| Author | Message | ||
     Old_mil |
The mission for the next two months: M-F out of a hotel about ~ 200-225 miles from home. During that time, a 2 mile ride to and from work each morning in slacks, a dress shirt, and tie. On Friday back home, then Sunday back to work. Any tips from those of you who have been living this life would be appreciated. Hope the beastie is up to the task. | ||
| Froggy |
If anything, the 2 miles each way to the hotel might cause some issues with the plugs. The bike isn't going to be warmed up by time you make it to work. I wear my work clothes under my Roadcrafter 1 piece suit, and never had an issue. Throw a pair shoes in my backpack so i don't need to walk around the office in race boots  | ||
| Fubar |
Please don't be lulled by the short trip. ATGAAT!! Especially boots, gloves and lid. | ||
| Hooper |
Gentlemen, the big challenge is Helmet Hair. I have a 40 minute (25 mile) commute, which leaves me looking ridiculous, "and a man in my position can't be made to look ridiculous!" (sorry, small Godfather quote there) So I have to take a few minutes in the men's room with a comb and spray to try to tame the humorous shape my Arai RX-7 Corsair helmet leaves me with. The answer is: have a short commute so the helmet can't have its way with your hair, or keep a TIGHT haircut. Thank you. That is all. (Message edited by hooper on August 11, 2008) | ||
| Xbimmer |
These guys know the routine! My last commutes were 8, 16, and 42 miles one way, all of them at 12:00-3:00 A.M. Didn't need the slacks and tie for my position though, do you have facilities to keep some work attire there to change into before shift? Please don't be lulled by the short trip. Especially true! Routine trips can breed complacency and maybe disaster. Try varying your start times and routes, keeps it interesting and also helps you keep your edge. Make it a daily adventure. After all, you're Buellin' to work! | ||
| Xbimmer |
Gentlemen, the big challenge is Helmet Hair. Gotta expand. Two of my brothers and I were enroute to the BMW National Rally in Missoula '84. Got to the last campout before the final leg, somewhere in the mountains in Idaho. Great place to stay, freezing showers, forest everywhere, nice lodge and restaurant. As the Beemer crowd was moving in that afternoon a Gold Wing crowd was moving out from a similar rally. Motorcycle overload. As we were setting up camp my youngest brother popped open his side case. Rather, he was kind of attracting attention getting it open since it was stuffed. Suddenly the lid flew open. Out onto the ground flew his blow dryer... after all, the '80's, Duran Duran, Seagulls, etc. You shoulda heard it.  I almost felt sorry for him! | ||
| Hooper |
Oh, and replace your stock horn with an air horn, like a Stebel (I have one), or perhaps a Fiamm. It is ASTOUNDING how often commuter drivers just drift around the roads and highways aimlessly without looking or signaling. By giving them a loud wakeup blast (and you WILL see them jump, spill their coffee on their laps, and swivel their heads like they've never done before), I feel like I'm reminding drivers that their job, when driving, is driving. It's interesting: I'm currently taking a road trip through VA and WV this weekend - I've ridden 410 miles so far - and I have not had to blast my Stebel once! On my 25-mile commute to work last Friday? Twice! Both times were for people who were changing lanes too closely in front of me without looking or signaling. It's amazing to watch their reaction as you pass - they're usually surprised and embarrassed. Hope it makes a difference. Anyway, get a new horn - the pathetic version it (and most Japanese bikes) come with is just unsafe. | ||
| Greenamp |
A nice short style will help with the helmet hair. Use Bumble&Bumble thickening pomade with some sea salt spray (you can get the bumble at target and the sea spray at whole foods) and you can just tussle the helmet hair a bit and it looks cool. | ||
| Dinealone |
"I'm a Dapper Dan man!"  | ||
| Ulynut |
I commute to work on the Uly. Your biggest danger is the temptation to play hooky and find the twisties!  | ||
| Hooliken |
For you helmet hair issues. 1. Change jobs to one that allows you to wear a hat. 2. Cut hair a short as you possible can. I prefer a mohawk in the summer due to heat. Luckily my career allows me to wear and hat, rock a mohawk and generally not give a f$%k about my appearance. Might not work for those in the suit and tie set. | ||
| Curly |
just shave your head, no more helmet hair. i wear protective gear over my work clothes then stash them in the saddle bags upon arrival. been doing this routine for years. you should hear some of the comments from co-workers, "did'nt you check the weather forecast?" i work with a lot of cruiser riders who will only ride to work if there is 0 percent chance of rain. commuting via bike has many advantages but the one i most enjoy is that i can be tired or angry or whatever and when i mount up all that melts away and i find myself singing out loud in my helmet. | ||
| Seanp |
Make sure you leave enough time to get there without feeling rushed. I commute, and find that if I leave the house a little too late, I end up riding more aggressively than I should. Stake out a good motorcycle parking spot, and ensure that you arrive in time to get it. If you end up parking somewhere a little iffy, you'll be fretting about the bike all day. If you don't have a rain suit, (even if you do) pack a chamois or some small absorbent rag to wipe the seat off. Speaking of rain, make sure you get something that will fully protect you from getting wet. Walking around for the first hour or two in the morning with a wet spot in your crotch is not cool... If you have a real bad headache or any other illness, make sure you have a backup plan to get to work like a taxi or carpool - don't try to ride when you're not 100%. And finally, since you're staying in a hotel, you might as well take the long way home. It's not like you have anything to look forward to back at the hotel. Explore the area and have fun. Oh yeah, and a high-and-tight will take care of the helmet hair, trust me. (Message edited by SeanP on August 10, 2008) | ||
| Miamiuly |
Wearing a do-rag, or a helmet slick can help minimize helmet hair too. Bumble& bumble with sea salt spray huh? Pretty sure I've used B&B but only salt spray is at the beach. May have to bottle some ocean water and slap some labels on it. These threads can get funny, bikers talking about hair products. Now what to do about those nasty summer gloves.... | ||
| Froggy |
As long as this thread doesn’t evolve into talks about lip-gloss, I think we are good: P | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Drive like they dont see you, and the ones that do are aiming for you; and you will be fine. Words from my grandfather when I turned 16 and started riding on the street "legally" Driving a loud orange bike helps too. | ||
| Spops |
I'm a daily commuter, with few exceptions (heavy rains going into work, not fun!) Helmet Hair: Best solution so far, aside from a tight haircut, is "Sliks By Betty" basically satin/silk helmet liners. cyclegadgets.com sells them. Until yesterday my hair was fairly thick and med/long. My only challenge was the small curl created by the helmet near my neckline. Otherwise, no issues other than a quick trip to the Men's Room and running a wet comb through my hair. Clothes: Shirts: I recently discovered the wonders of "Active Polo Shirts" They're made out of similar material like "Under Armor" shirts. Never wrinkle! Many look quite professional , particularly underneath a sport coat. If you have to wear a tie, don't wear it underneath your riding jacket. Leave it off and put it on at work. Shirts, I use a top case with my XT, I loosely pack it on the very top, it keeps its press through my 45-60 minute ride into work. Pants: Use anything made with microfiber. They keep their press. I've ridden in 80+ degree, humid weather, they work like a charm. Sport / Suit Jackets: Same as pants, however, I turn them inside out and loosely pack them in a plastic shopping bag. It goes into one of my side cases... LL Bean used to sell "traveler" jackets. They're designed for daily travelers. Shoes: I found using shoes which allow me to quickly get in and out of them the best option. Loafers and Driving Mocs come to mind. I personally don't want to spend a whole of time switching between street clothes and riding gear while bouncing from building to building attending various meetings, etc. Bottom Line: Adaptation from "Traveler Clothing" lines. Check out the usual cast of suspects (e.g. LL Bean, Lands End, Orvis Clothing, Duluth Trading, skymall.com, etc.) They have plenty of options... Hope this helps.. | ||
| Cccpull |
I did this for many years and the main problem is weather, rain can be a pita, just make sure you own good rain gear and some comfortable waterproof boots that can be worn with dress clothes, such as the Cruiser works boots. As for helmet hair, wear sliks or Jimi helmet liners. If you shave your head, make sure you wear a helmet liner or run the risk of your Helmets vents marking your forehead and looking like a half "Klingon". (Message edited by cccpull on August 10, 2008) | ||
| Ulykan |
A quick note about Cruiserworks boots. I'm on my 3rd pair (1 pair replaced under warranty) and none have been waterproof after a year or so. Granted, they are great boots but forget them being waterproof. Yesterday I rode in the rain for about 20 miles and when I got home there were several wet spots on my socks. They DO LEAK. | ||
| Cccpull |
Ulykan, I'm surprised at your results with Cruiserworks boots. We have several pairs which have gone to Alaska and back in all kinds of torrential storms and have yet to get our feet wet. I have found that people who get their feet wet it's usually because their rain gear is not covering the top of the boot. | ||
| Ulykan |
The first pair I bought was a half size too small but they leaked within the first year and I didn't notify Cruiserworks or file a warranty claim. About a year and a half later I bought my correct size and they leaked. This time I notified Cruiserworks and they had me send the boots to them for inspection. Sure enough they leaked. Replaced under warranty. Again, within a year this pair leaked too. Now I have simply accepted the hard truth that Cruiserboots are NOT waterproof period and merely wear this brand because I have a narrow foot and they are the ONLY brand that I have found that makes a narrow width. Don't get me wrong, I really like the boots but I am disappointed in their claim to be waterproof. At first, the left boot began to seep around the shifter area but now both boots leak. I'm going to invest in some rain booties for future wet conditions. | ||
| Pso |
My hair is something of my youth and a fond memory, what is left I keep short. I have found that the most important thing for me has always been a good rain suite. I live in an area with multiple micro climates that are very hard to predict. I have also found that a rain suite sure is handy if you must work late and it is much cooler than anticipated. If it is breathable it wlaso works over clothing going in to work, keeps bug blood guts to a minimum. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I used to commute daily by motorcycle, and I wore my Roadcrafter over my clothes. I ended up leaving a pair or two of shoes at work, and I'd change when I got there. On summer days, when it was really hot, I'd change out of my nice work clothes before I left the office, fold them up, and put them in the top trunk. All of this worked really well, until I started to realize that I really HATED doing it. Dressing and undressing. Wrinklng up my nice pants and shirts. Sitting in rush hour traffic covered from head to toe in full gear sweating my butt off. So...I stopped riding to work except for on Fridays when I could wear jeans and a polo type shirt under my Roadcrafter and wear my touring boots in the office all day. Then, I ended up buying a scooter. And I'll probably turn myself into a greasy spot because I've become an absolute squid. I just wear my work clothes, work shoes (no shifter to mess them up), no gloves, and 3/4 helmet (so I can sip a cold beverage in traffic....no clutch to operate). So, here I am, a responsible ATGATT rider, now commuting on a 125cc scooter with no gear other than a helmet, and doing it one handed most of the time. But....I'm getting 85mpg, and I love riding to work again. It's no more an inconvenience that taking my Jeep other than having to don and doff the helmet, which doesn't mess up my hair because I keep it cut short. I don't even have to take the helmet in...I lock it up under the seat. No one knows I didn't drive into work. I simply plod along is stop and go traffic never hitting more than about 45mph on my commute. I just hope I don't crash. If I do...I'll look like cheeseburger. | ||
| Froggy |
Dude, your like 8 feet tall, you make a Uly look small. Do you use 2 scooters, one for each shoe? | ||
| Red_chili |
I've found (quite by accident) that a Sweat-Vac not only helps with keeping my head cool and dry, but helps immensely with helmet head. | ||
| Chrisb |
Two miles to work from the hotel? Walk! You'll need too hotel living usually piles on the pounds. Save the bike for the evenings. Park it as close the front desk as possible and make friends with the clerks. Stop and chat. Buy'em a cheeseburger etc. Goes far in keeping an extra set of eyes on your ride. | ||
| Cccpull |
Ouch! Missed that. Two miles? No gear needed, walking (30 min.), motorcycling( 2-3 minutes). When it rains, golfers umbrella or take a cab. (Message edited by cccpull on August 11, 2008) | ||
| Old_mil |
The two miles is along a 4 lane undivided road with no sidewalks and a ditch on each side...that parallels the interstate. Walking is out of the question. That having been said, the Uly performed perfectly on the trip out and on my ride in to work today. Though I wish I had my X1 here for the in-city riding. (Message edited by Old_Mil on August 12, 2008) | ||
| Chadhargis |
I do look a little silly riding a little 125cc scooter around. But then again, I look a little silly doing anything. | ||
| Neurorider |
I've been commuting on the Buell for 8 months now, and 2 years (mostly) on a KLX250s dualsport before that. I usually wear some boots that are hybrid western/lace-up work boots. Best I've found are Chippewa Packers; almost waterproof when greased up, yet they look dressy enough for office work in Arkansas (I'm a chiropractor). Hair? I have a long ponytail; I just tuck in into my jacket and pull on the helmet. A moment in the men's room and a spritz of hairspray and I'm good to go. If it's below 80 I wear a one-piece dayglow green Olympia suit. I get away with wearing nicer black jeans and a polo shirt with our logo on it. The Olympia suit is always in a saddlebag in case it rains hard, even on a hot day. The Buell has been an awesome commuter bike; tons of space to fit things. Good luck! | ||
| Doon |
I commute to the office all the time (When not carrying anything to large like a server). Jeans and Polo (or heck shorts depending on meetings) are dress code. So i would just leave a set of shoes at the office or carry them in a saddlebag/backpack. And then would wear my overpants and jacket. My hair really short (or shaved bald), so not too concerned about the helmet head. That and I can wear a Buell Hat |
