Riding a bike to school.. advice

[Litos]

i feel emeberassed, but i wear jeans, gloves and helmet only.

i know i know, "you'll wish you had a jacket on when you hit the deck at speed".......

 

[btr1208]

Does the helmet not lock to the bike? I would hate to carry it around everywhere I go..

 

[Jmal18]

Alpinestars has some of the best gear IMO. Check them out. A good motorcycle backpack is a must. Kriega makes some of the best. They are extremely comfortable and well made. I wear Red Wing work boots that cover my ankles and I bring my sneakers to work and change into them. As for the helmet, you can get a lock for your bike or just carry it. Sometimes annoying, but...safety first.

Gloves are a must have. When riding at night the temperature on a bike is about 10 degrees cooler bc of the wind (and you should protect your hands anyway).

Riding a motorcycle is a compromise when it comes to convenience. There are pros and cons especially when it comes to room and what you can carry. It takes time, but you'll figure out a setup that works best for you.

 

[snrusnak]

I don't wear leather because it's so hot hear in FL. Even my mesh jackets get a little hot, but no big deal. If I was in colder climates I'd probably go with leather, I'm sure it protects better.

 

[WIGGLE2]

I use a Joe Rocket Velocity mesh jacket here in warm weather, some Joe Rocket SuperMoto gloves,(they look nearly identical to icecoldcoasty's), jeans, a decent Buell/AGV helmet and Harley (yep!) boots. (They look a lot like "work" boots guys! NOT like poser boots!). Perhaps SHOULD run more gear on the lower half, but...? ICON did make a nice pair of boots at one time...not sure. Motorcycle Superstore on line often has some good deals going too! Ride safe out there! Remember...we're "invisable" to the cagers!! Remember that ALWAYS and ride like they don't see you!

 

[buellxb9rs]

I wouldn't leave anything on my bike, I take everything with me because I know some guys you had jackets and helmets stolen that way.

 

[snrusnak]

^I agree. I will sometimes leave my helmet or everything if I can see it.

A buddy left his helmet on his seat and when he came back he got a face full of pee. Someone used it as a restroom [mad][down]

 

[blacksmith]

^I agree. I will sometimes leave my helmet or everything if I can see it.

A buddy left his helmet on his seat and when he came back he got a face full of pee. Someone used it as a restroom

What sort of ******* does that kinda thing... reminds me of back when I had a convertible mustang and some random kids threw a cigarette in my car as I was passing them.

 

[iman501]

i didnt read through this whole thread, so not sure if it has been said.

However, regarding your foot wear: if you do ever end up riding with tennis shoes, make sure you tuck the laces into the shoe. you will regret not doing it if you ever come to a stop and your laces are tangled up in the shifter or brake lever!!! you wont realize it until you have fallen over and the bike is on top of you!

Also the firebolts do not have a helmet lock on them stock. You can buy them, or do a DIY.

I simply took off my sub frame plastic, and drilled a hole into the sub frame right where the passenger seat comes off. and put a small bolt with a lock nut on it. So when it comes to parking the bike, i just pop off the rear seat, and hook the d-rings around the bolt and lock the seat back on!

 

[snrusnak]

Also the firebolts do not have a helmet lock on them stock. You can buy them, or do a DIY.

Firebolts do have a helmet lock IIRC. There is a cable in the tool kit that hooks under the passenger seat.

 

[iman501]

^^^ disadvantage of buying a buell used.....

half my tool kit was missing....

 

[blacksmith]

Do lightnings have a helmet lock stock? I never noticed... what is it just a hook under the seat to loop a cable through...? Would a pistol lock work?

 

[snrusnak]

Yeah under the passenger seat there is a "hook" on each side, then there is a cable or two with the tool kit that runs through the D ring on your helmet and hooks to the hook under the seat. I've actually never had the need to lock my helmet though so have yet to actually use it out and about. I usually just hang my helmet on the mirror.

 

[gobi42]

You will be fine with a helmet jacket blue jeans gloves and a pair of work boots work great but i usually just wear my skate shoes when commuting and riding gear in bad weather or when i plan on going hard

 

[oh9bolt]

^ Classic example of what not to do, riding hard has nothing to do with granny pulling out in front or rear ending you, or a person on their phone switch lanes and not see you.

I would rather sweat than bleed.

GL!

 

[btr1208]

Thanks to everyone's responses. I think I am going to pick up a helmet, gloves, jacket and boots. Never plan on going hard!

 

[snrusnak]

Never plan on going hard!

Just wait till you get the bike

 

[iman501]

That's what I'm thinking!, it's hard not to when you find good roads!

 

[Headbarcode]

I've seen kids slap a poor guys helmit off his seat, beer poured in a helmit, and a woman that came back to find her helmit gone except for the d-ring and strap still hanging on the helmit lock (she was in tears waiting to be picked up by family). It's a shame how people can be sometimes. I guess that why most helmits come with carry bags. Having another thing to tote around is better then coming back to piss, impacts, beer or tears.

 

[Oldgit]

I commute on my XB12. I always wear textile jacket, trousers (you know them as pants lol), good gloves, helm ofc and good boots. I keep some shoes at work. I wear full work clothes (shirt, trousers etc) under my gear so all I need to do is strip the protection off, put shoes on then I'm g2g.

In my opinion: never skimp on protection even if you think it makes you look uncool, or bogs you down with a routine of dressing/undressing/storing etc.