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What about chaps, chaps. What about chaps, chaps.
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TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 23 Aug 2006
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Question What about chaps, chaps.
Hi all, this is one most probably for the New World members, but who knows?

I've just got a new pair of Codura motorcycle trousers, with all the high tech materials and armour and stuff, and they are brilliant....for England in the rain. Only trouble is, standing about in the sunshine the other day, they felt decidedly hot. Oh,oh I thought, what are these gonna be like in Mexico?

Set me to thinking, has anyone experience of leather motorcycle chaps?

What are they like in the wet? Do they get in the way? Will they protect you well enough if you bale out at low-medium speed a) on tarmac b) on shale. Any other comments?

Thanks in advance


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  #2  
Old 23 Aug 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagbeetle
Hi all, this is one most probably for the New World members, but who knows?

I've just got a new pair of Codura motorcycle trousers, with all the high tech materials and armour and stuff, and they are brilliant....for England in the rain. Only trouble is, standing about in the sunshine the other day, they felt decidedly hot. Oh,oh I thought, what are these gonna be like in Mexico?

Set me to thinking, has anyone experience of leather motorcycle chaps?

What are they like in the wet? Do they get in the way? Will they protect you well enough if you bale out at low-medium speed a) on tarmac b) on shale. Any other comments?

Thanks in advance


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Stagbeetle
IHMO chaps are a fashion statement just like the fingerless gloves -much beloved of the "cruise crowd".
Everytime I've had a prang ,I've gone sliding down the road on my arse or grazed a hip ,chaps wouldn't help much in that scenario . Plus on cold days your nuts would freeze .
You'd be better off with some vented armoured ballistic nylon type trousers .
In the UK you are lucky having those Hein Gericke shops ,I wish we had them here .
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  #3  
Old 23 Aug 2006
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It's definitely the right way, to choose modern materials for bike clothing. They are better in every condition. Look is normally not a condition, I think. For your requirements, flexibility is the key. You need clothing like onions. There are pants and jackets in which every layer, like thermolinning and membranes, is removable. This stuff is made very intelligent and for a rough life.

acme
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  #4  
Old 23 Aug 2006
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Thumbs down Chaps
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagbeetle
what about chaps chaps?
NO! Only young lovleys in bikini bottoms or tight jeans should be allowed anywhere near them!

Every guy you see wearing them, just has a saggy arse in his jeans.
Look at photos of Daytona Bike Week if you don't believe me.
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Old 24 Aug 2006
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I've been riding all summer in a pair of cargo Dragging jeans which have Kevlar sew into them, and the two weeks we got that was very very hot they was still cool to wear. I have not had a spill in mine but know a mate who has on gravel and the outer fabric ripped but the kevlar did its job and he had no marks or gravel rash on him, They very comfortable as well and hard wearing I wear my everyday and they still look new I even been clubbing in them and none knew they were bike trousers be ideal for you in Mexico.

Rob
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  #6  
Old 24 Aug 2006
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OK, I'll admit it. I've owned & wore a pair of chaps.

Never really could figure out what they were good for. Didn't really protect one from the cold/wind. When it rained, they were a huge detriment, keeping you cold & wet, miles & miles after the rain quit & sun returned.
I suppose they offer some slight measure of protection, should one go down.

The Harley crowd isn't about function, its about form. Better to freeze to death than look uncool.

What really got me about chaps was one year in Sturgis. It was 98 degrees. I saw countless individuals walking around in brand spankin new chaps. It was an uncomfortable & erie feeling watching these jamokes struttin about.
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Old 25 Aug 2006
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Thumbs up I still have a good butt, but..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots
NO! Only young lovleys in bikini bottoms or tight jeans should be allowed anywhere near them!

Every guy you see wearing them, just has a saggy arse in his jeans.
Look at photos of Daytona Bike Week if you don't believe me.
No wonder my son fell about laughing when I mentioned it , first thing he did after wiping the tears from his eyes, was to open the Draggin Clothes website and showed me the Cargo Pants.

Many thanks for the feedback everyone, much appreciated

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Old 28 Aug 2006
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I have been in the east of Turkey this August. I was wearing ventilated cordura pants and jacket and I think it has been a very good choice. Some days temperature rise until 45º or even more and I could still wear all the stuff. They protect you well and the ventilations work very well. Once in the road, the pants are even cooler than jeans. And much more confortable to wear if you ride for several hours as I did. When I wanted to go sigthseeing I just changed my pants for shorts and that's all.
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  #9  
Old 28 Aug 2006
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For what its worth
They also have treated nylon chaps. I picked up a pair for hiking when I didn't need full on rain pants. I have used them a few times on my bike. They can be found at most hunting and outdoor stores.
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Old 29 Aug 2006
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Don't know about chaps, never had the balls to wear them. I wear the grey BMW RalleyII pants. They have vents above the knees which catch the oncomming air so it flows through to the vented sides...Very cool when your moving. Especially after you stop and sweat a bit, this acts like air conditioning. The grey colour also reflects a lot of heat, making 30+ weather tolerable.
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Old 29 Aug 2006
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I know two people who were having trouble with their BMW pants, it was the heat. They said the armour in the pants would heat up severely.
It didn't occur to us until later that the problem was that they had black pants.
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Old 29 Aug 2006
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Exclamation Its all over now baby blue
Has all been most useful, especially since my bike and I were rear ended by a truck over the weekend, and I took the knee out of my new black motorcycle trousers. This means that amongst other things I am claiming a new set. Looks like Draggin Jeans Cargo pants may get a look in, but not the orange ones that Martin wore at the UK meeting this June. I'm sorry Martin but even though the truck driver may have seen me, I can't bring myself to wearing bright orange camoflage. (I also can't think of anywhere where bright orange is a camoflage )


Anyway, thanks for all your input, 'sbeen a blast.

p.s. was an opportunity to test myself in a crisis, I did ok, I didn't hit him.
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Old 31 Aug 2006
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Firstgear HT air overpants. Works year around.
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  #14  
Old 1 Sep 2006
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Chaps were designed for horse riding. Just a fashion statement on bikes (and a dodgy one at that) I can't see how they would have any useful weather or crash protection.

http://www.bikersparadise.co.uk/scri...?idproduct=251
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  #15  
Old 4 Sep 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger
You'd be better off with some vented armoured ballistic nylon type trousers .
In the UK you are lucky having those Hein Gericke shops ,I wish we had them here .
My son dragged me off to the Hein Gericke shop in Peterborough yesterday and the bloke there introduced me to the Tuareg range. Although a 150 quid lighter ($275 roughly) for Jacket and Trousers; these are the dogs danglies. Very pleased with tech spec, and I think they look good too.
link from Matt Cartney's Thread 'Hein Gericke Taureg Jacket'

http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/produ...oducts_id/1797
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Last edited by Stagbeetle; 4 Sep 2006 at 16:20. Reason: looks like 150 for trousers only
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