I'm thinking about buying a pair of leather pants for riding. Typically I ride in a pair of MC textiles with armour. I always feel like I'm about to go skiing. ZipZipZipZip everywhere I go.
What I mostly see in leather are pants meant for racing. Knee pucks, tight over the entire leg, etc.
I'd like to find a pair that would look more like something you could wear into a bar, and not look like you came straight off the track.
Is there anything like that out there? Can I just get a pair of 1.2mm leather pants and consider this good enough, or are they inadequate?
If you wear leather into a bar, you might as well complement it with a bright pink t-shirt emblazoned on the back with the words: "My boyfriends name is Greg!"
Check out Draggin Jeans for a slightly more heterosexual approach to riding to the bar. OR, buy an old flak vest and a pair of wranglers and find yourself an old korean seamstress. You'll end up spending more than a pair of draggin jeans, but cost would even out at 3-4 pairs and you'll have a far superior product. I have a pair of ACU pants that have had this done.
So, errrr, how is Greg these days?.....
Quote from: noiseguy on February 11, 2010, 09:10:18 PM
I'd like to find a pair that would look more like something you could wear into a bar, and not look like you came straight off the track.
Haha, if you don't want to look like you just came off the racetrack, I think you're running out of good options for leather pants. Haha, maybe you could help us out by finishing this sentence, and then we can try to direct you to what type of leather pants you should be wearing....
"ooh, you noticed I'm wearing leather pants, that's because I just came from ________", otherwise it's just gonna be non stop Village People jokes.
Draggin jeans sound like a good option if you find them in all one color. I'm sure you can find other denim jeans with armor in them. They used to have some waterproof ones at the one shop I used to go to. I debated getting some, but I didn't, and I wish I had ever since.
I use these..
http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/html/h2_jean.html
I rarely drink in bars (costs too much, involves drinking and driving to get home) but when I have ridden to a bar (tonic water or root beer - there was a brewpub that had great home-made root beer I used to meet some friends at) my Hein Gericke V-Pilot pants did not excite any comment. Could be the florescent orange full-face helmet and leather jacket (no extra buckles and zippers) made it clear I was riding (I don't use helmet locks.)
I'd consider the stupid ass-less chaps much more of a problem in that light, not to mention what they don't do for your ass when you fall off.
Of course, other than finding some vintage, you can't buy v-pilots new these days - they don't make them any more. PSX-R is somewhat similar. No silly graphics and pucks, but you can't really get too far away from a good fit and still have good protection.
(http://www.heingericke-usa.com/productimages/psxrpants01.jpg)
See, that's the problem, isn't it? What I see either screams " RACE ME!" or "SPANK ME!" I've ruled out chaps; they run on the latter half of that spectrum IMHO.
OK, skip the bar... it's bringing up the wrong imagery and I don't drink / ride anyway. How about walking into a Wendy's? That's a more likely scenario.
I actually like the idea of reinforcing a pair of jeans. Old flak jackets make me think WWII bomber jackets. Or do they make these from kevlar now?
Anybody tries to spank me, they are getting a mouthful of boot or helmet, whichever is easier to knock them in the teeth with. I think even my new boots will do an OK job, but the old ones do encourage proper behavior.
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/18510/normal_IMG_2969.JPG)
Then again, you may be suffering from worrying too much about what other people think. Mostly, they are worrying too much about what other people think of them to pay any attention to you. I have never gotten any crap for wearing my leathers - the pants of which are very similar to the posted pants, only without the presumably reflective white stripe. Nothing especially RACE ME nor SPANK ME about them, IMHO. I wore them to the office (OK, I am a computer geek - we can get away with more, at least in a good office), I wore them to class, I wore them to the grocery store and bungeed groceries to the seat to take home.
Just look at leather pants targeted at the cruiser crowd. I've seen plenty that are jean cut etc and don't look like race leathers.
these (http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/leather_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/decker_leather_motorcycle_overpants.html) being an example.
You'd probably be ok in a rock bar with 'em. Quick run into Wendy's probably be ok. A few years ago, you mighta been able to convince some young thang that you're the dude from Creed. Whether that's a plus or minus is left as an exercise for the reader.
Quote from: noiseguy on February 12, 2010, 05:39:23 PM
See, that's the problem, isn't it? What I see either screams " RACE ME!" or "SPANK ME!" I've ruled out chaps; they run on the latter half of that spectrum IMHO.
OK, skip the bar... it's bringing up the wrong imagery and I don't drink / ride anyway. How about walking into a Wendy's? That's a more likely scenario.
I actually like the idea of reinforcing a pair of jeans. Old flak jackets make me think WWII bomber jackets. Or do they make these from kevlar now?
Flak jackets are layered kevlar. The layers individually are surprisingly resilient considering thickness (or lack thereof), but 2 layers in the hotspots will make you feel very safe.
Although, I'm a chick which means I would be Hawt in leather right? ER No!
I wear my textile suzuki pants that have a small amount of padding in the hips. I wear a pair of shorts or thermals depending on the weather and I've never had a comment. I just ate at Wendy's yesterday and no one looked. Actually, one guy commented that I was smart for wearing gear. Wish he would have said it made my hind end look nice ( a girl can dream).
TBH I really don't care what people think about what I wear. I go to church in full gear all the time. So, if I can get away with it in church then any where else should be the same.
Mary
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on February 13, 2010, 05:28:54 AM
Wish he would have said it made my hind end look nice ( a girl can dream).
Mary, those pants make yo booty look licous. :D
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on February 13, 2010, 05:28:54 AM
...I go to church in full gear all the time. So, if I can get away with it in church then any where else should be the same.
Dizamn, you go to a rough church! I only needed a helmet in church like once!
I got my leather pants from this site: www.leatherup.com I have no sense of style though...
-Jessie
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on February 13, 2010, 05:28:54 AM
Actually, one guy commented that I was smart for wearing gear. Wish he would have said it made my hind end look nice ( a girl can dream).
In general, that sort of comment to total strangers results in perpetual facial bruising, so look around for the guy who's face looks like it gets slapped a lot, and you might get the comment.
Not to say the thought might have been there, but first make sure he's not married or involved, and then get to the second date if he merits a second date - and indicate a desire for commentary (No, don't ask "Do these pants make me look fat?" Just don't. Ever. Well, if you want too break up and are too wimpy to just say so, I suppose you could ask it, but the honorable thing to do would be just to break up without ever asking that.)
If the guy who makes that comment limps, avoid him - his wife kicks him in the shins... :nono:
Quote from: PachmanP on February 12, 2010, 07:27:08 PM
these (http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/leather_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/decker_leather_motorcycle_overpants.html) being an example.
There. That's what I was looking for, thanks!