Cafe racer riders often get on their motorcycle without fully suiting up. Most of us just jump on the bike with maybe a helmet and some gloves. Some riders do wear a jacket, but often the right pair of cafe racer jeans are an afterthought if they are thought of at all.
That said, having a good pair of motorcycle pants when riding is extremely important and you don’t just want anything covering your backside and legs, you want the best.
I have pulled together a list of my top picks below. They look great and will work for any and all cafe racer riders. If you have a cafe bike and need some good riding pants, these are what you should buy.
1. Street & Steel Oakland Jeans
Need something traditional that still offers a sense of style? The Street & Steel Oakland Jeans are it. They offer 12-ounce stretch denim, a seamless knee design, classic five-pocket construction, and a material that’s heat-resistant and tear-resistant. Removable CE armor is also included.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
Check it out at JP Cycles
2. Klim K Fifty 2 Jeans
Made from heavy-duty Cordura denim, the Klim K Fifty 2 Jeans offer Dupont Kevlar protection in addition to casual styling. This option has a straight fit through the leg and a YKK zipper. They feature D3O EVO knee and hip armor with adjustable knee pockets as well as a Poron XRDA tailbone pad.
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Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
Check it out at JP Cycles
3. Klim K Fifty 1 Jeans
Are the Klim K Fifty 2 Jeans interesting to you, but you’re in need of a more relaxed fit? Check out the Klim K Fifty 1. They offer all of the same features of the Klim K Fifty 2 but with a little more room so they’re comfortable for bigger riders.
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Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
4. REV’IT! Lombard 2 Jeans
Built with 12.5oz Cordura denim and Coolmax material, the REV’IT! Lombard 2 Jeans offer many of the same traits as the award-winning Lombard Jeans that came before them, the Lombard 2 offer a cotton and polyester liner, Seesmart CE-level 1 knee and hip armor, and reinforcement in the knees and other key areas. They have a simple five-pocket design.
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Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
5. Scorpion Covert Pro Jeans
The traditional five-pocket design of the Scorpion Covert Pro Jeans is part of what makes them simple, yet so special. They feature Cordura 373 GSM exterior and a DuPont Kevlar liner. They also have SAS-Tec Level 2 knee armor and SAS-Tec Level 1 hip armor. There’s reflective material at the cuff for added visibility.
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Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
Check it out at JP Cycles
6. REAX 215 Jeans
The REAX 215 Jeans are another great option. They offer a cold-rolled, five-pocket design with straight-cut legs and a casual fit. They have 11.5oz 100% cotton denim and 200GSM Aramid Twill. There’s a YKK zipper and pockets for knee and hip armor.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
Check it out at JP Cycles
7. REV’IT! Philly 2 Jeans
REV’IT! makes some fantastic pairs of riding pants and the REV’IT! Philly 2 Jeans feature 12.5oz Cordura denim with CoolMax element and a five-pocket design. They also have Seesmart CE-level 1 armor in the knees and hips.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
8. Bull-it Tactical Slim Fit Jeans
With Covec fibers blended into the denim, this option will take a beating and keep your legs and backside safe. They’re rated for up to 46 mph abrasion resistance. They also feature CE Level 2 knee and hip armor and feature a YKK zipper.
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Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
9. REAX 610 Jeans
The REAX 610 Jeans feature a straight-cut, five-pocket design and look like a pair of casual Levis. However, they have some fantastic built-in features for motorcyclists. They feature 99% Cotton and 1% Elastane 12-ounce denim as well as 100% Aramid Twill,220 gsm reinforced areas in the seat, thighs, and knees. Add to that a YKK zipper, CE Level 2 armor in the knees, pockets for hip armor (sold separately), and triple stitching, and you have one of the best options out there.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
Check it out at JP Cycles
10. Street & Steel Sunset Selvedge Jeans
Another good option if the REAX 610s just don’t quite do it for you is the Street & Steel Sunset Selvedge Jeans. They feature 99% Cotton and 1% Elastane 12-ounce denim, seamless knee design, five pockets, removable CE armor knee pads, and Aramid reinforcements in the seat, hips, and knees.
Check it out at Amazon
Check it out at Revzilla
Check it out at CycleGear
Check it out at JP Cycles
Other Great Cafe Racer Jeans
What other options are out there? You’ll notice a large number of offerings available to motorcyclists that make all kinds of claims of being comfortable and offering great protection. I will not say these are the only options you should consider, but I will say these products and the brands you see above are smart options for any rider.
If you don’t like the picks or have some other ones in mind, stick to well-known brands. Customer reviews are an excellent way to gauge satisfaction, especially if the reviewer provided images. Generally, if you stick to Bull-It, Klim, Street & Steel, and REAX, you’ll find exactly what you need.
