LSFW - I need new summer pants

[Tipstall]

OK Peckerheads I need help. I need a new pair of summer riding pants. I wish I had some stores to go look and try stuff on but I don't so this will be an online purchase, (unless someone points me in the right direction).

I have a Joe Rocket Alto Ego jacket that I like. I have Joe Rocket Ballistic pants but they are cool weather only. Why Joe Rocket? No reason, a dealer not close by had it, tried it, bought it. Some people complain about Joe Rocket quality, I have had no problems. I like to tuck my pants in my boots.

It seems like First Gear makes some quality items. Has anyone purchased the new Mesh-Tex 2.0 pants? These look great to me and I like how you can add armor. Plus it's always good to support fellow Peckerheads.

Any other brands people would like recommend? I hear Aerostich come up allot. Any experience with them?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Ken

[Promethean]

I have JR Alter Ego overpants and it's okay. Too little "mesh" area for breathability so summers will cause the insides to get toasty. I've had issues with quality while getting JR stuff. I won't buy any again. Stuff falls apart too quickly.

[BobFV1]

OK Peckerheads I need help. I need a new pair of summer riding pants. I wish I had some stores to go look and try stuff on but I don't so this will be an online purchase, (unless someone points me in the right direction).

I have a Joe Rocket Alto Ego jacket that I like. I have Joe Rocket Ballistic pants but they are cool weather only. Why Joe Rocket? No reason, a dealer not close by had it, tried it, bought it. Some people complain about Joe Rocket quality, I have had no problems. I like to tuck my pants in my boots.

It seems like First Gear makes some quality items. Has anyone purchased the new Mesh-Tex 2.0 pants? These look great to me and I like how you can add armor. Plus it's always good to support fellow Peckerheads.

Any other brands people would like recommend? I hear Aerostich come up allot. Any experience with them?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Ken

Tipstall - I have a pair of brand new with tags Joe Rocket Phoenix pants which you can have if they fit you - waist size 36 - let me know.

I really like the BMW "Summer" and "Venting Machine" pants - have both and wear them through the warm months.

[GPM]

I like the FirstGear Mesh Tex Overpants. With a zip in liner they will block the wind and rain. With the liner out they are full mesh and quite tolerable in the heat. Also, with upgraded armor and a pair of Draggin Jeans underneath the protection seems adequate. One other thing, they come in tall sizes, a plus for me.

[Bones]

The BMW summer pants are about as "summer" as I will get with gear. They don't breathe like mesh or ventilated pants, but they have some semblance of protection (better than jeans), have some armor and they actually look pretty nice. I have a pair and wear them a fair amount in the summer.

Jeff

[DJ Down Under]

The best summer pants???....Okanui's...the classic Aussie summer pants (shorts)...:003:... http://www.okanui.com/?

DJ

http://www.okanui.com/img/logo_classics_160.jpg http://www.okanui.com/img/product/sho_hib_blu.jpg

[supermotoC]

DJ - aren't your camo pants some kind of kevlar/protective material?

The best compromise is fully perfed leather, but they don't look so great at the beach.

[Wild Will]

are hot, unless you snap the ankle fastener and unzip them to below the knee. I still use the suit in summer. Wet tee shirt helps on really hot days, but I always prefer stopping at a nice rocky river for a dip. I also like BMW's Summer pants. And BMW's Air Flow's work, but have been updated from my first generation model. BMW make good gear; expensive but very well built. The Summer Pants look good and turn into shorts, with removeable legs (as you already know). The nice thing about the 'Stich is, you can wear a swim suit below it, and if you douse yourself, or take a dip, you're cool for about 50 miles.
Nothing enhances asphalt rash like 120 degree black top.

[DJ Down Under]

supermotoC said...DJ - aren't your camo pants some kind of kevlar/protective material?

The best compromise is fully perfed leather, but they don't look so great at the beach.

Yes my camo/cargo's Draggin' Jeans are great summer pants..here's a few pics.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2312.JPG

These pics show where the kevlar reinforcement is...yes I'm wearing them inside out...

It was either that or stick the camera down my pants..:icon_mrgreen:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2316.jpg

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2317.jpg

As for looking good at the beach..here ya go...note my Draggin's on the seat.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2318.jpg

DJ

[Tipstall]

Tipstall - I have a pair of brand new with tags Joe Rocket Phoenix pants which you can have if they fit you - waist size 36 - let me know.

I really like the BMW "Summer" and "Venting Machine" pants - have both and wear them through the warm months.

Bob,

Thats very nice of you. I'm a 34 with the belt as tight as it can go.

DJ,

I'm not sure what to say about those pictures.:icon_redface:

Ken

[BobFV1]

DJ -

We could have gone a whole additional year without having those pix ressurected.....:)

Just no pictures of kangaroo sex, okay?

[DarthRider]

Ken -
It's all about compromise and acceptance of risk...and for many of us cost is a factor.
I lived in Chicagoland for a year and I know how hot & humid your summers can be...much like ours in North Texas but not so long and perpetually humid.
Stitch'es, perf leather, BMW textiles all probably provide better protection than full mesh (depends on the crash really.) But mesh is head & shoulders cooler. And cheaper. And the armor & other protection technology is getting better all the time. Mesh technical gear is an extremely competitive market and none of the manufacturers are standing still.
I ride with some folks who use higher "perceived protection" gear year round. I have a variety of seasonal gear and I am usually pretty comfortable. Most of the experienced riders I know do too. If we all crash together one of these days I *may* end up with more scrapes, maybe not. Depends.
But I am very comfortable with that compromise and risk acceptance level.
You will never see me sweating more than I have to or not wearing good protective gear. I tend to compare mesh not with leather or a Stitch, but with jeans & t-shirts. In our summers that is a more valid real-world comparison.
And it beats hell out of riding only 9 or 10 months of the year!

Dave

[supermotoC]

...yes I'm wearing them inside out...it was either that or stick the camera down my pants..

not again, DJ.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2318.jpg

that's a mighty HOT looking asphalt beach you got there, complete with speed bump!

[socalrob]

A month or so ago I picked up Dianese pant armor that consists of an open mesh with shin, knee, & hip armor pads. You wear the whole thing under jeans (I would use Draggin Jeans). This set up should give the relative comfort of Draggin Jeans with some real armor. I havn't tried it out yet, but should be good for SoCal summers. I would imagine the Dianese "underpants?" would also be good under something like the BMW summer pants which I don't remember having much armor.

[Dallara]

Two Words...

FIRST GEAR

I have a pair of the original First Gear Mesh-Tex pants and then have been outstanding in almost every way. They are so good I wanted to get a second pair, and just did... The new Mesh-Tex 2.0 pants. Problem is they just got about two weeks ago and I have only had time to go on one 120-130 mile ride with 'em. That said, they appear to be everything the original ones were and more. They are more comfortable, and they look a lot better, too, especially the accordion sections around the knees.

And both the old style and the new ones flow TONS of air!

Hope this helps!

Allan (the unmighty duster Dallara - NACD)

[Tipstall]

OK, the First Gear pants on on the short list.

Allan, Do you use the upgraded armor?

Has anyone tried Rev'it? http://www.revitusa.net/

Local BMW dealer carries some and it looks nice. They have an open house Saturday so I think I'll go visit them.

Ken

[DJ Down Under]

Collyer...sorry about that old beach shot....here's a recent one taken just the other night...me and my summer pants....:003:

DJ

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2343.JPG

[BobFV1]

Collyer...sorry about that old beach shot....here's a recent one taken just the other night...me and my summer pants....:003:

DJ

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2343.JPG

DJ - Thanks for airbrushing out the General and his two aides...

[Promethean]

For a moment there, I thought it was the green goblin on his glider. :037:

[Tipstall]

I went to a local BMW dealer today, in Chicago we have 3, Tag Sport. They were having an open house so I thought it might be a good time to check them out.

Nice people, good clothing selection. I tried on the BMW summer pants and they fit great, sold. Being up north I may not even need mesh pants.

I've been looking for a new helmet and talked to a Tucker Rocky rep that was also a Arai expert. I was already sold on Arai and just needed to convince myself which model. Think I'm ready for it soon.

Now if it would stop raining and warm up.

Ken

[DarthRider]

Ken -

You will love the Arai!
Did you get fitted? Both size and headshape are very important for a safe, comfortable fit.

Dave

[Acacia]

Arai are the only helmet that fits my egg shaped head properly. A Signet GTR. A little noisy through the air vents at the top.

I have had the black trim at the bottom of the helmet come off several times. The adhesive they use does not stick all that well to the plastic of this trim. I did speak to Arai about it a while back - they sent more trim and said I was to use epoxy.

Certainly a hat I would recommend.

[DarthRider]

" have had the black trim at the bottom of the helmet come off several times. The adhesive they use does not stick all that well to the plastic of this trim."

Fortunately this is very rare. One of the best Arai attributes is the superb build quality.

Dave

[Tipstall]

Ken -

You will love the Arai!
Did you get fitted? Both size and headshape are very important for a safe, comfortable fit.

Dave

Dave,

I did get fitted, twice. I guess the first time I was a little shocked how tight they wanted it to fit. I have since talked to others and understand that is correct.

Ken

[BobFV1]

Dave,

I did get fitted, twice. I guess the first time I was a little shocked how tight they wanted it to fit. I have since talked to others and understand that is correct.

Ken

FWIW - I bought a new XL Arai XD when I bought my new bike about 3 weeks ago. It seemed pretty darn tight but on the trip across the country the pads "squished in" nicely and it fits very well now.

YMMV.

[Tipstall]

I got to try out the BMW summer pants this weekend. The knew pad is adjustable, and I need to adjust mine. They fit me like jeans, very comfortable. The pockets snap tight to keep things in. They are warmer than I expected. I think they would be pretty hot down south when not moving on the bike, (more test to come). I like to tuck my pants in my boots and they do this well, not alot of extra material down at the bottom. I did not try the short option.

Ken

[Acacia]

I bought some Firstgear Mesh pants recently - have not had a chance to ride with them yet.

I like the look- the protective spots look a little thin on the knees and hips - I see there are hip pockets for extra padding?

They seem a little clingy around the upper thighs - what are most of you using - boxers, and then denim?

[Road Dog]

I ride with some folks who use higher "perceived protection" gear year round. And it beats hell out of riding only 9 or 10 months of the year!
Dave

:104: Wad r u talkn bout Willis? Every thing I wear you sold me! Sort of.

Say, when is R&D going to come up with spray on riding gear like Axe Spray that drives the womens wild?? Hmmmm

:058: Bill

[DarthRider]

We already have that...it's called Silkolene 20/W50 Synthetic.
Just a drop behind each ear usually does it.
Good substitute for K-Y too...

Dave

[Tipstall]

I like the fit of these pants as I wear them more but the knee pads were bothering me. I trimmed them and moved them lower. Much better.

This weekend it looks like we might get some summer weather. I'll try the shorts option and see how they work.

Ken

[BobFV1]

We already have that...it's called Silkolene 20/W50 Synthetic.
Just a drop behind each ear usually does it.
Good substitute for K-Y too...

Dave

Dave - great concept, but I don't think my sweet wife will go for that....

[DarthRider]

Mine either...she prefers 10/W40 semi-syn.

[BobFV1]

:046: :046: :046: :yahoo: