Quote from: miloI wouldn't go out riding in street jeans, you might as well just wear shorts.

I beg to differ on that statement. When I crashed my '92 GS, I was wearing regular 'ol Old Navy jeans. Now given, these were made of thick denim, but they protected my legs VERY well. The only thing that happened to my leg was a very light, but widespread, abrasion on my right calve. This was from the jeans rubbing against my leg, not the asphalt ripping through. The Draggin' Jeans probably would have had a similar result. However, had I been wearing shorts, I might not even HAVE a leg anymore. Jeans, be them Draggin' or regular, are a minimum requirement for a motorcyclist, in my opinion.

I have to go with milo on this one. Wearing street jeans when one is just learning, going slow speeds (such as in the MSF course), is one thing, but wearing street jeans out on the road isn't the best choice. I won't let my loved ones go out without good motorcycle pants on; I just don't want to take the chance.

I understand your caution, Pandy, as it is very reasonable. Just from my experience so far, regular jeans are fine.

Side note: When I crashed the '92, I was going around 50mph or more, so we estimate. My jeans protected me just fine. In fact, the road rash on my foot was worse than it was on my leg. The asphalt ripped through my shoe and sock and got into two parts of my right foot. The leg, compared to that, was nothing.

Alphafire, I'd say you were very, VERY lucky   (thank goodness!!!!). I've heard too many horror stories of jeans shredding at even low speeds, and I've seen WAY too many road rash pictures. I cringe when I see the young guys out there with just t-shirts and jeans on (so few with jackets on). It might be the mom in me, but I do wish everyone would gear up fully when they ride. No, I'm not a gear nazi; I do believe in choice....I just wish everyone would make *MY* choice . I never leave my driveway without full gear, from head to toe.

Yeah, I know I was lucky, Pandy. On the old '92, I went down on it before the big one twice while wearing jeans. Of all the times I did go down, my jeans didn't even get shredded. The first two times didn't even put noticeable damage on the jeans, no holes, shreds, or anything. The big crash though, put a few holes in the upper thigh of my jeans. They were very small, though, and no abrasion was present on my thigh. Maybe I was just extremely lucky.
I am, however, a gear freak. I don't go out without a full face helmet, ARMORED jacket, armored ALL LEATHER gloves, jeans, and closed toed shoes (usually my Sidi boots). Just like you, it scares me to see these guys running around on supersports with no gear on. What is even MORE frightening to see are the old guys who ride the big unhandleable cruisers wearing nothing but shorts. No shoes. No shirt. Just shorts. I would hate to see the road rash on those guys if they crashed.

AlphaFire X5, you WERE lucky; jeans are only one notch above nothing, which isn't saying much. I've shredded more Levi's and Wranglers than I care to count, and lost a fair amount of blood and skin in the process. The advent of ballistic materials in riding gear has changed everything for the better. Years ago, people drove cars without air conditioning, seatbelts, CD-stereos, airbags, or anti-lock brakes. Nowadays, ALL good cars have them installed, and people are safer and more comfortable with those features.

The point is, jeans as riding gear are obsolete; time to invest in real textile riding pants, a riding suit (love my two-piece 'Stich) or better yet, full leathers (one- or two-piece, whichever you prefer). Admittedly, wearing riding suits and leathers are like wearing an exo-skeleton; you don't want to gain much weight after you buy them, but as long as you take care of yourself, you'll be able to wear them for years. I bought my first set of leathers (yes, they still fit) back in 1987 (with my 600 Hurricane); though I now own three sets, I've since upgraded the originals with knee pucks and shoulder armor, so I can continue to use them. I raced an EX500 for several years, and still do enough track days to justify the investment, and to be honest, I just don't want to part with them.

For street riding, textile pants are the new minimum in protective gear. I'd much rather get an oil stain or bug guts on those than on my jeans, because I simply remove my ballistic pants and put them in my tankbag when I get to my destination, and my jeans (or whatever I'm wearing underneath) stay clean.

Try www.newenough.com for ballistic pants; they almost always have something on sale, and if you can't find any you like, you DO have 'net access, so check MAW, Chaparral, or whereever you prefer. Once you START wearing them, you'll ALWAYS wear them, and you'll be amazed that so many others still haven't caught on.

Or, look at it this way; if you save just ONE pair of good jeans from destruction (not to mention your SKIN), the ballistic pants will have paid for themselves. Think about it...

I know I was lucky. I am going to invest in a set of mesh riding pants. I'd get leather pants, but it's too damn hot here in Texas. However, you'd be surprised at some denim quality. The thickness of the jeans I was wearing were as thick as a pair of the Icon jeans being sold now. Now given, Icon is kinda sketchy on their products, but thickness of denim can play a large factor in things as well.

I went down at about 65 mph hour several years ago when i hit a dog and slid approx 150 ft wearing plain old wranglers and the slide did not wear through the jeans on a side note  footwear especially on a chaindrive bike is very important I wear western boots at a minimum and gloves are an absolute must have I wear all horsehide or goathide cloves because there resistance to abrasion is 6 to 10 times better the cowhide.

An important thing to remember there are lots of different types of "jeans".  For example, my Anchor Blue jeans are true denim jeans, and very hardy.  I also have a pair of element designer jeans that are made of like a cotton blend - just died and textured to look like jeans.  

I know for a fact if i go down in my designers they'll shred like toliet paper.

Well, it was a pretty good weekend. Have not convinced the wife yet but making progress. I took the liberty to borrow images from the wall of fame and put a picture of my head over the original owners heads. I have been sticking these doctored pics all  over the house while the in-laws were around. On the fridge, in the fridge, in medicine cabinet and under toilet seat. Just mailed one to her at her job. She is now laughing and calling me sick. This reaction is not a "no". Ha Ha, even if I don't get one this is kinda fun. I even said I would paint the bike Safety Orange to make myself more visible. I know the color is kind of obnoxious, but I couldn't care less what color it is. Plus it would be easy to recognise if stolen. Anyway, Mom-in-law is against bikes. Father, brother and sister in-laws are in favor of me getting one. I think I will start saving up for gear now so I will be ready when/if I get one.