- This topic has 13 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 1 month ago by Clay Dowling.
New beginner on the forum
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March 6, 2009 at 7:00 pm #2589rroyterParticipant
Hello,
My name is Roman and I live in San Fernando Valley. I’m thinking that a bike would suite my commuting needs better than a car. I’ve read most of the articles posted on this website and I must mention they provide great insight for a complete beginner like me. Now, one thing they don’t mention (at least I didn’t see) is how the protective gear is being used for commuting? Am I guessing right that you don’t come to work in the shiny leather jacket, leather pants and racing shoes?
Another question that bothers me is how do you carry stuff? I assume sport bikes don’t have storage compartments.
Thanks
March 6, 2009 at 7:31 pm #16919MattParticipantProtective gear: you change when you get to work. Overpants and jacket mean that all you need is to either bring with you, or leave at work, is a pair of shoes.
If you wear leathers or other armour that goes on in place of regular clothing, then you need to bring (or leave at work) a pair of pants as well.As for storage (how do you get your shoes and lunch to work?) the simplest is a backpack. The next step up is a tank bag (either magnetic for quick removal, or strapped on). My tank bag easily carres a full change of clothes, lunch, and when I have to, a pair of shoes (it is a bit more of a stretch to get the shoes in there on top of everything else).
After that, you can get “soft” saddlebags which go over the back seat. These often carry 40L of cargo (enough for a weekend away if you pack right).
And if you keep going you can add a “top box” which is essentially a locking trunk that sits up behind the passenger seat, and hard luggage which requires a frame to be added to the back of your bike.Costs go from $20 for the back pack, to $1000 for a high end hard luggage setup.
Many people cross the country with nothing more than a backpack, some soft saddlebags, and some bungee cords.
Just because a bike doesn’t have OEM hard bags, doesn’t mean you can’t pack it up. There are aftermarket bags for just about every style. Everything from dirt bikes to race ready bikes can be fitted with luggage from some reputable company.
March 6, 2009 at 7:46 pm #16892rroyterParticipantThanks Matt, you’ve explained it really well!
Then the next question is how difficult/dangerous to ride a bike on occasional showers or just wet pavement? Is it a good enough reason to put the bike away and use other transportation? In my case, I don’t use freeway for daily commute.
Thanks
March 6, 2009 at 9:12 pm #16895Clay DowlingParticipantWet roads are definitely more slippery. This morning that was a lot of water on the roads but none in the air, and when I put my foot down at one stop it kept sliding out from under me. The big thing is to slow down so you are reducing the force needed to keep the tires from slipping. Good rain gear is also important, because if you’re wet, you’re wet in very high winds on a bike.
I ride to work every chance I get, and I work in an office. My boss rides, so he isn’t a real bear about showing up with riding boots, but I have my own standard for how I should be dressed at work. If a corporate customer shows up, I don’t want to be seen sitting around in leather pants.
I have small soft bags on my bike. Shoes, rain gear and when the weather is variable spare gloves ride on one side, my lunch on the other. For a sport bike, you might look at a tail bag. It’s like a tank bag, but rides behind you.
March 6, 2009 at 10:57 pm #16761SantaCruzRiderParticipantSome of this will depend on how you dress at work, but here’ my riding/changing setup:
1. Boots — wear them in and put them under my desk, changing into either dress shoes I bring in a backpack with my laptop or into spare loafers I keep in my desk.
2. Overpants — wear over my work clothes (jeans or slacks) and pull off at work. Again stored in desk.
3. Glove, helmet and leather jacket — wear for ride and then onto a hanger or under desk.Pretty simple! Note that my bike has hard cases, but unless I’m planning for a passenger and using them for an extra helmet and jacket, I leave them off. Any extra stuff goes into a laptop bag/backpack and strapped to the passenger seat.
As for rain, how big a deal is that going to be — it rains like what, three days a year in The Valley!??! (Kidding — I grew up in Canoga Park, so I do recall a few downpours.) Basically, wet roads reduce traction and rain reduces visibility — as much for you as for those cars around you.
I personally opt not to commute on rain days, but I’m OK if the roads are wet from a nighttime cloudburst and the prediction is for clear skies. I’ve been caught in the rain plenty of times and there’s no reason to panic. And lots of other bikers ride in the rain all the time and have no problems.
March 7, 2009 at 3:43 am #16893rroyterParticipantYeah, I’ve been saying the same about rain here, but it has been occasionally raining over a month now
What kind of bike do you have? I’ve seen the picture but can’t recognize it.
March 7, 2009 at 5:19 pm #16661SantaCruzRiderParticipantIt’s a 1994 Kawasaki Concours, basically in the sport tourer class. It has an inline 4-cyl. that was based on the Ninja 900 (detuned to make it’s power in a bit lower range), 6-speed tranny and shaft drive. One of my favorite features for commuting is the 7.5-gallon tank. It has 43k on the clock and still rocking.
It is definately not a beginner bike and I would never recommend it as such. It’s a big beast and top heavy (especially with that tank full). You really have to have your head in the game at low speeds and parking lots.
I commute on freeways with carpool lanes and over mountain roads — and it’s perfect for that kind of riding. If I commuted on city streets, this would not be a bike I’d choose.March 8, 2009 at 12:36 am #16948MattParticipantI commute in the rain. I’ve spent entire days traveling by bike in the rain. Totally doable, but make sure you have proper rain gear.
I commuted all last season on a ZZR-250 (Ninja 250 by any other name). It was absolutely perfect in the city. The small size and easiness of it made sure that my mind was always on the traffic, not the bike. I always showed up to work with a smile.
I’m hoping this season with the SV650 will be every bit as good.March 8, 2009 at 3:13 am #16950megaspazParticipantyes, your season will be every bit as good on the sv as previous seasons.
March 8, 2009 at 9:22 pm #16951rroyterParticipantThanks guys for your responses, they are really helpful.
One last question is do you listen to a radio/ipod/etc while riding? If yes – how. Thanks again.
March 8, 2009 at 9:39 pm #16952MunchParticipantI do on and off… I use a little I-pod shuffle and my helmet has “pockets” in the ear pads where the speakers fit nicely. Some feel its a distraction and tend not to. I would say at least in the first year try to refrain from it ,then after that its up to you. Also check local laws.
March 9, 2009 at 3:25 am #16953rroyterParticipantApparently my “last” question never ends Every time I come up with a new question which I’d never ask for car related driving.
How and where do you park? Do you lock the bike with a chain of some sort; are you allowed to park in a car space?
Thanks
March 9, 2009 at 4:14 am #16954SantaCruzRiderParticipantI don’t listen to music, even though my bike has speakers in the dash. If I ever do any touring, I’d consider either installing an amp or getting headphones.
As for parking, I park overnight in an enclosed garage. At work, I park in a company lot. It’s a high tech area and not one prone to crime (San Jose), so I just use the steering lock and that’s it. My bike isn’t the coolest in the lot, so I don’t think I have much risk. I park in either designated motorcycle parking up front or in a car space.
March 9, 2009 at 1:47 pm #16956Clay DowlingParticipantI live and work in very low crime areas. I take the ignition key with me and call it good. I live next to Flint though, which is one of the most crime-ridden cities in the country. When I go into Flint I chain the wheels using a cable lock I picked up at Home Depot. I could spend a lot more on a lock if I wanted, but there isn’t a lot of point. Somebody wants to steal my bike, they’re going to get a couple of big guys and lift it into the back of a truck. The cable lock is just there to annoy them and make them consider lifting the HD parked next to it and leave my 12 year old Honda alone.
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