Motorcycle Riding Gear: Boots and Gloves

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Friday, May 4

Dear VTwin Mama,
Thank you! I actually went to see the GSX-R1000 yesterday and fell in love right away. I sat on another one that had already been lowered and with my heels on I was flat footing! I decided I needed that bike and so I gave them the "go" to lower it and a few hours later it was in my driveway! So we have a GORGEOUS yellow and silver GSX-R1000! : ) I'm thinking they took the ground clearance into consideration when lowering it since he told me he couldn't lower much more than 2 inches. They lowered it around 2 and a half inches and then told me to buy another seat to scrape since my "other half" doesn't want me touching the original seat.

So now I need to find riding boots (preferably "pleather" or another leather alternative since I don't like to wear animals) with the highest heels available as well as another seat (but I may not need the seat depending on how high the boots are). Any suggestions? – Jessica

Dear Jessica,
The best site I've found thus far on non leather riding gear is The Vegan Motorcyclist. There you will find boot option site links but you'll have to do the research on heel heights available. Remember that you can always opt for work or hiking boots that have thick soles and heels . . . this may be another pathway. I also found the page on the PETA site, which lists links to gear (like Aerostitch and Dennis Kirk!). – Mama

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Friday, May 4

Dear VTwin Mama,
Do you or any of your readers have any experience with battery operated gloves for warmth? I'm interested in the kind that do NOT plug into the bike's battery. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks. – Myrt

Dear Myrt,
I believe we've had previous chatter on this subject, which can be found on my Riding Gear: Boots/Gloves pages. It's worth taking the time to scroll through as my brain usually can't remember all the tips and specific products that were called out before! I myself prefer heated grips and for some people, they just insert those little heat packs between a thin silk liner layer and the main glove. Otherwise, readers with battery operated gloves are asked to chime in! – Mama

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Tuesday, May 15

Dear VTwin Mama,
Hi There!! Just found this site and already have spent hours reading all the letters. Love it ! My question is about battery operated heated gloves. I have a great pair of lined leather gloves; however, on colder days (due to a medical condition) my fingertips get very cold and painful. Any suggestions on where I could shop for these gloves in Canada ? – Denise

Dear Denise,
Just about every gear and aftermarket company is going to be able to ship to Canada. I can appreciate that you will want to try them on for fit. In that case, I would head to every local dealer and have them open up their catalogs and I would also head to every sporting goods store as well. If they don't have them in stock, ask if they can be ordered in and returned if you don't like them. Canadian readers . . . any other more specific suggestions? – Mama

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Monday, May 21

Dear VTwin Mama,
I have a 2005 LX Custom 1200 Sportster. This Sportster has forward controls. Recently, I've experienced something I can't find a solution for or reasoning why. When I use the shifter, after a period of time my big toe starts hurting and it travels down to the inside of my left foot. I'm thinking maybe I'm using my big to to shift and not realizing it. Has anyone addressed this problem? I can't even find a fix for it as this year Sporty, you can't adjust it. Thanks. – LadyHarley

Dear LadyHarley,
Drats . . . being able to adjust the shifter on its mounting peg was a great way to adjust the shift action to work with one's choice of foot position and boot style/thickness.

I will let you know that I too have a tendency to shift up with my big toe . . . I have no idea why! I suspect it has something to do with my footpeg . . . it really isn't that long and my foot just fits on the peg. I'm wondering if you got a longer peg for that side if your foot would rest more squarely under the shifter and keep you from rotating your foot to the big toe shift pattern. It's just a thought. Readers, any other ideas? Maybe a boot scuff pad for an extra comfort layer (it's meant to protect one's boot front, but might be an idea). – Mama

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Friday, July 6

Hi Petra,
Just wanted to check in to let you know that I FINALLY have a bike ! I wrote you a couple of weeks ago about whether or not I should attempt to ride my "new" bike home (2002 Vulcan 500 with only 2,400 miles..) It's only about a 4 mile ride, but 2 miles of it involve a busy highway and the other 2 were on a recently stripped down gravel road . . . Uggh !).

Well, I followed your advice and had the salesman ride it home . . . I didn't want to seem like a 'wimp', but I also didn't want to let my pride write a check that my body couldn't cash!! Worked out perfectly. Once my bike was home, I took it right out to a nearby parking lot to get familiar with it.

The Vulcan 500 is a LOT different from a Buell Blast. Weight, shifting and handling were different. Plus I hadn't been on a bike in about 4 wks, so it was really weird at first. But after 20 minutes or so, I felt much smoother and a lot more comfortable. Hubby drove behind me to keep any tailgaters off of my butt, so that was great !! I know I had a goofy grin on my face the whole time. Hubby was smiling too!!! I will definitely be on the parking lots until I feel ready to hit the road.

I have a quick question for you about boots. I have been wearing a leather boot ,with a composite sole (not motorcycle boots, just a boot I already had). The sole of the boot has ridges that are cut into it (not too deep), but they don't extend out, so the surface is flat. The distance from the toe of the boot to the ground is about 3 1/4 inches, with the toe of the boot counting for at least 2 inches. It's really kind of 'nubby'... While shifting, it seemed a little hard at times getting the boot to slide from the peg to the gear shifter. Not a good thing. I was wondering if the problem lies with the thickness of the boot toe, as opposed to the thickness of the sole. My plan is to go look for another pair of boots ASAP. I'm thinking they should have a composite sole, and maybe I should look for a more squared off toe that's not as thick ?? Just wondering what you thought.

Thanks again for all of your help and the support from all of the other women riders on your site. Means a lot to a newbie like me. I tell all of my friends and family about your site . . . it's simply the best for Women riders !!!Stay well !!! – Nancy from Michigan

Dear Nanacy,
How very smart of you to not undertake too much at one time . . . that's how we get our butts in trouble we don't really want to invite! And it's good to hear that your parking lot practice is proceeding along nicely . . . I'll add my grin to yours and your hubby's!

Boots don't have to be specific motorcycle ones but leather is usually recommened. It is best if they at least cover your ankle, although some like the full calf protection of full leg boots (its' all about the "what if something happens and I go down" scenario).

I like a composite sole as it makes "grabbing" traction to push a motorcycle back out of a parking slot a lot easier!

In regard to shifting . . . it's always nice if one can simply angle their toe under the shift lever and click their way to happiness. On some bikes, that shift lever position is variable, meaning it can be loosened on its shaft and rotated to accommodate different toe thickness. I'm not sure on your bike, but a quick peek will reveal the answer! What you don't want is to have to angle your foot too high or low to do the shift . . . this puts a strain on the lever that can have a wearing affect on the shifter.

If a heel is significantly high, it can get "hung up" on the footpeg if you need to move your foot forward just a tad to shift. Some like it because they can hook their heel on the peg, but that's highly individual. For some, a change is called for . . . maybe not full rider floorboards, but maybe Isowings, which are mini wing pegs that offer a bit more surface for foot rest and your foot can slide along it easier for the shift. Happy shopping any way you decide to proceed! – Mama

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