Gear review: Harley-Davidson Windshielder Gauntlet Gloves

Since the winter riding season is over out here in San Diego (well, June Gloom is coming...) it is time to review the Harley Windshielder gauntlet gloves I used this winter.  After 7 seasons, my Joe Rocket gloves were beat-damaged, dirty and most the insulation collapses to about the thickness of two sheets of paper.  So using some gift certificates, I picked up a pair of the Windshielder gloves at one of the local Harley shops.  Here's a pic, courtesy of the H-D webpage:

First, about the quality of the gloves. Well made, soft leather so there really isn't much break-in time.  See the bike flap on the gauntler of the bottom glove?  The other side is all velcro-a huge patch that holds really well.  They fit true to size on my fairly average sized hands.  After fairly consistent use, all seams are holding with no "Irish pendants" or loose threads.  The knuckles aren't armored, and all four fingers are independent, not 3rd and 4th fingers sewed together like on road racing gloves.

The gloves are not too thick, which is ok for a San Diego winter, but had some drawbacks.  It rarely gets below 30F in SD, but I took a couple of rides into the high desert (Barstow/FT Irwin, 29 Palms/Desert Center, others) and got chilled.  This happened with my other gloves too-mostly because my hands are completely exposed, and to be honest, I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold on the bike.  If you live somewhere truly cold and wet, I'd only recommend these gloves for 3 season use, or behind a fairing.  I will likely run liners inside these gloves next winter going over Cajon Pass or other colder rides.

My only other complaint/issue is my previous Joe Rocket gloves had a little "squegee" on the back of the left thumb.  Sure, they lose "cool points" but did it ever come in handy.  And the incorporated squegee looks cooler than the ones you can wrap around your thumb I've seen on the aftermarket.

My verdict?  Good glove if you either have to have them say "Harley-Davidson", need a supple 3 season/mild winter glove, or have a gift card/chrome cash.