Pants.

Well, I think most of us know about AGATT. All gear, all the time. In my everyday travels, I come awfully close: Full-face helmet, leather jacket, shorty gloves, full-length boots, and... jeans or slacks. That last one is the obvious weak link. The big issue for me is changing at work; my commute is ten minutes, so if I added putting on/taking off pants, I would spend more time dressing than riding when going to work. Not to mention, when I go to school, I usually still have to walk quite a bit, and I doubt that walking in riding pants is comfortable.

So, what's everyone else's personal policy? Wear riding pants on longer rides? When it rains? When you feel like riding dangerously? Tuesdays?

I'm again thinking about bidding on something, so convince me, or don't.

I have some of the reinforced jeans that I wear when I am going casual, but for work I also just wear jeans. My ride is pretty tame (all 35 mph roads - no real turns). I am a big believer in gear but sometimes it you have to live with a little more risk.

I bought some Kevlar reinforced cargo pants that convert, via hidden zippers, to shorts. IIRC, they were about $50 each. Of course, I have to remember to bring along some sandals or sneakers to change into once I get where I'm going, but they work great and are comfortable.

during cooler weather i wear a set of Carhart zip up thigh pants. Like chaps but full coverage for the cheeks and jewels. Warm weather I'll ride with lined chaps (lined don't shink and bleed dye if rained on. theres many brands of side zip pants out there. some warm some not at all.

44

Draggin' Jeans

The 'time to dress' factor is why a lot of commuters eventually get an Aerostich 1pc. When I had a 1pc (Teiz Motorsports Lombard) I was probably more protected on a daily basis than I am now with separate jacket and pants, and I'll probably get one again as my commute is soon to jump to 20-30mins of highway vs the <5min on surface streets I have now.

Currently if I'm just hopping on to go to the store or campus or something within a couple miles, its helmet jacket, gloves, jeans, and boots. If I'm going to be out riding for a longer period or its raining or its not hot out I put on the Aerostich AD1's.

FWIW walking in good riding pants like the 'stich isn't bad, but it isn't great either.

I am personally against pants in all situations. The "man" isn't going to force me into those symbols of bondage and oppression. Free yourself!

Got a casual dress code at work, so I typically wear Cortech reinforced jeans on hot days. Sure, not quite as good as full leathers, but hopefully adequate. My "real" warm weather overpants from Joe Rocket don't look any sturdier.

Booo! Down with pants!

FWIW, I saw an article once comparing how long you can slide at 60mph in different types of pants before injury. Everything, even really tough work pants, lasted only a few inches. If you want protection, you have to wear something designed as motorcycle pants.

Motorcycle leathers, BTW, lasted many, many feet and protected the rider completely in most instances.

A pair of Draggin' Liners under jeans is a great compromise between looking like a clown and protection.

When I had my off, my jeans got shredded, but my thigh did not.Thanks, Kevlar!

I usually just wear jeans. I've never spent 100 dollars on pants and I'm not going to start now. Surface streets and low speeds help that decision.

Maroon92 wrote: I usually just wear jeans. I've never spent 100 dollars on pants and I'm not going to start now. Surface streets and low speeds help that decision.

My pants-shredding accident was at 45. Take that as you will.

Maroon92 wrote: I've never spent 100 dollars on pants and I'm not going to start now. Surface streets and low speeds help that decision.

Same here.

I wear a kilt when I ride. Keeps me cool.

Osterkraut wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: I usually just wear jeans. I've never spent 100 dollars on pants and I'm not going to start now. Surface streets and low speeds help that decision.

My pants-shredding accident was at 45. Take that as you will.

I realize that 45 can hurt...ALOT...

I guess I will just have to learn the hard way.

At 50 years young, I don't want road rash. I hit a sandy patch back in February on my BICYCLE. I had a lightweight nylon jacket on and it helped, but I still bled some. I figure I was going between 15 and 18 mph. I do not want to explore skin to road friction at motorcycle speeds. I figure my skin is worth a hundred stinkin' bucks.

Well, I have been convinced to bid on a pair; I'll report back in a week.

Maroon92 wrote: I usually just wear jeans. I've never spent 100 dollars on pants and I'm not going to start now. Surface streets and low speeds help that decision.

Before owning a motorcycle, I've never spent $100 on a hat, $60 on gloves, $350 on a jacket, or $130 on boots... and thought I got a good deal.

An easier way to justify gear expenses is not thinking of pants as $150, but instead saving $20,000 on skin grafts.

my sister sometimes does triage for ER. she once told me that denim is really hard to clean out of road rash.

I have some cheap Joe Rocket mesh overpants. They have zippers all the way up/down the sides, so you can just unzip them and step out. I don't wear them 100% of the time, but I probably should. As long as you are moving they are no hotter than whatever pants you are wearing under them.

Maroon92 wrote:

Osterkraut wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: I usually just wear jeans. I've never spent 100 dollars on pants and I'm not going to start now. Surface streets and low speeds help that decision.

My pants-shredding accident was at 45. Take that as you will.

I realize that 45 can hurt...ALOT... I guess I will just have to learn the hard way.

That's a really weird outlook. I hope saving that $100 is worth it. Please learn the lesson while you've got private healthcare.

MCODave wrote: I have some cheap Joe Rocket mesh overpants. They have zippers all the way up/down the sides, so you can just unzip them and step out. I don't wear them 100% of the time, but I probably should. As long as you are moving they are no hotter than whatever pants you are wearing under them.

^ This . . .

I also have a pair of riding jeans that I alternate when I don't need to use the overpants.

In reply to AngryCorvair:

My Girlfriend says Carhartts are no different.

I've got overpants, but even then i sometimes dont feel they are enough protection. I'm interested in the kevlar lined jeans, however.

Osterkraut wrote: That's a really weird outlook. I hope saving that $100 is worth it. Please learn the lesson while you've got private healthcare.

No more so than the message of fear from the gear snobs.

Zomby woof wrote:

Osterkraut wrote: That's a really weird outlook. I hope saving that $100 is worth it. Please learn the lesson while you've got private healthcare.

No more so than the message of fear from the gear snobs.

Inconvenience to others by "gear snobs" is minimal. We just pester the ignoramuses that don't suit up. Yet every time some dumbass in jeans paves an onramp with his ass, at the least I get another 15 emails and a training powerpoint about the dangers of motorcycling in my inbox.