Commuting on 2 wheels

[Absolute Beginner]

I posted this last night on the AAAC forum last night, but I haven't received an overwhelming amount of responses, so I'll try here as well. Specifically, I'm referring to commuting on either a motorcycle or a scooter, but I'm interested to hear from any cyclists as well.

I'm dressing much nicer for work lately (partly due to a promotion and partly due to these forums) and now I am anticipating a dilemma with my daily commute. I spend 9 months out of the year on my scooter. I usually ride in jeans, steel-toed boots, an armored jacket, moto gloves and a full-face helmet. Do I have to pick function over fashion in this situation, or does anyone have any suggestions for either gear that I can wear over my work attire, or a convenient way to travel with my clothing?

Lastly, for those that picked up on the literary reference of my moniker and the fact that I ride a scooter, I ask you to try to refrain from suggesting that I wear "my war time coat in the wind and sleet" even though I'm totally asking for it.

Thanks!

 

[bigbjorn]

I have about 100,000 miles on motorbikes, so maybe I'm qualified to answer? The short answer is - if you're not required to wear a suit, but can get away with trousers and some odd jackets, leave the jackets and dress shoes at the office, and buy an Aerostich Roadcrafter. This will go over your street clothes and provide ample protection for spills. Helmet hair can be solved in the bathroom. I wouldn't commute in anything less than a Roadcrafter, however. ATGATT.

 

[skalogre]

Peruse this thread

 

[j]

What kind of weather/climate are you dealing with? A 'stich is the default over-real-clothes commuting suit, but it can get very hot as it's Goretex/cordura. There are other options if it's hot. I suggest reading over at ADVRider.com, a huge amount of people over there commute on a bike.

 

[Renault78law]

Originally Posted by bigbjorn

IThe short answer is - if you're not required to wear a suit, but can get away with trousers and some odd jackets, leave the jackets and dress shoes at the office, and buy an Aerostich Roadcrafter.

Good advice. I commute to work a couple of times a week on a moto, previously on a bicycle. I a couple pair of slacks in the office and a couple pair of shoes. You can leave shirts as well, or fold them carefully and stuff them into a messenger bag.

Definitely go function over form in this case, don't bother wearing nice clothes on your commute. Change in your office or in the bathroom.

 

[Absolute Beginner]

Thanks, guys.

I'm in sales so I'm out of the office a lot. An Aerostitch is a great suggestion, but there's no where to change once I reach my destination.

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by Absolute Beginner

Thanks, guys.

I'm in sales so I'm out of the office a lot. An Aerostitch is a great suggestion, but there's no where to change once I reach my destination.

I was just about to suggest bags and changing where you work. I commuted on my bike for about a year but luckily I had a locker room to get changed and cleaned up (if needed).

Does your building have a gym with a locker room? Or somewhere else to change? If not, the Astitch over your clothing might be the best answer.

 

[j]

Well, you could also go the other way and wear kevlar/armor underneath your regular clothes. They have basically kevlar long underwear for abrasion and hard armor on a mesh framework that you can wear under reasonably normal looking clothes.

 

[bbaquiran]

You may consider keeping a couple of sets of clothes -- like maybe a week's worth -- at the office. Ride in, change into work clothes, work etc., change into riding clothes, ride home. On the weekend drive in to work with a fresh batch of clothes and take the soiled ones home for cleaning.