Chaps
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
Chaps are wonderful. Friday I rode a trip 50 miles one way. It was 47 degrees on the way down, and 44 degrees on the way up. I was feeling cold on the way down, so I put on my chaps after the first 20 miles. What a difference. Without the chaps I did't want to put my feet on my footpegs, because I got a cold breeze coming up my pants.
With the chaps on I had the warmth from the extra protection, and the wind blocking.So I was able to vary my foot position, without freezing. I passed only 2 other motorcycles, both touring Harleys. All the guys who make fun of chaps, weren't on their bike.
Those are much more enjoyable rides, than the ones in the 70s when the roads are flooded with bikers.
My chaps are elkskin, and you don't feel confined in them at all. They are easy to take on and off, unlike leather pants. I have no experience with leather pants, as they have zero appeal to me.
With the chaps on I had the warmth from the extra protection, and the wind blocking.So I was able to vary my foot position, without freezing. I passed only 2 other motorcycles, both touring Harleys. All the guys who make fun of chaps, weren't on their bike.
Those are much more enjoyable rides, than the ones in the 70s when the roads are flooded with bikers.
My chaps are elkskin, and you don't feel confined in them at all. They are easy to take on and off, unlike leather pants. I have no experience with leather pants, as they have zero appeal to me.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 405
From: Cedar BC
Chaps are preferable because you can take them off when you get to where you are going assuming you are wearing something underneath them.Depending upon what your destination is, you may or may not want to be strutting around in leather pants...
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 927
Likes: 256
From: North Arkansas
Love my chaps. Can be bought with insulated liners as well. Wind stopping layer as mentioned add much warmth.
Have often used mine in summer over shorts so I can take them off and be cooler for hikes or walking around stops where it is hot. Leave them in my side bag for those later than I thought rides when it gets cool after the sun is dropping.
Most of this is not your question, but....
Have often used mine in summer over shorts so I can take them off and be cooler for hikes or walking around stops where it is hot. Leave them in my side bag for those later than I thought rides when it gets cool after the sun is dropping.
Most of this is not your question, but....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
This probably depends on where you're riding and what you want to protect and keep warm.
Both chaps and pants protect your shins from the cold, bugs and small road gravels but the pants helps keep your butt and your crotch warmer.
Both basically go on the same way with the exception being that you have to "step into" the pants before latching your belt and zippering up the legs.
I switched from chaps to leather pants years ago and I love them.
You can wear regular shorts, pants, sweat pants, etc. under them if you think you may want to remove them if the temp rises.
I wear mine with a belt and suspenders as they are heavy and tend to droop down as I walk.
Like chaps, when buying or ordering, make sure that you add at least TWO inches to the waistline in order to go over whatever pants that you intend on wearing under them.
Both chaps and pants protect your shins from the cold, bugs and small road gravels but the pants helps keep your butt and your crotch warmer.
Both basically go on the same way with the exception being that you have to "step into" the pants before latching your belt and zippering up the legs.
I switched from chaps to leather pants years ago and I love them.
You can wear regular shorts, pants, sweat pants, etc. under them if you think you may want to remove them if the temp rises.
I wear mine with a belt and suspenders as they are heavy and tend to droop down as I walk.
Like chaps, when buying or ordering, make sure that you add at least TWO inches to the waistline in order to go over whatever pants that you intend on wearing under them.
Last edited by 2AMGuy; May 22, 2017 at 12:46 AM.
I prefer chaps over anything else on colder days. I live in MS so our cold days do not compare with folks up north, but basically if temps are in the 50s and below chaps would make a huge difference for me. I like them because I can easily take them off when the weather warms during the day or once I get to my destination. I also often would wear them on all day rides when we are on trips basically as a way to keep my jeans clean from all the bugs and road grime.
I have noticed with my RGU I wear the chaps less due to the lowers on the bike keeping much of the wind off me on cooler days
I have noticed with my RGU I wear the chaps less due to the lowers on the bike keeping much of the wind off me on cooler days
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,966
From: Great State of Canada
2 things about Chaps:
1. East of California you should wear pants under em.
2. South of Nebraska, you should own a motorcycle too.
.
1. East of California you should wear pants under em.
2. South of Nebraska, you should own a motorcycle too.
.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 816
Likes: 172
From: ALABAMA
So true!
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