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Touring pants

Wmoater

Active member
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?
 

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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.
 
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 ?

Pete
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Look at Olympia air glide pants. They come with a rain liner and a cold weather liner. As far as whats on sale, buy what you want, not whats on sale. It is always the cheapest option in the end.
 
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.

I have a Klim Carlsbad jacket, and I have Cabela's Rainy River pants in the frunk they are nice lightweight and most importantly they are GoreTex, now if I was going to be doing a touring trip at this time of year or early spring I would replace the Rainy River pants and stow my Cabela's Guidewear bibs.
 
I have a pair of TourMaster Overpants and a pair of BMW GoreTex pants. Both are waterproof and, in addition to protecting knees etc in an accident, provide rain protection. Each has zippered ventilation for hot days. I usually wear gym shorts underneath or a nylon cargo short underneath. If stopping for a while, I lose the riding pants and boots and put on my flip flops or Skechers with the shorts to walk around or eat.

I choose to wear protection. You won't fall down like on two wheeler but still can be thrown from the bike. You never know what you may encounter. Two weeks ago I was in my wife's car stopped at a stop light. Behind me was a semi - also stopped. The left turn signal for the left turn lane next to us change to green (our lane was still red) and the driver hit the gas and totaled our car. From a stop. Hate to think if I were on a bike or the Spyder. Pants may not have mattered here but if thrown at speed from the Spyder - I want some protection. I admit, if running around locally doing errands, I wear jeans or my Kevlar jeans. But on a trip or longer rides, I wear riding pants.
 
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 ;)

Pete
 
��
Pete,
Are you a safety professional? I am.
Are you an MSF Instructor? I am.
Are you a 3 Wheel instructor? I am.
Everyone can have an opinion. You choose to do whatever you wish.
MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION, BACKED UP BY FACTS, RESEARCH, DATA, and EDUCATION IS ATGATT!
ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME. PERIOD.
Please don’t advise people based on your imagination. Take a class. Hard to argue with facts.
 
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