Tips from those of you who commute

[CHEMIKER]

Everything gear-wise has already been said. Storage was my big issue. I used to carry a backpack but it got too hot when the weather started to get nice because the straps cover the nice perforations in my jacket.

A couple of weeks ago I bought the First Gear Monza tankbag:

First Gear Monza Tank Bag With Backpack - KneeDraggers.com

During the ride home it seemed very bulky and I thought I was going to return it. But I decided to ride with it for a week before making that decision and now I don't even notice it's there. This thing is awesome!! It has so much room inside and lots of options. It is a two-part bag; the top big compartment comes off and becomes actually a nice backpack. The bottom compartment doesn't hold anything taller than 1" but, like the top compartment, has a mapcase, which is nice for short trips. I give it this bag 10/10. I usually unzip the top and take it with me if I'm in a familiar place and take the whole thing with me if I'm unsure of it's security.

A couple of things about tank bags:

Make sure that the tank bag and your tank are very clean when you attach it. No matter how strong the magnets are you will get micromotion between the bag and the tank that will result in abrasion over time if you have trapped particles. Remove it and clean both often. I carry around a microfiber towel and clean the tank and bag whenever I get gas (you have to take the bag off anyway). On weekends I clean the tank and bag with a damp towel and mild detergent.

Don't put a computer in your tankbag if you are using the magnets. Rumor is that hard drives don't play well with magnets!

[Botch]

Originally Posted by CHEMIKER

Don't put a computer in your tankbag if you are using the magnets. Rumor is that hard drives don't play well with magnets!

Whoa, I wouldn't have thought about this! Great suggestion!

[cv_rider]

I use CoreTech soft saddle and tailbags. Dress shoes in the saddle bags, little brief case in the tail bag. I've been able to wear my business clothes under the riding clothes, even when it was over 100F. Wind kept me from breaking into a sweat. Most of my commuting is from my home to customers' facilities, so I end up taking off all my riding gear and swapping boots for shoes in the parking lot. Since I can't bring all that gear in the facility with me, I have a long cable that I loop through the helmet, jacket, flourescent vest, and riding pants, and lock all that to the front wheel. Back protector just sits under all that -- no way to lock it and too big to go into CoreTech. I stuff the boots and gloves into the tailbag and lock the two zippers together. It would only take a pliers to break open the tailbag, and the whole thing can be disconnected from the bike with four quick-release connectors, so it's not secure. But at least it keeps prying eyes away. The real pain is short hops between different facilities. The time it takes to gear up and gear down often takes longer than getting there. Sometimes the headache of all the clothing changes just makes me want to cage it, but that's too mind numbing in the traffic.

[gomd3]

Ive been using it to go to school and Im using a messenger bag currently. I just finish modifying my mounts and Im about to paint the hard bags I bought of a Ducati to fit onto FZ. If you commute alot theres nothing better than having permanent hard bags. You can go shopping and not worry about carrying stuff back. On my DRZ (dual sport also my previous commuter bike) I had hard saddle bags and a trunk to carry tools and what nots in.
Good thing about the hard cases is that you dont have to worry about people running off with your bags since they are bolted on... Also allow for way more storage space.

[Doorag]

I've been commuting on a couple of different bikes for over a year now and I find that a removable, rear box to be the best bet. I can cram a backpack with an entire change of clothes into it along with a few groceries on the way home. It also works as a back-rest for a pillion passenger and helps inexperienced passengers feel safer.

Where I work, sometimes I need a suit for client meetings. I just keep a suit, shirt, tie, and dress shoes in the office in case I need them.

[VEGASRIDER]

I use a backpack to carry my junk plus I wear full gear going to work. I have a stash of clothes hidden at my workplace just in case I need to change into some dry clothes ranging from socks, underwear, shoes, etc. in case I encounter really wet weather. My workplace is casual, so I can wear a hat to cover my helmet hair. I live in Vegas so our climate is similar to yours in Phoenix. During the summer, I wear a mesh jacket. I usually switch shirts once I get to work during the summer because of the sweat. As far as your firearm, can't help you there. Are you a cop?

[Zealous]

If you're worried about wearing a backpack because of the trapped heat, or your just looking to store your gear with your bike, then I found a pretty good setup. It's completely adjustable, so even though I found it on a forum for another bike (GS500E) It would be able to fit the back side of your FZ6 just as well. In the end it provides plenty of storage, it's easily removable, and all three bags have a clean look to them when on. No oversized stuff making you look like your going on an expedition instead of work. I'll post the link and hopefully it helps.

Installing Tourmaster Cortech Saddlebags & Tailbag on a (pre-'01) Suzuki GS500E

[buggerlugs]

I leave as much as I can at work - shoes, laptop etc. I usually wear leathers with my work trousers folded up in a rucsac. I also leave a spare pair of trousers in by bottom drawer at work in case I forget to bring the trousers (which I did once, had to wear leathers all day - felt a right dork)

[Cloggy]

I have a locker at my work, I keep a full set of clothes in it, especially for the warm summer days, when I ride in my leathers. My boots I change for my regulation (anti static) safety shoes. During the days that are cold in the morning and warmer in the afternoon i generally carry a rucksack so I can put my warmer clothes in it when I ride back in the afternoon. Any bigger luggage then I take my Givi top box with me.

I put my works pass on a neck cord attatched to my jacket and put it in my pocket, generally I don't have a problem getting it out of my pocket whilst riding, but if anything happens I can simply drop it, and grab it later. TIP don't put other things in the same pocket.

[JohnP]

First Gear overpants, FG Mesh jacket for hot weather, FG Kilimanjaro Jacket for rain, Leather jacket for everything else. Leave pair of dress shoes at work.

Most importantly, Gerbing heated jacket. I'm not sure if it gets cold at night in AZ but in Mass in the spring and fall in Massachusetts it can be 60 degrees going to work and 40 degrees or less coming home. The Gerbing heated jacket can be worn as a windbreaker under the Mesh jacket, and of course heated under anything. It has heated high collar zip up neck which keeps your neck oh so toasty.

For storage a Givi v46 top case is going on the (one week old) bike today.

John