Right now prices are dropping because of the end of the season. I have always worn armor jeans with the armor built into them but I have never tour rode with my wife just myself. Storage never was an issue with one person. Now that we have the Spyder, my wife is now tour riding with me which is nice. Now that there are two of us, I want to keep the travel wear to a minimum. I was looking at some touring armor "over" pants. They are gortex, built in armor and some leather so no need for rain paints on long trips. We wear mesh armor jackets so I have gortex rain jackets to slide overtop. My concern is the heat in the summer with these pants. I am including the specs of the KLIM touring armor gortex pants below. Since they are basically the pants, do you wear shorts under them to keep cooler or basic jeans? I know it's up to me, but just curious what you wear under armor pants. ( I wear a t shirt under my armor mesh jacket wouldn't shorts under armor pants be the same?) I have only had armor built into my jeans so that was what I wore as a base layer. I am also thinking now that one pair of jeans can go along time since you'd be wearing light weight shorts under the armor and the armor is worn each day while riding not regular jeans. 2 less rain pants are now a plus. Obviously I am just cutting back on needed clothes.
Any input what you'd wear under touring armor pants especially in summer hot days?
Right now prices are dropping because of the end of the season. I have always worn armor jeans with the armor built into them but I have never tour rode with my wife just myself. Storage never was and issue with one person. Now that we have the Spyder, my wife is now tour riding with me which is nice. Now that there are two of us, I want to keep the travel wear to a minimum. I was looking at some touring armor "over" pants. They are gortex, built in armor and some leather so no need for rain paints on long trips. We wear mesh armor jackets so I have gortex rain jackets to slide overtop. My concern is the heat in the summer with these pants. I am including the specs of the KLIM touring armor gortex pants below. Since they are basically the pants, do you wear shorts under them to keep cooler or basic jeans. I know it's up to me but just curious what you wear under armor. I have only had armor built into my jeans so that was what I wore. I am also thinking now that one pair of jeans can go along time since you'd be wearing light weight shorts under the armor and the armor is worn each day while riding not regular jeans.
Any input what you'd wear under touring armor pants especially in summer hot days?
Why do you think you need armored riding pants at all? That's an old school 2-wheeler habit. Time to break it.
Utah Pete - you just said my thought????? we have THREE WHEELERS and they don't tip very easy at all.. If we get hit by 4 wheels the pants are not going to help the situation.
BIG F
Utah Pete - you just said my thought????? we have THREE WHEELERS and they don't tip very easy at all.. If we get hit by 4 wheels the pants are not going to help the situation.
BIG F
Sounds to me you like two have a false sense of security. I agree that it doesn't matter what gear you have on when a vehicle hits you hard enough on two wheels or three. What happens when a vehicle hits you just hard enough to send you flying off the bike? Those shorts and sandals you are wearing won't give you much protection on the pavement. I prefer to err on the side of caution than to spend my time in a hospital getting skin grafts and fighting infection.
Might as well not wear a helmet while you are at it.
Sounds to me you like two have a false sense of security. I agree that it doesn't matter what gear you have on when a vehicle hits you hard enough on two wheels or three. What happens when a vehicle hits you just hard enough to send you flying off the bike? Those shorts and sandals you are wearing won't give you much protection on the pavement. I prefer to err on the side of caution than to spend my time in a hospital getting skin grafts and fighting infection.
Might as well not wear a helmet while you are at it.
You are correct it is habit. It "was" 2 wheels for the past 22 years. I guess that's why I am asking just to see how others are doing it. Good input. Maybe just 2 pairs of jeans ( wash every 3 days) and take my gortex rain pants.
You are correct it is habit. It "was" 2 wheels for the past 22 years. I guess that's why I am asking just to see how others are doing it. Good input. Maybe just 2 pairs of jeans ( wash every 3 days) and take my gortex rain pants.
It's a lot simpler once you ditch the idea you need to dress for the 'slide'.
It's a lot simpler once you ditch the idea you need to dress for the 'slide'.
But Pete, you can still slide if you overcook a corner and are thrown off, or if a cager changes lanes on you or t-bones you. I have not said this to start an argument, just interested in why you say there is no need to dress for the slide on a Spyder ?
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But Pete, you can still slide if you overcook a corner and are thrown off, or if a cager changes lanes on you or t-bones you. I have not said this to start an argument, just interested in why you say there is no need to dress for the slide on a Spyder ? Pete
Pete, this is what I think (and live by);
Armored clothing is designed to protect in a slide ... which is much more likely to happen with a 2-wheeler than a Spyder. In all the time I've been on this forum I've not heard of one incident where someone came off their Spyder in a true 'slide' situation (sliding down the asphalt ripping off skin). A slide typically happens when the rider 'lays their bike down' deliberately to avoid a collision (never a good idea), or loses control in a slip 'n slide or high-speed evasion situation and they go down on the asphalt at speed; this doesn't happen with the Spyder as long as they stay with the bike.
The very few incidents reported with a rider being injured while riding a Spyder have been; a) collisions with wildlife or b) hydroplaning. In the first situation, the rider may be injured from the large animal coming through the windshield (and may or may not get knocked off the bike); I don't think armored clothing would help much either way. With hydroplaning resulting in a spin, the rider may be thrown from the Spyder and armored gear may or may not protect joints but since it's wet out, the slide itself isn't likely to result in abrasion injuries.
The most recent reported incident, which resulted in fatal injuries sadly, the rider wasn't wearing a helmet. I always wear a helmet because brain injuries are typically non-survivable, but broken bones and abrasion are.
Pete, this is what I think (and live by);
Armored clothing is designed to protect in a slide ... which is much more likely to happen with a 2-wheeler than a Spyder. In all the time I've been on this forum I've not heard of one incident where someone came off their Spyder in a true 'slide' situation (sliding down the asphalt ripping off skin). .
Ahhhh. Gotcha, Pete....thanks.....I am of the same mind........but, with a replacement hip, and bad knees, I am always concerned about impacts if I am thrown over the handlebars or sideways. I wear Draggin jeans, with Kevlar in only the knees and hip/bum areas, with armour also in the knees and hips. I am considering taking the armour out, but I haven’t quite convinced myself of the “percentages” as yet
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
Pete, this is what I think (and live by);
Armored clothing is designed to protect in a slide ... which is much more likely to happen with a 2-wheeler than a Spyder. In all the time I've been on this forum I've not heard of one incident where someone came off their Spyder in a true 'slide' situation (sliding down the asphalt ripping off skin). A slide typically happens when the rider 'lays their bike down' deliberately to avoid a collision (never a good idea), or loses control in a slip 'n slide or high-speed evasion situation and they go down on the asphalt at speed; this doesn't happen with the Spyder as long as they stay with the bike.
The very few incidents reported with a rider being injured while riding a Spyder have been; a) collisions with wildlife or b) hydroplaning. In the first situation, the rider may be injured from the large animal coming through the windshield (and may or may not get knocked off the bike); I don't think armored clothing would help much either way. With hydroplaning resulting in a spin, the rider may be thrown from the Spyder and armored gear may or may not protect joints but since it's wet out, the slide itself isn't likely to result in abrasion injuries.
The most recent reported incident, which resulted in fatal injuries sadly, the rider wasn't wearing a helmet. I always wear a helmet because brain injuries are typically non-survivable, but broken bones and abrasion are.
With this type of thinking Pete, you may as well wear shorts and flip flops. After all the broken bones and abrasions will heal! Talk to someone that has been through that healing process to hear what fun it was. I agree you will never lay a Spyder down, but yo may come off of it, and I would rather land on armor than my unprotected skin. Lost a good friend on a Spyder when he was rear ended and thrown from his Spyder. He dressed like you!
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It's a lot simpler once you ditch the idea you need to dress for the 'slide'.
Here. You are no less vulnerable on a Spyder; no air bags, crumple zones, restraints. We agree on helmets. Dress for the crash. If you never need it, great! Better to have and not need.....
Super pleased with my Carlsbad gear. They have a cut that give you ease of movement for aggressive spyder riding. I prefer to wear my Carlsbad pants to wearing jeans, they are cooler and give better heat protection from the engine. The jacket is not as spyder friendly, the slashed arm vents only work well when standing, leaving the cuffs open gives great access for air and the odd bug. Completely zipped up the collar can be annoying, collar tabs would have been nice. The material in the chest and thigh area is great for keeping your core cool, that being said you must plan for cooler whether.
Super pleased with my Carlsbad gear. They have a cut that give you ease of movement for aggressive spyder riding. I prefer to wear my Carlsbad pants to wearing jeans, they are cooler and give better heat protection from the engine......
Malathion what do your wear under your Carlsbad pants? If you prefer them over jeans I assume you’re not wearing jeans under?
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 10-01-2019 at 06:29 AM.
Reason: Fixed quote display
Hi I have a pair of Sedici Alexi Waterproof Pants (https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/sedici-alexi-pants) that I really like. They have two removal liners (one waterproof and one for cold weather). I remove both liners for the summer and like to ride for long rides, I do not wear for shorter rides. The waterproof liner can be hot in the summer, but it keeps you dry. They are nice a warm in the winter with the liners in, I drove as low as 20 degrees F and was fine. They have knee pads but no hip pads.
On long rides I like having them on. In the summer I can wear them over shorts and have nice airflow for longer rides.
We wear mesh textile pants with removeable armor over padded bicycle shorts with white boxers under those. Always have two pair of the bike shorts so we can rinse one pair out and let it dry overnight & next day in hotel room while wearing the clean pair. In addition, we take one set of "nice" clothes like jeans & a sport shirt in case we decide to go someplace where something other than bike shorts and T-shirts might be more appropriate. But, those are usually only when we are within walking distance of that "place" what-ever it happens to be. Since we are ATGATT when riding, it is rare that we ever use the jeans and sport shirt. Our mesh pants have both a rain liner and quilted liner that can be used together when needed. As for jackets, we do pretty much as you, mesh with liner and large raincoat that will fit over the top.
As for gear or no gear, it's an individual choice and since you can still have a get-off even with three wheels where road rash is a very painful outcome, we will always wear full gear.
It's a lot simpler once you ditch the idea you need to dress for the 'slide'.
Armor doesn't just protect from the slide. As I see it, getting thrown off is the most likely cause of injury on a Spyder. If I get thrown off, I want knee armor in case I land on my knees. Ditto for head, shoulders, arms, and back. You're spreading out the impact so the chance of broken bones is much less. I don't trust other drivers and I myself have been known to make a driving mistake or two in my life. I'd like to be able to walk away from an accident and it's worth it to me to have the best protection I can get - and hi-viz to give me even a 1% less chance of even getting in an accident. It's costly, it's not stylish, and it's inconvenient, but not nearly as costly and inconvenient as a hospital or funeral and way more stylish.
Why wash every three days? The longer you wear them without washing the more protection you will get.
Jack
All my life I wanted to be somebody, now I realize I should have been more specific.
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Ive been wearing Dragon Jeans with the Kevlar sewn inside all the critical areas.They are a little hotter than regular jeans but also a little more comfortable bc of the padding.I just deal with the heat until I cant ,then I put on reg jeans and T shirt.I try to only do this on backroads.
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I recently read an article that said kevlar jeans are now on the way out. There is an updated version that is not so thick and does not have the knee and butt patches sewn in. Result: same or better protection and cooler to ride in during the summer.
We have moved from one extreme to the other. Still 90 degrees today and we did 135 miles. Currently, I am wearing jeans and a high viz t-shirt. Helmet, gloves, and boots of course.
I have a pair of chaps that I am planning on bringing out for the first cold weather...and I have a big assortment of riding jackets.
It's a comfort situation and a calculated risk. We are headed off to OK for a rally on Wed...but will drive ATGATT for that one due to the more traveled roads and the higher speeds we will encounter.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
I'd either be looking at the KLIM Carlsbad or latitude. Both I can get 23% off. I'd want them to be gortex so I don't need rain pants. I'd only wear them on highway riding ( high speeds and major highways). Once I get there, I'd want to cruise around in regular jeans " Levi ". Therefore I only need one pair of jeans for 3-5 days and wash, and 1 pair of riding pants everyday. I guess I am just extended the "2up storage" post by Billie. I just wondered if shorts could be worn under either of these to keep cool and at same time less clothing needed on long trips. But at the same time 2 pairs of regular jeans is the same difference with rain pants stuffed away.
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Originally Posted by Wmoater
Talk to someone that has been through that healing process to hear what fun it was. I agree you will never lay a Spyder down, but yo may come off of it, and I would rather land on armor than my unprotected skin. Lost a good friend on a Spyder when he was rear ended and thrown from his Spyder. He dressed like you!
White 2013 Spyder RT Limited. BajaRon Swaybar, Custom Dynamic Third Brake Light. Ultimate Custom Black and White seat with driver and passenger back rest. Gloryder Led Wheel lights.Custom Dynamics Led Bright sides, Amber and Red Fender lights, and Saddle Bag Bright sides.
