Bikers Gear Australia touring leathers
In the far reaches of my fuzzy paint fume infested mind, I recall the saying that you should never try or test new gear out on a big trip. I never pay much heed to these words as I reckon that good gear that’s worth it’s salt and the fitment chosen carefully for the job, than it should be good from the very start.
I’d been eyeing off a pair of touring leather pants from Bikers Gear Australia for some time, the price was extremely inviting and they looked the goods when I saw them at World SuperBikes 08. At that time, finances dictated that they stay on the shelf for a while, so they were put on the back burner until The Pilgrimage in April where I talk to to Frog, the owner of Bikers Gear in some detail about them and other goodies.
Once again finances were wearing the pants, so nothing more came of it. Fast forward to MotoGP 08, and finances be damned a pair would be coming home with me so bright eyed and bushy tailed I parked out the front of the shop Saturday morning, Frog opens the door and say’s g’day, He’s bloody top bloke all round and had me sorted in no time flat.
The pants feature double stitched padded knee areas with removable foam armour in the inside, the seat area is also double stitched, stretch panels in the calves and waist areas. The hip areas also have removable armour with 2 pockets on the front with all zips ykk. There are also stretch panels along the back of the waist and along the outside of the legs down to the knees.
And the most important thing of all, is they are black… the price is awfully good too. $149………..
I decided to break them in gently, by riding in them all the way home, if they were as good as Frog says, then there should be no problems. Monday morning zero dark thirty hours, throw my junk onto the road train, and throw the leathers on for the first time since the shop and throw a leg over the bike and head for the servo to meet up with the other blokes I’d be travelling with for the day.
One problem reared it’s ugly head immediately, the pants were of such a snug fit, the the knee armour was so constricting that I knew by the time I reached the servo after less than 2km that they had to go. I also ripped the hip armour out at the same time and that made a huge difference to comfort. My first thoughts were I should have went a size bigger, as with the armour they were too tight in the seated position on the FJR.
Armour out, no issues at all, a perfect comfy seated position on the bike. The day looked bleat. Very bleak. Very very bleak and cold. A pox on Victoria. It was a miserably long, wet, cold and windy day. Under the leathers I was wearing proven LD comfort shorts and a pair of dri rider thermals. With the poofta fairings of the mighty road train I had a degree of protection from the elements, so no wets were worn over the pants.
After a long hard fought 900km day, my legs were cold, but not wet, and the rear end was as good as it was in the morning. Day 2 was cold and sunny, heaven compared to day 1. another long day in the saddle, over 1000km at fast pace wether it be twisties or long straights. Normally I move around a LOT on the bike, doing various exercises and stretches, but it seemed like I was moving around a lot less, I was doing far less moving around and going further with no signs of soreness or stiffness due purely to the fit and comfort they offer.
By this time I had moved into the warmer climate of warm and day 3 was only a small day of some 500km knocked out in as many hours. The temp was in the low 30’s and humid, the joys of home. Rode through the front gate and walked away feeling as fresh as I had when I left Phillip Island.
After some 2,500km riding in conditions ranging from woeful to brilliant and hot, I walked away from the bike with no signs of chafing, Monkey Butt, soreness or stiffness of any sort.
The pants moulded to me very well and only one test remains of them. Two actually, mileage and the ultimate test of all, the test of time.
Judging by how well they have faired so far, I think I’ll get many years of service out of them.
Would I recommend them? Absolutely, in a heartbeat. The quality of the materials, workmanship, finish and of course the service is right up there in my view. Frog is a real rider and this gives him an insight into what real riders are looking for.
Would I buy another set? Certainly would, but perhaps go a size larger…
I think I might have to go for another ride and see what other goodness he has to offer.