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Post by halosfan06 on Aug 17, 2008 20:28:32 GMT -5
Looked into real riding pants today when I heard that jeans shred when sliding on pavement. $170 !!!!!!!! Am I the only one wearing jeans?
What do you wear? What should I ask for for Christmas?
PS - d.i.c.k.ies was automatically converted to thingies on the poll...I love censorship! ;D
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Post by earlwb on Aug 17, 2008 21:29:37 GMT -5
I normally wear sport bike attire, with a armored jacket and armored pants. But I also have a pair of Draggin Jeans with kneepads for casual days.
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Post by bob67 on Aug 18, 2008 7:09:58 GMT -5
backless chaps with nothing under them ,,, not really , just jeans ....and a sweatshirt ...
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Post by owenbrau on Aug 18, 2008 17:09:41 GMT -5
I wear jeans. I'm looking into something like Draggin' Jeans or even armored, but that would also require me to then change when I get to work and go home.
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Post by earlwb on Aug 20, 2008 6:02:09 GMT -5
My sport bike pants are Olympia brand mesh pants, with a zipout liner. What I did was get them a couple of sizes larger, so I can wear them over my regular pants, and then when I get to work, I slip them off and viola, I am ready to go. www.motoliberty.com
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Post by halamadrid on Aug 22, 2008 0:38:45 GMT -5
hey guys...i havent put much thought into what Im going to where when I ride my scooter to school 8 miles away each day of the week on 50mph roads... Im 16 and am going to a college. Jeans and a sweater and a 1/2 helmet isnt enough is it? please explain to me Im kind of worried after reading through all this
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Post by halosfan06 on Aug 22, 2008 12:30:48 GMT -5
First, you asked if jeans, sweater, and half helmet are sufficient. As with online ordering and many other things, there are trade-offs and you have to choose which you feel comfortable with.
Jeans (what I wear) are semi-durable and far better than shorts, but can still rip and shred in a slide across the asphalt. Several riders have reported their jeans melting away and still getting road rash. The alternative is zip-off motorcycle pants. These run well over $100 though, so I can't afford them. This is the weak link in my armor.
Gloves. If you like your hands and want to keep them usable after a crash, wear good motorcycle gloves with knuckle protection. Mine cost <$20.
Boots. I like wearing over the ankle boots because they keep my shoes on me if I crash. While they are far less comfortable than the flip-flops I prefer to wear, I like my feet. I like walking on my feet. I'd like to keep it that way. High-tops are an ok second, but they still pop off frequently in a crash. Ankle road rash sucks. Road rash anywhere sucks
Jacket - This is the biggest bummer of the whole outfit, because it's bulky and I have to drag it around with me. However, I feel a sense of attachment to my skin, so I'd like to keep it attached to me and not the road. I live in So Cal where it's over 100 right now and my mesh jacket does just fine. In the winter I'll have to get a non-mesh jacket. If you do the sweater thing, figure it'll last about 10-15 feet in a slide. This means about 20 MPH or so. If you plan to ride much faster, figure your skin will protect you after the first 10-15 feet.
Helmet - I wear a FF helmet because I think it's the only one that should be approved. Haven driven an ambulance for a while, I've seen personally the facial road-rash that comes with brain bucket helmets. They're called brain-buckets for a reason. Half shells are useful for a smashing force to the top of your head. However, if you smack your face on the pavement, that does the trick just like no helmet.
It all comes down to your preference. There are millions of riders that ride in flip-flops, shorts, and sunglasses. There are whole arguments on the topic online. It's a lot of stuff to carry around, but I REALLY like my skin and I hate the screaming that road-rash induces. I shove it all in a big motorcycle bag and I found a locker at school to use.
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Post by shylark55 on Aug 22, 2008 21:15:41 GMT -5
Jeans for me. Rode in shorts a few times, but always feel uncomfortable about protection from the elements/insects/asphalt. Would get armored if they were cheap enough. But for now regular jeans.
Mike
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Post by bravobravo on Aug 23, 2008 22:29:48 GMT -5
Most of the time 80% Im in shorts 20% jeans I live in a desert... That is until winter comes then its 100% jeans
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Post by pukame2 on Aug 25, 2008 0:02:00 GMT -5
Jeans, helmet and boots for sure. When its cold, heavy jacket and gloves. Head home when it starts to rain and will only ride when sun is out.
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Post by ladydi on Aug 25, 2008 19:29:05 GMT -5
Jeans, armoured jacket with zip out liner for warm days, full finger gloves in the chilly mornings, halfies in the warm afternoon, boots, helmet and eye protection, OVER my glasses (gotta still see where I'm going & to play my mp3)! :-)
Gloves, believe it or not, will save your 'skin' when that truck in front of you kicks up a stone on the road and hits your knuckles!
You do what you gotta do to be safe out there - 'cuz them other guys 'ain't looking for you' ! They are to busy texting, celling, pc'ing, putting on make up, reading te paper, etc.....
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Post by Dennis D on Aug 25, 2008 22:16:03 GMT -5
For all the years I've ridden, I've always worn jeans, have gone down wearing them several times and shredded my knees badly once. Jeans last about 3 or 4 feet(maybe if they're new) when sliding on asphalt. I expect concrete would be worse. Even without visible damage to the jean, it's still possible to tear your knees up pretty badly with just a single layer of denim.
Recently I've been getting more conscious of the "possible" need for protective gear on any given ride. Since really hot weather started this summer, I've been wearing cargo pants with kneepads underneath... lighter weight than jeans so at least as comfortable, even with the kneepads. Since I know from experience that if I go down in the roadway theres a good chance I'll land or slide on my knees, I figure the protection is better than a pair of heavy jeans.
I found some Teknic Warrior Denim Jeans at newenough.com for a $62. They have an extra layer of denim plus kevlar on knee and seat areas. Not armored but should be quite abrasion resistant. I also ordered a pair of Cortech Leather reinforced(seat and knees) Jeans from Motorcycle closeouts.com several days ago($84). Doubt I'll go to fully armored pants anytime soon... I do too much shopping, coffee shop or restaurant stops, and just plain walking around looking at stuff, interspersed throughout most of my rides.
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Post by scooterollie on Aug 26, 2008 10:15:52 GMT -5
Ordered a set of Draggin jeans + knee armor last week. Have been using regular jeans up to now. These are the last piece of riding gear I needed.
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Post by pukame2 on Aug 26, 2008 16:02:54 GMT -5
Yep. learned about draggin jeans right here and I'm never too old to learn. Remembered the gear from my dirt-riding days, but never gave any thought about streetwear. Always felt my trusty denim jacket and jeans were all I just needed.
Pricing a pair right now and hopefully by next week, I can get bit. Less than $100 delivered.
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Post by earlwb on Aug 26, 2008 17:05:30 GMT -5
I love the Draggin jeans, well made and heavily stitched. They'll last longer and 300millisec's as you slide across the pavement at sped. I also got the velcro kneepads to stick inside too, as my right knee still sometimes gets twinges from the last time I busted it wide open a number of years ago.
I would suggest a decent jacket with armor pads and Draggin Jeans for school. Then you would only have to carry the jacket and helmet around with you. I used to do that in school a jillion years ago, but they didn't have Draggin jeans then, and I had the classic motorcycle leather jacket in those days.
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Post by Dennis D on Aug 30, 2008 20:12:34 GMT -5
I received both pairs of riding jeans I ordered in the last couple of days. The Cortech Tourmaster leather reinforced jeans are heavy denim with washable leather liner, knees and seat. They also came with CE knee armor that can be inserted with some allowance for positioning as you like it, or according to just where your knees are at. I got those from motorcycle-closeouts.com for $84.99 and from looking them over and fitting them on, consider it money well spent.
The other jeans I got from newenough.com. Teknic Warrior Denim Jeans for $62. They have an extra layer of denim plus kevlar on knee and seat areas. They say heavy duty in the description, but they are actually very lightweight denim. You couldn't prove it by me that they have an extra layer of denim on knees and seat, but a thin layer of kevlar material is there. They are absolute straight cut legs... like a pair of stovepipes. That makes them seem at least as loose and floppy as the cargo pants I wear with kneepads in really hot weather. I will wear kneepads under them also, as there's plenty of room, and I don't have a lot of confidence in the very lightweight kevlar liners.
If I had it to do again, without question I would order two pairs of Tourmaster Cortech jeans from motorcycle-closeouts insead. They seem to me to be well worth the extra $23.00.
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Post by pukame2 on Sept 1, 2008 1:10:05 GMT -5
Just won a pair of draggin jeans with Knox knee pads @ $78 off eBay. Scooterollie and earlwb pointed me in the right direction. Thanks, guys.
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Post by ashtonisdrugfree on Sept 3, 2008 19:37:16 GMT -5
I just wear jeans. I wear a nice motorcycle jacket, a snell approved helmet, and gloves. I'm not really digging any kind of uncomfy padded pants.
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Post by pukame2 on Sept 25, 2008 20:11:03 GMT -5
Just got my draggin jeans today and tried them on. Maybe because of my slim build, it didn't seem to be too obtrusive, in fact it wore well. Got the knee pads but could only use one. Don't need one for my left leg. I've glad I got longer; works perfectly with my boots, no riding up anymore.
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Post by brickstore on Sept 26, 2008 9:15:30 GMT -5
Jeans for me. I always wear a motorcycle jacket, full face, and gloves. I need to get boots and some overpants for when I ride to work (usually wearing my dress slacks then, they'd disintegrate in no time.)
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Post by newrider57 on Sept 26, 2008 9:51:17 GMT -5
In my case, I wear jeans (for now). I am looking for a good pair of riding pants. For the rest, I have a full face HJC helmet, leather gloves that have knuckle guards and an armoured gauntlet on the outside of the wrist, and a pair of Raichle over the ankle hiking boots fror my feet. I just bought a pair of Ariat roper boots for when I ride to work.. they fit our business casual dress code better than the Raichle's.
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Post by halosfan06 on Sept 26, 2008 10:38:06 GMT -5
A few weeks ago I finally had saved up enough money to get me a cool pair of pants. I'm about 80% happy with them. I wanted something I could zip on and off quickly so I could wear them to school and then wear shorts around all day in the So CA heat (be quiet you arizona people ;D ). I also wanted something with knee and hip pads because, heck, if I'm gonna spend all that money, I want them to do something. So I got these: Tourmaster Venture Air PantsThe cool part is that they're 3 way pants. They have mesh for the summer, a zip in waterproof liner, and a zip in quilted pant for the winter cold. Those two layers will likely stay in the closet till January. I've worn them for a few weeks and my only dilemna is that the kneepads slide all over creation inside the pants so I need to figure out some way to hold them exactly where I want them (ie - in front of my knee ;D ). I think a needle and thread and some girl sewing skills should work out. Dangit for having a mother that made me learn how to sew buttons and use a needle and thread. I feel like a sissy now.
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Post by d on Sept 26, 2008 12:23:57 GMT -5
Ha! it's not being a sissy, I been single for about six years now and it a skill I have acquired. lol
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Post by iamverb on Sept 26, 2008 14:11:00 GMT -5
I dragged my knee in my only serious fall and got some pretty nasty rash. Jeans did nothing to protect me, so far as I could tell.
I still wear just my work pants, or jeans when I'm riding for fun.
On a moment's reflection, I'm going to look for knee armor or something I can wear over my work pants right now.
Oh - and sewing: it's manly. Being knowledgeable and capable of maintaining yourself is always manly. In comparison, how manly is it to be stymied by a tool as simple as needle and thread?
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Post by mk9750 on Sept 26, 2008 14:19:29 GMT -5
Halosfan06,
Rather than being ashamed of your domestic skills you should be proud! Two quick stories:
As a Boy Scout leader, along with all of the camping, hiking, rappelling, and kayaking we do, once per year we have two meetings that cover sewing, laundry, and cooking (indoors). EVERY SINGLE SCOUT who has gone away to college has found an opportunity to thank us for insisting that we spend some time doing "girly" stuff!
When my older son was a junior in high school, he went on a band trip to Myrtle Beach. He and a buddy heard two of the better looking girls complaining that there was no good place to eat. Everyone was staying in efficiency apartments, and my son and his buddy invited the two girls to breakfast the next morning. They ended up having to invite the band director, too, in order to get permission. But they went to the local grocery store, bought everything they needed, and made a pancake, egg, bacon, toast and juice breakfast for the girls.
7 years later, both guys are STILL dating those girls, and the other guy just announced his engagement. Both girls credit the guys' ability to cook, and their confidence to speak up, with them even being willing to talk to my son and his buddy.
As for the pants issue, I wear Docker style pants on my trip to and from work. I also wear dress shoes. Everything else is good, safe, stuff. 3/4 helmet with face shield (with added reflective stickers), mesh jacket with armor, mesh gloves with knuckle and palm protection, and a reflective vest. I would love to purchase protective pants to go over my "dress" pants, but with a 46" waist, it's tough to find protective pants big enough to do the job. But perhaps by next spring, I'll be able to do something. I started at a 52 " waist, and I'm almost ready to buy 44"s!
Mark
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Post by educatordan on Oct 11, 2008 12:09:17 GMT -5
Legally speaking in the state of NM your required to wear jeans when ridding your two wheeler. But naturally you see that one violated all the time.
I answered cotton khaki pants because I'm a teacher and I'm not changing pants when get to school. If I'm just going on an errand, I wear jeans on my scooter. I may live in the high desert but your not going to catch me in shorts on my scooter, and I ALWAYS wear gloves no matter what the temperature.
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Post by iamverb on Oct 14, 2008 12:08:19 GMT -5
Legally speaking in the state of NM your required to wear jeans when ridding your two wheeler. I've only been in NM for a little while, and the motorcycle section of the driver's handbook was a joke. Is there a guide to motorcycle law here?
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Post by halosfan06 on Oct 14, 2008 12:36:48 GMT -5
update: I solved the knee-pad-sliding issue pretty handily with my "Girly" sewing skills. Harbor freight had their yearly sale this weekend, at which I acquired a pair of standard knee pads for household work for a total of $1.99. These knee pads come with 2 sets of velcro straps that I cut off where they meet the kneepads. I spent a few hours sewing these straps on the two sides of each leg so that the strap went directly behind and below my knee. By tightening this velcro strap, it grips the pad and keeps it in place very well. I only hope that it would stay in place in the extremely-hopefully-never-occurring event that they should be utilized for their intended purpose.
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Post by monkeywrench on Nov 26, 2008 11:27:48 GMT -5
I checked cowboy chaps, but it's actually motorcycle chaps from LeatherUp.
I went down a few weeks ago, and my leather jacket protected me nicely. My khaki pants didn't, I don't know that denim would have done much better. So I added the chaps to my riding apparel. Relatively easy on/off over whatever I'm wearing for work--khakis most days.
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Post by scooterollie on Nov 26, 2008 17:44:18 GMT -5
Always better to be pro-active when it comes to safety gear! Nothing protects fully but the approved gear is far better than street clothes. Yeah, it can be a bit of a hassle at times but you just need to work gearing up into the ride routine. There is such a variety of stuff out there now that everyone should be able to find something to fit there specific needs.
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