3/4 Summer Gloves - Alpinestars GP-Air or SP-X or ?

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by John451, Feb 23, 2015.

  1. John451

    John451 Member

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    I'm thinking of buying pair of 3/4 Gloves for hot days Summer riding to sit between my Alpinstars GP-Pro and my Motard orientated Alpinestars Octane S which I use for "very" hot days but would like a Warm weather comfortable summer Glove with good Wrist padding that sits inbetween them, does anyone have 3/4 Gloves and do they fit under or over the Leather Jacket sleeves ?




    The below 2 on my list are similar in appearance are the Alpinestars GP-Air and Alpinestars SP-X, any have these or an alternative 3/4 suggestion ?

    Alpinestars GP-Air:
    [​IMG]


    Alpinestars SP-X:
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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  3. tyarosevich

    tyarosevich New Member

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    In my experience, the big name brands like alpine stars, joe rocket, olympia, etc are all absolute garbage. I wouldn't buy any of their products because the cost to own is actually higher than their more expensive, and high quality, competitors.

    After trying on 20 or so gloves (including the ones you are looking at) and being totally dissatisfied, I went to the BMW shop to see what they had. Loved the fit and quality of these gloves, bought them, and have about 4,000 miles on them now. Couldn't be happier and would highly recommend them.

    http://shop.bmw-motorrad.com/Gloves...MkqlzXIAAAE0t9JtTecS-UXCOM-WFS-en_EU-EUR.html

    I'd also look straight at the high-end. If you can tolerate aerostitch's hideous gloves, maybe some of those would be really durable. Maybe someone else has a suggestion for some other quality producers, as opposed to the made in China garbage cranked out by the likes of alpinestars.
     
  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I can't say I have ever tried the higher end gloves that you mention so I won't bash them or their performance.

    I have worn out a pair of Joe Rocket summer gloves. Also a pair of Teknic winter gloves. I don't recall how long I wore these but it was definately long enough that I was satisfied I got my money's worth out of them. I am presently wearing Alpinestars, one summer pair and one winter pair. They are not even close to being worn out. I expect I will get a couple more years out of them.

    Between the four paires of gloves, non high end, I have 186,712 km (116017 miles) on these low end gloves. They were a little uncomfortable for the first week or so, but became a second skin after broken in.

    So I am definately not about to bash the less expensive, yet very common gloves available out there.

    You want the higher end stuff, fill your boots and go get them. There are things that I buy that is pricey too. But we have to accept that not all of us have the resources to spend as much for a lot of items when there is a less expensive and fully suitable product out there. SInce retirement, I have had to seriously look at some of the things I buy because I am now on a fixed income.
     
  5. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    BTW. I think I would go for the SP-X. From the pictures, they appear to have better protection in the fingers.
     
  6. jerritt

    jerritt New Member

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    I had a pair of sp-x I bought used and wore them for about 5 years they were great. Fit perfectly and we're comfortable I'm going to purchase another pair
     
  7. John451

    John451 Member

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    Obviously wearing gear is about injury minimisation vs comfort, I try to be the right tool for the right job so looking at the BMW gloves like your Rallye or summer weight Airflow 2s they don't appear to have any better wrist protection than my current hot summer gloves the Alpinestars Octane S, when looking at my past gloves from the odd oops the 2 areas of contact are the palm and around the ulna. When I looked at the full gauntlet gloves I'd last crashed in I was glad of the high density pad that protected my ulnar area from damage.

    Not sure why you're dissing Alpinestars gloves, I've been wearing them for the last 15 years and when I've purchased other brands have ended up giving them away to replace them with Alpinestars though part of that is sizing ie their Large fits my hands perfectly, the only exception are my heavy duty Winter Gortex Gloves which are the Finnish made Rukkas.


    Cheers that's good to know so will definitely check them out.

    BB has a good point about the my purpose of looking at the 3/4 glove, ie air up the sleeves that worked well with my old textile jacket but both my perforated and unperforated leather jackets have fairly tight sleeves, do you wear your SP-X under or over your jacket sleeves ?
     
  8. John451

    John451 Member

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    Alpinestars Celer Street Sport Gloves

    Seeing as Summer is approaching and hot weather has already hit us with days in the 90's and after recommendation from the Motorcyle accessory shop I've been using for the last 15 years have ended up springing for a pair of on sale Alpinestars Celer Gloves, haven't worn them on an extended ride ( which is planned for 2 weeks time ) but so far on short runs they feel comfortable and appear to have reasonable protection for this class of glove.


    " Alpinestars Celer Gloves

    An extremely supple leather main shell, excellent protective capabilities and flexibility combine to make the Alpinestars Celer Glove a leader in its class.
    Critical reinforcements and strategic perforation zones ramp up the comfort features on this stylish street riding glove. "

    [​IMG]

    http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-celer-gloves
     
  9. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    I found these to be excellent Spidi spidi glove.jpg
     
  10. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    I've been using my SP-X gloves (red, white, black) for 2 summers.
    I only use them when its very hot, as I have a pair of Five, long summer gloves that I prefer to use most of the times.
    My Five gloves have done more then triple the hours, as I wear them throughout most of winter as well, and have weatherd much, much better.
    I don't think I would buy them again. They are not terrible, but I don't think they are worth the money.
     
  11. Ontario Hawk

    Ontario Hawk New Member

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    I have Alpinestars S1 gloves. Short cuff, but a nice sized wrist protector on the outside, full leather construction. Might be what you're looking for? Last time I looked they were on closeout, so probably some deals to be had.

    http://www.revzilla.com/product/alpinestars-s-1-gloves
     
  12. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Branding isn't the whole story on gloves. Just because the label inside or the graphics outside a pair says, "_________", The larger manufacturers have so many price points and styles that a comparison as to what is best or better of one brand can be confusing.

    BB's favorites are Helds. Again, even Helds have a very susubstantial assortment of choices and price ranges.

    I have not tried Plastidip yet..
     
  13. John451

    John451 Member

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    Personally wouldn't mind trying HELD but there are no accessory outlets that stock them near me.

    If possible I like to research the parameters of what I need then check out Video or online reviews like on Revzilla as well as asking real riders opinions on Forums before frequenting the local stores with targeted questions. Brick and mortar stores are good for trying on different items for fit and suitability and at the end I negociate the best possible purchase price, if the price is ok I also prefer to purchase from a human especially if they've been helpful.

    So far I've been pretty happy with most of the Alpinestars products I've purchased in the last 15 years lasting well enough although I had my previous Goretex boots re-velcroed to extend their life.
     
  14. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Some of the Held gloves have roo leather parts. This should give you bragging rights with your mates.. Probably mail order is your best bet. My first pair were a gift from a bud who races. My current pair I bought at one of the CW shows that tour US. Got em way below MSRP.
     
  15. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    An observation.. Many pair of gloves on the market look like they belong in a Transformer movie. Lots of all kinds of protection for the back of the hand and not as much for the palms. Reflex action is IMO mostly a palms down action when ya get tossed off a bike.
     
  16. John451

    John451 Member

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    Come to think about it out of the 3 offs I've had in 30 years none have resulted in knuckle damage although with these I went on them being mostly leather, perforated for airflow in hot weather and some wrist protection.
     
  17. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Helds are German. Maybe a BMW dealer. (??)

    Just an observation. With all the reflex actions we have, maybe that one exists too.
     
  18. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I really like the Knox Hand Armour gloves. I have 3 pairs, wet weather, racing and now a summer pair (i.e. Short cuff). As Billy mentioned, the instinct when falling is to put your arms out with palms down, this is where you impact will most likely be. When I first heard saw the Knox SPS (Scaphoid Protection System) it piqued my interest so I took a chance and bought a pair of Knox Biomech and pair of Teknic Lighting gloves (these hand the Knox SPS too). Although I cannot say this system works for sure, as I have not "tested" this feature out yet (knock on wood), I now look for gloves with this SPS or similar feature on them. I am seeing more and more gloves with the TPS palm sliders but I think Knox has a patent on SPS so you don't see gloves with palm sliders in the same location as Knox gloves, close but not identical.

    That being said, so far my Knox gloves have been some of my favorite gloves, fit, feel and quality seem to be top notch! Although when I had them, the Teknic were my go to everyday glove and were also very affordable (<$100), alas they are out of business and I donated the pair I had to Long for his nephew. I was planning on replacing them, but Teknic went out of business before I could grab a new pair! :sad:

    Anyway, here is a pick of the pair I just bought. Cheers

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  19. TNRabbit

    TNRabbit New Member

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    I buy all of my gloves in clearance or close out sales. The best pair of hot weather gloves I've ever had are a pair of First Gear mesh gloves that are quite cool. They have fairly heavy leather palms and plastic knuckle guards. I think I paid $7 for them.
     
  20. John451

    John451 Member

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    Found a "Held" stand at Sydneys Motorcycle show yesterday and purchased their show special " Held Akira Evos " full gauntlet gloves to replace my general duties 10yro Alpinestars GP plus gloves. They tell my they are now selling their full range locally not too far from my workplace. Haven't ridden with the Akira Evos yet but made in Hungary do like their fit and finish.

    [​IMG]
     
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