Business Meetings on Two Wheels

[TamSV]

I was chatting to a customer about this yesterday. I'd like to use the bike more for work but haven't bothered as it just seemed like too much hassle changing gear etc. Is anyone doing this in a professional environment? What gear do you, or would you, choose?

I've sat around the office in kevlar jeans and occasionally pitched up at a clients premises and sat through a meeting in leathers, but you need to know your audience quite well for that one. I have also, in the past, ridden the bike in a 3 piece suit and whilst this is undeniably cool it's probably not the most practical solution.

I generally wear a suit, shirt and tie for work - business attire can be a bit more casual these days but I want to remain at the smart end of the spectrum. Being reasonably well turned out and riding a bike can't be mutually exclusive. I'd like to be able to travel on the bike and arrive at the reception of a new prospective client and not look like I'm delivering a parcel.

The image I have in my head is the opening scenes of Goldfinger where Bond peels off his wetsuit and is wearing a white tux underneath.

A big old top box is going to be part of the solution but anyone got recommendations for gear? Footwear particularly. I don't really fancy standing in a muddy car park changing my shoes.

I do it, but I'm yet to find THE solution.

Sorry I can't be of much help, but I'll be watching the thread with interest.

[fizzwheel]

Not quite the same as I dont have a requirement to wear a suit. But I dont know if this would work for you.

I had to go to an off site meeting and I had forgotten about it and come to work on the bike.

The meeting was being held in a hotel. I knew the hotel had a toilet that I'd be able to use to change out of my leathers. So I just left for the meeting 10 minutes earler than I would have done and got changed once I got there.

I just put my leathers, lid etc into a corner of the meeting room where they were out of the way and wouldnt get trodden on / tripped over.

I'm guessing you are going off sites to meetings at a customers site ? If so would the same scenario not work, just arrive a little early and ask to use the toilet and go get changed in there.

I guess its down to who well you know the people you were meeting. In my case I knew them all well and they had no problem with me arriving on my bike etc etc. I dont know if I would want to do this if it was the first time I would be meeting them or I didnt know them very well.

Have a similar problem, and I am travelling to the clients on the bike only if I know them quite well - and then it is not a problem (no suit of course).

Still not sure to do it with new ones...and it does not help when they are based on Harley Street

i quite regularly ride to meet customers and on some occasions have been sat there in leathers. its fine with known people but new people i feel quite under dressed. most of the time i put spare clothes in my bag

It's a problem that bike gear in general is either blathered in logos or is completely unfashionable.

I work in architecture, so a suit isn't strictly necessary, but looking smart is. Why can't bike gear manufacturers come up with some subtle, smart clothing that looks good OFF the bike? It's bad enough having to find somewhere to put the helmet never mind taking a complete change of clothes.

[aesmith]

I used to go on the Aprilia. No need to wear special shoes even in heavy rain. I carried my work bag under the seat, then at the customer's I'd take the bag out and stow helmet, gloves, jacket etc in it's place.

[SoulKiss]

I "commute" to job interviews on the bike.

Suit Trousers under my Textiles, Suit jacket lightly folded in the tank bag, along with shoes in a poly bag.

Get to destination, park, then change in the street - not like you are getting stripped to underwear.

Get to reception of person visiting, if it looks likely, ask if they will look after your bag/jacket/lid, or if it doesnt look so good, stick in corner of meeting room.

[BoltonSte]

Plain black textiles and boots, wear a decent shirt or whatever under the jacket? If you're sat down who'd notice and at least it's not garish like a Rossi rep set of leathers.

[punyXpress]

Isn't there a 'made in USA' textile suit that zips over civilian gear?
Think name begins with 'A', but at this point run out of ideas.