Pants: Difference between revisions

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Should you ride your motorcycle in jeans? Well, they provide about the same amount of protection as shorts.

~~In other words, they don't do anything.~~

The pavement grabs them and rips them - after that you're sliding on bare skin. Denim rips really really easily. Testing denim is really not fun.

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[[Image:Get_some_pants.jpg|150px]]

====~~The following~~ will ~~give~~ you ~~an idea~~ of what is ~~available~~. ~~Look~~ for ~~something~~ with ~~armor~~, ~~CE preferably~~. ~~You have lots of choices~~.~~====~~

====Which pants?====

First you need to ask yourself: Are they comfortable? Buy something you'll wear all the time, or they won't do any good. Get what fits well while you are seated on the bike. They will be long and feel a bit loose while standing, but should be right when you are in your normal riding position.

Pants are kind of hard to size, although they are usually adjustable at the waist. A few come in different lengths, and some have adjustable knee armor. We recommend getting them from a brick and mortar store if possible, or plan on sending them back to online stores until you get the right ones. Returns at the [[Places to buy gear online|better stores]] are pretty easy, actually, but you do have to pay to send stuff back.

You have to think about what kind of pants you'll like. Do you want leather or textile? Then, do you want overpants (worn over your jeans) or regular riding pants?

Are you looking for all out protection? All out comfort? All out convenience? In order of that list you've got:

*Leather pants: The best protection you can get and will work well in most riding conditions. The downside is that you probably won't want to put them on for the quick trip to the store or for the ride to work. Perforated leather may be more comfortable in hot weather.

*Textile riding pants: Great comfort and can be used in all riding conditions. Generally more useful for everyday riding with more pockets/vents, and walking through the mall you don't look quite as odd. Like leather pants, you normally wear these over bare skin/skivvies so it makes changing somewhere a bit more challenging.

~~'''Joe Rocket Ballistic Pants'''~~

*Textile overpants: Can be worn over normal pants/shorts, making errands and everyday riding easy, since you can take the pants off when you get to your destination. Makes commuting really easy. Offer the possibility for layering on colder days. They generally fit on the loose side, so armor may move in the event of a fall.

~~They are a little loose since they are overpants, but they are adjustable; they~~ have ~~a velcro "belt"~~ that you ~~tighten to fit~~ your ~~waist~~.

Some pants have zippers that come up high on the legs (some find these easier to use with boots on). A liner for cooler weather is sometimes an option. Don't worry about length too much; once you tuck the pants into your boots that doesn't really matter.

~~The pocket above~~ the ~~left knee is quite big~~ and ~~very convenient~~. ~~The stiff pads at~~ the ~~knees should give good protection, and soft pads in~~ the ~~hip give some padding but don~~'t ~~restrict your mobility at all~~. ~~Of course~~, you ~~still have~~ the ~~abrasion resistance from~~ the ~~110 ballistic nylon~~.

One thing that is vitally important is that you zip the pants and the back of your jacket together. This will help keep your skin covered should you end up sliding down the road. All zippers are not the same; most companies use a slightly different style that won't work with others'. However, most pants/jackets come with extra zippers, so you can get a seamstress/significant other/mom to sew the correct half into your jacket. It's usually easier to change the zippers in the jackets than the pants. The zipper situation doesn't need to influence your buying decision too much.

They are quite waterproof (though the crotch can leak in heavy rain, but so does an Aerostitch suit) and go over other clothing easily as they have zippers up the legs. They also will zip into Joe Rocket Blaster or Ballistic jackets. When wearing the whole outfit, you'll be ready for either a sunny day or a rainstorm. They're quite versatile.

====Draggin Jeans====

~~'''Draggin Jeans'''~~

Most people that ride a lot would rather have motorcycle pants than the Kevlar-style jeans, but some like the look/feel of denim. Here are some options for them.

There are two Draggin Jeans companies; one in Australia and Fast Company, based in Hickory, NC (made in USA). According to the best information that a 30 minute search would provide, the US company is the original, and holds the US patent for the product. Both products seem to be equally well-made. It may come down to price and what you can find. One thing to check is the area of the jeans that are covered by Kevlar. Make sure that there's enough to meet your needs. Here's a picture of the Fast Company jeans. Kevlar is the yellow stuff.

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 Should you ride your motorcycle in jeans? Well, they provide about the same amount of protection as shorts.
-In other words, they don't do anything.
 The pavement grabs them and rips them - after that you're sliding on bare skin. Denim rips really really easily. Testing denim is really not fun.
@@ Line 12: / Line 10: @@
 [[Image:Get_some_pants.jpg|150px]]
-====The following will give you an idea of what is available. Look for something with armor, CE preferably. You have lots of choices.====
+====Which pants?====
+First you need to ask yourself: Are they comfortable? Buy something you'll wear all the time, or they won't do any good. Get what fits well while you are seated on the bike. They will be long and feel a bit loose while standing, but should be right when you are in your normal riding position.
+Pants are kind of hard to size, although they are usually adjustable at the waist. A few come in different lengths, and some have adjustable knee armor. We recommend getting them from a brick and mortar store if possible, or plan on sending them back to online stores until you get the right ones. Returns at the [[Places to buy gear online|better stores]] are pretty easy, actually, but you do have to pay to send stuff back.
+You have to think about what kind of pants you'll like. Do you want leather or textile? Then, do you want overpants (worn over your jeans) or regular riding pants?
+Are you looking for all out protection? All out comfort? All out convenience? In order of that list you've got:
+*Leather pants: The best protection you can get and will work well in most riding conditions. The downside is that you probably won't want to put them on for the quick trip to the store or for the ride to work. Perforated leather may be more comfortable in hot weather.
+*Textile riding pants: Great comfort and can be used in all riding conditions. Generally more useful for everyday riding with more pockets/vents, and walking through the mall you don't look quite as odd. Like leather pants, you normally wear these over bare skin/skivvies so it makes changing somewhere a bit more challenging.
-'''Joe Rocket Ballistic Pants'''
+*Textile overpants: Can be worn over normal pants/shorts, making errands and everyday riding easy, since you can take the pants off when you get to your destination. Makes commuting really easy. Offer the possibility for layering on colder days. They generally fit on the loose side, so armor may move in the event of a fall.
-They are a little loose since they are overpants, but they are adjustable; they have a velcro "belt" that you tighten to fit your waist.
+Some pants have zippers that come up high on the legs (some find these easier to use with boots on). A liner for cooler weather is sometimes an option. Don't worry about length too much; once you tuck the pants into your boots that doesn't really matter.
-The pocket above the left knee is quite big and very convenient. The stiff pads at the knees should give good protection, and soft pads in the hip give some padding but don't restrict your mobility at all. Of course, you still have the abrasion resistance from the 110 ballistic nylon.
+One thing that is vitally important is that you zip the pants and the back of your jacket together. This will help keep your skin covered should you end up sliding down the road. All zippers are not the same; most companies use a slightly different style that won't work with others'. However, most pants/jackets come with extra zippers, so you can get a seamstress/significant other/mom to sew the correct half into your jacket. It's usually easier to change the zippers in the jackets than the pants. The zipper situation doesn't need to influence your buying decision too much.
-They are quite waterproof (though the crotch can leak in heavy rain, but so does an Aerostitch suit) and go over other clothing easily as they have zippers up the legs. They also will zip into Joe Rocket Blaster or Ballistic jackets. When wearing the whole outfit, you'll be ready for either a sunny day or a rainstorm. They're quite versatile.
+====Draggin Jeans====
-'''Draggin Jeans'''
+Most people that ride a lot would rather have motorcycle pants than the Kevlar-style jeans, but some like the look/feel of denim. Here are some options for them.
 There are two Draggin Jeans companies; one in Australia and Fast Company, based in Hickory, NC (made in USA). According to the best information that a 30 minute search would provide, the US company is the original, and holds the US patent for the product. Both products seem to be equally well-made. It may come down to price and what you can find. One thing to check is the area of the jeans that are covered by Kevlar. Make sure that there's enough to meet your needs. Here's a picture of the Fast Company jeans. Kevlar is the yellow stuff.