Commuter gear?

[Tron]

All,
since there's no telling if and when BMW will actually put the Vision CE on the market, I'm thinking I might go with a CE04 in the meantime (and trade it in if/when the Vision CE debuts).
That would obviously mean protective clothing (I never ride without), which, when using the bike for commuting to work, oftentimes clashes with office attire.
So what do you guys use?
I'm in the Deep South of the US (read: hot), and likely would use the bike only when there's no rain in the forecast, so I probably need something mesh-like. My office attire is a dress shirt and khakis, so how does that work out with a mesh jacket/pants? Probably size up? Or is there something like an overall/jump suit that you can put on over your office clothes? I sadly don't have the opportunity to change in the office, and honestly, if I have to go to that length I might just take the truck. So I'm looking for solutions that would at least let me arrive in "office shape" after the commute in the morning. Going home, that's probably not so much of an issue.

Also, what does your luggage solution look like? I suppose that a topcase with a 2-helmet capacity should be enough for a helmet and the mesh gear, right?

Thanks!

 

[Ceesie76]

I just wear appropriately sized jacket and pants over my regular clothes, works fine. You don't have a bathroom at work you could change in? Yes a top case should accomodate at least the jacket and pants. For the helmet you could use a helmet lock.

 

[Tron]

You don't have a bathroom at work you could change in?

Sure, there is one, but have you ever changed in a bathroom, especially on a regular basis? Without knowing how clean the floor really is?
Not really an option, but I think I could do with a mesh jacket/pants over work clothes which I could take off in the parking lot. If the pants have an ankle zipper that makes them wide enough to get over shoes, that is.

 

[Sisyrx]

what about something from Aerostitch?

 

[wspollack]

what about something from Aerostitch?

Aerostitch makes some good (if commensurately priced) gear -- https://www.aerostich.com/ -- and has done so for a long time now. However well they can cover up work clothes, I don't think any of those suits are vented enough for the Deep South.

Years back, my wife and I were on an Edelweiss tour in Europe with some of the folks (riders and passengers) in 'Stiches. On some really warm days, they couldn't wait to get those tops off -- pulled down to their waists -- at rest stops. (By contrast, my wife and I were wearing leather jackets, with pairs of vents on the chest, arms, and back, and were doing fine.)

 

[Tron]

I don't think any of those suits are vented enough for the Deep South.

Not really. There is a company in San Diego that makes custom-fit onesies and combos from mesh that are supposed to be good. But a) expensive and b) probably has a long lead time.
I bought some reasonable Level 2/AA gear from RevIt, I'll see how well that works for commuting.
If I can't take the pants off without removing shoes, not a biggie, I can do that in my office.

 

[Sisyrx]

Not really. There is a company in San Diego that makes custom-fit onesies and combos from mesh that are supposed to be good. But a) expensive and b) probably has a long lead time.
I bought some reasonable Level 2/AA gear from RevIt, I'll see how well that works for commuting.

Oh, who’s this San Diego company?

 

[wspollack]

Not really. There is a company in San Diego that makes custom-fit onesies and combos from mesh that are supposed to be good. But a) expensive and b) probably has a long lead time.
I bought some reasonable Level 2/AA gear from RevIt, I'll see how well that works for commuting.
If I can't take the pants off without removing shoes, not a biggie, I can do that in my office.

I was referring to the Aerostitch suits, but a mesh onesie sounds interesting, didn't know anyone made such things, etc.

I wear one of two jackets while riding, and one -- a mesh one -- is from Rev'it. I've been using it for half-dozen years or so, it's well made, and sort of day-glo yellow/green (although I did replace its stock back pad with a better one, and the front zipper is European, i.e., wrong-handed for North America). My summer gloves are also from Rev'it.

(My other jacket is a 3/4 length, rain-proof, one from Technic, an extinct company. It has pairs of vents in the chest and sleeves, and one across the back, covered by a flap. That's my go-to jacket for colder weather and for the occasional multi-day tours.)

 

[Sisyrx]

I was referring to the Aerostitch suits, but a mesh onesie sounds interesting, didn't know anyone made such things, etc.

I wear one of two jackets while riding, and one -- a mesh one -- is from Rev'it. I've been using it for half-dozen years or so, it's well made, and sort of day-glo yellow/green (although I did replace its stock back pad with a better one, and the front zipper is European, i.e., wrong-handed for North America). My summer gloves are also from Rev'it.

(My other jacket is a 3/4 length, rain-proof, one from Technic, an extinct company. It has pairs of vents in the chest and sleeves, and one across the back, covered by a flap. That's my go-to jacket for colder weather and for the occasional multi-day tours.)

I absolutely love my Klim Marrakesh jacket. Entire material is a stretch mesh situation. Superb airflow.

The price though, yeesh

 

[Tron]

Oh, who’s this San Diego company?

Motoport USA | Custom Motorcycle Apparel

I've reached out to them but haven't heard back. In the meantime I went with a set of AA/Level 2 rated RevIt gear, that should arrive tomorrow or so.

I thought about the Klim Marrakesh, but was put off a little by the lack of a connection zipper. I think that's an easy, but relevant safety feature. Sure, you can probably retrofit one.
I don't understand, though, why it doesn't come with Level 2 protectors as a default.

 

[Ceesie76]

Hmmm ... this 'Motoport' place in San Diego seems to have 'borrowed' their logo from a Dutch motorcycle accessories chain.

It's not too far from where I live (I mean here in Southern California. I used to live close to one of the Dutch motoport stores):

 

[Tron]

Yes, looks very similar ;-)