Work commute questions.

'ello!  I'm planning on getting my first bike fairly soon to make my commute a little more invigorating.  Pry gonna wind up with a Ninja 250 for the cheap buy-in, cool new styling, and to try not to kill myself and such.  My question is this:
To those who commute:  how do you arrive to work and not look as though you slept in your clothes?  Do they make protective pants that would go over my slacks? I'm thinking I'll get a backpack to keep my nice shoes while I'm wearing proper boots. Should I just bring a change of clothes in the backpack and change in the can?  Then I'd have fold lines, though....any help would be appreciated.  

I left shoes in the office to change into when I got to work.  Also I just wore my jacket and some rain pants over my clothes, kept my hair short, and didn't worry about the rest.  

Changing clothes when you get to work is an option. If I were you, I would just try commuting with your work clothes and see what you look like. I do singing gigs sometimes and I'll ride with a tuxedo on or suite and arrive looking just fine.  

I commute and here's a few things that I do. Although it sounds  like you have to dress kinda fancy for your job, my job at this time is a little more casual.

I ride with boots myself so I just throw my shoes in my backpack along with a change of pants if I need some. Or sometimes I will just wear jeans over some shorts and then strip down once I get to work.

As for hair I will either keep it short or bring some hair gel with me.

They do have protective pants that I would say are baggy enough to slip over another pair.

Backpack is the solution overall here though.

And unfortunately you pretty much just have to settle on the fact that you will have to spend some time once you get to work changing/getting ready. Oh well, you save time and money on the commute anyways so it evens out.

Take care, and take a Motorcycle Safety Course too !!! Do a search on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for classes.

*** One last note... I still get 60MPG on my '07 Suzuki SV650S. I am under the impression that a lot of people think you have to own a 250cc bike in order to recieve MPG ratings of 60+ . ( keeping in mind that I cruise around 80-85mph with the occasional speed fix )    

The only time isnt a pain is when your just going out to ride. I seem to be taking more off as time goes on. I am down to a good helmet and a nice mesh jacket. That alone is about 500.00 and goes with me anywhere i go when riding  i have had three helmets stolen off my bike and thats no fun. i would keep it minimun or it really starts to put a fly in your soup and gets old fast. Dont waste money on the track gloves and boots. if you want those get a sleek pair of just straight leather gloves from a leather store if you riding in the cold or what not. feet just get a pair of dress boots but your shifter foot will have a wear mark lol.  I know a few guys the ride there harley's to work in there suits. i would just get a good head piece and a good jacket.  

Consider your distance and the road you have to travel. I only have just over 2 miles to go to work, but it's on a major highway with an even bigger interstate intersection with big truck places diagnal from each other at the intersection, and lots of blind spots with the on and off ramps.

I always stay pretty protected just on the way to work for me. I usually keep a shirt at work and wear boots to and from along with other riding gear. But we probably aren't as nicely dressed as what it sounds like for you. I always have a back pack with many seperate "cargo" areas, also.  

Welll...In my line of work...It doesn't matter much what I look like...I try to gel my hair soo much that "helemt head" isn't an issue...I work in jeans, and saftey toe boots anyway so the're good riding gear...And I only ride if the chance of rain is 30% or less...