Motorcycle Jeans Project

[Arethusa]

I wonder what kind of stitching is necessary to hold that stuff together. I'd really like to be able to get some of that fabric to make into my own stuff.

 

[Renault78law]

Originally Posted by j

I called Kushitani in CA and the nice lady said the Japanese model of the leather jeans (next model year) has at least knee armor pockets in it and they will get a pair of those if you want and sell them for the same $400. She also said to size up one since they run a little tight and size up two if you want to wear that Bohn or T-pro/Forcefield under-armor stuff underneath, because of the hip armor. The inseam is 35" unhemmed and they are machine washable.

Kushitani is local for me, and I saw the jeans in question when I was looking for riding pants. I did not try them on, because they did not have any armor. If the newer model has pockets for knee or hip armor, they might be a very good solution. Kushitani sells t-pro, but also has their own proprietary armor that's a very thin and dense foam. I don't know how well it works, but if you were looking for the least obstrusive armor, I would look there first.

There is no question that there would be a market for jeans that provide impact protection, abrasion resistance, and look good. Not easy to do though. Personally, I think I lived with a good compromise. When riding around locally, I wore t-pro knee pads under my regular jeans. When going on a real ride (or freeway) I wore Dianese racing pants.

 

[j]

Originally Posted by Arethusa

I wonder what kind of stitching is necessary to hold that stuff together. I'd really like to be able to get some of that fabric to make into my own stuff.

If you mean the thread, it's usually heavy duty nylon or aramid/Kevlar thread. However, IIRC Kevlar fibers degrade in UV light, so that could be a consideration. Also, not related to this fabric, but when stitching leather Kevlar thread is contraindicated because it doesn't "give" under stress and cuts through the leather between the stitch holes. Instead a more elastic thread is a better choice.

Originally Posted by Renault78law

Kushitani is local for me, and I saw the jeans in question when I was looking for riding pants. I did not try them on, because they did not have any armor. If the newer model has pockets for knee or hip armor, they might be a very good solution. Kushitani sells t-pro, but also has their own proprietary armor that's a very thin and dense foam. I don't know how well it works, but if you were looking for the least obstrusive armor, I would look there first.

There is no question that there would be a market for jeans that provide impact protection, abrasion resistance, and look good. Not easy to do though. Personally, I think I lived with a good compromise. When riding around locally, I wore t-pro knee pads under my regular jeans. When going on a real ride (or freeway) I wore Dianese racing pants.

They said they'd order them for me with the pockets. How did they look in general?

 

[Ludeykrus]

Originally Posted by Surfrider

Originally I thought the same way, and so picked up a beautiful pair of horsehide chaps.
.....
PS: What do you ride?

I stay in a huge hurry and am always jumpin on my bike and running somewhere. I knew that if I got the pants, I would realistically wear them a lot less, defeating the purpose. I'm giving up the ass for the rest of the legs I guess...

I ride a '78 GS750 and an '82 GS450 Rat/Cafe/Thing

How about you?


Oh, and here's the brand I couldn't remember before. It's the leather-reinforced jeans: Mo'cycle jeans in Sweden


http://www.mocyclejeans.com/

EDIT - They no longer reinforce with leather! They say that they DID use leather, but switched to kevlar for its increased abrasion resistance. They also have pockets for armor:

 

[j]

Those look great. $330. Hmm.

 

[Pilot]

supposedly those ESQUAD jeans are for sale in the us now. they are marketed as ducati jeans on pro italias website. on sale for 200 bucks

here is a review of those jeans
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...e-squad-jeans/

and a link to the store.
http://store.proitalia.com/98143809x.html

and also for sale here.
http://www.desimonemotorsport.com/es...ICAL_JEANS.htm

 

[aging in rhythm]

those MOCYCLE jeans are raw, so imagine falling off and getting those sick road fadez

 

[Surfrider]

Since somebody else dug this thread up already, I guess there's no harm in posting....

Originally Posted by Ludeykrus

I stay in a huge hurry and am always jumpin on my bike and running somewhere. I knew that if I got the pants, I would realistically wear them a lot less, defeating the purpose. I'm giving up the ass for the rest of the legs I guess...

I ride a '78 GS750 and an '82 GS450 Rat/Cafe/Thing

How about you?

Hyosung GV650 and a recently-inherited '53 K Model (

).

I love old bikes, especially old school bobbers. And since my "new" bike isn't stock, I'm considering going that route (using only period-correct parts, of course)...

 

[cmrocks]

Any development on these jeans?

I'm tempted by those mocycle jeans but I'd like to read some reviews on them first. It's hard to tell what the fit is like from those pictures.

 

[Hawaiibiker]

I have jeans lined with para-aramid from Hood Jeans. They have hip and knee pockets where you can install the CE approved Knoxx pads.

I like the fit as it has a little taper (ala SF preference

) and came hemmed to my specs, straight from the factory in the UK.

It was a bit warm when riding around in Hawaii but I felt a lot safer than with just regular jeans.

Finally, it is much cheaper than all the other commercially available jeans (ranges between 72 and 96 GBP)

I believe Fast Bikes magazine gave it 5 stars.

http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/html/k7jean.html

 

[j]

Originally Posted by DucatiCole

Any development on these jeans?

I'm tempted by those mocycle jeans but I'd like to read some reviews on them first. It's hard to tell what the fit is like from those pictures.
No progress recently. Still thinking about it though. I'm also tempted to get some of the Ducati jeans to see what they're like. Really not that comfortable wearing just regular jeans but there are few good options unfortunately.

 

[ethandesu]

In my time with Evis in Japan, we sold a 17oz jean that could have withstood a nuclear missile attack. Might be worth speaking with Noriaki Murai in the store in Daikanyama to see if they have any still floating around.

 

[kiya]

I'm doing a special jean with Iron Heart being released in the winter that will be their 21oz denim lined with their super heavy flannel on the inside.
Super soft and warm, and mildly protective.

 

[Tokyo Slim]

Originally Posted by kiya

I'm doing a special jean with Iron Heart being released in the winter that will be their 21oz denim lined with their super heavy flannel on the inside.
Super soft and warm, and mildly protective.

Two questions:

Will you actually be able to bend your legs at the knee?

and

Will you consider calling them "Iron Butt" denim?

 

[otc]

necroposting to see if there has been any progress in this.

I bought a bike 10 days ago and have been riding in the same stuff I wore for the MSF course (some RRLs that have been worn in since apparently raw denim offers less abrasion resistance than denim that has been softened with wear/washings) plus a full face bell vortex.

Before I get to the point of riding on the highway, I'd like to pick up some real protective gear...but something that looks good would be preferrable.
I kind of like those BMW city pants...but kevlar infused SF-approved denim with knee armor inserts would be perfect.