Chaps
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Chaps
For really cold weather below 35 degrees, I have a pair of windproof insulated pants with hip and knee armor. They do the job, but you have to pack another pair of pants if the weather warms up over about 50 degrees. I found that the chaps are great for a morning that starts off at about 40 degrees and then warms up as the day goes on. Once the day warms up enough, the chaps come off and don't take up much room in the saddle bag. I also wear my chaps overthe "business casual" dockers required by my employer when commuting to and from work. As for the gyrations required to put them on, I had a couple of ladies at work spell bound one afternoon putting the chaps on for the ride home. Now they are telling everybody at work to keep an eye out for when I wear the chaps. What some people will do for attention!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: Chaps
ORIGINAL: cmhfguy
Anyone who thinks chaps will protect you when you go down is dreaming. They will separate at the zippers or snaps and you will have zero protection.
Anyone who thinks chaps will protect you when you go down is dreaming. They will separate at the zippers or snaps and you will have zero protection.
sure the new textile with CE armor is the ***** and works great,but the style and fit are not for everyone.................. I'll take my heavy meshlined chaps over just jeans any day of the week sliding down the road! and yes i wear my leather vented jacket and leather gloves as well............... I've take'n that ride and dont wish to again,but if it happens i want something between me and the asphalt!
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Buckley, WA
RE: Chaps
I have to admit I am a chaps convert. Never wore them when I rode my 'wing' but they have saved my bacon on my Ultra. Protect my knees from debris and cold, don't melt on hot exhaust parts, keep my thighs from blistering on hot stop and go days, work better than my rain pants, and are easier to put on than any rain pant I have ever owned. I am a large guy (325 lbs) and can get my chaps on in about 120 seconds or less! If yours take longer then that you need serious practice or better designed chaps!!!The thing to remember when deciding on chaps is why you want them in the first place. I choose function over formany day.
Keep the rubber side down and between the fences!!!!
Keep the rubber side down and between the fences!!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 814
From: Nevada
RE: Chaps
I wear chaps to keep warm. I tried buying some of the leather overpants from Chilhowee.com. I ordered a pair that was two sizes larger than my jeans size. I don't know how this place sizes their garmets, but the pants they sent me were too small for even my 110 lb wife.I essentially wasted over $30 in shipping costs and still have no overpants. No more clothes shopping on the web for me. I'm going to find some at a rally.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Chaps
As in so many products there is quality and there is crap, don't matter who makes it.
Very rarely do I ride and not wear chaps.
They are not meant for warmth or style, although it helps and what guy here (or even
some women) haven't turned to look at some girl walking by in chaps......wait I'm off
track.
Chaps have one primary function, protection!!
You go down and you're wearing denim jeans, you slide any distance (40 or more feet)
you'll wish you had the chaps.
seen lots of wrecks people didn't have them.You remember skinning your knees as a kid
falling off your bike. Well off a scoot is even worse.
I like to be different so I don't wear black though.
Very rarely do I ride and not wear chaps.
They are not meant for warmth or style, although it helps and what guy here (or even
some women) haven't turned to look at some girl walking by in chaps......wait I'm off
track.
Chaps have one primary function, protection!!
You go down and you're wearing denim jeans, you slide any distance (40 or more feet)
you'll wish you had the chaps.
seen lots of wrecks people didn't have them.You remember skinning your knees as a kid
falling off your bike. Well off a scoot is even worse.
I like to be different so I don't wear black though.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Chaps
For me it certainly isn't a fashion statement. Mine are always in the saddlebag.
1) Riding in cold weather
2) Keeps the bugs from sticking to my pant legs after 300 miles or so.
3) Rocks and other road debris.
4) Safety on longer rides.
5) Light to medium rain and wet roads. Better leather than one of those *** rain suits. LOL
"The only thing that should ever come between a man and his Harley .... leather. "
1) Riding in cold weather
2) Keeps the bugs from sticking to my pant legs after 300 miles or so.
3) Rocks and other road debris.
4) Safety on longer rides.
5) Light to medium rain and wet roads. Better leather than one of those *** rain suits. LOL
"The only thing that should ever come between a man and his Harley .... leather. "