riding in your regular jeans

[happycommuter]

At home or work (or anyplace you can safely store gear) walk in/out like an astronaut all geared up.
Shopping errands and the like usually require stowing everything on the bike, unless you really want to wear/carry everything.  A little anti-theft cable loops onto the helmet holder, through sleeves, leg openings, chinbars, and back onto the helmet holder, reels up to fit in pocket or tank bag.  So far nobody has snagged earplugs and gloves left in helmet.

Overpants come off easily, the main thing is to do it very quickly so people don't think you're flashing or prepping for public urination.

[Uncle Fester]

GOOD THREAD!  Lots of folks talk about jackets and helmets, but little is ever brought up about pants and gloves, in my experience.  I ride in jeans.  I'd like to et some overpants, for warmth, and protection.  Gosh, they're all so expensive!  I suppose that's what people say about the jackets, as well.  I was kind of hot this summer (again) with my full solid heavy leather jacket, but I'mstill here, no heat stroke.  It did have me considering a textile jacket, though.  I'll probably get overpants first, with cooler weather here, and get a jacket later on...  I'm thinking about heated vest and such as well!  I don't want to stop priding just because winter comes to the north east!

[86cb700sc]

Overpants can cost $100 or less if you shop carefully. Much less if you are willing to forgo a name brand.

[CraigF]

I kept considering mesh/convertible jacket and pants.   Then I read about some mesh protective gear doesn't survive a slide and should be considered a one crash use.

I've decided to spend a little more (though have to wait a little longer) and get some higher end overpants. 

An option, in the mean time, is snowboard pants.  I have some in my closet from years ago. They are warm, waterproof, and have reinforced knees.  I know they'll get shredded if I go down in them, but I think they were $50 about 10 years ago.  The only use they've seen in 8 years has been snow shoveling, so it's not a huge lose if they do get damaged.

I'm on the lookout for Aerostich Darien pants for real protection, though.

(I would have bought some Olympia Ranger 2 pants if they didn't have so much velcro on the leg zippers.)

[MrF]

What happened to hang man?

[Uncle Fester]

Hey, yeah!  Hang Man, where's ya go?

[Hondo]

What happened to hang man?

He asked to have his account deleted, so I did as he asked.

Anyone who does this will show up as a guest.

[Sideways]

I'm looking into various options for leg protection, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with  SLIDERS or DRAGGIN jeans (or any kevlar reinforced jeans/cargo pants)that have optional knee and/or hip inserts
I'm also wondering how the icon elbow and knee pads work out.

I'm lucky enough to have an average enough proportioned body that most clothes in my size fit me well, so sizing shouldn't be a problem, I'm mostly concerned with roadrash protection on my hips and ass and protecting my knees from impact.

[mwallette]

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.

One other problem, that I learned the hard way: the motorcycle rider is in a huge, gaping blind spot behind the FedEx truck.  Ordinarily, you wouldn't expect someone to back into you on the road, but it happened to me   Now when I pull up behind a utility truck that doesn't have a center rear-view mirror, I pull into either the far left or far right side of the lane so I'm in the truck's side rear-views.

[Custom82Hawk]

as for clothing, i was wearing regular khakis when i learned to fly, and granted, they offered very little protection compared to riding pants, but they survived (mostly).  i did get some minor road rash on my knees, but other than that, they protected me pretty well.  they didn't tear either, oddly enough, just got the road rash from the friction of sliding at 50 mph i guess.  anyway, that's my story.

[DonD]

(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.

Mr Squid may wind up like this unfortunate rider;

[Bumblebee]

Mr Squid may wind up like this unfortunate rider

That looks like a parallel parking idiotic oopsie (next to the curb and no ick in the vicinity of the seat area) however the point, and image, is very very valid to get the point across on not pulling up to the vehicle in front of you.

[Sideways]

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)

did you get your icon stuff yet? I ordered the leg armor, I expect it today.
also did you like the vest?

[Hangster]

did you get your icon stuff yet? I ordered the leg armor, I expect it today.
also did you like the vest?

I did get the Knee/Shin guards and had them for a year still new in the box never used



I don't know but they are too small for me (maybe they sent me the wrong size as there is no mention of size on the box or the guards)...Decided to go with 661 and i wear them every time i ride under Draggin Jeans

http://www.sixsixone.com/Catalog_661Moto.aspx?id=9121e224-9296-4418-aad2-a202297659f1&product=3afc19a2-aea7-4d36-a318-e33bac211ae7



They are so comfortable you don't notice you have them on

I did not get the elbow guards or the vest as i decided to go with a leather jacket

[Sideways]

aw crap, I would have seen if you wanted to sell them. I understand they are 1 size fits all

[Hangster]

aw crap, I would have seen if you wanted to sell them. I understand they are 1 size fits all

Well when yours arrive and you decide you like them you can return them and we could work out a good deal 

In all honesty though even if they did fit, i like the 661s much better (they don't have shin protection though)

[Sideways]

i got 'em. I can see what peopl say about feeling like the kneecaps wouldnt help in a slide, but I don't think they're supposed to plus you wouldnt be sliding in that position on your knee most likely.
 they fit me pretty well, Im going to wear 'em next time I go skateboarding, no more shinners.
 I think they're going to work out, hope I never test em.

[ROJ]

I've got the leg armor as well. I like them, except that one always seems to slip a bit when I walk, but if I snug it up before I get on to ride I have no problems with it.