What gear do you wear for commuting?

Zbornak

Zbornak

Zbornak

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Joined
12 Jan 2010
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1,879
I'd be interested to know what type of gear people go for when commuting. As there's so many different variables (eg, it's odd to get someone on a 125 moped in full leathers), I thought I'd use a little template Q&A system.

So here's me:

What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 600
Roughly how long is your commute: Can vary but from my house into central London at rush hour it's about 30-40 mins.
Urban/Motorway/Country: All urban
What gear do you wear: Leather trousers, textile jacket, summer gloves, "racing" boots.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: No. Apart from in winter, I wear thermal leggings (sexy) and a winter lining in my jacket.
Do you change your gear for rain: Have a rain overcoat but never been in a situation where I was bothered to get off and change!
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Not normally, which is why I only commute on the bike to about 5-10% of jobs I go to. That's why I'm looking into biking jeans, so I can go bike to work in outside places but still in protective gear.
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: I never not wear protective gear whilst commuting.
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Nope. But I've only been riding for 2 years.

Here, copy and paste this!

What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc):
Roughly how long is your commute:
Urban/Motorway/Country:
What gear do you wear:
Do you change your gear in summer and winter:
Do you change your gear for rain:
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work:
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason:
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident:
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 650cc
Roughly how long is your commute: 10 mins (30mph all the way)
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban
What gear do you wear: All bike gear except trouser which I wear jeans in the warmer months and when it's colder I wear my winter textile trousers.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Yes
Do you change your gear for rain: Depends how heavy.
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: The jeans in warmer months is for convenience (and I know the risk I take)
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Last bike accident I had was 1990 and I had the same type of gear on then. I ended up with a smashed left ankle. My ridiculed at work motorcycle boots did a bloody good job and saved me from greater injury.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 600

Roughly how long is your commute: 20 mins each way
Urban/Motorway/Country: urban

What gear do you wear: In winter, Weise X Blade 2 jacket & trousers with lining in. Waterproof thermal gloves, Spada waterproof boots.

Do you change your gear in summer and winter: In summer I use the same trousers (but take out the lining) but use a Weise Air spin jacket which is cooler and also leather gloves.

Do you change your gear for rain: No as my gear is waterproof

Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: I change in the office and have my work clothes on underneath.

If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: N/A

Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Last winter the RST waterproof gloves were not good enough so I'm going to buy a better paid for this winter. Apaprt from that with the gear I wore I didn't feel the cold while on the bike.
 
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This was up until last week, now I don't use my bike to commute as work is 10 minutes walk away, but hopefully helps.

What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 125
Roughly how long is your commute: 8-10 miles each way
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban/Country
What gear do you wear: Spada leather jacket, jeans, boots, gloves, lid.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Thermal top/long johns when cold
Do you change your gear for rain: standard waterproof jacket/trousers for when it rains, usually keep them in my bag.
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Yes, but it wasn't a very private area.
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: The first time it rained and I didn't have any waterproofs on wasn't enjoyable, i'm looking for a once piece rain suit, and the first time I felt hail through waterproof trousers and jeans made me realise I need to invest in leather trousers.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 650
Roughly how long is your commute:45 miles each way
Urban/Motorway/Country: country
What gear do you wear: textiles
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: no, add liners different gloves thats it
Do you change your gear for rain: no
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: no, pita
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason:
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Rain meant a move from leather to armoured textiles.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 600
Roughly how long is your commute: 10 mins each way
Urban/Motorway/Country: Country
What gear do you wear: Textile Weise jacket, waterproof boots, gloves (waterproof winter gloves or leather summer gloves)
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Change gloves, remove lining from jacket
Do you change your gear for rain: Waterproof bottoms on, jacket is already waterproof
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: No, I just take jacket off and change boots for shoes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: n/a
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: No. May invest in some kevlar jeans though
 
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What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 500
Roughly how long is your commute: 13 miles each way
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban/Country or Motorway/Urban
What gear do you wear: Textile Jacket, Kevlar Jeans/Textile Trousers, Touring Boots, Waterproof Gloves
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Yes
Do you change your gear for rain: Only if its bad.
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: N/A
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Accident got me to switch to full leathers from just a jacket due to road rash.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 125
Roughly how long is your commute: 45mins
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban/Country
What gear do you wear: Waterproof onesie over textile, winter gloves and neck scarf
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: no
Do you change your gear for rain: no just add the onesie
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: Crazy to not wear protective gear
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: More I rode the more I refined the gear I was wearing, still perfecting it but almost 100% cozy :)
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): GSXR 'widowmaker' 1000
Roughly how long is your commute: 12 miles but with traffic even on a bike it takes 35 mins during school/uni term times, fastest I have done it during summer hols is 17mins :)
Urban/Motorway/Country: Ubran to Motorway to Urban
What gear do you wear: 1 Piece leathers, protective boots/gloves, back protector
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Summer I switch to summer Gloves and wear vented Sidi boots.
For winter I wear thermal under my leathers and a fleece on top, paired with warm/waterproof gloves!
Do you change your gear for rain: Goretex gloves, if its light rain just a waterproof jacket over leathers, if its heavy I just slip on waterproof trousers too
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Big basement with toilets
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: I always wear protective gear, the lowest I would go would be kevlar jeans with a leather jacket on top.
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: When I first started riding it was jeans, boots, Jacket, gloves, helmet, after I got into going on rideouts with others and track days I started wearing two piece leathers everywhere and ultimately they saved my life when I had a big accident in 2009, now I would not dream of going out without full protection...!
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): ZX6R
Roughly how long is your commute: About 8 miles, 15-25mins depending on how quick you want to get there.
Urban/Motorway/Country: All urban
What gear do you wear: Alpinestar smx plus boots, textile RST bottoms as they dont crease suit trousers and a spada leather jacket.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Extra sub layers just and warmer gloves
Do you change your gear for rain: Coat/Waterproof overs
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Toilets...
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: ATGATT.
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Nope just make sure you have waterproofs incase it pours down.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 599 (that 1cc is important for tax purposes!)
Roughly how long is your commute: 50 mile round trip.
Urban/Motorway/Country: Country/Town/Villages.
What gear do you wear: Full Textiles
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Zip in liners, change of gloves (thick textile to breathable leather).
Do you change your gear for rain: No - gear is waterproof.
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Yes.
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: N/A
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Nope.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc):800
Roughly how long is your commute:70 miles round trip
Urban/Motorway/Country:95% motorway, 5% urban
What gear do you wear:HG textile trousers and dayglo jacket, alpinestars boots and formerly decent leather gloves, now just some mid-range winter Ricci gloves
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Take the jacket / trouser linings out, switch the gloves.
Do you change your gear for rain: Nope
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work:Yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason:
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident:
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 1200GS
Roughly how long is your commute: 10 mins, but sometimes take the long way (30mins)
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban - less than 30mph short way, country roads the long way
What gear do you wear: HG textile jacket, jeans, gloves
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: no, just put liner in the jacket. If very hot don't bother with jacket
Do you change your gear for rain: only if very heavy....then I walk (45mins)
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: yes, but dont need to
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: Usually wear jacket, cant be bothered with the trousers
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: not really
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 600
Roughly how long is your commute: 50 mile round trip
Urban/Motorway/Country: urban/motorway/urban
What gear do you wear: HG textile jacket & trousers, Daytona boots, HG lobster gloves, neck chill protector...and a helmet.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Yes, I have a lighter summer jacket, ventilated gloves & Buffalo boots (not waterproof)
Do you change your gear for rain: Yes, I have a waterproof layer for my trousers
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: My desk
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: Summertime, I may not bother with trousers. Jacket, helmet & gloves are compulsory
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Not really
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 1200
Roughly how long is your commute: 10 mins
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban
What gear do you wear: Textile Jacket and armoured kelar jeans, army (magnum stealth) boots, motorcycle gloves.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Yes
Do you change your gear for rain: Only if really heavy
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: Jeans are a matter of convenience for the summer months.
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: No.
 
Currently inbetween miseries ... errr jobs, but for my last job:

What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 500
Roughly how long is your commute: 30 mins
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban/Country
What gear do you wear: Textile jacket and jeans, motorcycle boots & gloves.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Only by taking out the winter layer of the jacket & jeans for summer
Do you change your gear for rain: Only have one set of gear, so no
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: Since leaving last job I've become a bit more well rounded in the waist department, so the bike textile jeans are a bit .... snug :). Been wearing jeans when I've been out for bimbles this summer
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: No.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 600
Roughly how long is your commute: 5-10mins there, 10-15 back due to traffic lights :mad:
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban/Country
What gear do you wear: Textile jacket + trousers, Sidi gore-tex boots, Alpinestar leather gloves.
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Put the jacket lining in and a neck scarf.
Do you change your gear for rain: Got some over trousers/jacket if its really bad, usually don't bother.
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Got some lockers.
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: n/a
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: When I had my 125 I wore jeans until I came off, now I don't ride with at least full textiles and boots. Got a 1pc for summer fun.
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc):600
Roughly how long is your commute:10 miles
Urban/Motorway/Country:Urban.Country
What gear do you wear:RST textile trousers and jacket
Do you change your gear in summer and winter:just take liners out
Do you change your gear for rain:carry a spare weise waterproof overjacket
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work:yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason:you'd be crazy not to wear the proper gear!
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident:no. always wear everything even if its a short trip
 
What type of bike (moped/600/125 etc): 675
Roughly how long is your commute: 20 mins 5.5m
Urban/Motorway/Country: Urban
What gear do you wear: Full or mesh textile jacket, jeans or textile trousers, boots gloves etc
Do you change your gear in summer and winter: Yes Jeans (commute only) n mesh in summer, Full textiles in winter
Do you change your gear for rain: Yes, £15 waterproof trousers over jeans in summer, winter kit is waterproof anyway
Do you have somewhere to change when you get to work: Yes
If you don't wear protective gear (leathers or textiles), is there any particular reason: My commute is slow and short enough to not need full protection but I'll try to have at least mesh jacket + gloves/boots. I commute by cycle equal amounts on the same roads with Lycra as protection :o
Has anything changed what you wear on your commute, eg more experience or an accident: Yes, more experience of inner London commuting has given me the confidence to stop wearing horrible sweaty textile trousers in the summer. I'll still get kitted up for any faster or longer journeys though
 
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