Chinese Scooter Club

spaceprobe · Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:05 pm Solved - cold finger problem

All my life I have had very cold fingers in the winter, which makes me very popular with my patients first thing in the morning! So when I started riding again I managed to get myself nice and cosy for the winter apart from the finger tips. I got a nice pair of expensive winter gloves and thermal inner gloves, which do keep my hands nice and warm apart from the finger tips. I did think about heated grips but am not convinced they will sort out the finger problem. So after much experimentation I have found a solution that works for me. First I fitted a pair of bar muffs. I chose these America Radiant ones because they seem to be a better design from what is available here and are a better price. http://www.richardhyosunggvgt.com/generalaccessories.htm The problem with muffs is it can be difficult to get your hands in and out on the move and operate some on the minor controls. So I got a pair of very basic thin unlined leather summer gloves which I wear over the thermal liners. These allow easy access to the muffs and controls and with the muffs keep the cold out. On very cold mornings to make things extra cosy I pop a chemical hand warmer into each muff. http://www.blacks.co.uk/Hot-Gel-Reusable-Handwarm/product/099317.aspx?searchbreadcrumbs=hand-warmer

These make things very comfortable but their life is 45 minutes max so I am thinking of getting a couple of lighter fluid ones to use and would value peoples views and comments on this. http://www.zippo.com/Products/handWarmer.aspx

Warm and safe riding folks.

Noam22 · Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:17 pm

I use electrically heated gloves, they do the trick for me to -2C...one thing, only go for the 12V types, the AA or C or D batteries gloves don't, and physically can't, work.

spaceprobe · Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:56 pm

Noam22 wrote: I use electrically heated gloves, they do the trick for me to -2C...one thing, only go for the 12V types, the AA or C or D batteries gloves don't, and physically can't, work. I know I bought a pair of the AA battery ones and there were useless :roll:

Noam22 · Sun Dec 23, 2007 9:37 pm

I bought a pair with 4 AA's batteries each, and eventually got half my money back. With the low voltage of the batteries it is physically impossible to draw enough power ( this relationship between voltage and power is called " Ohm's law"). You need at least 15 watt / glove, with 1.5 volt you can't pull even a tenth of that. In other words, the AA or D battery operated gloves are a scam, but good 12V ones do work very well, once you recover from the invoice shock.

Yellow Scooter · Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:23 pm

If your rich enough to have a scooter with a cigarette lighter, you can swing the gloves.

I wonder...
If I wore those rubber surgical gloves underneath my thinsulates, if it would trap in enough bodyheat to keep out whatever windchill that does seep thru?

spaceprobe · Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:29 pm

I have to say my system is working very well and I have had some very cold early morning starts this last week

Mark... · Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:48 am

sounds pretty good Spaceprobe. Not so sure the zippo ones would be best-these are designed to be held in hand, unless they can somehow fit inside the muffs. They kinda give you that lighter fluid smell. :icon_dunno:

px166bajaj · Mon Dec 24, 2007 9:01 am

It's always difficult to keep your fingers and toes warm during the Winter. Part of the problem lies in the fact the the body reduces blood supply to your extremities when you are in any kind of danger (I.e. riding a scooter at anything over walking pace)

I always swear by silk inner liners to my gloves. My Dad used to wear them when flying bombers during the war.

Roll on Summer! :roll:

spaceprobe · Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:07 am

Well my system seems to be working very well never been so cosy on a bike in winter. I have ordered the Zippo's, because I read a review on a US bike site that not only commented that the were smaller that the usual one (hence good for going into the muffs) but that also they gave off no smell. Will keep you posted after they arrive, had to order them off an ebay site in Hong Kong since they are not available here. I am also testing out some new American anti mist solution for my glasses will let you all know how it goes.

briseis · Mon Dec 24, 2007 6:23 pm

I've got a circulation problem that means my fingers and toes become very painful if I allow them to get cold. Riding my scoot has not been fun lately because of this, and I haven't been able to use it on cold days because I know the pain I'll be in for the rest of the day afterwards. I wear silk glove liners, but my hands still get cold. I bought some handlebar muffs, but they won't fit my scoot, so they had to go back.

I can't afford the 12v heated gloves, they seem to be over £100 most places, so I was going to buy a pair of the battery operated ones, but I'm a bit gutted now some of you say they don't work.

I'm at a bit of a loss now really. I might try some of those mittens with the split in the middle. I might also try latex gloves under my normal gloves as YellowScooter suggests and see if that works.