Hrp Riding Pants

HRP Riding Pants

EVALUATION

Motocross Pants With a Built-In Kidney Belt

There hasn't been a whole lot of technical advancement in motocross pants since nylon/leather combinations caught on. It didn't take long for most riders to figure out the advantages of the nylon based pants; they offered almost as much protection as all-leather pants yet weighed less, were easier to clean and cost less. Many companies offer riding pants in durable, brightly colored nylon complete with brand logos if wanted. HRP, short for Hannah Racing Products, is headed by the legendary Hurricane Bob Hannah and partners Scott

Boyer and Dick Kryder. Scott and Dick formerly worked at Scott USA and were heavily involved in the design and promotion of Scott’s plastic boots. The three make a good team since they are never satisfied with anything and always try to modify or improve the latest item.

The first thing the team designed was riding pants with a kidney belt built in. But the design incorporated more than just sewing the belt to the pants. Instead, the belt is sewn to the back of the pants and stops about mid-side where reinforcement dips down. Right, just like maternity dresses! The reasoning is simple; when a regular belt is cinched up, it pushes your stomach into the bottom of the lungs and makes breathing difficult. The low-cut front also allows more air flow so they’re not as hot. The nylon pant material is bunched around the sewn seam at the base of the belt and there’s a wide Velcro closure at the front that allows tension adjustment. The fly is handled by a heavy-duty plastic zipper and the crotch and knees are reinforced with leather. Plastic knee and shin guards are standard and a stretch panel is sewn into the outside of each leg so bending and normal motocross gymnastics aren’t hampered. Other built-in protection comes from large foam pads held to each side of the waist by Velcro strips and foam padding that’s sewn behind the fly—so a rider doesn’t get belted and decide crocheting is more fun than motocross.

Several colors and team styles are available in two fabric choices; the normal nylon and leather combo we’re all used to, and a new mesh fabric for hot weather use. The mesh style has the-same lining but the outside mesh lets lots of cooling air pass through. We tried a pair of the mesh jobs during a 100 mi. loop through the Mojave Desert in mid-July, and were amazed at the difference. The pants and our legs were completely dry after the loop.

HRP is working on other cool gear for summer riding including gloves, jerseys and shoulder/chest protectors like the ones Hannah has been wearing lately. When they’re available, we’ll try them and let you know if they work as well as the pants. Price for either style riding pants is $129 from local HRP dealers or directly from Hannah Racing Products, P.O. Box 2109, Sun Valley, Idaho 83353. Phone (208) 726-4343. 83