Chaps or coveralls?
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 900
From: Omaha
Chaps or coveralls?
The Wife and I are preparing for a weekend trip next week that is about a 5 hour ride out with an overnight stay. This will be our longest ride since getting our Heritage.
Go figure the temps all week in Iowa are going to be in the 70-80 range until next weekend when the temps will be dropping to upper 50-mid-60 range.
I know 50-60 is not "cold" however I've got a brand new car in the driveway so the mode of transportation on this trip is not the issue. I want to ride and so does the Wife; as long as she's comfortable.
If we take the bike on this trip, I've got to make sure the Wife is comfortable or I'm going to pay a price
My question; in cooler weather what is better, long underwear and jeans along with insulated bib coveralls available or long underwear and jeans with chaps available?
We are not looking at doing a lot of cool weather riding so if I buy chaps they will likely sit in the garage most of the time, but if I buy coveralls, when it starts to snow and I've got to fire up the snow blower, they will get used but really not that much.
What's your opinion of the best choice? Should I get bib coveralls for around $80 or chaps that look to cost from $100-150?
Remember, my purpose is warmth and with long underwear and 60 degrees, I might not need coveralls or chaps, but I do want to be prepared.
Also, I don't want to spend $300 for something that going to set in the garage all the time, however I'm prepared to do that if it's the best choice.
Thanks,
Go figure the temps all week in Iowa are going to be in the 70-80 range until next weekend when the temps will be dropping to upper 50-mid-60 range.
I know 50-60 is not "cold" however I've got a brand new car in the driveway so the mode of transportation on this trip is not the issue. I want to ride and so does the Wife; as long as she's comfortable.
If we take the bike on this trip, I've got to make sure the Wife is comfortable or I'm going to pay a price
My question; in cooler weather what is better, long underwear and jeans along with insulated bib coveralls available or long underwear and jeans with chaps available?
We are not looking at doing a lot of cool weather riding so if I buy chaps they will likely sit in the garage most of the time, but if I buy coveralls, when it starts to snow and I've got to fire up the snow blower, they will get used but really not that much.
What's your opinion of the best choice? Should I get bib coveralls for around $80 or chaps that look to cost from $100-150?
Remember, my purpose is warmth and with long underwear and 60 degrees, I might not need coveralls or chaps, but I do want to be prepared.
Also, I don't want to spend $300 for something that going to set in the garage all the time, however I'm prepared to do that if it's the best choice.
Thanks,
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 829
Likes: 1
From: lakeland fl
leather protects and blocks the wind
Chaps are great for posing and cool weather
Bibs should keep you warmer
Leather bibs are for serious riding IMHO
Heated gear is the greatest !!!!
ya gots to pay to play
Chaps are great for posing and cool weather
Bibs should keep you warmer
Leather bibs are for serious riding IMHO
Heated gear is the greatest !!!!
ya gots to pay to play
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 392
Likes: 12
I use chaps. I stay warm enough, less room when you pack, and easier to put on or take off. Where I feel the cold the most is my hands. Trying to find cloves that keep my hands warm and I can still move my fingers has been tough.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 827
Likes: 3
From: NW Florida
As someone already said, the leather chaps will keep the cold off. Those, with insulated underwear, will work for what you need most probably. I wear a pair of insulated Carhartt bib overalls here in northwest Florida and they work great. I'm able to ride during the winter wearing them with temps going into the 20's at times. They unzip on the outer leg, are easy to get in and out of, and come in black.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, NC
I prefer to wear chaps. To me they are easier to get on and off quickly which helps when I am running late to work. I'm also looking at getting a heated jacket this winter to go with my heated gloves.
Trending Topics
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
The Coveralls will be warmer, the chaps, more versatile. If you stop along the way you will be able to wear the chaps into stores and resteraunts. They will also be easier to store on the bike if it warms up and you need to take them off while riding.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
i have riden in 20deg. i had a cardhart coat and bibs, just jeans and a t shirt under.. i was plenty warm..
i have slept over nite in a semi cab with the coat and bibs on and only shorts and a t shirt under when it was 0 out.. they make a pretty good combo..
walmart sells the Walls brand, they are pretty good for a knock off, but they only go up to 2x..
if it only gets down to 50, all you will need is thermal underwear or sweat pants under your jeans.. or just thick jeans..
i have slept over nite in a semi cab with the coat and bibs on and only shorts and a t shirt under when it was 0 out.. they make a pretty good combo..
walmart sells the Walls brand, they are pretty good for a knock off, but they only go up to 2x..
if it only gets down to 50, all you will need is thermal underwear or sweat pants under your jeans.. or just thick jeans..
Last edited by j1mmy; Sep 30, 2012 at 12:31 PM.