I need to get a set of summer riding gloves. I'm currently using a pair a buddy gave me and they're too big.

Any suggestions on a pair of ventilated, yet protective gloves? I don't really want to buy online but the local shop didn't have squat for selection so I guess I'm going to have to.

Well thats a good question ... i have 4 sets of gloves , i Prefer non perforated Gauntlets with armor for 90% of my riding . I also have perforated armored short gloves for those smoking hot days . My advice is not to buy online as i have found that same size gloves can vary on the fit from pair to pair or there can also be a small inperfections that can lead to a uncomfortable fit .

Icon Hooligan
http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:3Ztl6e4IviDpWM:http://www.revzilla.com/product_images/0010/7064/Icon_Hooligan_2_Gloves_Stealth_Black_zoom.jpg

if you are a big spender Icon TIMAX2 LONG GLOVE
http://www.psndealer.com/powersportsdlr/images/ec0204/3301-0433.jpg

I usually don't like Icon but these are good gloves and they are not too label whorish.

This is where a good shop is invaluable because I agree with you Zinger, I don't like buying clothing of any kind online. It's impossible to tell if it's going to fit comfortably. Somebody could say that such and such gloves are awesome but they might not fit your hand at all or they might have padding where you don't like it, or not have it where you want it. I would try to find a decent shop somewhere near you where you can try on a bunch of pairs, and ignore the labels on the cuffs, buy what feels good. My 2c.

I would advise gloves with good padding in the palm if you plan to do any long hwy rides. This bike will buzz my hands out after a several hours at hwy speed. Maybe its just me though, anyone else get the tingles after a long hwy run?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-gloves/

:)

Write one big check for the rest of your riding days and take care of them-

http://www.heldusa.com/gloves.html

Write one big check for the rest of your riding days and take care of them-

http://www.heldusa.com/gloves.html

What makes them stand out? The only glove I would consider within my price range (the "Air") looks awfully cheap.

I think I need to find a local place that has some stock and go back to plan A...

The last pair you will ever need. $$$$ Wonderful leather, not too hot, and keep in mind, it is very difficult to put skin grafts on fingers!

http://www.heldusa.com/steve.html

I go to local shops to try on gloves, helmets, jackets, etc. If I find something I like I usually see if newenough.com (http://newenough.com) has it in stock and order from them instead. They almost always have the best price and have great customer service. I sent back a pair of ripped Kevlar jeans with out any problem. If something does not fit right they take returns on those as well.

Dainese hellfire 2's are awesome, and you get the Dainese fit....I try not to skimp on hand and foot protection...too many small parts in those areas.

I just got a pair of alpine stars Vented with the carbon knuckle cover. way better than I thought great fit $ 60. but I make my living with my hands,and I just dont think its a good Idea to ride without gloves of some kind. they really feel great.

I've lived in four different towns since getting married 34 years ago, been riding longer than that.
One thing I've found out especially with the advent of the internet is that most local shops have worked with me on pricing. I'm usually up front and ask if they can match or at least get close to online prices.
If they can get close, they've got my business because in todays economy if we all buy using mailorder there won't be any local shops to go into in the near future.
Some shops will not come off retail, I just keep looking around for another shop. During the dead of winter it's nice to have a place to hang out.
Dan

The last pair you will ever need. $$$$ Wonderful leather, not too hot, and keep in mind, it is very difficult to put skin grafts on fingers!

http://www.heldusa.com/steve.html

+1 Steves are fantastic gloves. Check www.newenough.com for good prices are all Held gloves and other good stuff. If you're a bargain hunter, start with the CLOSEOUTS section.

Write one big check for the rest of your riding days and take care of them-

http://www.heldusa.com/gloves.html

+2 on Steves. I haven't found them uncomfortably hot...yet. Update in August.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/nspencer/SoloWeekend127.jpg

I agree with the Held recommendation. Have 3 pairs and they all are excellent. Most often wear their Thruxston model, which has some ventillation inbetween the fingers. For real hot and humid days, I do have a pari of Cortech GX Air2 gloves, a nice mesh/leather combo with a short gauntlet. The price is right on them as well...

I just bought a set from my local Triumph dealer.

They are actually Triumph branded gloves, the Raptor model.

http://www.bikebandit.com/assets/product_images/08TriumphRaptorVenGloveLG.gif

They are mesh, and have hard knuckle protection. Very comfortable, and from what I've heard they are very durable.

I finally wandered up to my nearest dealer today at lunch to finally try on some gloves again. Last time I stopped at this place to buy a new face shield and gloves they were completely wiped out of gloves, but this time they had a decent stock.

I started trying on gloves, some styles of which I had seen online at the various online suppliers. I knew I was no XL, so I tried on a Large. Nope, too big, I must be a Medium. So I start trying on Mediums... Most of them seemed to fit me in the palm, but were too long in the fingers. I kept trying on various styles and finally tried on a set of Olympia Motosports gloves that were a pretty nice fit, but seemed dubious as far as protection goes.

The gloves are right next to the helmet counter at this particular place, and the two counter guys weren't busy so I motioned one of them over and started to ask what he thought about these particular gloves as far as protection goes. He wasn't impressed (neither was I). So I said that they were the best fit so far, that the other gloves seemed to be too long in the fingers.

"Hold up your hand" he said. So I did, and he reaches over on the rack and pulls down a pair of AlpineStars gloves in....SMALL! Small?? WTF?? I'm 5'11 and I have size SMALL hands??? Well, he was right. :D After trying them on and getting over the embarassment I realized they fit better than the mediums.

We compared another pair of AlpineStars gloves (Octane S-Moto) and for an additional $10 they were just a better all around glove. Completely leather, perforated, with really good protection. I walked out with them.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/37/409/ITEM/Alpinestars-Octane-S-Moto-Gloves.aspx

$89 + PA state tax. I thought I'd be pissed once I checked the price of them online but apparently these particular gloves aren't discounted anywhere, so I did just fine buying local.

The major lesson learned here is that you really MUST try gloves on to see what fits. If I'd of ordered online I would probably have ordered a size Medium, and I know they would have been too big.

Looks like you got some nice gloves. I totally agree with trying them on. Another good thing to do is sit on a bike with them and grip the bars. I didn't do this with the last pair I bought. I always wear a medium and these felt great, but on my way home I found that the fingers were too short and were digging into the tips of my fingers. It was very uncomfortable, actually borderline painful. Took them back the next morning.

A lot of times I don't mind buying the less expensive things (like gloves) at the dealer because by the time you calculate in shipping you aren't saving that much online even if there is a discount. Plus it is satisfying to get them at that very instant you decide you want them rather than going home and waiting for them to be shipped.

The ICON Hooligan 2 gloves are on sale in the closeout section of www.motorcycle-superstore.com for $30, down from $40.

+1 for Held gloves. I'm using their Ninja full gauntlet glove and I love it. It required very little break-in time too.

I got a pair from these guys for $29.99 including shipping.

Probably the best pair of gloves I have had for mid weight, very nice leather, Keval and carbon fiber.

http://www.jackets4bikes.com/store/category.aspx?&Page=1&Sort=5&catid=23698

My next pair will come from these guys, great value and the fit is amazing.

Machog

I've been getting good prices from motogearoutlet.com. However, they are local to me in CO so I just go to their showroom and pick whatever I need. Super cool people. This morning I picked up a set of medium weight gloves and a tank bag from them. Regulars get an extra discount.

They did a poll on gloves on another board I belong to. The most recommended all round glove was the Cortech Adrenalin which I just bought last week ($74 on Ebay). Cool on the hands, excellent protection, quality and fit. There was a lot of complaints about poor quality from A* stars and Icon.

On Ebay select one of the retailers will allow you to make an offer. If you low ball it they will send you back their best price - thats how I got mine for $74. Most of the Ebay motorcycle apparel companies are aliases for ridersdirect.com

http://www.newenough.com/gloves/street_or_racing_gauntlet/cortech_by_tour_master/adrenaline_motorcycle_gloves.html