoto.com. Your gloves are an integral part of your riding gear and with the right care, they can provide protection and comfort for many miles to come.
-Team Reise Moto