Rider jeans or leather pants??

**aws** · 6th January 2017, 10:58

Originally Posted by KawasakiKid

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** · 6th January 2017, 11:03

Originally Posted by aws

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** · 6th January 2017, 11:09

Originally Posted by firsttimer

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** · 6th January 2017, 11:17

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** · 6th January 2017, 11:21

Originally Posted by KawasakiKid

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** · 6th January 2017, 11:25

Originally Posted by firsttimer

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** · 6th January 2017, 11:45

Where's Brett when you need him

**KawasakiKid** · 6th January 2017, 12:10

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

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** · 6th January 2017, 12:22

Originally Posted by 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-g...-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/leat...-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** · 6th January 2017, 12:26

Originally Posted by KawasakiKid

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** · 6th January 2017, 12:27

Originally Posted by WristTwister

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

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

**onearmedbandit** · 6th January 2017, 12:30

Originally Posted by KawasakiKid

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** · 6th January 2017, 12:39

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

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** · 6th January 2017, 13:17

Originally Posted by aws

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!