Handlebar muffs

Airportbum

Airportbum

Premier Member
I have a 2018 goldwing. I use good winter gloves and have heated grips. I have a pair of heated gloves that I have used once.

I wonder if muffs will add an extra level of comfort?

Does anyone have any experience with hippo hands vs Wunderlich muffs vs the Oxford Super Handlebar muffs?

Any experience using them on a newer goldwing?
 
I have the 'Oxford Bone Dry' muffs earlier version of the Oxford Super Handlebar muffs for my Honda but its not a Goldwing. I just use them with my Buffalo or Frank Thomas winter gloves, no heated gloves or heated grips and my hands remain toasty warm hour after hour. So much so at times I've had to change into my Frank Thomas summer gloves.

They're not perfect and my cons for the Bone Dry Muffs are it can be a bit of an effort to fit them, if the orientation isn't just right or the wrap around is not just so they can fill with rain. Once or twice on the road I've had to resort to duct tape to keep the rain from ingressing the wrap over parts. They need additional stiffening to stop them folding in on clutch/brake lever at speeds over 50 or 60 mph, I fit a pair of track style bar end lever guards which work just fine but adds to the install effort. In use they take a bit of getting used to in slide your hands in/out as opposed to the normal lifting your hands off of the bars.

Would I recommend them? Yes. They are the best solution I've found to keep the wind chill off the back of the hands with heated grips they'd probably be too warm. I only use mine in January and February (UK temperatures around +5°C to -5°C plus wind chill) and only then if it gets too cold for my Buffalo winter gloves with Seal Skin gloves underneath.
 
Last edited:
I had the hippo hands with the FJR. I've since moved on to the 2018 Goldwing, but the Hippo's require a "skeleton" to hold them in place. I had installed guards on the FJR but sold them with the bike. So now I've got to figure out a way to hold the hippo's in place. I was surprised at how little info there is to adding these to the GW, as the biggest plus side is the ability to keep your hands dry as well as warmer. I highly recommend some sort of cover (haven't tried the others), as on a long ride, you've got a good chance of coming up on weather.
 
Fair point @sector7g originally purchased mine to combat wind chill. Big bonus, fitted correctly, they also keep your hands bone dry. I think its the nature of all muffs to require a skeleton to keep them in place, my solution was a pair of track style lever guards.

Something like this, cheap as chips off fleabay

lever guards.jpg
 
I've got the Hippo Hands "Alcan" and I've "field tested" them down to 20F with summer gloves; they work so well I had to turn _down_ the heated grips! They're a thicker material I mentally think of as "neoprene" -- not sure that's exactly what they are, but *hand_wave* I'll also echo @JohnR about keeping you dry; I've taken to carrying them on any trip where rain is a possibility... packing-wise, they don't scrunch or "crush" or fold down terribly well; the best solution is to sort of nest them down and make them a liner of sorts in the bottom of your luggage.

Attachment for the HH is relatively straightforward, a couple flaps of velcro and a sturdy snap button, a little apron "flap" that wraps around the handlebars, and a cutout to accommodate the mirror stalk.
 
I've been thinking of making some 'hippo hands' of sorts, custom fit to go over my Touratech hand guards. if the northern border opens I want to ride to Alaska. I think they'd be a good combo with my lil' Beemer's heated grips.
 
Rumor has it that muffs can be sourced from sno-machine equipment, quad dealers, farm/ag equipment suppliers, and a wide ranging search of that innerweb thingie. The trick is to not limit the search with 'motorcycle' terms.
And I always luv to see what riders concoct as 'home-built'. Buy a sheepskin from Ikea and sew the fleece on the inside and treat the outside with a little Lexol.
ymmv
fran
 
Sportsterpaul said:
Fran, always gives me a smile to see you post, glad you’re still active.
Click to expand...
Thanx.
I check in ever so often.
Sometimes I get kicked in my ass by my Muse to post some shit.
I got that box checked to watch threads.
And I been gettin 'summaries' that sometimes piques my curiosity.

I got a new-to-me '16 Tiger XC 800 about 2yrs ago. No certs on it yet. Biggest surprise was picking it up from a tip-over. Printed stats say it weighs 475+/-. I weighed mine and found it to be an actual 570lbs (wtf,grrr). Fair warning to all: nowadays ya gotta actually weigh/pick-up the bike before buying it. While I was at it, I weighed it at the handlebars from that position where it is just clear of ground but just on the tires = 211lbs. Yeah-no, I am not picking that up by myself. Dog knows what it would weigh with all the LD crap on it? Might have to start packing that strap jack in my old age? Used one of those airport luggage weigh straps on it at the hndlbrs. 38lbs laterally to pick it off the side stand which is a lot if one has short legs/tall seat and no leverage/traction at the boot. 18lbs to right it from a 2x4 block under the side stand.

still tryin to have fun
fran

edit: the temptation of posting "jack strap" was avoided. But we awl should start referring to that bit of equip by that name. Who knows? The term could become hilariously ubiquitous?
 
Last edited:
Have always respected your experience and sense of humor. If the good Lord is willing I might see 80 next year. Oh my current sportster is a claimed 500 lbs., not sure if my body could pick it up, maybe with some adrenaline? Keep it safe on your “Tiger”!
 
I use hippo hands and fit them both to my 2024k1600 gtl with the included hardware from hippo hands and use them on the 2026 r1300 gsa without any additional hardware. They allow one to wear summer gloves almost year round. I would say summer gloves work down to about 35 degrees with them and they are actually wonderful in spring and fall to keep rain from going up your sleeves. So they help with both cold and rain. I like the hippo hands precisely because they do not fit tight like a glove or gauntlet system so you have freedom to move your hands into and out of them at will as u ride. When the weather is right they also protect your wrists from the sun and also help with protection against masses of bugs (i used them extensively on my trip to alaska this past summer).
 
I have been using Hippo Hands for longer than I can recall. Easy to use and easy to remove and put in the bags when I don't need them.

Try 'em, you'll like them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top