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Posts: 104
Corona, CA | Our winters here in So Cal aren't bad but when riding in full over pants it gets a little bulky and warm after awhile.
I have seen a lot more non Harley rider wearing chaps. Are they really effective or is it just for the bad a$$ pirate look ?
Tom |
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Cruiser
Posts: 164
Quad Cities, IL | Living in the Midwest, I wear chaps with some regularity in spring, early fall when it isn't cold enough to want my fully lined riding pants. I also sometimes wear them on longer hauls. Although my chaps don't have armor (like my riding pants) they do offer another layer of skin if I were to lay 'er down. That said, I really like and notice the extra protection against wind and cold assuming we aren't talking about sub freezing weather like my ride early today. I like chaps too because they pack up easily in my saddlebag and I always have them for cooler evenings, etc.
A reasonable investment in my book but I also know they make some nice textile riding pants with liner options and armor. It becomes a preference thing. But sometimes it's ok to want to look like a bad ars pirate. ARGH! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | I have worn them for 30+ YEARS - and not on a HD. They are very effective when it's cool - and can even protect from the heat - but I normally wear them in the colder days. Easy to put on, store easily. Co-Pilot looks a lot sexier in hers than I do.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 196
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I have some insulated chaps from my harley days. They worked real well in the cold, but they were bulkier than the regular one's. They always meant making a stop to strip when the day warmed up. I guess it's better than wearing thick pants and not being able to strip, but know I'm looking into plug-in pants so when it starts warming up, you can tun them off, or visa versa. |
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Tourer
Posts: 415
| Chaps are a great compromise from thick pants. Plus nothing bloks the wind like leather.
I like my two piece chaps. Zip them up then loop around your belt. Roll them up when done, take up very little room. |
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Tourer
Posts: 367
Cottage Grove, Mn | Spring and Fall |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | They not only look "bitchin" but protect the crap out of you!! Beyond that I need the wind off my legs when riding "Hotrod" when you leave and it's 26 degrees and need to put 150+ miles on to make the appointment in Tomahawk with the dealer. I do have a major comment, you have to "want to do this to begin with" to make it happen. We have had rain and thawing here in WI. and I want to ride both bikes but need to find out how much "salt" residue is still on the road??? Wat too much!!!
As always....
Ride hard, ride fast, but above all - ride safe......
Wildman |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | Wore them this weekend riding here in So Cal. Only when temps dip do I wear them, or on long trips for protection. |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | WAY TOO MUCH!!!! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | I own a pair of the uninsulated type which I bought one day when the weather turned ugly on me and they were the only alternative to riding wet and cold.
I will admit to being a big fan of the "style", but there are usually valid reasons for stuff sticking around virtually unchanged for years and years, even if we think it looks funny.
Chaps are surprisingly effective at keeping you warm and add the abrasion protection of a leather jacket to your legs. When you don't want the added protection/insulation, they're easy to shed and they roll up into a relatively small space, so all in all I think they're a pretty valid and useful piece of motorcycle gear. Are they the best option for everyone? Probably not, but they were about the same price as a pair of jeans and the waist is adjustable so its a pretty good long term investment unlike a pair of leather pants. |
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New user
Posts: 4
| Any time the temps go below 60 I find it much more comfortable to ride with them. I would wear them above 60 to to keep my pant legs from flapping so much but it's just too hot. And I gotta admit, I don't much care for dressing like a pirate, but I do dig the ladies wearing them!
Edited by iabob 2011-01-02 9:59 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Hartland, , WI | #57 - 2011-01-02 7:30 PM
Chaps are a great compromise from thick pants. Plus nothing bloks the wind like leather.
I like my two piece chaps. Zip them up then loop around your belt. Roll them up when done, take up very little room.
+1 |
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Cruiser
Posts: 169
Iowa | I wear them in cooler weather and on longer trips for protection. They do great keeping the wind of as well as bugs and road grime. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 238
SF Bay Area | I wear several types.. on hot days, I wear these, custom made (in black) with kevlar inside panels, mesh backs. They actually keep my legs cooler on a hot day, and I can hold my leg against the R heatshield when stopped. These roll up into a small space and live in my saddlebag.
http://www.coloradochaps.com/motorcycle_chaps.html
On cold days I often wear full leather chaps, a lot cheaper (and more fun) than a skin graft.
On really cold days (40's in Calif) I wear insulated riding pants, with CE armor, water membrane. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Another good target thread to help folks that don't know, know that the more skin you wear, the less skin you'll tear if you lay 'er down. Being frugal, uh, cheap, leather is the way to go for motorcycle gear and a leather jacket and chaps are found at a great price compared to all the other armor found on the market today. I will admit that I'm not a 100% wearer of gear, but it does give me piece of mind when I do wear it and it is always in the saddle bag if I'm not wearing. I do pity the folk though that takes fashion over function when it comes to protection, argh!
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-01-03 4:43 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I prefer leather over pants. They are around $100 at Amazon. I have the zippers on both sides style with satin lining makes them easy to get on and off. They have really deep pockets. Plus my crotch doesn't get cold. O.o |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | I wear chaps for cold weather rides or other special occasions. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Tucson , AZ | If you ride in weather in the 30's you will wish you had them. Make a world of difference. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 284
mansfield, MA United States | Over 50 deg I don't use chaps. 35-50 Deg ill use chap's 15-35 Deg ill use ski paints. Below 15Deg ill use ski paints with chaps over them. There are a lot of different kinds of chaps. I have insulated chaps. They are very thick with a liner inside. Here is a picture of what they look like.
(chap's.jpg)
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | iluvink - 2011-01-03 7:46 AM
I wear chaps for cold weather rides or other special occasions.
I never thought cold weather rides were special occasions, they are the norm here in Va from late November through March-April. But I guess in Dallas they would be a special occassion.  |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 9
| I wear them in the Winter in Alabama. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | team5150 - 2011-01-02 4:37 PM Our winters here in So Cal aren't bad but when riding in full over pants it gets a little bulky and warm after awhile. I have seen a lot more non Harley rider wearing chaps. Are they really effective or is it just for the bad a$$ pirate look ? Tom Here's a photo of Co-Pilot & me in January 2008 - just before I took delivery of the SPCSHP - we were off on a winter ride on 'CLYDE' - my custom 1100 Virago. It's easy to see from the picture that there is no "bad a$$ pirate" look involved - just comfort, safety and warmth !
(Poster2sm.jpg)
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | I wear my chaps during the cooler/cold months while the co-pilot wears them year round for protection for the flying rocks etc. She got tagged by one rock last year that made a small cut on her lower leg even with the chaps on! So aside fro riding in Phoenix in the summer (which is really rare as it is in fact hot as Hell) she wears te chaps all the time. |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | I used to wear chaps all the time, but one day decided to drop the coin on leather riding pants, and I don't think I've worn the chaps since. But I digress... If you are just looking for something to keep on the bike for when the temp dips, or when you expect to be pelted by bugs or bigger (those things in Virginia that make all the noise come to mind) then chaps are great. I'm an AGAT (all gear all the time) guy, and frankly don't care what other people think about what I'm wearing. I nice set of chaps with zippers or snaps on the side so you can get in/out of them easily can really make what would normally be a uncomfortable ride... very comfortable. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Nope. I used to but not any more. Armored mesh riding pants with a removable liner for winter are way more practical. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 85
| Yep, I wear em as long as it's not too hot. I got into the habit while I had my last bike. I especially wore them when it rained. I wear gortex rain pants then I put the chaps on over top to keep my pipe from melting the rain suit, this isn't a problem for me since I bought the Vision but I still wear the same set up. Wrong or not it gives me a a little more protection than just denim.
The other reason I wear chaps is that it keeps my jeans clean longer which cuts down on the laundry when I'm on the road.
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
not far from hustler wisconsin | HLUSN8 - 2011-01-02 6:48 PM
Living in the Midwest, I wear chaps with some regularity in spring, early fall when it isn't cold enough to want my fully lined riding pants. I also sometimes wear them on longer hauls. Although my chaps don't have armor (like my riding pants) they do offer another layer of skin if I were to lay 'er down. That said, I really like and notice the extra protection against wind and cold assuming we aren't talking about sub freezing weather like my ride early today. I like chaps too because they pack up easily in my saddlebag and I always have them for cooler evenings, etc.
A reasonable investment in my book but I also know they make some nice textile riding pants with liner options and armor. It becomes a preference thing. But sometimes it's ok to want to look like a bad ars pirate. ARGH!
now days so many badass aorthodontists and lawyers wearing chaps that i dont think the look is to badass anymore. wranglers with grease stains, no there is a badass look.
the wind protection is pretty nice, and my wife says the make my ass look sexy Huh? nuff said oh yeah and i wear them on the bike too................. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I wear the classic leather jacket and chaps, but have also gone to wearing all black jeans and shirt. It doesn't make the fact I'm wearing chaps so pronounced, I have no need to look like a bada$$...I'm just saying...
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-01-05 6:38 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 965
New York State | Butt Less Chaps so the heated seat can warm my buns |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | Perhaps another question might be, "Do you wear jeans/pants with your chaps?" |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I wear chaps below 50 or if for some reason I'm wearing a dress uniform. Keeps lighweight pants from flapping and riding up you leg. I always stop a couple of blocks from the fire house and take them off. I will NEVER hear the end of if I pull in wearing chaps. I work with a bunch of children. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 105
Columbia, TN United States | Diamond Gusset Defender Jeans for my friend David Hall. Can't beat em and if you are close to the middle Tennessee area, a beautiful ride to the store or you can order on line. I have two pair, one blue , one black. They are awesome.
http://www.gussetclothing.com/dmk.html |
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Tourer
Posts: 394
Tucson, AZ | I've only worn chaps twice since getting the VV. I find that with the fairing and the lowers, I really don't need them. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Gray rider - 2011-01-05 6:13 PM
I've only worn chaps twice since getting the VV. I find that with the fairing and the lowers, I really don't need them.
Right now I do not have my Lower Deflectors installed and I fully agree. I am reinstalling them this weekend.
Ride Safe |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Gray rider - 2011-01-05 6:13 PM
I've only worn chaps twice since getting the VV. I find that with the fairing and the lowers, I really don't need them.
Right now I do not have my Lower Deflectors installed and I fully agree. I am reinstalling them this weekend.
Ride Safe |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | With the fairing, I rarely wear chaps anymore, and when I do, its only below 50 or so, and then only on local day rides. When I'm on the road, they are just bulky to pack if it gets warm, so I just layer up with long johns and jeans. So far so good (down to about 40 at least). |
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Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | I have worn them anytime it gets below 50 with my Kingpin and now I wear them when its over 110 to keep the heat off in Arizona. Copilot wears hers almost any long rides often wears shorts under them on hot days. Road in eastern Montanna after Sturgis and saw people put them on for protection from the grasshoppers. Grasshoppers were so thick that the chaps stunk and turned yellow. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | It dropped to 45F yesterday so I put on an old pair of denim chaps I had. Kept me nice and warm. the denim chaps don't look quite as bada55. No one even notices you have chaps on. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
Corona, CA | Yea, I was out yesterday and froze my but off so I guess I'm going to try the pair my wife got me for Christmas.
You DO wear jeans under these - right ? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 118
Spfld, IL but temp Bay area, CA | The Diamond Gussets are great and like the Vics--made in the USA |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Actually, this time I had black dress slacks on for a meeting. I kinda looked like a reverse biker with black pants and light blue denim chaps. |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | team5150 - 2011-01-11 1:17 PM
You DO wear jeans under these - right ?
It depends...
Edited by iluvink 2011-01-11 8:22 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | Quit the chaps. Now I use leather over pants. Goes over your jeans with a pants like top(including pockets) but has a chap like leg to them. Even has a lining make them easier to put on and had a layer for more warmth.
Wayne |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
| I wear half chaps (Leather Legs) for the last four years. Great protections, easy to wear and easy put on.
I also wear the Diamond Gussets Defender jeans all year long on or off the bike.
http://www.leatherlegs.net
http://www.gussetclothing.com/dmk.html
Edited by lonestarrider 2011-01-12 1:26 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 199
Salt Lake City | I wore chaps forever, generally on longer rides-especially when the weather was below 60 degrees. I have never been a big fan of having my pants flap in the wind, so I also wore then a lot just for that purpose. It still was a pain to freeze your nads off when the weather was cold though. I can now say that I'm a total convert to half chaps, and wear them most all the time; they keep the bugs off, stop the pants from flapping, and provide some protection in the rain. They also pack well. When it's cold? Thermals under the pants. I also love the look, but then I'm 6-9, 265 lbs., have a sexy wife, and really don't care what another "biker" might think.....
www.chilhowee.com(great quality leather) |
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Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Chilhowee.NET not .com |
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Tourer
Posts: 537
, FL United States | CW I understand your position... |
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