Quick question about leathers
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, KS
RE: Quick question about leathers
ORIGINAL: dpmccan
Wear them riding all the time, unless I'm going to work. Comfortable, protective, don't have the pant legs flappin in the breeze.
Wear them riding all the time, unless I'm going to work. Comfortable, protective, don't have the pant legs flappin in the breeze.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
RE: Quick question about leathers
They really help when it is cold. Be sure to get the lined type so the dye doesn't bleed into your jeans. I found that wearing them on any long ride keeps the legs from tingling later on. You know, like the arms do when just wearing a t shirt. Be sure that they have the best zippers you can find on them. Leather pants are good too, but when you get where you are headed, you are stuck wearing them for the duration.
I am thinking about getting a pair of FXRG leather overpants, I am concerned about how much room they take to stow in the saddlebag, and how hot they would be in the late spring/fall when it is brisk but not cold.
I am thinking about getting a pair of FXRG leather overpants, I am concerned about how much room they take to stow in the saddlebag, and how hot they would be in the late spring/fall when it is brisk but not cold.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Quick question about leathers
I have a set of leather overpants, which I prefer over chaps because, in Oregon, you never know when it's going to rain and get your saddle horn all wet. They've got double-ended zippers, so I can reach into my pockets when I need to, and a fly zip so I can... well... you know. My wife has a pair of chaps. It's her second. The first pair were HD branded, and, after getting a better look at them, we noticed that there was no hip protection on them. Love Leathers had some that had hip protection, so we returned the Harley ones and went with those. She seems to like them, though complains sometimes that her butt gets cold.
The thing I like about the leather pants is that I can wear cargo shorts underneath and ditch the pants on hot days after I arrive at my destination. There are too many loonies on the road for me to ride unprotected.
The thing I like about the leather pants is that I can wear cargo shorts underneath and ditch the pants on hot days after I arrive at my destination. There are too many loonies on the road for me to ride unprotected.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
RE: Quick question about leathers
JR. I've been riding for over 35 years and ride about 20 thousand miles a year average. I have been wearing chaps for about 25 of those years. Iwear the chaps mainly on long distance over my jeans for cold weather and to keep the oil, dirt, bugs, sludge and what have you off of my jeans, that way I don't have to go through multiple pairs before I even get to my destination. Usually I wear em if I'm going to be riding over a hundred miles or so. Everyone is different, but this is how I feel. When I grew up riding you would never see a biker in shorts, tennis shoes and a wife beater, maybe a leather vest but that was it. Point is times have changed and the people today wear what suits em.This is just my humble opinion, for what its worth. Kevin.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
RE: Quick question about leathers
One more thing to add if your serious about cold weather riding get yourself a nice pair of textile riding pants.Tourmaster,Joe Rocket,Firstgear something like that. They're at least as warm or warmer than leather most have armor/padding in the knees and hips and they're water and abrasion resistant.I survived many a sub freezing morning ride to work in my Tourmaster pants and jacket until they were replaced by a truck, with doors windows and a heater.
RE: Quick question about leathers
Assless Chaps are soooooo Gay ....
But I do wear mine with pants when it's real cold, otherwise I do without em ... I guess I ain't much of a real biker, lol
But I do wear mine with pants when it's real cold, otherwise I do without em ... I guess I ain't much of a real biker, lol
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 410
From: South Florida
RE: Quick question about leathers
Leather pants are better. Abrasion protection where it matters. But mostly just jeans, magnum boots, a leather vest, and (gasp) yes, fingerless gloves. I think I've rode maybe 3 times without gloves. I hated it. I always wear gloves. But they have gel packs in the palm, and my levers have a leather cover too. I leave them on from the time I leave the house till I get back. Laugh if you must.
BTW, I hate chaps. Can't get into your pockets, they drag your jeans down, bottoms always come undone, hardware all over the place, belt buckes on chaps can scratch, etc. Pants are a beter option, and if you have them tailored, they look good too.
BTW, I hate chaps. Can't get into your pockets, they drag your jeans down, bottoms always come undone, hardware all over the place, belt buckes on chaps can scratch, etc. Pants are a beter option, and if you have them tailored, they look good too.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Ponte Vedra, FL
RE: Quick question about leathers
I wear mine most all the time. It does help a bit with the heat from the engine so I definitely wear them if I think I'm gonna be sitting in traffic a lot. Always wear them during the winter of course (such that we have here in Florida). They definitely help when you are caught in sudden rainstorms which we have no shortage of here!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: Quick question about leathers
Ha! To me chaps ARE warm weather gear. When it's cold I wear a set of leather overalls designed to go over my street clothes (along with jacket, helmet, gloves, etc.) The leather makes me feel like I'm doing something to limit the damage if there's an accident, but the big motivator is that when I arrive at work I'm just a few zipper pulls from being neat and clean no matter what the road conditions were like. And, of course, I smell like a luggage shop. The chicks dig it.