first ride with chaps-WOW
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 744
Likes: 2
From: South of The ATL.
for those of you in south/southeast, question for ya. i will be new to riding in fall/winter and was wondering if a pair of thermal underwear under jeans does the job for keeping legs warm? if so, can you still walk around off the bike wearing that setup without burning up? what kind/brand did you go with?
If the day starts out cool, but warms up later, it is easier to take off the chaps than it would be to take off the thermals.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
FWIW an alternative to chaps, that I often use, are Aerostich Darien pants. Here's why I like them.
They are comfortable, designed and sized to be worn over your pants/jeans, and are very easy and quick to put on and off.
Good for most temps, cold to warm weather riding.
Gortex lined and totally waterproof so they serve as your rain pants too.
Good abrasion resistance all around with additional light armor in the knees.
They fold down to about 12"x12"x6" so they're easy to pack away when you get off the bike or want to ride w/o them because it's really hot.
http://www.aerostich.com/jackets-pan...ien-pants.html
They are comfortable, designed and sized to be worn over your pants/jeans, and are very easy and quick to put on and off.
Good for most temps, cold to warm weather riding.
Gortex lined and totally waterproof so they serve as your rain pants too.
Good abrasion resistance all around with additional light armor in the knees.
They fold down to about 12"x12"x6" so they're easy to pack away when you get off the bike or want to ride w/o them because it's really hot.
http://www.aerostich.com/jackets-pan...ien-pants.html
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
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From: east texas
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
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From: Gilbert, AZ
I live on the outskirts of Chandler AZ (suburb of Phoenix), There's a lot of open desert out here and it is cold at 06:15 AM when I leave for work during winter. Usually it's in the 70's when I ride home. I was real glad I took them to Oklahoma earlier this month. They came in handy when that cold front came through the midwest. I rode from Broken Bow to Amarillo on October 7 and it never got above 40° all day.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
My point was horseback riding isn't fast enough to create a lot of wind chill. If it's cold and windy you're better served by full coverage over pants, such as the Darien's or full leathers. I imagine cowboys wore chaps not because they are warm but because they are cooler, yet still offer protection against brush and thorns.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
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From: Republic of Texas
I wear chaps for wind protection over my jeans when it is cool on my lower legs. Lower covers on both of my bikes would not look cool, so lowers on my legs are the options. My nuts and my *** don't feel much of the wind when riding. You'll have to take my word on that. Tank blocks the wind off of the nuts and I am sitting on my *** on a leather seat which warms up to *** temperature eventually. Ease of removal with chaps when it warms up is what I like beside comfort. Which it does here quite often after a cool morning. They don't feel bulky. They do the job without melting on my exhaust. Old school and require very little upkeep with no washing. Wipe them off with a clean rag. Coat them with a leather care product if you wish. Roll them up till needed once dry. I do not like long handles unless it is absolutely necessary and I don't like the new created fabrics that feel like nylon. I also don't like wearing leather pants. Once it gets hot --leather needs to come off. The trick is to pack or wear the least amount of clothing and bulk to be comfortable. It is a personal preference. I don't wear leather or armour to ride in for safety. I fully expect to leave home and return home safely on my riding skills---not clothing. This is my preference for my climate.
My point was horseback riding isn't fast enough to create a lot of wind chill. If it's cold and windy you're better served by full coverage over pants, such as the Darien's or full leathers. I imagine cowboys wore chaps not because they are warm but because they are cooler, yet still offer protection against brush and thorns.
Last edited by oldairboater; Nov 1, 2012 at 09:21 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
You broke the forum rules!!! They are required to be referred to as "assless chaps." I guess that is to distinguish them form "assful chaps??" (which, I think, are called "pants")
Anyway, yeah, chaps are practical, comfortable, reduce the bulk in your crotch and hip joints, are very warm and are easy to put on and to take off when the ride is over or when you stop mid-ride.
The only people that won't wear them are the homophobes who think they look "gay." (Chaps originated with the cowboys who, for the most part, weren't gay.) The Village People didn't make chaps gay any more than they made hard hats or motorcycle cops gay.
Anyway, yeah, chaps are practical, comfortable, reduce the bulk in your crotch and hip joints, are very warm and are easy to put on and to take off when the ride is over or when you stop mid-ride.
The only people that won't wear them are the homophobes who think they look "gay." (Chaps originated with the cowboys who, for the most part, weren't gay.) The Village People didn't make chaps gay any more than they made hard hats or motorcycle cops gay.
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