| Author | Message | ||
     Pmjolly |
OK, now people can make fun of me for asking what may be a moronic question. I am about to buy some leather pants to go with my leather jacket. I have a Vanson jacket with the crash pads in it. It has a zipper at the waist for matching pants to connect and make a one piece suit. I have never owned leathers before his. I took my measurements and called Vanson for the correct jacket. I plan on doing the same for the pants in the near future. Here is my question. As weird as it sounds, what does one wear under leather pants? I seriously don't know. I don't want to be uncomfortable while riding. Do you size them to fit over jeans, or is it just underwear of some sort? I don't mind some fun spirited ribbing if I get the answers I'm looking for. I'm already being ribbed by others for dressing like The Village People! Oh, I'll be riding my 1125R with these on. Now it can go on this part of the site, right? Thanks! | ||
| Jules |
Size them to fit over a base layer (for in the winter) or just plain shorts/underwear... | ||
| Tmchcrk |
Oh the ways this thread could go. With most of us already frustrated and needing to vent about something about not being able to ride....  . I agree size to layer for the colder times | ||
| Slaughter |
UnderArmor or longies for winter. Cycling shorts without the crotch pad in summer. Actually Under Armor works pretty well year round. | ||
| Jdugger |
I use Under Armor compression "biking" shorts, even though I shouldn't. In a crash, UA (and other microfiber/low-melt-temp synthjetics) has two distinct disadvantages: 1. They tend to cause carpet burn way worse than something made of cotton would. In fact, up until this most recent crash, the worst injury I'd had from crashing was my skin being rubbed off in sensitive spots (elbow, hip, etc) from the damn UA. 2. If you slide far enough and heat them up, or God forbid end up with gas/fire on you, they melt into your skin causing all kinds of issues with healing, infection, permanent skin damage, and so on. In fact, our servicemen are told not to wear UA because they complicate gun shot wounds so much All that said, the sweat and comfort performance of UA stuff is so amazing, I still wear it. Really nothing I've found works as well. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
PMJolly - what size waste are you? I have a pair of Vanson pants I want to get rid of As far as calling Vanson - talk to Connie, tell her Garrett said hello In the Vanson sportrider pants I have (for sale) as well as my Vanson suit I had made for me last year - just boxers. But this was also just for drag racing, so not really normal riding around town etc | ||
| Duphuckincati |
All I can tell you is when not riding the Buell I'm riding wearing leathers on my Norton COMMANDO. | ||
| Pmjolly |
The synthetics are not allowed for me at work, either. I must work inside energized electrical gear at times, and must wear an arc fault suit. My clothing underneath is always cotton for the reasons already mentioned in case an arc flash occurs. The temperatures encountered would melt synthetics into skin complicating any injuries. So far, I'm thinking I'll go with longer cotton underwear. Hybrid, I'm not sure what size leather pants I will need.I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 34. That's what size jeans I have. I want to talk to Vanson before i decide. | ||
| Pmjolly |
COMMANDO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?  | ||
| Duphuckincati |
I also ride my Buell Commando. Not even Erik knows of that. | ||
| Pmjolly |
Duph, that could cause some serious road rash! | ||
| Jdugger |
nub rub | ||
| Ratsmc |
I'm in the UA camp but only for long hauls. Around town and through the hills, I just wear my regular undies. On longer rides, all of my stuff ends up getting pushed around and down the leg of my pants, etc. Chafing and smashing occurs. UA keeps everything where it belongs. But I wouldn't really want to crash in it. | ||
| Jdugger |
RS Taichi and Alpine Stars both make undergarment products specific to motorcycling and with claims similar to Under Armor. They are very expensive, but I'm sure considering picking up a piece or two. | ||
| Jules |
I'm glad I'm not alone in the commando camp... I do have a small confession to make (whilst we are sharing and being "open"). I bought some chaps a couple of years back... Well, Hell they seem like they'd be a great idea if it wasn't for the village people conotations! Sofar I have never worn them, but it's tempting.. Maybe not on the Buell...but still... | ||
| Whistler |
Born free. As free as the wind blows... | ||
| Jdugger |
Ain't nothing like a one-piece race suit to make a man glad he's average. | ||
| Ratsmc |
The RS Taichi stuff seems to be all Polyester like the UA stuff. The Alpinestars are polypropylene which I'm not sure is much better. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
I wear underarmor under mine, most everyone I know wears the same. However, after JD's comments I realize that the black crusty junk that was on my road rash from my Jennings crash was probably the underarmor fused to my skin. It wasn't bad enough to make me want to switch to cotton, but I will investigate this. Well whatever you wear get some baby powder and dust your limbs. It will help getting in and out of the leather. Would probably help with chaffing if your wearing shorts or short sleeves. (Message edited by Not_purple_s2 on February 25, 2011) | ||
| Clk92vette |
I have the Buell 98101 race jacket & pants with the waist zipper. I prefer cycling pants as opposed to shorts in the summer because of the way the leather sticks to my bare skin. My legs are also much more comfortable in the area surround the knee sliders with the pants on. I wear cotton long johns when it is below 45F. | ||
| Froggy |
I always wear street clothes and sometimes additional heated layers under my textile and leather 1 piece suits | ||
| Rodrob |
Motoport Kevlar. No polyester. Doesn't melt. 4 crashes, no scrapes, bruises, breaks, injuries. Cool in summer, warm in winter. And you can wash it. Just sayin'. (Message edited by Rodrob on February 25, 2011) | ||
| Pmjolly |
I'll have to look at Kevlar. That's a synthetic also. I'm leaning towards cotton. I'm not bragging, but I might see if I can get a little room added to the crotch. I need room for the junk in the trunk. Thanks for all the help! | ||
| Eaton_corners |
I wear a merino wool/rayon blend rated at 500 deg, made in the USA by Wickers.com. It's not cheap but, neither is Under Armour. | ||
| Rodrob |
Polyester is the problem and almost all leathers and synthetic riding gear is lined with either polyester, or polyester coated fabric. Don't look at the brand label. Read the little materials tag on the inside. My first and only crash in leathers resulted in the polyester lining melting into my skin where the leather seam failed, as they will do. Now I wear kevlar with no additional layer, because it's comfortable, I can wash it and it offers superior protection. | ||
| Duggram |
I started track riding just over 2 years ago in Frank Thomas leathers. One low-side and they were trash. Then my wife said that I would have to have some of the best and got me NJK single piece leathers. A real bitch to put on for an old guy (61 real soon) but they really work in a crash. Kelcey owner of NJK repairs when needed at a really reasonable price. Summer '09 I went over the bars, broke a clavicle, punched a lung, got a tension pneumothorax and a chest tube. I landed on the top of my right shoulder. But my leathers protected my skin. Bottom line for me is that you need to buy the best leathers you can afford. Custom fit or off the rack they they have to fit right. If they don't you're asking for trouble. That goes for helmet, boots and gloves too. | ||
| Duggram |
Jdugger, I've been using UA since I got my NJK's without any trouble. But the thought of them melting is enough to make me switch. In the Falkins war polypropylene had not been tested yet and the British were big into it. They found out that poly does melt to the skin in a fire and makes a gruesome mess. I've avoided it since. I looked at Motoport and only saw shirts which are made of cotton. Any other suggestions for under leather wear that won't melt, and still makes getting in and out of em easier? | ||
| Zacks |
Duggram: Silk. | ||
| Kinder |
I wear UnderArmor as well. I know if the issues it presents but really.... if you're in a slide/crash that gets through the leather some melted synthetics is prob the least of your problems.  (Message edited by kinder on February 26, 2011) | ||
| Jdugger |
> if you're in a slide/crash that gets through the leather some melted synthetics That's just it, you don't have to get anywhere near though the leather to start having the problems. |
