Riding pant quest

[Chuck in Indiana]

I know, there's no perfect gear. <shrug> Just the same, Dorcia is bad mouthing my old MotoPort suit. She's asking if I crashed, would the thread hold up, or would it blow up? I can't answer her honestly, but it got me thinking.
I'd be losing some street cred with new gear.    Apparently, an old fart with worn out gear on a beat up sport bike gets some..
At any rate, the only place local out here is Cycle Gear, and while they have a Sedici touring jacket that looks like it would work, they don't have any pants that meet my criteria.
Here's what I'm looking for:
Full length zippers
Waterproof, either with a liner or coating.
Pockets.
Two inches shorter than standard would be nice. My legs reach the ground, but just barely. 
Yeah, MotoPort or Aerostitch would do it, but I don't particularly want to put big bux (Guzzi content) in gear that I will use infrequently.
Anyone know what and where?
TIA

[DaddyRabbit]

What season(s) are you looking to cover?

[lucian]

I really like my Alpinestars Tech Touring pants. Water proof , removable inner liner for cold weather.  Pockets ,   velcro sinches for boots,  suspenders( MG content} zipper for pee stops only.  I got mine a little big so I can wear over jeans. I think that was a mistake as they are really meant to be worn alone and are super comfy that way. Spend the coin and get the gear that works best for you and don't look back.   Got mine at Seacoast Sport NH, but I'm sure you could find em online. Like them much better that the Olympias I had.which eventually soaked up and leaked. I'm sure there are cheaper alternatives out there but at least these do work as advertised.

These are what I have  link 


https://www.thevisorshop.com/en/us/Alpinestars-Andes-Drystar-v2-Motorcycle-Trousers---Short-Leg-Black/m-20987.aspx?PartnerID=16&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UnitedStates&gclid=CjwKCAjw-ZvlBRBbEiwANw9UWpjzFUDCOpamo2Z0W67Zclv5mgJ_XycUW7mTN-0NvAKY7FNuXj-HWRoCVYgQAvD_BwE

[Markcarovilli]

First Gear overpants are nice and priced right

Mark

[Lannis]

The Stich AD1 pants that I bought on the consensus opinion of this list did just what it says on the tin, and you can get them in your size and length.

People imagine Aerostich pants to all be $700 and some are, but these are $397 and are top quality, and really truly waterproof.

What are you saving your money for, your old age?   Too late for us, Chuck, might as well live a little.

Lannis

[PJPR01]

First Gear overpants are nice and priced right

Mark

Agreed, and / or a pair of used Darien Aerostitch pants...there are some deals here on the board from time to time...picked up a brand new pair here a few months ago...fantastic.   Have used the First Gear ones as well for many years...they're heavier in material, more protection, better in colder weather, but a bit bulkier than the Darien pants.  Both are super comfortable.

[Chuck in Indiana]

The Stich AD1 pants that I bought on the consensus opinion of this list did just what it says on the tin, and you can get them in your size and length.

People imagine Aerostich pants to all be $700 and some are, but these are $397 and are top quality, and really truly waterproof.

What are you saving your money for, your old age?   Too late for us, Chuck, might as well live a little.

Lannis

Dorcia and I had that "saving money for old age" talk about 10 years ago.    Good point. I could get "good" stuff, and bring my older stuff out to SoCal again. Thanks for the reality check..

[RinkRat II]

      As far as brands go I dunno other than what's been said above, however Del Amo Motorsports is just around the corner from you and may have some stuff to try on and get a feel for.                   https://www.delamomotorsports.com/

        Paul B

[Carlo DeSantis]

Go for the Stitch.  They can make pants to fit you regardless of size; I have the same leg feature as you, Chuck :)

Best,

Carlo

[Sheepdog]

Full zip pants are the way to go...especially in the summer. I have used DarienLights from Aerostich and liked them a great deal. I’ll be using Tourmaster Quest pants with D30 CE2 knee armor for my trip to the Northern Rockies this spring. They fit like jeans, are waterproof, and the armor pockets offer several positions. They’re too hot for summer, but great for spring/fall/winter. 93 bucks for the pants and 30 for the armor...

https://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/pants/textile_pants/tour_master/quest_textile_motorcycle_pants.html

[Chuck in Indiana]

What season(s) are you looking to cover?

SoCal..there's brown, dark brown, brown, and real brown..

[Aaron D.]

Last year I wore deerskin pants (spouse-made) every day on a 3 1/2 week tour which included several rain episodes. Coated with beeswax.

Only one storm got them really wet-and she told me to toss them into the dryer. Worked great! Who knew?

[Chuck in Indiana]

      As far as brands go I dunno other than what's been said above, however Del Amo Motorsports is just around the corner from you and may have some stuff to try on and get a feel for.                   https://www.delamomotorsports.com/

        Paul B

Unbelievable. I've been coming out here for 15 years, and didn't know they were close by.  I'll give them a look.

[mjptexas]

I have a pair of Olympia Overpants i wear on occasion.  Fit over my jeans, full side zippers, heavily vented if you end up wearing them in warm weather.  They might be worth a look.

[Guzzistajohn]

I just bought some fieldsheer pants over the winter, haven't gotten a chance to squish any bugs with'em yet but they seem decent and I'm as big as a tight-wad as anyone else. Waterproof with a warm removable liner and good padding.

[LowRyter]

I've got two pair of cheap, highly worn overpants with melted cuffs snme scuffed holes from get offs.  I wear the mesh ones about 80% of the time.  I can wear some frogg toggs rain pants with them.  Both have a adjustable knee pads, a must for off-the-shelf inseam fit.  They are bulky and hot, even when I wear the mesh ones with shorts. 

Hard for me to imagine that one brand is better than another.  For that matter whether new or highly worn and melted.

[pehayes]

I had to fly to Europe for a short moto trip.  For extraneous reasons, I had to travel by "carry-on" only.  I was borrowing a helmet there and wore my jacket.  I bought a pair of 'Speed & Strength - Rust and Redemption' moto jeans because they have exterior knee pockets for knee protection pads.  Easy enough to pull the pads for air travel and for evening walkabout then stick them back in in the morning for the day's ride.  Plenty of internal Kevlar protection.  Not the best in the world but very efficient for a compromise event. 

https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/speed-and-strength-rust-and-redemption-jeans

My only complaint is that the belt loops must be 3" wide.  Much too big for any belt that I can find.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[LowRyter]

I purchased a Speed and Strength textile jacket a few years ago.  I had to ride home from COTA Austin (400+ miles), the mesh jacket I was wearing had a broken zipper and the weather was changing from near 90s to freezing wind, rain and flurries.  I picked it up from a vendor at COTA that had gear closeout prices.  I got the jacket for fit and feature, also waterproof.  It got me home and worked better than I imagined.

I'll tell you a really like the jacket, I'd call it 9 month jacket (not for mid summer or winter) and haven't worn my leather stuff for several seasons.

[kirby1923]

Chuck,
FWIW,
A good pair of Wranglers with some bohn armor  underneath (if you want armor) and a pair of cheap rain pants (roled up tight ) in the side case,...
Hard to beat...

[calfruit]

Ditto for Olympia. I have two sets.  One vented, one waterproof.  Both sets together came if for less then the cost to replace my 20 year old stitch.

[chuck peterson]

Your requirements are met w a $90 pair of Goretex over pants from LLBean.

Unless you want crash protection too..

[Guzzistajohn]

Did my 1st 150 +-?? in these new bad boys yesterday, I think we're going to get along fine 
https://fieldsheer.com/collections/mens-pants/products/journey-textile-pant

Looks great with red suspenders!

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I personally wear cargo pocket shorts, however winter I will wear long underwear under them.
 Wearing some kind of pants or O.K. unless you like to ride naked.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Your requirements are met w a $90 pair of Goretex over pants from LLBean.

Unless you want crash protection too..

If it weren't for crash protection, gear would be simple. However, I've personally seen what blue jeans do in a slide on chip and seal..
If crash protection is the *only* consideration, everyone should be wearing leather..I gave up on that many years ago, except in SoCal. It's too hot when its hot, too cold when its cold, not waterproof.

Chuck,
FWIW,
A good pair of Wranglers with some bohn armor  underneath (if you want armor) and a pair of cheap rain pants (roled up tight ) in the side case,...
Hard to beat...

I've never considered that. I'll give Bohn a look, too.
Thanks for all the ideas, everyone. WG rocks..

[Howard R]

I have a pair of Tourmaster mesh pants.  Comes with two liners, one for rain/wind blocking one quilted for insulation, using both together works pretty well in cold(er) weather.  However comma a zip-in rain liner is pretty much useless for "brief shower" deployment because you have to take the pants off, put in the liner, and put the pants back on then disassemble in reverse order when the rain stops.  If you are going to be riding in the rain all day or need the wind blockage, great.  For on-the-road use, I carry a pair of (I think) First Gear rain pants which go on & off easily over the mesh pants.

My



Howard

[Dilliw]

I have a pair of Tourmaster mesh pants.  Comes with two liners, one for rain/wind blocking one quilted for insulation, using both together works pretty well in cold(er) weather.  However comma a zip-in rain liner is pretty much useless for "brief shower" deployment because you have to take the pants off, put in the liner, and put the pants back on then disassemble in reverse order when the rain stops.  If you are going to be riding in the rain all day or need the wind blockage, great.  For on-the-road use, I carry a pair of (I think) First Gear rain pants which go on & off easily over the mesh pants.

My



Howard

I think that's the advantage of Cordura like used by Stich and Olympia.  It's rain resistant enough to handle the occasional or light showers but you get the breathability the rest of the time.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have a pair of Tourmaster mesh pants.  Comes with two liners, one for rain/wind blocking one quilted for insulation, using both together works pretty well in cold(er) weather.  However comma a zip-in rain liner is pretty much useless for "brief shower" deployment because you have to take the pants off, put in the liner, and put the pants back on then disassemble in reverse order when the rain stops.  If you are going to be riding in the rain all day or need the wind blockage, great.  For on-the-road use, I carry a pair of (I think) First Gear rain pants which go on & off easily over the mesh pants.

My

Hi Howard.. yeah my old Moto Port suit I have out here has the two liners in the jacket and pants. Yeah, they work..comma but.. but are a PITA. Not to mention, the outer shell gets soaked, and stays wet. I have an Olympia jacket at home where the rain liner can be worn inside *or* outside. That works well. I see they have a similar pant but looking at reviews, some people complain about how bulky it is. Of course, some people would bitch if you hung em with a new rope..


Howard

[JACoH]

For mid-temperature riding, I wear red leather chaps, (they go with either of my red/black Hein Gericke jackets). As it heats up I really like my Alpine Stars vented textile armored zip up pants. Real cold weather, I put on my Olympia textile armored pants, easy on and off except for the miles of Velcro.

[Chuck in Indiana]

For mid-temperature riding, I wear red leather chaps, (they go with either of my red/black Hein Gericke jackets). As it heats up I really like my Alpine Stars vented textile armored zip up pants. Real cold weather, I put on my Olympia textile armored pants, easy on and off except for the miles of Velcro.

Which Olympia pant do you have?

[Dilliw]

Which Olympia pant do you have?

The right model Olympia pants are usually the ones currently discounted or or on closeout.
List  price to list price the Olympia line doesn't provide much of a value to the Stitch.  I have the X Moto overpants as an example.  At $349 I would have been better off just paying the $400 and getting the Dariens but at $175 closeout I got value.   That's how I've bought all of my Olympia gear