Triumphrat

seumas

Been there, done that. And you're right, the road rash sucks.
Depending on how warm it is, I go back and forth between a generic pair of leather jeans bought at a local biker shop and draggin jeans. I don't remember what draggin calls this particular model but they're styled like carpenter pants. I bought this style because the kevlar wraps all the way around the leg, not just in the front. Also they're a looser fit. I have big thighs and calves so it's hard for me to find a decent fitting pair of standard jeans. markbvt, I had shied away from the icon armor because I had heard they could be tight on the calves. Sounds like you've got the solution.

__________________


Is fhearr fheuchainn na bhith san duil.

pomallon

Draggin jeans + armour = good choice. Better still watch the crashes in Moto GP and see what they are wearing when theywalk away from slides at 100's of km/h. Leather and armour has to be better. Wonder if they could make Draggin Leather?

__________________
Does this bike make my butt look big?

rustbucket

Draggin leather... That reminds me - I actually saw an ad a few months back for jeans that had perforated leather in the knees, hips and seat. They weren't available at the time...

I think the company my have been Diamond Gusset...

__________________
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. -Benjamin Franklin

oldmanjob

Just received the Draggen knee and shin armor for the Draggen jeans. A Snap to put in and very comfortable while riding. Great company to deal with, put in the order one day and received it the next day :-D (could it be that they are an hour and a half way :-D )

__________________
John 14:6 KJV
Black Bonnie - 06
Looking back to the good old days is not the way out. Looking up to the God of All the Days is. (Vance Havner)

martinyoung

Triumph's own Waterproof Denim Jeans. They have Knox knee armour fitted and a waterproof membrane sewn in. They also have a waist zip that matches their jackets.

RSRAT

I took a 30 mph lowside a few years ago, when a truck pulled out in front of me without looking, signalling or warning. I was wearing draggin jeans without padded armour underneath(something I rarely did- usually wore good leathers or armoured textile), Sidi boots, a Shoei helmet and a First Gear armoured, textile jacket. After evading the truck that forced me left into the double yellow centerline on a blind two lane curve, while trying to smoothly brake and reduce speed a bit, I lost the front and went down on my left side. After separating from the bike, which slid about three times the distance I did and remained right on top of the double yellow lines, I slid feet first about 30 feet, did several backward rolls, during which I watched for oncoming traffic at each rotation, and came to a stop inside the oncoming lane. I was able to get up and quickly move to the bike, shut it off, pick it up and get off the road. I was fortunate that no traffic had been coming the other way.

The draggin jeans apparently prevented road rash to my hip/buttocks areas but did not protect my knees at all. They abraided through on both knees and the left knee suffered both road rash, where the denim tore through just below the liner, as well as a burned area, apparently from the kevlar liner which created a deep, "carpet burn" type injury. That injury left a permanent scar of about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. The jeans of course did not prevent bruises, and those were pretty extensive too, although they did heal well. The jeans of course were destroyed, as was the jacket, helmet and even the boots(left one had a hole burned all the way through the toe area). All other equipment did its job extremely well but, as expected, was no longer usuable. The jacket with temperfoam armour worked as advertised. I did have two broken(dislocated) ribs on the left side and significantly sprained left ankle and wrenched shoulder.

I provide all this detail to describe the forces imparted in this type of (unfortunately) too common riding accident. Although I was traveling the speed limit and the other driver was found at fault, that doesn't help your body heal any better.

Personally, I never liked the idea of jeans, including draggin' jeans, particularly without any armour underneath. I was not wearing my Bohn armour underneath that day. If I had been, I might have avoided more of the injuries and especially the permanent scar to my knee. In any event, I would not recommend riding in jeans, whether reinforced or not, and I never do so any longer. For the price you will pay to have the jeans and an armoured layer underneath, you could easily get a good leather garment that will survive more than one fall, or a good textile garment that may only get you through one go down- but will have served you well in that regard.

I think many riders don't appreciate how vulnerable your lower body is, while typically investing in upper body protection. But, if you think about it, you might as well invest the money, and time, to dress your entire body properly. You won't regret it.

trumpete

just recieved my kevlar jeans from moto port. you send them your favorite jeans and thay make matching pair from kevlar! this is the real stuff, not just stitching or a couple of patches here or there. there also full of armor that is removable. This is the only kevlar pant ok to race in per AMA This stuff has 5 times the tear strength of leather. Check out moto port. maybe called cycle port these days,

H2Orat

This is what I have:

kneedraggers.com

I wanted something more "low profile" for casual riding, and they fit the bill. They have CE armor for your knees, in addition to leather lining in the impact and likely abrasion areas. They're protective, comfortable, fairly discreet, and oh yeah... can be had at a great price! I don't know how they'd hold up in a crash (and I don't want to find out either!), but I think Cortech makes quality stuff, so I'm confident they would serve me well...

__________________
The Central Scrutinizer

JRO

Real leathers. Anything else is a waste of time and money. The junk sold to the public for casual looks and 'savings' is great - in the shop or on the internet. That's where the stuff belongs, and you should leave it there. You can do just as good under/over your Levis with some 'body armor' from a sporting goods shop; usually of better quality, and at better prices. Try the football/baseball/hockey dept..

If you are serious about saving skin and bone, however, look at what the pros wear. If you're worried about 'looking ridiculous' in your tracksuit/spacearmor/powerrangers outfit, imagine how silly you'll look with 2square feet of cinderburn scar on your butt, legs, back, ect.. If you're riding a bike all the time, well - you're a 'pro', too. Might as well dress like one, if you're worried about how pavement feels.

Otherwise, I find shorts and flip-flops works, too. Just don't leave the bike.

rustbucket

Wow the price certainly is right on those. What's the extent of the 'impact areas'? Also, is the denim heavy-duty, or the fashion jeans that are stonewashed within an inch of their life like Icon puts out?

__________________
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. -Benjamin Franklin