number9
04-09-2006, 02:14 PM
REVIEW - MSR Hand Deflectors
Purchased from http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=928&department=656&Division=6
The MSR Hand Deflectors are used a lot by dirtbikers and ATV'ers to keep mud, water and rain off the hands and handlebar controls. I had seen a few guys using the Hippo Hands on their streetbikes but I don't like the idea of having my hand off the bars and having to try and get them back into the Hippo Hands in a panic situation. The MSR hand Deflectors are open in the back and don't resent this problem. The deflectors are a flexible piece of thin plastic covered with fabric and attach around the bars with a simple D-ring strap. When you take them off they flatten out and store very nicely in the saddlebags on my ST1100.
I ordered these a couple weeks ago but didn't want to give a review until I had a chance to test them out. I got that chance this weekend on the ride to the Moonshine Lunch Run in Moonshine, IL.
Temps were between high 30's and low 50's throughout the 600 mile round trip. I started out with Held Profi gloves covered by the Aerostich Triple Digit rain covers. This setup did fairly good at keeping my hands from freezing but about 150 miles into the trip it was time to stop for a restroom break, drink some coffee to warm my core up and put on some more layers. My hands were getting pretty cold at this point so I decided to try the MSR Hand Deflectors out. I also put on a pair of insulated winter gloves (not riding gloves). The MSR deflectors did a great job of keeping the bitter cold wind (at 80mph on the interstate) off my hands. I made the remainder 150 miles to Moonshine, IL with my hands very comfy.
I don't feel comfortable from a safety stand point with the winter gloves on, so on the trip back I decided to wear the Held Profi's and keep the MSR deflectors on. The entire trip back my hands were comfortable protected from the wind. They did get a little cool at times, but not cold as they usually do when they are exposed to wind riding in temps around high 50's to low 60's for extended periods of time.
These MSR deflectors did a wonderful job of keeping the cold wind off my hands and looking back, I should have put them on when I left home that morning. They are money well spent.
Purchased from http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=928&department=656&Division=6
The MSR Hand Deflectors are used a lot by dirtbikers and ATV'ers to keep mud, water and rain off the hands and handlebar controls. I had seen a few guys using the Hippo Hands on their streetbikes but I don't like the idea of having my hand off the bars and having to try and get them back into the Hippo Hands in a panic situation. The MSR hand Deflectors are open in the back and don't resent this problem. The deflectors are a flexible piece of thin plastic covered with fabric and attach around the bars with a simple D-ring strap. When you take them off they flatten out and store very nicely in the saddlebags on my ST1100.
I ordered these a couple weeks ago but didn't want to give a review until I had a chance to test them out. I got that chance this weekend on the ride to the Moonshine Lunch Run in Moonshine, IL.
Temps were between high 30's and low 50's throughout the 600 mile round trip. I started out with Held Profi gloves covered by the Aerostich Triple Digit rain covers. This setup did fairly good at keeping my hands from freezing but about 150 miles into the trip it was time to stop for a restroom break, drink some coffee to warm my core up and put on some more layers. My hands were getting pretty cold at this point so I decided to try the MSR Hand Deflectors out. I also put on a pair of insulated winter gloves (not riding gloves). The MSR deflectors did a great job of keeping the bitter cold wind (at 80mph on the interstate) off my hands. I made the remainder 150 miles to Moonshine, IL with my hands very comfy.
I don't feel comfortable from a safety stand point with the winter gloves on, so on the trip back I decided to wear the Held Profi's and keep the MSR deflectors on. The entire trip back my hands were comfortable protected from the wind. They did get a little cool at times, but not cold as they usually do when they are exposed to wind riding in temps around high 50's to low 60's for extended periods of time.
These MSR deflectors did a wonderful job of keeping the cold wind off my hands and looking back, I should have put them on when I left home that morning. They are money well spent.