I finally got my set in the mail today. I got the red ones in a small. Prior to getting these, I had the A* GP Plus gloves, which were pretty good until they broke in, and then the uncomfortabilty(for me at least) set in. The A*, no doubt, has more protection than the DFMRs, but as the thin leather broke in and stretched, it started bunching up in places that reduced their comfy aspect. Around the joints of the fingers, leather would bunch up reducing the sensitivity and feel. Not only that, the A* had tight spots, especially around the wrist area, the thumb joint, and knuckles causing discomfort in longer or aggressive rides.
But enough about those. Lets shift over to the sweet awesome DFMRs! First off, the build quality is excellent. Double stitching, titanium and carbon fiber inserts, and really really soft leather. These are also SUPER LIGHT. You can actually feel the difference in weight compared to the GP Plus. These ones fit like, well, a glove! Unlike the GP Plus, the DFMRs don't have the inside lining for the fingers and palm. You can really feel the throttle and controls due to that. But the leather around that area on the DMFR is thicker than the GP Plus. Even with the thicker leather, it sometimes feels like you're wearing nothing at all. Yes it's that comfy. The leather is so soft it feels like it's already broken in the moment you put it on. There's these plastic inserts for your palm and pinky joint.. There's also a small grippy rubber pad on the palm area for increased grip on the bars. Carbon fiber inserts on the fingers and a small one for the ball of your wrist. And there's the beautiful titanium inserts laser etched with the Dainese logo. Despite all this protection, it feels like it's not even there. Actually, it feels a lot like my Mechanix gloves. As a matter of fact, I'm actually typing this with the gloves on. Yes, it's that comfy and you're actually able to feel with these gloves on. There's no tight spots, and no discomfort around the wrist. I can actually fit my silk glove liners under these without feeling like my hands are getting circulation cut off! They look frickin awesome too!
However, there's a couple downsides. First off is the price. At 300+ for a pair, it's more expensive than most helmets and jackets. Plus the limited availability. It's hard to find these at the color and size I wanted online. I had to order these at the official Dainese online store, whose customer service really sucks. It took about 2 weeks for me to get it and they didn't even let me know it shipped. AND they also priced the shipping wrong, so I had to pay the delivery guy 21 bucks. And it's protection for the wrist leaves a little to be desired. You have a small round carbon fiber insert for the ball of your wrist, and besides the leather, that's all you have. And not having an inside liner, these are not gloves you'd want or like to use in the cold unless you have some silk glove liners or something similar.
Despite some minor issues, these are probably the best gloves I have ever owned.
Pros:
Dainese quality
Lightweight
Protection in all the right places
Unmatched comfort for a race glove
Really soft leather
You can actually feel things
No binding or tight spots
Looks GREAT!
Cons:
Price
Could use a little more wrist protection
No insulation
Price
Is it worth the 300+ bucks? Yes! It's comfy for the street, yet protective enough for track use. If you're looking for a pair of gloves that you can use on the street and yet, rely on its protection on the track, then these are THE gloves. A* makes really bulky gloves for track use, but Dainese has worked magic with the FMRs. It has great protection, and yet, it's not bulky and uncomfortable. These really feel like a second skin. So if you can afford these, I highly suggest picking these up. It'll probably be the only gloves you'd want to wear.
Great write up.
Pictures please. ;D
yeah, much like other dainese gear, the FMR have the sexy...
I ended up going for some held phantoms but the FMR were a very close second.
Has anyone crashed a set of these yet?
Ahem... Spidey? Paging Spidey?
I was thinking of a pair of the top of the line A-stars - they're on sale at motostrano.com, but if these are better, well...
I've crashed a set of these in a rear-end accident almost a year ago now; guy in a brand new Porsche Cayenne Turbo(I remembered his car very well because it was a Ducati and a Porsche in a accident in the boonies haha [evil]) decided to stop for a changing green>>yellow light in the MIDDLE of the intersection, I admittedly was following closer than I should have so I clipped his bumber and landed with the bike on my left knee and hand sliding from ~50-0mph. The glove held up great! I came out with a badly torn knee (Express jeans didnt do very well...) and my hand sustained no injuries.
The carbon finger protectors on the little finger was worn through, that plastic piece in front of the knuckles was worn out but the leather held up and the carbon/titanium knuckles is probably what kept the bike from crushing my hand.
The one I had was the 06/07 model, for the new ones they changed the palm from just leather pads into the rubber grippy pads. I did relaced it with another set of FMR I highly recommend them if you can afford one.
FYI dont get the white one, they get really gross looking really fast [moto]
Quote from: Razgriz on March 27, 2009, 11:10:50 PM
I've crashed a set of these in a rear-end accident almost a year ago now; guy in a brand new Porsche Cayenne Turbo(I remembered his car very well because it was a Ducati and a Porsche in a accident in the boonies haha [evil]) decided to stop for a changing green>>yellow light in the MIDDLE of the intersection, I admittedly was following closer than I should have so I clipped his bumber and landed with the bike on my left knee and hand sliding from ~50-0mph. The glove held up great! I came out with a badly torn knee (Express jeans didnt do very well...) and my hand sustained no injuries.
The carbon finger protectors on the little finger was worn through, that plastic piece in front of the knuckles was worn out but the leather held up and the carbon/titanium knuckles is probably what kept the bike from crushing my hand.
The one I had was the 06/07 model, for the new ones they changed the palm from just leather pads into the rubber grippy pads. I did relaced it with another set of FMR I highly recommend them if you can afford one.
FYI dont get the white one, they get really gross looking really fast [moto]
Thanks.