Harleys and Kilts: Leather, Wool or Cotton?

[CDNSushi]

Gentlemen: the OP did ask for advice. But I've read and re-read his post numerous times, and I just don't see where he asked us whether or not he should wear a kilt while riding. Answering a question that was never asked is unsolicited advice. While it may be well-meaning and done out of concern for his well-being, it is misplaced and off-topic. Whether riding in a kilt is a good or bad idea -- that is something I do not see him asking us for.

What I DO see him asking, are two questions. First, what material should his kilt be made from for the purposes of riding, and second, how to position fabric and anatomy to best accomplish the goal of riding kilted. Unless I offer my two bits here, I too will be off-topic, so given my limited experience with riding in different fabrics, will nevertheless attempt an answer.

I don't see why wearing a wool kilt on a bike would be any itchier than wearing a wool kilt anywhere else in the summer. I suspect that if you went wool, you may want less yardage in order to stay cooler. Cotton kilts tend to be contemporary (as in Utilikilts) rather than traditional, tartan kilts, so there you are dealing with a completely different animal. I've riden wearing: wool, acrylic, and cotton, but the only thing that made a big difference in how warm or cool I was seemed to be the yardage (rather than the material). Since I've never owner a leather kilt, I can't say much about that. I do frequently ride in leather pants, but that's got to be completely different. I suspect that leather, being heavier, might be easier to keep in place and not as likely to fly up and flap about as other fabrics.

Personally, I wouldn't wear a nice, wool kilt on a bike (even though I have) -- not so much for fear of crashing with it, but for fear of ruining it in far more mundane ways -- bugs, grease, sweat, bird poop (yeah, I've been pooped on while riding before -- just not on my kilt)... I would definitely choose a knock-around kilt that you wouldn't mind getting damaged, but also one that's easy to clean. I suspect PV might fit that bill best.

As for "how-to," the best advice came from another thread on this very topic last year. It's probably easiest if I just quote it directly...

Hey, my names Chewy, I'm a member of the Angry Scotsmen RC. I've been told I might be of some help here.

All you need is 2 safety pins and a good magnet (mine is a 16lbs from ACE). Sit on the bike with the back of the kilt under you. Place one leg on peg. Rap kilt around leg tight and pin together. Put leg on ground making sure kilt doesn't rip and repeat with other leg. The magnet is placed on the front of the kilt securing it to the gas tank. Nut huggers can be worn too(bugs suck). Not sure if this works with crotch rockets, don't think so though.
If safety i sure number one concern, it should be noted that this is no more dangerous than shorts (which are dangerous), and that steel toed boots have been know to rap themselves around toes to the point where the toes have to be removed. This, of course, is only in the event of a crash and other instances where road-rash can occur.

P.S. they're called SAFETY pins for a reason.

In the same thread, another member offered this advice:

Depending on what bike I ride, my approach to protection would change. On my Duc I have a plastic tank so my kilt would have to be safety pinned front to back between the legs to avoid ballooning. On my bobber I have a steel tank so I would follow my club brother's lead and use a super strong magnet to pin my kilt to my tank.

Good luck with whatever you end up choosing to do.

J

I need some advice. I live in Phoenix, AZ and ride a Harley Sportster every day. If I were to ride with a kilt and taking into considration the AZ heat would I be better off with a leather kilt as it would tend to stay put? Or would a wool be too itchy although more colorful? Or would a cotton one be better as it can be washed regularly? Do I just sit on it? Do I tuck it between my legs? Do I shove it under one le or what? Any motorcycle riding kilt wearers that can respond to this out there? ith:

[csbdr]

Well terrific....we have an unofficial "topic-cop" for the kilts/bikes topic. I do recall you taking the same stance before and it being mentioned, as it will be now, that bikers look out for each other and when this topic comes up, yes, other riders jump in to offer "unsolicited advice" (so what if it is) and try to dissuade the guy from doing something which is incredibly stupid and dangerous. Do some guys do it? yup. That's up to them. But you have the kilted riding community looking out for another rider. As another rider, you ought to know the deal...

I also recall, as before, that the only hard feeling over the topic came from calling people out for supposedly not answering the question, not from the topic at hand. Like I said before, if it bugs you, ignore it and move on, instead of trying to be "mini-moderator." nuff said...

[wildrover]

No kidding...I only see one person beefing on this thread.

Well now...here's a question for everyone...when I'm playing the practice chanter as I drive, I find sometimes I have to completely drop the chanter in mid-phrase in order to grab the steering wheel, and this interrupts the tune...there's a good chance it may hinder the memorization process. I try to keep good, firm contact between knee and steering wheel in order to keep control through the turns, so I can finish the phrase. Would it be better for memorization to speed up the tempo and finish the phrase completely before turning, or time my phrasing better between turns so I can finish before the turn?

...BTW, I'll add a wire wheel and a bottle of good scotch to the first aid kit for you kilted riders out there .

-Sean

[lammy d]

I personally would not put a kilt on when riding any of my lambrettas or motorbike as I see it when you come off at any speed it hurts I always were full body armour even on my Lambretta model d that only has a top speed of 45 mph! Just coming back from Whitby for the Easter scooter rally one of the boys got knocked off women in the car indicates left scoot goes round she sees parking on the right side whips round one scooter writ off and a broken shoulder just as easy as that not telling you things you all know
Ride safe
Richard

[Java]

While I can't appologize for trying to talk someone out of riding in a kilt, Sushi is right, I should have at least tried to answer Seaborn's question. I think he can pretty much wear whatever kind of kilt he wants. For those who don't ride, let me explain. The seating position on a Sportster like SeaBorn's is pretty much like sitting at your dining room table, unless it's the "Custom" model where you sit lower, with your feet farther out in front of you. Hurricane force winds start at around 73 miles per hour. So next time a hurricane comes through, take a dining room chair out into the street, face it into the wind, and sit in it.That's what riding at 70 mph feels like. Leather isn't going to stay put any better than a lighter material. That's why the riders in the preveous thread talked about using a 16 oz magnet to pin their kilts to their gas tanks.
I haven't got a PV kilt yet, but I assume PV and leather would be the easiest to clean. Before I became an old safety nazi, I used to occationally ride in baggy shorts, and it was my experience that leaking oil and road debris like rocks, etc would usually hit below the knee. Lighter debris, like big cream filled bugs, bees, wasps etc would either hit below the knee, or be blown up the shorts leg. I assume a kilt would work the same way, so it will actually stay cleaner than you think. Again, pretty much whatever kind you want to wear would work jsut as well.

I hope that helps,
Java

[BoldHighlander]

Before I became an old safety nazi, I used to occationally ride in baggy shorts, and it was my experience that leaking oil and road debris like rocks, etc would usually hit below the knee. Lighter debris, like big cream filled bugs, bees, wasps etc would either hit below the knee, or be blown up the shorts leg.

hmmm

I seem to recall being pelted in the face by the odd pebble before (these were the ones you couldn't see to avoid).... most of the bugs usually hit me from the chest up as well (you know how tell a happy biker? ).

Point taken about bees/wasps getting blown up the shorts legs....who wants one blown up a kilt?!

I remember a yellow jacket got into my shirt one summer & I didn't know he was there until I got home & shut the bike off & could hear him buzzing. Thought it was a rock....anyhoo, my shoulder was a mass of welts where he'd been nipping me!!

Point is, I wouldn't want that anywhere near the ol' family jewels!
'nuff said

[Balaamsass51]

You have two choices for a Harly tartan.

Go to www.tartansauthority.com click on the picture of the Tartan Ferret and put "Harley" in the Tartan Name box, you will get pictures and info.

Matt H.

[Java]

hmmm

I seem to recall being pelted in the face by the odd pebble before (these were the ones you couldn't see to avoid).... most of the bugs usually hit me from the chest up as well (you know how tell a happy biker? ).

Thanks, I didn't explain myself very well there. My faceshield does take more abuse than anything else. I was so focused on the kilt that I forgot about everything above the waist. What I meant was, due to the seating position on a bike like SeaBorn's, from your waist to your knees is riding parallel to the ground, and so is not in much danger of being hit by flying debris. From your knees down to your feet is straight up and down in the wind, so debris does hit them.

Have Fun,
Java

[Tobus]

For those who don't ride, let me explain. The seating position on a Sportster like SeaBorn's is pretty much like sitting at your dining room table, unless it's the "Custom" model where you sit lower, with your feet farther out in front of you. Hurricane force winds start at around 73 miles per hour. So next time a hurricane comes through, take a dining room chair out into the street, face it into the wind, and sit in it.That's what riding at 70 mph feels like.

That was a very accurate description! I'd never thought about it like that before.

My Sportster is highly modified... it has the "fat bob" tanks, drag pipes, S&S Super E carb, Andrews cam, "ape hanger" handlebars, etc. So while it doesn't really look like the run-of-the-mill Sportster, it still sits like one. Unless I'm using my highway pegs, I sit pretty much like you describe. Except that with the tall handlebars (just above my shoulder height), I have the pleasure of getting the occasional bug or rock up the sleeve of my shirt/jacket too! And full frontal hurricane-force winds on my chest, since I don't believe in windshields on motorcycles.

Back to the kilt issue, I don't know if the newer Sportys are like this or not, but my old '73 model has the oil tank right between your legs with the filler cap directly under your right thigh. When the oil gets nice and hot, I can feel the heat of the filler cap starting to radiate through my pants and even through leather chaps. I could not imagine trying to ride with my bare leg on that thing. Not to mention the heat coming off the jugs and heads (mine's an iron-head). And the pipes! I have literally melted the sides of my boot soles and/or heels on the sides of my pipes. For me, that is no place for bare legs.

Comfort-wise, I could maybe see it on a full-blown dresser model with floorboards and a huge windscreen/fairing. But not on a Sportster. That's just me, though. And the safety issue still exists.

Here's a thought: since the Scots apparently wore tartan trews for riding horses, maybe that would be the proper equivalent for motorcycles?

[james a. husky]

Well, this has been my experience...

I've done a few rides to and from work, 4.5 miles each way... and... a couple of rides to partys or so, perhaps 10-12 miles. Posted speed limits 'twixt 35 and 55 mph. So...

Get on the bike (Harley Wide Glide in my case) sweeping the pleats as you mount, and when ready to address the breeze...

I tuck the extra pleats first under and between my right leg and the saddle or tank, and then tuck the left pleats under and between my left leg and the saddle or tank. I do the same with the apron... tucking the apron up between my legs and the seat.

This leaves me with a nice, tight "wrap" around the legs and leaves no extra material to pick up the wind.

I've gotten some "looks" and smiles from women in cars and as I mentioned before, there IS added caution involved (I wouldn't want to crash in any event and CERTAINLY not when wearing a kilt!),

The entire arrangement maintains its' "snug" configuration at fairly high speeds and for as long as my trips have taken.

Now to find a way to carry a musket, backsword, and Regimental Kit and I'll be able to save some dosh travelling to a reenactment!

Jim aka kiltiemon (42nd Reg of Ft, Lt Col's Coy)