I've tried both... and I use chaps... they both are about the same but here's why I use chaps.. like a dumbass I used part of my 750 accessory stipend on OEM soft lowers... it takes about 30 minutes to put them on and hurts the hell out of your fingers.. I used to put them on in the fall when it got below 40F and then take them off in the spring when it got above 40F (morning temp) but they also drag down your mpg by about 5 so I just went back to chaps.. my buddy has aftermarket lowers and he can put his on in 5 minutes both sides... if mine were like that I would use them over chaps just because they don't take up much room and for rain purposes you can put them on quick... for safety sliding down the highway they're not much good... so chaps beat them there.. anyway that's my story and why I do it... so to each his own I guess... but I would never recommend the OEM lowers unless you put them on and leave them on

 

@high plains rider. Those OEM chaps are a mother to put on! I started using my heat gut to warm them up so I can stretch them bgh to get them on. And yes I leave them on until spring. Hell I better go to the garage and get them on now before it gets cold.

I use both the lowers and chaps, keeps me warm despite looking like a member of the village people.

 

My opinion is leather pants in the cooler weather... Better then either of the options you've asked about. Some don't like them because of the "look", but ultimately if you ride in the colder weather and don't have heated gear, the full leather pants are awesome. I catch some jokes because of them, but the boys are warm and that is important to me...

 

Soft lowers from my Road King fit my Vintage good enough. I go with both chaps & soft lowers when it's really cold out... heated gloves too. Yes, I'm a puzzy and hate being cold

 

I was lucky and found a set of the Indian brown chaps for like 70% off cause they were my size, Viking XL Love them

 

For warmth, I'll take the closeouts ... chaps are a pita to put on/take off all the time. And easier to change the pants you choose to wear based on temperature changes (light jeans, heavy jeans, insulated jeans).
For safety ... chaps.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I just ordered the JTD series 2 hard lowers with 8" speaker pods🤟

 

Even with the hard lowers, you will still want to wear chaps/long underwear/insulated jeans if you ride in temps below 50 degrees. I have a RM, and even with the vents in the lowers closed I still "chap up" in colder temps, as enough air gets around the lowers to chill my legs if I am just wearing jeans.

I have a set of the Street & Steel Deep Pocket chaps. They unzip from mid-calf to hip, and have snaps from mid-calf to ankle, and a belt/buckle type fastener at the waist. I can put them on and take them off inside of 2 minutes.

 

Chaps are going to keep you warmer than close outs. However, if it’s really cold, I’ll take both. For rain, I’ll take close outs.

 

Chaps for me, cause I look good in them.

 

Chaps. I tried to put the bra thing on. My bike wouldn't have it. Told me it felt gay

 

Why not just pull on a set of waterproof & wind proof over trousers over the top of a decent pair of riding jeans. There are lots of options for protective jeans and most have better slide times than leather.

Over trousers can be pulled on and off in less than 30 sec and are so lightweight they can be folded up and tucked in a large pocket or put in the luggage if you have it fitted. I use military gortex over trousers from the local surplus shop.

Outside of the US I have never seen anyone wearing Chaps on a bike.

I have a RM and the lowers stay on all year but on my CDH I have no bars and just wear the above trousers over my riding jeans when it's cold and wet, which is of course permanent here.

 

I had soft lowers on my 2018 Springfield, gas mileage suffered with them on, but they did block the wind. Went with chaps most of the time, as it was my thighs that got cold after using the soft lowers. Must say, the better choice was chaps all around, work well if rain pops up and you can't stop to put that rain gear on. lol

 

I had quite a few ultras with lowers. I always took them off. To hot in the summer to restricted with foot positions. Wearing chaps since the early 80,s in fact same pair lol on in 3 to 4 minutes off and put away in the same. I prefer the chaps myself.

 

On trips with little room to spare I use the soft lowers from Sage Brush. Quick on and off takes up very little room in a saddlebag. If long underwear and jeans aren't warm enough I pull on the rain pants.

 

I was told you have to wear pants under chaps.
I had to tell the sales lady it's ok I'm just trying them on

 

I put on those closeouts as necessary .. but... also wear half chaps. They break the wind/cold... and protect from rocks/rain. And come off in a few seconds...

 

There's more than one reason for wearing leather. Would you like to see the scars on my knees?

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

I know right??? Crap .. forgot the closeouts