riding in your regular jeans

[hang man]

I'm probably becoming a pest on this forum by now but i found these , they look real good for wearing under any pants you put on with added protection .....Anyone ever use this product ??? I know for a fact that someone can claim this or that but the proof is in the pudding , maybe someone can shed some hands on experience on this product
(after all its not cheap)

http://www.bohn-armor-pants.com/ws1/catalog/draggin1.php?prod=BGLA-G#Order

[happycommuter]

Bohn has gotten in a little trouble insinuating CE certification when it was not so. I briefly considered the product, but well who likes wearing long underwear?  With big lumps? 

It's certainly better than plain old denim (I must remind everyone of when they ran and tripped as a child and tore a hole in the knee of their jeans - NOT a protective garment), and even those Kevlar-lined jeans like Draggin' only minimize abrasion, as opposed to the impact protection these offer.

I wear real overpants.  They look unsexy, but you can take them off when you stop.  They keep you clean and somewhat dry.  I just see the Bohn system as impractical.

[Bumblebee]

Riding in regular jeans? Only if it's under crash pants of some kind.

That's more or less in the price range of normal crash pants depending on what you're looking for.

Extra padding is always a good thing. My only reservations without more research: 1. Normal jeans will disintegrate near instantly when they hit the ground (remember how long jeans protected you when as a kid you were running then fell down? Now multiply the impact and abrasion forces by a few hundred) 2. Unless something is different, tight fitting lycra (spandex) would help hold the armor in place however I'm not sure if it has much going for it in the concrete/gravel abrasion department.

I'm currently wearing this:
http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/mesh_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/ht_air_2_mesh_motorcycle_overpants.html
The pants and I survived an uncontrolled 20mph over the bars tumble off into 4-grit belt sander grade gravel with no damage or injury. Knee padding and abrasion resistance is a really good thing when you slam into the ground. My next plan is to add CE armor to the padding (on my jacket and pants) in addition to the padding that comes with the gear.


ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time)

[happycommuter]

I'm currently wearing this:
http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/mesh_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/ht_air_2_mesh_motorcycle_overpants.html
The pants and I survived...

That's what I wear in the summer, and I've uh, tested them too!  The zipper kind of tore out, and the CE pad left a black spot on my jeans underneath, but I sewed it all back together and still wear them.  I was unscathed also.

The CE pads are not as conforming, or ventilated as the stock foam.  Just so you're aware of the trade-off.

[Bumblebee]

The CE pads are not as conforming, or ventilated as the stock foam.  Just so you're aware of the trade-off.

Thanks for the information. I'm aware of that and it's not a decision factor. The ground is still extremely hard and unforgiving and I'm very allergic to pain...especially the easily preventable kind. (There's nothing like walking away unharmed from an otherwise catastrophic injury or fatal crash)


Hangman, you might consider www.newenough.com when buying gear. They're usually cheaper than local dealers with a better selection. The writeups for each item help. Customer service and knowledge is excellent based on my (and quite a few others) experience with them.

[hang man]

Thanks Bumblebee , already placed some things on order , specifically these items  (haven't received them yet but i think this is real good protection when it's hot and you don't want a full jacket on or the armor pants )


This Vest is what i think a must, it has a spine protection armor and cheap compared to others going for 300 bucks

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/418/3372/ITEM/Power-Trip-Flak-Vest.aspx

these knee/ shin guards do look to be top quality as well as elbow/forearm.  (they claim you can wear the knee guards under your normal jeans.....I like that because I'm also allergic to pain lol)

[Hondo]

I have a pair of Olympia Airglide 2 Overpants.

They're great, wear them all year.

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/mensairglidepant/menairglidepant.htm

[Hondo]

These look good too-

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/recontransformer/recontransformer_pants/recontransformer_pant.htm

[gammer]

Bad Riding Attire (don't try this on your bike)

The t-shirt, shorts and flip flops attire:



It's funny just how often you see this...on a daily basis.

[Bumblebee]

(when it's hot and you don't want a full jacket on or the armor pants )

Air mesh helps a lot in hot conditions. I'm actually cooler wearing the jacket and pant in 100F 100% humidity than in a tshirt and pants. The gear keeps the sun off just like an umbrella does. It also acts like a swamp cooler when the humidity is lower. Sweat a little when stopped and the swamp cooler effect starts the instant you start moving. It's rather comfortable actually. It also saves you from sunburn.

This Vest is what i think a must, it has a spine protection armor and cheap compared to others going for 300 bucks

No sleeves or shoulder protection. (assuming you'll always wear gloves and strap on elbow and shoulder protection) It's not all about impact forces. Once you're on the ground, the 4 grit belt sander starts working on anything it can touch. I know for a fact that once I hit the ground, there was quite a bit of grinding on my left shoulder and arm. Without the shoulder padding and material over my arm, my skin would have been ground off even though I had the protection to absorb impact energy. ...just something to consider.

Bad Riding AttireThe t-shirt, shorts and flip flops attire:
It's funny just how often you see this...on a daily basis.

Notice anything else incredibly stupid in that picture? Potentially more stupid than not wearing gear?

Squid Sandwich. Mr Squid stopped too close behind the cage in front of him to escape and appears to be reading a bumper sticker on the truck. I see too many people, even with gear, roll up to about 6-12 inches behind the vehicle in front and switch their brains off. Not watching mirrors will give no warning of a rear end hazard. Not leaving room in front to manuever between vehicles during the escape is, well, it's flat out suicidal. If the cage didn't stop, he'd likely be dead now. Staying in gear helps a lot in the emergency escape maneuver. Interestingly enough, the cage taking the picture is about the right spacing back from the motorcycle that the motorocycle should leave ahead for the escape.

[gammer]

Notice anything else incredibly stupid in that picture? Potentially more stupid than not wearing gear?

Like "they" always say: Sometimes accidents aren't accidents at all...

Also notice something else (off topic):
in the FedEx logo, the E and the x line up just right to make a right arrow. =>

Check it out...bet you never noticed it before, and now that you have, you will always notice it:

[Hondo]

Squid Sandwich

How true that is!

He left himself no "out" for a rapidly approaching car or truck.. I actually pump the brake light as cars approach from the rear and always watch 'em like a hawk.

Too many folks disctracted by their cell phones these days.

[Pizzmeister]

Notice anything else incredibly stupid in that picture? Potentially more stupid than not wearing gear?

Like "they" always say: Sometimes accidents aren't accidents at all...

Also notice something else (off topic):
in the FedEx logo, the E and the x line up just right to make a right arrow. =>

Check it out...bet you never noticed it before, and now that you have, you will always notice it:

Had to stare at it for 20 - 30 seconds, but then it popped out and smacked me in the face.  The arrow isn't the red, it's the white.  You're right, I'll probably notice it every time now.

[Krtismo]

I have a guy here at work that leaves everyday on his beatup/dirty '06 GSXR 600 wearing a dirty wifebeater, athletic shorts, and old tennis shoes.

Then he tries catwalking out of the parking lot.......

[gammer]

I have a guy here at work that leaves everyday on his beatup/dirty '06 GSXR 600 wearing a dirty wifebeater, athletic shorts, and old tennis shoes.

Then he tries catwalking out of the parking lot.......

That is awesome.
I bet he has a leather jacket with an air brushed profile pic of his 'old lady' on the back of it and her named stenciled below it..."Debbie"
 

[xxxbotchlaxxx]

yeah the impact absortion was never first in my mind, I wear my jacket for the abrasion protection, sleeveless is not going to help there I would go for a good jacket instead, they make ones that are full mesh.  I need crash pants, need to get the money for them.

[FallenMonk]

Thanks Bumblebee , already placed some things on order , specifically these items  (haven't received them yet but i think this is real good protection when it's hot and you don't want a full jacket on or the armor pants )


This Vest is what i think a must, it has a spine protection armor and cheap compared to others going for 300 bucks

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/418/3372/ITEM/Power-Trip-Flak-Vest.aspx

these knee/ shin guards do look to be top quality as well as elbow/forearm.  (they claim you can wear the knee guards under your normal jeans.....I like that because I'm also allergic to pain lol)

I have those ride iicon knee, elbow, and vest field armor. What I can tell you that it's nice to have during the summer when it's boiling  The knee pads will keep your legs warm during the cold weather and the elbow pads are designed well enough not to restrict your movements. I recommend them too! 

[DesignFlaw06]

Had to stare at it for 20 - 30 seconds, but then it popped out and smacked me in the face.  The arrow isn't the red, it's the white.  You're right, I'll probably notice it every time now.

I was behind a FedEx truck yesterday and that's all I could see.

As far as riding pants, I have a pair. I usually ride with those when I want to wear shorts. I've got to look into some armored pants. Dad had all three of his accidents while wearing regular jeans, and they held up pretty well. The leather jacket also saved his skin. I guess those examples led me to believe that jeans were a somewhat decent means of protection. But you guys are making me think twice about it.

[Hondo]

I wear armored pants, jacket, boots , gloves and a helmet every time I ride.

ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time).

Replacing the gear is cheaper than medical costs, and when I do go down on the street, I want to have minimum injuries.

[CraigF]

I've been riding a scooter for 5 weeks (2008 Kymco People 150) and just bought a 1984 cb700sc today.

I've been caught between wanting to ride in the right gear and not wanting to look "silly" by being "overdressed" for my scooter.  But hey, riding is riding no matter what the size of the engine.  I have a jacket on order (5 weeks now) that should arrive Monday or Tuesday.  I've been riding in jeans or khakis, but I do realize that they provide nearly no protection if I should lay it down.

I'm going to look into getting some overpants. 

[Bumblebee]

I've been caught between wanting to ride in the right gear and not wanting to look "silly" by being "overdressed" for my scooter.  But hey, riding is riding no matter what the size of the engine.

Looking silly is a mindset. After riding for a while with the gear, you'll notice that anyone who's not ATGATT looks silly and you'll feel like a fool for not wearing it before. Let people point and laugh. They don't have to personally deal with the consequences of the brutally hard 4-grit belt sander if/when you face plant.

As for being overdressed - Total Bunk! No such thing. No matter how much gear you're wearing, when the ground slams into you, it's still not going to be enough.

Jacket, pants...it sounds like you're on the right path. If you don't have one, get a full face helmet while you're at it. There is a reason crashes are called face plants. Let the fiberglass/impact plastic take the brutality so your face doesn't have to.

[Deadly]

These look good too-

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/recontransformer/recontransformer_pants/recontransformer_pant.htm

I like these and may order a pair next month.   

[xxxbotchlaxxx]

I've been caught between wanting to ride in the right gear and not wanting to look "silly" by being "overdressed" for my scooter. 

honestly half the reason I wanted a bike was because the jacket and helmet looked super bada$$!


that looks dorky?

[CraigF]

Jacket, pants...it sounds like you're on the right path. If you don't have one, get a full face helmet while you're at it. There is a reason crashes are called face plants. Let the fiberglass/impact plastic take the brutality so your face doesn't have to.

I have a full face HJC CL-15 and I have gloves too. So overpants are on my list--they have to be very easy and fast to put on, though.   I'm going to start researching options and see if any of the gear stores around here have a good selection. 

Do people typically slip them on outside while standing at their bike, or at home/office before they leave?

I'm thinking something quick like break away warm up pants would be ideal. :D

[Bumblebee]

Do people typically slip them on outside while standing at their bike, or at home/office before they leave?

Typically? I have no clue what other people do since most are either dressed like squids or they're geared up and riding somewhere.
I put the gear on where ever I'm standing at the time they need to be put on and take them off where ever I'm standing when they need to come off. It's too much hassle to take all the gear off at the store so I just walk in with everything except (usually) the helmet that's locked on the motorcycle. I get a lot of weird looks but that's their problem, not mine.

I'm thinking something quick like break away warm up pants would be ideal. :D

Look into overpants. They have full length zippers down both legs. You can get in and out of them with your boots and regular pants on. 15 seconds tops.