THE MOTORBIKE GLOVES HISTORY (En)

on track

since ‘77

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«The motorcycle glove is our Story.»

The story of Spidi, rooted in the tradition of artisan leather craftsmanship began in northeast Italy.

In 1977, Spidi’s founder, and my father, Renato Dalla Grana produced early models of leather gloves with a singular vision of motorcycle apparel.

These gloves were specially designed to improve safety and riding performance on two wheels.

Until this time, no one else had thought of designing and building a pair of gloves specifically for motorbikes, nor with the technical features to meet the comfort and protection needs of the motorcyclist. For more than thirty years, Spidi has realized inimitable gloves with a unique know-how kept alive by great entrepreneurial passion and love of motorcycling.

«Nicola Dalla Grana»

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«since 1977» The first motorcycle glove manufactured in the Spidi workshop burst onto scene in 1977.

Crafted by masters in leather manufacturing, a Spidi racing glove is a work of art!

The perfect result of both style and technology. 1978 brought us the first Spidi ergonomic racing glove.

It was reinforced, in subsequent years, by metal studs on the palm of the hand.

Spidi gloves are made with inner stitchings both for protection and to exponentially increase resistance to abrasion and tearing.

In the ‘90s, we introduced synthetic materials to our riding gloves. With the gauntlet, the design of the glove evolved and became an aerodynamic extension of the suit. Spidi continued its experimentation with the first applications of thermoformed composite material, like carbon, and the use of air vents.

In 2000, we introduced plaques made by materials compressed at high pressure, designed to better adapt to the hand’s anatomic features. Below this, Spidi shock absorbers silicon inserts. Nowadays wearing a Spidi’s glove means wearing more than 35 years spent in research and innovation.

«Spidi Story»

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THE MOTORBIKE GLOVES

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THE STORY STARTED ON TRACK Spidi glove evolution comes straight from motorsport championships worldwide. Starting in the ‘70s to support the great champions with careful observation of the riding positions, Spidi began innovative research that achieved important technical results and changed the motorcycle glove’s technical design forever.

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THE LEGENDARY GLOVE There is a common element among the 500cc World Motorcycling Championships winners between 1978 and 1985: they used the same glove. This is the legendary “Speed”, the pioneer of racing gloves that marked an era of racing on track. Brought to the top positions by Kenny Roberts, it was worn later by Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson and Franco Uncini.

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CRAFTED ON TRACK The racetracks became Spidi’s research laboratory and direct experience served to perfect the best comfort and safety for their motorcycle gloves. Spidi technicians follow every weekend of the World Championships and the performance of riders, to record every observation about comfort and fitting of the glove during the race. Each race has been a stimulus to improve the performance of the gloves even further.

Spidi gained an historical archive fundamental to improve gloves in the stock production.

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MASTER THE ART OF MANUFACTURING Spidi can count on real masters of leather manufacturing.

These artisans choose the leather, cut, sew, iron, and innovate, combining technical fabrics with new concepts. Everyday manufacturing wisdom, with its origin in tradition, conquers new technological goals. Since 1977 this passionate attitude guides Spidi around each turn on the course: using artisan craftsmanship to build masterpieces of technology.

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MASTERS OF STITCHINGS The crafting of a good leather glove requires experience and high level technical capabilities. In Spidi we can count about real tradition in the crafting of gloves.

SEAMS Seams are stitched inside the glove: this way they remain covered increasing exponentially the abrasion resistance.

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PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY

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Spidi introduced Keramide membranes within their gloves. This synthetic material, specifically developed by the Safety Lab for motorcycle apparel, utilizes abrasion resistance and temperature absorption in case of a fall.

THE TRADITION OF INNOVATION Spidi’s artisan tradition is backed by its long-term collaborators with over 70.000 hours of experience in the manufacture of motorcycle gloves. This heritage, combined with the philosophy of improvement, innovation and passion, along with customers needs and the way they change over time, are the secret of Spidi success. The goal is to improve every season with the best leathers, yarns and other technical innovations.

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WARRIOR PROTECTIONS

The Warrior protections applied to our gloves come from a technology developed for Spidi back protectors. These elements are produced with a particular cell construction and composite material, able to ergonomically follow all the movements of the hand and to oppose the impacts with a better absorption than conventional shock absorbers.

COMPOSITE MATERIALS

Spidi synthetic composite materials research revolutionized the motorcycle glove. These materials are created according to specific requirements of resistance to impact and abrasion. This research led to important results to promote sliding after the fall, increasing lightness and ergonomics.

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MIXED LEATHERS

From the beginning, Spidi has used sheep and goat leather to make the softest and most comfortable gloves in its range. Young animals that are slaughtered for alimentary reasons cause the leather to be supple and durable.

Thanks to its compressibility, the flaps can be sewn very tight, without causing any discomfort on the inside.

GOAT LEATHER FOR GLOVES

It is generally used in the palms of the gloves, because it has a very durable grain and doesn’t wear with rubbing and abrasion. It is also applied to waterproof leather gloves because of its natural water resistance.

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CALF LEATHER

It’s the most used leather by Spidi for the realization of sport gloves.

It has a particular mineral tanning with alum, which guarantees an exceptional softness and unique mechanical characteristics. But the most interesting detail is the elasticity our cutters exploit in the chosen points to facilitate movements of the glove while riding.

LAMB LEATHER

It’s the leather chosen for gloves devoted to urban mobility.

Refined in the grain, soft as silk, it’s ideal for those who use the gloves during and after the ride.

MATERIALS All Spidi leathers used for glove production are selected by experts who have honed over the years a unique competence and an ability to recognize the best quality for the glove.

Choosing the right materials is the first fundamental step to realize a Spidi glove.

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H2OUT® MEMBRANE The H2OUT membrane has been conceived specifically to address the problems of riding motorcycle in bad weather conditions, when water and wind penetrate the fabric while the body temperature lowers.

WATER REPELLENCY

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Our membrane has a water repellancy level of 80/100 after 20 washes.

SIMULATION

Thanks to the collaboration with Japanese company Toray, Spidi routinely tests the membranes using the “Tecnorama” environment simulator, wherein technicians are able to reproduce extreme weather conditions that bikers are never going to face in real life.

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MEMBRANE MICROPOROSITY The microporous structure of the membrane is created by laminating polyurethane filaments acting as the collagen fibers of the human skin. Among these fibers there are several interstices allowing the steam molecule to pass, while blocking the entrance of water droplets.

WATERPROOFNESS

The membrane used in our gloves has a water resistance equal to 10.000mm water column.

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MASTER THE ART TO PROTECT Spidi Safety Lab embodies a wider concept: an organic and functional program aimed at focusing on the motorcyclist’s different protection requirements.

Safety Lab includes a team of experts and a research program on the international level with a declared commitment: integrate the success of the Spidi design with the most advanced solutions in the field of safety.

PROTECTION Daily carrying analysis of various cases of injury suffered by motorcyclists involved in accidents and comparing with competition experience of their riders.

SAFETY LAB re-invented the concepts of back protectors, shoulder/elbow kits, chest protection and Airbag application on motorbike clothing with the DPS line.

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SAFETY IS OUR MISSION Motorcyclist safety is the concept at the heart of Spidi philosophy.

Among the first to incorporate the CE certifications on motorcycle clothing, we generated a concept of safety that exceeds standards.

In our products, lightness, comfort, ergonomics, breathability and biomechanical abilities become added values to safety.

CERTIFICATION

One of the tests we submit to our products is the abrasion resistance, using the Martin Dale machine, according to UNI EN 388 2004 parameters.

TESTING THE LIMIT When entering the doors of SAFETY LAB, the mission is to overcome the limits and reconsider the standards. This is possible using the newest materials and the latest technologies, combining them together and verifying the results with continuous tests.

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KERAMIDE

In addition to double leather that resists abrasion and dissipates temperatures caused by an asphalt slide, the glove has Keramide felt and stitchings on the inside.

LEARNING TO FALL Since 1977, Spidi technicians collect and examine racers gloves after every crash.

For 36 years, we’ve gathered data allowing us to implement better comfort to the glove. More comfort for the rider means more safety and control during the ride.

Over time, the speed, cornering and inclinations may change, but Spidi’s commitment to ride needs hasn’t.

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CARBON SHIELDS

To reduce damages during a crash it’s important not to stop the hand all of a sudden, on the road surface while sliding.

Otherwise, all energy and friction will hit the hand.

For this reason we apply on most of the surface of the glove specific shields in carbon, able to slide on the ground.

PROTECTIONS We used external shields to create protective bridges; with the heights of the protections, the lower parts of the glove won’t be involved during the slide.

SEAMS Since the beginning, we’ve always understood that seams are the most exposed area of the glove in the event of a crash. For this reason we apply inner seams not exposed to abrasion and a leather insert completely covering the seams in the area of maximum abrasive exposure.

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“THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF NOBORU UEDA: THE RIDER WITH A BIONIC HAND” -LA STAMPA-

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“NOBORU UEDA’S RETURN IS A LITTLE SIGN OF HOPE FOR EVERYONE.” -LA REPUBBLICA-

PIONEER OF BIOMECHANICS SINCE 1995 THE MOTORBIKE GLOVES

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THE “UEDA MIRACLE“: HE WILL RUN WITH AN ELASTIC GLOVE. MIRACULOUS COME BACK IN BARCELONA’S GP. -CORRIERE DELLA SERANOBORU UEDA: THE RIDER WITH THE MAGIC GLOVE. THE JAPANESE SHOWS UP ON TRACK WITH A SEMI-PARALYZED HAND. -LA GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT-

THE UEDA MIRACLE

Montmelò, 1995. One hundred days from a crash severing his right arm’s radial nerve, 125cc Vice World Champion Noboru Ueda was back on track giving motorcycle enthusiasts a most memorable race.

Ueda started in 5th position and finished 11th, an excellent result considering he wasn’t even supposed to race that weekend. The result was possible thanks to what the press described as the “glove of miracles”: conceived and developed by Spidi under supervision by Dr. Costa, the glove featured elastic tensors able to re-open the rider’s hand after breaking, movement made impossible by the near-paralysis from the accident.

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BIOMECHANICS

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Medical research determined what movement were best for maximize effectiveness during rehabilitation. Spidi has repeatedly been called on as a Company that can boost experience and knowledge with biomechanics applied to these gloves.

This is thanks to the success of the “magic glove” created for Noboru Ueda.

THE GLOREHA EXPERIENCE Gloreha is a medical device designed for the rehabilitation of the hands of people affected by stroke. A unique experiment in the world, it’s able to bring tangible benefits, and a very low cost, to a large number of people.

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COLLABORATIONS This project originally called “Ortesimano” and born from the intuition of Idrogenet, a community made up of 11 companies in the District of Brescia that cooperate and share research and development of new products.

RESEARCH CNR National Research Council (branch of Lecco) and the University of Brescia participated in this project with Spidi.

Research and testing began in 2009 and the finished product was released in 2011.

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PIETRO ZANETTI - Spidi Safety Lab Manager THE MOTORBIKE GLOVES

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1977, STORY STARTS HERE The story of Spidi started in the garage of the founder Renato Dalla Grana, in Montebello Vicentino, the largest tanning district in Europe.

Dalla Grana identified a need for motorcyclists that no one gave answer yet: technical motorcycle gloves offering various solutions to different kind of two wheels uses.

This became Spidi’s winning approach since the beginning.

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THE SPEED KENNY REPLICA 1978 brought forth the symbol of Spidi production: Renato Dalla Grana started on the 500cc MotoGPs race tracks.

He followed the riders and listened to their needs.

The Speed Kenny glove was taken to the top titles in the World Championships by four different riders, from 1978 to 1985.

KENNY ROBERTS

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World Champion 1978-1979-1980 Class 500cc

EDDIE LAWSON World Champion 1984-1985 Class 500cc

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FRANCO UNCINI World Champion 1982 Class 500cc

FREDDIE SPENCER World Champion 1983 Class 500cc

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MATERIALS

YKK zippers: Spidi always chooses the best quality for components.

MATERIALS

Inside the zipper is rider’s signature.

MATERIALS

The sleeve is 0,7 mm - 0,8 mm thick horse leather for more resistance.

MATERIALS

The first Spidi logo, a cat with a motorcycle helmet.

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MATERIALS

Hem finished by hand; all wire welding are made not in a mechanical way, but manually knotting the thread.

MATERIALS Soft and resistant sheep and goat hides “metis”, with a thickness of 0.6 mm-0, 7mm. Silky at the touch and comfortable.

MATERIALS

Thanks to a genuine tanning is able to dissipate perspiration and always ensure enough grip on the handlebar.

TECH INSIDE REPLICA 77 GLOVE The Speed Kenny Was Made with only 64 pieces. A sophisticated model of simplicity and pure ‘70s style, it became an icon of two wheels racing history. This Spidi glove model opened a new method and inspired all subsequent production of motorcycle gloves.

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BRASS STUDS These were introduced to facilitate sliding of the glove and abrasion opposition, in case of a fall.

MATERIALS

Using Gutterman yarn in strong polyester three-lobed and twisted, guaranteed elasticity to the glove, as well as strength and toughness to the stitchings.

MATERIALS

Leather and MTP layers to absorb the heat of the abrasion and reduce the pressure of the palm on the handlebar, protecting the most exposed stitchings.

MATERIALS

The glove is cut with metal tine mechanically operated by a press to ensure a clean cut and the maintenance of the dimensions of the piece during years.

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EMILIANO BUSACCHI - Spidi Product Manager THE MOTORBIKE GLOVES

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DESIGNING THE GLOVE OF THE FUTURE Today we challenge our designers to bring know-how from decades of research and racing into the future.

Spidi’s ambition has always been to design and produce a tool that makes you feel free to express your riding style. Our gloves, designed, developed and industrialized in Italy, immediately give you a feeling of control and protection.

From these excellent results and young designers, Spidi continues to evolve.

This ensure that Spidi will put high quality cycling products on the market for years to come.

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CONTROL, SPEED, SAFETY. Since its beginning, Spidi has been present on the tracks of the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships. The ongoing dialogue with riders wearing our gloves during the races became, over the years, a wealth of knowledge in the search for new solutions in motorcycle safety. The gloves of the riders involved in accidents are stored in an up-to-date archive.

TESTED ON TRACK

Race after race, we refine our product standards for security and comfort. This is done by listening to riders during practice and after a race, analyzing the behavior of our gloves and race suits in case of a crash, and always testing new solutions for improvement.

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OUR RIDERS The standards of protection and quality of our products are recognized and acknowledged by the riders we support, by the continuity of technical partnerships that binds us to the team, the motorcycle enthisiasts wearing Spidi since over 30 years, to better enjoy their passion for two wheels.

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MICROFIBER SUEDE

High resistance Clarino™ microfiber: a soft and durable synthetic leather, which is used on the palm with textured polyurethane to increase the grip on the handlebar in critical conditions.

SHOCK ABSORBER

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Made with a silicone moldable material, this insert memorize the shape of the knuckles when squeezed slowly and absorbs shocks if struck harder.

WARRIOR SHIELD

Made with a sandwich of anti-intrusion polyethylene and shock absorber polypropylene, ensures an impact absorption level never seen before, and thanks to its geometry fits the hand ergonomically and follows the movements during the ride.

LEATHER

Calf leather, tanned in Japan: mineral tanning with alum, air-dried with a light polyurethane finishing that stabilizes the hide, increasing resistance to tearing and abrasion.

KERAMIDE

450g/m2 Keramide on the palm working with felt.

It opposes to impact, abrasion and heat transfer generated by abrasion.

TECH INSIDE CARBOTRACK

From the racetrack to the street: Carbotrack, Spidi’s racing glove evolution with Warrior Technology. Tested in the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships by Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Melandri, this brand new racing glove devoted to sport use adopts a top level protection kit.

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INTRODUCING THE SHIELDED GLOVE Among the main features there is the revolutionary shield applied on the outside of the glove in Powertech with Warrior Technology to protect the wrist, the ulna head, the palm side and the little finger.

CARBON SHIELD

The carbon transformed and coupled with hardening resins, provides optimal levels of skidding, anti-intrusion, structural rigidity, compression and abrasion resistance.

DUMPER

Soft siliconic material, able to take the shape of the knuckles under the carbon shield, ensuring maximum comfort, ergonomics and shock absorption.

KERAMIDE

300g/m2 Keramide shuttle worked with thermal activated glue, able to oppose to impact, abrasion and heat transmission on the hand.

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Carbon protection on metacarpus, knuckles and fingers.

Siliconic shockabsorbing materials on fingers, knuckles and back of the hand.

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The side, from the wrist to the little finger is the most subject to contact with the ground during a crash. Fully protected by Warrior Shield, ergonomic, comfortable, durable.

The thumb side seam is protected by a flap of leather twisted not to expose the seam to abrasion.

Elasticized leather on thumb, forefinger and middle finger to facilitate the movements of the hand on the ride.

Triple layers of leather with pads to protect the palm, back and fingers.

FOCUS ON CARBOTRACK

Compared to the previous models, the carbon fiber knuckle protector and the shock absorber were decentralized in a forward position, to improve safety and comfort.

Carbotrack is made with 0,8mm thick full grain cowhide leather with inserts in synthetic materials to increase glove performance, flex zones, double sleeve closure, double layer leather, anti-undermining strap, Keramide all over the dorsum and punched forks.

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Floating knuckle protection in an advanced position to copy the ergonomics and kinematic of the hand.

Siliconic dumper under the knuckle protector absorbing shocks and complying with the hand’s shape.

Double velcro flap closure with elastic micrometric regulation on the sleeve to adhere perfectly to the racing suit.

Keramide lining on the back of the hand.

Strap closure on the wrist with adjustable velcro.

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All seams are internal, not exposed to abrasion.

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«Colophon» THE MOTORBIKE GLOVES HISTORY BOOK • concept and design by adacmaster.com •

is a registered trademark of Spidi Sport srl © 2014, Spidi Sport srl Italy printed in Italy

The Spidi Gloves Story

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THE MOTORBIKE GLOVES HISTORY BOOK

Š 2014, Spidi Sport srl italy Spidi Sport srl italy infoservice@spidi.com www.spidi.com

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