Using the bike on a daily basis...

[madbikeboy]

I'm back to doing a responsible job, and I've been trying an experiment to see how practical it is to ride Scoot instead of using the cage. The cage has been very helpful in assisting me by breaking down at great expense, so it's banished to the workshop where people are thoughtfully reading Italian workshop manuals and frowning a lot with a little meter in the background that goes Kaching! every 15 minutes...

So, the practicalities... Well, some days it just plain sucks. I remember being a lot harder back in the day. Turning up in reception areas dripping isn't cool. All three pairs of gloves are on the drying rack as we speak.

Last night was the worst, I grabbed a lid, braved the torrential rain, and spent a miserable time slip sliding around on rain soaked roads, cold and wet (in fairness my wets were already damp which wasn't a great start). I was cursing the fact that my eyesight was getting worse, turns out I'm a tool - in my haste to get out and about, I'd grabbed a lid with a tinted visor. Should have been obvious the moment I put my lid on, but I was hungry and in a rush.

Note to self, even slightly tinted visors are no good at night.

has anyone got a real solution about the suit and tie with a sportsbike (and if anyone suggests a Vespa...).

[Ixion]

That's Alfas for y'. Electrics have gone (again) haven't they. Did-a Nuvolari complaina about the reliability ? Did-a Fangio complaina about the relaibility ?

I sometimes have to wear suit and tie. No real problems. Fold the jacket up in a waterproof bag and stow it (luggage helps, but a back pack would work). Tie in pocket. Keep a spare pair of shoes at werk, if boots won't do (mine are plainish, I get away with them).

For all but the most formal meeting, I just wear a leather jacket (I have a plainish one, looks like a fashion jacket) and a tie and white shirt. Shirt is the key I reckon.

Overtrousers over dress trou is easy enough.

[chubby]

I take it that you get out and a bout with work???

For me, I have a suit permanently at work and so wear shirt and tie in with the rest of the bike clothes. My shoes arrive (one must watch ones words on here) in my bag (sissy bars are good for things like that).

If i had to get out and about for work..... mmm blows that idea. Herd of suit in a bag

Ok, if that doesn't work then you have to look at a compromise between the suit and riding gear and find a mid point that may work for both.

Ok vespas are out.... how's about a cruiser and corporate sheik.

[chubby]

PS my alfa's have been nothing but a delight to own and drive.

[mowgli]

has anyone got a real solution about the suit and tie with a sportsbike (and if anyone suggests a Vespa...).

Cage it on Monday and take a week's worth of ironed shirts to work. Take last week's shirts home in the cage Monday evening. And for the rest of the week ..... enjoy the freedom of two wheels

[jim.cox]

The cage has been very helpful in assisting me by breaking down at great expense, so it's banished to the workshop where people are thoughtfully reading Italian workshop manuals and frowning a lot with a little meter in the background that goes Kaching! every 15 minutes...

Tits or Wheels - It'll give you trouble in the end

[madbikeboy]

That's Alfas for y'. Electrics have gone (again) haven't they. Did-a Nuvolari complaina about the reliability ? Did-a Fangio complaina about the relaibility ?

It's an Alfa. It's still WAY more reliable than the succession of Audis that came before it. My last Alfa was a 166. Every time I see one (which is not often because they're not common), I realise that everything else misses the boat in terms of styling.

[mowgli]

Tits or Wheels - It'll give you trouble in the end

So halve the wheels, halve the trouble

[madbikeboy]

I take it that you get out and a bout with work???

For me, I have a suit permanently at work and so wear shirt and tie in with the rest of the bike clothes. My shoes arrive (one must watch ones words on here) in my bag (sissy bars are good for things like that).

If i had to get out and about for work..... mmm blows that idea. Herd of suit in a bag

Ok, if that doesn't work then you have to look at a compromise between the suit and riding gear and find a mid point that may work for both.

Ok vespas are out.... how's about a cruiser and corporate sheik.

Yeah, and not only do I get out and about, I tend to have long lunches with CEO types... Hence suit and tie being essential... Do you reckon the Gixer would look okay with sissy bars and ape-hangers???

I'm too young, and too into actually getting laid to own a cruiser...

[madbikeboy]

PS my alfa's have been nothing but a delight to own and drive.

That's just cruel. I bought a 156 sele to replace the company cage. I knew it needed some rehabilitation, but it's so mint otherwise. And it reminded me of my 166. What is it about mechanical stuff that makes common sense be thrown out the window with monotonous regularity?? It was the Alfa or a prius. I couldn't even muster the energy to look inside a prius...

[Ixion]

PS my alfa's have been nothing but a delight to own and drive.

OH, no disputing *that*. When the electrics are working.

But, the great thing about the Alfa electrics, is they never actually break.

They just require a regular mantric ritual to be followed.

For instance, on mine the "boot open" light comes on every so often. Nothing will turn it off. Nothing, except, opening the boot, opening the passenger door (it's a coupe) , and opening the bonnet. Then closing them in the same order. Sorted.

Finding out about these little rituals is part of the Alfa experience !

[Ixion]

..What is it about mechanical stuff that makes common sense be thrown out the window with monotonous regularity?? ....

Oh, reason not the need
Allow not Nature more than Nature's need
And man's life were cheap as beasts.

[daaatomic]

My last car before getting into bikes was an Alfa 33 Cloverleaf. Still miss it dearly, but dont miss being under the bonnet every weekend trying to keep it running properly.

[chubby]

Yeah, and not only do I get out and about, I tend to have long lunches with CEO types... Hence suit and tie being essential... Do you reckon the Gixer would look okay with sissy bars and ape-hangers???

I'm too young, and too into actually getting laid to own a cruiser...

Nope the Gixer is totally the wrong bike. Ok... If your gunna play big boy lunches then you'll need an edge. Softail custom with 14 inch apes and as much chrome as it'll handle, make it a red one to match the alfa (you do have a red one eh?). That will be a talking point for those meetings plus you'll win every CEO's heart.

Too young.... This isn't about you... this is about attitude and business. HD jackets are accepted anywhere.

Getting laid. if your bike is your best tool then I'd get worried Go in a taxi, with expectation.

How about ride to work and then taxi????

[madbikeboy]

OH, no disputing *that*. When the electrics are working.

But, the great thing about the Alfa electrics, is they never actually break.

They just require a regular mantric ritual to be followed.

For instance, on mine the "boot open" light comes on every so often. Nothing will turn it off. Nothing, except, opening the boot, opening the passenger door (it's a coupe) , and opening the bonnet. Then closing them in the same order. Sorted.

Finding out about these little rituals is part of the Alfa experience !

I've always thought that Italians have difficulty getting electricity from one place to another. And oil to stay contained. And hydraulic systems that retain pressure...
But the noise and the beauty...