What is it with you Americans and leather chaps? :?

I was just wondering, because it dosen't get as cold here, do they do a good job keeping out the cold? Are they comfy to wear?

If I turned up somewhere in Australia, on my bike and wearing leather Chaps, the first thing I would get asked is ...................

"Where is the rest of the members of the Village People?" :wink:

not sure if anyone explained the use to you Aussies, but you do wear pants UNDER the chaps.
altho it is good A/C with out, once you get past the first shock of a sun warmed leather seat. ;-)

 

I dunno why we can get away with wearing them in America. What are your gun laws like in Australia? :shock:

The nicest thing about chaps is that they cut the wind completely, just like a leather jacket versus a shirt. It makes a huge difference on long rides.

 

They cut the cold.

That's about it.

I guess abrasion resistance factors in... but since your ass and your junk are uncovered, I'm not so sure that's a valid reason for wearin' em.

Nice to have in your bags for when the sun goes down in the fall.

 

they help spread the impact of that tire chunk from the semi that just had a blow out. They spread the shock of the rock thrown up from that truck with mudboggers on it.

I have a set, I dont wear them (they are too tight in the thighs).

 

they help spread the impact of that tire chunk from the semi that just had a blow out. They spread the shock of the rock thrown up from that truck with mudboggers on it.

I have a set, I dont wear them (they are too tight in the thighs).

Do they have muddboggers in Aussie? ;-)
I thought all they had were roos they road to work. ;-)

J/K

 

I was just wondering, because it dosen't get as cold here, do they do a good job keeping out the cold? Are they comfy to wear?

They cut the cold on your legs and do a good job of protecting you from debris. On really cold days they aren't enough -- a leather loincloth would be needed as a supplement. On really warm days, they're a bit too hot if you get stuck in traffic. Comfy? I don't know, after you get on the bike you tend to forget you're wearing them.

not sure if anyone explained the use to you Aussies, but you do wear pants UNDER the chaps.

At least when you're out in public; I've been trying to convince my wife to try things a bit differently indoors.

 

I had never worn a pair of chaps up until about 2 months ago.

We had a ride planned and when I left to meet the group for breakfast
it was 24* outside.
I was freezing by the time I got to the restaraunt.
We ate and started on the ride and stopped by a local Harley dealer to
nose around...
I was frozen by this time (about 45 minutes in to the ride).

I bought a pair while I was at the dealer (non-branded).
They were lined and very soft. One of the ladies there helped
me fit them and cut them for me.... from the instant I put my legs in them
I was starting to feel warmer.

The rest of the ride, I was nice and toasty... had no problems
keeping the lower half warm. It was the best $149 I've ever spent.

 

They also do a good job of blocking bugs from hitting your body. I have 2 sets, a thick lined pair for cold weather and a pair of unlined chaps for cool weather. I picked up a First gear mesh tex jacket and pants while in Austin last weekend for summer wear. I really liked the comfort of those on the 400 mile trip home.

 

They work pretty well for cutting out the cold.
I still wear mine for the ride in to work, it is usually in the 50s at that hour.
It is all crazy highway driving, people changing lanes all the time, no signals, high speed, etc.
I have stopped wearing mine for the commute home now. It is in the 80's, and many times, it is stop and go traffic. I am hot enough in my 3/4 helmet and mesh jacket, the chaps are overboard.

 

I look good in them so I wear them when I'm want to take the big johnson for a ride.

 

motorcycle riding has often mimicked horseback riding. if you notice, the riding position on american motorcycles mimicks the position a cowboy sits on a western saddle. consequently, the riding position on european bikes mimicks the position of a horseman sitting on an english saddle.

the close relationship (real or imagined) between riders of iron horses and riders of flesh-and-blood horses have led to many similarites in riding gear...chaps being one of the most common.

chaps originated in mexico and were adopted by american cowboys. my guess for chaps not making it to australia and europe is that horses can't swim long distances.

 

I have had mine for about 2 months. I am a convert. They cut the wind and make >40degF ok to ride in. So far I havent ridden in more than 72degF with them on but I was not hot by any means.

I bought the chaps and a real motorcycle cut leather jacket with the longer fitted sleeves and the pockets that vent. The only spot that got warm was where I was leaning on the backrest. Add the liner and I am good to go in the cold.

I figure that if I ever do bounce, it will hurt less scraping leather on the road than scraping skin.

 

Certain young ladies look very nice in chaps. As litnin can attest, when a young lady helps fit your chaps, you get very warm. I didn't think that was somthing unique to us yanks.

 

Certain young ladies look very nice in chaps. As litnin can attest, when a young lady helps fit your chaps, you get very warm. I didn't think that was somthing unique to us yanks.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I skipped the chaps and went straight for the full pants. If is't cold enough to keep my legs warm, it's cold enough to keep more important parts warm. :wink:

8)

 

I dunno why we can get away with wearing them in America. What are your gun laws like in Australia? :shock: .

LOL. the gun laws are very very strict Down Under.

Do they have muddboggers in Aussie? ;-)
I thought all they had were roos they road to work. ;-)

What the hell are muddbloggers?

Incase you are wondering what we generally wear here, it is regular Jeans or Kevlar lined jeans such as Draggin Jeans, or full leather Pants.

 

I wear mine for cold and for long distance. Like Miguel, I like the tradition, and I've never heard any complaints from the ladies.

 

Leather you say,is you name Ross ( from Friends) lol
Sorry I just thought you should know.
I live in Canada and we use them because of snowballs,and big BUGS
PS did you miss all of school

 

i bought a pair of chaps from Leatherup.com that have a zipper on the top of thigh/back to allow for more room on us 'muscular guys' or otherwise larger-sized thighs... they fit great and are easy to put on. in Dakota, it is cool in the morning/evening, and these are both warm enuf for those times, plus they protect against those stinging/messy bugs on one's pants. don't know yet how they are in heat of summer, but i think they'll be fine.
my wife liked them and announced she wanted a pair like mine (with that cool 'expandable thigh') but Leatherup.com didn't have her size... found them in Women's sizes at www.canadasleatherdepot.ca

can't wait to have us both leather-up