Women motorcyclists - riding to work

[Dutchee]

I wear jeans & only wear overpants if it's raining (I hate wearing them). I change out of my boots once I'm at work - have a pair of steelcaps to change into in my locker.
I get comments about the state of my hair (sometimes, only because they're too polite to say anything all the time, or they've worked out it's a waste of time). I also get told off if we've been on an adventure ride at some stage & I haven't washed the bike. Hmm, I also get comments about how I need new tyres (got them now, though).
Only other comments I get are that I should get new riding gear & how bad the traffic is from others who live out this way
If I couldn't wear jeans to work, I wouldn't work for that company. Had a job once where I had to dress up (caught the bus at the time) - hated it, it's just not who I am.

[sunhuntin]

i ride to work daily. usually just ride in my work pants and sneakers with jacket over my work shirt. if im planning an out of town ride afterwork, i may take jeans and boots to change into, other times ill go home and change.

i dont wear make up, and work outside so my hairs a mess anyways. look dont affect my job or well i do it.

[heavenly.talker]

I ride my bike to work.
I love the buzz it gives me to jump start my day...the only pain is the hair never recovers...oh welll...small price to pay to not be stuck in traffic. I normally wear trousers under the armour and a top, makes it no fuss and easy to get in and out of. I wear my bike boots under the trousers, no one can tell.

I have to laugh at the guys that get a shock when I'm lane splitting though...especially as I pass the slow bikes in the race to the motorway ;-)

[heavenly.talker]

[QUOTE=klingon;762134]

When I was choosing my riding gear, I specifically tried it on in the shop with my work gear underneath, so I know there's enough room underneath. (Now I just have to take MacktheKnife everywhere to help me get dressed...) /QUOTE]

He's actually much more experienced at helping women to undress!

[Richard Mc F]

Well sorry for this but I can't resist 'telling' you that you did the right bloody thing.

I go and meet clients on my bike...in leathers - it becomes a talking point and makes you more memorable than all the suits they see.

Great to see that others push their scooter thing out there, I meet people, wheel and deal with trucks and machinery, and if I am heading home instead of back to the office I am cruising on the old Ducati, sure as hell gets attention !!! heheheeh.

Point of difference and it makes the doing of business almost a pleasure

[Pixie]

Simple Sallo, told him its not exactly fair however its his business and he can run it as he sees fit - that night I started looking for another position, when I resigned, he asked why, I said so I can be free to ride my thing when I want to....

edit - I laughed when I read this now, I think you can see I dont take well to be "told" with no discussion option attached.

"We wanna be free to do what we wanna do. We wanna be free to ride. We wanna be free to ride our machines without being hassled by The Man!And we wanna get loaded...
-Peter Fonda in Roger Corman's "Wild Angels"

[heyjoe]

.......The biggest problem for me is likely to be my laptop. I've seen hard backpacks specifically designed to carry them, but I don't know if I want to shell out that kind of money. Any tips for carrying laptops from more experienced commuters?

Hey Klingon,

Regarding your quest for a good laptop pack to wear while on your motorcycle travelling to work. I realise you said you didn't like the hard case type so consider a softer one.

I searched for a good quality one earlier this year and there are two options as I see it.

1) Buy a backpack strong enough to carry and protect your precious laptop, or

2) buy a backpack specifically designed to carry a laptop but look just like an ordinary backpack on the outside. (This also helps disguise the fact you are carrying a valuable piece of PC kit around as well)

After extensive research I finally decided on the purpose built models produced by Targus. Targus are an international company that makes luggage, brief cases, pda cases, ipod cases, computer accessory holders, laptop packs and bags, etc. I chose one of their laptop backpacks called the 'Targus TSB212.' This backpack was perfect for my 15" laptop and will hold up to 15.4" sized screens. I decided that the special laptop customised features in this model far outweighed any ordinary backpack that you see in the street. It is full of features like HD fabric, nylon webbing reinforcement, padded compartments for laptop, numerous segregated extra pockets, card holders, pen loops, cell ph holder, mesh pockets, etc etc.

Take a look at this (USA) website for general info about the product:

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TSB212

Here are some more images to show it features off better (see attached).

I bought mine from a local Retravision retail store. Not sure whether Retravision is all over NZ or not. If you do not have one in your area try Noel Leemings or Harvey Norman or any big retailer selling computers that stock 'Targus' branded products. They should be able to order in the model you want from their wholesaler/ importer in NZ. I paid NZ$130.00 for it. A bit expensive? Maybe to some but its features and the item it's protecting has got to be considered plus it will last for ages.

It is a great backpack and it looks just like any other one but protects my precious cargo and it is so versatile. I can fit the laptop, cables, extra books, files, some basic clothing items, stationery, etc in it.

Hope this is of some help to you and good luck with the bike.

[LilSel]

I've got the above laptop bag... and it holds lots of stuff and isnt too big either... keeps the lappy secure as well

[GN1NiteStnd]

I ride to work 3-4 days a week (about 25km each way) on my GN, with the sporty handle bars! I do sort of feel like I doing the superman change in the telephone box thing, its not so bad for EIT though. Stink when it rains and you forget your wet weather gear. Took a while for the customers to relise that it was my bike parked outside, they all assumed it belonged to one of the guys that was working with me. Got some creepy comments from the trucker guys who figured it out. -yuck, theyre old!

[GN1NiteStnd]

I've got the above laptop bag... and it holds lots of stuff and isnt too big either... keeps the lappy secure as well

Is it waterproof?

[LilSel]

Is it waterproof?

I think so lol... the inside is all like... that material kinda like what rain jackets are made of... Ive only been caught out twice in the rain with that bag... and both times it got damp... but the inside wasn't wet at all... hmmm Its not here with me today... but an experiment may be in order

[GN1NiteStnd]

I think so lol... the inside is all like... that material kinda like what rain jackets are made of... Ive only been caught out twice in the rain with that bag... and both times it got damp... but the inside wasn't wet at all... hmmm Its not here with me today... but an experiment may be in order

Yeah Ive been caught in the rain too many times, even with all my wet weather gear, I get soaked, and everything in my bag gets soaked too. So I've ended up putting my uniform and stuff into a plastic bag inside my backpack, very much a nusiance.

[klingon]

oooh that does look good! I think I will save up and get a 'proper' laptop pack like that... it would cost much more than that to repair a laptop that's been vibrated to bits from being carried in the wrong kind of bag.

*starts writing list for Santa*

Santa must love bikers - we're so easy to buy for

[andrea]

I've got the above laptop bag... and it holds lots of stuff and isnt too big either... keeps the lappy secure as well

hey check this site out for laptop bags its the axio?? ive asked my friend if i could use her credit card to get me one from aussie these bags are cool well i think lol tell me what you gals and guys think
http://rushfaster.com.au/product.php...ID=AX-SWIFT-CF

[LilSel]

hey check this site out for laptop bags its the axio?? ive asked my friend if i could use her credit card to get me one from aussie these bags are cool well i think lol tell me what you gals and guys think
http://rushfaster.com.au/product.php...ID=AX-SWIFT-CF

FARK.. Now that is cool!!! lol...