Is my riding life ending already?

[DarkLord]

I used to work as an Outbound Sales Consultant for Telecunt, I mean Hellecom, I mean Telecom. I'd take my bike to visit clients.

I agree on the talking point idea. It was an ice breaker and sometimes people preferred to see something different than how salesman were usually presented.

Not like I was too fussed whether they liked it or not anyways. I hated that job with a vengeance and quit after 6 months of torture.

[Spuds1234]

I dont know if its the same for every job, but at my last job if we were picking up something from another store we were generally using our own vehicles. The company was liable for any accidents that happened while we were traveling in our own vehicles.

From a purely monetary point of view, if you got into a fender bender on your bike you could be off work for a month and your boss would have to pay you during that time. If you were in a car you would be back to work the next day.

Also at my old job the business was liable for any damage to our vehicles if we were using them on company time for business reasons.

[Toaster]

Tell your boss to fuck off.

Well that approach would certainly fix the transport issue. He would have all day to ride his bike then!

[SMOKEU]

Well that approach would certainly fix the transport issue. He would have all day to ride his bike then!

That's exactly what I did. Now I do have all day to ride. Too bad I can't afford petrol though.

[Toaster]

That's exactly what I did. Now I do have all day to ride. Too bad I can't afford petrol though.

Well as long as BP can pay out tens of millions to a fired CEO......

[Suntoucher]

Just act all surprised, and exclaim in front of all the other workers, "You're getting me a company car! That's fantastic, thanks heaps. What kind is it?"

If he tries to back out, then loudly exclaim, "Wait, you want me to buy a car, with my money, for your use, in which I'm paying the insurance(that isn't valid for commercial purposes), petrol, on road costs and get no compensation like my motorcycle currently doesn't?"

[SMOKEU]

Well as long as BP can pay out tens of millions to a fired CEO......

The sad cunts at my old work only paid me about $700 when I quit.

[swbarnett]

I also have to visit clients for work. However, I've had no problem at all with the fact that I ride. (I don't even own a car any more and my boss sure as hell isn't about to supply one.) I've turned up to clients reception areas dripping wet still in full gear (including helmet) and had no problems. Usually they first assume I'm a courier but that soon changes.

Just ignore the prick and if they persist, get a better boss.

[swbarnett]

... appropriately dressed for meetings.

I've sat in meetings with clients in boots and overtrou with my dragon embalzened helmet sitting on the table and my jacket on the back tof the chair. Never had even the slightest hint of any objection.

[crazyhorse]

I have been riding my little GN125 for 2 months now and planning to change to a 250R once I pass my restricted license.
Just got this new job 2 weeks ago, last week, the boss told me that he prefer me to "drive a normal vehicle", because he thinks it is too dangerous to ride a bike and I have to go out and visit clients for my job.The boss don't want to take any responsibility if I have any accident during my working hours. Furthermore, I suppose to dress "professionally" when I visit the clients, not a motorcycle jacket. I feel really sad right now, I have been really enjoying riding for the last few months. But seems like I may have to switch back to car now. Will my riding life end like this?? before I even started.........

Hell no - its only just begun ok, so for the sake of your job, you need a car - but everyother time, get out there on your bike and enjoy it like the rest of us

[rie]

regardless of what other people's experiences have been - their ability to sit through important meetings in bike gear or whatever - good for them, but it's going to boil down to the facts of the particular case if you end up disputing your boss' demands.

If I knew that I had to visit clients on behalf of the company when I got the job, I would not expect to do it on a bike. I think it's a reasonable expectation that you'd be well presented - and this INCLUDES the vehicle you turn up on. It reflects the company, and reflecting the company in the best light possible is your job. If a boss lets you visit clients on a bike, then it's sheer generosity on his/her part, not because you're entitled.

The whole "I'm worried you'll kill yourself on a motorbike" is just sugar coating the sheer reality that it's unprofessional and embarrassing that your employees are poorly presented.

...I don't get why it paints such a dramatic end to your riding either...I mean, was commuting really that irreplaceably awesome?

[raftn]

regardless of what other people's experiences have been - their ability to sit through important meetings in bike gear or whatever - good for them, but it's going to boil down to the facts of the particular case if you end up disputing your boss' demands.

If I knew that I had to visit clients on behalf of the company when I got the job, I would not expect to do it on a bike. I think it's a reasonable expectation that you'd be well presented - and this INCLUDES the vehicle you turn up on. It reflects the company, and reflecting the company in the best light possible is your job. If a boss lets you visit clients on a bike, then it's sheer generosity on his/her part, not because you're entitled.

The whole "I'm worried you'll kill yourself on a motorbike" is just sugar coating the sheer reality that it's unprofessional and embarrassing that your employees are poorly presented.

...I don't get why it paints such a dramatic end to your riding either...I mean, was commuting really that irreplaceably awesome?

I agree whole heartdly, I think you have summed it up pretty well. It is certainly not the end of riding that is for sure.

[Supermac Jr]

this INCLUDES the vehicle you turn up on. It reflects the company,

Agree, so make sure you bike is clean...

Haven't had any issues.

I make sure that I have enough time at my destination to put my tie on (I hate those thigngs)...

Taking the bike ensures that I'm never late... also reflects on company...

[Suntoucher]

regardless of what other people's experiences have been - their ability to sit through important meetings in bike gear or whatever - good for them, but it's going to boil down to the facts of the particular case if you end up disputing your boss' demands.

If I knew that I had to visit clients on behalf of the company when I got the job, I would not expect to do it on a bike. I think it's a reasonable expectation that you'd be well presented - and this INCLUDES the vehicle you turn up on. It reflects the company, and reflecting the company in the best light possible is your job. If a boss lets you visit clients on a bike, then it's sheer generosity on his/her part, not because you're entitled.

The whole "I'm worried you'll kill yourself on a motorbike" is just sugar coating the sheer reality that it's unprofessional and embarrassing that your employees are poorly presented.

...I don't get why it paints such a dramatic end to your riding either...I mean, was commuting really that irreplaceably awesome?

If vehicle image is that highly important, the employer will put money into it.

Basically it comes down to, either he sells his bike and buys a car, in which yes, his riding life is over. Else he spends several thousand dollars, plus wof, rego, petrol, parking, maintenance and insurance for a second vehicle out of his own pocket, for his employer's use, especially if he's riding outside of work and not using the car. Then no, his riding life isn't over, but people don't buy GN125's and worry about their job because they're oozing with cash.

Unless the employer is supplying him with a vehicle then he has no say as to the employees "private" vehicle when he uses it "privately" and unless that employer is paying for insurance, on road costs, petrol, per diems, lease of the vehicle during working hours etc whilst he's on the job, then his travel is private travel as opposed to a commercial vehicle that is at the employers disposal.

Put a top box on the back, keep a suit in it. Turn up to meetings etc in a suit. Else wear knee/elbow pads and a back brace under the suit with a screen to prevent bugs, don't even need to get changed.

If he caves and buys a car then from his employers point of view, it's cheaper to hire workers who will supply their own vehicles for the company to use than to buy a company car that leaves a positive image, plus you get free labour!

[auvicua]

Thanks for all the replies.

Seems like the best option for me is to pushing for a company car, at the mean time, keep on learning on my little bike and make more money to buy a 250R for leisure time use only.

On the other note, I don't know how many of you feel the same way. To me, by knowing I will ride my bike to work every morning, actually gives me more motivation to go to work and enjoy the day........... Really! I think it is such a depressing thing to drive a car and stuck in the traffic for 40 mints and spent 8 hours at work every freaking day for most of your life.
BTW, this is my first real job and for personal reason, I cannot afford to loss it.