Cross over gear.........

[Papa Lazarou]

No, not trans stuff (unless it works). Gear from other sports, work gear, underwear, or anything. Things that are useful on bikes but aren't made for bikes.

Like warm tights. Stolen.

Or Army winter stuff, or snowboarding stuff. If it works, and it's preferably cheaper, I'd like to know.  

[chornbe]

The most obvious stuff I could think of is snow-mobile gear for Winter use on a bike.

I use my riding/touring boots as general-use Winter boots when shoveling snow, sledding, etc. Dry and warm.

Likewise my Olympia Winter gloves.

[traveler]

Lots of bicycling stuff can be used, from shorts to mountain biking armor

Some bicycling gear is very much state of the art in materials, and priced accordingly.

Army-Navy  (military surplus) stores often have stuff (love that word) which is useful to us.

[DrMikey]

Carhartt double front dungarees for summer riding.
High-performance athletic socks
Bicycle shorts underneath whatever pants
For winter, those stretchy head things (American) football players wear under their helmets
Frogg Toggs, a favourite of fisherman for rainy weather

[JReazor]

Light weight, over the calf ski socks. They stay up so they don't bunch up in your boots. Go with a good technical material and your feet will stay dry and comfortable all day. Not cheap but they are awesome.

I also keep a retractable cable lock made for skis under my seat. It's good for securing gear to a parked bike in a pinch.

[denisep]

Ski/snow clothes...   I wear my ski jacket over my heated vest all winter.  If I don't feel like messing with heat, I wear my snow bibs instead of motorcycle pants...  

[swingset]

Soccer shin-guards, buy two pair, put them in the sleeve opposing each other over your ankles (you may have to slightly trim the bottom to conform to the top of your feet), and then put them over your socks/under your boots. It will add MX-boot style ankle protection to a normal street boot. You can take a sledgehammer hit to your ankle with them on, and they're comfy and add almost no weight and little bulk. Cheap, too.

Also, battery-heated socks from fishing supply stores....cheaper than dedicated motorcycle ones, but they work great.

Starter brand Under Armor knockoff clothes & cold gear is nearly as good as the real thing for less than 1/2 the $$, great for layering.

[McRider]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned work boots.  There are lots of water proof, high-top work boots that are perfectly suited for motorcycle wear, particularly if you wear textile pants outside your boots.  

[Fourstring]

Compression gear.  Like giving your torso a hug.

[luvtoride]

You can take a sledgehammer hit to your ankle with them on, and they're comfy and add almost no weight and little bulk.

& this is especially good to do if you're in a Steven King movie.

[swingset]

& this is especially good to do if you're in a Steven King movie.

You gotta admit, if Kathy Bates runs out in front of you, it's not like dodging a squirrel.

[HipGnosis]

Diabetic socks are cheaper and easier to find than 'athletic' compression socks.

Ice climbing gloves are warm, flexible and grippy.

Auto bead-type seat covers are much cheaper than M/C specific seat beads - rather easily down-sized to fit.

Camping suppliers sell silk glove and sock liners that can help extend your riding season or deal with unexpected cold and pack very small.

If you've got a goldwing, auto tires get much better mileage than M/C rear tires for quite a bit less cost.

[DrMikey]

Disposable heat packs sold at sporting goods stores. Put a couple in pockets and feel the warmth, baby...

[mxvet57]

Disposable heat packs sold at sporting goods stores. Put a couple in pockets and feel the warmth, baby...

wierless heated gear.  

[HipGnosis]

Carhartt double-front  pants work very well as riding pants.
Armor can be fitted to the knees; There's an opening at the bottom of the 2 layers that allows you to put in armor
They're a LOT tougher than jeans, they're a LOT cooler than mesh pants.
There's also Cordura© Double-Fronts - note: ONLY the 2nd, outer layer is cordura

DuluthTrading.com firehose pants are HEAVY!  About 3 times as much as normal jeans.  Much more durable, yet softer.

[Papa Lazarou]

Wish we had had them Carhatts over here............

[DrMikey]

I'm sure that if you have a stateside contact, a set of Carhartt's could be sent your way.

[Papa Lazarou]

Some on Ebay...shame the Pound is so weak.

[matkal]

Anyone know of a source and or brand of UnderArmor knock off pants?
I'm looking for long-john/compression type bottoms for warm weather to wear under leather pants.
Walmart used to carry some but I haven't seen them there in a while.

BTW Kohl's has some nice moisture wicking/compression UA type shirts for a reasonable price.

[HipGnosis]

Hope it's ok to revive an old thread...

I just found out that the Duluth Trading Co. now sells their FireHose pants w/ double-fronts.  They call em 'Loggers'.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/clothes-workwear/mens/mens-pants/work-pants-for-men/46014.aspx?feature=product_8

They even have a pic of a guy wearing firehose pants on a bike!

[Tar Snake]

I bought some of those Arborware canvas pants when I was about 10lbs heavier than I am now. I wasn't wearing them since they were too loose. Recently I tried them as overpants for commuting and they work great.

I put on my normal dockers/dress shirt/belt worker bee uniform then the canvas pants go right over, no belt. They stay up fine and when I get to work they come off in under 10 secs. My work clothes don't get wrinkled, since my commute only takes about 15 mins or so.

I tried just riding in slacks and a leather jacket, but it feels weird knowing if you go down your pants are going th shred instantly!

Carhartt's, Dickie's et al would probably work too.

[Medic09]

+1 on the work boots.  My favorites for daily riding are my Ariat cowboy lace up work boots.  Look half way decent, have thick sole (advantage for short legged me) and can be polished up.  They are a bit heavy, but not too expensive.

For packing, I use the same compression stuff sacks that I use for backpacking and climbing.  There are now dry bag stuff sacks made of very light materials with a permeable material in the bottom that allows squeezing out the air.  I used some on a recent week long trip, and they took up significantly less space in the saddle bags. Aerostich sells them, but they're available at REI and any other hiking gear shop.

For insulation, I use all the same layers as for winter camping.  Silk, Smartwool, fleece.

[Yankee Dog]

Army field pant liners.  $11 and six buttons sewn into my over pants and my legs are good down into the 20s.  Super comfy and very lightweight.  

yankee Dog

[maddjack]

Padded bycycle shorts,great asset for long distance rides,also cool weather bycycle tights or pants,tried these this year and man they rock,I get this stuff local too at this outfits factory,great gear ,good prices for top of the line.
http://www.aerotechdesigns.com

Also work (Special Response Team boots) I favor Bates,HiTec,or one of the other ones from US Calvery store online.
Camping stuff,namely compression straps,waterproof bags and other gear made to go into backpacks,if its light enough and functional enough for that ,its a boon to packing on a motorcycle.Campmor and REI are good sources

[birdrunner]

for camping,  any of the hiking type camp equipement.

For fixing the bike,  hockey stick tape .... Strong cloth material, sticks in the wet, lasts for years, and can be removed easily).  I use it to keep my wiring mess inplace.