Page 31 - RidingOn156 SPRING 2022

Snug as a bug in a glove. moulded PVC/
carbon mix
for scaphoid
Discovered during a recent expedition to find new motorcycle protection in
clothing was the Rukka GTX 3 Chamb Thermo Gloves. I had the wrist. On
been debating, justifying another pair of gloves as I’m turning the outside
into the Imelda Marcos of motorcycle gloves. Winter doesn’t is a left-hand
slow me down, but the comfort of my hands can suffer despite visor wiper,
toasty heated grips, and I hate wet hands inside gloves. These hi-vis logos
initially grabbed my attention due to the 3-finger design. They and reflective
aren’t a cheap pair at $185, but, the urge to try them on was piping as well.
too much. Arrhh! I was hooked. Snug as a bug in its fleecy In conclusion,
soft lining is the best way to describe how it feels. There is a it is on the
large variety of sizes, I chose one that was a bit larger for when pricier side but
on those particularly cold, frosty or snow rides, I could put an extremely well
extra inner liner inside. There hasn’t been a need for a liner at made and more
this point due to not being out riding in less than 6 degrees, to than meets the
test the theory. With the extra space in the 3 fingered design, primary desire
the heat from my grips was trapped inside the glove keeping for warm,
my fingers warm all over instead of the usual cold outer part comfortable,
of my hands. The decision for larger sizing proved handy for and dry hands
when my hands are wrapped around the handlebars it would on those cold
have been too tight on the tips of my fingers. They are reported winter rides.
to be water and windproof thanks to Gor-Tex and so far, have It is now my
proven worthy of it’s claim. The 3-finger style didn’t take long to go-to glove for
get used to while riding on touring trips. As a novice adventure sub 11-degree
rider, I still prefer to use the standard 5 finger glove when off riding. For further information, the Australian retailer for Rukka
the easy stuff, but with experience, that may change. The is Innotesco based in Cheltenham Victoria and online at www.
thicker finger design is a smidgen tricky when touching the innotesco.com.au. You may have seen Mari-Anne’s smiling face
glove-friendly GPS but with a minor adaption with my fingers, I at her trader’s stall during our past AGMs.
can still utilise all its features even when on the move. It does
not, however, have the touch screen fingers for phones and Holly Field #54062
tablets that most of Rukka’s other gloves. Knuckle protectors
are absent, but it does incorporate leather palms and a

PA020 Phone Mount with USB
Charging Port

While perusing the pages of ‘Australian Motorcyclist’ (you know, the magazine
that supports the caffeine and alcohol habits of Peter ‘The Bear’ Thoeming),
said ‘Bear’ mentioned that he bought a handlebar Mobile Phone mount from
Rocky Creek Designs. Peter explained “I am still discovering uses for my phone
on bikes in general”.
Like him, I’ve found that it’s the easiest way to negotiate our highways and
byways by using the Google Maps than stopping every 30 minutes (other than
a smoke or toilet break at those intervals?) and reading the map (and it’s
probably one of those books ‘Bear’s’ been selling us for decades!).
Anyway, this got me to thinking about my 1988 K100RT that, along with many
of its brethren, have had their electronic speedometer expire. I’d been using my
old mobile phone as a GPS (yes, there’s an excellent app for that!) but finding a
place to put it while checking speed and distance was problematic, even though
the old K has 2 fairing pockets.
A phone call to Janice at Rocky Creek Designs and the selected PA020 Phone
Mount with USB Charging Port was despatched. $49.95
The holder was extremely easy to fit and it cradles my old phone (Samsung S8
but also my new S10 too) securely. No doubt iPhone uses are catered for too.
There is plenty of adjustment so as to bring the face of the phone visible at just
the right angle while avoiding the reflective glare of bright days. The mount can
also be wired up to the bike’s power supply so as to do the wireless charging
thing, something I still need to do, but as I’m doing mostly short rides it hasn’t
been an issue.
What a great idea, thanks ‘Bear’.
Ian Parks #11735 – May Your Lid Never Skid.

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