why wear chaps?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Never had a pair, but I am seriously thinking about getting some. I think that if oiled and maintained the proper way, they may even be good for light rain. I really, really, really don't care what others think about them, if they look gay or if it makes me a poser. I am always looking for stuff that works, and chaps seem to be a good alternative to leatherpants.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
+1 (not sure if they're gay exactly but they certainly are lame)......been riding since I was 18 (45 now).....year round in west coast Canadian winters for quite a few of those years. Have worn jeans mostly (Dickies now though). If its cold (by cold I mean close to or below freezing) I wear thermal underwear underneath; if it's raining I pull on some rain pants.....the rain pants also serve to cut the wind on colder days.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
+1 (not sure if they're gay exactly but they certainly are lame)......been riding since I was 18 (45 now).....year round in west coast Canadian winters for quite a few of those years. Have worn jeans mostly (Dickies now though). If its cold (by cold I mean close to or below freezing) I wear thermal underwear underneath; if it's raining I pull on some rain pants.....the rain pants also serve to cut the wind on colder days.
So lets look at this. You take a ride & stop at a friends house in the winter while wearing thermals under your jeans. So you decide to hang out for a beer or three & his wife likes to keep the house warm & the fireplace is burning. Now you're really sweating up a storm so you excuse yourself & to the bathroom to remove your jeans & take off those sweaty thermals. Where do you hide them now? Or do you give them to your buddies wife to drop in the wash? The other scenario is you keep them on, sweat your ***** off & freeze when you ride home. For me, unzip the chaps & have a beer or three.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Never had a pair, but I am seriously thinking about getting some. I think that if oiled and maintained the proper way, they may even be good for light rain. I really, really, really don't care what others think about them, if they look gay or if it makes me a poser. I am always looking for stuff that works, and chaps seem to be a good alternative to leatherpants.
I condition mine a couple times a season as you should with any good leather. They work pretty well in the rain, even if it's more than light. With the windshield and soft lowers they keep the rest of my legs dry. With a fairing and lowers it can only be better. No windshield, the crotch and maybe the *** cheeks are going to get damp .... Chaps work, have for many, many years and I'm sure they will continue to work for many more. As far as looking gay, yeah, whatever, who cares what others think? You wanna see gay, look at Sturgis pictures from twenty five years ago and compare them to the ones of today, seems there are a lot of "gay" pirates in the newer ones.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 1
Some of you are confused about leather OVERPANTS and just plain leather pants.
Overpants are chaps with evrything covered.
I use overpants Overpants
Overpants are chaps with evrything covered.
I use overpants Overpants
The chaps across the big pond call gay guys 'battie boys'. We call leather over wear chaps. I'm thinkin the chaps across the pond may think we are all gay battie boys...
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,736
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
Hell, it's the only way the ugly guys ever get blown.
Hope that clears it up for ya.
