Places 2 Ride: your guide to motorcycle rides. Places 2 Ride is a guide to places to go and things to do on a motorcycle. Our blog features motorcycling news, notable riding gear, opinionated rants and the occasional tech article. We also include notices for upcoming events and places to ride that have been added to our website.

May 15, 2008

 

ABATE of Ohio, Clermont County, "Run Through The Hills" Run

This event was added to our database by Dean.

Event Starts: 6/07/2008
Location: Goshen, OH
June 7, 2008 ABATE of Ohio, Inc. Clermont County, Region 5, Presents ''RUN THROUGH THE HILLS'' RUN, Saturday June 7th, @ Critter''s Tavern, 2405 Woodville Pike, Goshen, Ohio.

Registration is from 9:00am to 11:00am, Cost is: $15.00 Per Bike, Run Leaves @ 11:00AM Sharp, Arriving back at Critter's Tavern, Lunch Stop at Dakota''s Roadhouse, Door Prizes, DJ Services By: David Kahle, This is an AMA Sanctioned Event, All Riders & The Public are Welcome!

For More Information Call: Dean @ (513) 310-7064 or go to; http://www.region5abate.com

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May 13, 2008

 

Motorcycle Riding Jeans: Battle of the Blues

The popularity of riding jeans has gone ballistic in the last few years. Domestic companies who pioneered the idea of reinforcing denim pants with Kevlar once dominated this market. But with increasing popularity, they are now challenged in the marketplace by offshore versions from big name players in the riding gear business. All this got us wondering...

We review riding jeans from:
Draggin' Jeans
Icon
Joe Rocket
Cortech
Diamond Gusset

Other Options
Another alternative to riding in plain blue jeans is wearing armor underneath. There are several makers who offer excellent products that will provide impact and abrasion protections under your normal jeans.

Bohn Armor is one such product, and we hope to review a pair in the near future.

Who makes the best motorcycle jeans? And are they a good choice for protecting your lower extremities when riding?

Let's answer the easy one first:
No, jeans are not going to protect you as well as "real" riding pants. Even the best jeans here fall short in the area of impact protection. But Kevlar-reinforced denim has excellent abrasion resistance and will offer some protection from road rash. Don't get me wrong- wearing riding jeans is way better than cutoffs and flip-flops. But then again, if you ride in cutoffs and flip-flops you're probably not reading this review.

We tested six pairs of denim riding pants, all priced in the $70 to $130 area. Most are available from motorcycle retailers, the Diamond Gusset brand is only available directly from the manufacturer.

Icon Anthem Pantsicon
Like all of the Icon riding jeans we've seen, these have the loose-fit motocross look. Stretch panels above the knee and straight legs are cut to fit in a riding position. They also boast about the large pockets- I'd call them huge.

Available in blue or black, these jeans are reinforced in the butt and knees with Aramid fiber, a synthetic similar to Kevlar. The fit is too baggy for my taste but to each his own. The fit is good in the waist but shorter legged riders will find the inseams run long.

Draggin' Jeans
These guys started making reinforced blue jeans in 1993 and are the veterans in this fight. Today the company markets a complete line of Kevlar-reinforced shirts, jackets- even long johns!

The jeans start with 14.5 oz. denim like most of our test subjects. Knee armor is available for an additional charge. Draggin' Jeans are offered in the widest variety of styles, including women's and relaxed fit. The y are offered in waist and length sizes like normal blue jeans.

Joe Rocket Steel Jeans
We reviewed Joe Rocket's denim offering a few months ago (2/17/2007) and found them comfortable, if a tad heavy. The name (and possibly the weight) is based on metal fibers woven into the reinforcements in the knees and butt.

The pants are made from the heavier 14.5 oz. denim. Sizes ran a little short in the inseam.

Cortech Mod Denim
All of the Cortech/Tourmaster riding apparel I've ever tried has been well made. These are no exception.

Cortech's riding jeans have a stone washed finish right out of the box, so style-conscious riders will have no trouble trying them out immediately. These pants are the most covert of the group- with nothing more than a few extra seams to give away the fact their made for riding.

These were the only jeans we tested that included CE armor in the knees, although it's an option from Draggin'). For abrasion protection the knees and butt area are reinforced with perforated leather. Fit is very accurate and the knee cups can even be adjusted up or down to suit your leg length. Our only complaint was the hip pockets ride very low on your tush. Is that the new look?

Diamond Gusset Defender
These jeans are made in Memphis, Tennessee and derive their name from a diamond-shaped panel sewn into the crotch. The idea is this gusset reduces the bunching and binding you get with most jeans when seated. It must work because I found these to be extremely comfortable, even on long rides.

DG takes their regular 14.5 oz. denim jean and adds Kevlar panels in the knees, butt and hips. You also get a watch pocket on the left-hand side, a small "knife" pocket on the right leg, a D-ring above the right pocket and Velcro closures at the bottom of the leg openings. These are well made jeans and come in blue or black. Unlike some riding jeans these are sized by waist and length just like Levis.

Conclusion?
Any of these riding jeans will provide you a comfortable option and more protection than standard blue jeans. As we've mentioned previously, they don't offer the protection from impacts that you'll get with most riding pants. But if you prefer the casual look, comfort and light weight of jeans, any of these would be a good choice.

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March of Dimes Bikers for Babies

This event was added to our database by Patty Osborn.

Event Starts: 9/14/2008
Location: Martin, MI
Rev up your engines and join March of Dimes at Bikers for Babies to help us give all babies a healthy start!

Bikers will enjoy a 70 mile ride with food silent auction, drag racing, a bike show and more. Event is presented by Farmers Insurance Group. Registration fee is $25 which includes lunch and a pin. Bikers can log on to bikersforbabies.org to sign up and for more information.

Event takes place at Knoll Gas Motorsports Park located at 1249 12th Street in Martin, Michigan. Registration is from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

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Grand Valley Rally

This event was added to our database by Kelly McNamara.

Event Starts: 8/22/2008
Location: Delta, CO
This is a riders Rally with low traffic volume and breathtaking scenery.

3 days of pure FUN! when not riding relax and watch the Motorcycle rodeos,Bikini Contest, or grad a cold one at the Beer Garden and watch the great bands. There are over 4,000 on site camping spaces & 80 RV w/electric and on-site showers. A 3,500 covered seat arena for you to be a spectator of all the craziness.

This Rally benefits MANY local and National Charities! We hope to see you there!!

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May 12, 2008

 

SLOLEAF Poker Run

This event was added to our database by Vivian Krug.

Event Starts: 7/19/2008
Location: Paso Robles, CO
SLOLEAF is a nonprofit corporation formed to provide immediate and temporary financial assistance to local law enforcement personnel, active or retired, and their families, in their time of need due to death, serious injury, critical illness, or other catastrophic circumstances.

The Poker Run is SLOLEAF's annual fundraiser to raise funds. This year's run starts at Powerhouse in Paso Robles and runs 120 miles through the scenic areas of San Luis Obispo County and ends at Biddle Park in Arroyo Grande with a BBQ and more fun. Entry Fee includes your Poker Hand, TShirt, Raffles, Prizes, BBQ and Entertainment. Cash prizes for High and Low Hands!

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