GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

One of the things that really annoys me about not driving a car anymore and using a motorcycle, is the whole gearing up ritual.
It take's me too long to do it  :x
Is this normal?

I mean, I can't strap my helmet with gloves on, so I have to do it like this:

1- put jacket on, but don't zip up (is like 95 degree summer)
2- place gloves near by
3- insert key in motorcycle, but dont turn
4- put helmet with open visor and struggle a couple of seconds with strap
5- put on left glove and struggle to get it under the long sleeve jacket
6- do the same for right glove...
7- check jacket pockets and realize that I haven't zipped jacket itself.
8- zip jacket and mount motorcycle
9- check motorcycle lights and gears and brakes.
10- turn on motorcycle and warm up
11- (at this point im sweating as it I was beign cooked by satan)
12- finally start to run and after 17mph close visor on helmet.

so much for a speedy motorbyke. the whole process takes some good 5 to 6 minutes!

once on my destination, I must struggle taking the sweaty gloves out of my right hand to be able to unstrap the helmet and take it out.

Man I feel like I wrestled a dog after im done.  :bs:

switch it up,  insert key first.  gloves are last.  cause you need your hands to put your lid strap on.  99% of gloves go outside the jacket sleeves.  they make quick release clips for helmets so you just hit the button and it comes apart.   and while the bike is warming up you should be zipping your jacket, and putting your gloves on.

My "ritual"


In the house.
1. Put on jacket not zipped
2. Grab helmet and gloves

At bike
0. remove disc lock
1. Mount bike
2. Put key in
3. Take gloves out of helmet and set gloves on tank.
4. Put on helmet, laced and ready to go.
5. Start bike and warm up.
5.5 zip up jacket
6. Put on gloves
7. Ride away. ( about a minute warmup because of 5 and 6.)

** I start the bike before I'm finished suiting up so its warming up while I'm finishing getting ready.


At destination.
1. Turn off bike
2. Unzip jacket
3. Put on disc lock.
4. Take off gloves
5. take off helmet and put gloves into helmet.


I'd say it takes me about 3 minutes to mount, warmup and ride off.
And less than a minute to get off when I'm there.

It'll get faster once you've done it a few hundred times.  Lets see 3 years, 365 days, riding at least 320 days,  at least two mounts/dismount per day so thats what 2000 times for me.

:cheers:

EDIT* Davipu beat me by a minute.

Also I put my helmet on before I start the bike because who knows what could happen while the engine is running.  You could forget its in gear and let out the clutch,  I'd hate to say I got sent to the hospital in a motorcycle accident at 0mph. :-)

so gloves go around and outside jacket?  :dunno:

mines are long (beyond wristh) and what bothers me more is squeezing them under the jacket sleeves.

Yeah leave the gloves on the outside of the jacket.  Think of how the air will flow.  If the gloves are over the jacket then the air will just flow over it.  If the Gloves are inside the jacket the jacket could catch air and puff you up like a balloon.  (only if your cuffs are really really loose)


Plus its a pain in the butt trying to deal with them underneath.  The only time I ever put gloves under a jacket was up north trying to keep snow out of my gloves when I was a kid.

I wear Full leathers everywere I go (daily commute and play time)
It takes me a total of about 3 minutes to suit up..

Here goes;
1, put on leather pants, and zip leg cuffs
2, put on my Sidi boots,
3, put on jacket, full circumfrence zipper, and zip front.
4, throw my timbuk2 messanger bag on.
5, head out to bike.
6, place helmet and gloves (gloves inside helmet) on tank
7, start bike
8 strap on helmet
9, put on gloves
10 ride like hell!!

1. slip into suit
2. put on boots
3. put in the earplugs
4. put helmet on
5. put on the sunglasses
6. put on  backpack
7. put on gloves
8. check tires,chain, oil
9. fire it up and check all the lights.
10. let engine warm up a tad
11. take off

Over all, it takes me a few minutes, so yes, I think it  normal to spend that much time to get ready to get geared up.

it takes less time than getting skin grafts.

Quote from: raylarrabeeit takes less time than getting skin grafts.

bad AR in your avatar  :roll:

Start the bike in neutral with the kickstand down to warm up.  Gear up and warm up at the same time.  :)

Insert key, turn on, check neutral, adjust choke if needed then start: 15 seconds
Put on helmet and buckle: 25 seconds
Put on jacket and zip up, sit on bike and put gloves on:about a minute

Realistically I think it takes me about 3 minutes from turn key to off and rolling.  I think a 4 or 5 minute warmup is good for the bike if it is cold (not been ridden in 3 or 4 hours) so I generally don't start up and rush off.  It has been in the 80's here so I put on the jacket and gloves last for sure.

I enjoy the ritual.  I am sort of superstitious about it.  I always do it the same way every time.  It makes me feel safer  :lol:

It used to bother me the time it takes to get ready to ride so I passed my car test and started to drive to work. I got bored before the end of the week and decided to use the bike, now the car is only used when I need to carry something I can't carry on the bike. Don't worry about a few minutes I mean how busy are you that you can't spare a few minutes. Be thankful that you can ride a bike cos they are mega cool.

Put on boots and pants and jacket in my apartment - it takes no longer than putting on normal pants and boots and jacket.  With the Breva or the SV - put on helmet and gloves, start bike, go.  With the GS500, start bike, put on helmet and gloves, go.  The part at the bike takes no longer than getting into a car and fastening the seatbelt, IMO.

ooh, list. i love lists!  :mrgreen:

1. put on shirt, pants, shoes
2. go out to the shed and:
    a) crank bike w/ choke (so lean i have to choke it in the summer :( )
    b) check brake lights, horn, turn signals
    c) check for a puddle underneath :)
    d) turn choke back
3. go back in the house; slip on jacket; grab gloves and helmet
4. stuff wallet, phone, glasses case into various pockets while i walk out
5. put on helmet and glasses
6. backwards-waddle the bike out of shed, checking brakes and clutch operation
7. park bike on lawn and toss gloves on tank
8. lock shed and zip up jacket
9. glance at the tires, headlight, and chain (too dark in shed)
10. mount
*11. crotch adjustment -- super necessary
12. put on gloves :)
13. vroom!

all in all it takes about 5-7 minutes start to finish.  sucky if you're late for work =(

oh yeah, if i've already ridden that day, then i bring all my crap out, skip the checks, and don't start until i have the helmet on.

1) put on boots inside.  Yes, it looks funny when wearing shorts.
2) walk out to bike
3) start bike (neutral, kickstand down)
4) Empty pockets into the luggage, insert earplugs, suit, helmet and gloves while bike is warming up
5) go

The whole thing takes about 90 seconds once I get to the bike.  This doesn't seem too bad to me, but yes, it takes an extra minute over hopping in a car.

Quote from: Rema1000Yes, it looks funny when wearing shorts.

You don't ride in shorts, do you?   :o

My wife and I both ride..
Around my house we call this the "Launch Sequence."

Its very true that a car has virtually no launch sequence and a bike can make you late for work..  :x
If the launch sequence doesnt get started 10 minutes sooner then you normally leave for work, its best just to just take the truck..

The only other option is to be an outlaw biker and just jump on and ride with your only piece of actual gear being your sunglasses.. 8)  :nono:

Its all part of it..
:thumb:

Quote from: subcso gloves go around and outside jacket?  :dunno:

mines are long (beyond wristh) and what bothers me more is squeezing them under the jacket sleeves.

Thats why cruiser riders wear gauntlets..

There are sportbike gauntlets, too, and that's what I wear.  One pair Joe Rocket Speedmaster (one generation ago, with the chrome knuckles); one pair Tour Master Robomax Carbon.  Both Newenough closeout specials.  I used to wear Joe Rocket Phoenix, and it was hard to get them to stay up around the jacket sleeves.

Quote from: subcOne of the things that really annoys me about not driving a car anymore and using a motorcycle, is the whole gearing up ritual.
It take's me too long to do it  :x
Is this normal?

You can save substantial time and ride protected too with a one-piece Aerostich RoadCrafter suit.  A tad pricy at $727, but reviews are quite favorable.  

I don't have one but Tametoshi Ushimaru of Yamoto City, Japan does, and the Aerostich company claims he can get his riding suit on in well under 10 seconds.  (Their site had a video clip of him doning his suit but can't find it any more.)

The rest is dependent on other factors other gear, and on thermodynamics (warming an air-cooled, lean-jetted motor).

The biggest timesaver is warming up the bike while you get your gear on.  Especially on the hot days, it's nice to throw the jacket and gloves on at the last possible moment.

I definitely have to get up earlier to ride a bike to work as opposed to taking the car.  It's actually more time-consuming at both ends of the ride, because after parking the bike at work you have to un-gear.

I still think it's worth it though.  I save on gas and parking AND I get to ride my bike  :thumb:

Quote from: RedShift

Quote from: subcOne of the things that really annoys me about not driving a car anymore and using a motorcycle, is the whole gearing up ritual.
It take's me too long to do it  :x
Is this normal?

You can save substantial time and ride protected too with a one-piece Aerostich RoadCrafter suit.  A tad pricy at $727, but reviews are quite favorable.  

I don't have one but Tametoshi Ushimaru of Yamoto City, Japan does, and the Aerostich company claims he can get his riding suit on in well under 10 seconds.  (Their site had a video clip of him doning his suit but can't find it any more.)

The rest is dependent on other factors other gear, and on thermodynamics (warming an air-cooled, lean-jetted motor).

I've had said suit for the past 3 years and can say that it is definately a breeze to put on and take off.  It actually takes me longer to put in the ear plugs than it is to step into the aerostich.

I bought mine used for 180 in really good condition.  the only problem that I have had so far is that the full leg zipper on the left leg got stuck at the bottom so i had to take my boot off to get it off.  I called them and talked to Scott (the guy that does all the repairs) a 3 minute phone call and 5 minutes later it was fixed.  it takes maybe a minute to put it on.  I couldn't see myself going to work without it.

I do like some, I finish gearing up while the bike is warming up.
Total time is about 5 min. from last boot tied to down the street to raise dust. :thumb:

Quote from: daneilahI definitely have to get up earlier to ride a bike to work as opposed to taking the car.  It's actually more time-consuming at both ends of the ride, because after parking the bike at work you have to un-gear.

I still think it's worth it though.  I save on gas and parking AND I get to ride my bike  :thumb:

+1  :thumb: (hate the waking up early part though)

I normally get up a hour before I have to so i can make a good breakfast and check my email. but then again I like being awake when I race doen the freeway to work.

Quote from: crash
*11. crotch adjustment -- super necessary

:lol:  DEFINITELY agree with the crotch adjustment!!  :mrgreen: When I leave and pretty much every time I stop. The burden some of us have to deal with...

Jacket goes on in the house, check the bike, warm up the bike, sit on bike, helmet goes on tank, gloves on crotch (sorry gloves), helmet on, gloves on, warm up a minute or 2 more and off I go.
Helmet goes on easier with glasses since I bought my KBC FFR modular helmet. I always put my gloves under my jacket though. my gloves are short wristed and my jackets all have velcro wrists. It's more comfortable to me like that.

Quote from: Superman55:lol:  DEFINITELY agree with the crotch adjustment!!  :mrgreen: When I leave and pretty much every time I stop. The burden some of us have to deal with....

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Glad to be a woman,
pandy  :P

Quote from: pandy

Quote from: Superman55:lol:  DEFINITELY agree with the crotch adjustment!!  :mrgreen: When I leave and pretty much every time I stop. The burden some of us have to deal with....

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Glad to be a woman,
pandy  :P

We're glad you're a woman too..  :thumb:  :kiss:  :cheers:  :mrgreen:

Quote from: RedShiftYou can save substantial time and ride protected too with a one-piece Aerostich RoadCrafter suit.  A tad pricy at $727, but reviews are quite favorable.  

I don't have one but Tametoshi Ushimaru of Yamoto City, Japan does, and the Aerostich company claims he can get his riding suit on in well under 10 seconds.

I counted today, and it took me 30 seconds to step into the Aerostich and zip it up.  The first 5 seconds were spent looking for the right leg hole; I don't think I'm going to win their annual zip-n-strip Roadcrafter race :) .

[edit: it took 20 seconds the next day]

Quote from: pandy:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Glad to be a woman,
pandy  :P

You know, every guy who ever got in the passenger seat of my Miata had to fiddle with the nuts.   :lol:  I guess it makes up for the mucking about we have to do with sport bras...

Oh! You can also save time by lathering up with soap while you are waiting the 90 seconds for your conditioner to work.

Quote from: Roadstergal

Quote from: pandy:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Glad to be a woman,
pandy  :P

You know, every guy who ever got in the passenger seat of my Miata had to fiddle with the nuts.   :lol:  I guess it makes up for the mucking about we have to do with sport bras...

I believe we're off topic here.  :lol:

Quote from: Roadstergal

You know, every guy who ever got in the passenger seat of my Miata had to fiddle with the nuts.  

guys never really need an excuse to fiddle with the boys

5-6 minutes to put on gear!? I fire up the bike first (if it's cold) to get it warmed up while I 1) put on jacket and zip it up. 2) put on helmet, strap it in. 3) fight with the gloves to get them on and under the sleeves properly without irritating me. 4) disengage choke, slip the bike into gear and off I go! I guess it probably does take me almost 5 minutes... :? I don't put the visor down until I'm above 50 or the wind is kicking around chunks of crap and I start getting blinded. If there isn't any wind, I ride on the interstate w/ my visor up. Love the wind and sound of the bike.

you know normal gloves are designed to go outside the sleeves.

I put all my gear on about 5 minutes before I leave the house so they have time to warm up (yeah its bloody cold here). Then I make my way out to the bike, stick the key in the ignition, jump on, start it up and slowly walk the bike across the yard past the cars in the driveway onto the road. In total it takes about 6 minutes to get from jacket on, to the road. The bike only gets the 1 minute warm-up at full choke in the morning and I ride it half choke all the way to school cause its never properly warmed up by the time I get there anyways.

I commute about 500 miles per week to work.  Riding the GS500 allows me to take the carpool lane to work, bypassing the traffic jams on the highway.  I may spend 10 minutes a day putting on gear (pants/boots/jacket/earplugs/helmet/glasses/gloves), but I save about 40 minutes a day by taking the bike to work, and I don't have to deal with rush hour traffic.

Not to mention the gas savings.  Parking is free for motorcycles, while a car parking space is $65/month.  I spend about $120/month on gas, while my friend who makes a similar commute spends almost $300/month on gas and a parking space.

I've been thinking about getting the Fieldsheer Highland one-piece suit.  It's said to be similar to the Aerostich Roadcrafter, but much cheaper.

(http://fieldsheer.com/catalog/images/Highland1Pc_open2.jpg)

Quote from: xtalmanIt's said to be similar to the Aerostich Roadcrafter, but much cheaper.

How much cheaper? My none-too-thorough googling suggests the suit comes in around $250?

well that's slightly cheeper that the 800 or so for a roadcrafter.   i take it that the cost difference is in the materials, as the roadcrafter is made from goretex (tm) with kevlar overlays in the abraision zones. and aerostich is a american company that dosn't have factories in forien countrys. so your are paying for overhead with each suit.

a thread whare these were compared.
http://www.cycleforums.com/forums/showthread/t-2835.html

but it still comes down to the simple fact that you can't beat a stich.

aerostich.com is the website to check out the suits

Nice old thread...  Takes me maybe 5-6 minutes...  

Before I leave the house I put my pants on (if it's raining), boots on, Jacket on (unzipped), helmet in hand, gloves in helmet...  Walk to my bike.

I put my helmet on the ground, put my lunch (or other crap) in the top case, start the bike, zip up my jacket, pick up my helmet, put my gloves on the seat with my sunglasses sitting on them, put my helmet on, sunglasses, then gloves...

Ride away.  :thumb:

Quote from: RVertigoNice old thread...  Takes me maybe 5-6 minutes...  

Before I leave the house I put my pants on (if it's raining), boots on, Jacket on (unzipped), helmet in hand, gloves in helmet...  Walk to my bike.

I put my helmet on the ground, put my lunch (or other crap) in the top case, start the bike, zip up my jacket, pick up my helmet, put my gloves on the seat with my sunglasses sitting on them, put my helmet on, sunglasses, then gloves...

Ride away.  :thumb:

I always get out to the bike and realize that I've left something important (like my keys) in the pocket of the pants under my riding pants.  :x

Quote from: BadgerI always get out to the bike and realize that I've left something important (like my keys) in the pocket of the pants under my riding pants.  :x

Yeah...  I was leaving that stuff out...  Like when I try to put my helmet on with my sunglasses on my face...

Or I get my gloves on and forgot to put my helmet on...  Or forgot to grab my keys... or forgot to put my junk in the top case...  I've ridden off without doing the strap on my helmet...  I've ridden off in shoes after forgetting to put my boots on...

Usually only adds a minute or two. :dunno:

I usually have to poke myself with my glasses a few times before I can get them on correctly.  The one time I neglected to fasten my helmet, it was because I figured it would be easier to get my glasses on with it unbuckled, then lost track, put on the gloves and went.  It took me a while to figure out why I kept getting slapped in the neck.

You guys are so slow!

While in the castle, I yell, "GO VOLTRON FORCE!".  Grab the handle thing, jump into the pod, and get whisked away through rock, lava, water, whatever, and before you know it, I'm all suited up and in an already warmed up Lion!
(http://www.comune.modena.it/glamazonia/mij/cronologie/e-i/imm_e-i/voltron-groupz.jpg)(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/Uneek_K/voltron.jpg)

It's gotta take, oh, much less than 30 seconds!  :mrgreen:

Wait... we are talking Voltron's Lions here, aren't we?

Quote from: enecks
How much cheaper? My none-too-thorough googling suggests the suit comes in around $250?

Like half the price.  I've seen them closed-out for $200 at Brockton Cycle, but they typically go for about $300.  Lots of people swear by the Roadcrafter, but I haven't seen one in person.  The Roadcrafters have more sizing and color options and are more customizable.  It's been pretty much accepted for years that the Aerostich is the best textile one-piece.   A lot of people have used theirs for many years.

The outer material for the Fieldsheer is 600 denier Carbolex, whereas the Aerostich is 500 denier Cordura except in the forearms, shoulders, knees, and shins, where it is 1050 denier urethane-coated ballistic nylon.  Fieldsheer says they have ballistic nylon there too, but don't specifically identify it.  The Aerostich comes with shoulder, knee, and shin armor (hip and back armor optional).  The Fieldsheer has those and adds hip and back armor as well.

Based on specs, the Fieldsheer compares favorably.  However, specs don't tell you everything.  I've not read about anyone crash-testing a Fieldsheer Highlands yet.

As to thoes one piece suits, I've felt up the highlander suits, and have some samples from aerositch. The highlander feels like my ski jacket. ie, weak. I havent taken the samples in to directly compare, but when I did, it seemed too soft. The balistics samples are like .. woah, tough.

I had aerostich send me a suit for fitting, then if everything is ok, i'll get custom colors and stuff. It should be here thursday. I have high expectations. I hope that it can meet them :D



As to gear up time, just don't take as long a shower, eat a bit faster, drive a bit faster, wake up/get out of bed a bit faster, and you should be able to pull 5 mins out of almost anyones routine. (unless you wake up, put on shaZam! and then leave. Then you might have to wake up 5 mins earlier.) Plus, after a few weeks of pushing yourself, it should come naturally. (and i say all this without even have done it  :mrgreen:  ;))

QuoteI had aerostich send me a suit for fitting, then if everything is ok, i'll get custom colors and stuff. It should be here thursday. I have high expectations. I hope that it can meet them :D

the first time you ride in the rain it will not only meet your expectations, but will exceed any thoughts you ever had about what it may mean to ride in the rain.  

the only reason that yo need to buy a stich.

Quoteover the years the expensive way to own a 'Stich is buy two or three other suits that look like a 'Stich, but ain't. Most of the money comes from that fact that it's made in America by Americans making American wages.

to answer the original question in a smart ass way:

less than the time it takes my skin to grow back if I don't put it on.

(sorry if anyone else already said that. I didn't read all of the replies)

it takes a LOT of time....but I agree with rriterson  ;)
It's also funny, it makes me feel like a medieval kinght!  :lol:

Quote from: diamond_ladyIt's also funny, it makes me feel like a medieval kinght!  :lol:

Do you have a squire that dresses you?