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Noob Question: Bike Gear

DrMoo

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Hi - I recently bought my first bike for commuting. I have a question about gear;

On long commutes to work and further, I respect and believe in having all the correct safety gear. Boots, pants, jacket, gloves and helmet all the time.

My question is what do you do with all the gear at the destination.

Work is fine, I have ample space to store everything; But then what about the biker pants and boots? Do bikers wear this all day in the office? Do they bring a change of clothes for the workday? My boots are pretty big, hot and heavy. So I assume I'd want to change them for something more office-appropriate. Some with the pants, if I don't change those, do I buy multiple pairs of biker pants for multiple days? I also work in an office environment so I'd have to keep a business attire look.

The next issue is if I go do some errands. The same issue - my boots are too much for walking around a mall in the heat. What do with the jacket? These are just some issues I never thought about before and would like to hear how it's handled. Perhaps I just bought the wrong boot - I considered that work is 80kms away so I bought boots that go to the middle of my shins and they're not so flexible.

Thanks.
 
What I used to do is either a. leave a pair of shoes at the office (ones that don't smell), or b. travel with a pair of shoes in my backpack.
As for the pants I just wore a overpants (so something you can just zip up over your jeans or whatever).
Then I made a nice space in the office for my gear with a hangar for pants and jacket.
 
Oh and carry talcum powder with you.
Those leather boots get a bit wet during summer, and nobody wants to be in a office with rank smelling boots.
The talcum will dry out the sweat and prevent your boots from going moldy as well.
 
Ah, good tips. I didn't even know about over pants.
Thanks!
 
I'm guessing you don't have a top box?

Normally wear Tech 5 boots but I also have a pair of these for quick trips to the mall etc, plus they're acceptably smart and comfortable for short visits to the office. For full days at the office I toss a pair of shoes in my top box and wear the big boots on the bike because extra protection. The boots just sit next to the bike for the day.

Over pants are the answer. XKulcha easy-overs are a good option.
I have a pair of Klim Dakar pants that fit over my jeans/pants. They fold up and fit in the top box no problem, along with the gloves.
All I end up carrying around with me is the helmet and jacket. Not too bad.
 
At the office we have lockers for those who choose to commute with two wheels. Have a pair of work shoes and a hanger in there. Swap shoes, hang jacket and store gloves and helmet. Then either, deposit easy overs if super neat attire is required for the day, else I would have ridden in with something like this Shop XKULCHA Adventure Apparel as all day pants to wear.

As for shopping malls and whatnot. If I'm spending a full social day out at the shops with the cool kids, I just dump my gear in their car boot, else I'm in and out at the mall quickly anyway to just run an errand.

Easy overs were a great investment, I'll dress for a trail run, runners in backpack, slip over easy overs, just drop gear in friends car at destination, change up the outfit, and have a good time out, kit up to return home and it works.
 
An added note, the Ogio Mach 5 bag has been great to me.
- It has a liner for a spare visor (if you want a backup clear visor, because why not ride around with tinted coolness) [in use]
- It has straps inside the bag that fit and hold office shoes/trainers, in place, unless you have giant feet. Won't hold your biker boots comfortably though. [not in use by me]
- It takes my 14" work laptop (sometimes 2x, then I use the hydration bladder slot) [in use]
- It takes my 12.9" iPad in a smaller pocket in front of the laptop [in use]
- Charger, big battery bank, bulky mouse, Sony WH-XM3 carry case, chewing gum, spare covid mask, [colletively either in tiny pockets or loose in]
- an odd loose thing sometimes, a snack, keys, access card, if I choose to dump out pockets at any point, maybe a change of clothes for a social after work like a T and shorts, etc

Best of all, I had an unexpected 40+ min ride for 40kms in horrible downpour last week. I had a tshirt in the bag that hinted at a single small damp spot. Both laptops and the rest of the tech was dry and didn't show any sign of being exposed to the shitstorm I rode through. #CallMeHappy
 
@Deago999 because I am a noob to the world of motorcycling. :p

I am not considered a hardcore commuter since I only travel 10km in total each day. A backpack is a must for me since I carry my lunch and laptop with accessories.

I have almost full gear, just need riding pants still (secret Santa take note if you are feeling very generous).

My work is fully remote, so I go to my church each day since I cannot get work done at the apartment. So since it is casual, I am working in my socks (I don't sweat easily and haven't heard any complaints of stinky feet haha). Else I keep a pair of tekkies in my bag for an easy change.

For malls, if it is a quick run or coffee with a friend, I don't mind staying in my boots, it isn't that bad for me. I use these:

Also, I use my helmet for storage for my gloves and other small items when visiting the mall for errands - I also have a tank bag on my bike which helps with storing items.

Looking at pants, I wouldn't mind getting a jean style one, since I can use them in the office or for going out as well:

I wouldn't mind getting the Alpinestars version but very pricey.

Then again, would it be better to get adventure riding pants instead? @iamgigglz would be able to provide better information on that one.
 
I commute with these shoes - very comfortable to keep on for a whole day,(there are various other brands making similar shoes), my other boots are full MX offroad boot I wear when going on adventures.
I only have adventure pants and always wear them, but they are bulky.
So when I was still working from the office I would keep a pair of smarter shoes at my desk and take some work pants with - as others mentioned, easy overs could solve that issue,
Going to the shops is either short enough stay to just deal with it - like I mentioned the BMW shoes are comfy - or as Erohann mentioned, use a friend's boot. I also have a top-box but I only put it on when I know I'll need it.
 
Looking at pants, I wouldn't mind getting a jean style one, since I can use them in the office or for going out as well:

I wouldn't mind getting the Alpinestars version but very pricey.

Then again, would it be better to get adventure riding pants instead? @iamgigglz would be able to provide better information on that one.
My only complaint with jean style riding pants is they’re pretty toasty. Great in winter, torture in summer.
Easy overs can be hot too but I don’t think they’re as bad as the riding jeans.
Adventure style pants usually have a lot more ventilation since they’re designed for lower speed technical riding. My Klim pants have massive vents down the sides with zips.
You’re probably taking a protection penalty though, particularly in high speed slides.
Pick your battles…
 
This is really helpful, I'm planning on getting a bike at some point and this info really helped a lot

Thanks guys
 
Opening up this thread again. How much would the basic gear like a helmet and things cost? Looking to go a cheap as possible while still being safe.
 
Opening up this thread again. How much would the basic gear like a helmet and things cost? Looking to go a cheap as possible while still being safe.
With bike gear, cheap is often not safe.
However for the cheapest decent gear I would suggest looking at Spirit.

Their helmets have saved my coconut more times than I can count, and the same goes for their jackets.

 
With bike gear, cheap is often not safe.
However for the cheapest decent gear I would suggest looking at Spirit.

Their helmets have saved my coconut more times than I can count, and the same goes for their jackets.

Am I looking right? Around R1.8k for the helmet?
 
Am I looking right? Around R1.8k for the helmet?
Yep, and I can guarantee that R1.8k helmet works just as good, if not better than some R4k - R8k helmets.
I am using one myself, and even compared to my R6 or 7k Carbon Fiber LS2 I had previously, it's got a ton less wind noise around 160-200km/h
 
Yep, and I can guarantee that R1.8k helmet works just as good, if not better than some R4k - R8k helmets.
I am using one myself, and even compared to my R6 or 7k Carbon Fiber LS2 I had previously, it's got a ton less wind noise around 160-200km/h
Great! I was thinking it will be like R5k minimum.
 
Great! I was thinking it will be like R5k minimum.
most important things to start off with imo is helmet > jacket > gloves then get boots and pants/overpants later depending on how often you are planning on riding in the wet.
Also make sure you get the right boots for the type of bike, i.e don't buy adventure boots and think you can comfortably use them on a super bike.
 

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