My textile pants keep melting....what alternative's do I have?

[sfalexi]

I have mesh pants with a rain insert.  I love the versatility (keep the rain insert in for winter riding, remove it for summer riding) and the easy on/off over my work pants with that huge side zipper.

But the right thigh keeps melting onto my exhaust pipes.  Mostly during slowspeed drills (counterweight keeping my body upright which puts the leg against it) or otherwise maybe just keeping my legs too close to the pipe while riding.

I've been thinking about leather overpants as an alternative.  I think leather would tolerate the heat as much, But I wonder if it'll be as versatile for the different temperatures or with rain.

The pants DID last about two years.  Should I just buy a new pair and hope it doesn't happen again for another few years?  Or are there other alternatives I haven't considered?

Alexi

[miles]

Leather pants are sexy.  Just ask Shah.

[919]

maybe some non-mesh pants would stand up better?  I would get a pair with venting if you're comfortable in mesh now.

[SLK50]

  Some pants have Nomex or leather on the inside of
the calf or thigh to prevent burning or melting.

  How about having a leather patch sewn on your
melted mesh pants ?

[three west]

or how about some sexy aluminum tape on the patch that contacts the pipe.

[Cablebandit]

Buy a new bike.

[sfalexi]

  Some pants have Nomex or leather on the inside of
the calf or thigh to prevent burning or melting.

  How about having a leather patch sewn on your
melted mesh pants ?

Didn't know some pants have that feature.  I'll look into it.  I do like these pants and other than the burnt hole and melted bits on the pipe, they're great.

Buy a new bike.

I'm considering going back to an FJR.  But this bike is REALLY comfy for myself and the wife (when she gets to ride).  Hmmm......

Alexi

[Yankee Dog]

..........................  How about having a leather patch sewn on your
melted mesh pants ?

I went this route "after" I burned mine. Two years later they are still hanging in there.

[HipGnosis]

Adopted from a forum thread on FroggToggs:
Go to WallyWorld (dress appropriately).
Buy a cover for an ironing board.
Take the current cover off your ironing board, put the new cover on it.
Cut a patch out of the old cover.  Remember, you can trim it smaller, you can't make it bigger.
Sew or hot-glue it to your pants.

[Bounce]

Buy a new bike.

that, or a double-walled exhaust with heat shielding.

[APEowner]

Buy a new bike.

that, or a double-walled exhaust with heat shielding.

These guys might be on to something.  I would think that even if you found pants that didn't melt you'd be a heck of allot more comfortable if you modified the bike somehow to keep the heat off in the first place.  Aftermarket heat shield, exhaust wrap?

[Joey Stalin]

You could probably fab up an easy heat shield out of thin sheet metal, depending on your skills it could look pretty good. Or if you have no skill at all, some exhaust wrap would work.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Exhaust-Wrap---Black-Design-Engineering_16120016-P_N3638B_P|GRP2039P_____

[NoGear]

I'm with the "get a new bike" crowd.  

[cbsnbiker]

Are the exhaust pipes OEM? I wonder why you're experiencing the melting in the first place.

[maddjack]

How the heck are you not burning your leg if it melts the pants?  

[Yankee Dog]

How the heck are you not burning your leg if it melts the pants?  

those nylon things melt in an instant when they come in contact with a hot exhaust.  DAMHIK

[maddjack]

those nylon things melt in an instant when they come in contact with a hot exhaust.  DAMHIK

At the thigh??   Must be clumsy then ,I have been wearing them for years without a problem of melting on several different bikes

[NoGear]

Guys, I think he's riding a Victory tourer. If that's true then the exhaust for the back cylinder comes out on the ridht side. I seen where people have melted their pants (knee downwards) on it.   That is why I said a  new bike.

[maddjack]

Guys, I think he's riding a Victory tourer. If that's true then the exhaust for the back cylinder comes out on the ridht side. I seen where people have melted their pants (knee downwards) on it.   That is why I said a  new bike.

Makes sense now  

[black hills]

most likely someone makes a nice heatshield in CF/chrome/Al/etc. that should solve the problem.

[Cablebandit]

It would have to be chrome for a Vision.  

[sfalexi]

Sorry.  Not Thigh, just below the knee (shin).  Yup, Victory Vision and that right pipe gets me.  I compared it with a harley, and the harley has TWO heat shields there, whereas the victory only has one heat shield there.  A second might do the trick, but is more $$$ than I want to spend.  I'm considering leather patches so I can retain the 4 season riding of these pants.  Might save up some dough and get some new riding gear anyway and put leather patches on THAT.  But I'm saving up for a helmet right now.

The ironing board cover idea sounds really cool actually...cheap, and made to withstand hot temps.  Hot enough? can be easily tested.

Alexi

[cultureslayer]

I'm considering leather patches so I can retain the 4 season riding of these pants.  Might save up some dough and get some new riding gear anyway and put leather patches on THAT.  But I'm saving up for a helmet right now.

Too bad you don't live closer to me.  I have some extra leather that might work, and I could sew it on.

[sfalexi]

Too bad you don't live closer to me.  I have some extra leather that might work, and I could sew it on.

You're in NC.  I'm the southernmost SC.  How far can it be?!

[NoGear]

You're in NC.  I'm the southernmost SC.  How far can it be?!

Just saw you are at Ft Gordon. How is the old place? Haven't been there since 1984!  -.-. --.- / -.. . / -... . -.-. -.... ----. / --- ...- . .-.  

[sfalexi]

Just saw you are at Ft Gordon. How is the old place? Haven't been there since 1984!  -.-. --.- / -.. . / -... . -.-. -.... ----. / --- ...- . .-.  

From what I understand, it hasn't changed.  But I'm up here as part of the Band.  I play clarinet for the Signal Corps Band and play the graduations, change of commands, etc.  I'll PM you and maybe take a nice long trip up there early next year and take advantage of some free leather.  I'll buy the sixpack.

Alexi

[NoGear]

Well I won't be back in the States for awhile. I just left Iraq a few days ago and I'll be here in Kuwait for months to come.  I went thru the Signal School there. Morse was still required back then for serving on LRST, or anywhere under USASOC as a radio operator.  Left that behind when I got too old to hump a ruck (and the back and knees quick wanting to play along). I'm Intel now.  

[sfalexi]

Well I won't be back in the States for awhile. I just left Iraq a few days ago and I'll be here in Kuwait for months to come.  I went thru the Signal School there. Morse was still required back then for serving on LRST, or anywhere under USASOC as a radio operator.  Left that behind when I got too old to hump a ruck (and the back and knees quick wanting to play along). I'm Intel now.  

Enjoy your time in Kuwait.  I can't think of an easier way to get some tax-free pay. lol.  Did the Iraq thing twice myself.  If you're gonna be there a few months, I'll probably have solved this issue by then.  Thanks for the offer though.  And whenever you get back, if you feel like riding, let me know.

Alexi

[maddjack]

The leather patch Idea is a good one IMHO,You may want to double up on it thickness wise though.

[cultureslayer]

the leather patch should be easy to do.  Most any place that does upholstery should have scraps that are big enough,

[Bounce]

HA!

Gordon
Signal Corp
1975
05C (Radio, Teletype, Morse code)

Then assigned to 122nd Signal Corp in Korea.

[NoGear]

HA!

Gordon
Signal Corp
1975
05C (Radio, Teletype, Morse code)

Then assigned to 122nd Signal Corp in Korea.

Bounce I was there starting in 84. I was the last class of 05Cs. After us they were 31C and Morse wasn't a requirement anymore. When they announced that you wouldn't fail the course if you didn't pass Morse most people in the class said the heck with it. I was one of the few who stuck with it.  That got me humping a ruck on LRST for the next 8 years.   No good deed will go unpunished.   LOL