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Message started by Howitzer on 03/31/11 at 21:27:08

Title: Motorcycle pants
Post by Howitzer on 03/31/11 at 21:27:08

Anyone have helpful comments for me? I'm looking to buy a pair, and I'm unsure how the fit should be. My jacket is snug on me, and it keeps me warm that way. Do motorcycle pants have to be the same? I went to the store to try some (TPG Escape 2010), and the knee pads were a bit low for me.

Also, the pants weren't long enough when I was in a sportbike position. The salesperson just told me that I needed to buy "proper" motorcycle boots that go high past the ankles in order to sneak under the motorcycle pants. Right now I just wear some work boots that cover the ankles.

I'm mainly looking for something that will keep me dry on rainy days, commuting to work. Also, it'd be nice to have some more insulation/protection when I'm taking longer trips (~100miles) on the highway.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by arteacher on 04/01/11 at 03:50:03

Your pants should be long enough so that they cover your ankle with your knee bent. Your salesman was wrong.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/01/11 at 07:23:30

Look at Blue Diamond Gusset jeans.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Boofer on 04/01/11 at 19:55:59

I have read that the pros wear snug fitting leather, because a fold will burn through when it hits asphalt. Smooth leather just slides and lasts longer during an unexpected get off.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/01/11 at 20:01:21

I slid about 30 yards & nothing burned thru. Had soem chaps on & a Wrangler snap up welders shirt over blue jeans & a tee shirt. I still wear the shirt, the chaps look almost new.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Howitzer on 04/01/11 at 22:53:44

5A515158545B5A4041350 wrote:

Your pants should be long enough so that they cover your ankle with your knee bent. Your salesman was wrong.

Thanks, that's good to know. I wondered if he was just trying to sell me something. Too bad I need a 32 Tall, which many makers don't produce.

I'd also prefer not to get leather, because I want something that insulates during the winter.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/02/11 at 01:01:49

Chaps fit over jeans & insulated stuff. I have 2 pairs of chaps, so when its REally Cold, I can get leather on the outside of my layers of clothes.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by arteacher on 04/02/11 at 03:51:57

I have chaps too. Mine have a snap in lining that keeps me toasty at 5 deg C.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Oldnewguy on 04/02/11 at 06:08:20

I bought denim chaps. I like them better than leather for warmth. Also cheaper. I don't think that they would slide very well though. :(

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Howitzer on 04/02/11 at 06:43:12

Hm, so it seems like more people have chaps, than dedicated rain proof pants?

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Oldnewguy on 04/02/11 at 08:12:12

I've got those also. They are great for wind breaking. I use them more than the chaps. Less bulky.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by mscepu101 on 04/02/11 at 08:30:27

I think you are asking a good question.

I went down in late November and slid about 20-25 ft wearing a Joe Rocket textile jacket with armour. The jacket "burned through" at the elbow and the CE armour took the hit. I repaired the jacket.

My leather gloves scuffed but still look great.

My old navy "boon dockers" with steel toes scuffed really bad but provided awesome protection. If they were not over the ankle I would have lost skin down to the bone. I only bruised at the ankle.

I was wearing kahki dockers work pants under walmart nylon running pants to cut the wind. They did not hold up well. I had a good abrasion on my knee.

I am now wearing knee protection (strap on) under leather pants. I ordered that pants from Leatherup and they sent the wrong size. They will not return my calls and emails so I think I am stuck with them. They are big but appear to be very durable.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Howitzer on 04/03/11 at 00:00:16

0F1101071217535253620 wrote:

That is really helpful to hear how the different pieces of your protection held up. I have a textile jacket with armor too, and leather steel-toed work boots. I need a better pair of gloves though, but for jeans, I think I'm actually ok. I took a fall last november too, going maybe 15-20mph, and my jeans held up with only a small scrape. They didn't even tear completely through, so I don't remember being hurt much, except for maybe scraped skin. However, I doubt jeans will be adequate at any decent speed.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Howitzer on 04/03/11 at 00:01:31

By the way, how did your boots/ankle area get scuffed up? Feet are the only part of the body that I'm unable to imagine getting hurt. I just can't fathom how.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by kimchris1 on 04/03/11 at 03:11:55

I wear chaps over jeans. I find chaps
very insulating as well as giviing relief
from sliding..
I wear over the ankle boots as well. My
Pink ones show where they were scuffed
in my wreck 1 year ago.
Ankles can easily be injured when for example,
bike falls on top and pins foot down.
Foot peg can do this as well as other parts
of the bike. Good boots as well as gloves and
leathers, prevent serious injuries better so than
no protection at all.
Just yesterday my new chaps arrived. Due to having
trees cut down this weekend, they will have to wait
to be broke in..:) kim

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by kimchris1 on 04/03/11 at 03:19:46

In answer to you question about the length of
chaps or jeans.
Mine are trimmed to where when I sat on the bike,
the bottom of the chaps come up just over the
whole foot area of the boot.
I don't like them dragging as I walk either.

Now the reason boots get scuffed, well when you
go sliding across asphalt, it burns or bites whatever
comes in contact with it.

It is not a question of if you will go down, it is
a matter of when. Best be prepared as it can
happen in the blink of an eye.. kim

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by MotoBuddha on 04/03/11 at 06:21:44

I've never been able to get a motorcycle to wear pants.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by arteacher on 04/03/11 at 07:17:29

I see some people on bikes wearing shorts, sneakers, and a t-shirt, and it makes me shudder because I did it once. It was a warm summer day and I went to the corner store a couple of blocks away to get a quart of milk. The city in it's infinite wisdom had done some road repair and patched a piece of road where I turned in to the plaza where the store was with pea gravel and oil. I can't imagine anything slipperier. Down I went sliding about 20 ft on my right side. I split the area between my big toe and second toe (I was wearing sandals) and badly scraped my right arm and leg. I must have been a little shocky because I got the bike up, straightened the footpeg out, got on the bike and drove to the store. I walked in bleeding all over the place with one bare foot (the sandal was ruined) went to the back and got the milk, came back to the front to pay for it and put my bloody hand on the counter and said "I guess I need some band aids too." Paid for everything, got back on the bike and drove home. I stood in a cool shower while my wife picked road crap out of my arm and leg with tweezers. Then I went to the hospital and got my foot stitched up. The doctor who worked on me looked at me as if I was crazy. I was. So now no matter how hot it is, I wear a leather jacket, boots and jeans at a minimum and chaps on longer rides. BTW I have heard that if you wear women's nylons or tights under your jeans it helps prevent road rash because they act as a kind of lubricant between you jeans and your leg. Haven't tried it though. ;D

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by mscepu101 on 04/03/11 at 09:58:47

The description regarding foot/ankle impact is a great topic!

I was unaware that I scuffed my boots and ankle till I went home and took them off.

The inside portion of my boots took the hit and I was never pinned under the bike. This was the result of skidding on the asphalt and my right foot was turned out 90 degrees in relation to my knee.

I am glad I was covered. I will never be without good boots!

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by jjn on 04/03/11 at 14:06:50

I don't like chaps because they don't cover your butt. If you go down there is a good chance you may be sliding along on your backside.
I can tell you that I have the same problem you mention--finding riding pants that are long enough so that thay don't go up way high when riding. First Gear seems to always make their stuff longer than others. I have bought two different rain pants from them, and bnoth are plenty long. One was First Gear Sierra pants.

Leatherup.com has affordable leather full riding pants. I have had good service from them. Here is an example:

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Xelement-Mens-Pants-and-Chaps/Xelement-Mens-Armored-Cowhide-Leather-Racing-Pants/96083.html

Be sure and read the reviews, as often you'll need to get a larger size if you are going to wear jeans underneath.

Jon

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by kimchris1 on 04/03/11 at 19:11:28

My new chaps from Leather Up just arrived yesterday.
I will of course have to cut them off. Darn for being short.
When I had my accident, I slid on the my side and the chaps
saved my leg. I did not slide on my rear end.
Next purchase may very well be leather pants.
Either way I will wear some kind of protection. :) kim

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Howitzer on 04/03/11 at 20:49:29

7676721C0 wrote:

That link gives an awesome deal for leather pants. How come the leather pants are so cheap?(79.99) Motorcycle jackets with full leather usually cost hundreds of dollars.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by babyhog on 04/07/11 at 16:08:54

495E4F5E5E4C1A2E0 wrote:

I bought denim chaps. I like them better than leather for warmth. Also cheaper. I don't think that they would slide very well though. :(

Never thought about denim chaps. I keep all our worn out jeans for patches. I might just try making a pair of denim chaps out of some old pairs. Piece them together, put reinforcements where needed. Could be an interesting project.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by gerald.hughes on 04/07/11 at 16:17:08

You know, you can buy flannel lined jeans from LL Bean, Also consider canvas work pants. Cathart.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by mscepu101 on 04/07/11 at 16:36:45

I must state that I had a much less than good shopping event with Leatherup.

In my opinion they have awful customer service. The quality appears good but they have not been able to get me the size pants that I ordered.

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by kimchris1 on 04/07/11 at 17:15:33

I believe Draggin makes denim jeans
for motorcycle riding. My friend Rita and
her hubby have them. They both give
they great reviews.
I have seen the flanned lined jeans and
thought along with chaps they would
keep the legs toasty warm.
I have heard that denim by itself does
not hold up well if you were to go sliding.
They tear and grab the pavement. Now leather
will allow a slide and, yet I hope to never find
out how well my new chaps would fair.

Now on Leather Up, I as well as hubby have
ordered items and had no problems. I even
had to exchange for different size. Item was
resent quickly.
Possibly the warehouse is out of your size and,
that expalins why their so slow in replacing the
correct size you need. :) kim

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Serowbot on 04/07/11 at 18:20:27

Denim don't slide like leather,.... ask me how I know...
I just know, okay?...:-?...

...as far as boots,... make sure you still have good ankle movement...
One for shifting,... but also, if you go down and the ankle can't flex, stresses are transferred to the knees and hips...

Title: Re: Motorcycle pants
Post by Southpaw on 04/07/11 at 19:23:53

I like chaps because I can take them off and store them when I ride to work. They provide good windbreak and protection, but I don't wear them much when temps get above 80. Been thinking of trying the draggin' jeans, but there's something about the name thats like tempting fate to me... :-?