Will be working in the office more often.
Would like to keep riding the motorbike to work.
Currently wearing a pair of Kevlar jeans, Goretex Puma ankle boots and an old 70s leather jacket.
Been lucky with the weather so far, but need something a bit more waterproof and also something that I can wear off the bike. I have some pretty tired Dainese textiles that are warm and waterproof but they're quite bulky.
I *think* our new office has lockers in the underground car park I can use, so I guess I could just change into human clothes then. Though there are other times I come into the city to see folk - go out for dinner etc...
Anything good out there?
When I do commute, if the weather is good, kevelar jeans (with full D30), full boots, Dainese smart jacket and an A* leather jacked and gloves. I prefer full boots as it will be your lowerlegs that the bike comes down on, and as I race I just prefer them and gauntlet gloves.
For bad weather I have a Dane GoreTex Pro suit with SASTech pads, Dainese smart jacket, Held GoreTex gloves and A* GoreTex boots. Before I can fit everything under the suit, but do prefer to pack trousers and wear base layers on the legs.
A couple of years ago I did a 35 mile each way commute every day for a year, in all weathers. What I found was that heated grips are a godsend, and the only properly waterproof things that don't need a second mortgage are the oversuits that look like you're investigating a biohazard spill. So accept you're going to have to get one of those (I've got an Oxford 2 piece that works perfectly well, cost about £60) and then go for stylish everything else. I've got some Course Aramid jeans, a Macna hooded jacket and some hi-top style bike boots - maybe Course as well, I can't remember. Oh, and an Alpinestars armoured under-jacket as it's miles better than anything that comes with the clothes themselves.
www.xlmoto.co.uk are usually very good for deals and despite them shipping from Eastern Europe there's no import duty faff: the price you see is the price you pay.
I'm aware of the power of heated grips. How to be the envy of all around you!
Recently picked up some of the Hump cycling waterproofs in XL off a PSA here so might give them a try over the other stuff.
Also got a Lomo drybag tailbag to strap on the back seat to put them and other bits and pieces in.
Will check out XLmoto too - think a casual looking textile jacket could do the job. Also realised I've only got leather race gloves so better get some insulated ones.
Also,. slight aside, but for early morning commutes down the M9 - the fog is crazy! Quite unpleasant to ride in
Ex RAF waterproofs (imitation goretex) the perfect over clothing for a bike, cheap, properly waterproof and a nice blue colour with reflective band rather than camo.
That over hood jeans and leather jacket unless it’s properly minging or cold, then it’s rst waterproof trousers and dainese goretex jacket, with waterproofs over the top to actually keep things dry.
kevlar jeans, Rukka jacket and heated gloves in the winter. i leave a pair of shoes under my desk and trousers in my desk draw o change into
Full GoreTex Scott trousers and jacket with normal boots. I carry a change of clothes (Jeans, T-shirt and have a pair of shoes at work, so can get by with a Helly top and some light longjohns underneath the waterproofs.
Have not gone over to winter gloves yet, but the bikes are going away soon, so will probably do that soon
big top box to fit trousers boots and helmet in and change into shoes. Also rain suit has been a revelation not completely waterproof but enough for a 30 min ride in a monsoon. Daytona boots havent let any water in. Not found any gloves that are water proof but its the least of my worries when I arrive.
20 years of riding in textiles on top of work clothes. Gore Tex boots.
Used to use a Weise Textile Jacket and cheap Weise waterproof trousers over leather trousers from a 2 piece set I had. Only thing that ever kept feet dry was Derri motorcycle boots but they had not a lot in the way of protection. This was 20 years ago to things may have moved on! Used to keep me dry for a 25m commute into central London.
Used to keep 2 or 3 trousers and a pair of shoes in work.
Old leather trews.Long johns most of the time as I hate the fake silk liner or mesh in leathers. Ex WD overtrousers over the top if wet. Short textile jacket most of the time with some built in armour. Hot days its an 1980's Barbour. Y2K era Alpine Stars pull over waterpoof if raing. Lives with the OT in a small back behind seat. MX boots coz that's all I ever buy and Goetex types socks if its damp.
Sorry for the interuption - first time thread hijacker!
Have quite a bit of old mbiking gear I've never got round to selling when I stopped if anyone is interested.
Hein Gericke goretex boots (9), insulated leather gloves (m), Spidi leather jacket and hein Gericke leather trousers (mediumish), an all in one waterproof and Caberg flip face helmet.
Excuse the intermission!
Stu.
I swear by my Gerbing heated gloves, they blow heated grips out of the water (especially at higher motorway speeds) and useful if you have multiple bikes, plus it does mean you don't need to have ugly heated grips fitted. I've always commuted in full textiles but have a set of vented gear which is very useful in warmer weather.
@solamanda - do your Gerbing gloves burn your knuckles? Maybe it's my thin old skin, but after half an hour or so mine start to burn, even on medium. I agree that they are much more effective than heated grips, but maybe just no good for me. I need to get round to selling them (stealth ad?)
How far is your commute?
I have an alpinestars two piece textile over suit. Baggy enough that i can wear my normal work clothes under so all i have to do is take the suit off to be ready rather than changing trousers etc. saves a a heap of effort.
@failedengineer, I don't get any heat issues with mine. Maybe you should return yours?
I have a great pair of Resurgence waterproof single layer kevlar jeans. They're light enough to be able to wear in the office all year round in the sub-tropics (no need for heated handgrips here!).
That and a pair of waterproof Rev'it boots means I don't need to change at work.
Rev'it jacket with a liner (wish i'd got Gore-Tex really)
If it's really coming down I have a Rev'it oversuit which I absolutely hate putting on and taking off as it gets caught on my shoulders and I get a brief glimpse into being utterly helpless.
@solamanda - they are well out of warranty, plus I've lost the receipt. I never got round to it at the time. I spoke to them at the bike show a few years ago and they weren't too helpful.
Went into new office today. Have got lockers and changing places and somewhere to leave some normal shoes.
Have ordered up a smart looking alpinestars textile jacket and some Spidi aramid chinos. Also got a Lomo drybag tailbag to take stuff around in.
I think that along with the Hump waterproof trousers and jacket will sort me out.
The commute is only 20 miles and the train is really easy too if the weather is atrocious.
Might look at the heated gloves though!