Motorcycle gear has an annoying way of reminding you that you’re wearing motorcycle gear. Whether it’s bulky armor, heavy materials, or styling that practically announces you’re a rider, most riding pants involve some degree of compromise. The Pando Moto Robby Slim jeans are different, with an MSRP of $252.
The first thing I noticed about the Robby Slims was what I didn’t notice: the weight. They’re remarkably light for a protective riding pant. After a few minutes, I stopped thinking about them altogether, which is about the highest compliment I can give any piece of motorcycle apparel.
Pando Moto built the Robby Slims around a single-layer 12-ounce super-stretch Cordura denim combined with Coolmax technology. The result is a pair of riding pants that feels much closer to a comfortable pair of everyday khakis than technical motorcycle jeans with a CE performance level AA rating. While there isn’t a huge amount of stretch in the “super-stretch” fabric, it really isn’t needed given the fit. I was able to move naturally on and off the bike without feeling restricted.
Fit is another strong point. The slim-cut design strikes a nice balance between modern styling and all-day comfort. They’re fitted without being tight, and tailored without looking overly fashionable. Too many riding jeans seem designed for mannequins rather than motorcyclists. The Robby Slims manage to look good while still accommodating real-world riding positions.
I especially appreciate how versatile the jeans are. Pull the armor out, and the Robby Slims become a pair of pants I’d happily wear almost anywhere. Walking around town, grabbing dinner, traveling through an airport, or spending a day sightseeing, they blend in completely. Nobody is going to look at these and assume you’re wearing motorcycle gear.
That’s a significant advantage for riders who travel. It’s always a bit of a battle to save space and weight when packing for a motorcycle trip, so I prefer gear that works both on and off the bike. The Robby Slims fit that mission perfectly.
Warm-weather comfort is another area where these Pando Moto pants shine. The single-layer construction allows considerably more airflow than many riding jeans I’ve worn over the years. The beige color is also fantastic for living in a place like California, where the sun can heat up pants very quickly. Even on warmer days, they never felt excessively hot or heavy. Sure, the lighter-weight fabric gives up some abrasion protection, but anyone who lives in a warmer climate or spends long days touring will appreciate the difference. However, if you prefer black, the Robby Slims are available in that color for an additional $12.
Protection is rated CE AA rather than AAA, and that’s an important distinction. AAA is for the fastest, highest performance riding, including on the track. AA is built for everyday road use, including commuting, day rides, and touring at real-world speeds. At the other end, the A rating is for lower-speed urban riding.
The included CE Level 1 SAS-TEC knee and hip armor is comfortable and unobtrusive. Most of the time, I forgot it was there. However, I do have one criticism. Standing up, the placement feels about right. However, once seated on the motorcycle, the pads ride a bit high and don’t cover as much of my knees as I’d like. It’s not a deal breaker, but it is something I noticed during longer rides. It would be easily fixed by adding additional lower-position adjustment slots to the two current armor pockets.
Aside from this minor criticism, I found the pants strike an excellent balance between protection, comfort, and style. The Pando Moto Robby Slim jeans deliver something many riding pants promise, but few achieve: genuine everyday comfort without sacrificing meaningful protection. They’re the kind of pants you’ll find yourself wearing because you want to—not because you need to.
The best motorcycle gear is the gear you actually want to wear. The Pando Moto Robby Slim jeans fall squarely into that category. They’re lightweight, comfortable, cool in warm weather, and versatile enough to wear all day, whether you’re riding or not.
Pando Moto Robby Slim Pants Fast Facts
Shell: Super-stretch Cordura denim w/ Coolmax
Fabric weight: 12 oz
Certification: CE performance level AA (EN 17092-3:2020)
Armor: SAS-TEC TripleFlex CE Level 1 (EN 1621-1:2012); upgradeable to Level 2
The modern superbike class is an arms race fought on several fronts. There’s still the battle for horsepower supremacy, that fuels endless spec-sheet skirmishes on internet forums. But what has caused more than a few designers to burn the midnight oil is the bold new frontier of MotoGP-inspired aerodynamics, and the challenge of integrating those into the already exceedingly complex superbike. Nic de Sena rode the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R at a recent Laguna Seca track day with Volant Vivere and he tells us all about what he discovered and what it takes to go fast.
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Now here’s a rally you absolutely cannot miss—yes, we’re rapidly approaching the 34th Annual Biketoberfest Rally in Daytona Beach, sunny Florida.Biketoberfest this year runs October 15th through the 18th. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. And don’t forget, there are miles of spectacular rides along the famous A1A, the historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. There really is something for everyone here, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So, if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.orgfor more details.
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Austin and Ellie got married in 2022 and recently returned from a four-year trip around the world riding their Ural sidecar. The epic trip is documented on their Instagram page @sidebysidecar. In this second segment, Teejay Adams chats with them about the challenges and effort it took to make it all happen, and some of the adventures they had along the way.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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