I Don't Understand The Value of Motorcycle Chaps - Harley Forum

Buzz Kanter · #1 05-31-2009, 01:00 PM

Can someone please explain to me why anyone would bother to wear chaps when riding a motorcycle.

The way I see it, when riding in the cold they offer your legs a bit of protection. But not the most important area around the crotch.

Am I the only one here who thinks of The Village People (On the far right and far left in the photo) when I see anyone wearing chaps on or off a motorcycle?

botzman · #2 05-31-2009, 01:12 PM

Not for me either. Dont know what the appeal is. Seems like more of a pita then anything else. Each his own as they say.

48panshovel · #3 05-31-2009, 02:17 PM

Your crotch is blocked from the wind by your bike pretty much. Chaps are easy to throw on when it cools off or take off when it warms up. You're not standing along the side of the road in your shorts swapping your leather pants for jeans. And no I am NOT a fan of the Village geeks.

sgtcowboyusmc · #4 05-31-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz Kanter

Can someone please explain to me why anyone would bother to wear chaps when riding a motorcycle.

The way I see it, when riding in the cold they offer your legs a bit of protection. But not the most important area around the crotch.

Am I the only one here who thinks of The Village People (On the far right and far left in the photo) when I see anyone wearing chaps on or off a motorcycle?Freudian Slip maybe?

That's not Buzz on the right? (And before any one makes any comments, no that is not me 2nd to the left!

) I don't know Buzz unless someone mentions them, I never think of the Village People!

Now on to the Subject at hand-Chaps
Cowboys wear chaps to keep the brush from tearing up their legs.
On a bike it provides warmth by cutting out the wind and also as a barrier from the road if and when you go down. I agree when it is really cold your crotch area gets COLD too. Guess if it is that cold you need to wear insulated undies.
In the late forties and early fifties my Mom and Dad used to put newspaper inside their pants legs for warmth and road protection before they could afford leather. My Mommy told me to wear them (Chaps) and who am I to argue with mommy?

hotrodsporty · #5 05-31-2009, 04:10 PM

I wear them on some of my bikes to keep the wind from flapping my pants against my legs. In the winter they do protect against the cold, but your right buzz the crotch still suffers. In feburary I rode to vegas. the first 300 miles was in 30-40 degree weather, and I had to take an extra beanie and use for warmth to protcet the twig and berries

. On my road king the wind doesnt flap the wind as much, but if I were to lay her down, I like to know that the chaps are there to help on the road rash.

Tbone · #6 05-31-2009, 07:47 PM

They definitely keep me warm on the way to and from work on days below 50 degrees. They remove easy at work and at home. I don't have to wear two pairs of pants that I would have to take off when arriving at an enclosed heated office. When I get to work I don't have to go in the bathroom and change my pants from leather to what I am required to wear at work. I don't have to go in the bathroom and take off long underwear to be able to stay inside at work in a heated building.
Warmth and convertability is what I am talking about. My choice.

I hope this site doesn't turn into a judgemental site about who wears assless chaps and fingerless gloves and who is queer and who is not. That's why I left the last site I visited quite regularly. It seems people wanted to divide the site into who wore what and who was a "real" biker and who wasn't. It was really boring.

BlueBob · #7 05-31-2009, 08:19 PM

1. Temperature: I wear 'em whenever the temp will be less than 65 or so. The legs have a LOT of surface area that's right out there in the wind. That can cause your whole body to get colder if they ain't protected from the elements.

2. Weather: Nice when you don't know if it's gonna rain. Easier than carryin' a rain suit when you're just not sure. Won't keep you as dry as a rain suit, but dryer than nothin' at all.

3. Protection: Not TONS of protection, but better than denim.

Only when it's above 90 degrees when your stopped or at low speed are they really uncomfortable... so why not?

JCourneyaP · #8 05-31-2009, 11:46 PM

I wear them when it gets in the 40's. Yeah... when I ride in the cold without and then stop to put them on you can tell the difference. They keep you a lot warmer. Easy to put on and take off. Easy access to pockets in my jeans where I keep the wallet and keys. You do not have to transfer contents. They do offer some protection to flying debris and the road if you choose to hit it.

Pull off and toss in saddle bag when going into work.

As far as keeping the nuggets warm. No. Had them babies shriveled and hiding in the warmth of my gut. However........Take a piece of leather "Flap" fold it over as to fit around the belt of the chaps(Buckel side). You can get as fancy as you want. Snaps or Holes tied with parachute cord. Buckle up and slide flap over to cover. I suppose you can make flap a bit longer and tuck under your bum as to not flap in the breeze. Easy fix......

Bigincher · #9 06-01-2009, 01:02 PM

I'll venture to guess that most guys can't afford to go out and buy a nice set of $600 leather riding pants, Buzz. I've been riding Harleys over 35 years, and in the beginning, I couldn't even afford chaps. Had to work my way up to that. They are definitely better than nothing, but when I wore them, they came off at stops such as restuarants, etc. Always felt a little (ahem) "odd" wearing chaps walking around, while not actually riding. I only wore them when they were needed (early mornings, late evenings), as it warmed up, they came off and got stowed on the sissy bar with my jacket.
Later in life as I became more able to afford the luxuries and finer things, I finally got some real leather riding pants. These are the kind that go on over the jeans, and Yes, they come off at stops, too. I consider myself fortunate to be able to afford these things now, but I haven't forgotten my roots, being a poor white boy from down on the farm.... So I ain't gonna knock a guy that wears chaps---- while riding, that is.

Also---- "ditto" to what T-bone says.

Whopper · #10 06-01-2009, 02:51 PM

I ride to work year 'round except when it is sure to rain or snow. However, I am expected to wear "business casual' at work and jeans don't fit in that catagory as far as my superiors are concerned. Chaps keep the road grime and that occasional little drip of oil from the air cleaner from ruining my pants leg. And like Blue Bob said, nice if it decides to rain unexpedly and they do help when it is cold.