Topic: Riding pants

[kuyarico]

I just read this post and was wondering what some of you guys were wearing for lower body protection. http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=24336.0

I usually ride with jeans, but had shopped around briefly for some riding pants. I didn't really find anything that I felt was suitable. I know there are jeans that have some protection in them, but I really didn't like the look. I tried a pair of Joe Rocket pants on and they were way too long for my short legs. Anyways, what are you guys wearing?

[nickjtc]

Same principles apply to protecting your lower extremities as the upper: you need impact resistance in the form of 'armour' at hips and knees, abrasion resistance to one degree or the other, weather protection, and ease of use (getting them on and off).

From there the fun starts! Leather gives the best crash and abrasion protection (and I'm talking full coverage here, NOT chaps) but is less comfortable on hot days, and non waterproof. Textile is a good all round material, lacking in abrasion resistance. You pays your money....

Personally I use textile (Teknik) for rides which may be inclement and leather (First Gear) for the rest.

[medic09]

For my daily interstate commute, First Gear mesh pants (with removable rain liner) over my regular pants.  Too often, when the temps are approaching 100F, I ride home in just my jeans.  Probably not too smart at highway speeds.  I've noticed that even small stuff that gets kicked up at those speeds can leave a mark.   

Cooler weather, a one piece textile suit (Triumph).

The wife wears Draggin jeans.  I'm thinking of getting a pair, since around town I just wear my jeans.

[Rocking-M]

I use alpine star leather sport pants with protection in them for knees and hips.
I find myself riding in jeans a bit and hoping I don't slide:(

In the 70's short cut off jeans, running shoes, no shirt and a helmet for
protection were my standards in the summer. I'm glad I survived and with no road rash

[mick750F]

   Firstgear textile mesh pants for the summer. For spring and fall Firstgear textile mesh pants with polypropylene long underwear beneath. For winter Firstgear textile mesh pants with 2 layers of polypropylene long underwear beneath and Gortex over pants. The Gortex over pants also work as rain pants and for over the Firstgear on cooler mornings and nights. I have to say Firstgear one more time...

Mike

[ieism]

I never drive without full gear; boots, pants and jacket have protectors in it.

Sucks in the summer, but some pants have little zippers in it with mesh behind it that give some ventilation when you ride. I like Rev-It and Dainese gear the most.

It's not uncommon to get your leg stuck under the bike when you fall down, better safe than sorry.
I've never dropped the bike myself, but a friend who works in the hospital said that a lot of bikeinjuries are just the lower legs.

[kuyarico]

In the 70's short cut off jeans, running shoes, no shirt and a helmet for
protection were my standards in the summer. I'm glad I survived and with no road rash

I think that is still the standard here in Cleveland, only instead of running shoes they wear flip flops

[steven400/4]

it has to be cabra leathers with knee and hip armour i,ve got to many pins and screws and scares
dont need anymore
steve

[DarkRider]

Right now all i have is my Belstaf airstream jacket but once i get up and rolling again im picking up both a Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket and pants...what im wondering is just how comfortable the textile gear is...hopefully its a little more comfortable in warm weather then my belstaf is..

[neil young]

i had a Joe rocket Kevlar jacket and a pair of jeans for my highway crash.the jacket saved my shoulder,but burned right through the elbow :'(my leg was caught under the right side of the bike.jeans ripped right off below the knee >:(try peeling off gauze bandage that the scab has become part of  three times a day to clean and replace (ouch)not to mention the nice scar i have.the EMS people told me that a lot of the time people with chaps usually burn half there ass off literally.the thing about kevlar is it likes to melt on to your skin(ouch again)i burned all of the padding out of the shoulder with minimal material left.other wise my shoulder would have been to the bone for sure.now i dont care how hot it is when i'm going on the highway i wear a leather jacket with vents in the front and back.

[super pasty white guy]

Cortech textile mesh pants.  I find them ok.  There's velcro everywhere which is a plus or minus depending...  I commute nearly every day to school/work so it's helpful to have something I can wear my uniform underneath and just shuck the pants when I arrive.

For me, the length of the pants are perfect, especially when on the bike, but the waistband is uncomfortable and high when on the bike (and I'm a pretty avergage size guy).  Of course, that's the only place where they didn't put velcro-  snaps only.  I think getting the waist to fit right would mean the rest would be huge.  What you gonna do?

When buying, go someplace where you can try them on and sit on a bike, if you can.

Dave

[Rushoid]

Right now all i have is my Belstaf airstream jacket but once i get up and rolling again im picking up both a Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket and pants...what im wondering is just how comfortable the textile gear is...hopefully its a little more comfortable in warm weather then my belstaf is..

Hey, Outlaw, I've got the Phoenix 4.0 jacket, all black, and it's very comfortable. Last summer I stood on a freshly blacktopped lot all day (at 90 degrees) waiting to take my skills test. I was cooler wearing the jacket than I was in just the white t-shirt I had on underneath it. I guess because it kept the sun off of me but still let the air flow.

As for pants, I'm just wearing jeans but I'm looking for alternatives. Keep those posts coming! Thanks, Kuya, for starting this. 

[nickjtc]

Last summer I stood on a freshly blacktopped lot all day (at 90 degrees) waiting to take my skills test. I was cooler wearing the jacket than I was in just the white t-shirt I had on underneath it.

Once the air temperature gets up close to body temperature it will always be more comfortable to wear something rather than be lightly clad or bare. Bettter insulation that way. It makes me smile when I see naked riders when the temp is 38c+, getting gently broiled by the sun.

[kuyarico]

i had a Joe rocket Kevlar jacket and a pair of jeans for my highway crash.the jacket saved my shoulder,but burned right through the elbow :'(my leg was caught under the right side of the bike.jeans ripped right off below the knee >:(try peeling off gauze bandage that the scab has become part of  three times a day to clean and replace (ouch)not to mention the nice scar i have.the EMS people told me that a lot of the time people with chaps usually burn half there ass off literally.the thing about kevlar is it likes to melt on to your skin(ouch again)i burned all of the padding out of the shoulder with minimal material left.other wise my shoulder would have been to the bone for sure.now i dont care how hot it is when i'm going on the highway i wear a leather jacket with vents in the front and back.

That's one hell of a story. I guess another reason to go with some motorcycle specific pants.

[nickjtc]

i had a Joe rocket Kevlar jacket and a pair of jeans for my highway crash.the jacket saved my shoulder,but burned right through the elbow :'(my leg was caught under the right side of the bike.jeans ripped right off below the knee >:(try peeling off gauze bandage that the scab has become part of  three times a day to clean and replace (ouch)not to mention the nice scar i have.the EMS people told me that a lot of the time people with chaps usually burn half there ass off literally.the thing about kevlar is it likes to melt on to your skin(ouch again)i burned all of the padding out of the shoulder with minimal material left.other wise my shoulder would have been to the bone for sure.now i dont care how hot it is when i'm going on the highway i wear a leather jacket with vents in the front and back.

Makes the argument for wearing leather all the stronger!!

[super pasty white guy]

There's also these...  supposed to be more abrasion resistant than leather but look like jeans.  Also look like $300.


http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-jeans/e-squad-jeans/

[kuyarico]

more like $399 

[burmashave]

Good thread. I don't have a recommendation, but I have an anti-recommendation. When I was buying my protective equipment, I picked up a pair of "riding" jeans. They were the kind of "regular" looking jeans with ballistic padding in the hips and knees.

They were O.K. in the comfortability factor, but they were way high on the goofiness factor. The padding in the hips ensured that when I got off my bike, I looked like I had abnormally large hips for my body size. I'd provide the manufacturer's name, but I gave them the bin a long time ago.

I ride with jeans now, but I'd like something with more protection.

[ieism]

I ride with jeans now, but I'd like something with more protection.

You could wear protection under them, there's a company called KNOX that makes shorts with hipprotectors. There's also a lot of motocross brands that have protection that you can wear under regular clothing.

[el kabong]

i'm using the bohn mesh underpants with hard and soft armour:

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Bohn_Cool_Air_Bodyguard_Adventure_Pants--521-ACT-41.html

covered by some LL Bean tropic weight cargo pants:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=tropic-weight-cargo-pants&categoryId=19922&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4825&cat4=6353&shop_method=pp&feat=4825-tn

i bought the combo to be safe but comfortable in hot weather.

the soft armour pads (say 8"x8") are a bit sweaty, but i'm thinking of covering them in light cotton.

i love the front thigh pockets on the cargo pants, cause my textile summer jacket doesn't have enough pockets.

[techy5025]

As I said in my "crashed" thread, jeans are useless for abrasion resistance or for most other threats except sun protection maybe....have now found that out the hard way.  Sounds like the ones with Kevlar may not be much better if that fuse to the skin! 

Another finding....jackets have to be zipped up at the wrists and chest or, when you "arrive" at the pavement and start sliding, the material will rotate out of position at the shoulders and arm carrying the armor out of place with it. I have a neat hole burned through my textile jacket halfway between the shoulder pad and the neck opening. This was undoubtedly caused by the armor moving out of place and the hole aligning with my shoulder as I slid. Because of the heat here in Florida, I only had the jacket zipped up a couple of inches in the front causing the jacket to be open at the neck and allowing this to happen. This has now convinced me I need separate jackets for winter and summer.....the summer one being an air mesh allowing venting with all zippers closed.

You tend to learn a lot about clothing protection "after" a fall.

Jim

[CrisPDuk]

Here in Bangkok I usually wear a full set of MX body armour and clothing, given to me by a friend who used to race

Back home in the UK I've usually worn either normal jeans or a pair of Draggin ones.

[nickjtc]

You tend to learn a lot about clothing protection "after" a fall.

Unfortunately you are right. If we all wore what was appropriate we would all ride wearing competition weight leather with full coverage helmets, and motorcycle specific gloves and boots.

But it takes an oopsy to convince most people, hence the sight of riders with jeans, t-shirts, no gloves, sneakers, and worst of all ashtrays on their heads.

Personally I'd rather sweat than bleed....

[kuyarico]

You tend to learn a lot about clothing protection "after" a fall.
Jim

Thanks for sharing your experience. You've provided some very good info.

[Rocking-M]

Hey, someone on here a while back posted a link to abrasion test on
different motorcycle gear. Anyone got a link??