A question to motorcycle riders

[z1ggy]

Do you wear, or think it is a good idea to wear riding pants? Whether they be leather or whatever...Just something more than jeans? I saw a guy go down yesterday only going like 10-15mph and his jeans got torn to shit. This really worried me because I can't imagine how horrible it would have looked if he were going 40mph.. or highway speeds. I often wear slacks to work, too, so that is even less protection than jeans, although I am thinking about now wearing something else over the slacks, or just changing when I get to work. Any thoughts/recommendations??

 

[cardiac]

That is definitely a personal choice. Jeans do offer some protection, but as you witnessed; not much. I've been riding for about 35 years and I do ride with jeans, long sleeve shirt, boots, and a helmet. (We don't have a helmet requirement in Indiana). I've gone down twice in those years, once was my fault (Minor scrapes), and the other time wasn't my fault. This incident happened when someone pulled out from a parking lot and never saw me and ran right into the side of me, and I was on a 1981 Gold Wing Interstate. When I went down, my leather jacket raised up, my shirt pulled up and my right side need 48 stitches to close up. Also broke my thumb and another bone in my hand. Unless you are wearing a one piece set of leathers, this can happen.

Just don't go riding in gym shorts, a tank top, and flip-flops like I see every day.....

 

[roguerower]

What I'm planning on doing with the bike depends on the gear I wear. If I am using the bike to commute or get from A to B, I wear work boots, jeans, mesh jacket, gloves, & a helmet. If I am going out on the bike for the sole reason of riding it, I put on my 1 piece leathers. My train of thought is, I'll take the risk on the former because the odds are lower than the latter.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I went down going about 30-40 mph around a curve wearing Jeans. You might as well wear gym shorts if you're wearing Jeans. My Jeans shredded like a wet paper sack. Somehow I ended up sliding on my ass and luckily had my thick leather wallet or else I'd probably had to have skin grafts on my ass. My knee did get some road rash. I had a leather riding jacket on and my upper body had not even a scratch. If I would of had on some real riding pants I wouldn't of even had a scratch on me. Also I had leather gloves on that saved my hands.

Do what you want. I won't even ride on the street anymore. If I get a bike again it's going to be strictly for riding on the track. It's sad that a race track is a safer place to ride than public streets but sadly it's true. Valentino Rossi the greatest moto gp racer ever won't even ride a bike on the street.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I went down going about 30-40 mph around a curve wearing Jeans. You might as well wear gym shorts if you're wearing Jeans. My Jeans shredded like a wet paper sack. Somehow I ended up sliding on my ass and luckily had my thick leather wallet or else I'd probably had to have skin grafts on my ass. My knee did get some road rash. I had a leather riding jacket on and my upper body had not even a scratch. If I would of had on some real riding pants I wouldn't of even had a scratch on me. Also I had leather gloves on that saved my hands.

Do what you want. I won't even ride on the street anymore. If I get a bike again it's going to be strictly for riding on the track. It's sad that a race track is a safer place to ride than public streets but sadly it's true. Valentino Rossi the greatest moto gp racer ever won't even ride a bike on the street.

That's always been true actually... and not just because of the clueless cagers.

I know jeans offer zero protection in a get off but I wear them anyway. I do have riding pants but they are heavy and bulky so I really only wear them when I'm going on some epic canyon carving rides with my friends. I sometimes wear them when commuting but not always.

The rest of my gear is all good stuff though, and comfortable except when temps are above 80 degrees. One well worn and broken in A* leather jacket, Sidi race boots, Dainese gauntlet gloves, and a Shoei RF1100 full face helmet.

I can't imagine ever not having a motorcycle.

 

[Fenixgoon]

all the gear all the time - i wear a leather jacket, textile pants (on top of jeans), leather gloves, full length riding boots, and a full face helmet. when i ride into work, i have my riding pants on top of my slacks. i just take them off when i get to my cubicle.

i also have a racing suit that i'll wear if i know i'm going out *just* to ride.

riding my bike without gear would be like driving my car without a seatbelt on - i'd feel naked and vulnerable.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

That's always been true actually... and not just because of the clueless cagers.

I know jeans offer zero protection in a get off but I wear them anyway. I do have riding pants but they are heavy and bulky so I really only wear them when I'm going on some epic canyon carving rides with my friends. I sometimes wear them when commuting but not always.

The rest of my gear is all good stuff though, and comfortable except when temps are above 80 degrees. One well worn and broken in A* leather jacket, Sidi race boots, Dainese gauntlet gloves, and a Shoei RF1100 full face helmet.

I can't imagine ever not having a motorcycle.

Yeah it sucks not having a bike. Just a sv to track would be awesome. hmm..

Get yourself some mesh pants or something. It could save you some big hospital bills. If you need to be comfortable get in your car.

 

[Brunnis]

Back when I had my bike, I always used a full leather suit, boots, leather gloves, helmet and even a back protector. Riding a bike on public roads is far too dangerous if you don't have proper gear. It's just not worth the risk.

Of course, this was also the reason that I eventually sold the bike. Having to put all that gear on whenever I wanted to take the bike sort of took the fun out of it. Since riding without the gear wasn't an option for me, I ended up getting rid of the bike.

 

[T2urtle]

Yea you have the AGATT (all gear all the time) guys, you have the selected gear pending the time guys and then you have the squids (they dont last that long)

I dont have riding pant. I'm a casual street rider. If i do plan on taking highway trips and etc i'll most likely look into it. I do have a heavy duty thick pair of jeans that is now my #1 pair to wear when riding. its not much at all but better then most squids with torn, thin jeans or riding in shorts.

I normally go with my A* tall riding boots, Leather gloves, textile leather jacket and my helmet. Yea i'm under equipped compared to most riders but I'm way over equipped compared to the guys rolling around here in chicago. Only the true touring guys have more gear then me.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Yea you have the AGATT (all gear all the time) guys, you have the selected gear pending the time guys and then you have the squids (they dont last that long)

I dont have riding pant. I'm a casual street rider. If i do plan on taking highway trips and etc i'll most likely look into it. I do have a heavy duty thick pair of jeans that is now my #1 pair to wear when riding. its not much at all but better then most squids with torn, thin jeans or riding in shorts.

I normally go with my A* tall riding boots, Leather gloves, textile leather jacket and my helmet. Yea i'm under equipped compared to most riders but I'm way over equipped compared to the guys rolling around here in chicago. Only the true touring guys have more gear then me.

i wouldn't use them as your benchmark for "geared up"

it's like saying "i'm better than joseph stalin and hitler!" well congrats, it's not terribly hard

i would say grab some overpants and it sounds like you're set.

 

[z1ggy]

Yeah I wear all gear except ridIng pants. How much and what brand are good just to put over slacks for a drive to work?? I can't afford a full leather suit right now and I already have a really nice mesh Joe Rocket jacket.

 

[pauldun170]

Jeans are about as useful as sneakers.
When I say "useful" I mean useless.

They do sell riding jeans though they aren't exactly the best option.

Stuff you buy at the mall = protection from the sun and that's bout it.

 

[z1ggy]

So can anybody recommend a good pair of leather/textile pants that will fit over slacks or shorts??

 

[thumper01]

So can anybody recommend a good pair of leather/textile pants that will fit over slacks or shorts??

Olympia Motorsports makes some good textile overpants. I have the X-moto's and wear them over slacks. Not very cool in the summertime when its 90+ and sitting still in traffic, but fine when moving.

I also have the Fieldsheer Mercury 2, but they are not as well built as the Olympia's and much hotter in the summer.

Motoport and Aeorostitch probably make the best textile overpants, but they are not cheap.

 

[Fenixgoon]

So can anybody recommend a good pair of leather/textile pants that will fit over slacks or shorts??

i like my joe rocket ballistic pants - they are normally what i wear, usually on top of jeans most days. occasionally i'll wear just the pants if it's hot, but most times i'm comfortable with jeans + riding pants.

i'd really like to grab a pair of teknic mercury pants (i have the jacket).

take a look at your options - there are tons of good online stores that will have plenty of reviews on different items.

 

[z1ggy]

^^ Yeah I have been scoping out the deals on cycle gear, but there are so many different brands and tons of different pants, I'm not sure which ones would be best. I'd most worry they are wicked hot and won't fit comfortably over pants.

 

[Fenixgoon]

^^ Yeah I have been scoping out the deals on cycle gear, but there are so many different brands and tons of different pants, I'm not sure which ones would be best. I'd most worry they are wicked hot and won't fit comfortably over pants.

you can always call them up and ask, you know. that's what their CS department is for. i personally like revzilla.com a lot. if you give their CS dept a call i'm sure someone can help you.

i was looking for a race suit and i said "here are my measurements, can you tell me a suit that fits?" - the suit i got is perfect.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Olympia Motorsports makes some good textile overpants. I have the X-moto's and wear them over slacks. Not very cool in the summertime when its 90+ and sitting still in traffic, but fine when moving.

I also have the Fieldsheer Mercury 2, but they are not as well built as the Olympia's and much hotter in the summer.

Motoport and Aeorostitch probably make the best textile overpants, but they are not cheap.

A guy I know wears an Aerostitch suit when he rides. He's had it for years and he swears by it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

^^ Yeah I have been scoping out the deals on cycle gear, but there are so many different brands and tons of different pants, I'm not sure which ones would be best. I'd most worry they are wicked hot and won't fit comfortably over pants.

They have a very liberal return policy. If you don't like it, return for full credit and buy something else.

 

[hanoverphist]

the older i get the more gear i feel like wearing. its my realization of my own mortality that decides this for me.

 

[Blintok]

In warm weather i used textile mesh jackets and kevlar lined jeans. Over last winter i picked up new warm weather gear. The mesh jackets were great in that they almost felt like you were wearing nothing / pretty darn close to just wearing a T-shirt. I just did not feel right about them, i pictured the mesh coming apart / melting in a slide.

i prefer to wear my Joe Rocket Ballistic pants and only wear the kevlar jeans in super hot mainly city riding.

So this year i got a decent perforated leather jacket. I was concerned that it would be too hot to wear but was pleasantly surprised to see that it lets in quite alot of air.

I also never saw the need for an expensive helmet and always went for mid-priced ones
(Scorpion or Zox) But i splurged and got a Shoei RF1100 and love it. Nice and light and lets in tons of air thru the vents.

also since its warm weather gear. went with light colors. Solid white helmet. White/red/black jacket. Jacket i got is Alpinestars GP-R Perforated Leather Jacket White/Red/Black

Boots are Alpinestars Hydro Sport Drystar Boots and gloves Alpinestars SP-8 Leather Motorcycle Racing Gloves Red.

 

[z1ggy]

^^^ Yeah eventually, I am going to sell the mesh/textile stuff I have and switch to nicer leather that can vent very well. That stuff is obviously very pricey so I probably won't get it until next season.

 

[Occ]

I went down going about 30-40 mph around a curve wearing Jeans. You might as well wear gym shorts if you're wearing Jeans. My Jeans shredded like a wet paper sack.

This. Had a similar experience (nsfw). The irony of it for me was I had textile pants with knee and shin protection that would have probably let me walk away without even a bruise. Currently I rock some A* leather race pants. They look a little ridiculous on the street, but I feel sooo much safer in them.

As far as price goes... even a top end pair of leather pants will be cheaper (and less painful) than having your knee scrubbed out with what amounts to a dish washing brush with those thick plastic bristles. Of course, I was informed I was lucky, in that they didn't have to bust out the metal scraper. The bright side was the nurse was pretty good looking, but I was too pre occupied at the time to ask for her number. This is probably my biggest regret of the whole thing, actually.

So really, wear whatever you like, but if you go into emergency care and there's a hot single nurse, fight the pain, ask for her number!

 

[z1ggy]

^^ Holy shit dude that sucks. But do those nice A* leathers have the ability to fit over shorts/slacks on my way into work? Otherwise I will end up walking around my work complex wearing redic. looking leathers until I can get to the bathroom to change...

 

[WackyDan]

Shit... I ride a Can Am and I gear up all the time... Except the pants... Sometimes I wear them and sometimes I don't.. Depends on whether I'm touring, space to pack, and the heat.

I really like the Olympia gear. Not leather, but not cheap either depending on the trim. Living here in NC in the summer I need something that breathes easily and leather even if not black doesn't give me the ventilation I need...and the ballistic mesh/fabric jackets have some pretty nice options for liners like my Olympia.

I might add... On August 1st, 2002 I was riding my Fazer on a twisty road - in rush hour traffic. Not speeding. Freshly paved, got into a bunch of pavement granuals in the road and went down hard. My leathers were home in the closet because it was too stinking hot, and I was only going for a "short ride"... Lesson learned the hard way. Was torn up pretty bad... still have issues with one of my knees... If I had been wearing my leathers, I wouldn't have been wisked away in an ambulance, or spent weeks recuperating and growing skin.