Inconvenient?

How many of you ride sport bikes as your primary vehicle (weather permitting)? Is it a hassle to go places on your bike, assuming you wear full leathers? Do you wear the leathers wherever you go or do you change out of them once you get there?

I want to get a bike and use it as my primary vehicle this summer, for the gas mileage and, well.. the cool factor of them. But I'm thinking if I drove to the mall or whatever that I'd be pretty uncomfortable and look rediculous in leather riding pants. The textiles are out; even though they probably look better they don't offer as much protection, I wouldn't feel as safe in them.

Sport bikes are terrible commuter vehicles. I refuse to ride anywhere without leathers, and I also refuse to ride on a regular basis in traffic because, frankly, I'm tired of being put at risk by people that have no business operating a motor vehicle. That combined with the sheer impracticality and the fact that you will be stuck riding in the rain/snow/dark with a bike as an only vehicle, I highly recommend you pick up a cage before buying a bike.

I have a car. I just mean I want to use the bike as much as possible.

i commuted for 4 years on my GSXR750.

always wore my leathers but changed when i got to work. summer sucked so i had to shower at work too.

still use my 954 to commute to my second job. i take my unifrom in my rack bag and get changed there. now i just wear my Redmax jeans (same as Draggin' jeans but aussie made), Dainese jacket, boots and gloves.

as for shopping centres, try some Draggin' Jeans or similar. they are kevlar reinforced jeans with similar protection levels of leather.

Alpinestar make "sneaker" style shoes with ankle protection. make your feet stink though.

as Deals has said before "dress for the crash, not the ride"

if safety and protection are to much of an inconvenience then bikes should be left at home......

most stacks reported down under are sub 40km/hr (slow 25mph?) and within 2k's(1.5miles) from home