I recently had the chance to test out a new pair of motorcycle riding gloves from Joe Rocket called the Cafe Racer gloves. I love vintage-style bikes like the Honda CB750, and I was eager to see if these retro-looking gloves could provide decent protection without breaking the bank.
In this Joe Rocket Cafe Racer Gloves review, I’ll give you an in-depth look at the features and construction of the Cafe Racer gloves so you can decide if they are worth adding to your riding gear.
Joe Rocket Cafe Racer Gloves
Key Takeaways
- Comfy fit for cruising
- Good value leather glove
- Retro style, no protection
How Do the Cafe Racer Gloves Perform On The Road?
I’ve logged over 300 miles on my trusty Honda CB350 wearing the Cafe Racer gloves in conditions ranging from dry summer heat to light rain. Here’s my hands-on assessment:
The light padding and flexible leather construction make the gloves super comfy right from the start, with no break-in required.
The pre-curved fingertips let you easily operate controls, and the gel palm padding dampens vibrations. The perforated knuckles allow decent airflow to keep your paws from getting too sweaty in the summer.
The hidden wrist is elastic, and Lycra inserts team up with the back-hand stretch panel to allow easy manipulation of levers and handles without restriction. Throttle control remains precise, and the grippy leather instills confidence when maneuvering or braking in slick conditions.
While the Cafe Racer gloves provide decent abrasion protection for street riding, I found the minimal armor means they wouldn’t fare too well in a high-speed crash. The stitching also seems adequate, and I worry it might not hold up to a serious slide.
The retro style matches perfectly with brat bikes like my CB but probably wouldn’t mesh well with modern sports bikes. One annoyance is constantly dealing with the back-hand zipper, which starts to grate after a while.
Final Verdict on Joe Rocket’s Cafe Racer Gloves
Pros
- Slick vintage styling
- Lightweight leather build
- Gel padding eases vibration
- Perforated knuckles allow good airflow
- Pre-curved finger design
- Grippy palm compound
Cons
- Minimal impact protection
- Questionable slide durability
- The back-hand zipper is annoying
Who would I recommend the Cafe Racer gloves to? If you dig the throwback look and want reasonably durable leather gloves to pair with your vintage standard or cafe racer, they deliver good quality and comfort for a very reasonable $50.
Just keep the limitations in mind – the Cafe Racers prioritize retro style over hardcore protection, so they are best suited to urban cruising rather than track days or aggressive backroad carving.
If that sounds like your kind of riding, however, they will ward off abrasion while looking awesome, popping wheelies on your cherry CB750 Cafe Racer!
A Closer Look at the Cafe Racer Gloves
When it comes to protective motorcycle gloves, most options fall into two camps – hardcore racing gloves stuffed with armor that can handle going down at 100 mph or basic leather gloves that look cool but don’t offer much impact protection.
The Cafe Racer gloves try to strike a balance between safety and style, so I was curious to see if they lived up to the hype.
Right out of the box, the Cafe Racer gloves make a vintage fashion statement with their minimalist design and distressed brown leather finish.
The goatskin leather construction isn’t as thick or durable as premium race gloves, but it still seems like it would hold up reasonably well in a crash while providing a good feel and flexibility.
One unique feature is the zippered entry on the back of the hand. This helps get the snug-fitting gloves on and off but does raise concerns about whether that zipper would burst open in a get-off. Below the zipper is an accordion stretch panel which allows freer movement of the wrist.
The knuckle area incorporates some light padding beneath the leather along with perforations for ventilation. Spanning between the fingers is an elastic insert for added flex.
The palm has a patch of extra abrasion-resistant cowhide leather with some gel padding beneath. The glove tips are pre-curved for a more natural grip position.
Overall, while the Cafe Racer gloves (1) prioritize style over hardcore protection, they do include some decent safety features, considering their budget price point.
The blend of materials provides a good balance of flexibility and functionality for cruising around town on your vintage standard or cafe racer.
Rider Questions and Answers
Should I buy the Cafe Racer or Pilot Evo gloves?
If maximum protection is your priority, go with the Pilot Evo gloves. They feature way more armor and reinforcement for aggressive riding. However, if you want a solid leather glove that looks great with brat styles and vintage bikes under $100, the Cafe Racer is a great option.
How do the Cafe Racer gloves run sizing-wise?
Joe Rocket is an American company, so the Cafe Racer gloves use standard U.S. sizing. I typically wear an XL in most motorcycle gloves, and the size XL Cafe Racers fit perfectly. They run true to size, but if you’re in between, size up for a little extra comfort.
Can you add more palm sliders or armor to the Cafe Racer gloves?
The simple design doesn’t leave much room for adding extra protection. You may be able to stitch in an additional palm slider using a Teknic or Knox kit, but it would require punching an extra slider puck through the palm leather. I wouldn’t recommend trying to insert any extra armor.
And Finally…
The Cafe Racer gloves probably won’t become my go-to choice for attacking canyon twisties or heading out for track days.
The supple leather construction and minimal seams do instill confidence that they would provide decent abrasion resistance in a crash, however.
Where the Cafe Racers really shine is delivering cool heritage styling and a comfortable fit for casual urban cruising or relaxed weekend rides.
If your classic Norton Commando is your prized possession rather than the latest Panigale V4, the Cafe Racer gloves will look right at home for a very reasonable price. Just don’t expect race-glove levels of protection and they’ll treat you right!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Cafe Racer gloves or recommendations for other affordable options to pair with vintage motorbikes and brat builds. Hit me up in the comments!
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Sources: Motorcycle personal protective equipment (1)