Keeping hands warm and dry.

[Harold Hansen]

I contacted the Eugene Police Motorcycle unit and asked what they used for hand protection in the cold and rain. Thought that they might have some super warm gloves. Turns out that they use thin gloves so they can pull out their radar units, weapons and other things that we don’t use. They use a product made by a Salem company, Watershed, that goes over the handgrips and keeps the hands warm and dry. They don’t have a photo of it on their website. They do sell them to non police, but they are $150. Has anyone bought these? Think they call them handlebar covers. They are not just decorative things you wrap around your handlebar. Seems like they are a flexible cowling of some kind. You stick your hands inside them. Apparently they Velcro on one side to the handlebar and have a couple of waterproof zippers. I vaguely recall seeing them, but can’t remember exactly what they look like.
If anyone has seen then or has them, I’d like to see a photo. My regular email is [e-mail]
Anyone in the Salem area interested can check them out at:
WaterShed Inc.
2895 Valpak Rd. NE
Salem, OR 97303
Their hours are 7:30 to 4:00. Their number is 800-848-8092.
Hope it is ok to post this. I don’t work for them or have any ties.
My best,
Harold

[Melody Anderson]

Harold,

Thanks for the info. I will try to get in next week to check them out.

Melody

[Scott Buboltz]

Sound sort of like Bagster "muffs". Is that pretty close?

[Harold Hansen]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for posting. I think you are right about the Bagster muffs. Checked on line and saw that there are several other products made out of different materials. Lots for sale in Europe and UK. I have the plastic handguards and think they help some with the wind, but are in front of your hands and don't stop the rain. I'm thinking of making some kind of hand covers that will go over the plastic handguards.

My best,
Harold

[William Abbott]

I'm guessing they might be like the others I've seen, which is they are very much like a gauntlet type glove, however have a MUCH larger opening, and are attached to the handlebars. you litterally put your hand inside just like a glove, they are a soft material, and function just like a glove, except they are attached to the bike, not you.

Assuming it's what I've seen before... I've seen a LOT of police bikes with something like this... I think the ones I'm describing are in us in Lebanon, OSP, and others.

Just think of a glove attached to the bike basically, but easy enough to get in and out of without any trouble... I think that's probably what Eugene is using... it makes sense, most protection available, with the easiest ability to do other tasks... of course if you get in an accident and your hands go to stop you, you'd better be wearing something that will resist the pavement...

[William Abbott]

What I've seen before look similar to theese...

http://www.hippohands.com/Hippo%20Hands.htm

[Harold Hansen]

Hi William,

Thanks for the photos. Looks like there are different models. I saw some on the internet where some Germans who were really hardcore riders had chains on their wheels and one had taken a pair of rubber boots and made some hand protectors.

My best,
Harold

[Alan Loo]

I've owned hippo hands before when I owned a Burgman 650, they didn't work all that well. On my Burgman 400 I found that hand guards and heated grips work well.

Al

[Alan Loo]

Oh yeah water gets into them when raining.

[Harold Hansen]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for posting. I have the hand guards, but wonder how you got the heated grips. Do you have to wire them in, or do they plug into the jack in the glove box?

Harold (now member 252)

[Alan Loo]

With a Burgman its just plug and play, the wire harness is prewired for Suzuki made heated grips.

[Gary Smith]

I learned a little trick a while back that really works.

If you wear a pair of those thin, inexpensive disposable rubber gloves under your regular riding gloves you will stay warm and dry. Of course, it helps if your riding gloves are water proof.

Gary

[Melody Anderson]

Gary,

Neat idea! I never would have thought of that. Thanks for sharing :)

Melody