Rider jeans or leather pants??

[firsttimer]

Hey all. I have just purchased a second hand (near new) Alpinestar leather jacket and was thinking of buying me a pair of riding jeans. Are there brands you recommend or ones I should avoid? I will be commuting from Hamilton to Tauranga at least 3 days a week (120ks each way) so protection is of the importance to me. I already have a winter set of gear. Just wondering if jeans or leather pants would be the better option during the summer months. Anyway if you have any thoughts that would be great. Thanks in advance. Eric

[Moi]

You're going to be riding on the open road so I'd suggest, if you can afford them, to buy a pair of leather pants.

Try to get ones that zip together with your jacket as that will give you greater protection should you need it. If necessary, have the zips on the pants or jacket altered so they do zip together. From what you have said you are familiar with trading websites - a good place to start looking.

Just my two-cents worth...

Enjoy your ride!

[onearmedbandit]

Do you have any reason for not just getting leather pants? Budget? Work attire? if not then a pair of leather pants that zip to your A*'s jacket will always be the best bet. Zipping the two together means less chance of the jacket riding up if you happen to slide feet first in an accident.

[Big Dog]

Do you have any reason for not just getting leather pants? Budget? Work attire? if not then a pair of leather pants that zip to your A*'s jacket will always be the best bet. Zipping the two together means less chance of the jacket riding up if you happen to slide feet first in an accident.
+1.
Abrasion is only one reason to wear pants. Better armour in leather and the probability they will stay together well enough to ride home again or at least be repaired are also compelling arguments for leather over jeans.

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[firsttimer]

I have a $2000 budget to buy new gear... I ordered new boots, a helmet and some Nordic DRIRIDER pants and jacket for winter then bought the leather thinking I'd wear it in the summer. I have about $400 left to spend. I'm riding a 650 vstrom if that changes your thoughts?

[firsttimer]

Do you have any reason for not just getting leather pants? Budget? Work attire? if not then a pair of leather pants that zip to your A*'s jacket will always be the best bet. Zipping the two together means less chance of the jacket riding up if you happen to slide feet first in an accident.

I'm new back to riding so don't want to look like a dork riding in gear that looks stupid? The jacket I bought was a Alpine* motegi jacket in white and green. I'm a tall skinny guy who's not use to the leather pants look but it may grow on me??

[firsttimer]

Do you have any reason for not just getting leather pants? Budget? Work attire? if not then a pair of leather pants that zip to your A*'s jacket will always be the best bet. Zipping the two together means less chance of the jacket riding up if you happen to slide feet first in an accident.


You're going to be riding on the open road so I'd suggest, if you can afford them, to buy a pair of leather pants.

Try to get ones that zip together with your jacket as that will give you greater protection should you need it. If necessary, have the zips on the pants or jacket altered so they do zip together. From what you have said you are familiar with trading websites - a good place to start looking.

Just my two-cents worth...

Enjoy your ride!

Thanks for that 😊

[firsttimer]

http://www.bikeroutfit.nl/en/alpinestars-motegi-2015-copy.html
This is the jacket I purchased. The white green one

[firsttimer]

You're going to be riding on the open road so I'd suggest, if you can afford them, to buy a pair of leather pants.

Try to get ones that zip together with your jacket as that will give you greater protection should you need it. If necessary, have the zips on the pants or jacket altered so they do zip together. From what you have said you are familiar with trading websites - a good place to start looking.

Just my two-cents worth...

Enjoy your ride!

Cheers Moi

[firsttimer]

Do you have any reason for not just getting leather pants? Budget? Work attire? if not then a pair of leather pants that zip to your A*'s jacket will always be the best bet. Zipping the two together means less chance of the jacket riding up if you happen to slide feet first in an accident.

I'm thinking leathers is the go then? So now to find a pair within budget that suit the as forementioned jacket? Thanks again

[Blackbird]

Welcome! I see you're from Hamilton. Start by having a look in Boyds at Te Rapa as they have some good deals. http://www.boydmotorcycles.co.nz/Store/Results.aspx?x=x&t=1&c=71296 . I ordered a new textile jacket from them yesterday to replace my 12 year old one that leaks like a sieve. I like their customer service and prices. Tyres especially good.

Cheers,

Geoff

[onearmedbandit]

. I'm riding a 650 vstrom if that changes your thoughts?

Tarmac doesn't care what you fall from. Yes there's some great riding jeans out there but not many zip to leather jackets as far as I'm aware.



I'm new back to riding so don't want to look like a dork riding in gear that looks stupid? The jacket I bought was a Alpine* motegi jacket in white and green. I'm a tall skinny guy who's not use to the leather pants look but it may grow on me??

Caring what others think < Looking after your own skin


I'm thinking leathers is the go then? So now to find a pair within budget that suit the as forementioned jacket? Thanks again

For $400 you should be able to pick up some quality leather pants with zip function from a local retailer.

[firsttimer]

Welcome! I see you're from Hamilton. Start by having a look in Boyds at Te Rapa as they have some good deals. http://www.boydmotorcycles.co.nz/Store/Results.aspx?x=x&t=1&c=71296 . I ordered a new textile jacket from them yesterday to replace my 12 year old one that leaks like a sieve. I like their customer service and prices. Tyres especially good.

Cheers,

Geoff

Hey Geoff yup I'm in Hamilton. I'm away on holiday at the moment back in the country next week so will pop in and see them then. The gear I've ordered is from Hamilton Honda. I visited a couple of shops to check out gear and bikes etc and Honda were the only ones to give me the time of day. See how it goes when I get home

[onearmedbandit]

At the end of the day you will see a lot of riders in riding jeans and leather jacket. And most times they'll be fine in the event of an off. But leathers that zip together ultimately give better coverage, both in impact and abrasion.

[Mike.Gayner]

Buying riding jeans for the look is a bit silly. The main manufacturers selling in NZ (particularly Draggin) have a hilariously outdated view on what the current style is in jeans. They're all cut straight from the 90's, with flapping great legs blowing in the wind, and fabric straight from dad's closet. I haven't seen a pair of riding jeans yet that's a style I would be caught dead wearing.

I own these leather pants, and rate them highly:
http://motocity.co.nz/clothing-and-gear/rst-blade-mens-leather-pants

I also own these. They're OK, great qquality leather, OK stitching, shitty velcro, pretty meh design:
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/product/leather-terminator-pants/37/101/

[Tazz]

It's the jacket that makes most the difference temp wise anyway when on the bike, not the pants. Get some decent leather ones if you have the budget. They don't all look like they're from the Village Peoples costume wardrobe.

I wear kevlar jeans a bit and have to say there is an advantage of getting off and not having to get changed into other things for work or events (so long as it's not mid summer as they are actually pretty warm too if you're not in a breeze :D). Not as good at shopping/fashion as others to comment on cut :laugh:

[Swoop]

Option #1: Leather.

Option #2: Leather.

Option #3: Leather.

If winter or raining, put waterproof outer shell on top of leather + thermals underneath if winter.




"Fashion" is for retards.

[firsttimer]

Thanks guys. Leather is the recommended type pants so I'll go try a few and see what I can find,
Cheers again
Eric

[nzspokes]

Leather for the open road, although a good quality textile is fine. Jeans I dont believe are really for the open road speeds.

Check out whoever has a sale as nobody cares if you have the latest style. But you will care if you dont have to grow new skin after a slide.

If you come up to Aucks, try the Army leather shop in Onehunga for used stuff or the sale racks at Motomail and Motoone.

Lucky bastard having an open road commute.

[firsttimer]

Buying riding jeans for the look is a bit silly. The main manufacturers selling in NZ (particularly Draggin) have a hilariously outdated view on what the current style is in jeans. They're all cut straight from the 90's, with flapping great legs blowing in the wind, and fabric straight from dad's closet. I haven't seen a pair of riding jeans yet that's a style I would be caught dead wearing.

I own these leather pants, and rate them highly:
http://motocity.co.nz/clothing-and-gear/rst-blade-mens-leather-pants

I also own these. They're OK, great qquality leather, OK stitching, shitty velcro, pretty meh design:
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/product/leather-terminator-pants/37/101/

Rookie question.....Will different brands zip together? Do they use a common size zip or are they usually brands specific?
Ps I like the look of the rst pants. Thanks for the suggestion

[firsttimer]

Leather for the open road, although a good quality textile is fine. Jeans I dont believe are really for the open road speeds.

Check out whoever has a sale as nobody cares if you have the latest style. But you will care if you dont have to grow new skin after a slide.

If you come up to Aucks, try the Army leather shop in Onehunga for used stuff or the sale racks at Motomail and Motoone.

Lucky bastard having an open road commute.

Haha Cheers for that

[HenryDorsetCase]

You're going to be riding on the open road so I'd suggest, if you can afford them, to buy a pair of leather pants.

Try to get ones that zip together with your jacket as that will give you greater protection should you need it. If necessary, have the zips on the pants or jacket altered so they do zip together. From what you have said you are familiar with trading websites - a good place to start looking.

Just my two-cents worth...

Enjoy your ride!

Agreed given the open road riding involved. For across town communting I wear jeans a lot... usually because I will be wearing them all day.

[tri boy]

[QUOTE=Blackbird;1131021878]Welcome! I see you're from Hamilton. Start by having a look in Boyds at Te Rapa as they have some good deals. http://www.boydmotorcycles.co.nz/Store/Results.aspx?x=x&t=1&c=71296 .

+1 on Boyds.
Talk to John/Kat (ex Hamilton Motorcycles).
Kat is really knowledgeable on riding gear, while John just walks around farting dust now adays:shutup:

[aws]

Rookie question.....Will different brands zip together? Do they use a common size zip or are they usually brands specific?
Ps I like the look of the rst pants. Thanks for the suggestion
Different brands will sometimes zip together, but not always. Even if the zip is compatible, the lengths can vary between brands. Normally they are mounted on lycra though, so some difference in length can be handled. Also most new items will come with both sides of the zip(s) so you can take that spare half and mount it on the other item.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[aws]

Buying riding jeans for the look is a bit silly. The main manufacturers selling in NZ (particularly Draggin) have a hilariously outdated view on what the current style is in jeans. They're all cut straight from the 90's, with flapping great legs blowing in the wind, and fabric straight from dad's closet. I haven't seen a pair of riding jeans yet that's a style I would be caught dead wearing.

I suspect you've not looked at the available jeans for a fair few years, because there have been good styles available for quite a few years now. I've only had Draggin's, so can't comment on other brands, but I've been very happy with the cut. Sure early jeans were all wide legged "easy fit" with external seams and with scratchy knit on the inside. But straight legged lined jeans with no external seams have been around for years now. And the latest Twista skinny legged stretch denim jeans are almost indistinguishable from fashion jeans - and way comfortable for all day wear.

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[jafagsx250]

Buying riding jeans for the look is a bit silly. The main manufacturers selling in NZ (particularly Draggin) have a hilariously outdated view on what the current style is in jeans. They're all cut straight from the 90's, with flapping great legs blowing in the wind, and fabric straight from dad's closet. I haven't seen a pair of riding jeans yet that's a style I would be caught dead wearing.

I own these leather pants, and rate them highly:
http://motocity.co.nz/clothing-and-gear/rst-blade-mens-leather-pants

I also own these. They're OK, great qquality leather, OK stitching, shitty velcro, pretty meh design:
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/product/leather-terminator-pants/37/101/

I went to cycletreads for some Kevlar jeans and they're all dad jeans like you said. I'm currently saving up for some Dainese d6 Evo jeans but they're 500 bucks from Rev zilla i think. which will take a bit.

Or there's this article. https://rideapart.com/articles/which-motorcycle-jeans-should-you-buy

[aws]

I'd agree with the others that leather is the safest option for open road commuting. However if it was me, I'd probably find the convenience of jeans that I could wear all day to be too enticing.

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[firsttimer]

I'd agree with the others that leather is the safest option for open road commuting. However if it was me, I'd probably find the convenience of jeans that I could wear all day to be too enticing.

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That's what I was thinking too, the convenience of jeans versus taking A change of clothes everyday. I Think I'll go leather first then look at some jeans further down the track. I have a place to stay a couple a nights during the week so can store stuff which makes life easier for the commute.

[aws]

I went to cycletreads for some Kevlar jeans and they're all dad jeans like you said. I'm currently saving up for some Dainese d6 Evo jeans but they're 500 bucks from Rev zilla i think. which will take a bit.

Or there's this article. https://rideapart.com/articles/which-motorcycle-jeans-should-you-buy
Haven't tried the selection at Cycletreads for a long time, but I always find Motomail to have a good selection of stylish jeans - I just can't get into the super skinny Rev'it styles that they carry. I also find them very helpful.

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[KawasakiKid]

Different brands will sometimes zip together, but not always. Even if the zip is compatible, the lengths can vary between brands. Normally they are mounted on lycra though, so some difference in length can be handled. Also most new items will come with both sides of the zip(s) so you can take that spare half and mount it on the other item.

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For safety, both zips, jacket and pants, should be mounted direct to the leather, not via lycra

[aws]

For safety, both zips, jacket and pants, should be mounted direct to the leather, not via lycra
Sorry, don't have any experience with leather. I mostly commute, so textile is my thing and the jacket zip is always mounted on lycra. I just assumed leather would be similar. Clearly not.

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[KawasakiKid]

Sorry, don't have any experience with leather. I mostly commute, so textile is my thing and the jacket zip is always mounted on lycra. I just assumed leather would be similar. Clearly not.

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A friend of mine raced in the Clubman class in Christchurch NZ for a couple of seasons. His Alpinestars 2 piece suit had the jacket zip mounted to the mesh liner. Would not have stayed together in a feet forward slide.

Just something to be aware of when looking at riding gear.

Also what were the scrutineers thinking to pass such a suit for racing !

[aws]

That's what I was thinking too, the convenience of jeans versus taking A change of clothes everyday. I Think I'll go leather first then look at some jeans further down the track. I have a place to stay a couple a nights during the week so can store stuff which makes life easier for the commute.
My commute is only 25 k's each way, but I use jeans in the summer (with overpants in the wet). In the winter I use textile pants over my regular trousers. I never use the insulation layer when wearing other pants underneath. If you already have some textile pants then I'd start off with those and see how you go. After a bit of commuting you'll have a better idea of what is important to you.

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[Mike.Gayner]

All of my sets have the zipper mounted to a stretch panel or liner on the jacket side. I've always hated that, and have considered having the zipper sewn directly to the leather.

[onearmedbandit]

A friend of mine raced in the Clubman class in Christchurch NZ for a couple of seasons. His Alpinestars 2 piece suit had the jacket zip mounted to the mesh liner. Would not have stayed together in a feet forward slide.

Just something to be aware of when looking at riding gear.

Also what were the scrutineers thinking to pass such a suit for racing !

I've crashed in A* gear as you've described and not had the suit fail. Not the perfect set up granted but it does work.

[WristTwister]

I'm new back to riding so don't want to look like a dork riding in gear that looks stupid? The jacket I bought was a Alpine* motegi jacket in white and green. I'm a tall skinny guy who's not use to the leather pants look but it may grow on me??

Black leather pants will go with anything.

If you want riding jeans, Rev'it - they're condura blend with abrasion lining and come with CE pads.

[Luckylegs]

Where's Brett when you need him

[KawasakiKid]

I've crashed in A* gear as you've described and not had the suit fail. Not the perfect set up granted but it does work.

My friend Ginger Molloy crashed at Manfield wearing 2 piece as I described above and the top zip tore out. He was a bit of a mess. Sometimes you will be ok for sure, but other times maybe not so good

[Stu999c]

Buying riding jeans for the look is a bit silly. The main manufacturers selling in NZ (particularly Draggin) have a hilariously outdated view on what the current style is in jeans. They're all cut straight from the 90's, with flapping great legs blowing in the wind, and fabric straight from dad's closet. I haven't seen a pair of riding jeans yet that's a style I would be caught dead wearing.

I own these leather pants, and rate them highly:
http://motocity.co.nz/clothing-and-gear/rst-blade-mens-leather-pants

I also own these. They're OK, great qquality leather, OK stitching, shitty velcro, pretty meh design:
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/product/leather-terminator-pants/37/101/

I have a pair of stovepipe jeans a la draggin(drayko)they were 6" too long and big flappy legs as you said.
I took mine to a local tailor with a pair of regular jeans I liked the cut on and got them to copy the fit
Cost me 48 dollars to get them done.
I'm happy as with em now.

[WristTwister]

My friend Ginger Molloy crashed at Manfield wearing 2 piece as I described above and the top zip tore out. He was a bit of a mess. Sometimes you will be ok for sure, but other times maybe not so good

I hope the OP won't be wearing 40 year old motorcycle gear.

[KawasakiKid]

I hope the OP won't be wearing 40 year old motorcycle gear.

This happened in the '70s. Ginger came off his H2R

[onearmedbandit]

This happened in the '70s. Ginger came off his H2R

Quite possibly things have improved by now. One of my crashes was a 90mph highside at Ruapuna, I tumbled and slid for quite a distance and the gear showed no signs of coming apart. Granted it's not the best option but still better than not having the pants and jacket connected. And lets face it, one piece suits are not that practical for daily road use.

[KawasakiKid]

Quite possibly things have improved by now. One of my crashes was a 90mph highside at Ruapuna, I tumbled and slid for quite a distance and the gear showed no signs of coming apart. Granted it's not the best option but still better than not having the pants and jacket connected. And lets face it, one piece suits are not that practical for daily road use.

That is true. I have seen modern suits come adrift too, not merely a '70s thing. Some are lucky, others not

[HenryDorsetCase]

I suspect you've not looked at the available jeans for a fair few years, because there have been good styles available for quite a few years now. I've only had Draggin's, so can't comment on other brands, but I've been very happy with the cut. Sure early jeans were all wide legged "easy fit" with external seams and with scratchy knit on the inside. But straight legged lined jeans with no external seams have been around for years now. And the latest Twista skinny legged stretch denim jeans are almost indistinguishable from fashion jeans - and way comfortable for all day wear.

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I'll have a look for that brand. I have a pair of Draggin Jeans which are exactly as you describe.. I do like the idea of skiinny leg stretch denim with some armour or whatever. Gotta be better than Levis or Nudies!

[Stu999c]

This is the goods here
http://www.resurgencegear.co.nz/men/pants-jeans/

[Mike.Gayner]

This is the goods here
http://www.resurgencegear.co.nz/men/pants-jeans/

Why do they advertise their pants as having a "free removable armour set"? It's hardly free, the pants are $300.

[Stu999c]

You would have to ask them that.
I line the style of their ones.
I picked mine up cheap off a mate who didn't line the style.
Hundy including armour.
Cheap as chips

[WristTwister]

Why do they advertise their pants as having a "free removable armour set"? It's hardly free, the pants are $300.

free/included same thing. Some brands don't come with armour or padding.

[jafagsx250]

Haven't tried the selection at Cycletreads for a long time, but I always find Motomail to have a good selection of stylish jeans - I just can't get into the super skinny Rev'it styles that they carry. I also find them very helpful.

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You must be older than 30 then haha. I'm only 19 so style is a consideration for me at least. Especially when it's a lot of money for me.

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[aws]

You must be older than 30 then haha. I'm only 19 so style is a consideration for me at least. Especially when it's a lot of money for me.

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When I say "can't get into them", I mean I can't get into them - they're too skinny for my legs.

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[Stu999c]

When I say "can't get into them", I mean I can't get into them - they're too skinny for my legs.

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[emoji51]ha ha

[jafagsx250]

When I say "can't get into them", I mean I can't get into them - they're too skinny for my legs.

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Oh right. My bad. Super skinny jeans aren't much fun anyway.

[iwilson]

Jeans have come a long way in recent years in terms of protection. After doing my own reasearch I settled on Bull-it. Better abrasion resistance than leather and less heat transfer than Kevlar etc - according to their literature. Other than the lack of water proofing (and leather if that's your thing), they're great if you're looking for something comfortable and good looking enough to continue on in once you're parked the bike up - although the covac lining doesn't make them as comfortable as plain jeans.

http://www.bull-it.com/jeans/sr6-jeans.html

[firsttimer]

Jeans have come a long way in recent years in terms of protection. After doing my own reasearch I settled on Bull-it. Better abrasion resistance than leather and less heat transfer than Kevlar etc - according to their literature. Other than the lack of water proofing (and leather if that's your thing), they're great if you're looking for something comfortable and good looking enough to continue on in once you're parked the bike up - although the covac lining doesn't make them as comfortable as plain jeans.

http://www.bull-it.com/jeans/sr6-jeans.html

I ended up buying me a pair of these from a local shop. Really liked the fit and the colour but they must have been old stock because the front pocket liners torn on the first day. I returned them to the shop and they replaced them with a new pair, different cut, but a brand new pair. Unfortunately I didn't try the jeans on first as the new cut didn't fit like the older pair and are to tight. I've asked for another exchange but have lost the tags off the jeans and they are umming and arrhhing as to whether or not I can exchange them. I hope so cause I really did like them

[nzspokes]

Jeans have come a long way in recent years in terms of protection. After doing my own reasearch I settled on Bull-it. Better abrasion resistance than leather and less heat transfer than Kevlar etc - according to their literature. Other than the lack of water proofing (and leather if that's your thing), they're great if you're looking for something comfortable and good looking enough to continue on in once you're parked the bike up - although the covac lining doesn't make them as comfortable as plain jeans.

http://www.bull-it.com/jeans/sr6-jeans.html

Better than leather then? Guess Rossi will be in them this season then?

[iwilson]

Better than leather then? Guess Rossi will be in them this season then?

Apologises for my ignorance in material science. You're quite right if Rossi's not wearing them, then mine are going in the bin - science or no science! Rumor has it Rossi's minders have in fact developed a material superior even to the holy leather. Spy shot below. Say nothing to Marquez!

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