Since I have heated grips on my 2020 T120, I'm wondering if I really need to get bulky winter gloves or just get handlebar muffs. I have ski gloves and snowmobile gloves that are very warm but don't have protection and are bulky. They work but I want more protectiion so I'd like to wear my medium motorcycle gloves in the muffs utilizing the heated grips. But, never used muffs and wonder about the safety of them. I've searched the site but only found one comment about relying on heated grips in muffs. Any sage advice?
J Man
Winter gloves vs. muffs
Well, consider that gloves are essential safety equipment, with the extra added benefit of keeping your hands warm in the winter. So, I’d wear gloves even if the muffs and heated grips kept my hands comfortable warm. Of course, you might find that medium or even light weight gloves would be sufficient in conjunction with the heated grips.
Yeah, I want to wear medium weight motorcycle gloves in the muffs vs. wearing big bulky winter gloves. Just never used the muffs before and they restrict your view of controls like turn signals and kill switch, etc.
Since the grips tend to warm only the gripping part of your hands , I've found that lever protectors with shields (like numerous dirt bikes have) is a
non bulky effective way to keep the heat around your hands (and don't interfere with unforeseen emergencies ) . Peter
non bulky effective way to keep the heat around your hands (and don't interfere with unforeseen emergencies ) . Peter
Coupled with my cut-down Baja front shield , I am very very comfy in 40F (4+ C) at speed. IMHO, a forward shield (at a perfect angle for ME that provides half-speed smooth air at my head) is the best. I've found the available small shields look great but do nothing for my comfort. I've had the shown center shield on three bikes now. I need a substantial vertical component to it to smoothly divert 60% of the wind. Go figure. I used Triumph's OEM brackets that screw-in to threaded holes in the OEM lamp bracket. Sweet. The mirrors have transferred also. Mounted to the 'busters and not the bar-end, about 2" forward. 
It's winter so it will still be cold after you get off the bike, so unless you want to walk around with your hands in your pockets all day, winter gloves are the answer. My fave is gloves plus plastic handshields in front of my levers, since it is actually the wind that really chills your hands, not the ambient air temp.
I think muffs with summer weight leather gloves using heated grips is the best. I have small hands, have all sorts of winter gloves and heated Gerbing gloves, but they are all very bulky when riding. You wouldn't take long to acclimate to not seeing your hands or the controls. I don't look at the controls when warm weather riding. It's more mental than anything else. If you block the wind, you will be warm. Same goes for any apparel that has windstop material. You can always wear glove liners for when your off the bike. The muffs should be mounted over brush guards anyway to keep the wind from collapsing the muff onto the lever.
Another idea is Electric Heated gear, I have both the gloves and a jacket. I first used Heated gear in 2010 and wished I did it earlier. The bike I use it own has heated grips which is nice, it's always there; but heated gloves are much better. I also have a dual controller that has infinite adjustability not just a on/off switch and I can control the gloves and jacket independently of each other. I would just make sure that your electrical system can handle the extra draw. I also have Hippo hands and though cumbersome they do work, haven't used it since heated gear. BTW it wasn't a cheap investment, but not having to wear so many layers and dial in a comfortable temperature made it worth it to me.
Not that I ride in real cold temps like I use to but I have few nice gloves for different temps if needed. Never had heated grips on a bike yet. For cold weather on my Harley and TTR I have a pair of 40 grm Thinsulate soft leather gauntlets that are not to shabby for a certain degree of cold temps and for the sportbike or any bike I have some Fieldsheer F.1.'s that are great for real cold temps and wind.
I do have a electric heated vest too if needed and chaps with a liner for cold weather on the Harley.…FTG
![Image]()
I do have a electric heated vest too if needed and chaps with a liner for cold weather on the Harley.…FTG
Thanks everyone. Obviously a personal preference, but great feedback. I try not to ride anytime temps drop below freezing as I want to avoid any ice (same when I'm bicycling.) My awareness of the wind stripping away body heat is what has me looking at options. I've got methods for everything else but the hands to stay warm even at highway speeds. Seems like I need to try the muffs or lever guards to keep the wind away. I've got two pairs of cold weather motorcycle gloves and I'm not happy with them, so this seems like the next step. I unfortunately have monster hands with short stubby fingers - great for swimming but not so good for glove fits.
Had handlebar muffs on one of my bikes years ago, absolutely amazing for keeping the cold at bay, I could ride short distances quite easily without any gloves inside them and only used thin motocross gloves on longer rides. I do understand that their "dorky" looks can be a bit challenging for some to get on with though! Hand guards can help keep the wind blast off somewhat but they aren't anything like as effective as muffs IMHO.
I agree with everyone that mentioned the hand shields, I have them on my enduro. And they are very effective in colder weather. One thing about gloves. I had a pair that was made for snowmobiling, had some sort of rubberized wind-protection on the top side. They worked well in keeping my hands warm. But, that material froze up and became very stiff. Making it near impossible to operate my brake/clutch etc. Leather doesn't seem to do that.
Many people in my riding community absolutely love them. I plan on trying a cheap pair even though I don't have heated grips. The most important tip I've gotten from them is to make sure the opening is not restricted. Not as warm as cuffed or overstuffed mitts but much safer. Allowing easy hands off and back on the controls as needed. Second consideration is how the fit around the handlebar switches and mirrors. Hippo Hands are popular but have become very expensive. Several like oxford, but there is whole host of styles from Amazon.
Definitely heated grips, medium gloves and handlebar muffs imo. Operating the levers are no problem with light to medium gloves. As already mentioned, the wind will slowly strip away the heat throughout the day. You will need barkbusters or full wrap around plastic guards to mount them too. Just today I spent 7 hours in 22-36 degree temps with my heated grips on medium to low. Toasty. (I’m using the OBR Adv gear muffs)
(Wrong forum to show this bike, but you get the idea)
![Image]()
(Wrong forum to show this bike, but you get the idea)
The one thing I just realized is that I have bar end mirrors, so the muffs aren't designed for those. I'd have to modify or switch to standard mirrors. The hand guards seem to make more sense but also require hardware to mount. Hmmm....
Handshields usually come with all the necessary hardware. Usually its just a couple of screws. Sometimes they just snap right on.
I don't wear gloves at all but in winter I just wear woolie fingerless gloves just for the morning cold, our winters are pretty mild in the sub tropics and yes after 50 years of riding I still have all my fingers, not the same wearing gloves as I like to feel my bike through my hands and handlebars, padded gloves you don't get that feel, but I do wear MX gloves while riding the dirt bike just for a bit of protection from the bush.
currently in the same situation, but mainly because I put some decent money into my bike this year so want to ride for longer, or at least until it actually snows in my area. heated grips are in my shopping list for next year. so this year I went with a little thicker winter leather gloves and barkbusters hand guards. the barkbusters help also with the bikes look since I have a street scrambler and it adds a more of an off road look.
I live in Anchorage and all I wear is a loin cloth all winter. Just kidding, I have discovered that 55 degrees is my limit on a naked bike no matter what I am wearing. To each their own.
I have a new T120....I also have about 6 pairs of gloves. My $25 pair of handlebar muffs are a god-send....and I use them for 3 months/year. I also use a tall screen from Parabelum.
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Both winter gloves and muffs are designed to keep hands warm, but they differ in coverage and functionality. Gloves provide individual finger coverage, allowing dexterity and fine motor control, while muffs cover the entire hand and wrist, providing more warmth and protection, but limited dexterity. But i suggest sheepskin gloves are the best winter gloves for outdoor activity like driving bike & more. because i use sheepskin gloves from brand Draper of Glastonbury. Sheepskin Slippers and Boots | Sheepskin Footwear from Drapers
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