Question for those who ride to work

[alligator]

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? 

[redxblack]

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.

[amcloud]

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.

[Duki09]

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.

[dbran1949]

Just keep a pair of street shoes at work

[IZ]

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.    

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!  








 

[silentbob]

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.

[ROBsS4R]

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.

[The Bacon Junkie]

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...

[Stangman]

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)  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.

[Goat_Herder]

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. 

[corndog67]

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.

[blue tiger]

Look into a tail bag as an addition to your back pack. Then you double your gear space.

[Raux]

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

[herm]

aerostich