Do you recommend Draggin Jeans?

[j_redley]

Right, I'm just getting back into biking with my new Gixxer 250 being a small upgrade from the KR150 I had a couple years back. What put me off riding for a while was my lack of safety gear then, and how easy my standard jeans got sliced into shreads when I hit the tarmac. I've got a leather jacket, as well as gloves and I'm wondering since the price difference isn't too great between the Draggin CE jeans and some leathers, which you riders recommend for a guy who wants to go out for a quick blast in the hills on the weekend, but also a few longer rides when the mood strikes.

Should I bite the bullet and look at leather pants, or are the draggin jeans actually as good as they say?

[Lurch]

If you like having knees that bend (in the right direction), get something with armor in them.

[Nasty]

Depends on the other gear you have. I have draggins and love em .. but saying that I also have leathers and codura.

[Lurch]

Incoming Quasievil post in 3... 2... 1....

[j_redley]

Depends on the other gear you have. I have draggins and love em .. but saying that I also have leathers and codura.

I had a Cordura jacket which got sold when I hit the tarmac last time, now I've got a leather jacket, leather gloves and helmet. I like the fact with Draggin that I can wear them when I get off the bike, but also want to make sure if I go for a ride through to Palmy or Taupo, that I'm gonna be warm enough and not left half naked if I come off.

[Motu]

Don't anyone dare post anything positive about Draggins - Quasi will shoot you down in flames.Apparently the only products save to ride a bike in are made by quasi....

[Lurch]

It's all about comprimise, you're going to have to decide what's most important for you as a rider. Safety or convenience. If it's safety then get a pair of leather, armored pants. If it's convenience, get the draggins. If like me you want a bit of both just wear your normal jeans under a pair of cordura pants.

Next up, you need to decide if you like your ankle bones the way they are or not.

[j_redley]

It's all about comprimise, you're going to have to decide what's most important for you as a rider. Safety or convenience. If it's safety then get a pair of leather, armored pants. If it's convenience, get the draggins. If like me you want a bit of both just wear your normal jeans under a pair of cordura pants.

Next up, you need to decide if you like your ankle bones the way they are or not.

I've been wearing my steel-toe work boots up until now which has been fine, though my toes end up a little num despite the woollen socks. I like safety, but arn't draggins supposed to be pretty good like that?

[p.dath]

My personal opinion j_redley is that there is no perfect option for everyone. People ride in different environments at different speeds in different ways. So what you need to do is decide what you are worried about happening, and then mitigate that risk.

The two primary risks you need to consider are abrasion and impacts. You also need to consider how likely the gear you have is to remain in the location you want to protect during an accident. For example, Kevlar pajama's might offer good abrasion resistance, but are highly likely to travel up your legs during a slide allowing the skin to be ripped off your legs.

So Draggin jeans offer abrasion resistance for your arse (and knees?). If you are only worried about protecting against perfect slides like this then they are fine. If you are worried about a rolling slide then they might not be your first option. If you are worried about hitting a curb on the side of a road, a tree at the end of your slide, a concrete median strip, etc, then they aren't going to help much - and you'll need to consider adding something to help with impacts, or get gear that can handle impacts.

Ignoring safety there are side issues to think about like comfort. Will you only be riding in fine weather, or are you prepared to accept getting caught in the odd shower? Will you be riding in a lot of heat (aka summer only, which jeans are good for)? Will you be doing long rides and need to consider thermal insulation?


Anyway the point is, decide what kind of accidents you want to protect against, and choose gear that offers protection for those cases.

[j_redley]

I prefer to ride in fine weather, though I have been caught in the odd shower. Also, Wanganui to Taupo= relativly long ride?

[sinned]

Wrong time of the year to be thinking of jeans - unless they are on special. Even then - I have em and seldom wear them as they just do not provide enough protection. l

[Nasty]

I've been wearing my steel-toe work boots up until now which has been fine, though my toes end up a little num despite the woollen socks. I like safety, but arn't draggins supposed to be pretty good like that?

Ummmm not really. They do stop some of the pain .. but definately better with other pants if you are looking for safety. Draggins do rip but the kevlar doesn't ... they can be repaired - but they offer no armour, no padding and no warmth!

[HappyGOriding]

I have some jeans with kevlar in them (cant remember brand not draggins) bought them in oz they also have removable knee pads (which is I bought them) as well as side an ass reinforcement they fit good and are great for the short summer rides plus I have cordura wet weather pants with similar protection but at the mo I am currently trying to save for a pair of leather pants as personally I reckon they offer the best protection. As p.dath says it comes down to what you want them to do for you.

Also suggest you ditch the steelcaps and get yourself some proper motorcycle boots. Used to do the same until recently purchased myself some Dririder boots and was surprised how much of a difference they made. No cold toes, comfortable as, instantly felt the difference of ankle protection. Worth looking at if you are worried about safety

[p.dath]

I've been wearing my steel-toe work boots up until now which has been fine...

Motorcycle gear doesn't usually feature steel anything. Steel gets very hot when you you slide it along tar seal. Think ouch.

[Jantar]

If you are only going to get a single type of protective trousers then make them leather.

I have leather trousers and leather jacket for general use, but I also have a cordura jacket as a spare or for very hot weather riding, and 3 pairs of kevlar jeans (1 Technic and 2 Hardas) for summer use or short rides.

Overall, nothing is as good as leather.