Hi, everybody,

I think it's safe to assume that many people on this website wear leather pants when riding. I wanted to get a pair for myself too.
I tried some on with the size same as I usually wear, but they kind of make it hard to move around, put on shoes etc.
Are they going to break in or should I just get ones that are bigger than my normal size?

thanks in advance

They should still allow a full-range of movement, or at least give the feeling that after breaking-in they'll give full-range.  Have you tried different brands?  Also, try another of the same pair, in the same size, of the same pant you are looking at; I find the same gloves and jackets fit differently even though they are the same glove or jacket in the same size.

I have Joe Rocket Blaster pants (with matching jacket) and found that JR's sizing was larger than my normal pant.  I expect each brand is somewhat different.

If you're looking for a jacket to zip into the pants, you may have to get the same brand or at least try them out together.  Not surprisingly, the JR pants would only zip into a JR jacket.

I do like the pants a lot -- they're very comfortable on the bike though.  Definitely not an overpant.

I actually had in mind not sport pants, but simple ones, that look like regular jeans but made of leather. True, different places make them differently, only thing is, there aren't many places that sell them. I live in bay area, CA, and only shop I know is "Just Leather". I also tried leatherup.com, those are better but still not a perfect fit, plus they don't have odd sizes, and ones that are two sizes bigger will definitely be too loose.

Hmm...are these like fashion leather pants or motorcycle leather pants.

Motorcycle leather pants are what you want, they usually have some sort of armour in them, as well as reinforced "crash" areas

....Not that you would crash, I mean that is why I just wear shorts and flip flops.....

but seriously motorcycle leathers are also thick and that is important since it is really like a second skin.

DO NOT BUY LEATHER PANTS FROM A FASHION STORE!!!


If they say "Motorcycle Pant", that is a style, not a "hey use it for this" endorsement.

tell me what city you are in, and I'll see if I can find any other reliable shops within driving distance.

No, I wasn't planning on buying fashion pants.
Those pants are made of pretty think leather, that's what makes them difficult to move around in. "Just Leather" shop that I mentioned makes leather clothes for harley riders and such, so they don't make anything with armor, but I guess their pants should fall under "motorcycle pant" category.
I am in Santa Clara, that's San Jose area.

If you live in the Bay Area go to Motostrano in Redwood City. They will take care of you there. I got my shift two piece from them and they took the time to make sure I got the right size and fit. Depending on where in the Bay you live there is also Helimot in Petaluma(?) and also a CycleGear store in San Francisco on Harrison st. near the Best Buy. Good luck.

Quote from: zb32 on May 31, 2006, 11:28:37 PM

"Just Leather" shop that I mentioned makes leather clothes for harley riders and such

Definitely sounds like fashion pants to me 

-M

Ok, I guess you're right, cruiser style clothes were always more about image rather than safety.

Let me rephrase then, are there any pants that do offer perhaps not the best but decent protection and still look more or less like normal pants?
Getting overpants is somewhat problematic, since not only it's a hassle to drag them around in back pack all the time if I just went out to meet someone for coffee,
but when I happen to take a back pack anyway, I often have not enough room in it to put overpants.

I know of a great company up in the Pittsburg, CA area if you are in search.  Pricing is very reasonable, great quality leathers.  Also, they had good sizing.  i'm an extra small and they make the only leathers i found that i fit perfectly into off the rack. 
http://www.motogearusa.com/products.php#product01
I have their two piece suit

http://www.newenough.com/powertrip_black_diamond_overpant_page.htm

New Enough has a lot of good stuff on the site....

Quote from: zb32 on May 31, 2006, 11:28:37 PM
"Just Leather" shop that I mentioned makes leather clothes for harley riders and such, so they don't make anything with armor, but I guess their pants should fall under "motorcycle pant" category.
I am in Santa Clara, that's San Jose area.

I know Just Leathers, they are great leather workers, but I wouldn't buy anything from them nowadays, unless that's all you can afford.  There are better protective pants out there.  Go to Santa Clara Cycle Accessories located on El Camino off of Wolf 730-0600.
Or, Cycle Gear on Moorpark (or is it Parkmoor) and Meridian (behind the gas station) 288-5051.  And, lastly Road Rider on Monterey Road 227-6936.  You could go to Zoom's on El Camino (further east from SCCA above), they are more dirt oriented, but they do have some street stuff; I haven't been ther in a while.

Let me know if you want to meet at one of those places.  I can meet you after work at any of those.  SCCA and Road Rider stay open til 7, and I think Cycle Gear is open til 6.