Question for those who ride to work

[the_Journeyman]

I have a good set of Tourmaster over-pants and coat.  Works great for my commute and it's mostly waterproof ~

JM

[eichh]

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.

[weemonster]

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.

[seevtsaab]

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.

[junior varsity]

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.

[grandpa nate]

Just keep a pair of street shoes at work

+1.  I keep a pair of work boots under my desk.

[the_Journeyman]

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

[Darth Paul]

Cold/mild days - Tour Master Caliber overpants - 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

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.

[junior varsity]

Don't be afraid of changing in the bathroom stall. only takes a second to drop trou' afterall.

[KnightofNi]

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. 

[vw151]

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.  

[somegirl]

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.

[redial]

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

somehow i feel like guys dont have it so easy, but i could be wrong

[Spidey]

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. 

[Triple J]

aerostich

+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.