Every motocross rider understands the importance of wearing a helmet. It's the only thing protecting your skull from the ground if you're in a crash, which is a likely scenario if you're an avid motocross rider. The same goes for your boots. One ride without boots and you risk a snapped ankle. Gloves, on the other hand (bad pun intended), might seem like an afterthought or unnecessary -- they shouldn't be. Your gloves are as important a component in your motocross gear as your helmet and boots. Why? Here are a few reasons.
Grip
The most obvious reason is grip. Sure, your hands alone can provide adequate grip on a leisurely ride, but when motocross is on the menu it's just not enough. Your hands are guaranteed to sweat in the heat of the day and in the heat of a race, and it's only a matter of time before they become spattered with mud and dirt. Motocross gloves are made from protective and breathable fabric, like leather, often with palms made from synthetic moisture-wicking materials. Some of the best gloves have silicone in the palm for extra grip. The right gloves will give you the perfect grip on your bars and throttle even when soiled, inside and out. And you know how important it is to have sensitivity on the throttle during a race.
Protection
Your hands are fragile, even more so than your skull. One crash without protective gloves and you could easily end up with irreparable damage to your hands. But gloves provide protection for more than just crashes -- you also need a barrier to protect you from speeding projectiles like rocks and gravel, spit out at you from the thrashing tires of other riders. What about when you're riding through sagebrush, cacti, or thorny bramble? You can easily become injured if your hands aren't covered. Consider getting gloves with thorn-proof palm padding and extra polycarbonate knuckle protection.
Reduces Numbness
Nothing makes you lose your grip faster than numb hands. If you can't feel the throttle beneath your grip, you can't race. You have nerves running right through the palm of your hand; those nerves are called the ulnar and median nerves. Numbness can result from constant irritation to those nerves, often escalating into carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies have shown that exposure to consistent vibration, like riding a dirt bike, is a common cause of carpal tunnel. Gloves with adequate padding can protect those nerves in your palm and help reduce the risk of numbness and carpal tunnel.
For more information about the best motocross gear for your next race, contact companies like Bob's Cycle & Snowmobile Supply.
