Your opinion on a textile convertible pant

[RVC7]

After owning my beautiful 1150R since last July, I'm finally ready to get some protective pants. Yes, I have everything else that protects everything else. I now realize that most riders out there neglect the pants over everything else. Do most of you have 1 pant per season or situation? I'd like to keep costs down if possible but still have adequate protection. My question is: Is there a pant that possibly has two or three layers or features that allow me to use them in rain, hot and cold weather by simply adding or taking a layer on or off? Has anyone had any experience with BMW Airflow 3 pant? Thanks in advance.

[R4R&R]

I currently have three pairs of over-pants, not including my rain pants. For summer/above 75F, I use a pari of Firstgear Mesh overpants - not bad but I wonder about the protective abilities in an accident. While they have a rain-liner, I use a standard pair of rain pants over them when needed. Anything mesh is a compromise between comfort and safety - it's all a matter of which way you lean towards.

For under 75 down to mid 30's, I have the only pair of 'overpant' that BMW currently sells. I feel good about the protection they offer, and I've confirmed they are weather resistant! No leaks there. No cheap though and no insulation.

I have an old pair of Firstgear HT Overpants, from before they offered a removeable liner. They are proven, but worn out; they leak pretty bad when it rains. I only use them from the mid-30's and lower. Typically it's not rain getting that cold, so I don't really have to worry about leaks.

I purchased and returned a pair of Cortech/Tourmaster "Adventure" overpants last year - brand new they leaked BAD! I exchanged them for another pair and the same thing. They had a removeable liner and other than the leaking, they seemed like an OK pair of pants. I can't recommend them.

Good luck on your hunt to find what works best for you!

[jas]

I have Fieldsheer Mesh as well, but since purchasing a pair of BMW Savannah pants w/liners I never use them anymore. In Boise the BMW pants are great in 100 degree temps as well as the 17 degree days I rode in this week. W/liners they are waterproof.

[riceburner]

I've lost count of the amount of gear I've had over the years.

Current choices are:
Hein Gericke Voyager Gore (jacket & pants) for autumn/winter/spring
Hood armoured jeans (very heavy denim with kevlar lining) for spring/summer/autumn
BMW "Summer" trousers for summer.

The HG Voyager pants have a removable liner for extra warmth, but are permanently waterproof (handy in the UK).

[zeke]

In the winter I wear Fieldsheer Mercury pants they have a removeable liner, and are very warm. Have not used them in the summer yet, they are new this season.
In the summer I wear a pair of chaps, made by Colorado Chaps. They more like individual leggings with a velcro strap to attach to your belt. They are fantastic, very cool and comfortable. Colorado Chaps is a one person shop, and everything is custom cut to your particulars, pricing is very reasonable as well.
Good luck.

[Biff's R]

I mostly use a pair of Firstgear HT Overpants. They have performed well, and even been crash tested. They did better than my red R. I really like the fact that the zippers on the side go all the way up to your hip. Mine have the removable thermal liner.

I am also working on adding some knee armour to a pair of Carhardt work pants that have a combo of heavy cotton, and Cordura. Those would be my summer pant choice.

I am not a fan of black riding gear in the summer. It is too friggin hot.

[RRDallas]

These Olympia Airglide 2 Mesh Tech pants are great. I've had them for about a year. I live in Texas so I don't often need the warm liner but I have found the liner-less pants to be comfortable even in warmer months. I've worn them solo or over jeans. Of course nothing is perfect for 100-plus-degree days. I don't have a separate pair of rain pants. Read the review here.


https://www.motoliberty.com/prod_detail.asp?Prod_ID=254

[Twempie]

I use two types of bike pants:

Three season (8-9 months, based on Seattle weather):
BMW Summer convertible pants, I've had them for about 4-5 years and they've got 10s of thousands of miles on them. These were not cheap, but have lasted longer than I could imagine. They're unlined but are loose enough for layers and have knee and hip pads that are not too obtrusive, along with cargo pockets.

The new style are a brown color, mine are the old style which are a light cream color, a strange color for bike pants but perfect for my annual summer Seattle to Chicago ride.

For touring, I keep a pair of Crocs tied to the top of my luggage. So after a long hot day, slip off my boots, make the pants into shorts, and put on the Crocs... feels really good.

From approximaely November to March (based on a Seattle winter):
Firstgear waterproof lined pants. I've had two or three different kinds of winter pants - I've found they're all pretty much the same when it comes to bulk and thermal protection.

The cheap route would be (depending on what temps you ride in) would be to get a decent pair of summer pants, a couple of thicknesses of poly long undies and a pair of rain pants.

Like a lot of things (tank bags come to mind), there's no perfect solution.

[spoon]

For the past 2 years I have used FirstGear HT over pants for fall, winter, spring. I leave the liner in all the time. When the weather warms up I use a Joe Rocket flex. Its a solid textile pant with zip out panels on the top of the leg leaving a mesh panel. Armor on the knee and hip. They are also light gray. If it rains I use a rain suit over this. The armor on the hip and light color are a must. I think the pant being mostly cordura with small areas of mesh is a good way to go for protection and cooling.

[mjcraft]

I've been using a pair of Joe Rocket Alter Ego Pants since late last summer. They were recommended by a guy in one of the local MC shops. They have a one-piece removable strip of fabric from knee to knee (around the backside) to allow airflow through the pants. That part works ok, but in really hot weather you can also zip the leg zippers from the top down. They also have a waterproof inner liner that I keep out of them most of the time (so I'm not sure how waterproof they are). In winter, they are warm enough (as overpants) without the liner. They are NOT waterproof without the liner although they offer good protection from road spray on your shins. They also have adjustable knee pads (but just two choices of placement) which is nice. Overall, I'm happy with them but they were a bit pricey compared with some others. Also, I am 6ft with a ~33 waist and got the medium-tall size which work nicely as overpants or just pants.

Michael

[wncbmw]

Like many riders on here, I have more than one set of gear. Actually, I currently have 2 1/2 complete sets but do a little mix and matching.

First off, most mesh will compromise some safety for comfort. With one (expensive) exception. So here is what I use now:

For cool to cold weather where moisture is likely, I use the Olympia Ranger pants. The are waterproof, come with a cold weather liner and are reasonably priced (around $189). Do well up to 75 or 80. After that . . .

Motoport/Cycleport Kevlar Mesh pants with waterproof liner. These things are the expensive mesh exception I referred to. Crash protection probably exceeds leather and flows air like crazy. Below 60 or so, the will freeze you if you are just wearing skivvies underneath! With the liner and some insulation, they would be good to lower than I intend to ride!

I also have a set of Vanson perfed leather pants and jacket for hooligan riding. I also use the jacket with the Kevlar pants. This requires rain gear though. Currently using cheapo Frogg Toggs.

[RVC7]

Thanks again to all of your very helpful info. I just purchased two separate pants. The first is a pair of the BMW Airflow 3. They're supposed to be great high tech protection and flow a lot of air. I tried on a pair and really liked them. I also got a pair of the Spidi Teker perforated leather pants. Between the two, I should be able to ride most of the year here on the east coast. All I need now is a good over rain suit. Do any of you have any experience with either manufacturers or specific pants?

[Biff's R]

I usually wear Frogg Toggs when I do not have on something waterproof already on.

I also have this.


You will not get wet from the rain in this suit. BMW Rainsuit.