I've been rolling in my Icon Merc longs for 3 seasons now. They held up really well, surprisingly, and even hit the pavement. Still usable, but they are showing their age. I've been browsing for new gloves for a while now. I've been looking for some upper end Alpinestars and more recently at the Teknic Speedmasters.
I came along a STEAL of a deal on a pair of Buell race gloves. I was skeptical, as I haven't seen any Buell gloves I really liked yet. I looked them over, by the shitty interweb pics they looked decent. They are (still) on close out at $29.99 from GrandRapids Harley.
I figured at 29 bucks, even if they suck, I'd give them a shot. If I don't like them I'd just keep looking at other stuff.
Well I got them 2 days after I ordered them. They arrived Friday. Wow, I'm impressed with these gloves. Really nicely constructed. Well padded. And some nice features.
The blue isn't that bright, the flash brightens it up:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/...f46c16ee_b.jpg
Hard plastic knuckle protectors. Double layer of leather over the fingers.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/...3eef5348_b.jpg
Double velcro enclosure on the gauntlet wrist. Really nice touch. Plus the standard wrist velcro.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/...ab44799f_b.jpg
Plastic protection over the palm area:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/...08fc4102_b.jpg
Some other material (not sure what it is) where the hand sits on the bars (and over the thumb):
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/...1b124205_b.jpg
I liked this about my Icon's too...a good bit of padding on the pinky finger with extra layers of leather:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/...f3269580_b.jpg
You can see a little extra wrist padding here as well:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/...56d98222_b.jpg
On the hand, very comfortable. Sized like my Icons. I wear a L in alot of gloves, but these are XL, as are the Icons and I wear a XL in A*.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/...241859c6_b.jpg
Other side:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/...5a4fe87f_b.jpg
Best part:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/...7407011b_b.jpg
At 29 bucks these can't be beat. Even if they dont last past one crash, which I hope not to find out.