I have messed up 2 pairs of pants on my Savage due to heat.  

I'm carrying a bit extra round the middle so pants that fit tend to be a bit baggy in the legs.  I had to ride 50 miles in 40 degree weather to go take my driving test last month so I was wearing pants made out of a wind breaker material instead of my usual yard work khakis or jeans.  Towards the end of the ride, while sitting at a stop light, I realized the inside of my right pant leg had melted near the ankle.  (I was wondering why it seemed more drafty after I got into town than it was while I was running 70 down the highway )

After 2000 miles of riding, my yard work khakis have developed a hole at the ankle.  What I think is happening is: my pants legs are baggy and end up resting against the engine when I'm stopped.  (mostly my right one cause I tend to leave my right foot on the brake and put my left foot on the ground), my engine can get pretty darn hot by the end of a long ride.

Have any of you had this problem?  Have you come up with a fix that doesn't look as goofy as tying a piece of string around your pants leg?  I tried tucking my pants leg into my boot but it always comes out with the wind.

An elastic strap with velcro. Heck with what people think,,

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 12/05/11 at 08:13:36:


Rubber band, velcro, or the purpose-made elasticized bands sold in bicycle stores.  Or you could take off the heat shield (since it seems to be doing you no good) and replace it with pipe wrap.  Oooo, or wear chaps!

I think I'll try the binder clip idea.  Probably less noticeable.  Plus I work in an office so they're easy to come by.

Serowbot wrote on 12/05/11 at 10:54:01:


Spandex melts, but skin tight leather would be very butch.

I've had a similar problem only with shoes and boot laces melting.  I have melted the laces on hiking boots and damaged two pairs of New Balance shoes.  It's one more reason I like the classic standard seating position.  The pegs are above the exhaust pipe(s) so the only heat hazard is when stopping.  My solution was to tuck loose shoe strings into the top of my shoes or boots and to keep my leg way out from that pipe when I am stopped.  Also I make a point of wearing jeans whenever I ride this bike.

This is the only cruiser style bike I have owned but I would guess they all have the same problem.  It is one more reason I am considering making my Savage into a standard classic style configuration.

I've had the same problem with scorching pant legs. My solution is a bandana tied to the bottom of the pant leg. With so many color choices you may add a jaunty flair to your attire! A bandana has many possible uses (see 'cowboys') -- such as cleaning googles, wiping spilt gas off the tank during a re-fueling, stopping bleeding, etc.

I commute to work M-F and always have my rain pants on, never had that problem...maybe smaller pants or more distance between leg and engine.