New to commuting, bike/clothing options.
Discussion
It looks like I’ve just landed a job that will involve a commute, and I have a dilemma.
It’s not a long commute, about 8 miles each way but as I’m not used to traveling while everyone else is (worked on oil rigs until recently) I’m not keen on using the car. It’s about 30-40 mins by car or under 20 on the bike.
My main bike is a 2014 Triumph explorer, I’m worried the condition would deteriorate if used in all weather for most of the year.
My other two bikes are from 1985, a GPZ600R that’s now too shiny to use and a bmw k100 cafe thing that’s proven to be somewhat fickle on the reliability front.
So I’m thinking I need another bike. Something cheap and tough that I won’t need to worry about. This hasn’t gone well with the wife as she doesn’t get my need to keep things nice.
The other option is use the Triumph and acf-50 the hell out of it.
Also, can you still get those armoured oversuits to wear over normal clothes? I can’t seem to find them.
Do you just wear normal bike gear then get changed?
It’s not a long commute, about 8 miles each way but as I’m not used to traveling while everyone else is (worked on oil rigs until recently) I’m not keen on using the car. It’s about 30-40 mins by car or under 20 on the bike.
My main bike is a 2014 Triumph explorer, I’m worried the condition would deteriorate if used in all weather for most of the year.
My other two bikes are from 1985, a GPZ600R that’s now too shiny to use and a bmw k100 cafe thing that’s proven to be somewhat fickle on the reliability front.
So I’m thinking I need another bike. Something cheap and tough that I won’t need to worry about. This hasn’t gone well with the wife as she doesn’t get my need to keep things nice.
The other option is use the Triumph and acf-50 the hell out of it.
Also, can you still get those armoured oversuits to wear over normal clothes? I can’t seem to find them.
Do you just wear normal bike gear then get changed?
For 8 miles I would save the cash and be cycling to work, keeps you fit too 
...those electric push bikes have come on a long way, rode one a few weeks back. Could be another option.
when I commuted by bike for a few years I had an office job and left my work clothes in the cupboard at work, got changed out of leathers when i got there. There were 2 of us on bikes in that office.
Depending on your job, in summer months you can get casual looking bike wear you could wear all day e.g leather jacket and jeans, boots etc. For winter you would still need an over suit of course. Most brands seem to have gone down 2 piece gore-tex with armour or 1 piece rain suits to go over leathers etc.
Aerostitch in the USA do a range of one piece armoured waterproof suits, not sure if they have a UK importer though...
...those electric push bikes have come on a long way, rode one a few weeks back. Could be another option.
when I commuted by bike for a few years I had an office job and left my work clothes in the cupboard at work, got changed out of leathers when i got there. There were 2 of us on bikes in that office.
Depending on your job, in summer months you can get casual looking bike wear you could wear all day e.g leather jacket and jeans, boots etc. For winter you would still need an over suit of course. Most brands seem to have gone down 2 piece gore-tex with armour or 1 piece rain suits to go over leathers etc.
Aerostitch in the USA do a range of one piece armoured waterproof suits, not sure if they have a UK importer though...
I did consider cycling, but I’m a fat b
d and there’s a big hill in the way to get home, and the office is in a less than nice area so the local kids may stone me.
Looks like shirt and trousers, rather than jeans.
They mentioned that they wanted to smarten up the office while I was in today.
Aerostich is us only I think, plus proper expensive!
d and there’s a big hill in the way to get home, and the office is in a less than nice area so the local kids may stone me.Looks like shirt and trousers, rather than jeans.
They mentioned that they wanted to smarten up the office while I was in today.
Aerostich is us only I think, plus proper expensive!
I wear black jeans and a shirt and tie when in the office and keep a pair of shoes there. I keep a suit there for the rare times I get called up to frontline duty.
I tend to just have a fleece and scarf to keep the shirt clean and a waterproof jacket.
I can't practice what I preach as I commute 10 miles each way on an SV650S (small mountain between me and the office) but the reality of your situation is that a mid-range scooter (300cc or above) would probably offer you more protection from the elements and would only require a quick wash down. What you can't see, you don't worry about and you're less likely to become fanatical about it.
I tend to just have a fleece and scarf to keep the shirt clean and a waterproof jacket.
I can't practice what I preach as I commute 10 miles each way on an SV650S (small mountain between me and the office) but the reality of your situation is that a mid-range scooter (300cc or above) would probably offer you more protection from the elements and would only require a quick wash down. What you can't see, you don't worry about and you're less likely to become fanatical about it.
LuS1fer said:
I wear black jeans and a shirt and tie when in the office and keep a pair of shoes there. I keep a suit there for the rare times I get called up to frontline duty.
I tend to just have a fleece and scarf to keep the shirt clean and a waterproof jacket.
I can't practice what I preach as I commute 10 miles each way on an SV650S (small mountain between me and the office) but the reality of your situation is that a mid-range scooter (300cc or above) would probably offer you more protection from the elements and would only require a quick wash down. What you can't see, you don't worry about and you're less likely to become fanatical about it.
But.... It's a Scooter. I just don't think I can do it. I do get the idea of buying something you don't really like and just using it as an appliance though!I tend to just have a fleece and scarf to keep the shirt clean and a waterproof jacket.
I can't practice what I preach as I commute 10 miles each way on an SV650S (small mountain between me and the office) but the reality of your situation is that a mid-range scooter (300cc or above) would probably offer you more protection from the elements and would only require a quick wash down. What you can't see, you don't worry about and you're less likely to become fanatical about it.
I'll see about leaving clothes in the office, this is all very new to me. I haven't had a commute for the last 19 years and I've never worked in an office.
I had my bike treated by “all year biker” for about £90 in the September. Rode all through the winter and gave it a good clean come the spring, it was absolutely fine. Worth the money to get someone with all the gear to do it. They spray on the stuff in a really fine mist after a deep clean, so it gets everywhere it needs to be. I had something a bit more fancy than ACF50, so it was a few quid more. I’d definitely get it done again when I get another bike. I know it can be done cheaply if you do it yourself, but I’m lazy and think they probably do a better job in less time, while you get to stand around asking stupid questions and drinking brews.
https://allyearbiker.co.uk
https://allyearbiker.co.uk
When I read this
I ride a Tiger 800 year round on my 15 mile commute, which is generally fine in all but the worst weather (ice/snow/high winds - rain doesn't bother me). You've already got the right bike for the job, unless n+1/man maths is a consideration that you're trying to justify.
Speed addicted said:
My main bike is a 2014 Triumph explorer, I’m worried the condition would deteriorate if used in all weather for most of the year.
I thought thisSpeed addicted said:
use the Triumph and acf-50 the hell out of it.
With regard to thisSpeed addicted said:
Do you just wear normal bike gear then get changed?
this is my solution, but I have a decent size locker and the option to shower if I want to. I drive in a couple of times a month with a load of shirts, but that's not essential as I could use my top box.I ride a Tiger 800 year round on my 15 mile commute, which is generally fine in all but the worst weather (ice/snow/high winds - rain doesn't bother me). You've already got the right bike for the job, unless n+1/man maths is a consideration that you're trying to justify.
bogie said:
For 8 miles I would save the cash and be cycling to work, keeps you fit too
...those electric push bikes have come on a long way, rode one a few weeks back. Could be another option.
I suggested this to someone asking a similar question on a thread a couple of weeks ago and got slammed for it, but if my commute was around the five mile or less mark, I'm certain I'd go for it. Under ten miles is perfectly doable, but if you're not motivated then you're probably right to discount it. On the other hand, are you happy being a fat bloke? Could an e-bike help you out on that front? Worth some consideration I'd say....those electric push bikes have come on a long way, rode one a few weeks back. Could be another option.
Edited by JulianHJ on Tuesday 3rd July 08:45
JulianHJ
Some good points there, the idea of another bike came partly through man maths and partly because I tend to get upset when the bikes are less than perfect. I’m basically corrosion phobic after years doing inspection in the oil industry!
I could cycle to work, and I would certainly loose weight. Downsides are turning up as a sweaty mess and dying going up the hill on the way home.
I’m also really not keen on cycling on the road. To be honest it scares the hell out of me.
Having a powered vehicle also gives me more options for nipping out at lunchtime (canteen is crap) to do the things I’m used to doing in my time off.
Some good points there, the idea of another bike came partly through man maths and partly because I tend to get upset when the bikes are less than perfect. I’m basically corrosion phobic after years doing inspection in the oil industry!
I could cycle to work, and I would certainly loose weight. Downsides are turning up as a sweaty mess and dying going up the hill on the way home.
I’m also really not keen on cycling on the road. To be honest it scares the hell out of me.
Having a powered vehicle also gives me more options for nipping out at lunchtime (canteen is crap) to do the things I’m used to doing in my time off.
Probably not your thing but a couple of times on the M40 I've passed a fella dressed in office gear on one of those scooters with 2 wheels at the front with a screen and some sort of cover over his legs. Not stylish or anything but thought it might be convenient, he was doing a decent speed as well 80 +
Spanglepants said:
Probably not your thing but a couple of times on the M40 I've passed a fella dressed in office gear on one of those scooters with 2 wheels at the front with a screen and some sort of cover over his legs. Not stylish or anything but thought it might be convenient, he was doing a decent speed as well 80 +
80mph in office gear would properly suck if he has any sort of incident. I know my brother in law regretted the cordura jacket and office trousers in a sub 30mph drop, gravel rash apparently stings quite a bit.
Edited by Speed addicted on Tuesday 3rd July 13:16
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