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How long to break in new leather pants?

Xanthoria

Xanthoria

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Joined
Dec 6, 2013
Location
Frisky Town
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Average pasta rocket
Am in hell - bought pants that zip into my jacket at Dainese store - after I staggered over to the tryout bike and threw myself on they said "perfect - you want them tight so when they break in they're... not too tight" so priced half off, I think OK... let's do this.

Every night I come home and rassle them on. And try to do squats. And my thighs are just too long and my knees get mashed. I can barely get my feet on the pegs.

When will it get better? :wtf
 
I was sold a pair of ill-fitting pants by Dainese store SF as well. Salesman gave me the same line. They improved a bit, but never really fit right. The improper fit contributed to premature wear (multiple split seams), I'm convinced. I wish I had taken them back early on, but I kept hoping they would stretch more. They didn't.
 
Not sure which dimension is smooshin' the goods, but you might try bringing it to the tailor. They might be able to add or subtract a few inches either way.
 
Xanthoria said:
Am in hell - bought pants that zip into my jacket at Dainese store - after I staggered over to the tryout bike and threw myself on they said "perfect - you want them tight so when they break in they're... not too tight" so priced half off, I think OK... let's do this.

Every night I come home and rassle them on. And try to do squats. And my thighs are just too long and my knees get mashed. I can barely get my feet on the pegs.

When will it get better? :wtf
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How about actually ride in them. I hated my first pair of leather pants too. It was a struggle to even get on the bike and they felt horrible constrictive while riding at first too.
Few loops of the S/C mountains at speed, some sweat and they became perfect. I felt uncomfortable and naked riding in anything less ever since.
Just make sure they don't give you any actual pressure points. Most common in the crotch area, especially if you zipp them to the jacket.
Snug with no pressure points is the right fit for leather m/c gear.
 
They should fit snugly at first, to break in a little over time. Key word is FIT.

If your thighs feel too long and the knee cups fit too high up, or anything like that, that's not a great FIT. They may 'soften up' later but won't get (much) longer.

Best to get some in-person advice from seasoned riders/racers.
Bring 'em to the Barf BBQ and we'll ALL chime in! :laughing

After all, they won't protect you from the closet (if they're too painful to wear every time you ride). Half off or not. (<-- this coming from a girl who likes bargains, lol)

:teeth
Yana:banana
 
They should be snug and uncomfortably stiff pre-break-in, not masochistically tight. If you're having trouble moving in them, they're probably too tight.
 
Best way to break in pants is to hop on a bicycle. Sounds weird, but it works!
 
As Yana said, it sounds like the length or sizing might not be right for you. Make sure the pads are in the right places. If they don't feel comfortable but snug after a few good twisty rides, they're not right. If you need them altered, you could try Johnson Leathers or Zooni...then again with all the tailoring costs, it may have been worth it just to get pants custom made.
 
sounds like they are too tight/small.

if you cant or dont want to return them, wear em in a hot bath then go for a ride. thatll break them in real fast.
 
Xanthoria said:
Am in hell - bought pants that zip into my jacket at Dainese store - after I staggered over to the tryout bike and threw myself on they said "perfect - you want them tight so when they break in they're... not too tight" so priced half off, I think OK... let's do this.

Every night I come home and rassle them on. And try to do squats. And my thighs are just too long and my knees get mashed. I can barely get my feet on the pegs.

When will it get better? :wtf
Click to expand...

All they need is one night at a disco.
 
How long to break in new leather pants?
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One crash! :laughing
Otherwise, my experience is like YanaBanana's. If they're that uncomfortable they always will be. You need to get the right size. Sales people usually try to put me in something that's too small as well.
 
Man, some of this advice is vague. I am too much into comfort, I guess. I don't want to be distracted by my junk being crushed, or my knees feeling constricted. Off-the-rack stuff is usually too short, imo, so the pre-made things are a bit bigger on me than ideal to get the length. I would rather take a little road burn from slightly loose leathers, if I crash, than never wear them because they are uncomfortable.
 
This thread has Valgar's name written all over it.
 
I don't have the type of "junk" you guys have being a woman :laughing it's the length of my thighs that's the problem - the waistband is snug and my knees won't get any nearer to the rest of me, despite the pants trying to haul them in that direction!

Rode in them a couple times - short rides, due to pant-annoyance...

Hot bath you say? Aiii.... :wow And a night at a disco? It's a date! :rofl
 
Xanthoria said:
Am in hell - bought pants that zip into my jacket at Dainese store - after I staggered over to the tryout bike and threw myself on they said "perfect - you want them tight so when they break in they're... not too tight" so priced half off, I think OK... let's do this.

Every night I come home and rassle them on. And try to do squats. And my thighs are just too long and my knees get mashed. I can barely get my feet on the pegs.

When will it get better? :wtf
Click to expand...

Put 'em on. Soak them in water, ride to Leggett and back, they ought to be fine by the time you get home.
 
Good leather doesn't stretch that much. It might soften a bit with some use, making it less stilff, but pants that are too small won't stretch to become a proper fit. Sell them and buy something that fits better.
 
Hyperbole said:
As Yana said, it sounds like the length or sizing might not be right for you. Make sure the pads are in the right places. If they don't feel comfortable but snug after a few good twisty rides, they're not right. If you need them altered, you could try Johnson Leathers or Zooni...then again with all the tailoring costs, it may have been worth it just to get pants custom made.
Click to expand...

Agreed. As someone whom has done a bit of leather work. Leather DOES stretch. But not very damn much at all. IF anything, it's the smaller panels of spandex or elasticized joint in the gear that will take ALL the wear and stretching. THIS IS NOT GOOD... You're only creating a weak point in the armor so to speak.

If it's uncomfortable to move or sit in, it's too damn small!
 
I have a pair of 10-year-old Vanson Sport Rider pants. They're still not broken in but I love 'em.

Also had a Dainese 2-piece suit that felt broken in the moment I put it on. Supple, soft leather, etc., but I was never crazy about the fit of the pants. Sold them.

Long story short, I had a custom 2-piece made a Johnson Leathers. When I saw the final product I thought: "There's no way I'm gonna fit in that." But it fit like a glove and then some.
 
M.C. grade leather doesn't stretch. The texture will change and it may weather and dry out over the years. You should have good range of motion and be comfortable in a new suit. period.
Helmets on the other hand, do break in and a very snug fit is expected from new.
 
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