Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Protective pants/jackets

My 60th birthday was a present to myself of a Shoe full face helmet and now,
with concessions for my more fragile body and dislike of hospitals I am starting to look for recommendations for pants / jackets. I ride in Maine about 8 months a year so it goes from very cold to very hot, not sure if there are products which work for both. I would like to use Triumph clothing but I know that is only on of many options (although it is the only option for a bike). I would also like to not have to change pants at work (ride every day) and jeans would be my first choice. Have not found much in my search of past threads, maybe I'm mission something but I appreciate your helps friends, Jim

Double front Carhartt pants. Draggin jeans. Look into those and do a search on the forum for these items. There's some threads around.

I recommend Halvarsson jeans, very protective tested at 11 sec slide to 4.5 sec on draggin jeans. very comfy in black or blue and cheaper than draggin.

Unfortunately I don't believe Halvarsson jeans are available in the US.

Kevlar jeans are great, and they will keep the skin on your legs from being turned to hamburger. I've got a pair, love them.

A couple of things though: they are not quite as comfortable as regular jeans, and heavier, and more expensive - especially if you are talking about several pairs so you can wear them to work every day. Mine say to let them hang dry, so that can be an additional consideration.

You might want to consider a 4 season overpant. The jeans won't help with the "very cold" any more than regular jeans. With an overpant, without the liner they really don't add any heat in the summer, but with it in you can lower the temperature floor you feel is "riding weather". Plus most will have some type of minor armor padding to go along with the abrasion protection. And when you get to work you step out of them and underneath you've hopefully remembered to wear whatever you would normally wear to work.

Mine are not the best - the legs won't go over my boots, and the liner looks warm but kind of cheap - but @ $80 they were less than most kevlar jeans ($80-120). Most overpants seem to go from $100-$200. Note: most will recommend you go up a size for overpants, and I'd recommend trying a local store if possible, as fit just seems to vary widely.

It is not for everyone, but definitely an option.

Thanks all, I JUST figured out why I am so lame at searching past forum posts:
I do not fill in the time part so am only finding like one week worth of posts.
So now I guess I will spend sunday (gona rain all day anyway) reviewing them.
Thanks all! Jim

I use these overpants during cooler weather. Easy on & off without removing your boots and they're tough enough to take a beating & outside pockets make stopping for gas no hassle. I like their buffalo hide products - no armor, but good thick protection. Great people to deal with. Pants on sale right now too @ $80!

http://www.jaminleather.com/Mens-Buffalo-Leather-Over-Pants-SPECIAL-P1565.aspx

I've been looking for something to replace my chaps. I mean if I go down with those things on... talk about 'butt ugly!' So the idea of over pants fits my needs, wants and desires rather well. I like the idea of being able strip down to regular clothes without having to change. And those buffalo pants are a GREAT deal!!

there is always another way if you just want to wear your normal jeans to work during dry warm days:;

http://www.forcefieldperformance.com/product/action-shorts/2354

you can then just put your jeans over the top.

Two more great ideas, thanks.
I went to my local Triumph dealer yesterday and they had only one
Triumph brand jacket, the Symatex Pantha Jacket. Anyone have one?

For what it's worth, I wear Tourmaster pants. They did an excellent job of protecting my skin when I went down 2 years ago. They have a removable liner but I've always left it in.
I also wear a very heavy leather Triumph jacket, I forget what style. It also got scratched up when I went down and one leather patch on the left elbow was ripped off slightly, but it's still in great shape and I wouldn't part with it.

Got these. Hardas dark camo pants. Really comfortable, more kevlar than Draggin Jeans, and cheaper

http://giali.com/mod/product/id_prd/157/id_ppg/30

I have Leather Overpants, which I like when it is really hot, because I open the zipper a little on the side and wear shorts underneath, let's a nice breeze in. They are great for going to work (I have to wear a suit) too. I keep my jackets and shoes at work.

I also have the Triumph Camo Pants. I really, really like riding in them. They have a rain liner inside, that works awesome. When it is warm, you can zip the bottom of the legs off at the knee and hang out without having to change your clothes. They are also armored, and I like that personally.

I also have triumph Rain pants and a cheapo rain jacket for when I need them.
For jackets, I have a Frank Thomas mesh jacket that is armored

And for most of the year, I wear this Power Trip Jacket, that I totally love, and got for $35.00 at Cycle Gear. I had been looking for it online, but they were discontinued. It is also armored and I had a big Triumph patch sewn on the back. It will be hard to replace, when I have to, I've had it repaired twice (I burned the sleeve, and I broke the zipper) It is just great for about 9 months of the year.
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I'm also looking for an armored leather jacket, that I like and is a reasonable price for the winters.

~Brent