Curious what type of pants everyone wears when riding. I always wear my Texport ballistic riding pants and jacket, but have noticed the pants do get hot. I see alot of riders wearing street pants or shorts with jackets and some with just shorts and a tshirt. The latter I would never wear!
So I am curious if anyone rides with jeans or dockers and a riding jacket, or is it always all the gear all the time.
Any cooler options for warmer weather riding pants?

I think there's another thread on this going around.

I have these overpants (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/40/2674/ITEM/Firstgear-HT-Overpants.aspx) I wear over shorts and intend to wear over dress pants when it gets cooler. However, I have just been wearing Dockers this last week to commute. But I commute on city streets, at mostly around 30 mph (and thus "rationalize" that it's not as important to have protective pants).

I do always wear my riding jacket (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/4028/ITEM/Alpinestars-T-Breeze-Air-Flo-Jacket.aspx), and helmet and gloves of course.

I went with Alpinestars mesh/textile. Very comfortable, great for moderate weather.

Nice and warm here today. I saw a LOT of bikes out. I only saw three people wearing long pants and only one of those was wearing motorcycle pants for sure (I know because he works with me). Saw lots of shorts, lots of flip-flops and the like. But I work at a university and college kids are indestructible. Just ask 'em.

I have Motoport Ultra II stretch kevlar pants on order which should be here in a couple weeks. They aren't cheap but with their guarantee and reputation they should be the last pair I ever have to buy.

i'm like objectuser, normally it's jeans for my 4-5 mile commute downtown. today i had to go elsewhere, so i wore my armored, mesh Fieldsheer pants. for rainy commutes, aerostitch AD1 pants. first choice for a joy ride would be the 1-piece suit... if i ever do a joy ride.

Admittedly.. Jeans or carhartts most of the time. I have textile overpants that I mainly use for warmth during colder riding seasons

For me (notice how that's bold). I find that the more i gear up the crazier I get. Full leathers in the mountains for me would be disaster waiting to happen. Knowing I'm a little more unprotected keeps my wits about me more. Balls to the wall is for the track, i just toodle around otherwise. Helmet, mesh jacket, gloves and boots 99% of the time otherwise

i wear the olympia air glide pants and jacket they have zip out liners. with the liners in they are water proof take the liner out and they do a great job of keeping you cool on even the hottest days i wear shorts under the pants in the summer i dont understand these guys that ride around with no riding gear one get off and there is a pretty good chance that you may be done(six feet deep) and the flip-flop thing how do you even consider that as an option? ride safe

Any body wearing the double front Carhart's? They are being advertised as the most economical motorcycle pants out there, that's what the one add I saw said.

Are there any ballistic pants that have the ability to vent like the jackets do?

I find that the more i gear up the crazier I get. Full leathers in the mountains for me would be disaster waiting to happen. Knowing I'm a little more unprotected keeps my wits about me more.


Opie, you obviously appreciate the benefits of wearing protective gear, and I know I'm pointing out the obvious, but your rationalization for not wearing protective gear is not very rational for one major reason; many accidents occur due to other drivers' mistakes.

For me it's like wearing a seatbelt. I feel exposed if I don't have the protective gear on. While recently commuting to work, I realized I had not fastened my helmet. While only 5 minutes from work, I kept going over the "what-if" scenarios of other drivers making mistakes, and pulled over to fasten the helmet.

I usually wear Joe Rocket pants with removable panels for air flow. On occasion though, I wear articulating motocross knee guards under my jeans. Not the best solution because it still leaves large areas of my body (hips, butt in particular) with basically zero protection. Pretty much pulling the lever on the slot machine.....

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9ScCKt1qm4E/S4AWhyxyp0I/AAAAAAAABlg/999LGzE_b9o/Baboons%20-004.jpg

Rub

Are there any ballistic pants that have the ability to vent like the jackets do?

I have some Joe Rockets that have a panel that zips out from just above the knee, around the backside and down to the other knee - about 3" wide, so should be good for summer.

The pants don't fall apart because there is still a mesh panel.

I wear Olympia Airglide mesh pants in the summer, Olympia AST pants in the winter.

When I ride I just have to have my armor and abrasion protection on me. I don't want to think about taking a slide even at 35 mph in jeans, as they would give up in the first 3 feet.

You makes your choices and takes your chances.

I wear Joe Rocket textile/CE-armored pants 99% of the time. (The other 1% is mostly when riding from the garage 1/4 mile away to my front door on private roads--I sometimes just wear street clothes + my full face for this, and let me tell you that it feels WEIRD.)

TourMaster textile with armor or TourMaster mesh with armor overpants. Occassionally I will wear Kevlar reinforced jeans (Diamond Gusset).

In the city I wear Draggin Jeans with Bohn Adventure pants underneath (95% of the time). On the hiway its a pair of 1.2mm leather pants with the Bohns underneath (always!!). Dainese boots, a Tourmaster Magnum leather jacket and helmet round out the apparel. When I weigh myself fully geared it's an additional 30 pounds. Living in a cooler climate makes it possible.

I usually wear Joe Rocket pants with removable panels for air flow. On occasion though, I wear articulating motocross knee guards under my jeans. Not the best solution because it still leaves large areas of my body (hips, butt in particular) with basically zero protection. Pretty much pulling the lever on the slot machine.....

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9ScCKt1qm4E/S4AWhyxyp0I/AAAAAAAABlg/999LGzE_b9o/Baboons%20-004.jpg

Rub

Those guys need to get rid of the stock seat! ;)

Those guys need to get rid of the stock seat! ;)Awesome.

I saw one rider wore Bohn armour under his Draggin Jeans.

When I Googled "Draggin Jeans (http://www.dragginjeans.net/)" I saw the advert from Bohn Armour (http://www.bohn-armor-pants.com/catalog/?p=d&gclid=CMvgwfz9jqECFQ5biAodBAXhRw).

What are people's thoughts on kevlar jeans, with or without Bohn's? :feedback:

I wear Icon ARC mesh overpants with knee armor that are pretty cool and comfortable with khakis, but it's not 90 yet. I also have Cortech DSX jeans with knee armor and interior leather panel around the hips and backside. Combine with my Tecknic mesh jacket with armor. Just cheap insurance to me.

I guess I'll stick to my Texport ballistic pants and just wear shorts under them so if I get to hot while taking a break I can cool off by removing the Texport's. This will also give me extra seat padding---thinkg about gettin the alaskanleather butt pad, heard good things.
Thanks for all the comments guys, I guess always wearing the gear is indeed like wearing your seat belt, something I always do when in the cage.

Light pair of chaps, work great. Used to have a cruiser. But I still like them, you can just easily take them off when you get somewhere.

Rev'It Dakor (Revit has since changed the model name to "Sand" without really changing the pants much) 4 season pants. Great knee and hip armor, comfortable in any weather hot or cold. Uses Cordura instead of mystery textile so the abrasion resistance is known. Only issue is they can't be worn as over pants. Olympia make great pants as well.

Honestly...
90 percent of the time I've got on boots, gloves, armored jacket, and jeans.
It's less than 2 miles to work and school from my house.
any farther than that, I bust out my tourmaster caliber pants. Which are comfortable, well protected, and made for the job.

The draggin jeans work for me on the hot days, cooler weather it's my x-culcha easy over trousers

Honestly...
90 percent of the time I've got on boots, gloves, armored jacket, and jeans.
It's less than 2 miles to work and school from my house.
any farther than that, I bust out my tourmaster caliber pants. Which are comfortable, well protected, and made for the job.

+1 on the TourMaster caliber pants. I wear a pair of LdComfort shorts underneath and take a pair of jeans or shorts to change into when I get there. However i must admit that for short hops around town I usually wear jeans rather than the caliber. I've had comments that they look like snow pants. :)

Depends. Some days I will used my Hood cargo pants, which have knee and hip armor, but other times I will wear their jeans or black dress-style pants, which are also lined with woven kevlar (as are the cargo pants, btw). I also have a couple of pairs of Sliders from Competition Accessories, which I tend to wear to work in the summer. I will never go with anything less; I value my skin too much these days! :thumb:

Rev'It Dakor (Revit has since changed the model name to "Sand" without really changing the pants much) 4 season pants. Great knee and hip armor, comfortable in any weather hot or cold. Uses Cordura instead of mystery textile so the abrasion resistance is known. Only issue is they can't be worn as over pants. Olympia make great pants as well.

+1 on the Dakar/Sand. For you photographers out there, they're the Think Tank Photo of bags...

Here's a link: http://www.beachmoto.com/revit/pants/dakar.php

I wear shorts to work, but just don't want to wear them riding. So I have a pair of Joe Rocket Alter Ego over pants. The zip out area with the mesh makes them breath on those hot days.

I wear Tourmaster Flex pants. They are great for all temperatures, are comfortable, and have good protection. I can't comment on them being waterproof as I have not yet had the pleasure of riding in the rain with them (though I can say that the Caliber pants are, as I had them before, and had the wonderful oppurtunity of riding 200 miles in the pouring rain).

I wear them all the time, even just to work (only 2.5 miles away). It takes an extra 30 seconds to put them on, and to me it is worth that to help protect myself in case of the unexpected.

Summer.... Rev'it Rotor. Europe design, great fit. Protection and vented well.
Winter.... Cayenne pro. Expensive, but so are skin graphs. And great fit. All armor stays in place and WARM.

Dry summer day = Joe Rocket Phoenix

Cold, wet, windy day = Joe Rocket Ballistic

Happy with both !

i wear the olympia air glide pants and jacket they have zip out liners. with the liners in they are water proof take the liner out and they do a great job of keeping you cool on even the hottest days i wear shorts under the pants in the summer

+1. This is a great combination that works for me as well.

Dave C

Regardless of the weather I wear my AMA textile armoured overpants... they're heavy, they're thick, but they changed what could have been a major knee operation into a minor knee operation for me.

2 jackets, Lookwell for colder weather and a Vega summer jacket for the warmer weather.

Have ridden the V the odd time without the overpants on, but I feel very exposed.

I know someone who accidentally hit a biker from the side on a notoriously dangerous crossing few years ago (Both this person and the biker said they didn't see each other). In the end the guy lost his leg, the doc said back then that if he'd been wearing some decent heavyweight pants and boots they might have been able to save his leg. Scary, so I'll ride my heavyweight pants thanks, warm legs on a hot day is just a minor inconvenience to the alternative.

These for commuting or pleasure riding.

http://www.newenough.com/street/protective_apparel/textile_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/firstgear_kathmandu_textile_motorcycle_overpants.h tml

These when on twistie rides.
http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/cgi-bin/ft_spec.pl?id=483.Black%20Knight%20Jean

And these when its hotter than hell outside.
http://www.newenough.com/street/protective_apparel/mesh_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/venture_air_mesh_motorcycle_pants.html

I wear a pair of Motoport/Cycleport Air Mesh Kevlar Pants. By far the most comfortable pair of armored pants I have every owned. I sent in a pair of jeans after marking the knee joint and they customized the pants for me. Just terrific.

http://www.motoport.com/_product_35442/Police_Air_Mesh_Kevlar_Pant

None......

None......

meh, would give a whole new meaning to experiencing a "tank slap" at speed. :p

I have Olympia Ranger2 overpants in black for winter commuting and Olympia Airglide overpants in silver for summer commuting.
Olympia is good stuff and not over-priced. They use real Cordura and not some polyester or unknown textile. This is important to me. Nylon is much more abrasion resistant than polyester and Cordura is made of nylon but is even more abrasion resistant than regular nylon. It was developed by dupont and is now licensed to Invista. If you don't see one of these brand names then it is unknown. I just wish that Olympia would use a heavier weight of Cordura, they use 600 denier I think.
I also have a pair of Rev'it Cayenne Pro pants. I bought them thinking I would wear them on long trips or day rides where I didn't have to take them off and on (they are not overpants) but I find I always wear the Olympias simply because of the convenience of throwing them quickly over my jeans.
My high dollar and beautiful Rev'it pants sit in a closet on a hanger. I moved the excellent Sas-Tech armour from my Rev'its to my Olympias.

Just ordered a pair of these to try. Price was right and they have venting for hot days

I am using a pair of BMG (British Motorcycle Gear) Pioneer pants and am very impressed. Their qulaity of construction seems good and I like the fit the best of the two other pants I have ridden with. THe BMG CHallenger jacket I have has been awesome - especially its abiity to hold up in heavy rain. THe only complaint I have about the BMG pants is that they are not REALLY overpants (though i use them as such often) as they have no full length side zipper. The zipper comes up just short of the knee and requires me to remove my boots to take the pants off or put them on. Their weather-proofness seems a fair trade off though so far.

Using Joe Rocket ballistic 7.0 pants. It's okay but replaced it's padding with Aerostich padding.
Maybe I'm spoilt after having 3 Aerostich 2 piece Roadcrafter suits. :(

Important is having protection on the road. Avoids any nasty surprises.

I would presume Steven that your pants are good for high temp/high humidity conditions as if i come over your way want to get some pants that would give me protection but not cook in. It would be interesting if it was cheaper for me to by pants over there?

Hi Phil,

I think the reason I was not grilled well done was because I was wearing my cheap mesh t-shirt and boxer short under the suit. :D

The problem we had was the our suits was they come with inner liners which trapped the heat in. Fastoman and myself are thinking of circumventing our suits where we can.

Myred rode with jeans. What interestingly looking into Draggin Jeans
http://www.dragginjeans.com/category.aspx?categoryID=1

It might be a better alternative in the hot weather here. Anyone have comments on them?:feedback:

As for prices of suits here, It's too expensive. I think you would get a better deal in NZ. I remember buying some bike gear in Australia because it was cheaper there.What most of the bikers do here is buy their gear from Singapore and ride them in.

Will keep in touch on what's good in the summer here.:)

Steven,Over here when it hot, i wear shorts under my bike pants, my pants are just cheap no name ones but effective in cold as i did not even have the liner in through last winter but the last time i did a track day it was 30c and i roasted and they not the most effective for heavy rain as you get wet around private areas:D I have a very good Ixon jacket that has a inner as a nice dress jacket but the outer is great on its own for high temps as has plenty of vents so may price up a good Ixon pants to go with it that is water proof, warm but also okay for conditions in your part of world.

Any of the members had any experince with Ixon bike pants? Or any recomendations on pants that would be effective in a temperate climate as well as a tropical/equator type climate?

Phil:feedback:

I usually wear Joe Rocket pants with removable panels for air flow. On occasion though, I wear articulating motocross knee guards under my jeans. Not the best solution because it still leaves large areas of my body (hips, butt in particular) with basically zero protection. Pretty much pulling the lever on the slot machine.....

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9ScCKt1qm4E/S4AWhyxyp0I/AAAAAAAABlg/999LGzE_b9o/Baboons%20-004.jpg

Rub

I have Joe Rocket Alter Ego pants. I'm not too confident in them anymore after seeing this guys crash test of them

http://motorcycledaily.livejournal.com/ (http://motorcycledaily.livejournal.com/806.html)

IMO Olympia makes some of the best quality gear for the money. Their better stuff uses 2000D Cordura on the hips, knees and seat and 500D elsewhere. 1000D Cordura has the same abrasion rating as 1.3mm leather, 2000D is even more abrasion resistant. Think my next pair of pants will be these:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541176

In comparison the polyester Joe Rocket calls RockTex 660 has an abrasion resistance not much greater than heavy denim. http://www.advrider.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=60224&d=1091074243

I am using a Motorbell Jacket and Dragon Pants and here are my comments;

Motorbell Jacket- Full Mesh.

Jacket okay for tropical conditions and I do wear inner T shirt for add protection and sometime use Impart Armor jacket from Impact Armor - USA.

Pants:

Dragon Rider.
comes in 3 layer. Remove the winter ride layer and now ride with two layer.
Outside is codura and has an inner lining. This inner lining is a problem as it cause skin itchness. Not applicable for tropical climate and I thinks nobody makes riding gears for tropical climate. Have removed side padding to avoid getting skin problem. Remember that most of the gear are made of artificial material and can cause skin problem.

If you get a high end product all the woarst. These Gears have very little air flow no matter how good they are.

Summary: Its a choice you make on protecting yourself. Thick build gear gives some added protection and you have to be on move to cool off. weather here is hot and humid.

Yet to find a Gear that is good for Tropical use. Might consider stiching one or custom make one.

Question: Is there any Make for Tropical Climate- ( not summer but tropical climate):feedback:

:cheers:

Kevlar Sliders from CompAcc. Got the Khakis Cargo pockets. Very Comfortable, light weight, well built, and soft. Haven't done any sliding yet but believe they would provide protection.
Eric

Well according to me its depends on riding. When I ride a little distance I mean to say if its distance is too short than any type of pants will be okay. But when I ride a more or long distance than I want pants that are too much loose. Or mostly want to wear half pants.

I've got various, mesh, waterproof, etc, but they ALL have armor! :goodidea:

British Motorcycle Gear pioneer pants:

http://britishmotorcyclegear.com/mens-pioneer-pants.asp

Crummy picture - Excellent pants!

I have http://www.jdoqocy.com/image-3515658-10559669these overpants (http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3515658-10559669?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorcycle-superstore.com%2F1%2F1%2F40%2F2674%2FITEM%2FFirstg ear-HT-Overpants.aspx) I wear over shorts and intend to wear over dress pants when it gets cooler.

I have been looking for a pair of overpants to wear this winter. I just came off the cruiser this spring and only wear jeans during the summer. Do you find the Firstgear HT's a decent overpant to use for cold weather riding? I will only be wearing them in the winter. I am not concerned with crash protection (kevlar etc...), just an external layer of warmth. In the past, I wore thermal underwear, Jeans, & Insulated Chaps.

Wondering if the Firstgear HT over thermals and jeans would keep me warm in the legs?

These are the 2011 pants I am looking at: http://www.firstgear-usa.com/Pants/CSSHTOverpants.html

Thanks for any input you can give!!

Cycleport/Motoport Kevlar with armor everywhere.

On my commute, I will wear Carhartt double front jeans with Brosh knee protectors with T Pro armor. Or my motoport stretch kevlar jeans. Or my Aerostich one piece. It depends on the weather, and since I have a 4:30 AM ride to work and a 2:00 PM ride home, often a big temp swing.

I have been looking for a pair of overpants to wear this winter. ...

Wondering if the Firstgear HT over thermals and jeans would keep me warm in the legs?

These are the 2011 pants I am looking at: http://www.firstgear-usa.com/Pants/CSSHTOverpants.html

Thanks for any input you can give!!
I don't think I've ridden with them with the liner in. The pants are pretty cool without it and that's their best feature here in Dallas. ;) They are nice and roomy so I think you'd be able to get them on over other things.

Looking at the liner, it's two layers. I think it would provide excellent wind protection. My Alpinestars jacket has only one layer in the liner and it totally changes the characteristics of that jacket.

I'm sorry I can't give you my actual experience with the liner in the pants. I do plan on eventually replacing them because I don't like the protection they provide. Since that's not a concern for you, I think you'll probably like the pants.

Also, those pants are somewhat different from mine. Those seem to have more pockets (I'm very pleased with the pockets in mine however ... nothing I put in the pockets ever bothers me for some reason) and more zippers (mine just zip up the sides ... which is also nice since I can let lots of air in and cool off when I get off the bike).

The pants are pretty cool without it and that's their best feature here in Dallas. ;)

Are you sure you dont have the "air" version of the HT's? They make 2 versions.. Air & regular.

Do you have a recommendation as to any others in the $200 price range? Mainly for warmth? OK if protective as well. Mostly, I need comfortable as I ride 4 or 5 hours at a time with friends.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

Kirk

Are you sure you dont have the "air" version of the HT's? They make 2 versions.. Air & regular.

Do you have a recommendation as to any others in the $200 price range? Mainly for warmth? OK if protective as well. Mostly, I need comfortable as I ride 4 or 5 hours at a time with friends.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

Kirk

Let me check which version I have.

You're right - here's the text from my actual order:
HT Air Overpants
Color - Black, Size - 36 Tall

After the other thread talking about the Kevlar pants, I'll have to consider that. I'd still prefer an overpant though. But I've not done any further research.

You're right - here's the text from my actual order:HT Air Overpants
Color - Black, Size - 36 TallAfter the other thread talking about the Kevlar pants, I'll have to consider that. I'd still prefer an overpant though. But I've not done any further research.

I had an idea when you were talking about using them for cooling effect in Texas you probably had the air version.

Thanks for the info. Since my overpants will be a cold weather pant only, I think the HT's should do fine. Its two more layers over my jeans. That sounds warmer than my leather chaps in the past.

Thanks! :cheers:

Clean underpants. Tighty-Whiteys. Never know where you're going to end up :D

Over those a pair of Duluth Trading firehose cargos. Nice versatile pants.

V-Zee

I have snowmobile pants for the really cold days. I forget the company though.

Then I have Joe Rocket mesh pants for the summer. They're ok, not sure how well they'd protect in a crash, but it's gotta be better than nothing.

Clean underpants. Tighty-Whiteys. Never know where you're going to end up :D

Over those a pair of Duluth Trading firehose cargos. Nice versatile pants.

V-Zee

I just got a pair of the Duluth Firehose Logger pants. Haven't worn them on the bike yet. Very flexible yet rough fabric, double front.

I wear Carhartt Double Fronts over Forcefield "Limb Tube" knee armor. They're my first and only motorcycle-use pants---can't call them motorcycle-specific. Haven't "tested" them yet, but they're comfortable on the bike and the double front coverage is reassuring. Would be nice if they had a double layer on the backside too, though. In the colder months I'll just wear them throughout the workday---pretty casual dress code here.

...

I am looking to pick up a more commuter-friendly 1-piece suit, though. The Teiz Lombard V3 looks like the best value out there:

http://www.teizms.com/lombardv3-p-53.html?osCsid=r821ul1tj5an9n6bo4p0j23e34

Always wear my gear, even on short in town rides. Normal everyday gear is Fieldsheer Mercury 2.0 pants & Fieldsheer Duke Leather Jacket, Tourmaster Solution WP boots or Tourmaster Response SC riding shoes & my Olympia gloves.

I also have a Fieldsheer Thunder 2 piece rain suit that I keep with me most of the time. The Fieldsheer Adventure jacket for when it gets really cold & nasty or if I am going on a long or multi-day ride & coan only bring one jacket as ti works in almost all situations.

ATGATT!