Now that I have a new Monster, I'd like to ride to work on it and enjoy my commute instead of hating every minute of it. It's about 20 miles from my home to my place of employment.
Here's a quick question for you - does anyone ride to work in their "business-casual" work clothes? I really don't have a good place to change where I work, so I'm considering wearing what I need (with a jacket, helmet, and gloves of course) when I ride. I wouldn't be able to wear my boots, and I don't own any good leather pants yet. My only alternative at this point is to change when I get to work but I'd rather not have to carry a full change of clothing if possible. I'm already stuck carrying a lunch and a computer, so my backpack is quite full. That, and I don't want to arrive dripping with sweat.
Anyone else face this problem? Any tips? Or am I destined to being stuck in a car this summer, riding only in the evenings and weekends?
I'd suggest checking out the GEAR forum also. You could get some BizCas moto chinos from Draggin Jeans. Another and possibly better suggestion would be to get a pair of overpants for commuting. As far as boots, keep a pair of shoes at your desk and just change shoes when you get in.
I ride 38 miles to get in to work (each direction). I keep shoes there and wear dragging jeans. I need to get some overpants, but that'll come later.
I just wear jeans to work...unless I have meetings and then I just don't ride. No one seems to mind the jeans...its just a bunch of engineers...unless I have to meet with customers.
Though not everyday, I do ride my 696 to work sometimes. My place of employment does have a locker room with lockers where I keep my work clothes in and where I change out from my street clothes. I just leave for work early leaving myself time to change.
So riding to work, I wear street clothes, helmet, jacket, gloves, riding boots and a backpack for personal items
On days where I have alot of items to bring too work or home from work, I just plan on driving my car.
I have an Alpinestars backpack and I can pack a set of workclothes neatly in it and it isn't too heavy or bulky.
Work shoes I just keep at work.
If your business casual is something like khakis and a polo shirt, then you can pretty much ride with that on while wearing a riding jacket, helmet, etc.
I see guys on cruisers wearing white dress shirts, dress pants and Italian leather shoes while riding to work wearing no other gear except a helmet, maybe.
Just keep a pair of street shoes at work
Make sure you keep cologne in your desk. If not, you'll smell like the road the rest of the day. Maybe you could keep extra shirts and a pair of pants at work? Drive on Monday (with said change of clothes) and ride the rest of the week. [thumbsup]
I put 50,000+ miles on my Duc in 3 years doing home therapy in the Phoenix area.
So, to answer your question..it's been done (while taking full advantage of the AZ laws) and loving every mile of it!
I wear Vanson highway 101 leather overpants that zip over dress pants or jeans. I wear boots and carry dress shoes in the shoes pockets of my Ogio no-drag backpack if needed.
I wear jeans with a textile shell I can throw over the jeans. So basically full gear minus the leather pants.
I also been riding with the Dayonta Frey M Star boots. They are a touring boot but they are so comfortable I wear them all day long.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/2491290392_897d2b393b_o.jpg)
I have a Firstgear two-piece mesh suit that I wear over my work clothes. Full armor in the jacket, and the knees of the pants. Boots, helmet gloves. I carry my shoes in a backpack along with some deoderant and baby wipes. The wipes are great for getiing the sweat off your face, neck, and hands, and the deoderant... well, thats pretty obvious! :) I have NO place to change at work, so its easy enough to just take of the suit and stuff it in the pack. the boots I just put under my chair.
Hope this helps...
I ride to work almost every day its not raining in the summer. I wear my normal business casual (jeans), an armored mesh jacket, boots and gloves.
I keep a pair of more comfortable shoes at work to swap the boots for.
I wear a pair of Icon field armor knee guards under my jeans (sometimes) [roll] but I am seriously considering getting the Dainese knee guards instead because I think they would say up better having a third strap. The Icons slide down (my chicken legs) and its just annoying to be re-adjusting them constantly.
I ride about 25 miles each way to work. I wear armored textile jacket and overpant (Firstgear) and then take them off when I get to work. I also keep a pair of shoes to change out of riding boots with. Seems to work pretty well. I also have a Chrome bag to carry laptop and lunch.
When my bike runs, I try to ride every day, weather permitting. That's the Duc anyway. The Honda always runs, the Daytona always ran, the 1200 Bandit always ran, the SV650 always ran, you get the idea. I work in a machine shop, as long as I take a shower at least once a month, nobody there cares, as long as the parts are right.
I go to work at 5:40 or so in the morning, jeans, 2 or 3 jackets or sweatshirts and a heavy winter jacket, winter gloves and some Danner Heavy Duty boots. I generally dress for warmth. And I think some of my neighbors hate my bike that early in the morning, it's the loudest bike I've ever owned.
Look into a tail bag as an addition to your back pack. Then you double your gear space.
i have textile over pants for cooler days and picked up a pair of icon knee/shin armor for warmer days. i also keep a pair of shoes and a sport coat at work for meetings. i commute 30 miles one way. plus the long way home is through the hills of germany. so not riding is a bad option. and yes i smell like motorcycle all day.... kinda rocks ;)
aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Suits-p-1-c-248.html) [thumbsup]
I have a good set of Tourmaster over-pants and coat. Works great for my commute and it's mostly waterproof ~
JM
I carry a large gym bag and use the shoulder strap to go diagnally accross my back. I can fit a change of cloths for the gym including shoes, toiletries, towl and for work I have a hard hat and a safety glasses and vest. Its not uncomfortable at all because the bottom part of the bag sits on the rear cowl when Im riding to take the weight off my shoulder. Its cheap but effective.
leave shoes at work.
That you can change into.
How smart casual do you have to be?
cos polo shirts fair better under leathers than shirts do. they dont crease.
thats my tip for the day lol.
I'm commuting 25mi each way and plan to till snow flies.
I've got TourMaster Intake jacket and Flex pants, textile vented and waterproof, we'll see.
Only worn jeans so far but chino's and slacks and shorts will be part of the repertoire.
Will likely splurge for a Krieger pack, I'm too old to suffer needlessly.
Cold I'll subject my bike to - I can handle, heat, we're gonna see.
I would expect you can find gear to go over whatever work cloths, maybe short of a sport coat.
You could always keep your clothes at work, change when you get there, change back when you leave. I don't mean ALL your clothes, but your shirts and a pair of shoes. I've done this before.
Kept like 3-5 button ups and a polo or two, and would drive once a week or so to change out the wardrobe that was in the office.
Quote from: dbran1949 on April 05, 2009, 07:14:38 PM
Just keep a pair of street shoes at work
+1. I keep a pair of work boots under my desk.
I keep an extra an shirt, pants, belt, and shoes in my office in case I need them. OP said he didn't have a place to change, so that may not be an option. I wear Gap "Stress Free" khakis & polos and have no trouble with wrinkling. I have Pivot2 coat & Caliber pants ~
JM
Cold/mild days - Tour Master Caliber overpants - http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/textile_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/caliber_textile_motorcycle_overpants.html (http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/textile_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/caliber_textile_motorcycle_overpants.html)
Warm/Hot days - Alpinestars ACR Air-Flo pants (got a size big enough to be used as overpants) - http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/mesh_jackets_and_pants/alpinestars/acr_air_flo_mesh_motorcycle_pants.html (http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/mesh_jackets_and_pants/alpinestars/acr_air_flo_mesh_motorcycle_pants.html)
I commute on my bike any day it's not raining. I only wear riding boots when I ride, so I keep an extra pair of shoes at my desk at work to change to when I get there.
Don't be afraid of changing in the bathroom stall. only takes a second to drop trou' afterall.
i keep a few of pairs of khakis and work shoes at work. that way i only have to carry a work shirt. I am fully geared up year round so when i get to work i change out of my riding gear and no longer smell like exhaust, i don't have to worry so much about my work clothes getting sweaty on hot days, or wet if it's raining/snowing.
just don't forget to take the pants home every few days to wash them.
also, i change in the bathroom. the handicrapper to be exact. it has more room and a hook to hang things from. [thumbsup]
I ride to work a lot. Always in jacket, helmet, gloves and usually boots. Instead of wearing my Sidi's I usually wear a pair of red wings. Not as good as a full motorcycle boot but still leather and over the ankle. I just wear normal work type pants, dress or jeans. I feel comfortable like that but if you want more protection than that there are other solutions.
I guess the way I look at it is, I'm not gonna be going super fast on the way to work so the high speed crash gear may not be necessary. My biggest concern on the commute is being hit by a car or hitting a car that pulls in front of me. Leather pants aren't gonna do as much for me there. I guess over all it's just a matter of convenience though. I'd be better off wearing my 1 piece race leathers everywhere if I could, it's just not realistic to me.
I ride to work, including visiting customers.
I wear business clothes and textile jacket / overpants. I used to have an Aerostich; it's practical if you are going one place (such as your office) where you can leave it, but if you have to haul your gear around with you then 2 pieces are easier. I can't do leather as I don't have a place to change at a customer site.
I carry my shoes with me in my backpack as I don't have an office to leave them in.
Most of my customers are impressed that I ride and I have gotten some compliments on how professional I look even after riding. :)
Quote from: somegirl on April 06, 2009, 07:59:21 AM
Most of my customers are impressed that I ride and I have gotten some compliments on how professional I look even after riding. :)
no offense but of course you do! youre a chick who just showed up on a ducati..... id be impressed too :P
somehow i feel like guys dont have it so easy, but i could be wrong
I know this has already been said, but what do you mean you don't have anywhere to change? You're business casual, so its not a construction site with a porta potty. Go into the bathroom and change.
I tried a number of ways to wear my clothes underneath my gear. I even have an Aerostich. It didn't really work. My pants and shirts would alway end up wrinkled.
So then I started carrying everything in a messenger bag. I can carry a whole suit with shoes and a shirt and just change at work. That was fine, but I quickly realized that I didn't need to lug everything around.
What I've settled on doing is leaving most of my clothes at work. I bring in a new shirt each day, but for the most part, at least some of my pants, a coupla suits, ties and shoes stay at work. I wear jeans with overpants and a jacket for the ride in. Sometimes I'll wear my leathers too. Get to work, do my best superman imitation, and voila! I look like a professsional. That way, I can be sure I'm wearing full gear on my way in and don't have to worry about screwing up my nice clothes from the ride. There is another advantage of not wearing your work clothes on the bike. I often get to work all sweaty, particularly during the summer. I just go to the bathroom, splash some cold water on my face and deal with it. Because I haven't worn my work clothes on the bike, they're not all drenched. It's just a matter of cooling myself off.
Quote from: herm on April 06, 2009, 05:51:07 AM
aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Suits-p-1-c-248.html) [thumbsup]
+1
Keep a pair of work appropriate shoes at the office. This way you can wear proper moto boots. I have a black pair, and all of my work clothes are matched to go with black shoes/belt...therefore, only 1 pair of shoes is needed at the office.
Purchase a new or used Roadcrafter suit...it's good in the cold/hot/wet. Darien jacket/pant combo also works well (what I have). Olympia makes a cheaper knock-off suit as well.
You can wear khakis and a button up shirt under the 'Stitch suit without problem. I've been doing it for almost 3 years now...even in very heavy rain. Jeans are even better if you're allowed to wear them.
I see that several people have opted for armor under their clothes. My question is if anyone has actually crashed wearing it. I like full leathers or overpants because the armor stays in place. If you were to crash wearing strap on knee pads or even that Bohn under armor that is held together with lycra, I would imagine that after sliding a short distance that it would tear off or become displaced.
tourmaster cordura or mesh 2-piece over work clothes.
shoes in a tankbag or left at work if you have a place to stash em
also 2nd the idea of something to take the smell off when you get there...
i would recommend febreeze instead of cologne unless you wanna smell like an axe-soaked douchebag ( [cheeky])
short haircut helps minimize helmet-hair 8)
had a minor crash once wearing helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and khakis.
wanna guess the only place i got any injury?
commuting in traffic is at least as risky as a spirited weekend ride...and has way more coffee-swilling, makeup applying (or shaving), texting idiots trying to kill you.
always wear protection. [moto]
I do the "spare pair of shoes at work thing" too.............
I as well am interested in underarmor
I ride everyday, rain or shine.
I keep 2 pairs of shoes and a couple of pairs of pants/belts (rotated weekly-ish) at work.
Quote from: Stangman on April 05, 2009, 08:48:40 PM
I wear a pair of Icon field armor knee guards under my jeans (sometimes) [roll] but I am seriously considering getting the Dainese knee guards instead because I think they would say up better having a third strap. The Icons slide down (my chicken legs) and its just annoying to be re-adjusting them constantly.
I have the field armor as well, but mine have 3 straps for the shins and 1 for the knee. How old are yours? I've had mine for about a year and a half...
Quote from: Spidey on April 06, 2009, 08:56:09 AM
I tried a number of ways to wear my clothes underneath my gear. I even have an Aerostich. It didn't really work. My pants and shirts would alway end up wrinkled.
wait, it's bad if your clothes are wrinkled when you put them on? :o
i knew i've been doing something wrong. ;D
(as i packed my bag this morn my g/f said "you need to iron that shirt." my reply was "i'm only going to work.")
Quote from: silentbob on April 06, 2009, 09:02:39 AM
I see that several people have opted for armor under their clothes. My question is if anyone has actually crashed wearing it. I like full leathers or overpants because the armor stays in place. If you were to crash wearing strap on knee pads or even that Bohn under armor that is held together with lycra, I would imagine that after sliding a short distance that it would tear off or become displaced.
i have been wearing an EVS Ballistic jersey (yes it's dirt armor) and it help up well and stayed in place when i fell on the street over the winter. i've taken some decent spills in the dirt and it has stayed put as well.
i've never gone down wearing the knee/shin guards so i can't say if they are any good.
Quote from: KnightofNi on April 06, 2009, 11:17:06 AM
wait, it's bad if your clothes are wrinkled when you put them on? :o
I hear ya. I'm the same way. But last week a federal judge told my sloompy-looking opposing counsel, "You're in court, not at a bar. Dress like it." While that doesn't sound like a big deal, getting dressed-down (no pun intended) by a judge can be downright skeery. :'( FYI -- A starched & pressed shirt and dress pants and a jacket can get folded into a messenger bag without getting so wrinkled that they can't be worn to court.
Yes - ride just about every day, weather permitting and if it is too "cold" - then I put on a skirt and take the car. I use a laptop, but rarely take it home during the week. Unless there is a need, why do you take it home nightly? I also bring a lunch, work shoes and wear my business casual clothes on the bike. The lunch and work shoes are placed in a plastic grocery bag and bungee strapped to the passenger area. I bring my gym clothes on Monday and back home on Friday via a gym bag. This is also bungeed to the passenger area (lunch and work shoes placed into the gym bag). Gym bag stays until Friday and then is brought home. Laptop goes into backpack and off I go...
+1 on the leave a few work shoes at work.
Bring the weeks cloths folded and leave at work.
Then ride in with full gear and boots. BECAUSE rush hour is crazy land hour.
Once I had a meeting in the Mayor's office with the heads of a bunch of Gov't departments.
I had a pressed shirt under leathers which I striped and walked in formal business attire.
I carried in helmet.
After the meeting I got a very awkward and patronizing, "That's a really... cute... helmet..." from one person.
Some people are going to find any excuse to climb on you. It's like we're another race or something. >:(
Quote from: Desmostro on April 06, 2009, 12:46:36 PM
After the meeting I got a very awkward and patronizing, "That's a really... cute... helmet..." from one person.
Some people are going to find any excuse to climb on you. It's like we're another race or something. >:(
i dont care what they say, you have a 848, ergo... you win.
My 4 day a week commute consist of a 24 mile ride from home to school, a 21 mile ride from school to work, and an 18 mile ride from work back home.
Normal gear - hemlet, gloves jacket -
If you look around, you can find a good pair of boots that have protection and still look like a normal pair of boots.
I take my chances with jeans or cargo's.
On a personal note, an essential on my commute is my Chrome Messenger Bag. Very comfortable, one hand adjustable, waterproof, and will hold an elephant (well, a baby one). It holds my books, work crap, and a rainsuit since the Monsters have no storage.
Quote from: Spidey on April 06, 2009, 11:46:06 AM
I hear ya. I'm the same way. But last week a federal judge told my sloompy-looking opposing counsel, "You're in court, not at a bar. Dress like it." While that doesn't sound like a big deal, getting dressed-down (no pun intended) by a judge can be downright skeery. :'( FYI -- A starched & pressed shirt and dress pants and a jacket can get folded into a messenger bag without getting so wrinkled that they can't be worn to court.
lol.. typical....a judge having notyhing better to say than how you dress and feeling all superior to you bc you aren't "dressed like i want you to".
Quote from: redial on April 06, 2009, 08:42:24 AM
no offense but of course you do! youre a chick who just showed up on a ducati..... id be impressed too :P
somehow i feel like guys dont have it so easy, but i could be wrong
A few times I have been close enough to show up on my folding bicycle...that actually impresses them more. ;)
Quote from: sbrguy on April 06, 2009, 01:50:58 PM
lol.. typical....a judge having notyhing better to say than how you dress and feeling all superior to you bc you aren't "dressed like i want you to".
Dude, what is your deal with Judges?!?!?!
If you're an attorney and you go to court looking like shit, I would be pissed if the judge DIDN'T yell at you...
The complete uniform for proper safe riding
1. Banana Hammock
2. Fish net tank top
3. Large white plastic sunglasses
4. Flip flops
This is so safe because nobody will want to get anywhere near you
Enjoy the mind scarring visual
[coffee] [drink]
Quote from: herm on April 06, 2009, 05:51:07 AM
aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Suits-p-1-c-248.html) [thumbsup]
+2
I wear my Stich to work every day when it's not freezing, and I keep an extra pair of shoes under my desk so I can wear my boots! Once I get to work I'm out of my gear and ready to waste time in like 15 seconds. It works great!
Quote from: Desmostro on April 06, 2009, 12:46:36 PM
Some people are going to find any excuse to climb on you. It's like we're another race or something. >:(
Wait . . . You mean we're not?
The Doc
There really isn't much you can do about not getting wrinkled. I keep a spray bottle of wrinkle release at my desk, as well as a pair of shoes. I am currently wearing a stich like suit (name escapes me) and that works pretty well. Cologn isn't a bad idea as you will stink like exhaust.
Quote from: Spidey on April 06, 2009, 11:46:06 AM
I hear ya. I'm the same way. But last week a federal judge told my sloompy-looking opposing counsel, "You're in court, not at a bar. Dress like it." While that doesn't sound like a big deal, getting dressed-down (no pun intended) by a judge can be downright skeery. :'( FYI -- A starched & pressed shirt and dress pants and a jacket can get folded into a messenger bag without getting so wrinkled that they can't be worn to court.
i'm also not appearing before a judge.
i'm nto going to spend a fortune on clothes or worry about how wrinkled they are if i'm not interacting with customers. On days when i have meetings with other groups i'll do my best to look sharp, but i'm not going to worry about a few wrinkles. most people know me and don't care anyways. you'd be suprised at how well known you can be in a company with a few thousand employees on site when you're the guy with a long beard and who rides a motorcycle in every day. [laugh]
if you dont mind certain types of creases, you can always fold a shirt with three creases in the back, and two in the front down the center of the breast pocket, then fold out the belly part, its pretty easy to pack this way and it reduces a lot of wrinkles. you can also just get the wrinkle free material and a set of shirt stays and it'll keep it tight enough to not see any of the big ones.
Quote from: NAKID on April 06, 2009, 03:04:05 PM
Dude, what is your deal with Judges?!?!?!
If you're an attorney and you go to court looking like shit, I would be pissed if the judge DIDN'T yell at you...
+1, your in a very professional environment, dress like it.
I wear a Alpinestars Spinner jacket and First Gear HT overpants with my Sidi boots. I tuck by Khaki's into the boots and take my shoes with me in a backpack.
This way, all I have to do is strip down and change shoes.
Quote from: KnightofNi on April 08, 2009, 01:22:42 PM
i'm also not appearing before a judge.
i'm nto going to spend a fortune on clothes or worry about how wrinkled they are if i'm not interacting with customers. On days when i have meetings with other groups i'll do my best to look sharp, but i'm not going to worry about a few wrinkles. most people know me and don't care anyways. you'd be suprised at how well known you can be in a company with a few thousand employees on site when you're the guy with a long beard and who rides a motorcycle in every day. [laugh]
Hell, I'd wear just a shiny man-thong to work if I could get away with it. [laugh]
Quote from: sbrguy on April 06, 2009, 01:50:58 PM
lol.. typical....a judge having notyhing better to say than how you dress and feeling all superior to you bc you aren't "dressed like i want you to".
[roll]
we hang out with a lot of docs too....wanna trash them while you're on a roll?
I hang an extra suit in the office so I can ride there from time to time. Can't ride when I'm going to Court but that's a combination of weather and parking (my courthouse is in a rather bad part of town and I'm not parking the RS there...suppose I could take G's bike ;D...also difficult to take lots of large files)
I see nothing wrong with someone getting to work early, walking through an office in leathers, heading to the head to clean up and change, and starting the day normally like anyone else. even on the hottest day you can washcloth off enough if there's no shower at your office.
(one reason I am buying a building instead of renting is to have a place with a full bath and a garage...can run at lunch and have a place to clean up after riding and jogging and store bikes).
Quote from: Statler on April 08, 2009, 05:05:02 PM
[roll]
we hang out with a lot of docs too....wanna trash them while you're on a roll?
Do PhD's count? I like to trash them at work.
i work in a small office where we have to where slacks and a dress shirt, thank god no tie! (this is hard for me to understand, i mean, i'm a designer, not an engineer)
anyways, i where jeans over the dress pants, and a warm jacket. put the dress shoes in a backpack with gym clothes. I only ride a couple minutes to work though. but check this out, as soon as i get to work, the business park (also a college engineering campus) is a loop with very few businesses on it! Basically a race track. I'm usually late...
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a261/nordic45/engineeringcampus.jpg)
I have the Draggin chinos, and a pair of black Triumph boots (I think they're actually a re-badged Alpinestars product). For business casual, it works fine. If I need to wear a suit, I drive.
I like the chinos so much I'm going to buy another pair. They're not perfect, but they have Kevlar panels in the knees and seat-- better than standard jeans, but obviously not as good as my leather pants. I'll take that risk for the convenience of not having to change.
Quote from: Spidey on April 08, 2009, 03:44:28 PM
Hell, I'd wear just a shiny man-thong to work if I could get away with it. [laugh]
that might be an interesting strategy to try.
make sure you face the opposition and push yor hips out a bit.
i'm sure it'll throw them off their game. you'll win every case!