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.  

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.



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  

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?  

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..  

Its all part of it..

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.