Questions on practicalities

**MiguelWrang** · 18th May 2009, 17:07

Hi everyone,

Im really considering learning to ride but there are a few things holding me back and I'd like to hear if a bike is really practical for me. The main concerns I have are:

If you ride into work how do you manage to wear both your work clothes and the bike gear as well? like I have to wear a suit for work, so is it just a point of putting on the jacket, pants, boots and gloves over it? How does this work in the summer? Or do you guys carry a change of clothes into work?

How do you guys find riding in the rain?

How much safety gear is enough?

Thanks for the help

**Str8 Jacket** · 18th May 2009, 17:09

I leave my work clothes such as suit jacket and shoes at work and just wear the rest under my codura's.

Safety gear is awesome and something you will only really find out if and when you crash. Its your decision to wear safety gear pnly must is a helmet.

NEVER ride in the rain. Your bike will rust.

**steve_t** · 18th May 2009, 17:34

Take the cage to work on a monday with a week of shirts etc. I have an iron and ironing board at work plus a shower I can use which I need cos of the helmet hair

Ride Tuesday-Thurs unless it's raining - I'm not as hard core as some.
Take the cage on Friday and bring stuff home to wash after stopping off for a beer

**Str8 Jacket** · 18th May 2009, 17:36

Originally Posted by steve_t

Take the cage to work on a monday with a week of shirts etc. I have an iron and ironing board at work plus a shower I can use which I need cos of the helmet hair

Ride Tuesday-Thurs unless it's raining - I'm not as hard core as some.
Take the cage on Friday and bring stuff home to wash after stopping off for a beer

Oh my... Life is so much easier when you dont have a cage licence. Dont even get to think about it!

**The Stranger:Me** · 18th May 2009, 17:37

Originally Posted by MiguelWrang

If you ride into work how do you manage to wear both your work clothes and the bike gear as well? like I have to wear a suit for work, so is it just a point of putting on the jacket, pants, boots and gloves over it? How does this work in the summer? Or do you guys carry a change of clothes into work?

How do you guys find riding in the rain?

How much safety gear is enough?

Thanks for the help

It aint worth the hassle.
Get a new job!

**Laxi** · 18th May 2009, 17:43

nah, you buy suits 3 sizes too big and just wear them over your armour

problem solved... next

**ViragoVixen** · 18th May 2009, 18:06

I also keep clothes and necessities at work. This takes some forward planning but far out weighs the annoyance and cost of public transport ($8.60 return on the bus per day with a multipass concession). My two cents.

**Ixion** · 18th May 2009, 18:10

I have ridden to werk which required suit-wearing. Not hard.

Keep the jacket at werk. Suit jackets need cleaning only occasionally. When they do, stuff the old one in a back pack. Bring the fresh one next day very carefully folded . This is the only hard part.

In between, shirt and trousers, jacket and leggings over them , tie in pocket. Either keep a pair of dress shoes at work or carry them in jacket pocets (or ride in shoes , I am no ATGATT Nazi).

Once at werk, off with jacket, gloves, helmet. Shoes and tie on, jacket on if needfull, all ready to go.

Short male hair does not suffer from helmet hair.

A machine with luggage capacity facilitates matters.

**Insanity_rules** · 18th May 2009, 19:49

I leave my shoes and Jacket at the office and wear the rest under my corduras. Easy.

**bezajel** · 18th May 2009, 20:05

I wear corduras over my work pants and top/shirt. I keep shoes and jackets at work... as well as spare pants just in case it rains and my corduras leak!

Seems to work ok for me

**Mom** · 18th May 2009, 20:59

Guys, what if he wears skirts?

**Str8 Jacket** · 18th May 2009, 21:02

Originally Posted by Mom

Guys, what if he wears skirts?

Easy, he can put it on over his coduras. Duh!

**Mom** · 18th May 2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

Easy, he can put it on over his coduras. Duh!

LOL...Yeah, but they get so crinkled

I used to have my "girlie" work clothes at work, and get changed when I arrived. Helmet hair is the new chic btw!

**skinman** · 18th May 2009, 22:11

If your jackets & pants are waterproof just wear your work gear under. Riding in rain is ok just watch for oil slicks & avoid at all costs. I wear a bright yellow fluro vest over my jacket so no excuse not to be seen. as mentioned already keep suit jacket & shoes @ work.

**Shadows** · 18th May 2009, 22:30

Originally Posted by MiguelWrang

Hi everyone,

Im really considering learning to ride but there are a few things holding me back and I'd like to hear if a bike is really practical for me. The main concerns I have are:

If you ride into work how do you manage to wear both your work clothes and the bike gear as well? like I have to wear a suit for work, so is it just a point of putting on the jacket, pants, boots and gloves over it? How does this work in the summer? Or do you guys carry a change of clothes into work?

How do you guys find riding in the rain?

How much safety gear is enough?

Thanks for the help

Bikes are completely impractical. But heaps of fun.

If you're seriously concerned about practicality get a Corolla.