I finally settled on some riding pants. I tried on a couple of different pairs and I found the Joe Rocket Ballistics fit me the best. The JR Alter Ego were too tight across the thigh, so much for it being a woman's pant.

The pants have a zip to the knee to easily get off and on. They come with a rain liner which works really well and zips in at the waist. The rain liner is removable so you have the option of staying cool in the summer. There is an attachment on the back of the waist band to zip it to your coat. There are also 2 velcro tabs at the waist to cinch it in. There is armor at the knee with two different pockets for adjustment for shorties like me. What I found was they were too long, but they thought about that, they put a row of tiny snaps so you can effectively take them up without sewing. There is a suede type patch on the back where you need extra protection for heat and there is also a velcro tab to snug the back of the leg in. They are made of heavy nylon for abrasion resistance. There are two outside large pockets which are very generous and easy to get into. At first when I started wearing them they felt stiff and tight and now that I have ridden with them for 2 weeks they have loosened up or I have gotten used to them. I usually wear yoga pants under them so I don't get too warm. It was raining and I stayed dry. This morning it was pretty chilly riding to work and I was toasty warm.

The only cons I found with them is they need reflective tape going down the side of the leg and there wasn't any hip armor. I am going to get some reflective and armor and have it sewn in.

They retailed for about $209 CDN, but I got them for a screaming deal.

I love these pants, they are comfortable and I don't feel like the Michelin Man.

_________________
Dar ~ I was born to ride!

my blog: Princess Scooterpie http://scootermayhem.blogspot.com/

Did you buy them from an on-line site?

Update on the Joe Rocket pants - after wearing a couple of times they started leaking like a seive right through the 'waterproof' liner. The Joe Rocket gloves are terrible too. The jacket was the same, I might as well have gone out in the rain in just my street clothes. It was terrible.

I ended up returning the whole lot and have upgraded to TourMaster ladies Transition 2 jacket and Flex pants that zip down to mesh and have a thermal liner. The armor is more adjustable in them and I am dry and toasty warm. Highly recommend the TourMaster I have ridden with it in torrential downpours and have been dry.

Wow! Reviews are so helpful! Thanks for your input. I've been looking at the Joe Rocket pants for awhile now --- just didn't spring for them yet and now I'm glad I didn't! I have a Tourmaster jacket I love so I'm going to look into the Flex pants also. Since you are on the short side (like me), how is the length for you? Are they adjustable?

~ Shellee

Shellee

The length is perfect! I'm 5'3 3/4" and they were awesome, they don't drag and are the perfect length. The TM ladies venture pant is nice too & good length, no rolling or snapping up the bottom. If you love your TM jacket you will love the pants even more!!!!!

Do you have to get this online? AND I am NOT a small girl. Do you happen to know what the largest size is?

I have an armoured jacket that I wore on this tour we just got back from, but from the waist down, I only had jeans and chaps.

Thanks!

Scooterchick - You don't have to get them on line. If you are near Vancouver check out the motorcycle shops. **I actually bought a men's small in the Flex pants, so don't be shy about going into that section and trying things on. Don't worry about the length of the Flex pants, they are just perfect & I am 5'3"

I might consider that, although I doubt that I will find men's pants that are cut the right way in the hips for me seeing as I am ....well endowed"... you might say. most men's pants are more slender in the hip are then women's clothing. Also, I am only 5'1" and found that even my Jacket I had to get in the states at I could not find anything in my size in Canada.....

tragic!! ....:-(