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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
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Message started by Susan on 10/07/04 at 08:13:48

Title: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Susan on 10/07/04 at 08:13:48

As it is getting colder, I am realizing the need for more warmth on my legs. I normally wear jeans when I ride but am thinking I might need to invest in leather pants/ chaps. I am not a huge fan of them but given their durability and windproof features maybe they are worth it. What do you wear on your legs when riding?

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by sunny on 10/07/04 at 08:29:17

i have a pair of leather chaps. they come in handy on days when i am just not up to being pelted by gravel on my commute.
i bought the cheap ones though so they are not appropriate for rain. they have seams at the knees that turn UP and last night when i went for a ride my knees were pretty wet. i wonder if packing that seam with mink oil will prevent that, though.

and they can catch on the pegs like bell bottom pants.
not to mention they sag if you lose a few pounds.

also, if you rub up against the tail pipe while refueling, they will crinkle up and it'll smell funny. but you won't get burned.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Munson_kl279 on 10/07/04 at 08:51:40

I've got a nice set of leather chaps that I was able to pick up at the bike show in Cleveland for around $50.

They are great although if you invest in leather chaps make sure you waterproof them before you have to use them in the rain.

As far as them catching on the pegs it sounds like your's might be too big for you in the first place sunny. When you shop for them you don't want them to be at all loose. You want them to be like a second skin, but not so tight that you cannot move.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Ram on 10/07/04 at 10:30:10

I have a pair of chaps. Paid $100 for it @ a local stealership. I think they do the job of protecting from cold and would give added protection in case of a fall. But, I think over pant style leather pants would be best. A friend of mine has one of those. Its got nice lining and all and you can wear them with just short underneath too!

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/07/04 at 11:34:04

Bear in mind that I'm in Dallas - not Minneapolis. Winters are not as severe but summers are a force to be reckoned with. I use leather legs (half-chaps) and I recommend using Nikwax to waterproof leather. I may get some full chaps at some point but I've found longjohns do a good job of insulating and the leather legs go from boots to knees (a bit above the knees in front), protecting me from gravel and other hazards.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by cphilip on 10/07/04 at 12:29:02

Savage_Rob wrote:

Bear in mind that I'm in Dallas - not Minneapolis. Winters are not as severe but summers are a force to be reckoned with.

For this very reason I would like to see a Textile Mesh/ Kevlar with pads set of chaps. They make the pants. Someone could design a chaps that would strap over your Jeans. For hot weather. Maybe could be worn over rain pants in winter and wet...

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Gargoyle on 10/07/04 at 13:11:31

I have an inexpensive pair of chaps I bought from Dennis Kirk 12 years ago and they are still in good shape. I wear them a lot in the winter. I also have a pair of leather pants that I wear some. The fit like jeans so are easier to put on than chaps. They are a little warmer than chaps because they cover all of my lower body. If it is really cold I wear my chaps over my leather pants and stay warm down to lower 40's to high 30's. The big plus for chaps is some days as the weather warms up in the afternoon they come off easy and can then be stored in saddlebag.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by gitarzan on 10/07/04 at 16:03:56

When it gets that cold, I wear a car. ;D

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Michael on 10/07/04 at 19:33:14

gitarzan wrote:

When it gets that cold, I wear a car. ;D

LMAO....GOOD ONE

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by jendesigner on 10/08/04 at 07:22:09

I have leather chaps but what I have been wearing lately is the new "under armour" that atheletes wear to keep thier legs warm. They are like thick tights. I got them from Gander Sporting Goods store. Very warm, I wear them under my jeans to work and than can throw them in my bag when I get there. Very handy. Chaps are sometimes a pain to carry around when you don't need them. I'm going on a 100 mile bike rally this weekend and I will wear the under armour in the moring and remove them when it warms up.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Old Geezer on 10/08/04 at 10:47:29

To me, leather chaps are the way to go. Mine are sort of plain but fit the bill just fine. If I have to ride and it is colder, I wear a pair of my running tights under my jeans then the chaps. I've found the best place to get them is at a motorcycle rally. Leather vendors there are very competitive and have a great selection.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by synthetic pants on 10/08/04 at 11:12:01

If you're not stuck on leather there're lots of choices in the sythetic stuff. Not as water proof, but keeps out the cold while still breathing out the heat when it's warmer.

http://www.joerocket.com/catalog05/canada/product.cfm?pid=458

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by gitarzan on 10/08/04 at 19:01:09

I don't handle the cold too well anymore. :-[

I used to be a friggin' viking. I once rode a bike 7 miles to work at 11pm at 29°F and home again at 7am at 19°F!! At the time I thought that that chilly ride to work was "invigorating" and honestly, I did think that the ride home was cold cold cold, but I still took it on and enjoyed it.

Now, 25 years later, after a radiation blasted pituitary, after blood pressure pills, after just getting older, I can't handle it.

Looks like a perfectly good excuse to go out this weekend and buy leather Chaps/Trou, a Jacket and some gauntlet gloves.

After all, it might give me two weeks more riding time! ;D

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by cphilip on 10/08/04 at 19:07:51

synthetic pants wrote:

Thats not the same as something you can place over your pants and remove when you get where your going. You gotta wear those. I think whats needed here is something thats like that (Textile armor) that will strap over and easily remove when you get there. A chap made like Joe Rocket pants is what I am after here.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by gitarzan on 10/08/04 at 19:15:11

The proper use of chaps...

http://www.harleyrendezvous.com/2004-pics/gate-06.jpg

Please note: as you can see this is a link to a harley-based site and therefore not intended for viewing by the prudish of heart.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Max_Morley on 10/08/04 at 19:26:30

I had a shoe/luggage/boat top shop sew up a pair of cordura chapes with a cotton lining. costs about the same as leather but are brown and somewhat waterproof. wear them over Diamond Gusset jeans. Not sure the pattern the guy used was the best as the overboot end is a little loose and I had to have them sew closure tabs as the zippers would work up. Think if I was starting over I would look at ballistic padded ones that were more waterproof. Max

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Daemon on 10/09/04 at 09:57:02

I typically wear leather chaps when I'm traveling in the cold or on an out of town trip. Mine zip along the thighs and button down by my boots, easy to take off/put on and keep your pants dry in the rain and good protection from things bouncing and flying at you on the highways. Always weather treat your leathers! I also have leather pants but you can't double layer like you can with chaps. I wear leather pants if I'm just out for a social cruise in decent weather, chaps for all else practical. Synthetic racing gear is nice, but leather vs. synthetic is more a question of style than protection for me.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Greg_650 on 10/09/04 at 10:24:04

gitarzan wrote:

I'm with you there.

I rode my 850 Yamaha in 11 degree temps with ice on the road in northern Vermont....in 1985. That was for a job I had up there for 2 years. It was colder than snot, but I wanted to say that I could do it....at least to all my co-workers that figured I was too southern to take it.

Now, I take my pills, find an excuse to disassemble the bike and drive the car ::)

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Mr 650 on 10/09/04 at 11:01:14

Yeah I'm w/ you, 30 years ago I rode my bike exclusively while my engine was out of the '67 'Cuda. Back then I had no choice. Never enjoyed riding through bad weather and I had the motor back in before winter. Now once winter drops into the 50s I lay off until spring.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by AL_DOWN_UNDER on 10/09/04 at 23:02:46

WELL SUESAN THATS A RATHER LEADING QUESTION YOU HAVE ASK ,AND WE HARDLY KNOW EACHOTHER.
I LIKE TO WEAR JEANS WITH A PRETTY PAIR OF BLUE PANTIES UNDERNEATH ::).
BUT ALL JOKES ASIDE I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS IN HIS LATE 50,S AND HE SWEAR THAT HE STEAL,S : HIS WIFES PAINTIEHOSE OR STOCKINGS IN THE WINTER TIME AND SAYS THERE THE BEST THING OUT . I HAVE NOT BEEN GAME ENOUGH TO TRY THEM AS MY MOMA ALWAYS TOLD ME TO CHANGE MY UNDIES JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE TO GO TO HOSPITAL. :o

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Greg_650 on 10/10/04 at 02:06:14

Panty hose? That's a twist, but they certainly won't take much space in the saddle bag either :)

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Susan on 10/10/04 at 05:34:41

AL_DOWN_UNDER wrote:

BUT ALL JOKES ASIDE I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS IN HIS LATE 50,S AND HE SWEAR THAT HE STEAL,S : HIS WIFES PAINTIEHOSE OR STOCKINGS IN THE WINTER TIME AND SAYS THERE THE BEST THING OUT . I HAVE NOT BEEN GAME ENOUGH TO TRY THEM AS MY MOMA ALWAYS TOLD ME TO CHANGE MY UNDIES JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE TO GO TO HOSPITAL. :o

ROFLMAO imagining all you guys stealing and wearing your wives' pantyhose. :D :D :D

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Ed L. on 10/10/04 at 15:41:51

Gee, I hope he shaves his legs first, there is nothing nastier than hairy legs in panthose ;D. I wear thermal long johns under jeans for cold weather riding,don't need to shave for them.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by sluggo on 10/26/04 at 18:34:52

I wear chaps, and when i ride i wear pants and underware :o

ok i just maybe sharing to much.

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by lagagnon on 10/27/04 at 07:15:32

I am a relatively new rider - I ride a few times a week short distances for pleasure. Went out to buy some Joe Rocket Ballistic m/c pants for winter riding here on Vancouver Island. Cheapest price was about $CAD200! I figured I could not justify that expense for a few winter rides.

Instead I hunted around and found some brand new snowboarding pants - these are very similar to the Ballistics, but obviously with not quite as strongly weaved cordura cloth. They are lined and waterproofed and the only modification I am doing is to put some velcro on the pants bottoms to tighten them around my m/c boots.

Cost new CDN$69! Check them out at your local sporting goods store - they might do you....

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Greg_650 on 10/29/04 at 04:46:12

Winter sports gear is good on a bike. I have some ski mittens that are pretty good. It is companies like Joe Rocket that don't want you to know that :P

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Chench53 on 11/28/04 at 17:29:56

I've got chaps, but for colder temps I've got Gerbing heated pants, also sox and gloves. I used them all yesterday, in temps high 40s, low 50's. Highway speeds on the way to work. Delightful. :)

Gerry

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Susan on 11/29/04 at 05:46:25

Chench53 wrote:

I've wondered about these. Do they plug together and then into your bike or how do you plug them in?

Title: Re: Pants/Chaps -- What Do You Wear?
Post by Chench53 on 11/29/04 at 07:58:46

With the Gerbing's, if using gloves alone, gloves plug into a 'Y' harness, and the single end plugs into either the connector direct to the battery, or to the thermostat to the battery.

If using gloves in combination with vest or jacket or jacket liner, gloves plug plug into vest/jacket arm leads, and single jacket plugs in to the power.

Lower half of the body works similarly, (sox and 'Y' harness, or sox plus pants or pants liners).

I put the 'Y' harness inbetween jacket and sweater for up top, and for legs, I put the 'y' harness outside my pants, but inside my chaps. When I use the heated pants, of course no 'Y' needed for below.

The thermostat is nice, you can dial up/down the heat. I find I use it ~1/4 to 1/2 power usually, that's plenty.

Gerry