There is a chill in the air as you walk out the door. You hop on your ride and know it's going to be a cold cruise. Right about now, you wish you knew a way to keep your hands warm on a motorcycle. It is not only crucial for your comfort, but you don't want your finger locking up and preventing you from shifting. Lucky for you, we have looked into this topic, so you don't have to freeze any longer.
The best ways to keep your hands warm on a motorcycle are with:
- Winter gloves
- Technical glove liners
- Lever wraps/sleeves
- Hippo hands
- Heated gloves
- Heated grips
All of these methods ensure rider comfort and safety when riding in cold conditions.
You probably have more questions about each of these methods, which one is the warmest, and which one you should go with. Keep reading to learn more as we delve into the details about how to keep your hands warm on a motorcycle!
How To Keep Your Hands Warm On A Motorcycle
Winter Gloves
Many motorcycle gear shops sell gloves specifically designed to use in cold weather. Many people find that a durable pair of winter gloves is all they need to stay warm. Advancements in material technology mean that these gloves are no longer bulky like they were in the past. Less bulk means your fingers can be mobile even with the gloves on.
Winter motorcycle gloves are often made with layers of different materials. Most often, the outer fabric handles impacts at high speeds. That durable shell is an extra security feature you won't find on regular winter gloves. There are often even more convenient features of winter motorcycle gloves.
Read More: Do Winter Motorcycle Gloves Have Touchscreen Fingers?
Kemimoto Winter Motorcycle GLoves
These tough winter gloves will keep your hands nice and warm even in the middle of winter. They are waterproof, breathable, and you can operate your phone through the material. So, when you stop to navigate, you don't have to brave the cold.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Technical Glove Liners
You probably already own a pair of riding gloves. If you want a way to keep your hands warm and don't want to buy another pair of riding gloves for winter, then glove liners are a great choice. Since they aren't thick, glove liners are great for chilly fall days or places that don't reach freezing temperatures. If you plan to ride through colder environments, you will want to think about a different way to keep your hands warm.
Terramar Thermosilk Glove Liners
These silk glove liners are specifically designed to regulate body temperature, which you will want while riding in the cold. The soft silk material feels great on your skin too.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Lever Wraps And Sleeves
Lever wraps and sleeves act as a barrier between your hands and the cold metal of the bike. We recommend combining this cold prevention method with gloves for even more protection from the cold.
Wraps and sleeves are typically made from leather or neoprene. Leather is more popular because many bikers prefer the look of it. However, neoprene is much better at keeping your hands warm. If you want to save money, you can even use something like electrical tape to wrap your handles.
Motorcycle Nonslip Grips
These grips slide on the handles of your motorcycle. It will feel much warmer to grip these instead of the cold metal underneath.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Hippo Hands
Another way to keep your hands warm without having to wear anything is to use hippo hands. These warming devices fit around the handles of your motorcycle. They block wind and precipitation to keep your hands warm no matter the conditions.
Hippo hands are a hard or soft shell that creates a cave-like structure for you to place your hand. They are solid material, so you cannot see through them. The lack of transparency means you have to shift and steer your bike without being able to see your hands. Some riders don't like the lack of visibility. However, if you feel confident in your riding abilities, then hippo hands are a great way to create a shield from the cold.
Audew Scooter Gloves
These soft covers slip over your handlebars and hands to ensure extra warmth while you ride your motorcycle. The insulating material will feel cozy as you fly through the cold wind.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Heated Gloves
For those of you who have a hard time dealing with cold but don't want to keep your ride locked up all winter, heated gloves may be the best solution for you. Tiny wires located within the gloves heat up and keep your hands at a comfortable temperature.
These gloves are usually battery powered. Some work with a battery pack and run off standard batteries that you buy at the store. Others have a rechargeable battery inside that is recharged or powered by plugging it into your motorcycle.
Heated gloves can be costly, but spending a little more money to keep yourself comfortable for hours is worth it in the long run.
Snow Deer Heated Motorcycle Gloves
This excellent pair of heated gloves comes with a charging kit and can keep your hands warm for up to 6.5 hours. You could go for a very long cruise and still return home with warm fingers.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Heated Grips
Heated grips are a fantastic heating feature. Some motorcycles even come with heated grips already installed. If your bike doesn't have heated grips already, you can buy some and install them yourself. Make sure to read over your motorcycle's manual to make sure its electrical system can support this warming device.
Heated grips only heat up on the inside of the handle, so they are meant to warm your palms. In extremely cold conditions, you will want to throw on a pair of gloves to keep your fingers warm, too.
BikeMaster Heated Grips
These hand grips from BikeMaster are easy to install. Their ergonomic design keeps your hands comfortable and warm at the same time. These would make a great addition to any motorcycle.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Additional Questions
Just in case you are still curious about riding motorcycles in the cold or how you can warm your hands, we've addressed some additional questions.
Is 60 Degrees Fahrenheit Too Cold To Ride A Motorcycle?
In regards to safety, 60 degrees Fahrenheit is not too cold to ride a motorcycle. In regards to comfort, many riders do not like to ride if it is below this temperature.
Remember that the outside temperature may not feel cold, but you will be on a motorcycle going 50 miles per hour or more. The wind can be bone-chilling if you are not prepared for it. Of course, warming your hands helps a lot, but it can only do so much.
It is important to note that unless you are a very experienced rider, you shouldn't drive your motorcycle if it falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Driving bikes on ice can be very dangerous, and a small bike is much more likely to crash than a car in icy conditions.
If you don't have a motorcycle yet, and you want to learn more about the 8 Most Reliable Motorcycle Brands, click here.
What Are The Best Motorcycle Gloves For Warmth?
There are many high-quality motorcycle gloves available. The key features you should look for are:
- Waterproof abilities
- Insulation
- Breathability
Alpinestars Drystar Motorcycle Gloves
These waterproof gloves by Alpinestar are one of the best non-heated gloves for warmth. The rugged design is great, too.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Tourmaster Synergy Leather Gloves
These hefty gloves can withstand the coldest temperatures. With four levels of heat, they are one of the best heated-gloves available. Heated motorcycles gloves will keep your hands much warmer than regular gloves, so they are great for warmth.
Click here to see them on Amazon.
Are Heated Gloves Worth It?
Heated gloves can make an excellent addition to your motorcycle gear. If you know you don't handle cold weather very well, then heated gloves will change the way you enjoy winter riding.
Sometimes it can be annoying to deal with charging and plugging in wires. If batteries and wires are not something you want to deal with, then heated gloves are not worth it. They may not be ideal for everyone, but they are sure to keep your hands toasty warm.
How Do You Install Heated Grip Pads?
Installing heated grip pads is not very difficult. Follow along with the video below to learn how to do so. The most important thing is to check your motorcycle's specs to make sure it can support heated grips.
Never Have Frozen Fingers Again
Now that you know all about how to keep your hands warm on a motorcycle, you can keep riding through the winter months. Don't let the cold stop you from enjoying the open road!
Lever wraps and hippo hands are excellent bike attachments that required no power to add warmth to your hands. Motorcycle winter gloves or liners are both essential pieces of gear to add to your collection and wear during winter. Heated gloves or heated grips are energy supported ways to warm up your hands.
Try a combination of these options, and your hands will be thanking you next time you take your bike out in the cold.